I love a good Greek mythology book. This was one of them. I’ve read so many different versions but not many told from Demeter’s pov. What a breath of fresh air, I learned so many new things while also able to follow the names/lore I already knew.

“Daughters of Olympus” by Hannah Lynn is a retelling of the Persephone myth, but this time from the viewpoints of Demeter and Persephone. If, like me, your knowledge of the myth doesn’t take into account the various stories, you may wonder who “Core” is for a chunk of the book - it’s another name for Persephone (Kore means maiden in Greek). Anyway, back to the story - because this is a retelling, there’s some addition of minor (lesser known?) myth threads, but Ms. Lynn does a good job weaving them together (though I will admit to doing a lot of online checking). This book is divided into three sections - the first from Demeter’s POV, the second from Core/Persephone’s, and the third from both women. I must admit that around the 60% of the book, I found the story a lot more interesting - as that’s about when Hades makes his appearance. Ms. Lynn’s a great storyteller, but I can see why some reviewers feel that there’s a bit too much repeated information (however, for the most part it didn’t bother me). Overall, if myth retellings are of interest to you, this may be one to check out.

The mythology surrounding Persephone, Hades and Demeter is likely one of the most circulate Greek Myths, with countless retellings and stories inspired by and based on it. A great many of those retellings have been released in the past few years, I was incredibly happy that as I was reading Daughters of Olympus, I was able to see that it stood out amongst the others, as engaging, accessible and memorable.

Hannah Lynn writes gateway Greek Mythology, the books are written in a manner that is approachable for a casual Greek Mythology fan, or someone who hasn't consumed much of it since they were in high school. It is written in a manner that doesn't patronise the audience or sanitise the content as though it were for small children.

We are able to see, appreciate and understand the complex emotions experienced by female figures in Greek Mythology, who for some time, were left out of retellings, or had their contributions minimised. The writing and characterisation were phenomenally well done, the pain and emotions jumped off the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmarked for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had the privilege of being able to read this book prior to release and let me tell you, you’ll be in for a wild ride. I truly wasn’t prepared for the emotional roller coaster this book took me on. I resonated with this book on multiple levels, not only as a mother and a daughter but as a survivor of a horrible act.

I was able to feel the pain that Hannah Lynn wrote on this pages, witnessing the impact of Demeter’s loss of her innocence, her anger, and protective nature for her daughter and herself. Wanting to keep Cora sheltered and hidden from the ugliness of the world both humans and Gods. Cora came into this world through acts of violence but yet her mother never held that against her. Cora was shown love, compassion, and kindness. Although she was taken care of, she wanted to experience life, to see the wonders of the world. She understood why she wasn’t allowed but part of her was empty, she could view the human world but never be apart of it.

In this story, you’ll experience the growth of these two strong women, you’ll watch them fight for love and happiness. You will see families torn apart and broken trust. Yet, you experience the relationship between a mother and daughter, their bond and the lengths a mother goes to protect her child. You get the dirty history of what happens between the gods, how power can corrupt and change people, and that with time trust can be restored if you only have the desire to let it go.

If it’s a Greek retelling I want to read it, and this was no different. One story I will never get sick of reading, and that is anything to do with Persephone. Hannah Lynn did a wonderful job telling this in her words.

Hannah Lynn always does a great job writing these kind of books. I always enjoy the mythology being used and that the characters felt like they were meant to be the same characters from the original mythology. I was glad I was able to read this and look forward to new Greek myths.

A nice Greek retelling that I loved with voices that were mesmerizing and well-crafted. I really loved the prose similar to Madeline Miller and the stories of both Demeter and Persephone. The author really gave weight and nuance to a character such as Demeter, and her side of history. 4 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Greek mythology and the retellings of it are among my favorite things to read. This story, of hades and Persephone, is one that I've read retellings of countless times. Their story is one of my favorites in Greek mythology. However, Hannah Lynn gave me a new perspective. In so many retellings of this tale, Demeter is painted as a villain. A controlling, overbearing mother that refuses to acknowledge that Core (also seen as Kore, Persephone's first name) is a grown woman who should be allowed freedom to live her life. But what Hannah Lynn does by telling this tale first through Demeter's eyes, along with backstory on how her brother Zeus killed her husband, then how both Zeus and Poseidon assaulted her, resulting in Core, is give life to the guttural fear that Demeter has. Yes, she is over protective and smothering of Core, but she has seen the truly evil side of this life. She knows the horrors her brothers and other gods are capable of. By giving me Demeter's perspective, I can honestly say that I look at this tale completely different now. The pain and anguish she felt when Core is abducted and then learning that none other than Zeus is behind it and responsible for it? I can't imagine her pain and fear.

