16 Hypnotizing Books That Reimagine Greek Mythology
My kingdom for every single Greek retelling!
Percy Jackson showed me my love for Greek mythology, but years later, I'm happy to say that the book world has given us so many new books that are inspired by the myths! We all have our absolute favorites that we wish we could see in a modern retelling, right? I know I do. (*Psst* Hades and Persephone). This list will give you a variety of different Greek mythology retellings, so feel free to pick and choose the one that calls to you.
1. Neon Gods by Katee Robert
Myth: Hades and Persephone
What it's about: Society darling Persephone runs away when her mother Demeter ambushes her with an arranged engagement with Zeus. The only one who can help her is no other man than the legend himself: Hades.
Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
2. Keep Me Close by R.M. Virtues
Myth: Aphrodite and Hephaestus
What it's about: When Aphrodite's life is on the line, Hades assigns Hephaestus as her new bodyguard. These two can't even be in the same room without arguing, but forced proximity and dangerous situations open their eyes to their steamy attraction.
Get it from Amazon.
3. Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
Myth: Hades and Persephone
Release date: October 5, 2021
What it's about: Beautiful art graces the pages of Lore Olympus. The incredibly popular webtoon (which will now be available as a physical book) tells the story of how Hades and Persephone fell in love. Witness their slow-burn romance while meeting your favorite myths and legends in this modern retelling.
Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
4. Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews
Myth: Apollo and Daphne
What it's about: A reinterpretation of the classic Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo, Daughter of Sparta is about 17-year-old Daphne. She is tasked to find nine mysterious items that were stolen from Mount Olympus. Paired up with Apollo, they embark on an adventurous journey, taking her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to meeting mythological legends such as Theseus.
Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
5. Gild by Raven Kennedy
Myth: King Midas
What it's about: Auren has been gold-touched by King Midas himself, and because of that, she is favored and feels safe inside the walls of the castle. But the truth is that she is his prisoner living inside a gold cage, and when Auren finally ventures outside those walls, her reality quickly changes.
Content warning for attempted rape/rape, violence, abuse, Stockholm syndrome, murder, grooming, and the topic of trafficking.
Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
6. The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer
Myth: Hades and Persephone
What it's about: All Persephone wants is freedom. When Hades, goddess of the Underworld, offers her sanctuary in her kingdom, Persephone takes the chance to escape her Olympian destiny. But what she finds there, and with Hades herself, is more than freedom...it might even be love.
Get it from Amazon.
7. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Myth: Theseus and the Minotaur
What it's about: For fans of Circe by Madeline Miller, this book tells the story of Ariadne, Princess of Crete and daughter of King Minos. Ariadne grew up hearing about the Minotaur roaming his Labyrinth below the palace, and in mythology, she is the one who helps Theseus defeat the monster. But there is so much more to Ariadne — and this is her story.
Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
8. Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera
Myth: Orpheus and Eurydice
What it's about: A Latinx modern retelling set in the Bronx where a girl, Eury, arrives from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria destroys her home. There she meets Pheus, a charming bachata singer, who only really wants to spend the summer at the beach with his friends, but that soon changes when he meets Eury.
Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
9. Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R. Miller
Myth: Hades and Persephone
What it's about: Kal has a plan, and that involves marrying mafia princess Elena. Too bad she's about to get married to someone else. But for Kal, everything is possible, and when he poisons Elena's fiancé just minutes before the wedding, it sets the tone of how this book will go. A dark romance that will intrigue you instantly!
Content warning for blood play, knife play, kidnapping, grooming, and attempted sexual assault.
Get it from Amazon.
10. Electric Idol by Katee Robert
Myth: Eros and Psyche
Release date: January 18, 2022
What it's about: Aphrodite wants Psyche's heart in her hands, so she sends the best person to do it: her son, Eros. But instead of murdering her as his mother wants, Eros marries her. To keep her safe, they plan to make the whole city of Olympus believe their marriage is real. Though it already feels too real to them...
Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
11. The Cassandra Curse by Chantel Acevedo
Myth: Nine Muses
What it's about: The Cassandra Curse is the first book in a middle-grade fantasy duology where a Cuban American girl finds out she's one of the Nine Muses of Greek mythology. When a simple pep talk turns her best friend into a pop star, Callie learns she's the newest muse of epic poetry.
Get it from Bookshop or from your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
12. Punderworld by Linda Sejic
Myth: Hades and Persephone
Release date: August 31, 2021
What it's about: Get to know your favorite mythological personalities in Punderworld, a fun, relatable, and down-to-earth graphic novel with beautiful art and an entertaining story! Socially awkward Hades has been crushing on Persephone for two centuries. When a festival presents the perfect opportunity to finally tell each other how they feel, they realize that it won't be that easy to do.
Get it from Bookshop or your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
13. In the Bedroom of Medusa by Magen Cubed
Myth: Medusa, the Gorgon
Release date: September 30, 2021
What it's about: When Evelyn, a human, agrees to become the live-in companion of the secretive Lady Demetria Balaskas, she never expected the outcome of this arrangement. An erotic F/F monster romance novella that will make you want more!
Get it from Amazon.
14. Medusa by Jessie Burton
Myth: Medusa, the Gorgon
Release date: October 28, 2021
What it's about: A magnificent retelling of the Gorgon we know the most — Medusa — this title shows you the woman behind the myth. Seeing her story through her eyes, Medusa has been exiled to a far-away island by the whims of the gods. Her only companion being the snakes adorning her head, she feels lonely, but that soon changes when a dashing young man named Perseus arrives on the island.
Get it from Bookshop or your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
15. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
Myth: Hades and Persephone
What it's about: Magical and lyrical, The Star-Touched Queen is a splendid tale of wonders. Maya's horoscope has told her she is cursed with a marriage of death and destruction. Because of this, she's earned the scorn of her father's kingdom. When her father arranges a marriage between her and the Raja of Akaran, her life turns upside down. But becoming queen, especially Akaran's queen, comes with many, many secrets.
Get it from Bookshop or your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.
16. Hot As Hades by Alisha Rai
Myth: Hades and Persephone
What it's about: For Hades, guarding the Underworld has been a stressful thing to do. So when a naked goddess falls literally on his lap, he's definitely not thrilled. Hades has to shelter Persephone in his kingdom for a while, and it's clear to say that they are not happy with the decision. Yet when they finally touch, they cannot deny that there is something between them.
Get it from Bookshop or your local indie bookstore through Indiebound here.