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Hercules: A Hero's Journey (on a School Trip) - a hilarious, highly illustrated series of mythical magic and real-world mayhem
Hercules Braver has a he's a real-life demigod! So, why does he seem so... ordinary?
Most children of Zeus have some kind of superskill - like bravery, warrior skills or healing powers. Well, thanks to a wild boar (long story), Herc and his friends are off on a school trip to Greece. He's bound to discover his gift there - and even meet more of the gods!
But after ending up neck-deep in horse poo, almost falling down a mountain and facing a fierce flock of ravens, this trip feels more like an epic voyage... What's really going on with the mysterious gods, Athena, Apollo and Ares? And will Hercules discover what makes him special?
Following up on the Diary of a (Sort of) Hero, this is a hilarious, accessible package brilliantly illustrated by David O'Connell. Ideal for fans of Louie Stowell's Loki, Maz Evans, Marvel's Thor films and Disney's Hercules. Hercules Braver's adventures in this book are loosely based on the next three Labours of Hercules, ideal for all young fans of Greek mythology! Heartfelt exploration of friendship, secret struggles and discovering your strengths and talents, even if they're unexpected.
Most children of Zeus have some kind of superskill - like bravery, warrior skills or healing powers. Well, thanks to a wild boar (long story), Herc and his friends are off on a school trip to Greece. He's bound to discover his gift there - and even meet more of the gods!
But after ending up neck-deep in horse poo, almost falling down a mountain and facing a fierce flock of ravens, this trip feels more like an epic voyage... What's really going on with the mysterious gods, Athena, Apollo and Ares? And will Hercules discover what makes him special?
Following up on the Diary of a (Sort of) Hero, this is a hilarious, accessible package brilliantly illustrated by David O'Connell. Ideal for fans of Louie Stowell's Loki, Maz Evans, Marvel's Thor films and Disney's Hercules. Hercules Braver's adventures in this book are loosely based on the next three Labours of Hercules, ideal for all young fans of Greek mythology! Heartfelt exploration of friendship, secret struggles and discovering your strengths and talents, even if they're unexpected.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 18, 2024
I knew as soon as this arrived that it needed to be read! I loved the first one, and this one is just as funny, packed with adventure and friendship, and mythology! The illustrations in this are so brilliant too. This proper made me laugh out loud at times! Def one for my classroom - my class have asked for mythology books!
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August 27, 2024Really good book
August 20, 2024
Hercules Braver is back. And he wants to find his superskill, because all of Zeus' children have a superskill, right?
In order to find this out, first there is an encounter with a wild boar whilst in a hide with Pav and Natthew (who has a major problem after eating too many Haribos). Don't ask it's very gross!
This though leads to a trip to Greece for the whole class, thanks to a photo Pav took (even though he didn't know it, did he Hatty?) of the boar. But rather like that other Hercules, Our Herc seems to be on a set of trials. He also thinks Hatty has got a case of becoming a teenager and being obsessed with boys (well, one boy). Has he got it right though?
Hercules promised his Mum after their last encounter with Zooey (Zeus) that he wouldn't have anything to do with his father or the Gods again. That is until the piles of horse poo have to be dealt with, he gives in and asks Zeus if he can get help from Athena and Apollo. Pav and Hatty are over the moon. Pav wants to interview Athena for his Myth Con talk - but she doesn't want to talk to him, she's fascinated by Ken and his science. Hatty is doing anything to get Apollo's attention, but why?
Hercules gets none of their attention, but he does get attention from Ares - Zeus' other non-favoured son. But what exactly does he want? He gets Hercules into a whole heap of trouble. Apollo, Athena and Ares disappear leaving Hercules friends very cross with him, Hatty is especially upset, why didn't Hercules notice his friend was so unhappy or ask why? Mr Geras (the headteacher) is furious and banishes Hercules to his room, until Ken doesn't return from a scouting trip for their walk up Mt Olympus. Then Hercules and his friends join the police - but they know where Ken is, just how do they lose the police and find him....much less how do they escape. Perhaps Hercules will find that superskill after all. And perhaps he'll find another use for it. One that helps his friend.
