~Lore~
•
2.5/5 stars
•
I’m someone who grew up reading Percy Jackson, and reading The Song of Achilles this year reawakened my love for Greek mythology. I knew when I saw this cover and read the synopsis that I would have to get my hands on it, so thank you to Netgalley for approving my request.
•
Pros:
+I love love love this concept! Greek gods in current society is so fun
+The cover is also top tier!! It’s beautiful.
+Great action scenes! They get my heart pumping with adrenaline
+I love the child hood best friends get reunited trope
+Honestly the new gods choosing names like “Tidebringer” and “Heartkeeper” is so funny to me and reminds me of children naming their Webkinz haha
+The best characters are definitely Miles and Castor. I will protect both.
•
Cons:
-Very confusing at first. You kind of just jump right in with no explanation and then get hit over the head with the backstory all at once.
-I would have assumed that through the decades the bloodlines would choose to abide by current societies laws like the laws of consent. There was too much mention of “bedding” young girls in this for me. Like I get that it’s supposed to show how evil they are but I would have preferred it to just not be included.
-In general it was pretty graphic which just isn’t my thing
-The plot twists were so weird imo. They were so random and took me out of the story to the point where I no longer cared what happened.
-Maybe that was because I didn’t really feel connected to any of the characters.
-I also think there might’ve been an issue with pacing for me? It felt like it dragged on even though it was only supposed to be seven days.
-Also a very anticlimactic ending
•
TW: attempted rape/sexual assault, gore, murdering of children, graphic violence
•
Overall I went in to this book with high hopes and left it feeling kind of... meh. It was an amazing concept but I just struggled to connect to the story. I could see a lot of people really enjoying this one but it fell flat for me. By the end I was just waiting for it to be over. Id still recommend people give it a chance if they’re interested in it because just because I didn’t love it doesn’t mean you can’t love it!

"You are no monster. You are a warrior"

This was such a great read. I'm a huge Greek Mythology fan and this was akin to Greek Mythology takes on The Hunger Games taking place in NYC in the modern world. So many great characters to love and just as many to loathe. Lots of action and twists and turns.

As punishment for past rebellion, every 7 years the Agon begins and Greek gods are forced to walk on earth as mere mortals to be hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines. When these descendants kill the gods they take on their divine power and their immortality for themselves. Lore Perseous lost her entire family in a bloody massacre during the last Agon, so she fled that lifestyle and tried to live a normal, mortal life in NYC. As the new Agon approaches two participants look to have Lore help them with their endeavors - Castor, her childhood friend and training partner and Athena the last of only a few remaining original gods. Choices she makes will send her on a dangerous, wild, bloody ride into a world she swore she'd never be apart of again.

Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

An original, unique take on mythology, “Lore” keeps the reads engaged and wanting more. It contains much ancient history to satisfy the loyalist mythology students, yet meshes new ideas and stories that pique the interests of those old and new to the world of the ancients. Diverse, well-developed characters that are fallible, likable, and relatable resonate with readers. A lengthy, yet enjoyable read.

I was blown away by how much I loved this book! I’ve always loved Greek Mythology and Lore was so fast paced, I could not put it down!

This is quite the book. It takes a bit to wrap your head around what the plot and major people are. God's being killed so others can have their powers. I had to keep looking back at the chart. But once it got going I really enjoyed the story. Strong female, friends to lovers. Great plot.

Rating: 5 ⭐️

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was so freaking amazing! I’ve never been super big into Greek mythology, but then I decided to take a Classics class in Uni this year and I think that’s why I enjoyed this book so much!

This didn’t follow one but many different myths and Alexandra Bracken interlaced them so that they all fit into one full story. It felt it’s own myth.

We start the book with Lore fighting in an underground fighting ring and it’s so exhilarating that I was so excited to keep reading. We are introduced to the mythic characters right away and it was fun because Lore and Castor have a past and you can just feel the angst rolling off the page. Their band of merry imposters, humans, hunters, and gods is soon formed out of alliance to avenge Lore’s family’s murder. The friendship in the book so genuine and was built out of trust and I really liked the relationships that were formed. Especially Van and Miles! They’re just so adorable and true cinnamon rolls! Lore and Cas were so wholesome and I really liked that we saw flashbacks into their childhoods and how they grew up. It really added to the story and we got to see how they were shaped into the characters they were in the present day.

One of the aspects I really liked was that it was so modern. Intertwining mythical gods with current day characters and worlds can be a big struggle but I think Bracken did a great job. You can see how well the imposters and hunters adapted to the modern world through Van’s use of technology. While being a skilled hunter and protector of Cas, he is also very knowledgeable of technology. It made me thing of him as half hunter half computer nerd which was awesome. Another modern thing that I noticed was that the characters actually used the taxis and transportation that was provided in New York City. Some other books have worked in a storyline where the characters seem to always be able to drive around New York in their own cars without hitting any traffic which isn’t very realistic, but Bracken worked the reality of New York into the story.

