This is sooooo good! I already bought it for the library and a personal copy as well. I pitch it to kids as Hunger Games meets Percy Jackson and they gobble it up. Well written, great plot, and well developed characters!

Unfortunately this book was very slow for me and was not enticing enough. I had trouble following along with all of the Greek mythology and hoped it would have been better explained. I did love Lore’s character, though!

I was so grateful to receive this epub, I am a huge fan of mythology and Alexandra Bracken, so this was the perfect book for me! I was incredibly engaged the whole time I was reading, the story and writing were amazing!

It has correctly been described as a The Hunger Games-read alike. It has lots of action and danger, as well as magnetic characters. As soon as I picked it up, it was impossible to put back down. There was a lot of world-building, but it never felt like an info-dump or caused any lulls in the pacing of the book. As soon as I finished it, my teenage daughter (who is NOT a reader) picked it up and finished it in less than a day!

LORE is a sweeping and enthralling stand-alone YA fantasy based on Greek mythology. Lore is a descendent of the bloodlines involved in the punishment of the gods by Zeus. Every 7 years, they must walk the Earth for 7 days as mortals, during which time they can be killed and their powers handed to the person who dealt the death blow. The family lines which hunt these gods do so for the power which their family can hold upon the successful killing. Many of the lines are dying out as their rivalries are detrimental to their existence.

Lore is the last mortal in the Perseous line, and she has tried to stay away from the Agon and the families since her family was brutally slain following the previous one seven years ago. However, when her former best friend, Castor, shows up with a warning for her, and then a wounded Athena is found on her front stoop, Lore must quickly decide whether the revenge she desires for her family's murders is worth re-entering this world she tried to leave behind.

What I loved: This book was full of action and carried a quick pace that really made the pages turn quickly. I was quickly invested in Lore's story and the alliances and friends she has made. Her life has been difficult through her training and friendships through to betrayals she has and will face. This story really came to life through her - and it is really brutal and raw, in the vein of Greek mythology. The connections with the mythology are plentiful throughout, and this would definitely work for people who enjoy retellings, particularly with modern twists.

There are also some interesting themes about destiny/fate and the ways that this concept can become twisted, as well as the problems with a patriarchy and its ability to be abused. Lore has faced the patriarchal society and seen its brutal realities in many ways. Although she is a talented fighter, her skills are considered secondary and in many cases unnecessary. The discussion around the meanings of sacrifice and the ways that "justice" are carried out were also intriguing. Although there was a focus on action and suspense, the book also presents some thought-provoking themes that would be interesting to discuss with a book group.

What left me wanting more: I did want to see more of Lore's past. We do get some tidbits throughout, but it wasn't enough to really immerse in it (and these were not clearly delineated but just occasional reflections). I also wanted a bit more of the romance, as I really liked it, and it was minimal/background at best. I would have enjoyed this book also being more spread out so that we could get more insight into other characters as well. The gods/goddesses were pretty intriguing, and I felt we only got glimpses of them. On the other hand, this does keep the book moving quickly and action-packed, so I do see the other side.

Final verdict: Enthralling, brutal, and raw, LORE is a riveting stand-alone YA fantasy with ties to Greek mythology. Recommend for fans of THE YOUNG ELITES by Marie Lu, HALF-BLOOD by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and THE TRIALS OF APOLLO by Rick Riordan.

As "Lore" by Alexandra Bracken begins, the Agon has just begun. It occurs every seven years, since Zeus, in his rage, cursed his fellow Greek gods and goddesses to walk the earth as mortals for a week.

While they are in this form, they are hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.

Lore Perseous, a descendant of the Greek demigod and hero Perseus, has turned her back on the Agon after her family was brutally slain at the end of the last cycle.

She believes they were killed by Wrath, the current God of War Ares, for something she did, and yearns for revenge. When she finds the wounded Athena on her doorstep, she makes a pact with Lore to help her kill Wrath.

But Lore’s decision will come at a deadly cost, and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.

I enjoyed "Lore" very much, partially due to my affinity for Greek mythology. While it is aimed at the young adult audience, there is a lot of violence and murder, including one incredibly unpleasant to read, and some unpleasant sexualized situations, as well.

But there is also hope, and friendship, and even love, both hetero and gay. There's heroes and villains, and a lot of characters that occupy the various shades of grey in between.

I'm giving 'Lore' by Alexandra Bracken 4 stars out of 5. It's a can't-put-down kind of read.

4⭐️

Lore is the last of her House. She turned her back on the world of Gods, Hunters, and the pursuit glory seven years ago after her family was brutally murdered by a rival House. This is until a wounded Goddess arrives at her doorstep seeking aid, in return she offers her assistance to help Lore achieve the one thing she has never been able to have- revenge and justice for her family.

This book was fast paced, action packed, atmospheric, and gritty. A modern mythology+mafia meets THG/GOT. I loved the hidden world in New York, urban fantasy aspects of this story.

It had a great and compelling cast of characters. And it takes you on a wild ride.

However, I did feel at times that the nonstop action did a disservice to the story by taking away from the plot. There was just much action, that it overtook the development of the characters. For how epic Lore is a the heroine of the story, she felt really hollow because there wasn’t enough time given to develop her substance on the page because it was all dedicated to the rising action of the story.

