In Christopher Ford's series, the Odyssey meets Fractured Fairy Tales with a little Diary of a Wimpy Kid thrown in.
In the first book, Zozimos' stepmother, an evil witch banished Zozimos and denied him his rightful place as heir to Sticatha. Here his uncle kidnaps Zozimos, and they're "off to Sticatha to get revenge on the witch who killed his father." Once there, the hero learns that he can become king. However, in order to prove he is worthy, he must go on a quest for the golden feather that holds the power of the gods and return it to the wicked queen. He is also on a personal mission to control his anger and to find peaceful alternatives to war.
For those who have not read the Odyssey, this is not a replacement, but it will give readers some idea of the tale's scope, with endless trials and tribulations, and the humor and zany adventures here will hook many young readers. The book brims with characters with funny names, moral dilemmas, extraordinary situations (such as Zozimos being turned into a goat) and foes aplenty to hold the attention. When Zozimos returns to Sticatha and shares his epic tale with his son, Zotikos, the boy scoffs, "That's the fakest story I've ever heard!" This introduction to outlandish tales should find welcoming readers in Percy Jackson fans, with their fascination with mythology. And Zozimos and the Sticanauts are off on another adventure! --JoAnn Jonas, public librarian and blogger