Bemused

Mnemosyne, mother of the Muses, has been on the run from Zeus and Mount Olympus for years. When she brings five of the Muses--Calliope, Clio, Melpomene, Terpsichore, and Thalia--to life, she's determined to keep them safe. She uproots the girls every one to two years, avoiding community in any place of shelter. When the now-teenage girls surprise their mother with a very public performance, Mnemosyne has to come clean about her origins: she was one of the Titans that Zeus was said to have slain to become king of Olympus, but she escaped at a steep price. Meanwhile, Hades, the comical king of the Underworld, has his own plans for Mnemosyne and the girls--he's certain that their capture will allow him to usurp Zeus' power. When Mnemosyne is kidnapped by Hades, it's up to the Muses to save their mother. Rochon, who has two books in the Twisted Tale series, is no stranger to adding flavor to background Disney characters. This predecessor to Hercules should be a hit for any fan of fairy tale adaptations.

Five sisters learn they have hidden powers that might help them save their mother from danger. Mnemosyne is the Goddess of Memory, a Titan who was granted asylum on Mount Olympus by Zeus after the Titan war. But Mnemosyne, who has bronze skin and black hair, eventually fled Olympus, wiping the gods' memories so she could start her own family in safety. She created five daughters: gifted storyteller and leader Calliope, inquisitive history buff Clio, volatile empath Melpomene, magical dancer Terpsichore, and gifted comedian Thalia. Mnemosyne successfully keeps their existence hidden from the gods until the girls stage a public birthday performance for her. As Mnemosyne hurriedly explains the danger the girls are in, she's kidnapped by Pain and Panic, two minions of Hades, God of the Underworld. The sisters must now put aside their differences to use their unique strengths and their mother's special journal to ask the very gods their mother fears for help. A nice exploration of lesser-known female figures from Greek mythology, this tale features a fine balance of self-actualization and connections among the central characters, each of whom has a distinct temperament and narrative. The dramatis personae and pronunciation key will also make it easier for readers to distinguish the different cast members. A thrilling quest through real and metaphorical mazes, obstacles, and trials.(Fantasy. 13-17) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.