This is a book that is designed to feel epic, and it succeeds.

In this world, it's possible to take on the powers of one of the great Olympians—if you can manage to slay one of them during a brief period of vulnerable time known as the Agon. Families with long legacies dating back to the old Greek heroes fight fiercely to take control of these powers, and at the center of the story (unwillingly) is a descendent of Perseus, Melora—called Lore for short.

Plenty of protagonists have the classic "resist the call to adventure," but Lore takes it a step further. Anytime our heroine contemplates jumping headlong into the adventure, she finds herself confronted with a version of herself she doesn't like at all: someone violent and terrifying with no sense of the moral compass she has when she's not in the fight. To complicate things, some characters encourage her fighting while others are trying to steer her away. Lore has a heavy past, and her need to come to terms with it drives a lot of what she does. 

I've always been one to find the dynamic and dialogue between characters to be more interesting than action scenes between characters, so I was naturally drawn to the struggles Lore has between her core group. Nevertheless, the action scenes were intense and easy to follow. Moreover, they felt unique from one another, which can be a tricky thing to accomplish. Lore's outlook at the start of each fight has a big impact on how she approaches it, and you can feel her strong emotions through her actions and strategy. Lore became an admirable character not only for her strength but also in her humanity and her willingness to admit her weak points and mistakes.

The plot had a few interesting reveals that I didn't see coming—and one or two that I did, but nothing that held back my enjoyment of watching the story unfold. The scale is grand, but the emotions are personal.

If you're a fan of Greek mythology (and I most certainly am), the book is absolutely worth a read.

Greek mythology for the 21st century.  Full of action and pretty gory at times, this was a fast paced read with a lot of surprises to keep you reading.  It has appeal for all genders and maybe even a bit of adult crossover appeal,

Every seven years, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the Earth as mortals for one week, as punishment for a rebellion. They are hunted by the descendants of ancient heroes, seeking honor and glory, as well as the power and immortality they receive when a god is killed. Lore is a descendant of Perseus, and the last of her line. Her parents and sisters were murdered during the last Agon, and since then she has left that life behind her. But when Castor, a friend from her past, finds her, she is dragged back into that world. Lore aligns with Athena, one of the last remaining true gods, to avenge her family and kill Wrath, the incarnate of Ares that murdered her family. 

I really wanted to like this book. When I heard that it was a mix of The Hunger Games and Percy Jackson, I was hooked. The problem is that it just kind of fell flat for me. There were so many times in the plot that came together messily or too conveniently, and it didn't seem organic. Also, I didn't get a good feel of a lot of the characters and their motivations because there wasn't much backstory for anyone except Lore. It wasn't fantastic, but it wasn't terrible either, so I'm giving it 3 stars.

I received this copy courtesy of Netgalley in return for my honest review.

Lore was an interesting book, but I found myself lost at some point and not really sure what was even going on anymore. It ended up being a good read and I did like the characters a lot, but I felt like I missed something to explain what the world was and why

'Lore' by Alexandra Bracken is an extremely creative born of the classic Greek pantheon of gods. Beginning with a theme of civil war which in traditional text included all but Hestia trying to challenge Zeus, Bracken's story is a little more centralized and results in much harsher punishments by the god king.

The main character, Melora or 'Lore,' is the last surviving member of her House.. the House of Perseus. The Persedes as they're known.. are one of 9 descended Houses of legendary heroes.. who after the uprising of the gods and goddesses, are essentially tasked with their punishments. 

What is their punishment? The Agon. A hunt, basically.. that occurs every seven years.. when the 9 rebellious gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals while the legendary Houses try to run them into the ground, kill them, and take their power. As it turns out, whomever kills the previous god.. becomes the new one. At least, for another seven years until the next Agon when they have to join the hunt as prey.

I genuinely love mythology and I'm always eager to get my hands on new stories that are inspired or developed from the fascinating ancient stories, but 'Lore' is just exceptional. The origin of events is certainly rooted in a believable premise that sounds as if it could have come from the same beliefs, but the modern twist is smoothly merged with the classic theme.

