Review: Lore

4/5

“Bind your fate to mine.”

Premise: Every seven years, a different city, but the same goal: kill a god and takes its place. That is the Agon. For the gods of Olympus, it is punishment for going too far too many times. The descendants of the greatest Greek heroes have one week to hunt down the gods and kill them, thereby taking their power and immortality for seven years. Lore Perseous left the life years ago after it destroyed her family, but on this Agon, she finds the goddess Athena gravely wounded and asking for help. Offering an alliance, Athena needs Lore not only to save her life, but to win the Agon. For Lore, it is a chance for vengeance and glory. The return of her long-dead best friend, Castor, pulls her even further back into the life she thought she left behind.

Review: I am lacking in Greek mythology-inspired stories. Lore’s fast paced, an emotional roller coaster, bloody action, a testing of friendships, and the pull fate really hooked me in. I also really enjoyed a deeper look at the values and beliefs of the ancient Greeks in modern times. Lore is a great character. She is definitely rough around the edges when you first meet her in the midst of mourning a beloved friend, but glimmers of sweetness are seen in her relationship with Miles, Castor, and even Van. Her family’s backstory is even more heartbreaking when you realize how vital family was to the ancient Greeks. The gods are definitely not human, not even close. They are cold, distant, uncaring of the people they hurt, fully embodying the human characteristics they represent. This ancient Greek society living in modern New York City with its rituals juxtaposed to the modern world was absolutely fascinating. It’s a really fun read.