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Disney Chills #5
Liar, Liar, Head on Fire
"Remember our deal, Wonder Boy. The Zeus Cup belongs to me!"
On the outside, twelve-year-old Hector seems like he’s got it all. He’s strong, fast, and rumored to be the favorite to win this year’s Zeus Cup at the Mt. Olympus Spartan Race, the highest honor in his small Midwestern town. Hector’s parents and his five siblings trained to win gold in their twelfth year, but all fell short. Now Hector is their last chance to bring glory to the family, and he’s starting to feel the pressure. After a mysterious (and extremely talented) girl named Mae obliterates him at the practice run, Hector is desperate to do whatever it takes to win and make his family proud. Cue a certain god of the Underworld who has a mighty proposition for Hector: Hades will give him godlike strength and speed in exchange for the trophy at the end of the race. Seems like a pretty good trade-off. But as Hector soon discovers, no deal with Hades is as straightforward as it seems, and he’s going to have to go the distance or risk going from hero to zero.
Grab your nightlight, dear reader, and prepare to be CHILL-ed!
On the outside, twelve-year-old Hector seems like he’s got it all. He’s strong, fast, and rumored to be the favorite to win this year’s Zeus Cup at the Mt. Olympus Spartan Race, the highest honor in his small Midwestern town. Hector’s parents and his five siblings trained to win gold in their twelfth year, but all fell short. Now Hector is their last chance to bring glory to the family, and he’s starting to feel the pressure. After a mysterious (and extremely talented) girl named Mae obliterates him at the practice run, Hector is desperate to do whatever it takes to win and make his family proud. Cue a certain god of the Underworld who has a mighty proposition for Hector: Hades will give him godlike strength and speed in exchange for the trophy at the end of the race. Seems like a pretty good trade-off. But as Hector soon discovers, no deal with Hades is as straightforward as it seems, and he’s going to have to go the distance or risk going from hero to zero.
Grab your nightlight, dear reader, and prepare to be CHILL-ed!
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2021
54 people are currently reading
690 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 3, 2024
Another quick read. This was very much just a modern day telling of Hercules, Meg and Hades apart from the twist at the end
August 21, 2021
Hector Gomez is the youngest son of the proprietors of Hero’s Sporting Goods — Official Sporting Goods Suppliers of the Mt. Olympus Spartan Run. Any guesses as to which Disney classic this is a twisted spin on? If you guessed Hercules, then you guessed correctly. Young Hector is ready to go the distance to turn himself from a zero into a hero. Unfortunately, Hades doesn’t play fair.
(READ MORE: https://yourmoneygeek.com/review-disn...)
Hector’s family teasingly calls him “Wonderboy” as he trains for the illustrious Mt. Olympus Spartan Run, but they have no idea that he is destined for greatness, with a little help from the Underworld. During the practice run, Hector gets conned by a new athlete named Mae who ends up becoming a major distraction for him. They become fast friends, but not nearly as fast as Hector becomes when he makes a deal with Hades to get a speedy boost.
If you have been reading the Disney Chills series, then you can guess that things do not go well for Hector in Liar, Liar Head on Fire. Unlike Hercules’ triumphant victory at the end of Hercules, Hector is not reunited with the mortal world. In fact, he becomes one with the River Styx. It’s a grim ending, but a great reminder to kids that we all have our special skills and we shouldn’t get jealous of the skills of others.
I may not be a middle-grade reader, but the Disney Chills series is everything that I would have loved back then. Liar, Liar Head on Fire would have been my favorite book as a middle-grader because Hector is homeschooled like I was. I can count on one hand the number of times in nearly thirty years that I have seen a protagonist in a major series be homeschooled.
After five spectacular books, we have come to the end of the line for the Disney Chills series. For now, at least. Disney would be foolish not to have Vera Strange bring to life more villainous tales with this series. As long as there are Disney stories, there are always more villains to reimagine for the younger audiences.
From scary encounters with the shadowy Dr. Facilier or the looming figure of Captain Hook, to the nightmare-inducing plot of a little girl being turned into a mannequin, and now a victoryless race to Mt. Olympus — the world needs more Disney Chills.
(READ MORE: https://yourmoneygeek.com/review-disn...)
Hector’s family teasingly calls him “Wonderboy” as he trains for the illustrious Mt. Olympus Spartan Run, but they have no idea that he is destined for greatness, with a little help from the Underworld. During the practice run, Hector gets conned by a new athlete named Mae who ends up becoming a major distraction for him. They become fast friends, but not nearly as fast as Hector becomes when he makes a deal with Hades to get a speedy boost.
If you have been reading the Disney Chills series, then you can guess that things do not go well for Hector in Liar, Liar Head on Fire. Unlike Hercules’ triumphant victory at the end of Hercules, Hector is not reunited with the mortal world. In fact, he becomes one with the River Styx. It’s a grim ending, but a great reminder to kids that we all have our special skills and we shouldn’t get jealous of the skills of others.
