Thank you to Mascot Books for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
While Loukas is playing his flute at the seawall one day, he befriends a mysterious talking, dancing snake that rewards him with fortune and favor. Some years later, tempted by freed and pride, Loukas loses all his riches and his family. He must now set off on a treacherous journey through a frightening forest filled with suspense and strange creatures to find Destiny; her son Ilion, the Sun; and her daughter Luna, the Moon. These celestial guardians will surely allow him to reverse his misfortune, restore his honor, and win back all that he loves and treasures, won’t they? A reimagined Greek Folktale, Loukas and the Game of Chance is illuminated with dramatic and evocative pen and ink drawings that provide an ideal backdrop for the dark intrigue that fills this haunting story of human struggle, courage, and resilience. Loukas and the Game of Chance totally surprised me! To be quite honest, I wasn’t expecting a picture book, but I ended up enjoying myself and had a good reading experience nevertheless. I know some of you are probably skeptical on reading picture books past a certain age, but I think they’re a breath of fresh air in between books with heavier content matter. This lively, informative book with wonderful illustrations is great for any reader seeking a fun Greek folktale. I was a bit thrown off by the illustrations—some pages were illustrated, others weren’t, and the book ends up being around 70 pages regardless—but they are still beautiful. Full of beautiful imagery of life on the Aegean Sea, I could easily imagine Loukas’ journey and the beautiful landscapes he encounters. Loukas himself is a sympathetic character: he understands the importance of kindness and humility, as taught by his parents, but he falls victim to his pride, loses everything, and must work to regain his family. Following his failure, he puts in the effort to plead his case in front of Destiny and her children, celestial beings who decide the fates of humans. There were times when Loukas thought about turning around and wallowing in shame, but he persevered on his quest, demonstrating the importance of determination and sacrifice for the people you love. The plot is full of adventure and mysterious beings, some of whom may not have the best intentions... but ultimately it is up to Loukas whether or not he is able to rejoin his family. There’s a great message in the story about the dangers of greed and pride, and how it is important to live life with dignity and, as the kids would say, not “let the haters get you down.” Overall, Loukas and the Game of Chance is a light folktale that’s worth a read. 4/5 stars.
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The BaronessHey, I'm Shreya! I love to read, write, travel, and drink tea. Disclosure: I am an affiliate of bookshop.org and I will earn a small commission if you click the above link and make a purchase.
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