The Aftermyth

A sparkly new debut in the popular Greek mythology genre, sure to entice fans of Percy Jackson and magical school stories. There’s snarky chapter titles, over-exuberant roommates, ride-or-die besties, quirky muses, a frustratingly cryptic old guy giving out donuts, and countless signs that not everything is as it seems for Penelope’s first year at Anaximander’s. Penelope is prepared, put-together, definitely a little type A and eager to please, which makes things tricky for her when nothing goes according to plan. In addition to strange magical shenanigans (and some condescending bullies), Penelope has to learn to embrace her own story regardless of what other people say it should be.

While reading, the pace feels non-stop, with constant new surprises. However, when I stopped for a break, I noticed that I was halfway through the book and it had only just reached the end of Penelope’s first day at school. Other information/events also felt a bit unbalanced - the much anticipated muses have few appearances, and the “Hades boy” Penelope meets early on doesn’t reappear until page 340 (aka pretty near the end). The main purpose of Anaximander’s is also not really emphasized.

There seems to be a mismatch between the synopsis and book overall. I’ve seen this advertised as middle grade dark academia romantasy with an emphasis on storytelling. Middle grade? Yes. It’s academia, but not dark, and the ratio of schooling to shenanigans feels more in line with a summer camp vibe (aka Percy Jackson, or even Divergent - those Dauntless weren’t big on book learning). Seeds are planted for future romance, but it’s very light and secondary to everything else. The whole aspect of myths and legends, and how interpretations change or are manipulated over time, is very present as a theme, but it doesn’t translate to a lot of direct magic or school work (the students aren’t shown delving into research or taking courses on literary composition, for example).

Anyway, there’s lots of laughs and lots of fun. While I was expecting more to happen in this book, it had a lot of ground to cover just establishing the school, and I look forward to diving further into the power of myths and the gods in later books.

What worked:
The book’s opening pages foretell the creative adventure awaiting the characters. Penelope and her twin brother, Paris, head to Anaximander’s to develop their powers, but they must first eat a doughnut hole before crossing the bridge that leads to the school. Penelope is attacked by snakes and faces other obstacles, but Paris doesn’t have any trouble and doesn’t understand why it takes her thirty minutes to cross the bridge. Is something happening to her, or is it her imagination? The new students must locate a coin to identify the house they will join, but Penelope’s coin is much more elusive than the others. She shakes hands with a hologram and rides a waterfall as it flows up, not down. The way her experience differsfrom anyone else’s is puzzling, but it continues throughout the plot and adds mystique to the story.
Students are told that they’re assigned to the house they need, and Penelope is placed with Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. This creates a huge internal conflict, since she’s dead-set on joining other Athenas in their house of logic and wisdom. Imagine the embarrassment of having to tell her parents the disappointing news. Readers will follow her transformation from an intense, super-serious student into an emotional, caring person. Penelope is forced to reflect on her situation and modify her view of the school and its students. She finds herself in many confusing, strange circumstances, and Penelope and readers will wonder what’s going on and why she’s singled out. There’s clearly something special about her character, but she also has remarkable abilities that will slowly emerge.
Penelope’s roommate is an unexpected treat. Fifi is enthusiastic and impulsive, two qualities lacking in Penelope. Fifi immediately says Penelope’s name will be Ellie, and it’s easier to go along with it than to fight it. Fifi is flamboyant and has knowledge about Anaximander’s that Penelope needs. Fifi has strong emotions, and she’s quick to share them, whether they result from kindness or anger. The roommates are joined by Arjun, a boy who has good thinking skills and is often able to understand Penelope’s strange ideas. Fifi and Arjun don’t dismiss Penelope when she claims to see and hear things others cannot. The trio forms the core group of characters that will guide the plot.
What didn’t work as well:
It takes Penelope until the book’s second half to finally wonder why strange things are only happening to her. Readers will wonder about that when she first crosses the bridge, and that question keeps readers mentally engaged throughout the story. The plot is more about what’s happening than Penelope’s school experience.
The final verdict:
Unexpectedly, one major god has been forgotten, and it seems to be Penelope’s job to correct the myths being told. I highly recommend this book for mystery, magic, and Greek myth lovers.

Magic, mayhem, and the myth you make for yourself.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that feels like a big, glittery burst of fun — the kind of story that reminds you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. The Aftermyth, Tracy Wolff’s upcoming middle-grade fantasy, is precisely that kind of book. It’s whimsical, heartfelt, and just chaotic enough to keep you grinning from page one.

A Girl With a Plan… Until the Plan Explodes

Penelope Weaver has her whole life mapped out. She’s supposed to be an Athena — intelligent, calm, in control, the girl who always does the right thing for the right reason. But destiny, as it turns out, has a wicked sense of humor.
On her first day at Anaximander’s Academy, the magical school where students discover which Greek god aligns with their fate, Penelope gets spectacularly mis-sorted. Instead of the tidy, serious Athenas, she lands with the school’s resident chaos gremlins — the kids who treat rules like suggestions and treat danger like a sport.
Oh, and her muse? The absolute worst. Think: “please don’t help me, you’re making this worse” energy, but magical.

Why This Book Works So Well

What makes The Aftermyth shine is its mix of heart and hilarity. Penelope isn’t just battling magical mishaps — she’s fighting the very real fear of not being who she’s “supposed” to be. That pressure to meet expectations? Oh, it’s here. And it’s so relatable.
Wolff balances that more emotional core with a world that’s just plain fun. The academy is brimming with Greek-myth Easter eggs, unpredictable magic, and the kind of school challenges that would give any normal kid a meltdown — but Penelope faces it all with stubbornness, vulnerability, and a spirit that sneaks up on you.

Characters You’ll Root For

Penelope is instantly lovable — anxious, determined, and incredibly easy to connect with. Her classmates bring the perfect dose of humor and heart, and the two boys who complicate her life add a dash of sweetness without overshadowing the adventure.
This is very much Penelope’s story, and the book never forgets that.

The Vibes

If you love:

* Greek mythology with a modern twist
* Magical school settings
* Misfits who become heroes
* Stories about rewriting your destiny
…this one absolutely belongs on your radar.

Final Thoughts
The Aftermyth feels like the start of something truly delightful — a series that blends magic, myth, and middle-grade heart into a story brimming with possibility. It’s about finding your voice, messing up beautifully, and discovering that sometimes the wrong path leads you exactly where you were meant to be.
Tracy Wolff brings humor, warmth, and just the right amount of sparkle to this new adventure. I can’t wait to see where Penelope’s story goes next.