I may not be a middle-grade reader, but the Disney Chills series is everything that I would have loved back then. Liar, Liar Head on Fire would have been my favorite book as a middle-grader because Hector is homeschooled like I was. I can count on one hand the number of times in nearly thirty years that I have seen a protagonist in a major series be homeschooled.
After five spectacular books, we have come to the end of the line for the Disney Chills series. For now, at least. Disney would be foolish not to have Vera Strange bring to life more villainous tales with this series. As long as there are Disney stories, there are always more villains to reimagine for the younger audiences.
From scary encounters with the shadowy Dr. Facilier or the looming figure of Captain Hook, to the nightmare-inducing plot of a little girl being turned into a mannequin, and now a victoryless race to Mt. Olympus — the world needs more Disney Chills.
November 2, 2021
I saw a lot of comments saying this book had too many references to its source material - I didn’t think so until they recreated the Pain and Panic disguised as kids trapped under a boulder call 911 scene… perfectly. 😐
I think I’m too old for this series. It’s just dumb. Though I’ll admit I didn’t see the Mae twist coming, but I never ever do, hahaha. It didn’t feel natural though, and it didn’t explain why she betrayed him. He’d already won the Zeus cup, what could he have given her? I was confused.
Oh AND - once in the movie Pain or Panic calls Hades “your lubrugiosness” and in the book it’s repeated three of four times. Because we know how much this author loves repetition. UGHHHHHHH
Also him just being stuck with the souls forever just… happened. There was no reason he couldn’t get out. That’s my issue with these books, they tell a good story until the twist happens that the author is compelled to write. But because they’re supposed to be Goosebumps-like she thinks she can just throw in a surprise ending with no logical reasoning for how the story got there.
I don’t know if this is the last book - there are a lot of villains left, but it might be the end of my reading them. This one left the smallest impact on me, I finished it less than a week ago and can barely remember what happened/how I felt about it. 😅
I think I’m too old for this series. It’s just dumb. Though I’ll admit I didn’t see the Mae twist coming, but I never ever do, hahaha. It didn’t feel natural though, and it didn’t explain why she betrayed him. He’d already won the Zeus cup, what could he have given her? I was confused.
Oh AND - once in the movie Pain or Panic calls Hades “your lubrugiosness” and in the book it’s repeated three of four times. Because we know how much this author loves repetition. UGHHHHHHH
Also him just being stuck with the souls forever just… happened. There was no reason he couldn’t get out. That’s my issue with these books, they tell a good story until the twist happens that the author is compelled to write. But because they’re supposed to be Goosebumps-like she thinks she can just throw in a surprise ending with no logical reasoning for how the story got there.
I don’t know if this is the last book - there are a lot of villains left, but it might be the end of my reading them. This one left the smallest impact on me, I finished it less than a week ago and can barely remember what happened/how I felt about it. 😅
October 8, 2021
3.5 stars.
This is an odd entry, even for this series, and I've been torn on this series from the beginning. Who is the target audience for this?
This is also the first title where it feels like there's TOO MUCH of the movie in this book; the winks/nudges/"'memba berries" are way too blatant.
As with the rest, this seems like what COULD HAVE BEEN an interesting mash-up (Disney & Goosebumps) just is ultimately stifled by Disney themselves. This series CLEARLY plays on the "Happily Ever After" expectation, with the intent to subvert it in the end, but the endings for each book seem ill-fitting to what has actually been set up in the books.
This is an odd entry, even for this series, and I've been torn on this series from the beginning. Who is the target audience for this?
This is also the first title where it feels like there's TOO MUCH of the movie in this book; the winks/nudges/"'memba berries" are way too blatant.
As with the rest, this seems like what COULD HAVE BEEN an interesting mash-up (Disney & Goosebumps) just is ultimately stifled by Disney themselves. This series CLEARLY plays on the "Happily Ever After" expectation, with the intent to subvert it in the end, but the endings for each book seem ill-fitting to what has actually been set up in the books.
August 24, 2021
Oh...My...GODS! I've always been a fan of Greek Mythology and Disney. Vera Strange has found a way to bring the Disney version of Hades into the 21st century with a new plan to take over the cosmos. She perfectly captured his personality and Pain and Panic's in this must read. The entire serious is a must read for fans of Disney and its Villains. I won't spoil anything but this might be the darkest book in the series so far. Thank you Vera Strange for this experience.
April 4, 2023
When Hector desperately wants to win the Zeus Cup for his family, he makes a deal with the God of The Underworld, Hades.