Brilliant fun, lots of laughs and the warmth of friends throughout (I mean Hercules friends even help him shovel horse poo!). His secret strength? Well, does he have a better one than the stuck up half siblings who think he's a joke? Does he use it for good?
David O'Connell's illustrations throughout the story, which is again written as Hercules diary, add beautifully to the humour of the story! Page 63 is particularly gross! Short sections of text means this is perfect for all those who find longer books difficult.
Really excited to take this into school because I know the first Hercules story has been well read.
Thanks to Kiran at Scholastic for the advance copy, Hercules trials in Greece begin on 12th September.
In order to find this out, first there is an encounter with a wild boar whilst in a hide with Pav and Natthew (who has a major problem after eating too many Haribos). Don't ask it's very gross!
This though leads to a trip to Greece for the whole class, thanks to a photo Pav took (even though he didn't know it, did he Hatty?) of the boar. But rather like that other Hercules, Our Herc seems to be on a set of trials. He also thinks Hatty has got a case of becoming a teenager and being obsessed with boys (well, one boy). Has he got it right though?
Hercules promised his Mum after their last encounter with Zooey (Zeus) that he wouldn't have anything to do with his father or the Gods again. That is until the piles of horse poo have to be dealt with, he gives in and asks Zeus if he can get help from Athena and Apollo. Pav and Hatty are over the moon. Pav wants to interview Athena for his Myth Con talk - but she doesn't want to talk to him, she's fascinated by Ken and his science. Hatty is doing anything to get Apollo's attention, but why?
Hercules gets none of their attention, but he does get attention from Ares - Zeus' other non-favoured son. But what exactly does he want? He gets Hercules into a whole heap of trouble. Apollo, Athena and Ares disappear leaving Hercules friends very cross with him, Hatty is especially upset, why didn't Hercules notice his friend was so unhappy or ask why? Mr Geras (the headteacher) is furious and banishes Hercules to his room, until Ken doesn't return from a scouting trip for their walk up Mt Olympus. Then Hercules and his friends join the police - but they know where Ken is, just how do they lose the police and find him....much less how do they escape. Perhaps Hercules will find that superskill after all. And perhaps he'll find another use for it. One that helps his friend.
Brilliant fun, lots of laughs and the warmth of friends throughout (I mean Hercules friends even help him shovel horse poo!). His secret strength? Well, does he have a better one than the stuck up half siblings who think he's a joke? Does he use it for good?
David O'Connell's illustrations throughout the story, which is again written as Hercules diary, add beautifully to the humour of the story! Page 63 is particularly gross! Short sections of text means this is perfect for all those who find longer books difficult.
Really excited to take this into school because I know the first Hercules story has been well read.
Thanks to Kiran at Scholastic for the advance copy, Hercules trials in Greece begin on 12th September.
April 14, 2025
The newest Hercules Braver book and this time a trip to Greece along with trying to figure out what superpowers he has!
😍 While Hercules got on my nerves at times I did like that he was searching for something awesome and see him discover things about himself. I loved that people were positive around him and tried to tell him what kind of skills he had. Yes, they may not be as awesome as flying, but these really matter. Plus, I liked seeing him have a list and try to figure out if he had any of those skills.
😍 That part with the boar had me in complete stitches. I loved what Hercules tried there, but OMG the chaos and how it went from 0-100 in such a short time (well, OK, they had to wait a few hours, but after that it went just in full OMG mode).
😍 How they got to go on the trip, oh Hattie, keep being yourself forever.
😍 The school trip and that we saw all sorts of fun things in Greece along with yummy foods and lots of events. One day I also want to go to Greece, one day!
😍 The oracle at Delphi was just A-Plus, I had NOT expected her to do that as her real job and I loved her prophecies even if they were a bit weird, but then again, that is prophecies for you.
😍 The many mythology we learn throughout the book, Pav is seriously into it and he knows all the deets and I was very curious about his speech and what he would chat about. I loved what he picked in the end and I loved how much research he put into it. Go Pav!
