12 Greek Mythology Retellings that Will Transport You to the Ancient World
Greek Mythology hosts an immersive, spellbinding realm of adventure: Gods, Goddesses, generations of royals, oaths, contests, and quests of epic proportions. These days, the world of Greek Mythology is more magical than ever, and numerous talented authors have been taking inspiration from them, recreating the landscapes of Ancient Greece myths and placing modern-day readers in the shoes of the major players there.
We’ve compiled a list of twelve must-read Greek Mythology retellings, including instant classics, beloved authors, and upcoming releases, that are sure to transport you to a world of daring feats and boundless potential.
Wings of Fury by Emily R. King
Wings of Fury is the first book to be released in the highly anticipated new series by author Emily R. King. Set in Ancient Greece’s Golden Age, this clever and entertaining tale follows Althea Lambros as she challenges the standards of a society where women are treated like possessions and servants. Her efforts eventually lead her to challenge the Almighty Cronus, a king among his many immortal children and siblings, with the alliance of other powerful Greek Mythology figures. You’re bound to fall in love with Althea’s brazen character as I did!
Circe by Madeline Miller
When Circe, daughter of the sun, discovers she possesses the power of witchcraft, it causes a ripple among the Gods — chiefly Zeus who –threatened by her might– banishes her to a deserted island. There, Madeline Miller’s Circe hones her skills and grows to love her life among the mortals. But when her strengthened abilities draw the wrath of both men and Gods, Circe must make a stand and decide whether she truly belongs in the immortal world or if her place is instead among mortals. This book is bold, empowering and a must read for every Greek mythology fan.
Women and Other Monsters: Building a New Mythology by Jess Zimmerman
Jess Zimmerman’s Women and Other Monsters offers a modern perspective on the personas behind Greek Mythology’s most horrendous female creatures. Through a careful examination of 11 female monsters, some including Medusa, the Furies, and the Harpies, Zimmerman gives readers a fresh look at femininity and heroism amid the constructs of the mythological world.
Daughter of Sparta by Claire Andrews
Daphne’s efforts to be accepted by Spartans as a skillful warrior get thoroughly upended when the Goddess Artemis capture’s her brother’s fate as a hostage. Teaming up with Apollo in this mythological retelling, Daphne must secure nine mythological objects to save the waning powers of the Gods and the life of her brother. While Apollo comes across as arrogant to Daphne at first, seeing his vulnerable, human side allows their alliance to blossom into something deeper. Can’t wait to read this one in June when it comes out!
The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
The Silence of the Girls portrays the previously-unseen perspective of one of the most widely-known female figures of The Trojan War, Briseis. Caught in a power struggle between Achilles and Agamemnon, Briseis must figure out how to survive as a concubine in the enemy Greek camp. Barker’s retelling of The Iliad captures a nuanced, vivid portrait of the characters within it, especially those of the women who would become overlooked by history.
A Thousand Ships by Natasha Haynes
Like Barker’s retelling, A Thousand Ships enlists an all-female cast of characters to recount the events of The Trojan War. Through the perspectives of characters including Calliope, Briseis, Penelope, and more, Haynes demonstrates that when the stakes are at their highest, women can be just as heroic as men, if not more.
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods must transform into mortals every seven years and fight to survive persecution from the humans set to gain their immortality if they succeed in killing them. Lore Perseous once partook in the event, also known as the Agon, but stopped after one year’s hunt left her entire family dead. When gods Castor and Athena seek her help in the next Agon, Lore must decide whether to rejoin the violent hunt in this Hunger Games-reminiscent tale.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Hitting the shelves this May, the eponymous Ariadne follows Ariadne, Princess of Crete, who lives in the echoes of her brother the Minotaur’s hoofbeats. A monster beneath her home, the Minotaur demands blood sacrifice each year. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, comes to kill the beast, Ariadne falls for him and aids him in his efforts. In the aftermath, Ariadne is left to question whether her betrayal of the gods and her family was worth it.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Another beloved novel from Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles recounts not only the story of The Iliad, but the lives characters Achilles and Patroclus lived before they were called to battle, too. Centered in Patroclus’ perspective, this intimate retelling delves into the hardships Patroclus overcame as a child and the development of his friendship with Achilles, which would eventually evolve into a romance.
Medusa by Jessie Burton
At the whim of the Gods, Medusa the Gorgon has been exiled to a faraway island with little company other than the snakes that adorn her head. When Perseus joins her there, he comes as a welcomed disruption to her lonely existence, giving her the chance to experience love and desire. But it’s Perseus’ imminent betrayal that author Jessie Burton focuses on in this retelling, examining its originating myth as a narrative of objectification and toxic masculinity. Looking forward to this fall read, coming in October!
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
While Odysseus fought in The Trojan War and faced detour after detour on his journey home, what was his wife, Penelope, up to? Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad answers just this. The Penelopiad retrospectively visualizes what Penelope’s life was like in the twenty years of her husband’s absence and what really fueled the hanging of her twelve maids upon his return.
The Immortal Game by Talia Rothschild & A. C. Harvey (May 25, 2021)
Galene, daughter of Poseidon, is banished from Olympus after a brutal assault left her as the only probable suspect. Desperate to prove her innocence and earn her place back among the Gods, Galene sets out to investigate the events. However, she soon discovers an even deadlier plot — one that targets the oldest immortals too, in this page-turning fantasy adventure from Talia Rothschild and A. C. Harvey. Can’t wait to read this novel when it comes out in May!
