Torn from Troy: Odyssey of a Slave
Torn from Troy
Odyssey of a Slave
by Patrick Bowman
$11.95
- February 2011
- print ISBN: 978-1-55380-110-8
- ebook ISBN: 978-1-55380-125-2
- Audiobook available here
- 5-1/4″ x 7-5/8″ Trade Paperback, 202 pages
- Young Reader Novel – Ages 9 to 12
Two-and-a half millennia after it was created, Homer’s Odyssey remains one of humanity’s most memorable adventure stories. In this re-creation of Homer’s classic as a young adult novel, we see the aftermath of the Trojan War through the eyes of Alexi, a fifteen-year-old Trojan boy. Orphaned by the war and enslaved by Odysseus himself, Alexi has a very different view of the conquering heroes of legend.
Despite a simmering anger towards his captors, Alexi gradually develops a grudging respect for them. As the Greeks fight off the angry Cicones, weather a storm that pushes them far beyond charted waters, and nearly succumb to the blandishments of the bewitching Lotus-eaters, he realizes that they are not the demons they were said to be, but people like himself.
At the same time, Alexi’s quick thinking, bravery, and the healing skills that he learned from his father prove to his captors that he is no ordinary slave. His key role in their escape from the Cyclops earns the respect of his master, Odysseus, and a striking discovery during their escape gives his life a newfound purpose.
Straddling the boundary between historical fiction and mythology, Torn from Troy is written in a hard, realistic style and brings to life the travails of a bronze-age slave of the Greeks in a form that will appeal especially to teen boys. While this book is the first volume of the author’s Odyssey of a Slave trilogy, it is a compelling and fully-realized work on its own.
Click here to read the first chapter of Torn from Troy.
Reviews and Awards:
- Shortlisted for the 2012 Red Maple Award
- Best Books for Kids and Teens Selected, 2012
“Screw up your courage and screw on your sea legs — there’s a wild ride ahead! Torn from Troy is a kid’s view of one of the best adventure stories ever told.”
—Tim Wynne-Jones, author of Rex Zero, The Great Pretender“Raw adventure from beginning to end….The novel’s grisly details will be enjoyed by fans of blood and gore, but for all those with an interest in ancient times and a taste for adventure, Torn from Troy is a highly satisfying read.”
—Quill & Quire“Plenty of battle violence and nasty details—the eye of the blinded Cyclops leaked blood and yellow pus—spice this tale. Greek words, such as chiton, mythological references, and detailed battle maneuvers add historical flavor. While the plot races along like an adventure movie, the dialogue, full of wisecracks and put-downs such as ‘kopros breath,’ lightens the tension. As a bonus, Alexi is quick-witted, smart-mouthed, and likable. Readers may need a nudge into selecting this title, but they will enjoy this book and anticipate the rest of the trilogy.”
—voya magazine, USA.3 stars (out of 4). “Bowman’s action-packed novel brings in the key plot points of Homer’s epic in a natural way.”
—CM Magazine“this first book is a lively and gripping re-telling of the Odyssey, as seen through the eyes of a young Trojan slave. He witnesses the cruel raid on the Cicares, is almost bewitched by the Lotus Eaters, and takes part in the encounter with the Cyclops—a vivid and chilling adventure in itself.”
—Deakin NewsletterRated E for excellent! “[Torn from Troy] brings to life the legendary event from the perspective of a commoner caught up in a monumental, history-shaping moment. . . Young readers will love Alexias’s spirit, and his sharp with and quick tongue.”
—Resource Links“Alexi’s exploits and ordeals command the reader’s attention and support, but it’s his sense of justice and loyalty that will endear him to the reader. I found Bowman’s writing captivating. . . the mystery which Alexi ultimately feels he must uncover (you’ll need to read the book for this) will ensure my reading of his subsequent adventure, The Sea God’s Curse (Ronsdale Press, fall 2012).”
—CanLit for LittleCanadians“Filled with historical detail, and the stuff of myths and legend, and certain to be the first of a series, Torn from Troy is bound to delight.”
—FernFolio“Author Patrick Bowman throws the reader immediately into the action and keeps up the excitement throughout the book. . . . He skillfully conveys a remarkable amount of factual information about the ancient Greeks and Trojans without once slowing the pace and brings to life the story of Odysseus by making us see it through a Trojan’s eyes.”
—Canadian Children’s Book News