The dynamics, both between the old gods and new, gods in general and those heroic descendents, and all of the above and any humans they come across are each distinctive and well-suited to what one would expect. In fact, while most of the new gods are egotistical.. it feels almost performative, like a youth who knows they were raised in wealth.. rather than someone working for it and overcompensating for that fact. The old gods are just casually arrogant and it's clear they simply don't think or understand beyond their experience.

Actually, I love Athena.. she's hilarious and in that unintentional, dry wit sort of way. Also, I enjoyed that Bracken gave the old gods a very formal speech pattern and a disassociated perspective of the world and those around them. Castor is another favorite, though the characters in general all have depth to them, individuality, and distinctively clear 'voices' making the read as comfortable as any every day conversation. The dialogue is fantastic and that's the thing I find is weakest in most works from literature to tv to film.

It's a definite page turner, whereas there's either some kind of tense fight or unveiled drama going on at most times. I love it so much, I have three copies coming.. and I highly recommend this title for anyone with a love of mythology and modern urban fantasy.

I wasn't so sure about this. Very few authors who have attempted to "modernize" the Greek gods have done so in ways that even touch the success of Rick Riordan - but this one certainly doesn't embarrass itself. Hugely different in tone and substance, I really enjoyed this. I doesn't shy away from violence and the horror of violence, but I do find it to be used judiciously rather than simply for shock value. There is rich history and world-building behind the novel's plot, and a depth of emotion that is compelling enough to keep one reading.

I read the first few chapters of this novel earlier in 2020 and was lucky enough to get a full copy a few months later! Initially I gave this one 5 stars but I had to knock the stars back a little. I really really liked this novel but there was something missing for me. I honestly couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I loved the action and loved the characters but there was something about the plot that seemed a little vague and like I needed more explanations. All in all it was a great read but I just felt like there were a few things missing. Thank you Disney and Netgalley for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, do you ever just get done reading a book and just think about how amazing it was? You just have to spend a couple of hours really thinking about how spectacular the plot, characters, world building, and everything in between was. Lore is definitely going to be one of my favorite books of 2021 and it's only January 5th.

I have loved the author's other books and I didn't think this would be any different, but I was a little skeptical about the plot. I was completely wrong because from the first couple of chapters I was completely hooked. I loved Lore the main character and I loved how this is about Greek mythology!

Every seven years Greek Gods and Goddesses are on earth and people can hunt them and if they kill them they get their powers. Lore was part of it, but she wanted out and was fine living a normal life. Until one of the goddesses shows up on her front step bleeding to death. I don't want to say anything more because I went into this with the bare minimum and it made it that much more interesting!

The world building and how this is a mix of mythology and the hunger games was so intriguing and I could not stop reading. I already ordered a physical copy of this book because I need it in my life.

Honestly, just such a wonderful standalone YA fantasy book! I hope everyone reads this.

I loved this YA fantasy standalone for its unique, modern take on Greek mythology. Every seven years, the descendants of ancient Greek heroes hunt the gods in attempts to claim their divine power and immortality in a Hunger Games-esque, weeklong even known as the Agon. Lore Perseous, the last of the line of Perseus, has turned her back on that lifestyle, but she gets dragged back into the hunt to avenge the deaths of her family.

I adored Lore and the entire cast of strong, complex characters. Lore just wants to be in control of her own destiny, but she fears she is bound by the Fates. This book also explores themes of duty, freedom, choice, legacy, strength, and sacrifice.

The writing was beautiful and full of exciting twists. The romance was perfectly crafted to give me all the feels without overpowering the plot. I also loved the way the story explored womanhood and feminism, particularly in one conversation between Lore and Athena.

I loved the book so much that I went out and bought the hardcover so I could have a physical copy of this incredible book with its stunning cover. This may be the first book I finished in 2021, but I can already tell it will be a favorite this year.

CW: sexual assault, graphic violence, death of family members/loved ones

Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lore is the 2021 release by YA superstar Alexandra Bracken. It is a mash up of urban fantasy and Greek mythology creating a epic story of hunters and gods battling it out in modern day New York City.

The heroine Lore is an orphaned young woman who is living in hiding from Argon, a once every seven year battle of skills that ends in death for many and new powers gained by the victors. As the Argon begins both the goddess Athena and Lore’s old childhood friend Castor seek Lore out and force her to face her past and the emerging threat of a powerful enemy. Lore keeps the readers on their toes as there are crosses and double-crosses and even Lore has to slowly discover who her true friends are and aren’t. 

