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Legends #6
The Wrath of the Gods
Don't mess with the gods. And if they mess with you? Run like hell . . .
When it comes to mixing it up with the Gods, woe be to the man (or woman) who makes them angry. Here is a collection of five stories that demonstrates just how angry those Gods can get. From creative re-tellings of the Greek stories Pandora’s Box, The Judgment of Paris, and Narcissus and Echo, to less familiar but equally cautionary Viking story of The Stolen Hammer of Thor, and the Inuit legend of The Ten Fingers of Sedna, one thing is clear—it never pays to mess with the Gods!
122 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2012
6 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Horowitz
346 books21k followersAnthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 9, 2019
This fantasy book Was good and I really enjoyed it the story was exiting and kinda scary at times. And the ending was alright because I didn’t really understand it and i would recommend this too both boys and girls.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2012
Anthony Horowitz is a prolific author and screen writer with dozens of novels to his name and screenwriting credits that take in Midsomer Murders, Foyle’s War and most recently the screen play for the second TinTin movie. His series of children’s books about the teenage spy Alex Rider are hugely popular but I thought I’d try something different and tackle one of his Myths and Legends collection where he brings classic tales to life again. In Wrath of the Gods he retells three Greek legends, one Norse myth and an Inuit tale and reveals that no matter where the gods are from getting on the wrong side of them can be very unpleasant indeed.
In each of the five tales there’s a smattering of sex and a dose of violence – the book is about wrath after all – but there’s nothing graphic or too unpleasant and 9-11-year-olds should be comfortable with the themes and content. Horowitz draws attention to just how influential these myths and legends are both in our language and culture and that is certainly a great discussion topic for older children. The language he uses is not overly complicated and the sometimes complex tales are told with humour and a modern twist.
The first story is about Pandora’s box which was, in fact, not actually her box, but belonged to her husband Epimetheus. It was where he had collected and imprisoned all the evils that could harm mankind. Epimetheus was forced to marry Pandora – a beautiful but rather stupid woman – as part of a complex revenge plot by Zeus. Having been told never to open the box she rather predictably does releasing a whole host of evils including “old age, hard work, sickness…warfare…vandalism, tourism, tabloid journalism…party political broadcasts, TV talent contests and drizzle” into the world. A funny and contemporary version of the evils Epimetheus might originally have collected.
The other chapters retell the familiar stories of Thor and his hammer, Narcissus and his vanity and the less well-known legend of Inuit goddess Sedna. Only one tale doesn’t work very well and that’s the Greek legend of Paris – the man who started the Trojan war by stealing Helen from the King of Sparta. It reveals how the war came about but is a little complicated and tries to pack too much in too short a space which results in the story feeling rushed and a little confusing.
Overall an entertaining book that reminds you how important classic tales are and how their influence needs to be celebrated and not forgotten.
In each of the five tales there’s a smattering of sex and a dose of violence – the book is about wrath after all – but there’s nothing graphic or too unpleasant and 9-11-year-olds should be comfortable with the themes and content. Horowitz draws attention to just how influential these myths and legends are both in our language and culture and that is certainly a great discussion topic for older children. The language he uses is not overly complicated and the sometimes complex tales are told with humour and a modern twist.
The first story is about Pandora’s box which was, in fact, not actually her box, but belonged to her husband Epimetheus. It was where he had collected and imprisoned all the evils that could harm mankind. Epimetheus was forced to marry Pandora – a beautiful but rather stupid woman – as part of a complex revenge plot by Zeus. Having been told never to open the box she rather predictably does releasing a whole host of evils including “old age, hard work, sickness…warfare…vandalism, tourism, tabloid journalism…party political broadcasts, TV talent contests and drizzle” into the world. A funny and contemporary version of the evils Epimetheus might originally have collected.
The other chapters retell the familiar stories of Thor and his hammer, Narcissus and his vanity and the less well-known legend of Inuit goddess Sedna. Only one tale doesn’t work very well and that’s the Greek legend of Paris – the man who started the Trojan war by stealing Helen from the King of Sparta. It reveals how the war came about but is a little complicated and tries to pack too much in too short a space which results in the story feeling rushed and a little confusing.
Overall an entertaining book that reminds you how important classic tales are and how their influence needs to be celebrated and not forgotten.
September 6, 2017
Next on my list was Anthony Horowitz’ The Wrath of the Gods. And what a rollercoaster ride this was.
So what happens if we anger God? Do we get punished now or later? Is karma really true?
