Fetch Book One: The Journey

by Mike Sizemore, Dave Kennedy (Illustrator), Pete Kennedy (Illustrator)

Danni is twelve years old and struggling to get over the loss of her dog, Pirate, when a new teacher and an old school book reveal to her the world of Greek mythology. Danni stumbles across an illustration that looks familiar enough for her to leave the house in the dead of night and seek out what she thinks could be the gate to Hades, the Greek Underworld, and perhaps a way to bring her dog back to the land of the living.

What she didn’t expect was her younger brother, Sammy, to tag along or that once in the Underworld she’d need a guide… and two 21st century kids on a quest to save their dead dog was the last thing Odysseus was expecting. Adventuring in the Underworld since the fall of Troy he’s the last of his kind - a true Hero - but with enemies leaping on them at every turn and monsters and gods to overcome this may be his toughest odyssey yet!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Mythology, Comics, Adventure

104 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2023

Reviews

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Danni is devastated when her beloved dog Pirate dies. She reads in a book about the entrance to the underworld where Hades rules over the dead. She sets out on a quest to bring her dog back from the dead, but her little brother Sammy follows her into the land of the dead! Danni and her brother encounter Cerberus, cross the River Styx, and enlist the help of a legendary hero.

I enjoyed this graphic novel and the way the story reimagines the old Greek myths. Danni and her brother don't exactly fit the type of hero who usually would go on a quest, so their adventure turns out a little differently. My favorite part of this book was when they meet Medusa. It was so funny and cute!

I liked the artwork, and the cute designs for the characters. It's really fun to see Hades and Charon and other characters reimagined in modern ways. Charon wears a chauffeur's uniform and drives a car. The Labyrinth is a restaurant where they give the kids a coloring page with a maze on it that they can color while they wait for their food. Haha! So many clever little things in the artwork that make the story really fun!

The book ends on a cliffhanger, so you have to continue reading the rest of the series to find out what happens to Danni and her brother.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[mel]

RTC. Thanks to Storm King Productions for the ARC and this opportunity!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the start of what looks to be a series about a modern look at Greek Mythology. (especially since this volume ended with a cliffhanger.)


The basic story is that Danni’s dog has died. We don’t know how, but it is hinted that it might have somehow been her fault. She is devastated, until a strange substitute teacher gives her a magic book of Greek myths, and she realizes like Orpheous, she can go into the underworld, and bring back her dog, because of course that is how it works.


But, you see, being a magic book, it shows her where the entrance to Hades is, and so she sneaks out one night, and doesn’t realize that her little brother has followed her.


This first volume is the set up, where she crosses the river styx, and meets Hades himself. A lot a humor, and there are hints that the gods, who are watching her quest on their tv monitor, are setting her up for something.


Bring on the next volume.


Good introduction to a slightly modernized view of Greek mythology for the middle grade set. Lots of humor, and fun.

Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twelve-year old Danni is inconsolable over the death of her dog, Pirate. Everyone tries to comfort her, but nothing penetrates her fog of grief. Until the arrival of a substitute teacher, Miss Pallas. Miss Pallas ignores the regular class lessons and teaches them Greek Mythology instead. Danni finds it all very interesting, but the unit on Hades particularly so. The story of Orpheus and Eurydice inspires her on her own quest--because she recognizes the picture in her book. She knows where the entrance to Hades is. Danni sets out with her book to get her dog back. She doesn't plan on her brother Sammy coming too, but he is there and there is no going back. With Odysseus as her guide, can she convince Hades to return Pirate? This was so good! It struck the right balance of staying truth to the myths and updating them to appeal to younger readers. But, that cliffhanger!? Be warned that you will want the second book immediately after you finish this one.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some clever takes on some Greek mythology characters, but other than that it just felt very rushed to me. Since there wasn't a whole lot of time spent on the characters themselves, I didn't get attached to any of them and am just not interested enough to continue reading this series.

Nice art and great facial expressions! Just not for me.

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun! The kids were charming, and at the core of the story "a kid who loves their dog."

hades is black here, but the other greek mythology characters are still greek. curious to see if the others will follow a diverse take or if hades is the only one.

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this up on a whim. SUPER fun and cute! Mythos adventures. Great artwork and fun story telling!

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grades 3+. Fantasy, mythology, graphic novel. First in series.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg this was so cute. Mythology quest to save your dog. Loved the art style.