The first novel, Achilles' Rage followed the story of the Trojan War through the eyes of twins from Lemnos, Wren and Jem. This story follows Telemachus' quest (as in the title, Tel’s (Telemachus') Odyssey) to find his father, Odysseus, whom he believes is still alive. Telemachus is the narrator of story who describes how the damnati took over Ithaca in the absence of his father. The damnati are the most notorious criminals whom Agamemnon freed as he needed soldiers for the war. They are now running wild throughout Ithaca and are threatening Telemachus and his mother. 12 year old Telemachus is angry with his father, whom he believes abandoned them and chose fighting at Troy over staying with his family. 

Facing the ferocious suitors at his house, Telemachus decides to play the fool yet secretly plans to set sail and look for his father. One day Telemachus encounters Homer who was hired to recite poems in Odysseys' hall. Homer helps Telemachus to find Ajax who tells him that Odysseus planned to sail to Lemnos and Delos before returning home. The veteran warriors, Ajax, and the two warriors nicknamed Two-blade and Three-toe, join Telemachus. They travel past the Sirens, Cyclops Island, Circe's island, Island of Screams, Scylla and Charybdis and then back home to Ithaca. On the Island of Screams Telemachus is reunited with his father, at the garden maze on the island, and together they make their escape home; later they vanquish the suitors and reclaim the throne of Ithaca.

Although this story is supposed to be a sequel to Achilles' Rage, we receive no information regarding the whereabouts of Wren and Jem or what had happened to them. We only know that Odysseus helped Andromache escape to Delos with her son.

This novel focuses on Telemachus and his coming-of-age journey through his dangerous voyage to find his father. In the original epic Odysseus was the one traveling the mysterious islands, yet here the Odyssey is reversed and Telemachus is the one who is facing dangers and ferocious monsters. Telemachus begins his journey by playing the fool in order to secretly set sail to look for his father (thus mimicking his father who also played the fool in an attempt to avoid going to Troy; while the father played the fool in order to remain at Ithaca, his son repeats his conduct in order to leave Ithaca). In order to grow up he needs to gather his courage and his wit. Only then, after proving himself worthy via various trials, comes his reunion with his father. Then they both fight together, as equals.

Telemachus' companions tell him that those who are considered heroes are also damaged in a way. Telemachus himself, in order to become a worthy hero, also needs to face hardship and battle his inner daemons and fears. Yet first he needs to forgive his father for going to Troy.

Telemachus' Odyssey begins when he is a boy, yet ends when he becomes a responsible adult, one who can lead and take care of his friends, a true prince. It is also a story of strong bonds and friendship between warriors and between a father and son. The moral of the story is summed up by Telemachus: "true warriors never stop trying, never give up." (p. 152). 

The author chose to relate to some parts of the Odyssey and alter others. The tale of the Island of Screams is especially gory and violent. The author also describes Ajax very favorably, as an honored man, defender of the people. This contradicts the Iliad, in which Ajax was Odysseus rival and was also guilty or raping Cassandra. His character in the Iliad is that of a great warrior but a lesser man. The book ends with Penelope asking Odysseus to share his tales from his own adventures – perhaps it is the setting for the next book, as this book does not reveal what happened to Odysseus and how he came to be the gardener in the Garden of Screams.