Gods of Manhattan by Scott Mebus. An interesting new take on mythology in New York. Rory and Bridget discover a hidden world in New York City where spirits of the past live on and sometimes become gods. If you liked the Gregor books, you may well enjoy this. Grades 5-7. Rick Riordan

If I could give 2.5, this would be what this one gets. My first thought was this was a take off from Leven Thumps, though it gained its own story as it went along. I was bothered by the character development of Bridget, 9-year old girl. So many times her words, thoughts, and responses were not compatible with her age. I may have thought it was part of her character if there were not other places in which she was definitely 9. Further, while it is apparent there are future installments, this one was left at an ending that left a whole lot desired, not excluding more explanation. I'm all for mystery and suspense, but huge holes and gaps don't qualify. I don't recommend this one. ( )

Still slogging through this book, and I'm not quite sure why. It's not poorly written, but it is a random mix of ideas that don't really come together into a coherent world. There is no real explanation of why things are the way they are. Plot is very derivative of other fantasy books. I think Diane Duane did New York fantasy better (So You Want to Be a Wizard). Her world was vivid and has stuck in my brain all these years after reading it. ( )

I liked this one, partly because it is very kooky. There are a million and one stories about a supernatural city that exists within (or sometimes underground, or sometimes side-by-side) with another city, usually London or New York, but this one is pretty unique. Rory witnesses an impossible magic trick one day at his sister's birthday party, and suddenly he sees crazy things everywhere, like a squirrel and a rat fighting kung fu (the squirrel wins, btw, but only because it has help); a cockroach riding a rat like a pony, complete with little reins; and an Indian that shoots arrows at him in Central Park. The magician tells Rory that he is a Light, one of the few humans capable of seeing this other world. The other world, Mannahatta, is basically one big New York history lesson, because all of New York's famous and infamous people and places are reborn there, and exist as long as they are remembered by present New Yorkers. There's a larger plot at work, involving Rory righting an ancient wrong and some bickering historical figures, but it's really the unique concept that I like and the great characters. My favorite is Rory's sister Bridget, who carries around a cardboard sword named Buttkicker and wants to be Malibu Death Barbie. You can't beat that. ( )

This book is a great leap-off point for anyone who wants to inadvertently learn a bit about New York City history while reading a fun adventure story. But it's also right for the children's fantasy market of today. The suspense is high, mystery driven, and well paced. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and I'm not one of those people who is in LOVE with NYC. In fact, as a general rule, I try to avoid the people who are in love with it. It is clearly the first part of a trilogy though, so if you read book one you're going to be in it for the long haul. You won't be able to walk away believing that everything in the book you just read was resolved by the last page. This one is more of a set-up for what's to come in book two and three. I'd recommend it though. Mr. Mebus keeps things pretty tense throughout. Well done. ( )