The Gods of Manhattan is a trilogy of children's books written by Scott Mebus. They follow the adventures of Rory Hennessy, a cynical thirteen-year-old boy from New York City who gains the ability to see Mannahatta, a "spirit city" running parallel to Manhattan, populated by various gods and supernatural creatures.
This series contains examples of:
- Braids, Beads and Buckskins: The Munsees, being spirits of long-dead people, still dress as they did back in the 17th century.
- Deity of Human Origin: A number of historical figures, like Frederick Douglass, Babe Ruth, and even Walt Whitman, are revealed to have been upgraded into gods after their deaths.
- Historical Character's Fictional Relative: The Rattle Watch are all children of gods - that is to say, historical figures who became gods after death. Lincoln is the son of Frederick Douglass, Albert is the son of Hamilton Fish, Alexa is the son of Adrian van der Doenk, Nicholas is the son of Peter Stuyvesant, and Simon is the son of John Jacob Astor.
- Historical Domain Character: The series takes this concept and runs about as far with it as possible. Many of its characters are historical figures, and the series bestows upon them some remarkably busy afterlives.
- Historical Domain Superperson: The "spirit city" of Mannahatta has allowed various historical figures from Manhattan, like Babe Ruth and Walt Whitman, to be elevated to godhood after their deaths. Some of them even have additional powers related to whatever they're the god of; Peter Stuyvesant, for example, is the God of Things Were Better in the Old Days, and can make those around him feel hopeless and pessimistic about the future.
- Historical Villain Upgrade: Willem Kieft, an early director of New Netherland, is portrayed in the series as a Sinister Minister.
- Magical Native American: The Munsees are very much this trope, with their shell pits and wampum possessing actual power.
- The Mole: Albert Fish is Kieft's mole in the Rattle Watch.
