Dr. Zeus

by James Patterson, Chris Tebbetts

Middle School meets Percy Jackson in this new offering from #1 New York Times bestselling author James Patterson, where Greek gods task an ordinary twelve-year-old with a big mission.

Nick Andino isn’t exactly “hero” material. He’s perfectly happy working at his family’s Greek diner, pining over his crush, and avoiding his bully. His life isn’t very exciting…until destiny comes calling.

Dr. Zeus, the over-the-top king of the gods, zooms into town with a quest that Nick must complete to save Andinos past and present from being erased from history. Accompanied by a fast-talking Hermes, Nick journeys back to ancient Greece, where his ancestors await—along with new friends and a whole host of Greek gods and monsters. Can Nick be the hero the Andinos need, or will his story be another Greek tragedy?

This fast-paced, feel-good adventure from the world’s favorite storyteller has black-and-white illustrations throughout, and amphitheaters full of humor and heart.

Genres: Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult

352 pages, Hardcover

Published January 26, 2026

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Louis (audiobookfanatic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Zeus is a middle‑grade fantasy adventure filled with comedic moments. It’s reminiscent of the Percy Jackson books with its blending of Greek mythology, modern life, and a fast-paced, hilarious race-against-time narrative! With elements of time travel, ancient gods, and quirky magical mishaps, this book is perfect for middle grade fans or anyone who loves feel‑good adventure stories that are full of heart!

The story follows twelve‑year‑old Nick Andino—an average, shy kid working at his family’s Greek diner in Athens, Ohio, while hopelessly crushing on his friend Daisy. His world flips upside down when Dr. Zeus, king of the gods, arrives with an urgent mission: Nick must journey back to ancient Greece to save his family’s line (and himself) from disappearing forever. Dr. Zeus’s son, the god Hermes, becomes Nick’s secret sidekick and mentor on his journey against monsters and gods!

Nick’s coming-of-age and journey of self-discovery are the real heart of the story. He starts off as an insecure kid who’d rather avoid trouble than take risks. Once he’s thrust into the mission to save his family, the “reluctant hero” trope is very pronounced, and he feels more real, relatable, and lovable! As the story unfolds, he slowly steps out of his comfort zone, faces fears (both monsters and bullies), and shows real courage. Meanwhile, Zeus’s larger-than-life personality and his son Hermes’s trickster ways and playful commentary add comic relief and force Nick to be braver and more confident. Nick’s dialogue with his widowed mom and loving grandpa is heartfelt and authentic—and will pull at the heartstrings of readers, especially towards the end!

What makes this book so binge‑worthy is its relentless pacing and magical adventures in Ancient Greece. The short, punchy chapters are packed with humor, action, and mythology. Nick constantly being jolted back in time, exactly to where he last left off, feels like jumping back into a paused video game after you’ve gained insight on how to proceed to the next level! And all the exciting challenges and clever twists will keep readers turning pages! The ending wraps everything up in a satisfying way with action-packed triumph, pleasing emotional arcs, and a hopeful outlook!

Anyone who’s enjoyed James Patterson's other middle grade books or the popular Percy Jackson series will absolutely love this book! It’s also a great option for mythology lovers or anyone who enjoys a lighthearted magical quest filled with comedy and heart!

[Klare · Rating 2 out of 5]

A nice story for younger readers

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Nick Andino's relatively quiet life in Athens, Ohio is disrupted when Zeus and Hermes arrive in a Winnebago and claim that he has to fulfill a prophecy and save not only himself but his entire family line from being destroyed. Details are a bit sketchy, but since Nick's life isn't going too well, he figures he might as well investigate. In the real world, his father has passed away, and hid grandfather Pop-Pop has moved from San Diego to help out at the restaurant his father started, Dino's Dine-In. His mother owes $18,000 in back rent to bully Orson's family, so he constantly has to cater to his nemesis. On top of that, he is going to stop home schooling with Pop-Pop and start Athens Middle School in the fall. Why not get whisked off to ancient Greece and battle a Cyclops who looks suspiciously like Orson? Zeus and Hermes are invested in Nick's attention to his family legacy, and pop him back without much warning. In between shifts at the diner, Nick finds himself working with Margarita to solve a riddle involving an ogre, flower, apple, and a helm that leads him to an island called the Stadium of the Gods. In Ohio's Athens, Hermes facilitates a meeting with Nick's crush, Daisy, and he confides in her about his odd adventures. He needs a lot of help; he is starting to fade, which Hermes tells him is a definite sign of "destinitis". There are lots of adventures in Greeze, including meeting Proteus, trying to get a golden apple, and tangling with Eris, the goddess of Discord. In the end, he manages to come through to save his family's destiny, although his mother loses the restaurant. Pop-Pop decides to stay around, and Zeus and Hermes, in a real deus ex machina move, save the day by gifting the Andino's a Gyro Hero food truck. The solid gold apple in Nick's pocket also helps the family have the capital to move forward.