I love that these books don't have a happy ending and they involve Disney Villains. ♥
I love that these books don't have a happy ending and they involve Disney Villains. ♥
May 2, 2023
Vous savez maintenant à quel point je suis fan des romans Disney. Et surtout à quel point j’aime cette saga jeunesse! C’était le seul tome qu’il me restait à lire et comment vous dire que j’avais vraiment hâte de le découvrir. Cette histoire se porte sur Hadès et étant fan de mythologie grecque, j’avais très envie de le découvrir. Tout comme les autres tomes, cette histoire était géniale et ça confirme encore une fois que cette saga jeunesse est vraiment chouette. Par contre, je ne sais pas si c’est vrai ou pas mais apparemment la suite ne serait pas traduite.. Je suis vraiment hyper déçue, surtout quand je vois sur qui les prochains tomes se portent.. C’est vraiment dommage pour le coup..
Je vous ai déjà parler de la plume de Vera Strange mais je vais tout de même en reparler parce que sa plume est tout simplement merveilleuse à lire. Bon étant donné que c’est un roman qui s’adresse à un public jeune, forcément c’est assez simplet mais tellement efficace. C’est fluide et surtout addictive. Les pages défilent à toute vitesse et on ne voit pas du tout les pages défiler. Les chapitres ne sont pas longs, tout comme le roman finalement. C’est vraiment le genre de roman que vous lisez d’une traite en un rien de temps.
Dans ce roman, on va suivre Hector, douze ans, qui possède tous les atouts pour remporter cette année la Coupe Zeus. C’est le plus grand honneur dont puisse rêver un adolescent dans la petite ville où habite Hector. Ses parents et ses cinq frères et sœurs ont tous pris part à cette course lorsqu’ils avaient son âge… sans hélas parvenir connaître la victoire. Les espoirs de gloire de la famille reposent donc sur les épaules d’Hector. Et le garçon commence à sentir la pression ! Alors, quand une mystérieuse (et fort talentueuse) jeune fille, Mae, bat Hector à plates coutures lors d’une séance d’entraînement, notre héros se met à paniquer. Le voilà à présent prêt à tout pour remporter le trophée. Entre soudain en scène un certain dieu des Enfers, qui a une proposition alléchante à faire à Hector. Hadès lui offrira la rapidité et la force d’un dieu… en échange de la coupe qu’Hector remportera. Le marché est plus que tentant ! Malheureusement, Hector ne va pas tarder à découvrir que l’affaire est plus compliquée qu’il n’y paraît. Et que lui-même a tout à y perdre. À vos marques… prêts… à frissonner avec Hector et Hadès ?
Parlons d’abord de l’intrigue. J’ai vraiment adoré cette histoire. Cette fameuse course était intéressante à suivre, tout comme l’entraînement d’Hector. Mais c’est bien sûr le côté fantastique de l’histoire qui m’a le plus plu. Surtout dès qu’Hadès fait son apparition. Ravie de voir que Peine et Panique font eux aussi, partis de l’histoire. On est toujours sur le même schéma que les autres tomes. Un enfant veut vraiment quelque chose et le méchant lui propose son aide mais ça finit par se retourner sur cet enfant. Ici c’est la même chose. Mais ce n’est pas parce que c’est le même schéma que c’est ennuyant bien au contraire. Ce que j’aime dans cette saga, c’est les fins parce qu’elles nous montrent que ce ne sont pas toujours les gentils qui gagnent au final. J’avais beau savoir la manière dont ça allait se terminer, je dois bien avouer que j’ai tout de même été bien surprise de voir la tournure qu’elle a pris!
Du côté des personnages, on a d’abord Hector. Il m’a beaucoup touché. La coupe Zeus est une course plus qu’importante dans sa famille. Ils ont tous tentés leurs chances pour la remporter mais sans succès. Leurs espoirs se reposent donc sur Hector, le dernier de la famille qui peut encore la gagner. Hector a donc une pression monstrueuse sur les épaule. Mais le pire dans tout ça? C’est que cette course ne l’intéresse pas le moins du monde. Lui tout ce qu’il veut c’est passer son temps à prendre des photos.. Malheureusement, ce n’est pas une option chez sa famille. tout son temps libre il doit le passer à s’entraîner. Ça m’a fait beaucoup de peine pour lui finalement, ses parents ne prennent pas en compte ses propres envies. Ils ne l’écoutent pas et je trouve ça tellement triste.. Ils ne se rendent même pas compte à quel point cette course ne l’intéresse pas du tout.. Il en vient presque à se rendre malade quand il doit aller à l’entraînement.. Vraiment j’ai eu beaucoup de peine pour lui.. Comme personnage on a aussi celui de Mae. C’est une concurrente d’Hector mais ils finissent par devenir amis. Ces deux là ont vraiment beaucoup de choses en commun, tous les deux ont beaucoup de pressions sur leurs épaules. Je dois quand même avouer que dès le début, j’ai senti quelque chose de louche chez elle.. Je ne savais pas mettre le doigt dessus mais je sentais que quelque chose cloche avec elle. Mais j’ai beaucoup aimé son amitié avec Hector, ces deux là se comprennent mieux que personne.
