This is my fourth read in the Young Heroes series by Yolen & Harris and while Odysseus and the Serpent Maze is still my favorite, Jason and the Gorgon's Blood comes in a close second and all are good, entertaining reads...glimpses into what might have been in the young lives of the famous heroes of Greek mythology. It is humor that makes the difference in which I find more entertaining...each book in this series has slightly less humorous moments and more drama/conflict, that's not to say that this book is devoid of the humorous touches that abounded in Odysseus, it's that there are less of them. Jason and the Gorgon's Blood is more action/adventure and has more human drama and conflict than any of the previous three books. As the story starts out Jason and Chiron's other students are in hot water for riding through town drunk on the back of pigs...a boyish prank that earns them the punishment of taking a day's journey (hung-over) to fetch herbs for Chiron.

Right from the start we get to the heart of the conflict that runs through the book, two of Chiron's students are princes (Acastus and Admetus), Idas and his brother Lynceus (long sight) , Melampus of Pylos (reputation as a seer, naturally) set off arguing about who is in charge and with Acastus trying to shirk his part of the task, playing on his princely origins...what's clear is that each is a bit full of himself (except Jason, of course), thinks little of Jason, and that Acastus above all of them is scornful, spoiled, shallow, and arrogant beyond belief. Each of the boys has faults, but it's clear that this tale is meant to focus on the building conflict between Jason (true heir of Iolcus) and Acastus raised from birth as the Prince of same. The arguing boys are nearly done in by centaurs they encounter, but thankfully they become distracted and leave the boys relatively unharmed. The truth behind this initial contact is made clear when the group returns to Chiron's cave and find him bloody and beaten, near death.

These young men almost immediately set out on a journey to stop the centaur's evil plot to kill all the humans using Gorgon's blood that Chiron was safekeeping. Before leaving on the journey, Chiron tells Jason the truth about who he is, which turns out to be a central conflict as the story progresses. Jason leads this unruly band of adventurers over the mountains, encountering Hera's wrath, harpies, and an army of centaurs...but most importantly the very real human element conflict within themselves and with each other as each vies for the power and glory of leading (the struggle for "right" to lead and "ability" is nearly constant here) in the end, each finds growth as individuals by learning to use one another's strengths and working together toward a mutual goal of saving human kind from the wrath of the centaurs.

Overall, this is a fast-paced, romping good adventure, worthy of being the predecessor of the Argonauts where these boys must rely on skill, cunning and the favor of the Gods to achieve success in their task. The drama is heart-felt and poignant (in places) and the dangers believable, I give it an A+...there is humor and drama in the conflict between Jason and Acastus...but also growth and respect in the end...certainly, both of these boys walk away from the adventure with a new respect for themselves and each other...but the same can also be said of all the adventurers in this tale. The die is cast for the adventures yet to come (with brief appearance of Argo in a humorous look at his future) and we enjoy a brief look at what might have been for Jason and his youthful adventures. I for one certainly hope that Yolen & Harris write more for the Young Heroes series, truly enjoyable! ( )