I enjoyed all of the characters (including the villains) and found Lore to be a likable and complex main character. It is easy to root for her and her companions because their hearts are all in the right place and their goals are noble. The world of Argon and the Greek gods is not easy and I found it hard to hold all the details of this world in my head. Although I appreciated Bracken not doing a giant info dump plus adding glossaries and houses to the front and back of the book I wish I would have read up on Greek Mythology before embarking on this novel. 

I give Lore a solid 4 stars for originality and an exciting fast paced plot.

This book was such a novel concept, a story full of references to Greek gods, heroes, quests, monsters, and culture. It is not a re-telling, but a story of the Agon, a hunt that takes place every 7 years. The gods have been punished by Zeus and are mortal for a brief window. The bloodlines of prestigious heroes train their whole lives to protect their god/benefactor and hunt others in the hopes that they can become the new gods. Lore's whole life was the hunt. Lore lost everything because of the hunt. And how Athena needs her help - and they must join forces to kill Wrath, the new Ares who killed Lore's family and has her family's most precious treasure. 

Much like Greek myths, not everything is what is seems. The gods are mischievous, tricksters, strategists, vengeful, and will do whatever it takes to survive the Agon. Lore has a destiny that she is trying to escape - above all, she longs to be free. She is the last of her line and the Agon will not let her go. 

This well-crafted story is full of surprises, twists, deception, and mystery. It achieves a good balance of action and exposition, is fast-paced, and is a definite page-turner. To say more would spoil the adventure. As a lover of Greek mythology, I loved this world and found myself desperately wanting know what happens next, but never wanting it to end. 

Lore is a fierce, strong main character. I love that Lore questions the status of women in her society, in Greek myth and Greek history. Alexandra Bracken always writes such strong, beautiful female characters.

**This title was reviewed on Goodreads on Dec. 28, 2020.  The review was posted on Instagram on Dec. 28, 2020.  Amazon, Bookbub, and Barnes and Noble reviews were submitted on release day, 1/5/21**

I love anything with Greek mythology and this definitely didn’t disappoint! I was kind of nervous going into this book because Alexandra Brackens previous books just weren’t for me but I was thoroughly surprised by Lore. 
I loved the concept that nine gods rebelled a long long time ago and because of this the Agon was created to punish them. This made for a very interesting story line with Lora and Athena having to team up to end the Agon forever.
Lora and Athens’s dynamic was compelling to read about. Lora’s past has set her on a path for revenge intertwines amazingly with what is currently happening and the alliances being formed throughout this story. 
Needless to say, I loved this book!

Lore will appeal to a wide variety of readers, but especially to those who have an interest/knowledge in Greek mythology. While author Alexandra Bracken gives you the framework, having a foundation going into the book makes for a richer experience.

The book’s namesake is a compelling character that may not exactly be likeable but still want to root for. She has a long, complicated past that she does not want to reexamine. This framework means it takes a while to understand her motivation.

Lore is not a particularly fast read. There’s something about Bracken’s prose that forces you to slow down, even when surrounded by action. She wants you to take it all in, even when that sometimes is impossible. I finished the book with the knowledge I didn’t absorb everything. I was at times confused as to all the players, and yet, I want to read it again.

Due to the violent nature of the hunt, I recommend Lore for more mature young adults, at least 14 years and older.

There are few things I love more than Greek mythology and Alexandra Bracken reminds me why! 

I have to be honest, I wasn't the biggest fan of Bracken's other series, The Darkest Minds, but I was blown away by the writing, world building, character arcs and plot of this entire story. Although, I read urban fantasy, I prefer high fantasy but with Lore, I think modern day NYC was the perfect setting. 

I love a strong female lead who is not afraid to kick some butt and join in the action and that is exactly what we got with this one. Lore didn't just bring the action but the emotion too and I was honored to join on her journey and emotional growth. I found myself being so proud of her. 

And naturally, if you know my style, you know I love a good romance story. We also get some romance between Lore and Castor that really rounded out the whole novel. 

