MY MYTHOLOGY RETELLING BOOKS LIST
Updated: Sep 7, 2022
Aside from dark fantasy, fantasy smuts, I love reading mythology retelling stories! Here's an active list where I share books I've read and reviewed and books that I still haven't read but have plans to.
Mythos by Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is one of my favourite authors and audible readers so imagine my excitement when he released this book. I love how he breaks down the myths and hysterically put humour in them to make it seem relatable. This is one of my must have greek myth retelling books! Go get it!
★★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
Heroes by Stephen Fry
When you enjoy the first book of course you gotta have the second. Reading any book about mythology can be such a task, depressing, sometimes even confusing but I found myself getting hooked on Stephen Fry's amazing wit and humour as he re-imagine and retells the stories of Greek heroes in the myths with such joy and entertainment. You will not be disappointed!
★★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
Circe by Madeline Miller
This is another favourite author in the list because Madeline Miller is amazing at storytelling and empowering women characters. Circe was not a popular figure in Greek mythology and because of this retelling, Madeline Miller put her on the popular list. Everybody now knows who Circe is through Madeline's story. This book was written in Circe's point of view and you can't help but connect intimately with her. Circe narrates her life in a relatable, almost human way, which makes this book enjoyable to read.
★★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The thing about this book is that you know there will be death in it and you know who. I started slow with this book and tried very hard not to imagine Achilles as Brad Pitt. When I finally wrap my head around the story, I found myself giggling at Patroclus' boyish tantrums and the sexual tensions. The ending was a bittersweet perfection that I almost had a sepanx (separation anxiety).
★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
Medusa: The Girl Behind The Myth by Jessie Burton
I just have a soft spot for Greek Mythology books featuring the misunderstood figures. Medusa (much like Hades) has been sterotyped as a villain in any Greek mythology fiction story + movie for being a scary figure who turns anyone who look at her into stone. But as as you read more books, you'll learn that Medusa is another victim - plaything by the gods which led to her unfortunate demise. So when this book came out, obviously, I have to get it! Jessie Burton gave Medusa her voice so she can tell her side of the story of how she was wronged. I like how this tale was re-told even if you know it isn't a happy story to begin with.
★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
Galatea by Madeline Miller
This book got me out of my book slump. It's a short story though, only 64 pages but it's sooooo good!!! Pygmalion sculpted Galatea to be perfect and he really means PERFECT. So when Aphrodite made her a real human woman you’ll get to see what PERFECTION is in the eyes of a sculptor and the struggles of a woman who’s supposed to be made of clay now has to endure a possessive and controlling husband. I can’t say more because it’s only friggin’ 64 pages!!! I can’t even decide if that’s a good thing or bad thing anymore - lol!
★★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
I think I have this book even before the lockdown but only got the time to read it a month ago. It is a collection of stories about the Norse gods, Thor, Odin, Loki, Freya and all the others. Neil Gaiman wrote it as if it's a collection of bedtime stories which makes it more interesting and entertaining to read. You'll probably enjoy it more if it's an audible read by Tom Hiddleston, because I did. Listening to Tom Hiddleston's voice + imagining him as Loki while doing mundane chores is fun!
★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
Angrboda has been burned, reborn three times and got her heart stabbed out because of her foresight and for not providing Odin information about the future. As she fled and tried to hide her existence from Odin, she was found by Loki who brought her her heart (quite literally) and decided she was interesting. I find this novel hilarious as Loki, as with his nature, never fails to get himself into trouble while Angrboda, still in hiding, has no choice but to take care of him (because he keeps on visiting her supposedly secret hideout). Their friendship, which is filled with funny banters, eventually turned to love and that's as far as I'll go because you should be getting yourself a copy so you can read what happens next!
★★★★ 🌶🌶🌶
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
Troy by Stephen Fry
It is always amazing to read any Stephen Fry book. He has a unique witty way of describing the characters that makes it easy to imagine how they act, think and speak. The Trojan War can be a boring subject to discuss but Stephen Fry was able to make it simple, clear and cheeky as he pokes fun on every little tale. Any book Stephen Fry writes is such fun!
★★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews
I am at page 47 when I decided that I am hooked. This is probably the first time that I liked a retelling of Daphne x Apollo (because all myth nerds know how that went) and the way Claire Andrews wrote Daphne and gave her a voice + reimagined her as a strong, independent Spartan woman is empowering! The novel is a page turner because Daphne has to find 9 things that were stolen from the Olympian gods that caused their powers to wane. As Artemis has warned her, "A dying god is a dangerous god."
★★★★★
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon
The Taking of Persephone Series: Kore by Ambrosia R. Harris
This is another amazing retelling of Hades x Persephone. I especially like that the author used Aidoneus (Hades' birth name) to introduce Hades. It was a slow start but Ambrosia's world building was worth it. Can't wait for the next book!
★★★★★ 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Blood of Troy by Claire M. Andrews
Review Soon
Where To Get: Amazon
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
Review To Follow
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
Review To Follow
Where To Get: FullyBooked, Amazon, Kindle
Pandora by Susan Stokes Chapman
Review To Follow
Pandora's Jar: Women in Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes
Review To Follow
Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood
Review to Follow
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
Review to Follow
The Women of Troy by Pat Barker
Review to Follow
Athena's Child by Hannah Lynn
Review to Follow
The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes
Review to Follow
Queens of Themiscyra by Hannah Lynn
Review to Follow
SHAMELESS PLUG!
If you're a myth nerd like me, I just want to share the deck I made:
MYTHOS ASTROLOGIA DECK by Eisel Winters
Mythos Astrologia Deck comes from the late Latin mȳthos which means myth and astrologia for astrology. It is an astrology oracle deck that features the Greek Pantheon. The deck features 32 Greek deities divided into 3 categories: Luminaries (2), Planets (8) and Asteroids (22) + 3 Card Prompts. Each Greek deity represents a certain astrological association which can help you learn basic astrology and each card features a conversation starter prompt which is the main purpose of the deck. Use this deck to have a conversation with your Favourite Greek deities, understand their character traits and explore the heavens. You can purchase the deck here (local) or here (international).
Images from @thewhimsicalarcane's Instagram profile.
Disclaimer:
As with everything I share, take what resonates with you and leave the rest.
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