Two-and-a half millennia after it was created, Homer's Odyssey remains one of humanity's most memorable adventure stories. In this re-creation of Homer's classic as a young adult novel, we see the aftermath of the Trojan War through the eyes of Alexi, a fifteen-year-old Trojan boy. Orphaned by the war and enslaved by Odysseus himself, Alexi has a very different view of the conquering heroes of legend. Despite a simmering anger towards his captors, Alexi gradually develops a grudging respect for them. As the Greeks fight off the angry Cicones, weather a storm that pushes them far beyond charted waters, and nearly succumb to the blandishments of the bewitching Lotus-eaters, he realizes that they are not the demons they were said to be, but people like himself.

Patrick Bowman was born in Ottawa and grew up in Toronto. After writing software for twenty years, he slipped the corporate bonds to become a full-time children’s author. The trilogy, “Odyssey of a Slave,” grew out of his long-time interest in the Greek classics. Torn from Troy, the first volume in the trilogy, received rave reviews from the schools. Patrick lives in Toronto with his wife and two daughters. For more information about Patrick Bowman and his work, visit patrickbowman.ca.

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• Nominated, Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Short-listed, Red Maple Award

“Raw adventure from beginning to end….The novel's grisly details will be enjoyed by fans of blood and gore, but for all those with an interest in ancient times and a taste for adventure, Torn from Troy is a highly satisfying read.” — Quill & Quire