Ye gods! By now, you have probably heard about Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of a little book called The Odyssey. It’s the biggest film event of the summer! Some of us at Book Riot have gone to see it or been inspired to recommend books based on its release.
I’m also cashing in on its popularity to make some recommendations! After all, The Odyssey—and all of Greek mythology—is firmly in the speculative fiction genre, and has been influencing other works for hundreds of years. There are soooo many, like the excellent, well-known titles everyone always mentions: The Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeline Miller, Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. But today, I am recommending five novels inspired by Greek mythology that I’ve enjoyed and deserve more love. I hope to Hades that you enjoy them too!
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Inspired by the story of Medea, the medical magic sorceress, this young adult novel follows Briseis, a young woman with the ability to grow plants with a touch. But as she tries to harness her power, will she use it for good or for evil?
Hekate: The Witch (Goddesses of the Underworld) by Nikita Gill
This novel-in-verse is a retelling of the story of Hekate, goddess of witchcraft and necromancy. As a girl, Hekate was taken to the Underworld and raised by Styx and Hades. As you can imagine, being brought up in the Underworld influenced her in dark and strange ways, and Hekate grows up to be a powerful, feared witch.
Forging a Nightmare by Patricia A. Jackson
This novel’s story draws from Greek and Norse mythology as well as Christianity to make a fun, dark urban fantasy. FBI agent Michael Childs is hunting a serial killer who chooses victims all with the same unusual feature. But as he searches for a murderer, he uncovers things about his own life he never knew.
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The Hymn to Dionysus by Natasha Pulley
For this queer historical reimagining, Natasha Pulley tells the story of Dionysus, the god of wine and merriment. Saved from a fire as a baby by Phaidros, Dionysus grows up to be a witch, and the two are reunited when Phaidros is ordered to find the missing crown prince of Thebes.
Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth
Last but not least is this slim dystopian retelling of Antigone, the Theban princess. It’s set in a future where the genes of the dead are stored in an Archive. Now Antigone’s departed parents are there, and she and her siblings are held captive as guests of her militant uncle, who has come to claim their father’s throne. But Antigone is not going to stay quiet about their situation.
Okay, star bits, now take the knowledge you have learned here today and use it for good, not evil. If you want to know more about books, I talk about books pretty much nonstop (when I’m not reading them), and you can hear me say lots of adjectives about them on the Book Riot podcast All the Books! and on Instagram.
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