DNF @15%

Unfortunately I just couldn't get into this book, I do enjoy Greek Mythology and was really intrigued to learn more about Demeter and Persephone prior to Persephone and Hades story, however for me the writing was a bit too descriptive and almost dense. This made it harder for me to get through, in addition to the pace of the book being slower than I expected. I would consider picking this up as an audiobook as I think it would be easier to absorb in that format.

I found the writing very enjoyable but at times the story became to flowery for me (possibly do to the descriptive scenes of topics I would rather not read) that is no fault of the books as I understood what I would be reading before hand and does not take away from the overall enjoyment but it is worth mentioning to check trigger warnings. Nothing too distressing just Greek gods being Greek gods really haha

This was so good. It was traumatic and soul crushing, but so good. I love that Hannah writes the ugly truth of this mythology and doesn't shy away from the fact that the greek gods were absolute nightmares who repeatedly assaulted the women in their lives. We see the ugly truth of everything Demeter went through and it was a refreshing change since we usually only see Persephone's story told with demeter being a minor player. I also love what was done with Hades and his relationship with Persephone. I cannot say enough good things about this book.

Lovely greek mythology book! You see a lot of hades and persephone books these days, and while those can definitely be awesome, its really good to read about it from the mother-daughter bond between demeter and kore (persephone). Its about all the different types of love and loss, beautifully written. I really enjoyed this detailed version.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this retelling of Demeter and her daughter Core/Persephone. It hadn't heard their stories since high school and this book brought it all back plus more. The book is told from a dual POV, Demeter and Persephone and I think this worked really well. Some events the reader gets to see from each of their POV which was cool to see the difference. The chapters were really short which helped me fly through this book. If you love Greek mythology, I highly recommend this book.

Overall I enjoyed this retelling, but I did really struggle with the pacing which felt really slow for the majority of the books and then extremely rushed. I also struggled with what felt like over repetition between the Demeter/Persephone storylines. I get having parallels but this felt too much to me.
Definitely check trigger warnings.
If you enjoy a good Hades x Persephone retelling, you’ll likely enjoy this one.

The Daughter of Olympus is a retelling story of Demeter, an ancient Greek Goddess of the harvest and agriculture. The story also featuring her beautiful daughter Persephone (Core). I always waiting for Demeter's story because she is a kind and gentle soul goddess. She love humanity and her feeling represent into fertility and nature of the earth. But she is also determined mother who fight for her daughter's virtue and happiness. Her story will presented big aspects of the bond between mother and daughter.

I always love the storytelling style from author. This is my 3rd books from her and the writing always beautiful. I enjoyed half early book from Demeter's POV because some of it fresh and less talk about. I learn some new aspect and enjoying all about this heartbroken goddess's story. But the 2nd POV from Core seem boring and overused POV. Persephone is become so popular in retelling story nowdays, especially from romance genre. So her POV not interest me as strong as Demeter's one. I wish to see more about importance of a mother to her child. Or a mother willingness to sacrifice anything to keep her children safe.
I would love to recommend this book for readers who love mythology and mother's love from their reads.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Expecting Publication : 7 July 2024

Circe but for Demeter. Follow Demeter’s life and how Hades and Persephone came to be. All the romance and tragedy of the gods in a beautifully written tale that blends all of Demeter’s tales.

# Daughters of Olympus
# 8/9/2024 ~ 8/12/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

I really enjoyed this series I got the first book sent to me by the publisher and then they gifted me the rest of the series and I really enjoyed it !

I tried so hard to get into this. I picked it up many times but I just couldn't get into the writing style and the story. I had to DNF.

Magical Mythology

If I had to pick a favorite type of genre lately it would definitely not be horror like it used to be. These days it’s fiction that has a touch of mythology, more so if it’s a retelling of a Greek goddess/god story. This book was such a joy to finish yesterday, and it’s still on my mind today, so you know it’s a good read. This is a great addition to the contemporary mythology retelling genre, with a story that has so much space to explore complex relationships, the mistakes made out of love, the grief of loss, and the meaning of free will. Lots of very interesting conversations to be had here!

Daughters of Olympus by Hannah M. Lynn is a captivating journey into the world of Greek mythology, reimagined with a modern twist. From the very first page, the novel grabs hold of the reader’s imagination, blending ancient myths with contemporary storytelling in a way that feels both fresh and familiar. Lynn’s skillful writing brings to life the timeless tales of the goddesses, infusing them with new energy and depth.

