Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons

Young Heroes #2

by Jane Yolen, Robert J. Harris

Proud and brave, she lives for the thrill of the hunt and for the friendship of her fellow female warriors. Then, because her mother demands it and in defiance of the laws of her people, she must take her newborn brother to his father in Troy, where she finds herself in terrible danger. To save her people, Hippolyta must defy the gods -- and even accept the help of a boy -- and learn what it really means to be an finding the courage to change her world.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Greek Mythology, Childrens, Adventure

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hippolyta is a true Amazon princess: Her heart beats for the thrill of the hunt, the rush of her daily battle training, and the abiding community of her fellow female warriors. She would do anything to protect the secure, empowering life the Amazons have built. But when her entire world is threatened, will this thirteen-year-old warrior be able to save it?Thrust into a race with time, fighting against incredible odds and even the gods themselves, Hippolyta will have to do the unthinkable to save the legendary race of female warriors: accept the help and love of a boy. And as she journeys to her nation's mythical homeland of Arimaspa in search of salvation, Hippolyta finally learns what it really means to be an Amazon: finding the courage to face your fears and overcome them in order to change the world.

Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris have written yet another compelling and engaging adventure story, this time exploring the secret, mythical world of the Amazons.

[˗ˋˏ nikki ˎˊ˗ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick easy read of Yolen and Harris' take on Hippolyta's origin story. It's certainly childrens/middle grade journey of mythic proportions, and Tithonus was a lovely foil for Hippolyta's character. Shaped by real myths, it was helpful for my preliminary toe-dip into Amazon research. You can see how Diana/Wonder Women's character would be shaped by this iteration of Hippolyta; her strength, persistence, and compassion are very endearing.

[Mrs. Cubby Culbertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While watching the new Wonder Woman movie, I recognized Diana's mother's name, Hippolyta, as the name of a novel in our library.

I wanted to read it in order to learn more about Diana's mother and the Amazon women. I enjoyed Jane Yolen's novelization of the mythic tales. No direct ties to Diana because of Hippolyta's age in this particular setting, but an interesting tale.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that got me into reading and greek mythology. When i hated reading.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

My gosh, I read this so many years ago. I have always loved greek mythology. Overall, I found this complex and quite a different take on the legend of the Amazons.

[Katelyn Snell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a history lover, this series gives the reader an excellent, albeit fictional, backstory to the Greek myths.

[ramram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a favorite of mine. It is about Greek mythology, a favorite of mine.I know nothing about Amazons and a curse from Artemis. I never knew that gods would disagree and fight each other, or the gods betraying mortals. I always thought Artemis was a good goddess, not betraying and helping women instead of making women rip their hair and grieve. When she put a curse among the women, I think that she was a traitor. Artemis is the goddess of hunting, and Amazons hunt. Well I also like about the book is that is very funny and humorous. It is an Adventure story which I like and it has tension in it. When I’m not reading it I want to read it. I think it is very strange how tall I am and hip to Lei’s name would come up with a boy Jan trick him. I think it is very strange how Hippolyta would team up with a boy trick him. That boy was actually her brother. When Artemis told Hippolyta to go to the deserted town, and sacrifice the boy, she actually didn’t want to sacrifice(even though the Amazons don’t like boys). I knew it was Ares when he first came along.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris is the second book in the Young Heroes series. I have not read the first book, so I am hazarding a guess that each book can stand on its own. It seems that each book chronicles the adventures of young heroes from mythology. Hippolyta is a true amazon, she is proud and brave, living for the thrill of the hunt and for the friendship of her fellow female warriors. She is a skilled hunter and loving sister. Then, because her mother demands it and in defiance of the laws of her people, she must take her newborn brother to his father in Troy, where she finds herself in new and terrible dangers. In order to save her people, Hippolyta must defy the gods, with the help of a boy. In the process she learns what it really means to be an Amazon; finding the courage to change her world.

Alright, I need to start by saying I love Jane Yolen- from her dinosaur picturebooks right through to her fantasy fiction. Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons is no exception to that statement. I have always loved mythology, and seeing some of the lesser know stories taken and expanded upon makes me happy, to see it done well and by Yolen makes me giddy.

Now on to Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons. I liked the detail put into laying out the Amazon civilization and complications that arise, as well as the power struggles inherent in the system. I liked the in depth characterization of even some of the secondary characters, which occasionally left me wishing that everyone would get some follow up. Hippolyta's personal growth, coming to care for her infant brother and then her younger brother Tithonus, is tremendous. She grows as a warrior and a person as she faces dangers including a hungry sea monster and an angry goddess. She learns to think beyond what she was taught and to trust in what she feels is right.

I greatly enjoyed Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons, and look forward to exploring the rest of the Young Heroes series from Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris. There is action and dry humor through out the book, while offering a new look at mythology. Readers that enjoy coming of age stories, action adventure tales, quests, and mythology will find themselves very happy while reading.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any form of compensation.

I have always been in love with the old mythologies. I can never understand why the older religions are called myths by mainstream society and the newer religions are called religions. They are all stories of gods and how to live your life.

Well, that is just a personal beef with how society views things that it doesn't approve of or doesn't want to acknowledge.

The story however is a retelling of an old myth but with a fictional twist. Historical fiction has become all the rage. One of the great things about historical fiction is that it helps create a thirst for historical knowledge. Anything that helps people to learn some of the historical occurrences is a great thing in my opinion.

That being said, this is a great introduction into ancient mythology for middle grade readers.

The story is based off of the Amazon Queen Otrere and her daughter Hippolyta. If you look up the myth, you will see that most of the story holds true to the myth. The fictional part is that they don't have actual dialogue or minute by minute telling in the old myths. They just have the basis of the story.

