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Athenite #1
Aesop's Secret
Melinda and Felix Hutton are just an ordinary pair of siblings, until their parents confess that they have all inherited the talent of metamorphosis, a revelation that begins to unravel the children’s world. Ten-year-old Melinda embraces her Athenite heritage, but her efforts often end up leaving her freckled face attached to feathered body with a twitching rat’s tail. Her older brother Felix doesn’t greet this new reality as something to celebrate. Wishing he were normal, Felix resents becoming parts of the myths and fables he’s read. But there’s a threat rising just as the children are learning of their talents, and a powerful enemy will use every trick and tool he has to keep the family from letting slip the secret of their gifts. With only the help of Melinda’s pet rabbit Aesop, who has begun acting awfully strange lately, Felix and Melinda determinedly fight back against the suffocating grasp of those who want to drive the Huttons and their kind back underground.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2012
2 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Claudia White
6 books20 followersA note from the Author:
I’ve been a day-dreamer all of my life. Lucky I was since all our family holidays when I was a child involved long hours of driving with nothing to do but stare out at the passing landscape. It wasn’t unusual for my Dad to map out a trip where we would travel at least six hours a day, seeing the sights and learning the history of the western US and Canada from our big comfy car. In those days we didn’t have portable video players or Gameboys. So there was not a lot to do except sleep or enjoy the scenery. As it was, I did enjoy the scenery but for a totally different reason than my parents had intended. What I saw in the constantly changing landscape was the inspiration for stories—stories about horses galloping across the plains…stories about me, as a horse, galloping across the plains! For me, it was like watching a movie only better because I determined where my adventures would go and who would be the hero.It wasn’t only car trips that inspired my adventures and it wasn’t only as a child that I indulged in unleashing my imagination. In school I took a particular interest in myths and fables, inventing my own whenever I got the chance. I enjoyed asking, then answering, all the what-ifs that I could imagine: What if princesses really could turn into swans? What if there really were Minotaurs? What if seals could really shed their skins and become humans? What if Athena really could transform into other creatures? What if there are other worlds connected to ours?
As an adult, I still indulge in fantasies and I expect that I always will. I’m always entertained by imagining different people and places.
About ten years ago I began revisiting some of my favorite fantasies and began writing Aesop’s Secret, the first of three books, published by MP Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 11, 2013
From the very first chapter I was completely absorbed into Melissa and Felix's world in this beautifully written and fast paced book intertwining ancient mythology, action and adventure with modern day childhood. Even though it is aimed at age ten and up, it will entertain children and adults alike with its well written characters and energetic and engaging plot.
By the end I'm pretty sure you will find yourself daydreaming and wishing you were an Athenite!
I was absolutely hooked and really can't wait for the next installment!
By the end I'm pretty sure you will find yourself daydreaming and wishing you were an Athenite!
I was absolutely hooked and really can't wait for the next installment!
August 10, 2014
Let’s take a moment to talk about the cover. Just look at it. Adorable, creepy, simplistic — it grabbed me right from the get go. (Though cover Melinda and book Melinda look a good bit different, it still hooked me.)
Now let’s talk about the story. Cute, charming and fun. I love it when writers give their characters unique, quirky names and White did fabulous here. Melinda, Felix, Aesop, Stumpworthy — White clearly thinks the same as me. If you’re going to name a character, make it fun! I loved Melinda’s awkward transformations. Showing up for breakfast with rabbit ears — wonderful.
My only wish was that there was more depth to the story. It’s a short one — just a little over 100 pages. Nothing wrong with that. There have been many a book I’ve read that needed a major trim, but Aesop’s Secret needed expansion. I wanted more details. I wanted a fuller experience. I wanted more dialog. I wanted to get inside the characters’ skin. The story moved so quickly that I felt I was more skating over the surface rather than diving deep. For instance, I expected Melinda to explore and experiment with transforming into animals. Think about it. If you were ten (or really, any age) and suddenly realized you could become ANY animal what would you do? Try out a lion? Zebra? Alligator? Peacock? Heck, python? Melinda only tries to become a horse, a rabbit, a squirrel, a mouse, and a very large frog. So, to be fair, she does experiment. I just wanted something a bit more bold. There was so much potential to really have some crazy, outrageous fun. Why not rhino! Having said that, White has made the book a series, so it’s likely that the characters will continue to develop and there will be more opportunities for some fun animal transformations.
