Tales of the Bacchae: Queen of the Dead by Brian Andrew

A fresh reinvention of classic mythology, Tales of the Bacchae: Queen of the Dead by Brian Andrew is a thrillingly creative work of mythic fantasy.

Persephone, the mischievous daughter of Demeter, is a minor goddess with a wealth of ambition, and takes the ultimate hellish risk by accompanying Hades to the Underworld as his queen. Koalemos, a humble farm boy whose heart was captured by Persephone’s silver tongue, is taken under the pitying wing of the revelry-loving Bacchus, who promises to help the boy on his romantic quest. Tangled in the machinations and manipulations of the gods, Koalemos embarks on a journey to find his “true love,” even as she rules and rages in the Realm of the Dead.

Laced with the maniacal arrogance and divine scheming so typical of Olympians, this cleverly conceived tale draws in a kaleidoscope of gods and well-known tropes of mythology, from mistaken identities and fitting vengeance to sibling rivalries and selfish power grabs. The writing is somewhat simplistic given its subject, with a tendency to tell, rather than show, as well as occasionally repetitive, but this is balanced by a well-crafted and intricate plot.

Despite some issues in execution, this short novel is an entertaining romp over recognizable ground, peppered with humor and hard-learned lessons about deception, love, and loyalty.

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