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Legends #2
Heroes and Villains
From the pen of master storyteller Anthony Horowitz comes a new series of myths and legends from around the world, retold in a contemporary voice, and illustrated with bold, graphic artwork. Packed with Horowitz's signature action, humor, and suspense these collections feel fresh, modern, and perfect for today's fast-moving audience.
The battle between good and evil has raged throughout time, in every corner of this world and the next. Some have fought using their superior strength, and some their wit and cunning. This collection features some epic favorites on both sides like Hercules, Theseus, and Polyphemus the Cyclops, and other less-familiar but equally fierce opponents like Polynesian trickster Maui, and Grendel of Beowolf. No matter if they fight with speed, skill, or sheer determination, they all have one thing in common: they will fight each other to the death.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2011
7 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Horowitz
346 books21k followersAnthony Horowitz, OBE is ranked alongside Enid Blyton and Mark A. Cooper as "The most original and best spy-kids authors of the century." (New York Times). Anthony has been writing since the age of eight, and professionally since the age of twenty. In addition to the highly successful Alex Rider books, he is also the writer and creator of award winning detective series Foyle’s War, and more recently event drama Collision, among his other television works he has written episodes for Poirot, Murder in Mind, Midsomer Murders and Murder Most Horrid. Anthony became patron to East Anglia Children’s Hospices in 2009.
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
On 19 January 2011, the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle announced that Horowitz was to be the writer of a new Sherlock Holmes novel, the first such effort to receive an official endorsement from them and to be entitled the House of Silk.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/anthon...
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 31, 2022
This is a collection of short stories that I have really enjoyed
October 9, 2012
Heroes and Villains is a collection of myths and legends from around the world retold for children by the author Anthony Horowitz. The book contains seven short stories mainly from Greece, while others are English and Anglo-Saxon. All the stories are about Good overcoming evil while some characters use power and strength others use their wit. The book includes the two most known Greek stories ‘The Eye of The Cyclops’ and ‘The Achilles Heel.’
‘The Eye of The Cyclops’ is my favourite story from the book and is about Odysseus the King of Ithaca who manages to cleverly outwit the silly Cyclops Polyphemus, who wants to eat Odysseus and his men. Odysseus and his men give the Cyclops two barrels of wine to quench his thirst after eating causing the Cyclops to get drunk. Polyphemus asks Odysseus for his name he tells him its ‘Oudeis’ which means ‘nobody’ in Greek and then drunkly passes out at which point Odysseus and his men stab a large wooden spike through Polyphemus’ eye causing him to go blind. Polyphemus screams so loud that the Cyclopes living nearby come and ask him what’s wrong and how he damaged his eye to which Polyphemus replies ‘It was nobody’s fault’ ‘nobody did it.’ Odysseus and his men are then able to plan their escape by hiding under sheep and sneaking out of Polyphemus’ cave.
The front cover of the book would attract young boys, however I think the wit and humour the author uses in all the stories make it a great read for both girls and boys.
The stories would be good for guided reading in year five or high ability year four and would be great for cross-curricular learning to Ancient Greece in history which will give the children a good starting point for the stories as they involve many Greek Gods and aspects of the Trojan War. Many of the stories offer great opportunity for comprehension and the book can also be a starting point for creative writing as the children can write their own legend or myth.
‘The Eye of The Cyclops’ is my favourite story from the book and is about Odysseus the King of Ithaca who manages to cleverly outwit the silly Cyclops Polyphemus, who wants to eat Odysseus and his men. Odysseus and his men give the Cyclops two barrels of wine to quench his thirst after eating causing the Cyclops to get drunk. Polyphemus asks Odysseus for his name he tells him its ‘Oudeis’ which means ‘nobody’ in Greek and then drunkly passes out at which point Odysseus and his men stab a large wooden spike through Polyphemus’ eye causing him to go blind. Polyphemus screams so loud that the Cyclopes living nearby come and ask him what’s wrong and how he damaged his eye to which Polyphemus replies ‘It was nobody’s fault’ ‘nobody did it.’ Odysseus and his men are then able to plan their escape by hiding under sheep and sneaking out of Polyphemus’ cave.
