Gods of Manhattan (review)

Rory has always had an unerring ability to see beyond illusions and tricks: no magician can ever fool him, and he is adept at spotting anomalous events in the New York streets around him. Unfortunately, his powers may put him at risk, as the thirteen-year-old has been chosen to perform a dangerous magical task that could, if mishandled, cause dire implications both in his world and the parallel one, Mannahatta, about which he has only recently learned. In addition, Rory knows little about the various parties who approach him for help, so he is ill equipped to judge whether he should trust the cockroach warriors, the mysterious and haunted magician, the Native American representatives, or the immortal gods who all suggest he should act on their behalf. Even if readers don't recognize the specific characters, the premise that each of the gods of Mannahatta is actually a famous person who shaped New York history (Dorothy Parker is the Goddess of Wit, Babe Ruth the God of Heroes, and Boss Tweed the God of Rabble Politics) is unusual and clever. Unfortunately, the gods and their rebellious immortal children are disappointingly buried under a plot so twisty it will likely befuddle even careful readers. In addition, the moralistic side plot about the historical mistreatment of Native Americans in the U.S., while undoubtedly well intentioned, never quite seems in place within the rest of this glossy and quick-paced adventure. In spite of the concerns, the thrill of a kid setting off to save two worlds armed only with a butt-kicking younger sister, a couple of cockroach allies, and a vague understanding of his own talents may be enough to keep readers entertained right through to the final confrontations. A map, list of characters, and brief glossary will help readers track the many gods mentioned, and their residences in New York and Mannahatta.