A review by blandrea_reads
Of Gods and Boys by Harry F. Rey

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

4.0

 

“Of Gods and Boys” by Harry F. Rey is a novel that weaves together the threads of Greek mythology and modern-day struggles, set in Texas. The story follows Achilles, a teenager fresh out of juvenile detention, who finds himself navigating a world where the gods are as unpredictable as the adults in his life are untrustworthy. 

 

The novel gave me strong gothic undertones, creating an atmosphere where uncertainty and suspicion permeate Achilles’ life. His relationship with Jesús, a Mexican American boy working at Domino’s, adds a layer of complexity as they navigate their feelings for each other while trying to get Achilles through a series of seemly arbitrary parole hurdles. The tragic backstory of Achilles’ former cellmate, who commits suicide after transitioning to adult jail, casts a long shadow, with extra grief and emotional complication for Achilles. 

The gods are capricious, intervening in human affairs in ways that are both helpful and hindering, and that reinforced the gothic feeling for me of never knowing who is trustworthy or safe.  For me, it felt a lot darker with a deeper undercurrent of tragedy than similar YA series, (ie Percy Jackson). 

It’s a story made up of ingredients that don’t seem like they should work, Greek Mafia dad, queer boy in Texas, Mom that sacrifices to Greek gods twice a day to the horror of her Catholic ex-husband.  Jock bully, and queer awakening.  Shake it all up, and what you get in an odd combination that I haven’t experienced before but that worked once I got into it.