Daughters Of Olympus
Hannah Lynn
4⭐️

Pub Date: 7/9/2024

This book is a part of the Grecian Women series but can definitely be read as a stand alone. This revolves around Demeter and Persephone, with the story starting from the very beginning- Titans vs Olympians. The plot is on a slower pace as it detailed the lives of both women, of how and why they made their decisions as they go. There was a lot of good detailing and character growth for both women. This has a clean plot, minimal spice. There's really no new information, but maybe a little bit of reimagining, of the known characters- Zeus is still a jerk. 🙄 I do wish there was more of Hades. I thought there were some good metaphors and symbolism here.

The writing style is nothing extraordinary that I could easily discern. But for some reason, it was done well enough that there's something about it that kept me glued to this story and kept me reading. Even if it got a little mundane. It's definitely something unique about it that kept me interested throughout. I say overall, it's a good read especially if you are a fan of Greek Myth, and the story of this mother-daughter duo.

Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for a gifted e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Persephone is my all time favorite Greek myth so I can say with absolute confidence this rendition of her story is perfection. It lives rent free in my mind daily. I love that Persephone wasn't such a timid, well-behaved daughter, but more of a people pleaser that wants to keep her mother happy out of love. I adore that Hades isn't this evil god, but more of an introvert that just wants happiness for Persephone. I found this novel to be both heartwarming and thought-provoking by it's end. I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

As a a huge fan of madeleine miller i’ve been wanting to read this for a long time now as people have been saying that i would love hannah lynn as well. And they were not kidding. I ended up loving this book so much. If you are interested in mythology and love fantasy stories with amazing female characters, i’m sure you’ll love this one. The writing was flawless to read, i didn’t even realise i was almost done with the book within the day started. I am so glad i gave it a chance, and highly recommend.

a vastly sweeping and emotional retelling of the persephone myth. i've read hannah lynn's reworking of greek mythology since athena's child, and it's safe to say that daughters of olympus is her magnum opus.

Daughters of Olympus is a great addition for mature YA or new adult readers. If purchased for a public school, I would be a bit more cautious depending on environment and population.

I loved this so much! I love greek mythology but this one in particular once i started reading it i couldn’t put it down. So easy to read. I loved that she added Persephone’s mother (Demeter) perspective as well, it added a lot to the story and made it even more interesting!

very madeline miller, but kept a lot f the same flaws of hers as well! i love mytho works so this one is nice, but not perfect

I used to love Greek mythology in high school so I wanted to give this one a try! I found it to move pretty slowly and it didn't capture my interest. I had to put it down for now, but hoping to try again in the future.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

This book was quite hard for me to get into, I personally love reading about the Greek Mythos and have read many series focused around them but this book just didn't capture my attention the way other authors have managed. I loved the perspective that was being taken and it was one of the few times I've read a book based around Demeter and Core and their relationship rather than each individually. All in all a fine read but wasn't my favourite, and I would probably have other mythology themed books I'd recommend before reaching for this one.

There is so much incest and rape in this story, it was at times hard to handle, but that's one of the bugs, so to speak, with Greek myths. One really has to be able to look past it, somewhat, to appreciate other features of these stories. Hannah Lynn doesn't shy away from these things, but doesn't, thankfully, dwell on the acts of violence, instead showing us these incidents affect the subsequent actions of the two characters at the heart of this retelling: Demeter, sister of Zeus, and Core/Persephone, daughter of Demeter and Zeus.

Demeter begins the novel just amazed by all the beauty and wonder around her. Zeus' selfish and monstrous (or should I say godly) acts of violence against Demeter send her and several nymphs away from Olympus, where Demeter eventually raises her daughter Core. Demeter's perception of everything around her has been damaged by violence, and she smothers Core, unwilling experience life away from the island. Wise words by a dying nymph help Demeter see she is harming Core, but she accepts it when Core begins exploring the world, and falls deeply for a human woman, whose death devastates the young goddess. Core is kidnapped later by Hades, and repulsive as this act is, along with Zeus' highhanded decision that prompted this, Hades does his best to treat Core with respect and kindness, giving her time to truly discover who she is and what she wants. Demeter, infuriated by Zeus and her daughter's kdnapping, goes to tremendous lengths to find Core, who eventually takes on the name Persephone and reunites with her mother. It's ironic, that terrible acts are what make the somewhat naïve Core into the powerful goddess that Persephone is.

I loved Hannah Lynn's take on Hades, whose kidnapping is awful, but whose subsequent actions did a lot to redeem him in my eyes. I still think that falling for your kidnapper as a story is horrible, but Lynn does a lot to distinguish Hades from the terribleness of the other gods on Olympus, who indulge their every whim and desire without consequence.

The bond between Demeter and her daughter was great, and only became better once Demeter learned to let her daughter Core go to make her own choices, which ultimately led to an even deeper relationship, and Earth experiencing spring each time Persephone returned from the Underworld.

I enjoyed this retelling, with its complicated mother daughter relationship, and the author's sensitive handling of the most terrible parts of this myth.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Core/Persephone is my absolute favourite character in Greek mythology, and I always welcome retellings about her. Especially when these retellings focus on her relationship with her mother, as that part of her story is so often erased with all the attention on her relationship with Hades. That was the standout quality of this novel in my opinion. I'm not sure I really liked Demeter, but I found her interesting and touching. I loved Core's growth and quest to gain autonomy and power.

Hannah Lynn's writing is very evocative and compelling and she sets up the world of her novels like no other. The publisher has kindly given me access to three of her works and they all share this quality. However, they also all share a tendancy to drag a little bit at times. But perhaps that is also because I am familiar with the myths and already know where we're heading. For this, I think maybe I'd recommend this book to readers who are new to mythology or myth retellings, more than to those very familiar with the myths already.

I would recommend this book for fans of greek mythology and interesting points of view. This was the second book by this author that I have read, and it was enjoyable. I found the beginning slow and hard to keep my attention, but once I was invested in the world, it was a great read.

Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn is a captivating retelling of ancient Greek myths, focusing on the lives of Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, and her daughter, Core (later known as Persephone). The narrative centers around the complex relationship between mother and daughter, exploring themes of love, loss, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her child. Demeter, who once thrived in the world, becomes reclusive after a traumatic event, while Core, bright and eager for freedom, struggles with her dual existence between the human world and the divine.

Daughters of Olympus stands out for its feminist retelling of classic myths, offering a fresh perspective on well-known characters. The novel's strengths lie in its character-driven narrative and thematic depth. While the exploration of heavy themes may not be for everyone, those who appreciate emotionally charged storytelling and mythological retellings will find much to admire in Lynn's work. The book’s ability to resonate on both an intellectual and emotional level makes it a commendable addition to the genre.

Daughters of Olympus is a powerful and thought-provoking read that successfully brings ancient myths into the contemporary literary landscape.

Unfortunately I couldn’t quite get into this one. It was just ok. I struggled even getting started. Thank you to publisher and NetGalley.

Daughters of Olympus had its moments, but it didn’t quite deliver as I hoped. I was really interested in getting more insight into Demeter’s character, but her portrayal didn’t resonate with me. Instead of showing her as a loving mother, she came off as more self-centered and fixated on a past romance. The first part of the book, from her perspective, was pretty slow and didn’t hold my attention. On the other hand, Persephone’s chapters were more engaging, and I enjoyed seeing her development and her relationship with Hades. The second half of the book felt more original and moved the story along better. While the writing had its high points, the book felt a bit lengthy and repetitive. It might still be worth a read if you’re into Greek mythology and Persephone’s story.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I have read other Hannah Lynn books and this hit the same spot of nothing too new here but still enjoyable. Persephone's romance with a mortal was a new element which I liked and seeing her character evolve. More and more authors are seeing Greek mythology and specifically Hades and Persephone as ripe for re-examination and this is another book like that. I enjoy the re-examination and giving more agency to Persephone. Seeing more of Demeter is welcome too as her myths are not as popular and there is not much discussed with her. Fans of Greek mythology without it being a totally new take will enjoy this. 3.5 stars.

"Daughters of Olympus" by Hannah Lynn is a captivating reimagining of Greek mythology, focusing on the complex relationship between Demeter and her daughter, Core, who later becomes Persephone. This novel masterfully blends myth with rich emotional depth, bringing ancient characters to life in a way that feels both fresh and timeless.
Lynn's portrayal of Demeter is both poignant and powerful. Her love for Core is fierce, and her willingness to go to any lengths to protect her daughter, even at the cost of humanity, is both terrifying and deeply moving. Core, on the other hand, is portrayed with a mix of innocence and determination, making her journey into the Underworld both tragic and empowering.
The novel's strength lies in its exploration of the mother-daughter bond, showing how love can drive both creation and destruction. The shifting perspectives between Demeter and Core provide a nuanced look at their relationship, revealing the complexities of their emotions and decisions.
Daughters of Olympus also touches on universal themes of love, loss, and the desire for autonomy. Lynn's writing is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into a world where gods and mortals are intertwined in a dance of power and emotion.
For fans of mythology retellings, this book is a must-read, offering both the grandeur of the gods and the very human emotions that drive them.

I love the way Hannah Lynn writes. Her prose is beautiful and she can really give emotion to words on the page. I also love that she doesn't usually change the basic myths too much. I love a romance retelling of Hades and Persephone as much as the next girl but this isn't what this was about. Instead it followed Demeter and Persephone and their lives up until Persephone's capture. Then we get to see Demeter's grief and watch Core transform into Persephone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC of Daughters of Olympus in return for my honest review.

I think it's pretty obvious by now that I love mythology; Greek being a particular favorite. Daughter of Olympus tells the tale of one of my favorites: Persephone (as well as her mother Demeter). Not only does this novel bring to light their struggles dealing with power hungry gods, but also highlights their triumphs as women.

This one drug on a bit too long for me at times, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew a lot about Persephone already, but was surprised to discover I didn't know as much about Demeter. While I felt she was overbearing at times, her love for her daughter (and courage to never stop fighting for her) was endearing. I will definitely look to read more from this author in the future (especially if it's mythology related)!

3.75 ⭐️ (rounded up to a Goodreads 4⭐️)