Against All Gods

To be honest, when this landed in the post, I still hadnt quite forgiven Maz for the tears and torment caused by book 3, the brilliant Beyond The Odyssey. So, I did the only thing I could. I locked myself in my bedroom with a loo roll to hand (Id run out of tissues), tried to banish the title inducing Phil Collins ear worm that told me the loo roll would come in handy, and prayed my favourite characters would make it to the end. Elliot is still reeling from losing everything he has ever known, and feels betrayed by his Dad and the Gods. We find him with Thanatos, preparing to retrieve the final Earth Stone in a bid to get his Mum back. The Zodiac Council, along with Virgo, are locked up, and the Gods are back in Olympus desperately trying to come up with a plan to save mankind from the gathering daemon hordes. Can our mortal hero make peace with the Gods in time to save everyone, not just those he holds dear? What a rollercoaster of a story! I laughed and cried my way to the end of Elliot's adventure. Against All Gods is super optimal and totes emosh to boot. I loved the blend of real-life, tear-inducing trauma with mythological mirth and mayhem. The characterisation of Ancient Greek reinforcements had me howling. There is so much love and friendship throughout, and the power of forgiveness shines. Elliot, Virgo and friends have secured their place on the bookshelf in my heart, and I will spend an eternity putting this series into the hands of readers of all ages. There's a very good reason Who Let The Gods Out? Won the Coventry Inspiration Book Awards 2018, and every book in the series is just as deserving of the accolade. I love that every character's story has a satisfying conclusion. I hate that it's over. Maz, you are epic! Thank you for destroying me, again, with your hilarious, heartfelt writing. I can't wait to see what comes next. 320 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Nicki Cleveland, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 9+