J’ai vraiment adoré ma lecture. J’ai adoré découvrir toutes les références à Hercule. On est dans la ville d’Olympya, la course avec comme récompense la Coupe Zeus, la présence d’Hadès, de Peine et Panique également, le jeu vidéo qui s’appelle Hercule. Bref, toutes les références sont présentes. On est très vite plongé dans cette histoire. C’est un roman addictif qu’on a du mal à lâcher. Il se dévore en un rien de temps. Cette saga est plus que chouette, j’aime vraiment beaucoup cette sorte de Chair de poule version Disney!
Je vous ai déjà parler de la plume de Vera Strange mais je vais tout de même en reparler parce que sa plume est tout simplement merveilleuse à lire. Bon étant donné que c’est un roman qui s’adresse à un public jeune, forcément c’est assez simplet mais tellement efficace. C’est fluide et surtout addictive. Les pages défilent à toute vitesse et on ne voit pas du tout les pages défiler. Les chapitres ne sont pas longs, tout comme le roman finalement. C’est vraiment le genre de roman que vous lisez d’une traite en un rien de temps.
Dans ce roman, on va suivre Hector, douze ans, qui possède tous les atouts pour remporter cette année la Coupe Zeus. C’est le plus grand honneur dont puisse rêver un adolescent dans la petite ville où habite Hector. Ses parents et ses cinq frères et sœurs ont tous pris part à cette course lorsqu’ils avaient son âge… sans hélas parvenir connaître la victoire. Les espoirs de gloire de la famille reposent donc sur les épaules d’Hector. Et le garçon commence à sentir la pression ! Alors, quand une mystérieuse (et fort talentueuse) jeune fille, Mae, bat Hector à plates coutures lors d’une séance d’entraînement, notre héros se met à paniquer. Le voilà à présent prêt à tout pour remporter le trophée. Entre soudain en scène un certain dieu des Enfers, qui a une proposition alléchante à faire à Hector. Hadès lui offrira la rapidité et la force d’un dieu… en échange de la coupe qu’Hector remportera. Le marché est plus que tentant ! Malheureusement, Hector ne va pas tarder à découvrir que l’affaire est plus compliquée qu’il n’y paraît. Et que lui-même a tout à y perdre. À vos marques… prêts… à frissonner avec Hector et Hadès ?
Parlons d’abord de l’intrigue. J’ai vraiment adoré cette histoire. Cette fameuse course était intéressante à suivre, tout comme l’entraînement d’Hector. Mais c’est bien sûr le côté fantastique de l’histoire qui m’a le plus plu. Surtout dès qu’Hadès fait son apparition. Ravie de voir que Peine et Panique font eux aussi, partis de l’histoire. On est toujours sur le même schéma que les autres tomes. Un enfant veut vraiment quelque chose et le méchant lui propose son aide mais ça finit par se retourner sur cet enfant. Ici c’est la même chose. Mais ce n’est pas parce que c’est le même schéma que c’est ennuyant bien au contraire. Ce que j’aime dans cette saga, c’est les fins parce qu’elles nous montrent que ce ne sont pas toujours les gentils qui gagnent au final. J’avais beau savoir la manière dont ça allait se terminer, je dois bien avouer que j’ai tout de même été bien surprise de voir la tournure qu’elle a pris!
Du côté des personnages, on a d’abord Hector. Il m’a beaucoup touché. La coupe Zeus est une course plus qu’importante dans sa famille. Ils ont tous tentés leurs chances pour la remporter mais sans succès. Leurs espoirs se reposent donc sur Hector, le dernier de la famille qui peut encore la gagner. Hector a donc une pression monstrueuse sur les épaule. Mais le pire dans tout ça? C’est que cette course ne l’intéresse pas le moins du monde. Lui tout ce qu’il veut c’est passer son temps à prendre des photos.. Malheureusement, ce n’est pas une option chez sa famille. tout son temps libre il doit le passer à s’entraîner. Ça m’a fait beaucoup de peine pour lui finalement, ses parents ne prennent pas en compte ses propres envies. Ils ne l’écoutent pas et je trouve ça tellement triste.. Ils ne se rendent même pas compte à quel point cette course ne l’intéresse pas du tout.. Il en vient presque à se rendre malade quand il doit aller à l’entraînement.. Vraiment j’ai eu beaucoup de peine pour lui.. Comme personnage on a aussi celui de Mae. C’est une concurrente d’Hector mais ils finissent par devenir amis. Ces deux là ont vraiment beaucoup de choses en commun, tous les deux ont beaucoup de pressions sur leurs épaules. Je dois quand même avouer que dès le début, j’ai senti quelque chose de louche chez elle.. Je ne savais pas mettre le doigt dessus mais je sentais que quelque chose cloche avec elle. Mais j’ai beaucoup aimé son amitié avec Hector, ces deux là se comprennent mieux que personne.
