The Aftermyth is mglit you didn’t think you’d like, but end up absolutely loving

I never considered myself the type who would enjoy a young adult vampire romance book. The Aftermyth is by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, Tracy Wolff. Wolff has written dozens of books and has a very extensive categorical list on her website. There are dark and sexy romances in Ethan Frost, sexy dragons in the Dragon’s Heat Trilogy, adult romance in Extreme Risk, sexy and heartwarming in San Diego Lightning and the aforementioned vampires in the massive Crave series. She’s also written some books for the Harlequin Superromance imprint. This is a series of books that my wife is wishing I’d take inspiration from; either for my abdomen workouts or romantic wooing. Out of the five sub-genres that Ms. Wolff writes books for, The Aftermath is the first one in the middle grade line up and it runs like a refrigerator.

The characters in The Aftermath are immediately identifiable and easy to understand. This is the sort of upper-elementary through middle school book that’s infectious and has the capacity to build that water-cooler buzz. *If your older sibling or parents are more familiar with Wolff’s other books, they might be concerned about the content in The Aftermyth. They can rest easy. The Aftermath is firmly ensconced in the mglit demographic. It’s the sort of pacing, situations and language that are fully on point for ages eight and older.

The main character, Penelope and her twin brother, Paris are headed off to boarding school at Anaximander’s Academy. At the academy students are grouped according to certain Greek gods with whom they share characteristics, when they arrive. If a family member was in Athena then they’re probably rule followers, adhere to order and are quite smart. Things quickly go south for Penelope when she arrives on campus as she’s sucked into what could be a different dimension. It’s rife with snakes, collapsing bridges, no way out and she’s late for the induction ceremony that determines which house, sorry, which dorm, and what god they’ll study under.

I know, you want to read another book series about school-age students who are training to be wizards or heroes like you need a cloth shopping bag. I am the same way, and I’ve consciously avoided this genre for that reason. My interest level in Greek gods is low and my personal enjoyment for teenage drama is zero. However, I love a good book and my reading queue is moving like Lucile Ball’s chocolate conveyor belt, and I’m hungry. 

The first chapter baits the hook. The second chapter puts some chocolate, pizza or (insert great food here) on the hook, as well as, a motor to make it wiggle to catch your attention. By the third chapter the book knows that you’re interested, despite distancing yourself from anything Greek (except gyros J) and up the ante. The action starts, the sideways plot movements, the seemingly byzantine characters that could mean nothing now-but add up to solve the puzzle, are all introduced.

The Aftermyth has so many pop culture comparisons that you’ll eventually stop counting and comparing, and just enjoy the ride. You’ll see Wednesday, Goosebumps, Spy School, Hogwarts, Percy Jackson, Alice in Wonderland, Doctor Strange, and more. It’s effortlessly simple to enjoy this book. You’ve sworn off mysterious schools and any window that could lead you knowing about Hades, Hera or any of those folks.  I have the bumper sticker and the t-shirt, thank you very much. Yet, despite your steadfast attempts at trying not to enjoy The Aftermyth, you’ll fail.

As futile as a hair, circling the drain, attempting to remain in the sink or the student who didn’t study for the math test, insisting that they can ace the test due to good karma, you won’t succeed. After you read The Aftermyth you’ll wonder if all of the books with Greek areas of interest are as awesome as this. But you’ll remember your ban on Greek god tangents, and stop before you resemble that student who is feigning shock at getting an ‘F’ on that test. Unlike that faux expression of frustration, readers will have one of wonder when they effortless fall into The Aftermyth. It’s entertaining enough to span upper-elementary through lower high school as something that kids will want to read, which is a rare thing indeed.

The Aftermyth is by Tracy Wolff and available on Aladdin, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

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