Leo lives in mythical Athens, where the goddess Athena will do anything to keep her city safe from the monsters that roam the countryside. Leo dreams of becoming one of Athena’s heroes, but he discovers that the monsters aren’t as dangerous as they seem. Instead of slaying them, he decides to protect them instead. Athena won’t appreciate his disobeying her orders, though. Will Leo be able to keep the monsters away from Athens and hide his tricks from Athena? 

This is the fourth of Brownstone’s Mythical Collection, but it can be read as a stand-alone. This book opts to use the characters from Greek mythology to retell a gentle version of Greek mythology from the point of view of the monsters hunted by heroes. Medusa in particular shines with this treatment. After all, as soon as Athena cursed her, she hid herself away where she wasn’t a danger to anyone. The only people who she turns to stone are heroes who come looking for her to kill her. Why should she be the villain of any story? The book has all the best creatures from Greek mythology: the Minotaur, the Cyclops, the Nemean Lion, the Ceryneian Hind, Cetus the Sea-serpent, and, of course, Medusa. All these monsters are characterized as huge but adorable puppies, and it’s heartwarming to see Leo taking care of them. – Krishni Burns