J’ai vraiment adoré ma lecture. J’ai adoré découvrir toutes les références à Hercule. On est dans la ville d’Olympya, la course avec comme récompense la Coupe Zeus, la présence d’Hadès, de Peine et Panique également, le jeu vidéo qui s’appelle Hercule. Bref, toutes les références sont présentes. On est très vite plongé dans cette histoire. C’est un roman addictif qu’on a du mal à lâcher. Il se dévore en un rien de temps. Cette saga est plus que chouette, j’aime vraiment beaucoup cette sorte de Chair de poule version Disney!
September 18, 2021
The fifth book in Vera Strange’s Disney Chills series is the author’s favorite so far and for good reason. Replete with weighty expectations, curious friendships, competitive streaks, magic, demons and even Greek mythology, this book has it all.
What is the Disney Chills series?
Disney’s answer to R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps – namely, the Disney Chills series – has been successfully spooking us since the first book, Part of Your Nightmare, dropped in early 2020.
Since the debut of book one, Disney and author Jennifer Brody (under the pen name Vera Strange) have rapid-fire released several subsequent novels in the series. We have been keeping our nightlights on thanks to book two (Fiends on the Other Side), book three (Second Star to the Fright), book four (Be Careful What You Wish Fur) and now, book five (Liar, Liar, Head on Fire). We had better keep some backup lightbulbs handy because these Disney Chills books keep on comin’.
What is Book Five: Liar, Liar, Head on Fire about?
Twelve-year-old Hector Gomez appears to have it all. He has a close-knit family and great relationship with his three older brothers (Phil, Luca and Juan), and is in the best physical shape possible. He is strong, fast, and rumored to win this year’s Zeus Cup at the famous Mt. Olympus Spartan Race. The race is the talk of the town and Hector is the last hope for someone in his family to win the Cup after his parents and brothers missed out in the past. He is starting to feel the pressure, especially since running and training are not his passions; he secretly aspires to be a photographer and longs for days filled with candid shots and nature snaps instead.
Extremely talented running newcomer Mae seems to have the edge on Hector, beating him at practice mere days before the race. Hector is desperate to win, make his family proud and move on from the race. Enter: Hades, God of the Underworld, who of course has an intriguing albeit sketchy proposition for Hector. Hades offers Hector god-like strength and speed in exchange for the Zeus Cup after Hector wins the race. This is exactly what Hector needs to achieve his immediate goal. But as Hector soon discovers, one should not make deals with the devil, and things are not always what they seem…
Great (Greek) references and even greater themes
Jennifer Brody has found her stride in drumming up these terrifying tales. In the acknowledgments, Brody shares that she has always been a huge fan of Greek mythology and legends and it shows in Hector’s story. Brimming with references to Disney’s Hercules and beyond, the fun and historical references bounce off nearly every page. Among them, Hector lives in a small town called Mt. Olympus, he is training for the Spartan Run, he must win the Zeus Cup, his couch’s name is Phil (just Phil, not Philoctetes, but close enough), the chapter titles are reminiscent of Hercules’ songs and quotes, and most importantly, he must take a deep dive into his town’s history and Zeus and Hades’ turbulent relationship to quash the evil plan hatched by the God of the Underworld.
The Greek and mythological backdrop provides an entertaining opening into some critical themes, including being different, dealing with expectations, friendship, trust, competitiveness, proving oneself and the pros and cons of “playing dirty.” Brody consistently does a marvelous job in teaming important themes with fun content, as she has done in each of her Disney Chills books to date.
One of my favorite parts of this story that I found different to the prior books is that Hector makes a deal with the devil for something he personally doesn’t really want: he makes a deal to ensure that he wins the Spartan Run. Throughout the book the reader is told the Hector doesn’t really care about the race, he doesn’t want to train, and his passions lie elsewhere, namely photography. But the reason Hector makes a deal with Hades is for his family: to make them proud. His brother and couch, Phil, has spent an exorbitant amount of time and effort training him and each of his family members have tried and failed to win the Cup. This premise struck a chord with me, because unlike prior Chills books in which the protagonist is predominantly consumed with something they want (popularity, for example, like in Be Careful What You Wish Fur), Hector finds himself in a mess for trying too hard to please others. A tricky conundrum indeed and one that readers may find valuable to think on.
What is the Disney Chills series?
Disney’s answer to R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps – namely, the Disney Chills series – has been successfully spooking us since the first book, Part of Your Nightmare, dropped in early 2020.