I wasn't sure if this YA book would be too YA for me, but I was so captivated by the story and the plot twists, it would be impossible not to drown in the world of Lore. 

"This city is a lot of bullshit, but it's some beautiful bullshit."

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to the author and Disney for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lore follows Melora, last in the line of house Perseous, trying to escape from being pulled back into a seven day hunt which occurs every seven years involving Gods and their ancestral lines. During the Argon, the Gods become mortal and if a hunter from a chosen line is able to kill a God they become immortal and the new God of that pantheon. Lore found herself running after the previous Argon and wanting not to be involved; but when the new Aries, Wrath begins to hunt down other Gods and family lines a wounded God comes to Lore for help. What will happen when Lore gets pulled back into a world she had hoped she escaped, or will secrets and consequences from her past catch up to her before the Argon ends?

I adored this book! It had everything you could hope for. Action, adventure, a touch of romance, mythology, and mystery. The cast of characters all bring something necessary to the table, which is very refreshing for a young adult novel. Often we are introduced with fifty characters and the story can feel lost or forgotten when romance is introduced, but not with Lore. The writing is expertly done, and the pacing is just enough to keep you reading but not so rushed that you feel like any piece is anticlimactic. The plot is so well woven together that I was concerned by the end it would feel rushed, but it was perfection.

Five stars for Lore! I recommend this book for anyone 12+ who loves a thrill ride and has a love of mythology. This would make for a great highschool class read or even a mother daughter read. Pick up a copy today and let the world of Lore show you what makes a true warrior.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney-Hyperion for an ARC of this work.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken is the story of Melora (or Lore), who we find out very early on in this tale is keeping her ancestors a secret from pretty much everyone she knows, including her best friend Miles. Lore is a member of the Perseous family, yes that Perseous, and we know right away that she is likely the last of her family alive due to a Hunger Games type battle called the Agon that occurs every seven years amongst the families of the Greek Gods. Early in Lore's journey this is all upended when her childhood friend Castor and Greek Goddess Athena show up looking for help. With a colorful group of characters including Miles and a messenger named Van, Lore sets out to end the Agon forever, while also searching for the answers surrounding her immediate families tragic demise seven years ago.

Lore is the perfect YA, fantasy novel. This could have easily been stretched out into a series, but because it wasn't the pace of the novel moves at one of the fastest paces I think I have ever seen, but still manages to flesh out quite a few characters, fosters a gay love story, and delves into Greek mythology. At just under 500 pages this story reads incredibly quick and was hard to put down. I highly recommend Lore.

Lore is a standalone YA urban fantasy novel rooted in Greek mythology. The setting is present-day New York, but our main characters are descendants of the famous Greek heroes (Perseus, Hercules, etc.) who have been sent by Zeus to hunt the Gods of Olympus who angered him around the time of the fall of Rome. Every seven years, the banished gods reside in mortal bodies and can be hunted and killed. Their power then is absorbed by the hunter who kills them. It is sort of an never-ending hunt for power and immortality. 

This book will appeal to the fans of the Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi. It is a similar set up with ancient secrets, a quest, dangerous powers and a desire to right past wrongs. A big chunk of the book is dedicated to explaining the Agon (Greek for contest, conflict or struggle), and I must say, Bracken did it brilliantly. The book never felt like an info-dump. In fact, I kept reading because I wanted to know more about the world and the mythology behind it.

Our main character Lore is a hunter from the house of Perseus whose entire family has been killed by a rival house. She was able to escape the slaughter and for the past seven years has lived with the "unblooded" (i.e., normal humans who are not part of this secret world). However, she is yanked back into the Agon when an injured goddess Athena shows up on her doorstep one day.

This book is non-stop action. So if you like quest stories with many twists and turns, this one is for you. I personally find that even though I enjoy them while reading them, I quickly forget the plot soon afterwards. The book is also not without its flaws. I felt that the whole transition of power and immortality from gods to hunters is not well explained. I kept wondering what happens to the essence of they slain gods - do they just disappear? I was also confused why Lore was being compared to the Gorgon. In Greek mythology, Perseus is the one who kills Medusa the Gorgon, so why would his descendent exhibit her traits? This was never explained. In addition, Zeus' overall intent behind the Agon is not clear. I kept looking for some larger purpose and did not see it.

