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A review by annettebooksofhopeanddreams
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
4.0
So, how's your general knowledge of Greek Mythology? And I'm not asking for Percy Jackson level knowledge. I'm asking for "I learned in high school how to identify the Gods based on items, clothes and animals"-level. Why? Because you're gonna need that knowledge to appreciate the world and story to the absolute fullest. Is your knowledge a little rusty? Well, I'd suggest brushing up on it before diving into this story.
In a very brilliant way Bracken finds a place for the classical Greek world in our modern New York. She links the epic fights and wars (although this one only lasts 7 days, but every 7 years, so do the math!), she links all the myths, tragedies and stories, and she most of all creates an ongoing battle between the immortal Greek Gods and the heroes they've mentored, and not that rarely slaughtered, for their own benefit.
The result is a story that's far from easy. To get everything and to understand its brilliance you really need to stay focussed and alert and have your facts straight. There are complicated ceremonies, twists and turns around every corner. There are rules and yet just as many people not following them. And it has some of the most amazing Gods in their full and epic glory. (I've always been a fan of Athena. Which might explain why I'm still single and can count my friends on one hand...)
And in the centre of it all there is a girl. A girl who has grown up with the stories of Gods and Heroes. Who has trained like a Spartan and who truly believes that murder needs to be avenged, no matter the cost, and that dying a coward at old age is much worse than dying a hero in your prime. A girl who has a lot to learn. About the design the fates have woven, about life, about trust, about friendship and about love. A girl who lives her own epic saga, her own heroes journey.
ps. Whatever you do, don't use the appendix to gather the knowledge you're lacking. It contains a few spoilers best left hidden until you discover them in the story.
In a very brilliant way Bracken finds a place for the classical Greek world in our modern New York. She links the epic fights and wars (although this one only lasts 7 days, but every 7 years, so do the math!), she links all the myths, tragedies and stories, and she most of all creates an ongoing battle between the immortal Greek Gods and the heroes they've mentored, and not that rarely slaughtered, for their own benefit.
The result is a story that's far from easy. To get everything and to understand its brilliance you really need to stay focussed and alert and have your facts straight. There are complicated ceremonies, twists and turns around every corner. There are rules and yet just as many people not following them. And it has some of the most amazing Gods in their full and epic glory. (I've always been a fan of Athena. Which might explain why I'm still single and can count my friends on one hand...)
And in the centre of it all there is a girl. A girl who has grown up with the stories of Gods and Heroes. Who has trained like a Spartan and who truly believes that murder needs to be avenged, no matter the cost, and that dying a coward at old age is much worse than dying a hero in your prime. A girl who has a lot to learn. About the design the fates have woven, about life, about trust, about friendship and about love. A girl who lives her own epic saga, her own heroes journey.
ps. Whatever you do, don't use the appendix to gather the knowledge you're lacking. It contains a few spoilers best left hidden until you discover them in the story.