The Aftermyth
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- Pre-Order
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- Expected 3 Feb 2026
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
In a world ruled by the tenets of Greek mythology, one girl’s fate is more than it appears in the first book in a new dark academia fantasy middle grade series from #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Crave series Tracy Wolff.
What’s your myth?
Penelope Weaver has spent her whole life preparing to attend Anaximander’s Academy, where students learn how to bring to life the stories of Greek mythology as well as discover the Greek god whose principles they most embody. Penelope knows she’s an Athena—all smart, practical, and rule-following girls who take part in stories that matter are Athenas.
But when Penelope and her twin brother Paris arrive at Anaximander’s, it appears fate has other plans. Penelope isn’t placed with Athena but with students who are anything but practical and who prefer parties to rules. And that’s just the beginning. She’s given the world’s worst muse, her assigned tasks feel impossible, and the magic of Anaximander’s is overwhelming. Not to mention, there are two very different boys making her new life even more confusing.
But as things go from bad to dangerously worse, one thing becomes clear: in a world where everything is fated to happen a certain way, some stories need to be rewritten. As the world around her shifts and cracks, Penelope is asked to forget everything she thought she knew to help create a better story…even if that changes every plan and breaks every rule.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Wolff (the Crave series) conjures a Greek mythology–inspired magical school in this lively series launch, a dark academia fantasy. Thirteen-year-old Penelope Weaver's first year at Anaximander's Academy is off to a disastrous start. First, she's attacked by snakes on the bridge leading toward the school, causing her to miss most of the opening assembly. Then, instead of being assigned to studious Athena Hall with her twin brother, Paris, and like every other member of her family, she's placed with the fun-loving Aphrodites, whom other students look down upon as unserious. Her frustration dissipates upon meeting her perky roommate Fifi, who becomes Penelope's first real friend. When the annual competition between halls is revealed to be a scavenger hunt relating to items found in Pandora's Box, Penelope rallies her fellow Aphrodites to take part, hoping a win will secure their status as students to be reckoned with. Simultaneously, Penelope's relationship with Paris becomes increasingly strained as he begins adopting self-important behaviors learned from his Athena peers. Penelope also wonders why she seems to be the only one hearing mysterious noises and seeing strange sparkles throughout campus. Though slim worldbuilding makes for a somewhat befuddling read, white-cued Penelope's refreshing character arc injects effervescent energy into an action-packed volume. Ages 8–12.