The front cover of the book would attract young boys, however I think the wit and humour the author uses in all the stories make it a great read for both girls and boys.
The stories would be good for guided reading in year five or high ability year four and would be great for cross-curricular learning to Ancient Greece in history which will give the children a good starting point for the stories as they involve many Greek Gods and aspects of the Trojan War. Many of the stories offer great opportunity for comprehension and the book can also be a starting point for creative writing as the children can write their own legend or myth.
January 19, 2013
Heroes and Villains is part of the series of myths and legends from around the world. The book is comprised of several mini tales regarding the battle of good and evil throughout time. The collection features some well known characters such as Hercules, Theseus and Polyphemus the Cyclops, and other less-known opponents like Polynesian trickster Maui, and Grendel of Beowolf.
The contemporary style in which Horowitz has written the stories brings the characters to life and the bold, graphic illustrations are sure to capture a child’s attention. Some of the tales are stomach-turning at times (such as knights being beheaded) so with that in mind I would say this book is suited more to an upper Key Stage two audience. I would imagine the book appeals more to a male audience also. Probably a book for a class library.
The contemporary style in which Horowitz has written the stories brings the characters to life and the bold, graphic illustrations are sure to capture a child’s attention. Some of the tales are stomach-turning at times (such as knights being beheaded) so with that in mind I would say this book is suited more to an upper Key Stage two audience. I would imagine the book appeals more to a male audience also. Probably a book for a class library.
November 5, 2017
I enjoyed this volume of stories more than than the other two I've read so far, perhaps because I'm currently in Turkey and can appreciate the proximity to historical sites like Troy. I hadn't read the story of the Grendel before nor 'Gawain and the Green Knight' and was captivated by both though I did feel sorry for the Grendel and the Cyclops; my sympathy often seems to lie with the monsters of mythology!
June 21, 2017
I loved this author growing up. Reading this book about well-known heroes and villains. as depicted by Anthony Horowitz, was truly like a trip down memory lane. It was a little bit graphic at times, especially since I read along with my nine year old son, but it was also interesting and exciting.
February 26, 2020
Gawain and the green knight is the longest story in the book and the retelling is my favourite. Mr Horowitz has become of my favourite children’s authors. And I look forward to earlier works.
October 7, 2023
4 stars 🌟 🤩 ✨️
I enjoyed reading Legends, especially Gaiwan and the Green Knight.
I enjoyed reading Legends, especially Gaiwan and the Green Knight.
November 17, 2016
What's in this book:
1. The Eye of the Cyclops - Greek
2. The Achilles Hell - Greek
3. Catching the Sun - Polynesian
4. The Grendel - Anglo-Saxon
5. The Mares of Diomedes - Greek
6. Procustes and His Magic Bed - Greek
7. Gawain and the Green Knight - England
It must be hard to choose the story about famous Heroes and famous Villains alltogether but I kindda wish mr. Horowitz would chose other tales than Greece.
1. The Eye of the Cyclops - Greek
2. The Achilles Hell - Greek
3. Catching the Sun - Polynesian
4. The Grendel - Anglo-Saxon
5. The Mares of Diomedes - Greek
6. Procustes and His Magic Bed - Greek
7. Gawain and the Green Knight - England
It must be hard to choose the story about famous Heroes and famous Villains alltogether but I kindda wish mr. Horowitz would chose other tales than Greece.
September 28, 2015
Child-friendly retellings of myths and legends. A couple of popular, well-known tales and a couple of lesser-knowns too. Rather confused by Gawain and the Green Knight - how did the king survive with his head lopped off?! That shoulda been explained properly. Liking this quote from Horowitz - ' My heroes include Charles Dickens, the greatest writer who ever lived...' - I couldn't agree more!
November 22, 2013
This book is one of the best books I've read, it shows about how heroes and villains behave in different ways and it shows how being trustworthy is always good.
January 3, 2014
Mythology is always intriguing.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews