Demeter was always one of my favorites, but there was never enough of her story to satisfy me in all the books I read or Greek myth compilations on my bookshelves. Here Hannah Lynn gives me what I've been wanting in this regard. . .fills in the gaps that I missed. . . .sirens, love interests, Persephone wasn't an only child!, sexy black horses, and a different look at the Bad Dude Underneath. . . .earthy, passionate, obsessive, possessive motherhood. Told from Demeter's view and Persephone's trapped child, parent honoring daughter, and her remarkable adjustment to Life Down Under - a great retelling of these two Greek goddesses.

A perfect fix for my Myth habit. 5 Stars for this exquisite reimagining of all the wonderous reasons we have seasons. . .

*A sincere thank you to Hannah Lynn, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.*

I preface this review by stating that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE reading novels based on Greek mythology! “Daughters of Olympus” by Hannah Lynn is no exception and did not disappoint in the least! I loved it from beginning to end and wish it hadn’t ended. I was given a free advanced reader’s copy to read, for which I am most grateful, and now that I’ve finished and learned that she previously published a trilogy based on other Greek myths, titled “Retold: The Grecian Women,” I look forward to reading them as well.

Ms. Lynn’s writing is expressive and captivating, inviting me to breathe in the scents and see the wondrous beauty and colors she describes. It also allows me to feel the warmth as well as the coldness her words invoke, and the deep, heartfelt emotions of her characters: fear, envy, indignation, joy, innocence, avarice, greed, lust, vengeance, and love. I liked that the novel is written in the first person, first from the point of view of the goddess Demeter and then of her daughter. It made the novel more intimate and personal. Thank you Ms. Lynn, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC. My opinions are VOLUNTARY.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of Daughters of Olympus in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions that follow are my own.

"I am the daughter of Olympians. I am the Goddess of the Underworld. I am Persephone. This was my story."

Daughters of Olympus follows the story and mythology of Demeter and Persephone from the very beginning when Demeter was just a young girl all the way to when Persephone became Queen of the Underworld. Demeter didn't always live in fear but after a tragic incident between Demeter and her brother, Zeus, she hides within the wildflowers and fields of wheat in isolation, with her daughter being her only solace. Core is happy and carefree, willing to stand by her mother through thick and thin until she experiences love for the first time. As Core's world changes, she attracts the eye of a powerful god. After her daughter is forcibly taken from her, how far will Demeter go to get her back?

I loved this book so much! I thought I knew a lot about Greek mythology however there were so many individual events and stories throughout this book that I had never heard that kept me intrigued. I found it super interesting that the author chose Demeter as one of the main characters because she is a minor goddess and not too many people know about her so it was fun to read her story and learn about her family and the tragic events that happened over the course of her life. While Demeter was fun, Core was definitely the standout. Her character development was so interesting and how she developed into Persephone was such a masterclass in female empowerment. I loved every minute of Persephone's story. Another character that was a standout to me was Hades. In the traditional Greek mythology, he is always painted as a villain because he lives in isolation in the Underworld. However, he is just an immortal being who wants to take care of mortals who have been through so much and wants them to have a peaceful afterlife.

Overall, I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Greek mythology and would like to learn more about Demeter and Persephone. 4.5 stars!

Main Themes:
- Love in all its forms
- Loss; the weight of grief and memory
- Parenting
- Freedom and limitation
- Self discovery

I loved this book and its themes. It’s a truly feminist retelling: I feel that it represents well the female experience and a some of its emotions. I really like this iteration of the myth; I have read several Hades and Persephone retellings and this one has risen to the top.

There is some great character work in this that gives different context to the myth as it’s previously been told.

Demeter’s role in the events is important and not understated. Demeter is a very believable character and mother. I really enjoyed her voice in this. I love when books have reflective dramatic irony, such as when Demeter says “if only I had known how that choice would forge my future”, or “if only I had known how those words would change everything”.

I also liked the characterizations of both Persephone and Hades in this. Persephone isn’t a pushover, and Hades is soft and reflective.

The writing style is both evocative and immersive while also being easy to read. It is beautiful and atmospheric.

My main complaint has to do with the pacing: I wish that there had been a bit more time spent on the ending, it felt a bit rushed compared to the rest of the book, which moved slowly at other times. But it was nonetheless satisfying and I loved the way it wrapped up everything.

⚠️ Please check the content warnings; while they are not-gratuitous, there are a few instances of on screen rape

Favourite moments (spoilers):
* Watching Persephone fall in love with Hades.
* Watching Hades soften up.
* Persephone eating the pomegranate, fully knowing those 6 seeds would be her demise.
* Watching Persephone come into herself.
* The really heartbreaking scene where Core and Ione are reunited and Ione doesn’t recognize Core at first.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book and was excited to dive in. I loved the parts of the novel told in Core/Persephone's perspective but unfortunately I wasn't a huge fan of the Demeter chapters. I found the Demeter chapters to be fairly one dimensional and I struggled with continuing those. However when the Core chapters started I was immediately drawn in and loved the change in voice for her. I adored following Core's story and loved getting to discover the world through her eyes. I would be interested in reading more from Hannah Lynn in the future! 3/5 stars.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a beautifully written tale of a Greek mythology story that I was not already aware of, which I think enhanced my reading experience. Despite some of the characters feeling a bit flat, like caricatures from a fairy tale, it didn’t really take away from this reading experience because I viewed this story from the lens of a retelling of a very old and traditional Greek tale.

