The Gorgon Slayer

World of Adventure #5

by Gary Paulsen

Warren lives a world of adventure every day in his after-school job where he slays monsters and finds a tremendous challenge facing a Gorgon that he must battle without his sword.

51 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Gary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.

Reviews

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

My favorite aspect of Gary Paulsen's World of Adventure is the surprising nature of certain books in the series. Rodomonte's Revenge explored hyperrealistic video games, and The Gorgon Slayer is set in a contemporary world where ancient mythology was a fact of life and continues through the present day. Eleven-year-old Warren Trumbull has a job with Prince Charming's Damsel in Distress Rescue Agency, though “Princey” isn't a pleasant boss. When a distress call comes in from an old woman named Helga Thorensen, Warren partners with new recruit Rick Howell on the mission, but it won't be easy to complete.

Gorgons like the notorious Medusa of Ancient Greece are easier to eradicate ever since Perseus discovered their gaze can't turn you to stone if you use your shield as a mirror to track them. But three boys from Princey’s agency have been turned to stone by the Gorgon in Helga Thorensen's basement, so Warren has a hunch there's something different this time. The Gorgon has learned to neutralize the Perseus method; Warren and Rick are nearly turned to stone as a cost of finding this out. Warren wants to give up and let the Gorgon stay, but Helga Thorensen vows to lodge a complaint if the boys leave.

How do you catch a Gorgon off guard who's wily enough to spray dirt on your shield so you can't track and slay her? If this Gorgon represents a newly evolved species, perhaps Warren can pioneer a new method of execution. Accessing a sword to lop off the Gorgon's snake-haired head might prove impossible; Warren may need an improvised cutting tool. Can he and Rick get the best of the Gorgon before she turns them to statues like the boys who already failed?

The Gorgon Slayer is a fun, creative concept that deserves a longer book to fully explore. I'm impressed by Gary Paulsen's imagination, even if the solution Warren comes up with at the end stretches credibility too far. Still, I probably rate The Gorgon Slayer a full two stars; its novelty and whimsical lore make it the most memorable book to this point in the series.

[Xander Kennedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is not much to this. Obviously, being an 80-page story, I knew this going in, but it feels like there is even less substance here than you would expect. It also is distinct from other Paulsen works I've read in that it takes place entirely in a fantasy world. The climax, if you can call it that, involves a weed-eater and because of that our hero loses out on $10. So I'd say only pick this up if you want to momentarily inhabit a world with several silly references to classic mythology.

[Zachary Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a kid and thought I'd revisit it. It seems The Gorgon Slayer is not one of Paulsen's most well-remembered books, but I thought it was a lot of fun. It's a bit by-the-numbers, but I enjoyed the premise, and his writing voice is as strong as ever. It's interesting to see an author known for realism deal with fantasy, even if only fleetingly. The back of the book includes blurbs for other books in his World of Adventure series. Some of them sounded pretty good (and it seems like they are quite varied in subject matter).

[Kai Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, I don't think it was as good as most of Gary's books because it isn't what I would say his strong suit is. So, I much prefer is more nature type books to this one.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun realistic fantasy story. I loved it.