Title: Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwood

Written by: Bryony Pearce

Cover Illustration by: Claire Powell

Published by: UClan Publishing

Bryony Pearce’s debut middle grade novel, Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwood, is a crazy romp of an adventure that will keep readers turning the pages. Based on the children of the Greek gods, you may think this story is going to be a predictable demi-god story or a weak version of Percy Jakson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, but you would be wrong.

Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwood is a highly original, hilariously funny and entertaining story. Eleven-year-old Hannah Messenger, the granddaughter of Hermes the messenger god and Dylan, the grandson of Demeter the god of harvest, are best friends. Hannah has recently come into her powers and her and Dylan decide to go to the marker stone on the outskirts of Hockwood to practice using them instead of going to school.

Whilst they are there they meet Amy, the granddaughter of Aphrodite and school bully who is also bunking off school as she is upset her school work is not taken seriously by the teachers, as all that is expected of her is to be pretty. They also find school loner, Alistair has missed school too for a me-day. All the characters including the antagonist have been well-developed with their own strengths, weaknesses and well-crafted character arcs.

These four children form the core characters are real heroes fighting to save the human world through all odds. When someone moves the and marker stone, the gods of Olympus and their descendants lose their memories so they believe they are ordinary humans with no powers. Only Hannah, Dylan, Amy and Alistair know who the gods are and they are also losing their powers fast.

They discover the god’s objects of power such as Thor’s lightning bolt and Aphrodite’s apple and Herme’s staff have gone missing so they must overcome their differences and work together to find the thief and stop them using the source of the god’s powers to destroy the world.

A great story with endearing characters and a lot of heart. Encompasses themes of hope, perseverance and combating depression.

You can buy copies of Hannah Messenger and the Gods of Hockwood  by Bryony Pearce from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org which supports local, independent bookshops.