The Sassy Bookworm
Book Review: Persian Mythology: Epic Stories of Gods, Heroes, and Monsters by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb π
Rating: 4 Stars
Iβm giving Persian Mythology: Epic Stories of Gods, Heroes, and Monsters by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb four stars. I picked it up mostly out of curiosity β I knew very little about Persian myths beyond the big names in Western classrooms β and I came away both entertained and eager to learn more. πβ¨
Tahmaseb has gathered twenty vivid tales that spotlight a whole different roster of legendary figures than the ones we usually hear about. Instead of Theseus or Thor, you meet characters like Anahita, the war-and-water goddess; Jamshid, a storied king; and Rostam, a near-mythic hero. These stories run the gamut: gods and goddesses, mortal champions, terrifying demons, and fantastical beasts clash and rescue and scheme, often for themes that feel timeless β love, beauty, chaos, honor, and plain old survival. Highlights include fiery encounters between Atar, a god of flame, and the three-headed dragon Azhi Dahaka, and scenes of Anahita wading into battle to protect people from monstrous divs. The book does a nice job of presenting sagas that originally circulated as oral tradition and were foundational to early Persian belief systems, making them accessible to todayβs readers. π₯π‘οΈπ
Visually, the book is a joy. The cover immediately grabbed me β striking and evocative β and the interior illustrations by Reza Dalvand add texture and drama to the tales without overwhelming them. The art complements the text, helping to transport you into each episode. π¨π
Tone and audience are well chosen. This feels squarely aimed at middle grade readers, but honestly adults who enjoy mythology will find it engaging, too. The prose is straightforward and action-forward, making it a brisk read: lots of momentum, few lulls. That makes it a terrific introduction to Persian mythology for youngsters, classrooms, or homeschool collections. If a library is trying to diversify its myth shelves beyond the usual Greco-Roman and Norse fare, this would be a strong addition. π§π«π
What kept me from giving it five stars? A couple of small things. Some tales could have benefitted from a touch more context β brief notes on historical or cultural background would help readers (especially adults) place the myths without breaking the flow. A glossary or pronunciation guide for names might also be useful for younger readers encountering these words for the first time. Lastly, while the adaptations are energetic, some readers looking for deep, scholarly retellings may find these versions a bit simplified. βοΈπ€
All in all, Persian Mythology is a lively, beautifully illustrated entry point into a rich literary tradition. Itβs fun, instructive, and full of memorable moments. If youβre curious about stories beyond the usual mythological canon or want a vivid collection to hand to a young reader, this book is worth picking up. ππ
β οΈThis review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may varyβ οΈ
Originally posted at tinyurl.com.
Book Review: Persian Mythology: Epic Stories of Gods, Heroes, and Monsters by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb π
Rating: 4 Stars
Iβm giving Persian Mythology: Epic Stories of Gods, Heroes, and Monsters by Ryan Bani Tahmaseb four stars. I picked it up mostly out of curiosity β I knew very little about Persian myths beyond the big names in Western classrooms β and I came away both entertained and eager to learn more. πβ¨
Tahmaseb has gathered twenty vivid tales that spotlight a whole different roster of legendary figures than the ones we usually hear about. Instead of Theseus or Thor, you meet characters like Anahita, the war-and-water goddess; Jamshid, a storied king; and Rostam, a near-mythic hero. These stories run the gamut: gods and goddesses, mortal champions, terrifying demons, and fantastical beasts clash and rescue and scheme, often for themes that feel timeless β love, beauty, chaos, honor, and plain old survival. Highlights include fiery encounters between Atar, a god of flame, and the three-headed dragon Azhi Dahaka, and scenes of Anahita wading into battle to protect people from monstrous divs. The book does a nice job of presenting sagas that originally circulated as oral tradition and were foundational to early Persian belief systems, making them accessible to todayβs readers. π₯π‘οΈπ
Visually, the book is a joy. The cover immediately grabbed me β striking and evocative β and the interior illustrations by Reza Dalvand add texture and drama to the tales without overwhelming them. The art complements the text, helping to transport you into each episode. π¨π
Tone and audience are well chosen. This feels squarely aimed at middle grade readers, but honestly adults who enjoy mythology will find it engaging, too. The prose is straightforward and action-forward, making it a brisk read: lots of momentum, few lulls. That makes it a terrific introduction to Persian mythology for youngsters, classrooms, or homeschool collections. If a library is trying to diversify its myth shelves beyond the usual Greco-Roman and Norse fare, this would be a strong addition. π§π«π
What kept me from giving it five stars? A couple of small things. Some tales could have benefitted from a touch more context β brief notes on historical or cultural background would help readers (especially adults) place the myths without breaking the flow. A glossary or pronunciation guide for names might also be useful for younger readers encountering these words for the first time. Lastly, while the adaptations are energetic, some readers looking for deep, scholarly retellings may find these versions a bit simplified. βοΈπ€
All in all, Persian Mythology is a lively, beautifully illustrated entry point into a rich literary tradition. Itβs fun, instructive, and full of memorable moments. If youβre curious about stories beyond the usual mythological canon or want a vivid collection to hand to a young reader, this book is worth picking up. ππ
β οΈThis review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may varyβ οΈ
Originally posted at tinyurl.com.