Then the book switches to Persephone's point of view. This is the part of the legend I'm all too familiar with, having read so many of the retellings. Hannah Lynn's story telling and prose makes this one stand out, though. In the beginning Persephone is terrified, rightly so, but she finds that Hades isn't a dark monster after all. She beings to have freedoms unlike she's never had. All the while, Demeter is fighting tooth and nail to be reunited with her daughter.

Will Demeter burn the worlds down to get her daughter back?

Will Persephone remain in the underworld forever?

Find out in Hannah Lynn's dynamic and enthralling Daughters of Olympus

I would like to thank Netgalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and Hannah Lynn for giving me the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.

DAUGHTERS OF OLYMPUS
BY: HANNAH LYNN

About 4.25 Stars!

Having read three others of Hannah Lynn's Greek Mythology re-imagination interpretations I was beyond excited to read her latest one called, "Daughters of Olympus." This latest one seemed darker to me or it could possibly be the timing. I still feel that Madeline Miller's two fantastically written books called, "Circe," and "The Song of Achilles," are my lifetime favorites, and highly recommend them to those of you, who have yet to discover her brilliance. You don't need to know any background material on them regarding Greek Mythology to experience her gifted storytelling. One more exceptional recommendation that struck me as close to Madeline Miller's lush prose is called, "Clytemnestra," by Costanza Casati which is superbly written, and remains a lifetime favorite. They lull you in written with beautiful language and are the kind of books that you are extremely saddened when you finish them.

One of my graduate degrees is of the Classics so I have high expectations that a re-imagining of Greek Mythology should adhere as closely to the scholarly records as possible. I do admit to being many decades since I studied those scholarly records, so my recollection isn't perfect and I enjoy some authors more than others. I was really looking forward to "Daughters of Olympus," not realizing that its focus was on Demeter and Persephone, because I requested this solely on the entertainment of reading another retelling by Hannah Lynn.

I read "A Spartan's Sorrow," by Hannah Lynn, four years ago which shares similar themes regarding Clytemnestra. I remember enjoying it which led me to read her other books about Greek Mythology which I enjoyed, "Athena's Child," about Medusa and Perseus. My favorite of this author was called, "Queens of Themiscyra," about the Amazon Queens, Hippolyte and Penthesilea. I did enjoy this one about Demeter and Persephone, just have to say that the first half is about Demeter and she calls her daughter "Core." which means maiden. I thought Persephone's name was "Kore." so I wondered why Hannah Lynn chose to name Demeter's daughter "Core," until she takes the name Persephone while Queen of the Underworld after being snatched by Hades while she was in a meadow.

Since this is also historical fiction I'll begin by where Hannah Lynn begins this story with telling of how Cronus was afraid of his loss of power because of a prophecy so he ate his and his wife, Rhea's newborn children. The ones that Cronus swallowed were Hera, Demeter, Hades, Poseidon and Hestia. Demeter was the second born of Cronus and Rhea and all of the offspring remained in Cronus's stomach with the exception of Zeus. Rhea with the help of her mother Gaia tricked Cronus into thinking her last birth which was Zeus, but instead Cronus swallowed the material which was swaddled like a newborn and Zeus escaped. Cronus was given an emetic which caused him to retch up the five children.

The first half of the novel's section is called, "Demeter," and it tells her point of view of her early relationship with Zeus being harmonious until he uses his thunderbolt like power to kill her mortal husband. Demeter leaves Mount Olympus but gets raped by both Zeus and Poseidon. Of the twins that are fathered by Zeus, one is a female who she names "Core," who I learned long ago was "Kore." I'm going to go with Hannah Lynn's story and call her beloved daughter Core for the rest of the review.

Demeter is worried that something will happen to Core and entrusts her care of Core to nymphs who are supposed to accompany Core when she is not with her mother. Demeter with her deep love and attachment to Core is too overprotective. At around the 50% mark the reader gets the perspective of Core who is finally able to leave her mother's Island and explore. For the sake of not spoiling it the second part is called Core and she gets to experience her independence. It mirrors Demeter's point of view but deviates to tell Core's side which is written beautifully and without too much repetition creates a coming of age story throughout Core's point of view. The nymphs who accompany Core aren't supposed to not let Core out of their sight. They don't necessarily follow Demeter's edicts and Core is given free reign.