The tag line where the story is compared as The Hunter Games meets Percy Jackson is spot on and I would highly recommend this book if you love either of those series!

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I actually loved this book! So looking forward to Bracken’s next novel!

This book comes out January 5, 2021

In a world where gods are mortal for 7 days, and their power can be transferred to those who kill them, 9 gods and goddesses are doomed to walk the earth while others hunt them. Lore had gotten out of that world... until 2 participants in the hunt seek her out and want her help.

Okay, this one had some reeeeally dense world building, which is appreciated but felt a bit overwhelming at first. I had to take some breaks to process all the information and go back and reread stuff to fully understand what’s happened. It’s really well done, but this is not a casual read. The details are important to the story, and there’s a lot of details.

I don’t typically enjoy books that don’t have a fairly substantial romance plot going on, but I did enjoy this one. It’s much more action based, and there’s only a very very small romance subplot, so if you’re a big romance fan, this might not be for you. I will say the romance that did happen was very well done and I enjoyed it!

The characters were really well developed and I enjoyed seeing all of the various character arcs and how they built off each other. There’s betrayal, vengeance, love and loyalty, reception, sacrifice, all the good stuff!

The action and battle scenes were REALLY well written! There was a lot of action, and it’s so easy for those to be written hastily and not well thought out. Not the case here. They were believable and realistic and I really liked them.

Holy plot twists Batman! I did not see ANY of the plot twists coming!! They were all very well done and developed so naturally. Usually plot twists are either too predictable or forced in there just for shock value. These fit the story and advanced the story without being obvious. Fantastic!!

I was definitely satisfied by the conclusion to this one. I’m not sure if it’s intended to be a series or a stand-alone, but I don’t think a sequel is needed. The character arcs were wrapped up nicely, and there weren’t really any lingering questions that didn’t get answered.

Big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posed on my instagram (@the.barnacle.bookshelf), and my blog (thebarnaclebookshelf.com) on December 11th. A release day post will be made on Jan 5th with a shorter review/blurb.

Technically, Lore would be classified as Urban Fantasy, but the incredible history and world that it encompasses defies a simple lable. The book is set in modern day Manhattan, blending mythology and reality so seamlessly, it's hard to separate the place from the characters. New York City has its own heart and soul in this book, and it made me view the city in a whole new light. I confess I'm not well versed in Ancient Greek mythology, but it wasn't necessary for me to be wholly sucked into the story, breathless from the first page to the last. Alex Bracken has another hit on her hands with Lore.
4.25 stars

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to Disney Hyperion and Netgalley.

This was a fun twist on the Greek mythology with Lore being the last of her family house, and the fight to become God's every 7 years. It was definitely a good book, but I really loved the twists and turns that randomly showed up throughout the book. I hope there is more. I can't wait!

I really enjoyed the book although it took me a lot of time to read. There's a lot of information and I had to stop and take some notes because the beginning is a little confusing. But that is the case with every fantasy book, at least for me. It takes me a little time to get used to world described and to get the dynamics of the plot. I love Greek mythology so I was thrilled to get the ARC and it didn't disappoint. The writing is flawless. Alexandra Bracken is a master of language in my opinion and the way she describes her worlds is so appealing.
I would highly recommend it, but I think that a little bit of previous knowledge about Greek myths would enrich the reading. Go for it!

Aside from the description, I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started Lore but very soon found myself in a whirlwind of a story that I couldn't put down. The subplot of mortals killing gods for their powers mingled in with the main character, Lore, reluctantly getting pulled back into that world of old gods and new after a devasting loss years before kept me on my toes. While I read a lot of books with strong, empowered female characters, this was the first one where the strong, empowered female character kicked butt and proved not only her emotional and mental strength but her physical endurance as well. I need more stories like this, especially if they're going to involve Lore and Castor.

I was so excited to receive this arc, and it did not let me down. Usually with more fantasy - ish books they can take me a bit to read, but I really flew through this one. Have actually already recommended this to multiple people. I believe it’s in one of my book sub boxes also! Can’t wait to see the copy!

I feel like I've spent half of the last several years chasing the high of books like Divergent and The Hunger Games - the dystopian YA/Fantasy that got me so unbelievably hooked and desperate for more.

Unfortunately, this was another miss for me. I was never able to settle into the story. I was not investing in any of the characters. Having spent most of my days reading romance lately, I think I wanted a little more on that front, and a little more attention to the characters and dialogue and interactions and less on information. I spent a fair amount of time skimming before finally admitting that - whatever the misfire was, it was a miss for me. And so - my search continues!

I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology, and the Medusa on the cover made this book a must-read for me! I love the strong female characters, who, let's face it, are given short shrift in much of the mythological source material.
I love that it is a stand-alone, but I developed such great affection for the characters that I would like to see them again.

Someone I follow wrote that this was like Greek Mythology meets the Hunger Games and I honestly can't think of a better way to describe it. Alexandra Bracken outdid herself with this one! It was so good, never really a dull moment and packed full of action.