Since the debut of book one, Disney and author Jennifer Brody (under the pen name Vera Strange) have rapid-fire released several subsequent novels in the series. We have been keeping our nightlights on thanks to book two (Fiends on the Other Side), book three (Second Star to the Fright), book four (Be Careful What You Wish Fur) and now, book five (Liar, Liar, Head on Fire). We had better keep some backup lightbulbs handy because these Disney Chills books keep on comin’.
What is Book Five: Liar, Liar, Head on Fire about?
Twelve-year-old Hector Gomez appears to have it all. He has a close-knit family and great relationship with his three older brothers (Phil, Luca and Juan), and is in the best physical shape possible. He is strong, fast, and rumored to win this year’s Zeus Cup at the famous Mt. Olympus Spartan Race. The race is the talk of the town and Hector is the last hope for someone in his family to win the Cup after his parents and brothers missed out in the past. He is starting to feel the pressure, especially since running and training are not his passions; he secretly aspires to be a photographer and longs for days filled with candid shots and nature snaps instead.
Extremely talented running newcomer Mae seems to have the edge on Hector, beating him at practice mere days before the race. Hector is desperate to win, make his family proud and move on from the race. Enter: Hades, God of the Underworld, who of course has an intriguing albeit sketchy proposition for Hector. Hades offers Hector god-like strength and speed in exchange for the Zeus Cup after Hector wins the race. This is exactly what Hector needs to achieve his immediate goal. But as Hector soon discovers, one should not make deals with the devil, and things are not always what they seem…
Great (Greek) references and even greater themes
Jennifer Brody has found her stride in drumming up these terrifying tales. In the acknowledgments, Brody shares that she has always been a huge fan of Greek mythology and legends and it shows in Hector’s story. Brimming with references to Disney’s Hercules and beyond, the fun and historical references bounce off nearly every page. Among them, Hector lives in a small town called Mt. Olympus, he is training for the Spartan Run, he must win the Zeus Cup, his couch’s name is Phil (just Phil, not Philoctetes, but close enough), the chapter titles are reminiscent of Hercules’ songs and quotes, and most importantly, he must take a deep dive into his town’s history and Zeus and Hades’ turbulent relationship to quash the evil plan hatched by the God of the Underworld.
The Greek and mythological backdrop provides an entertaining opening into some critical themes, including being different, dealing with expectations, friendship, trust, competitiveness, proving oneself and the pros and cons of “playing dirty.” Brody consistently does a marvelous job in teaming important themes with fun content, as she has done in each of her Disney Chills books to date.
One of my favorite parts of this story that I found different to the prior books is that Hector makes a deal with the devil for something he personally doesn’t really want: he makes a deal to ensure that he wins the Spartan Run. Throughout the book the reader is told the Hector doesn’t really care about the race, he doesn’t want to train, and his passions lie elsewhere, namely photography. But the reason Hector makes a deal with Hades is for his family: to make them proud. His brother and couch, Phil, has spent an exorbitant amount of time and effort training him and each of his family members have tried and failed to win the Cup. This premise struck a chord with me, because unlike prior Chills books in which the protagonist is predominantly consumed with something they want (popularity, for example, like in Be Careful What You Wish Fur), Hector finds himself in a mess for trying too hard to please others. A tricky conundrum indeed and one that readers may find valuable to think on.
September 4, 2024
WELL. OKAY THEN.
While this book isn't bad, I am going to say here is where I DNF this series as a whole.
None of these have any endings where the kids are allowed to technically survive. Like, the Disney team knows that's allowed even in a Goosebumps knockoff series about kids FAFOing with villains, right? We would all love to see our fave villains win now and then, but none of these kids have really been allowed to grow and then survive. That...IS an option, actually. They can grow, they can survive, and THEN THEY CAN BE HAUNTED BY THEIR EXPERIENCES AND CHOICES. IT'D BE NICE TO SEE THAT NOW AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW. Horror isn't simply about "you FAFO, you regret it, you start to grow as a person, and then you die/cease to exist in some horrible way", and yet that's kinda what this series is. Nothing against the author, as my guess is she's under contract and has to write things a certain way for this series, and she very clearly writes well. But wow is this just getting monotonous and depressing. Shame, I had higher hopes for this series than this.
While this book isn't bad, I am going to say here is where I DNF this series as a whole.
None of these have any endings where the kids are allowed to technically survive. Like, the Disney team knows that's allowed even in a Goosebumps knockoff series about kids FAFOing with villains, right? We would all love to see our fave villains win now and then, but none of these kids have really been allowed to grow and then survive. That...IS an option, actually. They can grow, they can survive, and THEN THEY CAN BE HAUNTED BY THEIR EXPERIENCES AND CHOICES. IT'D BE NICE TO SEE THAT NOW AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW. Horror isn't simply about "you FAFO, you regret it, you start to grow as a person, and then you die/cease to exist in some horrible way", and yet that's kinda what this series is. Nothing against the author, as my guess is she's under contract and has to write things a certain way for this series, and she very clearly writes well. But wow is this just getting monotonous and depressing. Shame, I had higher hopes for this series than this.