In Hannah Lynn's version the last section is after Core is abducted by Hades and taken to the Underworld which she is at first horrified, but isn't pressured by her Uncle Hades into consummating their union. She is visited by the witch Hecate who tells her she was sent by her mother who is trying to get Core back to the land of the living. Hecate tells Core that she must not eat anything in the Underworld or land of the dead or she won't be able to leave. Demeter is furious and learns that Zeus was behind the abduction.

There is much more that I could say that is common knowledge about Persephone and Demeter, but will leave it here for those who aren't familiar with this story. Does Persephone get reunited with Demeter? What discoveries does Persephone encounter while she is Queen of the Underworld? Hannah Lynn has used her trademark storytelling to reward the reader with a dark but enchanted nuanced tale. I can't put my finger on why this was more violent and monochromatic in my mind to me more so than others. Maybe as a visual reader I pictured everything in the Underworld black in my imagination even though Persephone had some wonderful realizations and was happily reunited with a person of great significance in Core's section. I would recommend this and wish the author my very best wishes with success.

Publication Date: July 9th, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Hannah Lynn and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for generously providing me with my eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#DaughtersofOlympus #HannahLynn #SourcebooksLandmark #NetGalley

The story of Persephone and Hades may be one of my favorite parts of Greek mythology, and this one offered a more robust version by giving equal weight to Demeter. This one is very palatable to a casual reader of Greek re-tellings, while also feeling quite mature. Sometimes in order to make these stories accessible, they become juvenile, but that's not the case here.

It's not quite as poetic as Madeline Miller, but it's close. and it's told in such a way that you're really embedded with these women. Hades is present, but he doesn't overwhelm the story; it's not really about him, anyways, and it's nice that the fact of it remains true throughout.

All in all, a nice retelling that casual or more serious fans of Greek mythology will enjoy. 4 stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Lynn's "Daughters of Olympus" is a compelling and beautifully written novel that reimagines the myth of Persephone and Demeter with a fresh, emotional depth. Lynn masterfully intertwines the grandeur of Greek mythology with the intimate complexities of a mother-daughter relationship, creating a story that is both timeless and deeply human.

The character of Demeter, traditionally known as the goddess of harvest and fertility, is given a poignant and relatable portrayal. Lynn delves into her psyche, exploring her fears, her love for her daughter, and her sense of loss, which transforms her into a character of immense depth and vulnerability. The depiction of Demeter’s retreat from the world after a traumatic event adds a layer of emotional resonance to the narrative, making her a figure of both strength and profound sorrow.

Core, who becomes Persephone, is brilliantly reimagined as a character torn between her devotion to her mother and her yearning for independence. Lynn captures the essence of a young woman on the brink of discovering her identity and power. Her journey from the naïve Core to the Queen of the Underworld is not just a tale of abduction, but a story of self-discovery and empowerment. The dynamics of her relationship with Hades add an intriguing dimension to the story, offering a more nuanced view of the infamous god of the Underworld.

Lynn’s writing is lush and evocative, bringing the world of Olympus and the Underworld to life with vivid imagery and rich detail. The narrative is paced beautifully, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the emotional landscapes of the characters. The novel goes beyond the traditional myth, offering insights into themes such as maternal love, personal freedom, and the intricate bonds that tie us to our destinies.

"Daughters of Olympus" is a remarkable novel that will appeal to fans of Madeline Miller and Claire Heywood, as well as to anyone who enjoys a fresh take on classic mythology. Lynn has created a story that is both a tribute to the original myth and a unique tale in its own right, exploring the complexities of love, loss, and transformation. It’s a powerful and moving read, perfect for those who appreciate mythology retold with emotional depth and literary finesse.

This was such a good book. If you loved the song of Achilles or Circe you will love this book. It was a very good retelling of a popular Greek myth. I would highly recommend.

If you’re after a Demeter/Persephone story then this is for you. I love a good Greek mythology telling and this was just another good time story. I loved the inclusion of history. Although it could get a little dull, I overall enjoyed.

Zeus has never been my favorite Olympian nor has his brother, Poseidon. Both have always come across as manwhores who care little to none about the person they are pursuing and what sort of repercussions will come out of this. Zeus does this because, you know, he is the King of the Olympian Gods so you should be honored that he has taken any interest in you.



