CORYDON & THE SIEGE OF TROY

The final volume in this trilogy based on Greek mythology (Corydon & the Fall of Atlantis, 2007, etc.) successfully wraps up its threads, but weaves them together so slowly that readers may lose interest. Beginning with young Corydon, a normal boy but for his one goat leg, in a kind of self-imposed exile, the story is quick enough in building a premise for him to disband the gang of misfits he’s leading. Once he finds his way to the embattled city of Troy, however, and again takes up with his monster friends, the pace slows down considerably. As in the earlier offerings, the reworking of a classic myth and the role-reversal of heroes and villains is clever. The characterization of Akhilleus is particularly nuanced here. Unfortunately, dense descriptions of the setting and of Corydon’s internal musings drag on as he eventually comes to the decision that he must challenge the tyranny of the Olympians once and for all. Established fans of the first two will likely find the conclusion fittingly heroic, but may tire of this mythological fantasy’s meandering focus. (Fantasy. 12 & up)