Well, the Gods of yore weren’t patient enough to let karma runs its course. Instead, they took it upon themselves to express their anger, displeasure, and rage in their own special ways. So Hera turned her husband’s lovers into cows (poor Io), his bastard sons into madmen (pity Hercules), and even flung her own son from the heavens thus crippling the child Hephaestus.
So imagine my delight at a book dedicated to the anger of the gods and their punishments.
The author’s oft-remarked-upon funny narrative continues with witty lines interspersed and a few brief backstories in the mix. The book is a treasure, but it makes me long for more elaborate details in a bigger book dedicated to Myths and Legends (similar to the orginal Kingfisher book that Anthony Horowtiz’ stories had appeared in).
That said, this is still a fab short read, and the illustrations are terrific too. It is sure to be a treat for younger audiences and myth-lovers.
Kudos, Anthony Horowitz. Thirty years later, your magic lives on!
So what happens if we anger God? Do we get punished now or later? Is karma really true?
Well, the Gods of yore weren’t patient enough to let karma runs its course. Instead, they took it upon themselves to express their anger, displeasure, and rage in their own special ways. So Hera turned her husband’s lovers into cows (poor Io), his bastard sons into madmen (pity Hercules), and even flung her own son from the heavens thus crippling the child Hephaestus.
So imagine my delight at a book dedicated to the anger of the gods and their punishments.
The author’s oft-remarked-upon funny narrative continues with witty lines interspersed and a few brief backstories in the mix. The book is a treasure, but it makes me long for more elaborate details in a bigger book dedicated to Myths and Legends (similar to the orginal Kingfisher book that Anthony Horowtiz’ stories had appeared in).
That said, this is still a fab short read, and the illustrations are terrific too. It is sure to be a treat for younger audiences and myth-lovers.
Kudos, Anthony Horowitz. Thirty years later, your magic lives on!
November 13, 2017
Not too many stories in this one; 'The Stolen Hammer of Thor' was the standout, particularly Loki. As I was reading, I was picturing him as depicted in Neil Gaiman's Sandman series.
October 30, 2019
Brief stories of some Gods in various cultures. I thought it was fun and a good way to expose young people to mythology.
December 6, 2020
A simple yet beautiful stories of how powerful these gods were.
January 23, 2021
My loving relationship with the Greek Gods and Goddesses continue.
October 11, 2023
4 stars 🌟 🤩 ✨️
August 19, 2012
By Anthony Horowitz. Grade A.
I am going to start with an extract from the book.
We all have used the word “Echo” sometimes or the other. We all know the meaning but do we know the story or the reason behind it?
The extract is the story of “Echo”.
Echo had distracted Hera by singing – the wife of Zeus and queen of Gods who was not known for her forgiving nature – while Zeus slipped away to enjoy himself with another nymph he had happened to meet and when Hera had found out she’d been furious. She had punished Echo by forbidding her the power of speech, at the same time condemning her always to repeat the last words anybody spoke to her.
Once when Echo fell in love with Narcissus, unable to express herself and after being ridiculed and refused, she fled into the woods, tears pouring down her cheeks. She spent the rest of her short life heartbroken and alone in a desolate valley, living in a cave. Her flesh disappeared. Her bones turned to stone. Soon all that was left of her was her voice- and should you ever find yourself in a valley or a cave and call out, you still hear her reply.
Real or not, the story interested me.
This is what the book “The Wrath of The Gods” is about. These are the stories of what happened when the powers-that-be were pissed off. I love mythology, so maybe that is why I loved this book so much.
Don’t mess with the gods. And if they mess with you? Run like hell . . .
When it comes to mixing it up with the Gods, woe be to the man (or woman) who makes them angry. Here is a collection of five stories that demonstrates just how angry those Gods can get. From creative re-tellings of the Greek stories Pandora’s Box, The Judgment of Paris, and Narcissus and Echo, to less familiar but equally cautionary Viking story of The Stolen Hammer of Thor, and the Inuit legend of The Ten Fingers of Sedna, one thing is clear—it never pays to mess with the Gods!
We Indians have heard of Ramayana, heard of Gita, Lord Krishna. We know their stories. But most of us have also heard the names Zeus, Thor and Aphrodite, without perhaps really knowing who they actually were. The book mostly contains Greek Legends.
You probably know that all our planets are named after Gods “Jupiter”, “Mercury”, etc. And that many of our constellations are also named after them. Did you know that “Thursday” was originally called “Thor’s day”.