It ended more abruptly than I would have liked, but I’m glad that it’s a standalone book.

Overall, this was a hard book to put down. Definitely worth the hype!

As many reviewers have mentioned this is a Greek mythology/Hunger Games mash up. If you like action forward books with twists you should really enjoy this. I have to say that this is the first time I have been reading a book and thought "I wish this was a movie". Some of the action takes time to explain but, if it was a movie we could see what was going on much more quickly. Though this book is gory and should have many trigger warnings, I enjoyed the action packed scenes coupled with several plot twists.

Alexandra Bracken is such a talented writer. I also have a copy of the book from Owlcrate and it's beautiful. I waited for a year and watched all of her Instagram videos on the editing process for this book and it was such a pleasure to read the final product. It did not disappoint.

Love a good standalone. I can't do books in series anymore my attention just doesn't work for it anymore lol. But the characters were developed and not half done. Love modern mythology with lots of twists! 100% would recommend to my friends.

An interesting take on the world of mythology from a terrifying perspective. This reminds me a bit of reading Gaiman's American Gods, but with a less vague telling of the descendants of the powers.

I LOVED THIS BOOK WITH EVERYTHING IN ME! My top book of 2021 so far! I handsell this one regularly, and I will forever have a special place in my heart for it. Such an interesting and fantastic take on Greek mythology!

DNF @ 40%
I tried....I really did but its just a snooze fest. I don't are about any of these characters and if I read false god, new god, imposter god in one more sentence I might claw my eyes out. We get it! I gave this 184 pages and I just can't turn another one because I do not care to see where this is going or why Lore is so important....not to mention how misogynistic this whole thing is. I just can't with that right now.

Many have loved this....but I just don't get the love. Time to move on

LOVED! I’m always excited to read books with mythology and this one checked off all the boxes I like to have in a book! Definitely a must read and highly recommend!

DNF at 192 pages, 40% in. Just not the book for me. It was very heavy with the info dump and in the end I didn’t care about the character at all. So many have loved it so a case of me, not you. Definitely pick this up if it sounds good to you and don’t just trust me.

Fav quote: “You know, some people get so used to looking out at life from the edge of their cage that they stop seeing the bars”

The lord of the sky stood bright against the fall
of twilight and spoke: Hear me, blooded heirs
of those proud men who ventured into the
darkness to slay those monsters and kings past.
I call you to a final agon to
win your own lasting glory. Nine gods have
betrayed me and now demand curse revenge.
For seven days at the turn of seven
years will they walk as mortal so you men,
and all your heirs henceforth, may break your own fated path and turn your thread of life to
immortal gold. Reveal your strength and skills and
I will reward you with the mantle
and the deathless power of the god whose blood stains your bold blade. For this chance I ask much. Gather at the navel of the known world
and begin your hunt when the day is born.
So it shall be until that final day
when the one remains who is remade whole.

Zeus at Olympia,
translated by Kreon of the Odysseides

Long ago, Lore Perseus left the intense life of the agon. She abandoned her destined life as a hunter after her family was brutally murdered by another enemy bloodline. But when her childhood friend Castor appears in her life again, and a wounded Athena shows up at her doorstep, her plans to be rid of her old life go out the window. Greek mythology, feminism, fighting, blood, violence, betrayal, and romance. Lore seriously has it all it’s not even funny, definitely a new favorite of all time.

A great start to summer reading: light, fun, Greek mythology, friendship and rites of passage.

Highly recommended buddy read or book club selection.

To be honest, I was a little confused with all the houses and families when I first started reading, but it quickly became clear who belonged together.

I enjoyed this mix of modern times with ancient gods and goddesses. I was definitely surprised by the twist near the end and wondered how I didn't see it, but If Lore missed it I don't feel as bad. I love the connections between Lore and those she puts her faith in.

Let's see if I can give a synapsis without any reveals. Lore is the last of her family. Her parents and two younger sisters were killed, leaving her all alone to fend for herself. She is part of an ancient line that takes part of a "hunt" every seven years and her only job during the time of the hunt is to stay away and stay safe, she doesn't want to participate. But, as fate determines, she is not only pulled in, she is the focus of the hunt and has several hunters from several "houses" or family-lines. Lore has to decide who to trust, and whether to stay hidden or try to find the person(s) guilty for the deaths of her family.

Being a history buff, and interested in Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, this is the perfect book to read! The author, Alexandra Bracken weaves mythology with modern NY life seamlessly. She ties together stories I have heard and adds the twists necessary to make Lore's ordeal seem believable. I will be recommending this book to my advanced readers. I think it will excite them and make them interested in learning more about traditional mythology.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not enjoy this book. It was very YA and not in a way that I enjoy. The story started off slow and a bit confusing. I wanted to like this one. I really did. It had Greek Mythology and an exiled heroine trying to fight her way back for her family. It seemed like one that I should enjoy, I just didn't. It felt like something was missing but I can't really pinpoint what.

Ye gods, this book was incredible! Bracken knows how to craft a thrilling adventure and sizzling romantic tension, so she delivers an excellent addition to the YA ranks. If you're looking for something blood thirsty (and maybe a smidgeon thirsty *wink*), look no further!