This was a fun, mythology based romp from the popular Patterson franchise, and the cover is great. There hasn't been much interest in mythology books for a few years now; Riordan's Percy Jackson series is twenty years old. I found myself being much more invested in Nick's family life in Athens, and would have been quite happy to find out how he did going into middle school, hanging out with Daisy, and working on the food truck. As a former Latin teacher, I still have a TON of mythology based books like Shipton's The Pig Scrolls, Yolen's Young Heroes series, Childs' Oh. My. Gods. Calonita's Zero to Hero and Go the Distance, McCaughrean's that no longer circulate, so I may not purchase this title, but take a look if you need some fresh takes on ancient Greece.

[Sara Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

** “Some battles need to be fought, but others need to be thought.” **

James Patterson joins forces with Chris Tebbetts to deliver the delightfully fun “Dr. Zeus,” a modern-day take on ancient Greek mythology.

When Zeus and his son Hermes appear to Nick Andino of Athens, Ohio, Nick doesn’t know what’s going on. He learns he must go on a quest predicted in ancient times to literally save his family from disappearing from all time. He must save his family’s ancestral town from being destroyed by a cyclops.

Can Nick save himself and his family? Can he gain the self-confidence to complete the quest?

Filled with great illustrations by Brandon Dorman, “Dr. Zeus” is a fun story filled with nods to ancient Greek mythology, including creatures and references like golden apples. The authors create some fun and zany characters that fight self-doubt, but also fill the story with some great themes, like every hero needs an ally; “without love, romance, and friendship, there are no heroes”; you need to outthink, not outfight, your enemies; we are all the heroes of our own stories, can we rise to the challenge; and we all can dig deep to find the strength we need to overcome anything.

Fans of Patterson’s other series like the “Treasure Hunter” series, series like Rosaria Munda’s “Confessions of a Junior Spy” and authors like Chris Grabenstein will love “Dr. Zeus,” which is due out Jan. 26.

Five stars out of five.

jimmy patterson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

[Mateo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one landed in the “solid family car-ride listen” category for me. As an adult, I thought it was fine. Not life-changing, not something I’m going to evangelize to other grown-ups at a dinner party, but definitely serviceable when you need a story that keeps kids engaged and prevents the backseat from turning into a courtroom.

For the kids, it worked better than it did for me, especially for my reader. He was all in on Nick being on an adventure, and his favorite moment came near the end when Nick wants to go back and help his friend Margarita. That specific beat really stuck with him, which I love because it’s not just “cool stuff happens,” it’s “you don’t leave your people behind.” The audiobook format was also a win in our house. The sound effects and the different voices made it feel more like a full production than a straight read, which helped keep everyone locked in.

My other kids said they enjoyed it too, but couldn’t really point to a specific favorite part. That pretty much tells you what you need to know: it’s entertaining in the moment, easy to follow, and it does the job, even if it doesn’t leave them quoting it for days afterward.

Overall: A kid-friendly adventure with a strong “help your friends” moment and an audiobook performance that does a lot of the heavy lifting. If you’re looking for something fun that keeps the whole crew listening, it’s a good pick—especially if you appreciate narration that brings extra energy to the story.