January 6, 2025
Hector got it all he fast strong and rumored to win the Zeus Cup at the Mount Omplics Spartan Race. After a mysterious ( and extremely talented ) girl Mae obliterates him in the practice run , Hector is despite do whatever it takes to win and make his family proud. Hector wings the Zeus Cup and Mae comes in second. Then Hector puts the trophy in his family store in a display case. He tells Mae about his deal with the underworld god Hades. Pain and Panic Hades two goons captures Mae and brings her to the underworld. Hector brings the Zeus Cup to the underworld and get pass the Three headed dog and the water serpent Hydra . Hector tricks Hades frees Mae and they try to escape but get stop by Pain and Panic who put of good fight then Mae revels to Hector that she's been working for Hades this hole time. Hector is devasted by this. Mae gets to leave the underworld as promised and Hector gets all weak and then his soul get cuts by the Fates and he ends up in the River Styx. Can't wait to read the next book !!
August 23, 2022
Hector has been in training for as long as he can remember with the ultimate aim of bringing home the Zeus Cup by winning the Mount Olympus Spartan race but when he finds himself to have a competitor who will play dirty to win he starts to question if he will really be able to deliver the win. The fact the competitor is a girl and he kind of likes her is really not going to help things but then maybe he can take a deal which will ensure he wins and he doesn't need to then do anything more than hand over the trophy when he wins. Can Hector make the right decision or will his decision make things even harder than he could ever have imagined?
Vera Strange is a truly talented author who has proven time and again just how skilled she is with the Disney Chills book range but with this book she has once again pulled out another amazing offering that reads perfectly and works beautifully. Another highly recommended read and a story that works well.
Vera Strange is a truly talented author who has proven time and again just how skilled she is with the Disney Chills book range but with this book she has once again pulled out another amazing offering that reads perfectly and works beautifully. Another highly recommended read and a story that works well.
August 29, 2021
I feel mean for giving this such a low review, but for me this is on the same level as Second Star To The Fright and that isn’t a good thing - they’re two of the weakest books in the series.
The story itself was relatively okay, but the “plot twist” of Mae having her own deal with Hades and then NOT CARING(?!) that the world was going to end felt so weird? I personally felt like it didn’t work and the story itself didn’t scare me.
The endings, and even stories themselves, of Part of Your Nightmare and Be Careful What You Wish Fur will haunt me forever, they were incredible stories. This just fell extremely short for me, which is a shame.
That being said, it hasn’t put me off reading more or dulled my excitement to find out who’s next! I eagerly await the next instalment.
The story itself was relatively okay, but the “plot twist” of Mae having her own deal with Hades and then NOT CARING(?!) that the world was going to end felt so weird? I personally felt like it didn’t work and the story itself didn’t scare me.
The endings, and even stories themselves, of Part of Your Nightmare and Be Careful What You Wish Fur will haunt me forever, they were incredible stories. This just fell extremely short for me, which is a shame.
That being said, it hasn’t put me off reading more or dulled my excitement to find out who’s next! I eagerly await the next instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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July 11, 2023For this, I say what young. one will go to lengths to be a winner, and he ended up losing his soul in the end by being sucked into the lake of the forgotten Hayes was truly evil in this one as he is the god of the underworld He even used a girl that he was viable against to win again. to win against this battle Honestly, his poor kid, You should never ever make a deal with Lord of the Underworld otherwise you'll end up like a trap soul in a cage of screaming and terror. 6 points of stars, I would say.
September 29, 2025
“Дисни” и хорър обикновено е комбинация, която свързваме с евтините продукции, използващи герои с изтекли авторски права. Компанията на Мики Маус обаче има официална серия такива книги, в които писателката Вера Стрейндж използва някои от най-известните им злодеи, за да създава сюжети в стила на Goosebumps и Five Nights at Freddy’s. Liar, Liar, Head on Fire е петото томче от серията Disney Chills, а в нея на фокус е Хадес от анимационния филм “Херкулес”...
Цялото ми ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/liar-liar-head...
Цялото ми ревю може да прочетете в Цитаделата:
https://citadelata.com/liar-liar-head...
