Zeustian Logic
Gecko Press
Sabrina Malcolm
Pub. 2017

May 26, 2021

Zeustian Logic is a funny and heart-warming book recommended for early teens. It’s about a boy named Duncan who is trying to slowly guide himself through his teenage years. It’s written by Sabrina Malcolm and it is her first book ever. Zeustian Logic comes highly recommended by most readers here on Hooked on NZ Books.

I think the concept of the story is extremely well thought out. I mean, what teenage boy wouldn’t want the help of Greek gods? Most of the language features Malcolm uses really enhance the story as well. In the beginning, I was hooked: the story was so interesting and I just wanted to keep reading. I would also like to mention the great mythical and astronomical side of the story. These themes are referenced throughout, and make it interesting and fun to read. I really enjoyed all of the humour, too. Often, Duncan jokes around with his best mate, Attila which feels very genuine and comical.

Now a small description of the book: Duncan is a boy in touch with the Greek gods to help him direct his path after losing his father in a tragic mountaineering accident. Duncan is always there to take care of his little brother, Fen, who is a troubled boy facing many problems after losing his father. Duncan always has his best friend Attila the Pun around to help him out and give him a good laugh when he needs it most.

As well as that, he has a petrol head neighbour who is obsessed with loud cars and likes to annoy him often with his deafening engines! Duncan is very interested in astronomy and uses that to help him live a somewhat ‘normal’ life with or without anyone else’s help.

Unfortunately, this was not the book for me. I did not enjoy the storyline and it slightly bored me because of its repetitiveness. For me personally, the pages got to be more of a bore to read towards the early and late middle which turned me away from the book slightly.

I also had to re-read the pages sometimes so I could fully understand their meaning but other than that, this was a great read, and I think many other readers of about 11-15 would enjoy it. I personally think it was quite hard to understand but I also loved many of the language features used by the author.

I would highly recommend this book to someone who is into fiction and mythical books, as well as a good laugh and a moving story. But I don’t want to give too much away, so read Zeustian Logic if you want to find out more!

– Isabella Prince is 13 and lives in Christchurch