[The Keepers of the Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Descending down from Mt. Olumpus, Zeus and Hermes have arrived in Athens, Ohio. Their mission: to help cure a boy named Nick of his destinitis. Nick is descended from 48 generations of Greeks. As 7th grade looms, Nick is dealing with a lot as a result of his father’s death. His mom and grandfather are struggling to keep the diner afloat. The landlord’s son is a bully. Soon, Zeus introduces himself and announces that Nick has to go back in time to ancient Greece to fulfill a prophecy. If he doesn’t, his family line will disappear. As he attempts to fulfill the prophecy, he will have to fight Cyclopes and other monsters. Will Nick be able to fulfill the prophecy and save his family?

Narrator, Mark Sanderlin brings to life the world of Nick with unique intonations, an entertaining narrative style, and different voices that distinguish the well-developed characters. The sound effects Sanderlin uses give the audiobook a movie-like feel. The characters are engaging, humorous, and draw the listener into the book. For listeners who like humor, mythology, Percy Jackson, and adventure this is a must-listen. Recommended for most library collections.

Recommended Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Please Note: A copy of this audiobook was given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own. No other compensation was received.

[John Walthers · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a longtime James Patterson fan, I requested Dr. Zeus expecting something closer to his usual fast-paced thrillers, not realizing this was a Middle Grade novel. That difference was immediately noticeable, as the tone and style are very different from the Patterson stories I’m used to. However, once I adjusted my expectations and viewed the book from the perspective of its intended audience, I could appreciate what it set out to do. The story follows a group of clever and quirky characters inspired by Greek gods, delivering a lighthearted adventure that’s easy to follow and clearly designed to entertain younger readers.
From a Middle Grade standpoint, Dr. Zeus is funny, imaginative, and filled with interesting characters that bring mythology into a modern, accessible setting. The audiobook experience was especially enjoyable—the narrator did an excellent job with voice acting, which added energy and personality to the characters and helped keep the story engaging. While it wasn’t what I originally expected as a James Patterson fan, it succeeds well within its genre. Thank you to NetGalley, Jimmy Patterson Publications, Chris Tebbetts, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this story.

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dr. Zeus by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts is a fun, fast-paced read that blends modern-day adventure with Greek mythology in a way that feels fresh and engaging. I really loved how the story is set in the present while seamlessly weaving in historical facts and background information about the Greek gods. It makes the mythology feel accessible and exciting rather than overwhelming.

The overall vibe gave me strong Percy Jackson feels, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters are likable, the pacing is quick, and the mix of humor, action, and mythological references keeps the story moving. It’s an entertaining read that would especially appeal to younger readers or anyone who enjoys mythology-based stories with a contemporary twist.

I read this as an ebook and found it very easy to get through and perfect for a quick, enjoyable escape. A solid 4-star read and a great introduction to Greek mythology in a modern setting.

[Tara Breuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun-filled, fast action, off and running book from the very first page! Meet Dr Zeus in Athens Ohio.. in his RV. Yeah this is a fun fun read!! It is a really creative way to introduce you to the Greek Gods and spin a present day story about them. This book takes you through Nicks adventure with Zeus, his learning how to write his own story, his family's past and its importance. It is a fun read with a lot of mischief from the Gods. This is a FUN read! The crazy adventures could only be created by these two wonderful authors! This will be a fun read for upper elementary through middle school kids, both boys and girls should like this book. The chapters are short and the type font and spacing make it an easy read and the story line might be a good for a reluctant reader. This would be a great classroom or school library book.

I loved reading it and I cannot wait for the next book! It ends so there can be another book after this one. If there was I would definitely be in line to read it!

[Jada Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALC 🎧 Book Review 🤍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a cute lil middle grade read.
(I was intrigued by the Percy Jackson marketing)

Pretty short and fast paced.
I feel like it’s a nice example on how to deal with change and problem solving.

I liked the fun lil trials, def gave Percy Jackson vibes, but cuter lmfao. Although, the end wasn’t as impactful as I thought it would be. It was a bit flat.

Overall, the kids would enjoy this lol. I was curious to see how James Patterson would write a Middle Grade. Mark Sanderlin did a good job narrating!!

[Critter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.

I think overall this book is interesting and can be very entertaining for young readers. The narrator did a good job with this one. I do wish this book had been a bit longer, mainly so that there could be more fleshing out of the characters and world. There is a lot going on to the point this book did seem too short and like a lot was crammed into little space. I think the characters and their dynamics are interesting and deserved a bit more development in this book.

