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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
First of all, I don't get why this book gets so much hate! Yes, it's not a truly original story, and of course it falls into a few YA tropes, but what doesn't?
For me, this was a fun, engaging book that I found interesting from start to finish. I liked the inclusion of the Greek gods and myths - I thought Bracken did a good job of sprinkling little nods throughout (the 'I am Spartacus' parallel, the Brazen Bull retelling for example) Some points deviated quite a bit from the actual tales, but I thought it was a brave choice to try and add a little to certain stories to change the meaning (I am mostly thinking of the )
There were some twists I genuinely didn't see coming, so that was fun. Most of the time without even trying to guess, it's obvious what's going to happen in books, so I was pleasantly surprised when the book managed to catch me by surprise.
Don't get me wrong, I could have 100% have done without the romance, it's so unnecessary in 2021 to put the main characters together. If this would have been two friends - a boy and a girl, shock horror! - who were like family and had that strong bond I would have enjoyed the book more. Instead we got a forced relationship with quite cringy attempts at chemistry. On the flip side, I think the secondary romance could have been better, if we had a bit more on the page interaction and a more gradual blooming of feelings. It just all felt a bit rushed.
All in all I did enjoy the book, yes some of the tropes were unnecessary but for a fun YA fantasy that wasn't too serious or mind-blowingly unique, it hit the spot. It's like a popcorn flick, you know it isn't world changing, but those few hours you spend watching it were hours well spent.
For me, this was a fun, engaging book that I found interesting from start to finish. I liked the inclusion of the Greek gods and myths - I thought Bracken did a good job of sprinkling little nods throughout (the 'I am Spartacus' parallel, the Brazen Bull retelling for example) Some points deviated quite a bit from the actual tales, but I thought it was a brave choice to try and add a little to certain stories to change the meaning (I am mostly thinking of the
Spoiler
Medusa story, how Athena explained it as giving her power rather than punishing her. Of course there is only so much you can twist an already established myth, so it didn't necessarily 100% work, but I appreciated the effortThere were some twists I genuinely didn't see coming, so that was fun. Most of the time without even trying to guess, it's obvious what's going to happen in books, so I was pleasantly surprised when the book managed to catch me by surprise.
Don't get me wrong, I could have 100% have done without the romance, it's so unnecessary in 2021 to put the main characters together. If this would have been two friends - a boy and a girl, shock horror! - who were like family and had that strong bond I would have enjoyed the book more. Instead we got a forced relationship with quite cringy attempts at chemistry. On the flip side, I think the secondary romance could have been better, if we had a bit more on the page interaction and a more gradual blooming of feelings.
Spoiler
I think a good enemies to lovers story between Miles and Van could have been great, but instead we get the enemies bit, one interaction over a computer and milk, then Van screaming at Lore to stay away from Miles when he's saved.All in all I did enjoy the book, yes some of the tropes were unnecessary
Spoiler
Of course Castor and Lore weren't dead, but I did quite like the chapter with Lore trying to claw her way out of the underworld and back into life
adventurous
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was fine! It didn’t really do it for me, but an interesting enough story to read, without the draw other fantasy style books i’ve read in the past. Potential to be better i think. (Would not read the rest of series if it was a series)
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an interesting use of Greek mythology. It's exciting and different, but I did end up feeling like some of my questions didn't get answered. Overall, it was enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Pedophilia, Sexism, Grief
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
This book was the first book in a long time that made me feel excited and so happy to be reading. The ending kept me on my toes and I was so happy with the whole storyline. Sweet queer relationship in there. Boss feminist main character. I’ll read this again and again.
A seven day battle in the streets of New York with ancient and not so ancient Greek Gods.
"Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.
Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family's sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt's promises of eternal glory. For years she's pushed away any thought of revenge against the man--now a god--responsible for their deaths.
Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.
The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore's decision to bind her fate to Athena's and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost--and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees."
—Goodreads
Bracken takes the Greek mythology we know and love and turns it on its heel: showing the depths to which mankind will take to reach immortality. Lore's world is full of cults obsessed with gaining power and gods who will betray one another in the name of preservation. Despite having left this world, Lore finds herself stuck between these cults and gods and making a decision that could ruin her. While I only received a six chapter excerpt of this novel, I can guarantee you that Bracken will keep your attention from the start as you explore the world in which the gods can take on human form. Fans of mythology will find themselves lost in this re-imagining, enjoying the nods to the ancient myths.
As a Greek mythology nerd, I absolutely loved this book. From the first pages, I was enveloped in Bracken's world. Perfect for fans of fantasy set in a modern setting, Lore delves into the repercussions of the familial feud plaguing the Greek Pantheon. Each aspect of this novel intrigued me—the romance, the action, and the emotional turmoil. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythology!
Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family's sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt's promises of eternal glory. For years she's pushed away any thought of revenge against the man--now a god--responsible for their deaths.
Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.
The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore's decision to bind her fate to Athena's and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost--and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees."
—Goodreads
Bracken takes the Greek mythology we know and love and turns it on its heel: showing the depths to which mankind will take to reach immortality. Lore's world is full of cults obsessed with gaining power and gods who will betray one another in the name of preservation. Despite having left this world, Lore finds herself stuck between these cults and gods and making a decision that could ruin her. While I only received a six chapter excerpt of this novel, I can guarantee you that Bracken will keep your attention from the start as you explore the world in which the gods can take on human form. Fans of mythology will find themselves lost in this re-imagining, enjoying the nods to the ancient myths.
As a Greek mythology nerd, I absolutely loved this book. From the first pages, I was enveloped in Bracken's world. Perfect for fans of fantasy set in a modern setting, Lore delves into the repercussions of the familial feud plaguing the Greek Pantheon. Each aspect of this novel intrigued me—the romance, the action, and the emotional turmoil. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythology!
I loved all the Greek mythology!! There are just some parts that are difficult to picture or stay engaged with while reading.