😍 I loved seeing what Mount Olympus was and wish I could be there. Endless holidays! Sounds the best life to me.
😍 The illustrations were really fun once again.
😍 On that note, I really like the cover!
😍 Ken is such a fun character and I am glad that he went along with the school trip. I also love how close Ken and Hercules are.
😍🙄 A mixed one! I liked seeing Apollo and Athena and Ares and I loved how they were able to transform and hypnotize someone so they could tag along. I loved Athena and how she tried to convince Ken about what is real and he was trying to science her all the way out, I loved that Apollo discovered new music and even changed his instrument. But dear lord, all these gods were just as bad as Zeus was. All of them were horrible. Ares was seemingly nice but I knew Ares. And then later things escalate and I was done with those gods.
🤬 The bully can just go away. I hated how he got away WITH EVERYTHING. It is like in Thea Sisters how Vanilla never seems to get her dues.
🤬 I am removing a bit of the star rating because I find Hercules SO insensitive towards his best friend. I get he is a boy. But seriously, your best friend wasn’t at school for 2 days, got called away by the head of school, is constantly crying, wants a potion that cures everything, cries when she calls her mom and sounds worried, how many fucking hints do you want? It is not lovesickness it is not puberty. Geez, get the hint.
🤬 I am SO SO disappointed how the superpower was handled.
But despite some eh things I still had a lot of fun reading this one and I am curious what is next for Hercules!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
😍 While Hercules got on my nerves at times I did like that he was searching for something awesome and see him discover things about himself. I loved that people were positive around him and tried to tell him what kind of skills he had. Yes, they may not be as awesome as flying, but these really matter. Plus, I liked seeing him have a list and try to figure out if he had any of those skills.
😍 That part with the boar had me in complete stitches. I loved what Hercules tried there, but OMG the chaos and how it went from 0-100 in such a short time (well, OK, they had to wait a few hours, but after that it went just in full OMG mode).
😍 How they got to go on the trip, oh Hattie, keep being yourself forever.
😍 The school trip and that we saw all sorts of fun things in Greece along with yummy foods and lots of events. One day I also want to go to Greece, one day!
😍 The oracle at Delphi was just A-Plus, I had NOT expected her to do that as her real job and I loved her prophecies even if they were a bit weird, but then again, that is prophecies for you.
😍 The many mythology we learn throughout the book, Pav is seriously into it and he knows all the deets and I was very curious about his speech and what he would chat about. I loved what he picked in the end and I loved how much research he put into it. Go Pav!
😍 I loved seeing what Mount Olympus was and wish I could be there. Endless holidays! Sounds the best life to me.
😍 The illustrations were really fun once again.
😍 On that note, I really like the cover!
😍 Ken is such a fun character and I am glad that he went along with the school trip. I also love how close Ken and Hercules are.
😍🙄 A mixed one! I liked seeing Apollo and Athena and Ares and I loved how they were able to transform and hypnotize someone so they could tag along. I loved Athena and how she tried to convince Ken about what is real and he was trying to science her all the way out, I loved that Apollo discovered new music and even changed his instrument. But dear lord, all these gods were just as bad as Zeus was. All of them were horrible. Ares was seemingly nice but I knew Ares. And then later things escalate and I was done with those gods.
🤬 The bully can just go away. I hated how he got away WITH EVERYTHING. It is like in Thea Sisters how Vanilla never seems to get her dues.
🤬 I am removing a bit of the star rating because I find Hercules SO insensitive towards his best friend. I get he is a boy. But seriously, your best friend wasn’t at school for 2 days, got called away by the head of school, is constantly crying, wants a potion that cures everything, cries when she calls her mom and sounds worried, how many fucking hints do you want? It is not lovesickness it is not puberty. Geez, get the hint.
🤬 I am SO SO disappointed how the superpower was handled.
But despite some eh things I still had a lot of fun reading this one and I am curious what is next for Hercules!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews