Book #40 in the Choose Your Own Adventure series, The Throne of Zeus, transports you back to ancient Greece to find Zeus, the mighty king of Olympus. So, what’s your mission? And where could Zeus possibly be hiding? Is he in Greece or somewhere else? You’ll find out soon enough.
First impressions from the cover alone are a bit mysterious. You see a girl in a striking red dress sitting on a throne, with, I assume, Zeus standing behind her. As it turns out, you’re actually playing the part of this young Greek girl, something I never expected. But there you go.
Deborah Lerme Goodman’s storytelling in “The Throne of Zeus” promises a Greek mythology adventure with a whopping 30 possible endings. That means your choices could take you anywhere — heroic victory, mythic disaster, or something even more unexpected.
In this review of The Throne of Zeus, I’m sharing the adventurous story I experienced based on my choices, so you’ll see where my path ultimately leads. Your adventure’s waiting too!
I love how the book kicks off with a warning — telling you to think carefully about every move, because in this land of gods and heroes, nothing is predictable. Will you make it back home victorious, or will you become just another Greek legend?
The Throne of Zeus: Choose Your Own Adventure Review
The Throne of Zeus begins with you waiting with your grandma for your parents to return from their archaeological dig. Turns out, they’ve made an amazing discovery: an epic find that might just be the real deal — the throne of Zeus itself, straight from Olympus, the divine palace of the gods. But there’s a problem. The authorities at the university aren’t convinced of your parents’ theory unless they get some hard proof. They’ve threatened to shut down the dig unless they can produce concrete evidence. It’s almost as if they need a crown engraved with Zeus’s name or something equally divine. Right now, all they’ve got is hope…
Sitting at the table, your grandma softly murmurs, “Speak to Zeus.” Later on, while cleaning the dishes, you ask her if she’s ever actually talked to Zeus. She admits that during the summer solstice, the gods tend to take a break from the heavens and pay special attention to mortals. Sometimes, they even appear on Earth. She even believes that she has walked with Zeus herself, walking right beside him when the stars align.
Your heart races with anticipation, as tomorrow is the solstice, and you’re desperate to meet Zeus face-to-face. You yearn to ask him questions that could help prove your parents’ discovery. You want to hear his voice, catch a glimpse of the divine, and feel the presence of the gods. Turning to your grandma, you ask where you might find him, hoping she’ll reveal a secret spot or offer some guidance. But she only smiles mysteriously and tells you — you’ll have to find him on your own.
The Throne of Zeus: Exploring the Acropolis
That’s the moment you decide: you’re spending the summer solstice at the Acropolis, the ancient ruins overlooking Athens. It’s your chance to connect with the gods, to verify Zeus’s throne, and maybe, just maybe, have a real conversation with Zeus himself.
The next day, I head over to the Acropolis (as a girl) in the late afternoon, just as the shadows start stretching long. Guards usually start clearing everyone out around 5 pm, but I plan to stick around after everyone’s gone, just long enough to slip into the Parthenon or the Shrine of Artemis Brauronia. The Parthenon’s gonna be tough to get into unnoticed, since it’s the most popular spot, but I’ve got a choice: sneak into the Parthenon or hide out in the Shrine of Artemis Brauronia.
I decide to hide in the shrine. I stroll over casually, and when no one’s looking, I slip behind two pillars. Luckily, I’ve got a clear view of the Parthenon from my hiding spot. I stay quiet, watching as the guards do their rounds. The sun dips lower, the sky turning darker, and the moon eventually rises. That’s when I notice something weird — a soft, glowing light emanating from inside the Parthenon.
It’s mesmerizing, and I start to wonder if it’s Zeus himself. That’s another decision: stay put, or go check out the light? I go for it! There’s no way I’m missing this shot. I sprint toward the temple, stumbling up the steps, and as I peek behind the pillars, I see a misty glow. There, in the middle of the temple, stands a tall woman in white robes. I’m stunned silent as she greets me.
I was hoping to meet Zeus, but she tells me this isn’t his temple. It’s Athena’s, and she’s the one I am speaking to. We talk and she’s willing to take me back to ancient Greece for a chance to meet Zeus, but I’ll have to find him on my own. To do that, I probably need to do something that’ll grab his attention. Athena mentions two people who are about to experience something huge, and I can choose to meet either of them first: Persephone, who’s about to spend a lot of time with Hades, or Icarus.
The Throne of Zeus: Persephone and Hades
I choose Persephone. In an instant, I find myself in a wide, lush meadow, talking to her amid wildflowers and gentle breezes.
She mentions she runs into Zeus pretty often. Suddenly, the air thickens with the smell of sulfur, and out of nowhere, someone pulls Persephone into his chariot. But before she’s gone, you leap in too. It’s Hades, the god of the underworld, looking a little surprised that you want to join the ride. Now, you’re plunging into the depths of the underworld.