Overall, an interesting action-packed story. 3 out of 5 stars.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

I wasn't a big fan of this author's first series, but wow I loved this book. I'm always a sucker for anything greek mythology but it's hard to do something new with it. I don't know that that was totally accomplished, but it was certainly a fantastic read. I liked the twist to the story, even if it wasn't quite what I expected. I greatly enjoyed the entire book. For a decently long book it wasn't slow, as some YA (yes even with YA pacing) can get at times. There was no waiting to jump into the story. It started off fast and continued to get better. I really liked this book and highly recommend it.

“For seven days, every seven years, the gods walk on earth as mortals. If you can kill one, you become a new god and take their power and immortality, but you’ll be hunted in the next Agon as well.”

OOF. Talk about a wild ride. 

This book was dense. Thicker than a snicker. It piqued my interest with the Greek mythology, lured me in with the promise of a brutal competition amongst gods and mortals, and won me over with the sheer pettiness and backstabbing. The plot twists gave me whiplash, and I loved it. Kept me on my toes and needing to know how it would all end.

Here are all the things I loved;
- The world building and actual, well, lore. There was a lot to learn right off the bat, but I never felt overwhelmed by it, which can often happen in YA fantasies. There were helpful little charts in the front and back of the book, if you forgot someones name and origin. We love a chart. 
- Lore, the human, is a badass. Her emotional growth in terms of her anger issues had me feeling real soft. I identify with her so hard. One of my favorite quotes from the entire book was, “Lore hated her temper more than she hated any other part of herself -- how quick she moved from spark to flash, incinerating everyone around her.” These words slapped me across the face. She was easy to root for because she seemed so, human. She made mistakes and lost control, but it was always evident she had a heart of gold. 
- Miles is a peach ring and I want to protect him at all costs. 
- Athena made me scream several dozen times. The sheer disdain that drips from her mouth whenever she talks to literally anyone. Honey. 
- The backstabbing! The twists! Perhaps I’m just obtuse, but I never saw them coming! 

Here are some things I did not love;
- I was having a hard time connecting with the characters, especially Castor, during the first third of the book. This may be because it was so plot\action heavy. Something was just falling flat for me. 
- The relationship between Lore and Castor never got me going. I couldn’t fully buy into it. There were all of these descriptions about how potent the tension was, how there was this insane chemistry between them, but I never actually felt it? I couldn’t sense the yearning. Where is the yearning!?

Overall, I really enjoyed it. If you’re a fan of Greek mythology and teens murdering gods, pick this up. You’ll be delighted. 

A huge thank you kindly to Hyperion Books and Netgalley for sending this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Pub day to this amazing book! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for Lore by Alexandra Bracken (thank you very much to @disneybooks and @netgalley). It was my first book of 2021 and it was the perfect way to kick off the new year! I enjoyed it so much I ended up purchasing a physical copy to always have on my shelves.

Centuries ago, after nine Greek gods rebel against Zeus, their punishment is the Agon. Every seven years, the gods are forced into mortal bodies where they are hunted for seven days by the bloodlines descending of the famous Greek heroes. Anyone who slays one of the gods will thereby inherit their powers and be reborn immortal. Present day, Lore Perseous has fled this world after the tragic murder of her family. When someone from her past reenters her life, and one of the nine gods shows up on her doorstep wounded, Lore is propelled back into the violence of the Agon where she will try to end it once and for all.

This book is Percy Jackson meets Hunger Games and I am so here for it! The story focuses on overcoming grief and trauma, forgiving others and yourself, and underdogs defying the odds. While the ending may have been a tad too convenient, it was still a beautiful and satisfying end to a great book. I will definitely be thinking about this one for a while! @disneyplus can we get an adaptation of this ASAP?!

Head’s up, there’s a little hidden note from the author at the very end that was SUCH a joy to read, especially if you are a writer yourself.

Trigger warnings: violence, family death, sexual assault

Read if you like:
-Achilles Come Down by Gang of Youths 🎶
-Percy Jackson and the Olympians 📚
-Herbal tea ☕️
-Lamb gyros with extra tzatziki 🥙