This book helped to breathe life into the myth and make it fun to read. I definitely want to see some of the other books in this series.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons' is a fun adventure for young readers. Especially those looking for more adventures with Greek gods and warriors.

Young Hippolyta is a brave warrior living among the amazons. When her mother gives birth to a baby boy, there are ominous prophecies that threaten the amazons. Hippolyta is sent with the baby to Troy, where the child's father is king. When her life is threatened, she is thrown together with another boy that is her younger brother. Escaping back to her home, she finds it cursed. In order to break the curse, she will have to challenge the gods themselves.

This book is part of a series, but each is a standalone book. The common factor is that they all take place in Ancient Greece and feature young versions of Greek heroes. I loved young Hippolyta. She is poised and brave and willing to look danger head on. These are great characteristics in a young hero. It was a fun book and I wouldn't mind reading more in the series.

Included are short, interesting author biographies with pictures. The kind of author biography that should be in all books for younger readers.

I was given a review copy of this ebook by Open Road Integrated Media and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this book.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

*received a free copy to review from NetGalley

Jane Yolen is definitely one of my favorite Young Adult/Children's fiction writers, and any book that focuses on engaging young kids in history is always worth checking out. Presenting historical figures in engaging ways is an excellent way to get them excited to explore more on the subject. Such is the case with Hippolyta and the Curse of the Amazons.
The culture of the Amazons is an enigma to most, and the idea of a society of all females is enough to engage your interest. That it is presented with both good and bad sides was a surprise. I have found a lot of books concentrate on the male-bashing side more, which is a turn off and definitely not appropriate for a children's book. Hippolyta does engage in a bit of this behaviour, but it has a lot more to do with a young girl proving herself and discovering who she really is. A word of warning, I did find the casual way she mentions killing a child to be a bit much at times. It is an important part of the plot, but I think the authors tried to hammer it home a bit too much.
I hadn't heard of this Young Heroes series, but based on this book, I am going to have to read more of them.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an historical fantasy story about the childhood of the Amazon queen, Hippolyta. Although she is only 13, she is already a trained warrior as well as a princess. At her mother's request she travels to Troy to deliver her brother to his father, King Laomedon. That journey results in being staked out as a sacrifice to an angry sea monster, battling enemy soldiers, meeting gods in disguise, and trying to lift a curse on the Amazons. Hippolyta is brave, loyal, and a good fighter, but she must learn some lessons about controlling her temper and knowing when it is right to fight.

Readers who enjoy the mythology incorporated into stories like Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Kane Chronicles, or Goddess Girls would probably enjoy this series. There are books about Odysseus, Jason, and Atalanta by the same authors.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of this series: the early lives of famous Greek heroes. Jane Yolen is also one of my favourite authors. I expected to like this book a lot more than I did. While the story was really entertaining, I really didn't care for the overall 'moral.' Not only was it hammered on the entire time, but it was also the whole 'women are totally capable, but they really need men in the end' which I loathe. It's not a lesson any woman actually needs to learn, as we're constantly told how much we need men all the damn time anyway. Give me a book about learning to need sisters and female friends any day.

[Sariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in middle school I believe and I got the urge to re-read it this week. It was as enjoyable this time around as it was the first time! Now that I'm older though, there were a few little things here and there that didn't seem right or read smoothly. Still enjoyed it and recommend it for everyone, especially those that have a hard time reading a long book or are looking to get back into reading passionately like me.

[Cassondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

good plot. very happy when the stupid twins got bested by Hippolyta's father. she was a great, brave, and cunning warrior and the tale had a fitting end. and just to say the king of the trojans is really big jerk not bothering to care about (one of) his (probably numerous) wive(s) or worry about either of his sons.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hippolyta is a young Amazon warrior, daughter of the queen. But the queen has just had a second baby boy, which is forbidden by Amazon law, so he must be sacrificed. The queen refuses and gives the child to Hippolyta to save by taking him to his father. Hippolyta learns many moral lessons in her journey.

[Katarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book.

I love Greek mythology and the intertwining of historical people/places and fiction.
I don't want to give the plot away, but the story was so well written, that it will bring Ancient Greece and the pantheon to life for young readers.

Even as a (middle aged) adult I enjoyed this book very much. It was a great read.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that this book in the Young Heroes series was not as good as the others. I feel that it does not really explain much about what was going on. If you did not know the history of the Amazons, then you would get lost at several points in the book. Also, at the end it was a cliff hanger. It left you wondering "What happened?" and "How did the story end?"

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hippolyta is faced with ending a cruse on the amazons with only her brother for help. But it turns out the gods are more involved than she thought.

I though this was a charming tale oa amazons, gods and fate. Very entertaining.

[LibraryDanielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, but not really all that much substance. there are some rather heavy handed morals/life lessons peppered throughout the book as well. overall a fun enjoyable read for kids a little too young for the Percy Jackson books.

[SR · Rating 2 out of 5]

I totally remember reading this. Couldn't tell you anything about it.

[Liaken · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rotten. Not worth the look. I didn't both to finish it.

[mishti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great one for ancient Greek mythology lovers. It was a fresh take on the Amazon legends and finally had a girl as the main character!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it was an adventure story, and she stood up for her brother and mother.

[Selin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book since i amvery into mythology

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fun YA stories with Greek mythology.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Percy Jackson books made me renew my interest in greek mythology books and I found a few by Jane Yolan. Well rewritten, short stories. Wish there were more...or something similar.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was the coolest girl power book ever when I read it in the fifth grade.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book overall, but I feel it was lacking that special something. I would probably reccomend this book to younger readers.