In conclusion, Aesop’s Secret is a fun read for both children and adults.
Now let’s talk about the story. Cute, charming and fun. I love it when writers give their characters unique, quirky names and White did fabulous here. Melinda, Felix, Aesop, Stumpworthy — White clearly thinks the same as me. If you’re going to name a character, make it fun! I loved Melinda’s awkward transformations. Showing up for breakfast with rabbit ears — wonderful.
My only wish was that there was more depth to the story. It’s a short one — just a little over 100 pages. Nothing wrong with that. There have been many a book I’ve read that needed a major trim, but Aesop’s Secret needed expansion. I wanted more details. I wanted a fuller experience. I wanted more dialog. I wanted to get inside the characters’ skin. The story moved so quickly that I felt I was more skating over the surface rather than diving deep. For instance, I expected Melinda to explore and experiment with transforming into animals. Think about it. If you were ten (or really, any age) and suddenly realized you could become ANY animal what would you do? Try out a lion? Zebra? Alligator? Peacock? Heck, python? Melinda only tries to become a horse, a rabbit, a squirrel, a mouse, and a very large frog. So, to be fair, she does experiment. I just wanted something a bit more bold. There was so much potential to really have some crazy, outrageous fun. Why not rhino! Having said that, White has made the book a series, so it’s likely that the characters will continue to develop and there will be more opportunities for some fun animal transformations.
In conclusion, Aesop’s Secret is a fun read for both children and adults.
September 3, 2014
Such a great story! Good for young/middlegrade readers as well as entertaining for adults who love fantasy.
Twelve year old Melinda keeps having nightmares where she and the people close to her change into animals. But soon enough she realizes that she and her family are Athenites and actually *do* have the ability in real life to morph into different animals. She thinks it's really cool.
Her younger brother, Felix, finds the whole idea awful and wants nothing more than to go off to boarding school to get away from his crazy and strange family.
The professor of the school is a not-so-nice guy who wants to take advantage of Felix and his family with the strange ability and plans on using his experimental virus to rule the world.
It's up to Melinda to figure out what the professor is up to and foil his plans.
I won book two in this series (Key to Kashdune) from a Goodreads first reads giveaway and I'm truly looking forward to starting it this weekend to see where the story goes next.
Also, I am crazy in love with the cover art for these books. I don't know who the artist is, but I LOVE their work!!
Twelve year old Melinda keeps having nightmares where she and the people close to her change into animals. But soon enough she realizes that she and her family are Athenites and actually *do* have the ability in real life to morph into different animals. She thinks it's really cool.
Her younger brother, Felix, finds the whole idea awful and wants nothing more than to go off to boarding school to get away from his crazy and strange family.
The professor of the school is a not-so-nice guy who wants to take advantage of Felix and his family with the strange ability and plans on using his experimental virus to rule the world.
It's up to Melinda to figure out what the professor is up to and foil his plans.
I won book two in this series (Key to Kashdune) from a Goodreads first reads giveaway and I'm truly looking forward to starting it this weekend to see where the story goes next.
Also, I am crazy in love with the cover art for these books. I don't know who the artist is, but I LOVE their work!!
February 4, 2015
The intriguing and unique cover wrapped around Aesop’s Secret by Claudia White is a perfect reflection of the sublime fantasy story inside. Melinda and her brother Felix are likeable and believable characters. I think that everyone who owns a pet rabbit will look at them slightly differently after reading this, and with good reason. You never know what sort of secret a rabbit, or other creatures sharing your life, may be hiding from you. I was delighted when I reached the end of the book and realised that it is part of a series with book two due out in 2014. This book is written in third person using the subjective axis and therefore would be suitable for the more experienced mid grade readers.
February 10, 2014
This is a lovely children’s story about a ten year old girl called Melinda who begins to have dreams about changing into various animals. After waking up from one of these dreams she goes for a walk and finds herself in a field with an angry bull. She runs away as fast as she can, some would even say at a gallop, and so begins a magical tale of mythology, mystery and furry animals which is sure to be loved by children everywhere.
Claudia White has written an appealing and intelligent story which even this forty something woman found endearing to read. I shall be keeping this one to hand for when my granddaughter is a little older.
