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In this genre-defying novel packed with both action and classical mythology, Jake Hewitt's affair with the wife of a state trooper leaves him on the run across Texas and New Mexico. On the way, he picks up an unlikely hitchhiker: a strangely-dressed old man who asks Jake to take him to the nearest river, for he is Poseidon, god of water and earthquakes, or "Seidon" for short. Jake must navigate being stalked across state lines while trying to help this seemingly deluded individual. However, his perspective begins to change as he learns more about him.
Seidon tells Jake his life story, from being eaten by his father Kronos to participating in the great battle between the Olympians and the Titans. While Jake is unsure what to believe about Seidon's identity, his time with the older man helps him understand more about himself and his world. The bond between the two men teaches Jake how to trust, but that trust faces a difficult test when Seidon is in danger, and Jake has to decide whether to believe Seidon's claims.
The narrative alternates between Jake's present-day picaresque drama and Seidon's life in ancient Greece. The author flawlessly weaves fantasy and realism in a way that recalls Neil Gaiman's American Gods, breathing life into ancient mythology and bringing significance to Jake's empty modern existence. Both Jake and Seidon's stories explore themes of dealing with others' rage and jealousy while searching for stability and love. And as the men share their lives with each other, Jake begins to see the importance of opening up and learning to trust. The fast-paced action throughout the book leads to a meaningful and satisfying ending for the characters and readers alike.