This being said, I did think the book could have been shorter, and some of the pacing between the first and second half of the book was uneven. Things definitely picked up once we got Persephone’s perspective in the second half. Despite some drawbacks, this was still a really enjoyable read about a relationship between a mother-daughter that I think spoke to the importance of being able to stand on your own in order to discover what you are capable of. Would love to read more from this author!

Daughters of Olympus reimagines the myth of Demeter and Persephone, exploring the fierce love between a mother and daughter caught between duty and destiny. The novel paints a vivid picture of Demeter’s desperation and Core’s journey to becoming Persephone, blending emotion, mythology, and power struggles. While I didn’t finish the book, its rich storytelling and fresh perspective on this legendary tale make it an intriguing read for fans of mythological retellings.

This was a lovely retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth. It allowed the reader to not only learn about their partnership, but also to learn more about Demeter and some of the other Olympian gods. I did think that it went on for a bit too long and was repetitive at times I wish that they had altered POV‘s earlier in the story and in smaller chunks so that you could understand what was happening with each of the characters. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an arc of this book in return for my honest review.

I really wanted to like this book, as I adore mythology retellings, but I found the pacing really slow and I just couldn’t get into it.

As a girl who has always loved Greek Mythology, Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn had me excited from the very start. I love that even though this was a Hades and Persephone retelling, that it also had a heft dose of Demeter's story which I have rarely come across within the genre. In classic greek myth fashion, there were some harder themes to swallow in this one but Lynn does an excellent job of making the female characters in her story more than just the things that happen to them - they have voices and a story, and she tells it beautifully. I enjoyed that it wasn't just about the romance, but was a story that explored the relationship between Demeter and Persephone. In sayings that, I loved Hades in this one, but to be fair I'm always a sucker for a softer, respectful Hades.

Overall, I think Daughters of Olympus is a beautiful addition to the genre and one I would happily recommend to a friend.

This book was just what I needed to get me out of my reading slump! I had just finished reading another disappointing Greek mythology retelling when I picked this one up and was thinking it was time to give up on the genre for awhile, but this one completely restored my faith! I couldn't put it down and kept trying to find time to sneak away from my life to continue with the story. I finished it several months ago and still haven't stopped thinking about it! The writing was superb. The character development some was some of the best I've come across in a long time, My heart bled for these characters. I can't wait to read more from this author!

This was a fantastic retelling! The descriptive imagery was perfect, building up the most beautiful scenes. The emotional aspects of this story hit every point. It was impossible not to feel what the characters were feeling. The heartbreaking events that transpired, the struggles and challenges laid before them, the emotional tolls that they went thru just to survive. I was angry, sad, scared all at the same time for them. Definitely something that I would recommend especially if you like Greek mythology retellings. This one was done so well.

This was an incredibly complex book about women. I absolutely loved the story and thought it was very well written.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn!

I love Hannah Lynn's writing! She makes Greek Mythology so accessible and easy to follow, while using a lyrical writing style I adore. The story of Demeter is a story of LOSE & ANGER. The story of Peresphone is of HOPE & FINDING YOUR POWER. The author wove these stories together in a beautiful way and showed how one story lead to the other.

Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn is a captivating take on Greek mythology, bringing the often-overlooked women of Olympus to the forefront. The storytelling is rich, the characters are compelling, and the world-building pulls you right into the heart of ancient Greece.

I loved how each woman had her own distinct voice and struggles, making their stories feel fresh and engaging. The writing is lyrical yet easy to follow, and the pacing kept me hooked. My only small complaint is that I wanted even more depth in some parts, but overall, it was a fantastic read.

I initially requested this book because I loved the vibrant cover, it reminded me of similar titles that I also enjoyed. I love the approach the author took on the goddess Demeter and her daughter Core. In this novel I felt for the turmoil between a mothers fear and a daughters naivety and the struggle for both characters.
I would definitely read other books by this author.

Another utterly stunning book from Hannah Lynn. I loved the way in which this book brought Demeter into the mix of Hades and Persephone's relationship, this isn't something I've come across in many retellings.

You KNOW I had to read this the second I found out it was inspired by Hades and Persephone! If there’s one thing I love it’s Greek Mythology!!

This story follows Core (later known as Persephone) and her mother Demeter. The first half is Demeter’s POV then switches to Core’s. Lynn does a great job weaving a well-known story with new fresh perspectives.

This is a story about mother-daughter bonds, love, loss, and personal growth. This is one of the first times that I’ve read a book from Demeter’s perspective. Please read all the trigger warnings before reading this book, there are quite a few of them. Overall a great read that definitely checked all the boxes for me with a mythological retelling.

A huge thank you to this book’s publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful story of womanhood and the impacts of men around them. I’m a big fan of Greek mythology so this was right up my alley