However, I felt sorry for Demeter when Zeus's lust turned toward her. He came to her under the pretense that he wanted to observe the humans while in snake form. Unfortunately, this was merely a ruse that Demeter should have set off warning bells in her head. She knew that her brother was not to be trusted. She had seen what he had done to Hera to force her to become his wife. She had been the focus of his obsession and she knew that. So, I did not understand why she trusted him to begin with.



I would never trust Zeus as far as I could throw him. But I liked how humanized we see Demeter. This portrayal is so different from the ones I have seen of her - a domineering mother who has already mapped out how her daughter's life should and would be accordingly. While there are some of those traits within this Demeter, we do see that she begins to allow Kore/Core to become her person.



The book's second half finds Kore/Core carving a path from beneath her mother's shadow. Kore/Core has always been the security blanket that Demeter has clung to. She has kept Kore/Core away from the world, hiding her away on an island making sure that no one can find them. But Kore/Core is not one to be kept within her mother's shadows and Demeter learns that Kore/Core needs to be free. Demeter is reluctant to do so but she allows her daughter the freedom. From the first taste of love to the moment her world is tilted upside down by Hades, Kore/Core is given a seat of power, one never allotted to her when she and her mother were on Olympus. Here in the Underworld, her rule is equal to that of her husband, something none of the other Olympian wives have.



I liked this version of Demeter and Kore/Core's story. Demeter's character was humanized in a way that made her relatable and sympathetic. Her love for her daughter and the pain she felt when Kore was taken away by Hades was palpable. It was heart-wrenching to see her mourn and fall into despair, recognizing the absence of her daughter in her life.



At the same time, Demeter's determination and strength shone through as she went on a journey to find Kore/Core and bring her back. Her transformation into the powerful goddess we know her to be was empowering to witness. She showed resilience and refused to give up, even in the face of immense obstacles.



Core/Kore's character, on the other hand, had a sense of innocence and vulnerability that was endearing. Her curiosity and desire to explore the world outside her mother's watchful eye were relatable, as many young individuals long for freedom and independence.



The dynamic between Demeter and Kore/Core was portrayed beautifully, showcasing the unconditional love between a mother and her daughter. Their separation and reunion were emotional, and they emphasized the importance of family bonds and the lengths one would go to protect and save their loved ones.



This retelling of Demeter and Core/Kore's story brought depth and emotion to their characters, making them more human and relatable. It allowed readers to connect with their experiences and understand the range of emotions they went through. It was a refreshing and engaging take on a classic myth.

Definitely for lovers of Madeline Miller! Beautiful prose, excellent details and imagery.

I’m a sucker for Greek mythology retelling. This one was no different! I really enjoyed it!

Did sort of lull from 40% to 60%. I did enjoy reading certain pivotal moments happen from a different POV, but I found myself skimming a lot, because it was just copied and pasted dialogue from a few chapters prior and it didn’t seem fully necessary.

I found myself feeling so heartbroken for Demeter the entire time. I didn’t expect to feel so sad for her for over half of the book. The Hades in this retelling is a little different from the other retellings I’ve read, and I really enjoyed the difference. It makes more sense as to why Persephone would have probably ended up returning to the Underworld, even if she wouldn’t have eaten the pomegranate seeds.

I hate to be this person because I don’t think EVERY book needs a romantic subplot, but if Demeter can get a spicy scene, and Core and Ione can get several spicy scenes, I would’ve just loved to have gotten a little something-something in the epilogue between Persephone and Hades. With the way she was already warming up to him at the end, and how kind and caring he had been to her… COME ON. I think that would’ve made it a 5 star for me. Otherwise, I feel like the ending just didn’t wrap up completely.

Other suggestions: Chapter 70 and chapter 75 there were POV switches that weren’t labeled.

Thank you for the ARC. Full review will be posted on release!

3.5 stars

Overall, I quite enjoyed "Daughters of Olympus" but I enjoyed the other retelling of the Demeter/Persephone myth I read this year a bit more.

This book felt somewhat repetitive in some places and I think the characters weren't as fleshed-out as they could have been.

The heartbreaking and wonderful story of Demeter and Persephone. The story of Persephone has long been one of my favorite Greek myths, but I never considered just how heartbreaking it must have been for Demeter to lose her most beloved child and be subject to her brothers’ rampaging lusts.