[Shawn Atkins Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Zeus was provided by NetGalley and James Patterson for an early read and my rating.

I loved this! I have read many books from James Patterson and this is perfect for young readers. Dr. Zeus made me smile and I even laughed out loud a few times. It is a pretty quick read and was very entertaining from the beginning to the end, which should be great for younger readers.
Thank you for an opportunity to review this audiobook and I will be buying this when it is available to add to my personal library.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Hachette Audio, NetGalley and the author for a free ALC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This is a solid middle grade title that does nothing to stand out above the rest, but it will probably still be very enjoyable for the target demographic. The story is adventurous and fast paced and although the characters are thin, their personalities and goals are clear-cut and easy to understand/follow. Nothing here wowed me, but also, nothing here made me angry or exasperated. Fun times all around even if a little predictable and shallow.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC!

The premise of this book is creative. A boy named Nick must go back to ancient Greece to fulfill a prophecy and to save the legacy of his family. Throughout his trials and tribulations he meets and interacts with various Greek gods. However, in an attempt to cram in a lot of action, there is some character development that is sacrificed, leaving some of the characters feeling flat.

[Bozhena Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Hachette Audio, Jimmy Patterson, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this book. This is a fast-paced Greek mythology based adventure with a relatable main character and a typical hero’s quest with multiple trials. It is a very nice addition to the Jimmy imprint and the narration was wonderful as well. A great, enjoyable quick read.

[Ellie Schaben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Jimmy Patterson and Hachette Audio for the ALC!

I was excited about this since I love all things Greek gods. It was extremely reminiscent of Percy Jackson, but it read younger. Like much more simplistic, not much character development, not many deviations from the straightforward plot. While I could see a young reader enjoying this, I wish we could’ve seen a little more depth.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading this. This was a copy I won from Goodreads. When I entered the giveaway, I didn't realize it was written for such a young age - but I still enjoyed reading it. I particularly liked the structure of the story which kept it engaging.

[Hope Griffin Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

pending

[Jerry]

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[Erica Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was actually a good book.. it shows you how kids grow up and if they do right or have good people they can grow up and handle everything. The business was good.

[The Bibliognost Bampot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uninspired, uninteresting, stilted, clunky - felt almost like it had been written by AI. At this point Patterson and co-writers are churning out bland, boring middle grade books like a factory. Sad.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read the whole book as it's for kids but what I did read was very good.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

People play with Greek gods a lot in middle grade fiction

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, quick read; will purchase.

[Jess M. Samuels · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book to listen to with my 8-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son, and it turned out to be a great family read. I was drawn to it because I loved Greek mythology as a kid and had recently introduced my children to some of my favorite myth stories, so they already had a little context for the gods and characters. I also chose it because of James Patterson’s name, not fully realizing how strong his middle-grade books are.

From the very first chapter, my kids, especially my 8-year-old, were completely hooked. Every night she kept asking what would happen next, which is always the best sign that a book is working for kids. The story moves quickly, the humor lands well, and the Greek mythology elements feel accessible without being overwhelming.

From an adult perspective, I thought the book was solid rather than standout, but that almost doesn’t matter here. It absolutely delivered for its intended audience. When I asked my kids what they thought, they both immediately said it was a five-star book without hesitation, and that’s the rating that really counts.

[Danielle Silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts off from the point of view of Hermes, son of Zeus, as a narrator of sorts as he is on his way to Athens, Ohio. When they get there we meet Nick Andino, whose mom owns a Greek diner, and we are told that he is going to be the main character in the story that is about to unfold. Chapter 3 then switches to Nick’s point of view as we follow him on an adventure to save his destiny.

I think this was a fun story perfect for middle grade readers. It was fast paced and easy to follow, and I like how the author drew inspiration from Greek mythology but made it relatable to middle grade readers. With the pictures sprinkled in and the underdog main character the story gives Diary of a Wimpy kid vibes. The only thing I didn’t like is that the ending of the quest seemed anticlimactic but I still think the journey was enjoyable.