The Double Axe
Published on 26. February 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
242 pages
978-1-84688-390-3 (ISBN)
Description
Dark forces are at work in the House of the Double Axe. Stephan, the thirteen-year-old son of King Minos of Crete, stumbles across a terrifying conspiracy. Is the Minotaur, a half man half bull who eats human flesh, real? Or is something even more dangerous threatening to engulf both the palace and the world?
Stephan must race to save his family from a terrible fate and find out what really lurks inside the labyrinth...
You think you know the story? Think again.
The Double Axe is the first instalment in Philip Womack's Blood and Fire series, which reimagines classical myths from the point of view of teenage protagonists. It's a thrilling tale of adventure, and an opportunity for young readers to engage with and learn more about classical mythology.
Stephan must race to save his family from a terrible fate and find out what really lurks inside the labyrinth...
You think you know the story? Think again.
The Double Axe is the first instalment in Philip Womack's Blood and Fire series, which reimagines classical myths from the point of view of teenage protagonists. It's a thrilling tale of adventure, and an opportunity for young readers to engage with and learn more about classical mythology.
Reviews / Votes
I loved it, it's such an imaginative re-telling of the Minotaur story, gripping and utterly believable. -- Cressida Cowell Hard to imagine a more brilliant reinterpretation of Greek myth than The Double Axe. -- Anthony McGowan This remix is both learned and exciting. * The Financial Times * Instantly absorbing adventure. -- Amanda Craig A dark and action packed story based on a familiar myth but with its own unique twist. * Maia and a Little More * A thrilling adventure. * Scoop School * SO good: so fierce and pacy and sharp. If you love myth you will love, love this. -- Katherine Rundell Very exciting... marvellous and refreshing. -- Lucy Coats, author of Atticus the Storyteller Violence in the labyrinthine darkness, and the pleasures of food, family loyalty and discovering your own powers as a young man, all reforge Greek myth for the new generation in vivid prose saturated with Homer * New Statesman, Best Children's Books for Spring * Womack's fifth novel, unsettling, original and absorbing, shows him at the height of his powers * Literary Review * A clever rummage through the myth that manages to turn it on its head and recast it in a new light * The Telegraph, Best Children's Books of 2016 * Womack's retelling is packed full of action, mystery, and intrigue, as it weaves Stephan's story into the backdrop of the legend we know today. -- Victoria Addis, A Hermit's Progress A gripping adventure * Historical Novel Society *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Surrey
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 9 to 11 years
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 128 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
240 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84688-390-3 (9781846883903)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Philip Womack is the author of four critically acclaimed novels for children. He reviews for Literary Review, the Guardian, the Spectator, the Times Literary Supplement and the Telegraph. He has written for many national newspapers and magazines, and appeared on radio and television. Prompted by a lifelong passion for Classics, he teaches Latin and Greek. He lives in London with his wife, the architect Tatiana von Preussen, his son and their lurcher.