The plot is intricately woven, taking the reader through the lives of several key figures in Greek mythology. Lynn’s narrative prowess is evident in the way she balances multiple storylines, ensuring that each character’s arc is compelling and richly developed. The pacing is well-calibrated, with a perfect blend of action, introspection, and emotional resonance that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

One of the standout aspects of Daughters of Olympus is the character development. Lynn excels at creating multidimensional characters who are relatable despite their divine nature. The goddesses are portrayed with a mix of strength, vulnerability, and complexity that makes their struggles and triumphs deeply human. Their relationships are explored with nuance, highlighting the tensions and bonds that define their interactions.

The novel delves into themes of love, loss, and free will, using the mythological framework to explore these universal experiences. The mistakes made out of love and the resulting grief are portrayed with a raw honesty that resonates deeply. Additionally, the concept of free will is examined through the characters’ choices and the consequences they face, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives and decisions.

Lynn’s writing style is both lyrical and accessible, making the ancient myths feel immediate and relevant. Her descriptions are vivid, painting a lush picture of the mythological world while her dialogue captures the essence of each character’s voice. The prose flows smoothly, creating an immersive reading experience that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Daughters of Olympus is a must-read for fans of mythology and contemporary fiction alike. It offers a fresh perspective on well-known tales, breathing new life into the stories of the Greek goddesses. Hannah M. Lynn has crafted a novel that is not only entertaining but also rich with themes and questions that linger long after the final page. This book is a testament to the enduring power of myth and its ability to illuminate the human condition. If you’re looking for a story that combines the magic of ancient Greece with the relatability of modern storytelling, Daughters of Olympus is the perfect choice.

Following the Greek mythos pretty closely, Daughters of Olympus is an expanded version of the story of Demeter and her daughter, Core. As someone not particularly familiar with the "real" stories in Greek Mythology, I found this book to be a very compelling read. Perhaps if you were more intimately familiar with the story and knew what was bound to happen, you would not enjoy it as much as I did. The writing was descriptive without being overly-flourished and the pace of the plot was enough to keep my turning the pages. Hades forever <3

A refreshing take on mother-daughter dynamics in Greek mythology

With the popularity of Hades/Persephone retellings, I appreciate that this novel takes on a more classical mythic style and leans into Demeter’s perspective. We see her born and swallowed by her father Kronos, the early days of her life as a goddess, and the strong bond between her and her daughter Core (the the goddess of Spring, also known as Persephone).

Halfway through the novel we see events from Core/Persephone’s point of view and realize that she is not the soft-spoken naive girl her mother perceives. As one would expect in any story centering around Demeter and Persephone, their bond is disrupted when Hades abducts the goddess of Spring. The grief Demeter has endured throughout the novel becomes even more acute, but Persephone discovers a new identity as queen of the underworld.

I loved how this book really focused on Demeter and Persephone’s complicated relationship, allowing the reader to see both sides of the story. It’s not a one-dimensional portrayal of an overbearing mother and a daughter who longs for freedom like I’ve seen in other adaptations. Both women are complicated and have their own competing motives - Demeter is haunted by grief at every turn, and wants to protect her daughter from the same cruelties. Persephone wants to support her mother but also longs to embrace her role as a goddess in her own right.

I empathized a lot with Demeter, although I questioned some of her choices. Her character demonstrates how the destructive nature of sadness and loss can color every thought and interaction. Persephone’s journey of self-discovery was empowering, and allowed me to reflect on my own relationship with my mother. I’ve found myself wondering how to navigate relationships with my parents as an adult - creating distance without severing bonds, embracing for independence without ignoring their sacrifices.

This is a great read for anyone who enjoys Greek mythology, mother-daughter dynamics, and narratives of strength and resilience in the face of loss.

I’m a sucker for anything hades and persephone related! This, however it m ore about Dementer and Persephone which I found to be a refreshing change.
I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it for anyone who enjoys greek myth stories!

3.5 stars rounded up

I love reading about anything to do with Persephone/Hades so obviously this was a must-read, even though the story is not really about their relationship, but more so the mother-daughter relationship of Demeter and Persephone. However, I knew embarrassingly little about Demeter (besides being Persephone's mother) before starting this book, so it was enlightening to read her story (although mourning a mortal she knew for maybe 2 hours for centuries became a bit much for me).

Persephone's POVs were the book's better half and added some new narratives of her life before she was abducted to the underworld.

