The Prisoner of Zurenda: Warrior from Olympus by Kent A. LeFevre

The Prisoner of Zurenda: Warrior from Olympus is an epic work of mythic fantasy, weaving Greek mythology into an entertaining work of fiction. More fit for younger readers, it boasts characters with a moral compass – a quality that is famously devoid among the Greek Gods.

A trio of friends, Arjun, Lycos and Keira, adventure through ancient Greece, both real and fantastical, in an attempt quell the angry gods and ungrateful men. Assigned a mission by the Goddess Selene, its story fits snugly with those of ancient Greece – sea monsters attack, leaving men to float off on pieces of debris, Gods strike down those that are insubordinate, and we see the powerful daughters of Ares and Harmonia: the Amazons.

Although the novel maintains tension throughout its 400-plus pages, the author, Kent LeFevre, too often relies on exposition to tell the story. Certainly, the mythology of Greece and the history pertaining to the battle of Troy is vast and important, but the beginning of many chapters are steeped in long passages of history lacking in emotional or narrative relevance. Interesting as they may be, these passages make the book feel like a textbook more than fiction.

That said, for younger readers new to Greek myths, this material works well as an introduction to the subject, and really much better than a textbook ever could. The story itself is highly entertaining, replete with monsters, Gods, and an engaging band of adventurers, delivering a solid work of young adult mythic fiction that effectively introduces Greek mythology to a younger audience.