I'm always kind of a sucker for anything playing off of Greek Mythology and this one did not disappoint me. The premise was cool, the characters were interesting and a bit mysterious. It's not very often anymore I get the feeling that I am going to read "just one more chapter" at night, because let's face it sleep has become important to me, but this was one of those books. I couldn't stop reading it and had to find out what happened next.

Highly recommend.

Every seven years, the Agon occurs: a battle to slay the old gods and the new, and absorb their power. It’s brutal and violent, and seventeen-year old Lore know this all too well, which is why she’s remained in hiding. When an urgent situation literally lands on her doorstep, Lore is forced to return to the world she’s been running from for the last seven years. Like all epic myths, Lore’s story is filled with action, bravery, betrayal, and sacrifice.
What an epic journey worthy of resting next to Metamorphoses! There are so many twists and turns in Lore’s journey. As soon as you think you know what’s going on, Bracken sends you spinning in another direction. This is not your typical retelling. Lore is its own myth, formed out of the essence of classic Greek mythology. I loved this story so much and I hope we get more Greek mythology from Alexandra Bracken.

This book is great for fans of greek mythology and fantasy! It seamlessly integrated mythic tales with a take on hunger games. As you follow Lore's story, you are always on your toes with what's going to happen next!

Lore has such an interesting concept. I will say the world-building was a bit overwhelming at times but I enjoyed how seamless the blending of Greek mythology to the modern world was. There were a lot of characters to keep track of but the plot was still easy to follow. Fans of Percy Jackson and the Hunger Games will definitely enjoy this one as it gives you that real YA feel.

Lore as our main character was truly an enjoyable character. She was very down to earth and I felt like I could connect to her! Overall I would recommend this if you want a riveting new YA fantasy to add to your shelves!

Thank you @disneybooks @netgalley for my #gifted ARC of Lore!

I love stories that bring mythology and folklore to contemporary settings (eg. Percy Jackson & Tristan Strong series). Lore is no exception.
•
•
SYNOPSIS: Every seven years, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals. They are hunted by the descendants of Greek heroes seeking to kill a god and seize their divinity.

Lore Perseous left that world after her family's murder by a rival line. Now, the next hunt starts in NYC. Her childhood has returned from the dead. An injured god seeks her help. Together, they offer Lore the chance to finally avenge her family's deaths. But at what cost?
•
•
REVIEW: First of all, amazing concept! This is so in line with the sadism, pettiness, and greed that characterizes Greek epics. And warning: it is violent.

Lore is a very compelling MC. She is flawed in a way that feels realistic, as she is torn between her past trauma, sense of morality, and the longing to return a society she once revered. She is also fiercely loyal to her friends and her city.

I was surprised and impressed that Lore offers an honest examination of women's roles in her society's culture. There is also a lot of nuance in showing how women often buy into and reinforce patriarchal traditions, even at their own expense.

And the book includes three of my favourite tropes! Friends to lovers, revenge plot, and found family. 💕

Speaking of plot. SO MANY TWISTS! The secrets, the betrayals, the hidden agendas. All really well done.
•
•
MUSINGS: This is an ARC so there are a few pacing issues. It took a while to keep track of old gods vs new gods, and who was alive vs dead. And while there is #bipoc and #lqbtq representation, I wish the lone Black woman was better developed. Also, why is this a standalone?! We need a series!
•
•
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
•
•
Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the finished edition. Preorder now for its release in Jan. 2021!

I received an e-galley of Lore from Disney Books in exchange for an honest review.

In this exciting and Greek mythology-filled fantasy novel, we are introduced to Lore, a young girl who’s been in hiding since the tragic events at the last Agon. The Agon is a punishment for the nine Greek gods who rebelled against Zeus and now they are pitted against one another and other bloodlines for power and immortality. Lore was trained to fight for the Agon but she’s been hiding out. She may be drawn back in when those from her past show up in her life again. The next week will be a test of friendship, changing loyalties and sheer force of will when it comes to fighting other warriors, hunters, and gods.

Alexandra Bracken is back with an epic adventure in this new novel. This fast-paced story was a little confusing at first with all the different characters. I did have a little trouble remembering who the gods were and all the other characters. But once I was able to keep track of all the characters, the book was completely entrancing and I found myself unable to put it down. Lore is definitely a flawed character (what Greek character isn’t?) but she is a character that you cannot help but root her. The twists and turns of the plot are sure to keep you on your toes and I immensely enjoyed it.

Based on the ending of the book, I would say that this is a stand-alone novel. Which I was a little surprised by given Alexandra Bracken’s popular series The Darkest Minds. But I was actually quite pleased to see this amazing book come to a close by the end of it without a cliffhanger that can be quite unsatisfying as a reading experience. While I’m not opposed to seeing a sequel for this book, I think that as a standalone, it truly stands out as one of my more exciting fantasy YA novels I’ve read this year.

Thank you to Disney Books for the e-arc.