Read the story of how humans were created. How God Thor lost his hammer, how he stole it back using deception from the monsters. How Zeus used to run after every man and woman even though he was married, how Narcissus was so vain that in the end he fell in love with his own reflection. In the story of ” The Ten Fingers of Sedna”; read how the greedy and mean never prosper, and of course, the very popular tale of “Pandora’s Box”.
A part of six books in “The Legends” series, Wrath of the Gods also includes illustrations to help engage the young minds. The stories were small and uncomplicated with an easy language for youngsters to understand. It combines fun, thrill, knowledge and – most importantly – moral lessons in a great package. Young readers would enjoy a break from the monotony of a life explained by science when they embark upon this delightful adventure.
Originally reviewed at http://the-vault.co.cc
I am going to start with an extract from the book.
We all have used the word “Echo” sometimes or the other. We all know the meaning but do we know the story or the reason behind it?
The extract is the story of “Echo”.
Echo had distracted Hera by singing – the wife of Zeus and queen of Gods who was not known for her forgiving nature – while Zeus slipped away to enjoy himself with another nymph he had happened to meet and when Hera had found out she’d been furious. She had punished Echo by forbidding her the power of speech, at the same time condemning her always to repeat the last words anybody spoke to her.
Once when Echo fell in love with Narcissus, unable to express herself and after being ridiculed and refused, she fled into the woods, tears pouring down her cheeks. She spent the rest of her short life heartbroken and alone in a desolate valley, living in a cave. Her flesh disappeared. Her bones turned to stone. Soon all that was left of her was her voice- and should you ever find yourself in a valley or a cave and call out, you still hear her reply.
Real or not, the story interested me.
This is what the book “The Wrath of The Gods” is about. These are the stories of what happened when the powers-that-be were pissed off. I love mythology, so maybe that is why I loved this book so much.
Don’t mess with the gods. And if they mess with you? Run like hell . . .
When it comes to mixing it up with the Gods, woe be to the man (or woman) who makes them angry. Here is a collection of five stories that demonstrates just how angry those Gods can get. From creative re-tellings of the Greek stories Pandora’s Box, The Judgment of Paris, and Narcissus and Echo, to less familiar but equally cautionary Viking story of The Stolen Hammer of Thor, and the Inuit legend of The Ten Fingers of Sedna, one thing is clear—it never pays to mess with the Gods!
We Indians have heard of Ramayana, heard of Gita, Lord Krishna. We know their stories. But most of us have also heard the names Zeus, Thor and Aphrodite, without perhaps really knowing who they actually were. The book mostly contains Greek Legends.
You probably know that all our planets are named after Gods “Jupiter”, “Mercury”, etc. And that many of our constellations are also named after them. Did you know that “Thursday” was originally called “Thor’s day”.
Read the story of how humans were created. How God Thor lost his hammer, how he stole it back using deception from the monsters. How Zeus used to run after every man and woman even though he was married, how Narcissus was so vain that in the end he fell in love with his own reflection. In the story of ” The Ten Fingers of Sedna”; read how the greedy and mean never prosper, and of course, the very popular tale of “Pandora’s Box”.
A part of six books in “The Legends” series, Wrath of the Gods also includes illustrations to help engage the young minds. The stories were small and uncomplicated with an easy language for youngsters to understand. It combines fun, thrill, knowledge and – most importantly – moral lessons in a great package. Young readers would enjoy a break from the monotony of a life explained by science when they embark upon this delightful adventure.
Originally reviewed at http://the-vault.co.cc
November 20, 2016
What's in this book:
1. Pandora's Box
2. The Judgment of Paris
3. The Stolen Hammer of Thor
4. The Ten Fingers of Sedna
5. Narcissus
Bonus: how to survive the greek gods
Need to be reminded that these tales came with various versions and Anthony just took one of them.
1. Pandora's Box
2. The Judgment of Paris
3. The Stolen Hammer of Thor
4. The Ten Fingers of Sedna
5. Narcissus
Bonus: how to survive the greek gods
Need to be reminded that these tales came with various versions and Anthony just took one of them.
January 5, 2014
122 pages of retold myth silliness. And so "memorable" that I've now read it twice. (1/4/2014)
November 13, 2013
Wrath of the gods is nerve wracking and shows people of different virtues and powers each god has, they can be helpful or could not and hurt you.
August 17, 2014
awesome
June 6, 2018
This was not bad, though really it was just a collection of legends.
I like how they were written really simply, it would be great for young kids. However it is something thay could really be found in various formats, therefore it is really nothing special.
I like how they were written really simply, it would be great for young kids. However it is something thay could really be found in various formats, therefore it is really nothing special.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews