Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Summary:

Every seven years, nine Greek Gods are forced to live on Earth as mortals. During this time there is a hunt to kill said Gods and obtain their powers including immortality. Lore left that world a long time ago after her family was murdered but she finds herself being sucked back in when two people enter her life: a childhood friend she believed to be dead and Athena herself (one of the few remaining original gods). Her decision to join the hunt may cost her the life she had and the lives of many others.

My Thoughts:

I am a fan of Alexandra Bracken’s work but was a little hesitant to read this book. I love Greek mythology so I can be a bit critical when it comes to Greek mythology stories. Ultimately, I decided to read the book because of the premise: humans can kill a God to obtain their power and immortality. Greek mythology stories usually revolve around the original myths of the Greek Gods but this story puts a different spin on them.

My critique with this twist is that it was a little hard to follow what Greek God was being referenced because so many of the nine Gods had been replaced by humans and now went by a different names. I recommend using the glossary in the back of the book early on.

I immediately loved Lore’s character. She is initially introduced during her time in a fighting ring and she is holding her own pretty well. I enjoy reading a strong female character who can fight because it usually makes for some entertaining action scenes.

Now for the story itself. I think Alexandra’s writing is what really brought this story to life. The power plays, the struggles, and the pain of the world Lore lives/lived in are described so well that you kind of lose yourself to the writing.

I will say I was bit let down by the ending. I was hoping this was going to be the start of a series or at least a duology. I wanted more of the story and the work but no luck. That being said, I think this book could have been so much more but it was still a book I enjoyed. A good read but maybe not great?