The Face of Apollo by Fred Saberhagen Review
Tor Books, April, 1998.Trade Paperback, 384 pages.
ISBN: 0312864086.
Ordering information: Amazon.com.
Jeremy is tired of doing farm work for his Uncle and tired of the ordinary town in which he lives. His life in the doldrums quickly changes when he discovers an injured woman hidden back in the woods. She is secretly carrying an icon of the God Apollo, who was nearly destroyed in a great battle with Hades, the Lord of the Underworld. When the village is attacked by furies, the woman is killed and Jeremy is forced to flee the village with the icon, which is a portion of the Face of Apollo -- his left eye. Jeremy, after receiving a few stinging lashes from the tail of a nasty fury, manages to escape on a small boat down the river. When Jeremy feels he is far enough away he stops to rest and examines the portion of Apollo's face which seems oddly life-like. Unknowingly, Jeremy puts the icon to his eye, upon which the face slips inside of him. With the God Apollo inside him, Jeremy begins to experience godlike senses and memories. Using his strange new partnership with Apollo, Jeremy sets off on an adventure to revenge Apollo's defeat and destroy Hades -- all the while wondering what will happen to his own body when the God Apollo is through with it.
This is the first in the Book of the Gods series by renowned horror, fantasy and science fiction author Fred Saberhagen. Readers will enjoy this exciting introducing which highlights interaction between Gods and Humans. A research university known as the Academy, featured in the book, where humans study and research the Gods allows Saberhagen to share his knowledge of mythology in an insightful and amusing way. A wonderful beginning to an appealing fantasy series.
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