November 2, 2022
N'étant pas une grande fan de sport en général, le thème principal m'a peu parlé. Quoi que j'en ai apprécié la morale et le côté enfant mis sous pression par ses parents. Comment faire quand on attend quelque chose de nous mais que notre passion est ailleurs? J'ai aimé les relations qu'a Hector avec Phil et avec Maë également. La fin ne fût pas surprenante (enfin sauf une chose quand-même à laquelle je ne m'attendais pas) mais sympathique tout de même... Lecture parfaite pour une soirée d'halloween chill, un peu creeepy mais pas trop ! J'ai apprécié le moment !
October 7, 2021
A perfect example of too many nods and winks for fans of the film.
I felt like I always knew where we were headed next. From scenarios to exact quotes from the film, it just feels like a soulless modern reimagining of Hercules. The other books in the series were capable of standing on their own two feet but this most likely final entry relies entirely on the original source material.
I felt like I always knew where we were headed next. From scenarios to exact quotes from the film, it just feels like a soulless modern reimagining of Hercules. The other books in the series were capable of standing on their own two feet but this most likely final entry relies entirely on the original source material.
May 28, 2022
Omg!!!!!
Wow absolutely loved this book so much. I love that you get so.e Greek mythology in this book. It had me from page one. I didn't want to put this book down. I loved and felt sorry for Hector so much. He just wanted to take pictures, but his family made him compete in the Mt. Olympus Spartan Run.
It was so amazing.
Wow absolutely loved this book so much. I love that you get so.e Greek mythology in this book. It had me from page one. I didn't want to put this book down. I loved and felt sorry for Hector so much. He just wanted to take pictures, but his family made him compete in the Mt. Olympus Spartan Run.
It was so amazing.
May 31, 2022
J'ai pas aime. C'est super enfantin. J'aurai plus aimé vers mes 9-10 ans donc y'a un bail quoi. En plus j'étais fan de mythologie grecque. quelques refs sur la mythologie super sympa. J'aime beaucoup Peine et Panique (tout comme dans le disney !) Le retournement de fin ou Mae travaillait avec hades c'était hilarant
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2022
Wow. There was a really good plot twist towards the end of the book, that I didn't see coming. And the ending itself was surprising!
Overall, this was a good book. Very unpredictable. Diverse characters. Demons and gods. This book even has a moral, cautioning readers against lying and cheating.
The end kind of threw me for a loop, in a very pleasing way that I totally approve of.
Overall, this was a good book. Very unpredictable. Diverse characters. Demons and gods. This book even has a moral, cautioning readers against lying and cheating.
The end kind of threw me for a loop, in a very pleasing way that I totally approve of.
November 15, 2022
Es un libre que leia por empezar de nuevo a leer antes y depués de dormir. Y este un buen sorpresa porque la novela es mucha arrebatadora. Hector es un chico que pefere la fotografia a la carrera pero su famila quiere que su ultimo hijo trae este magico copa para su familiar tienda. Para me, este sinopsis es como las autras : basico "un chico diferente que hacia un error y ahora es muy tarde.".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2021
Oh my gods.
I did not expect that ending. I need a second book to this story! I want to know what happens after Hector dies! Hades has the cup and can leave the underworld, does that mean he's doing his hostile takeover bit or what? Ahh soo good i love it.
I did not expect that ending. I need a second book to this story! I want to know what happens after Hector dies! Hades has the cup and can leave the underworld, does that mean he's doing his hostile takeover bit or what? Ahh soo good i love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2022
I enjoyed reading this one more than the first book.
They describe Hades as Emo God omg.
This book reminds me of Goosebumps and I liked it very much. Disney Goosebumps mashed up.
The twist wasn't something I expected. The ending felt a bit rushed.
They describe Hades as Emo God omg.
This book reminds me of Goosebumps and I liked it very much. Disney Goosebumps mashed up.
The twist wasn't something I expected. The ending felt a bit rushed.
November 26, 2024
I have to watch the movie that's based on this book. so, basically, this is a deal with a devil with a Disney Spin kind of story. well, y'know the saying, you can't spell Disney Villain without D-E-V-I-L.
Except in this story, it's actual devil or god, if you will.
Except in this story, it's actual devil or god, if you will.
December 10, 2021
Loved this book!
This Disney Chills book had my attention the whole time. The characters are great and the chills are even better.
This Disney Chills book had my attention the whole time. The characters are great and the chills are even better.
February 6, 2022
Another fun Disney Chills read!
May 20, 2022
Still loving it
I'm still loving the twist on the classics it gives me something to think about I think I have one more book to go.
I'm still loving the twist on the classics it gives me something to think about I think I have one more book to go.
June 12, 2022
This was definitely my least favorite in the series. If you know anything about the Disney version of Hercules, you know exactly where this one is going.
November 17, 2022
I loved this!💙📚😀
December 8, 2022
3.5 ⭐
El que más me ha gustado hasta ahora, creo :)
El que más me ha gustado hasta ahora, creo :)
March 16, 2024
I thought Vera had fun incorporating parts of the film into this book.
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