Simon was just a 12-year-old boy living near the city-state of Athens was just beginning when he’s killed in a Spartan raid and finds himself crossing the river Styx. He tries for centuries to escape and finally manages to leave the underworld, landing in modern-day Minnesota. He must make new friends and enjoy life while he can, because Hades, the ruler of the underworld doesn’t take escapes lightly.
Simon was only 12 when he found himself in the underworld—the victim of a Spartan raid on Athens back in the days of ancient Greece. Since then, he has spent thousands of years in the underworld trying to escape. Finally, he befriends the three-headed dog, Cerberus, who lets him pass back into the land of the living.
However, Simon doesn’t find himself in the world he once knew. Instead, he reenters in modern-day Minnesota at a Catholic middle school. Zeke, a bullied seventh grader, finds Simon naked and confused in the boys bathroom, so he gets Simon some clothes and lets him stay in his family pool house.
Simon loves being alive. He makes new friends and adapts to the technology and customs of this new time and place. He hopes that Hades won’t give much thought to a lowly boy like himself escaping.
But he couldn’t be more wrong. Hades is furious that Simon escaped, and he is determined to bring him back and make him suffer for his decisions. Simon must find a way to protect his friends and avoid the demon and death that pursue him.
Girls have “666” scrawled on their foreheads at a concert.
The entire book is based on Greek mythology, so many mythical gods, places and creatures are featured and mentioned. Greek philosophy and philosophers mentioned and discussed. Buddha and sorcery are mentioned. All dead people dwell in the underworld or Elysium (sort of the ancient Greek version of heaven), regardless of their religion. The Greek understanding of heaven and hell is very works-based.
Hades rules the underworld. He kidnapped a woman named Persephone and forced her to become his wife. Many serve Persephone, who is bitter and feels sorry for herself. Eventually, Simon inspires her to change the underworld for the better. Zeke’s parents travel the world and leave him with his grandma.
Simon arrives naked and injured in the underworld. His chest has a gaping wound and his hand is mutilated. Hades heals Simon’s mutilated hand but in a torturous, painful way. Simon is repeatedly devoured and torn apart by the monstrous Cerberus—all of which is graphically described. Simon then appears whole back in Hades’ throne room.
The dead are described as cold and naked. Diogenes, whose job is to watch the borderlands between the underworld and land of the living, slaps Simon. Boys call Zeke a variety of names, including “Zeke the freak” “skin and bones.” Suicide and thieves are mentioned.
Simon died because the Spartans stabbed him with a sword through the chest. Because of this, Simon hates the Spartans. Hades tortures a guy named Sisyphus and sends demons to try to chain up Cerberus. Hades calls Simon “conniving ingrate, scoundrel, felon, and transgressor.”
Evelyn, a demon, tortured the dead with chains, barbed whips and sparks. Hades maimed Evelyn’s hand slightly. Evelyn threatens to waterboard Diogenes. Evelyn talks about delivering Simon to Hades in pieces and says “d–n the kid.”
A bully gives Simon the middle finger. Persephone extinguishes shades and plans to torture Cerberus but doesn’t. Zeke says “kick your a–” and “bad—.”
War is mentioned. Simon describes his death and the death of those in his household at the hands of the Spartans. Simon’s teacher in Minnesota, Mr. Savalas, lost his wife. Mr. Savalas says “bull—-.” Characters say “oh gods.”
One character suggests another walk a bully into traffic. One character calls another a rude name. Hades rants about how he will torture Simon. Zeke calls Simon a liar and a parasite.
Suicide Sirens is a band name. A singer has tied a noose around a doll’s neck. Simon gives Evelyn the middle finger. Zeke says “freaking.” Zeke’s brother died suddenly.
Zeke fights a bully, Rowan, after getting shoved in a trashcan (which breaks his nose). Rowan fights back. Rowan and Simon fight as well. Rowan seems to be possessed or controlled by Evelyn in some way to attack Zeke. Cerberus eats a character.
The lustful stuck in the underworld are mentioned. The Greek myth of Artemis being seen bathing in a pool is mentioned. One girl is self-conscious about guys looking at her while she’s wearing a bathing suit.
Why is it good to be persistent? Do you think being persistent could ever be bad? Why or why not?
Would you stick with your friends even in hard times? How can you become an even more loyal friend?
Read Ephesians 6:12. How should you deal with encounters with bullies?
Styx and Stones is a story that contains important themes of persistence, friendship and bravery. However, it also has a good deal of content opposed to the Christian worldview and some violent and pagan material that could disturb young readers.
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Book reviews cover the content, themes and worldviews of fiction books, not necessarily their literary merit, and equip parents to decide whether a book is appropriate for their children. The inclusion of a book’s review does not constitute an endorsement by Focus on the Family.
Rachel Pfeiffer serves as Editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine, where she acquires and crafts stories to entertain and disciple children. She graduated from Taylor University with a degree in professional writing and Moody Theological Seminary with an MA in Biblical Studies. When she’s not curled up with a good book, she can often be found hiking the beautiful Colorado Rockies.