The book was a little slow to get through (especially Demeter's POV chapters), and the ending felt very rushed. Towards the end, I was actively groaning when a chapter switched from Persephone to Demeter (but I feel this is a common pitfall of any book with multiple POVs). It also didn't hit quite the level of emotional depth that I would expect from such heavy topics.

Overall, this was a fair mythology retelling and is worth the read if you're a Persephone fan.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an ARC of this book!

I've read a lot of books that are retellings of Greek myths, I mean a LOT, but this was definitely one of my favorites! I read Hannah Lynn's Athena's Child years ago and loved it so I was really excited to see she had a new book coming out! This is the story of Demeter and Persephone, a story retold a million times, most of which I've read, however, Lynn's stand out amongst them all. The story is broken into three parts, the first from Demeter's, she recounts her time from being stuck in Kronos to rescued by Zeus only to pay the worst price a woman can, we follow her through the years as she leaves Olympus and eventually loses her beloved daughter. Her story is harrowing and moving, the fear she has of the men in her family is so profound and I loved that her rapes were not graphic and more time was spent on the aftermath. We then jump to Persephone's POV, it goes back to when she was a new goddess, then continues throughout her time living on earth with her mother, finding love, and then of course being stolen by Hades. I am forever a Hades lover and I hate reading stories where he's the villain. This book handled him so well, he's reserved and earnest, flawed and powerful, and so fricken devoted to Persephone even as it takes her more time to fall for him. During the third act we see the two POVs merge together as it jumps back and forth as Demeter tries to rescue Persephone and Persephone tries to decide if that's truly what she wants. A very satisfying ending to a beautiful and moving story!

I love the short chapters, but I do feel like some of them could have been combined and had the same effect. Love the way the author uses the passage of time and the lives of the nymphs to call attention to how the gods don't experience time the way humans do. I think having the nymphs be a different kind of being, instead of the least of the lesser goddesses, is an interesting decision. I love how Core chooses her own name, even if it is at the request of Hades, to become Persephone. Really enjoyed reading this book.

I really appreciate the time and attention given to Demeter in this Persephone and Hades retelling. She often gets put on the back burner in these stories. The author took a lot of inspiration from the Eleusinian Mysteries and obviously did a lot of research for this novel. I also like the way they characterized Persephone and Hades. Persephone felt like she had a good amount of agency without straying too far outside of the given canon. Hades was given a unique characterization that didn't defend, but explained, his actions. Overall, a 10/10 Persephone and Hades retelling!

I absolutely LOVED this book. One of my favorite genres is greek retellings and this one might just be my favorite. This version of hades and Persephone was *chef's kiss* Hannah Lynn, you did an amazing job!!

3.5 Rounded down.

I was looking forward to this book. I was excited to have Demeter’s side of the story and for the narrative to be more focused on the mother/daughter dynamic. Sadly, that is not what is in this book.

I almost stopped reading several times throughout the first 40% of the book, which happens to be the majority of Demeter’s POV. I was looking forward to finally seeing her as a mother and seeing the loving mother/daughter relationship. Nope. That is not the story we were given. Instead we are presented with a narcissistic goddess who barely spends time on page with her daughter and instead spends the majority of her POV grieving for her “true love” aka a man she met at a wedding, knew for maybe 12 hours, and Zeus kills because she slept with him. Nothing is ever her fault especially not when she loses her temper and acts out like a toddler. Honestly, her freezing the world and killing most of the humans comes off as a two year old upset that her toy was taken from her. She doesn’t refer to Core has a person. She uses language more akin to demanding her property be returned to her. This is also after centuries of Demeter essentially ignoring Core and Core doing whatever she wanted. So, not exactly the loving mother vibes I was hoping for.

When the narrative switched to Core/Persephone's POV I started to enjoy the story more. Demeter’s section was so incredibly slow with barely anything happening. At least with Persephone’s POV there was more plot. I enjoyed seeing Persephone experience life and love before she was taken to the Underworld. She was starting to become her own her person. I enjoyed the relationship with Hades and how it wasn’t just a sexual relationship. Hades was awkward with her and a bit of a stalker, but he at least came off as wanting the best for her. Demeter on the other hand never seemed to want the best for her daughter. She only wanted her possession returned to her.

Overall, this book was too long and slow. At times the writing was beautiful; however, at others the writing was repetitive. The first half of the book reads as if the author was trying to cram in as many mentions of lore as possible while also constantly saying “but that’s a tale for another time”. The second half was more original and moved the story forward.