Fabulous!
Claudia White has written an appealing and intelligent story which even this forty something woman found endearing to read. I shall be keeping this one to hand for when my granddaughter is a little older.
Fabulous!
January 14, 2013
This book is aimed at teenies, say 10 upwards. I bought it for my daughter but like most parents I like reading kids books, they are escapism. Really enjoyed it and my daughter is loving it, she keeps telling me whats happening, she giggles with excitement on the good bits!
August 18, 2015
Such a fun book!
I found myself exhausted at the end of the day, yet I still hat to read 'just one chapter', which usually turned into two before I could no longer keep my eyes open.
Creative, well written, very clear, I never got lost in the writing or confused about what was going on.
I found myself exhausted at the end of the day, yet I still hat to read 'just one chapter', which usually turned into two before I could no longer keep my eyes open.
Creative, well written, very clear, I never got lost in the writing or confused about what was going on.
January 3, 2014
My review - http://wp.me/p3FLrJ-ev
January 3, 2014
Loved this book, although i am not the target audience. It was a fun, easy, well rounded read. I couldn't put it down and I will certainly get the next book in the series!
April 9, 2014
Re-Read - Great looking book and a fantastic fairytale story.
LOOKING FORWARD TO "Key to Kashdune" hopefully soon!
LOOKING FORWARD TO "Key to Kashdune" hopefully soon!
May 19, 2014
quiet simply loved it!
September 25, 2014
Great book !! Your kiddos will love it, so will you !!
October 27, 2021
Chose this book for the amazing cover—-not disappointed! Great read. Read portions to my 7 year old granddaughter who kept asking for more. The only thing I would have liked to see more of, is the Melinda’s changing into animals and interaction between siblings.
April 18, 2018
I have to admit it took me a few pages to get into it, but as I read on I sunk deeper and deeper into the story, completely uncertain where White was taking us. The more I read, the more I honestly didn’t know, couldn’t tell, where we were headed… which of course drew me deeper still.
The concept in Aesop’s Secret is refreshingly original. A race of Others live among us (okay, not so original yet), called Athenites, used to live in harmony with humans but were forced by history to conceal their abilities. This name is purportedly based on the Greek goddess Athena’s ability to transform into other animals. Melissa and Felix Hutton’s mother is about to publish a treatise revealing that Athenites are real, not mythological. She seems exactly the right anthropologist to do so, as the Huttons themselves are Athenites. But someone doesn’t want that research published.
Athenites’ abilities manifest as they mature; shape-shifting is genetic and connected in some way to their hemoglobin. This sets up nicely for a plot involving biological manipulation for at least one character’s nefarious purposes. I really don’t want to say more than that; you’ll have to read the book. The originality lies largely in the parts I am not telling you: sorry. While there is some catering to the narrative expectations of child readers—I can tell you that it all works out in the end—there were quite a few “oh—didn’t see that coming” moments to keep readers on their toes.
The concept in Aesop’s Secret is refreshingly original. A race of Others live among us (okay, not so original yet), called Athenites, used to live in harmony with humans but were forced by history to conceal their abilities. This name is purportedly based on the Greek goddess Athena’s ability to transform into other animals. Melissa and Felix Hutton’s mother is about to publish a treatise revealing that Athenites are real, not mythological. She seems exactly the right anthropologist to do so, as the Huttons themselves are Athenites. But someone doesn’t want that research published.
Athenites’ abilities manifest as they mature; shape-shifting is genetic and connected in some way to their hemoglobin. This sets up nicely for a plot involving biological manipulation for at least one character’s nefarious purposes. I really don’t want to say more than that; you’ll have to read the book. The originality lies largely in the parts I am not telling you: sorry. While there is some catering to the narrative expectations of child readers—I can tell you that it all works out in the end—there were quite a few “oh—didn’t see that coming” moments to keep readers on their toes.
August 19, 2014
I really wanted to like this book. The cover is beautiful and the blurb on the back sounded interesting. The plot didn't really grab me though. A lot of time was spent on largely extraneous details, and then the ending felt rushed. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't love it either.
June 24, 2016
I had this on my TBR list for a long time and finally bought it. It is a short book and a very quick read, but I did enjoy it. Good book for kids under 12 who love magic and fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews