Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Appealing tale of flawed, noble prince offers strong values.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Once united in the same kingdom, Arcos and Ferra have been at war with each other for centuries, thanks to some past misdeed that caused an irate Zeus to curse them with perennial warfare, bad weather, and pestilence. But the goddess Athene, patron of the kingdom, does what she can to protect the people, who live in hope that THE CHOSEN PRINCE, Athene's champion, will come along and make everything right. So when a ceremony reveals the newborn Prince Alexos of Arcos as the long-awaited hero, the boy struggles to be worthy of his calling and to please his harsh, demanding father. When the king orders him to compete in an upcoming foot race, 12-year-old Alexos trains hard despite embarrassing preferential treatment. But when the big day comes, he dashes his father's hopes and barely completes the race -- because, as is soon revealed, he's the latest victim of the "summer sickness" (probably polio) that plagues the kingdom. Now disabled and struggling to walk again, Alexos suffers another stunning blow -- and commits a horrible deed known only to himself. As he struggles to redeem himself and become a good ruler, he learns many lessons about friendship, loyalty, empathy, and compassion, as well as courage.
Is It Any Good?
Author Diane Stanley tells the entire story in the present tense, which gives it a vivid, somewhat dreamlike quality. She delivers complex, appealing characters facing overwhelming challenges, often with kindness, courage, and strong friendship. Some readers will be more persuaded than others by the divine revelation explaining the protagonist's wicked deed that haunts his life, but most will find the story's conclusion very satisfying.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories about ancient Greek mythology and why they're so popular many centuries later. Do the adventures and conflicts of gods and heroes have anything to do with our lives today?
Have you ever done something really bad and had no idea why you did it? What happened?
If you were able to live in another time and place (historical or imaginary), would you? Which place?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harper
- Publication date : January 27, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 18
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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