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A review by fa1th_
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow! A graphic novel so addicting that I whipped out my dusted Webtoon app after reading this in one sitting.
I knew this comic was very famous and always was on Webtoon's no.1 list, but I've never click on it or give it a try, until they published this in physical form, and when I saw the pink and blue cover in my local bookstore I knew I just HAD to get it. I didn't know why I haven't read it until now, since Greek mythologies and especially the story between Hades and Persephone always interest me, but I'm glad I finally did.
This was a modern adaptation that done well. I knew the actual history behind Hades and Persephone was stereotypically kinda toxic and dealt with a lot of subjects that we deemed 'problematic' nowadays, like kidnapping, non-consentual relationship, and older/younger dynamic etc. I think this version updated the myth in a tasteful and meaningful way. The comic still had a darker tone and many of the heavier subjects (such as sexual assault and trauma, so please check trigger warnings if you'd like), but the issues that discussed in the story actually was well-handled and I could tell the author put care into their storytelling.
Hades and Persephone were also depicted with care, like they were characters that got fully flushed out, with their own pain and happiness like real people would to be (even tho they were gods lol). Giving their age differences, I'm so happy that Persephone was not the helpless poor damsel that so many previous versions portrayed her to be, and Hades was not creepy and predatory either.
I am really loving this story. I will now binge read the rest on the app and wait for the next part to come out.
I knew this comic was very famous and always was on Webtoon's no.1 list, but I've never click on it or give it a try, until they published this in physical form, and when I saw the pink and blue cover in my local bookstore I knew I just HAD to get it. I didn't know why I haven't read it until now, since Greek mythologies and especially the story between Hades and Persephone always interest me, but I'm glad I finally did.
This was a modern adaptation that done well. I knew the actual history behind Hades and Persephone was stereotypically kinda toxic and dealt with a lot of subjects that we deemed 'problematic' nowadays, like kidnapping, non-consentual relationship, and older/younger dynamic etc. I think this version updated the myth in a tasteful and meaningful way. The comic still had a darker tone and many of the heavier subjects (such as sexual assault and trauma, so please check trigger warnings if you'd like), but the issues that discussed in the story actually was well-handled and I could tell the author put care into their storytelling.
Hades and Persephone were also depicted with care, like they were characters that got fully flushed out, with their own pain and happiness like real people would to be (even tho they were gods lol). Giving their age differences, I'm so happy that Persephone was not the helpless poor damsel that so many previous versions portrayed her to be, and Hades was not creepy and predatory either.
I am really loving this story. I will now binge read the rest on the app and wait for the next part to come out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Drug use