As the chariot flies over the river Styx, the river of hate as Persephone points out, you catch a glimpse of the dark, swirling waters below. You’re faced with a choice: dive into the river and try to escape, or stay put in the chariot. I decide to stay in the chariot.
Soon enough, the chariot touches down on the far bank, revealing a somber palace surrounded by towering walls. Standing guard is Cerberus, the three-headed hellhound, who seems friendly enough. Hades warns that he’ll happily welcome you, but don’t even think about leaving this land, or he’ll chew you to the bone.
Inside, the palace is quiet and imposing. Hades leads you to a pair of black thrones. He declares that Persephone is destined to be his queen forever, and that even you are bound to remain, trapped in this dark kingdom for eternity.
Throne of Zeus: Furies
You wander through the shadows, unable to see anyone around you. You eventually come across a shiny crimson door and open it. Inside are three hideous women, their features twisted and grotesque, snakes writhing where their hair should be. They reach out with open arms, but instinct kicks in — you scream and your eyes shut tight.
A soft, calm voice is heard, explaining that they’re the Furies — guardians of fairness, not just agents of rage. Hesitant, you open your eyes but still avoid meeting their gaze. They seem genuine, wanting to assist, and it’s clear they believe it’s unfair that Hades is keeping you trapped in this gloomy world.
You tell them you wanted to meet Zeus — to help confirm your parents’ archaeological discovery and the existence of Olympus. A faint smile curls on their faces, and suddenly, they take flight, swirling around you in a dark, twisting whirlwind. You feel yourself lift off the ground, spinning into a fog of black wind, with everything else slipping away as you’re caught in the storm’s relentless embrace.
The Throne of Zeus: Choose Your Own Adventure Conclusion
Next thing I know, I’m waking up in my own bed in Athens, with my dad calling out to me to wake up. My parents are heading back to the excavation site after my dad had this crazy dream about a black tornado drilling into the ground beneath Zeus’s throne, revealing a crown and ancient tablets. It could be the proof they need, if it turns out to be true. I tell him I experienced the same thing.
Wouldn’t you know it, they end up finding all the evidence required to prove that Olympus is real. Those legendary artifacts end up on display at the Athens Museum. If that’s not wild enough, on the first day, a black tornado tears through the city center. It causes chaos and sparks fear but doesn’t do any damage.
So yeah, I’ve officially hit the jackpot with my very first read of The Throne of Zeus! Mission accomplished! I have verified the existence of Zeus’s throne and Olympus. So, what do you think your fate will be? Read The Throne of Zeus and find out. I wonder if you could even find yourself sitting on Zeus’s throne, like the cover shows.
The Throne of ZEUS: Review, Rating, and Final Thoughts
Alright, this Choose Your Own Adventure book seems pretty epic. The back cover summary of “The Throne of Zeus” gives you a decent idea of what’s inside. After reading it, I’d say this book is an excellent Greek mythology adventure, perfect for kids around 9 to 12, as recommended by booksellers.
It features two main storylines: one takes you into the mysterious depths of the Underworld with Persephone and Hades, while the other shoots you up into the chaos of the sky with Icarus. Along the way, you might meet Daedalus, explore the legendary labyrinth, and even face off against the fearsome Minotaur.
Depending on your choices, it may even be possible to experience both adventures before reaching the end of your journey. I wonder what could happen if you decide to meet Icarus when Athena offers you the chance. Would there be a way to come out on top? I was actually tempted to go that route on my first read because it sounded more exciting, but I figured starting with Persephone might give me a better shot at meeting Zeus. Plus, I thought it’d make for a slightly longer story. Looking back, I’m glad I chose my path because I got to prove the existence of Olympus, and the artifacts are now in the Athens Museum!
Choose Your Own Adventure Books with Greek Mythology Themes
I’m giving “The Throne of Zeus” a rating of 7 out of 10. It’s a good Choose Your Own Adventure book, and I think younger readers would enjoy it even more! While this book isn’t as epic as this OLYMPUS: Choose Your Own Adventure, which I found truly extraordinary based on the choices I made, it’s still an enjoyable read.
My experiences with Choose Your Own Adventure books haven’t always gone smoothly. Take for example: Can you Survive the Adventures of Perseus? My adventure ended extremely quickly the first time based on a decision I made. But what makes these books truly special is that you can always read them again and make different choices. That’s one of the reasons I loved these books as a kid. I actually had a whole stack of them! But no, I can’t remember reading The Throne of Zeus, from 1984, during my younger days. But at least I got to it now.
Check Price and Availability: The Throne of Zeus: Choose Your Own Adventure #40
If you’re interested, here are some additional Greek mythology books for kids, including titles suitable for very young readers.
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