A wonderful and truly different retelling of the myth of Hades and Persephone. I especially appreciated that this book does not rely on spice to capture its audience.
While reading I got the impression, that the author actually did their research regarding the Greek pantheon and especially the main protagonists. Rautio captured me with her writing style and story telling while still remaining respectful to the Gods and Goddesses protrayed.

Vibe/Mood: .5
Characters: 1
Plot: .5
Scratched my ADHD brain: 1
Hyperfixation Potential: .5

3.5/5 🌟


The Tale of Kore was a unique read in that I went in expecting the romance angle of a HadesxPersephone retelling, but what I got was more of a philosophical, reflective character study of Corey and how her story intertwined more with and affected the world as a whole (and tbh, Aiden/Hades was just a supporting character in this, and I’m not mad about it.)

I’m not normally a fan of amnesia as a device for a plot, but I think in this case, it was done well and made sense to the overall story being woven. (pun intended) I also found the way the author wove different mythos together to create a larger overarching mythos for the cultures of Earth was neat and does support a lot of Classics academia belief that these ancient cultures had certain things more in common than not and provided a really interesting set up for the overall story of the novel.

I had some issues with the writing, as there were clearly mistakes with character names (Cynthia and Claudia? Aiden and Hades?), and it kind of felt like the author couldn’t stick to one name for him even within the same scene, and it was mildly confusing. I also felt like there were parts where her prose was so well-written and lines that I loved and highlighted, but those would then be dampened by saying something like “pulling a Percy Jackson.” Like, it was trying to be academic and philosophical while also being easily digestible and contemporary. (Which, in hindsight, might make a lot of sense with the focus being on Corey and her being literally between two different worlds all her life.)

Overall, I did enjoy my time reading it. It just needed some more editing and some assistance with pacing because the overall plot of Corey’s story was either too fast or not fast enough at times, and I almost put it down about halfway through. I am glad that I didn’t because I was very happy with the ending and how her story wrapped up.

Percy Jackson meets dark academia in this Greek Myth retelling.

I’m in a phase of living greek myth retelling, especially those featuring Hades & Persephone, so I have read quite a few. This one did not disappoint! It was a darker twist on the well known myth and I really enjoyed it. It was clear the author did a great deal of research into the source material and it was just a really good read.

I loved the character of Hades, with his usual dark brooding nature, and the tension with Corey was 10/10!

Overall I liked this book and will definitely be reading anymore that are released in the series!

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.

Amanda L. Rautio’s *The Tale of Kore* is a stunning blend of mythology, adventure, and lyrical storytelling that captivates from the very first page. This reimagining of a timeless tale offers fresh perspectives while retaining the magic and mystery of its mythological roots.

Rautio’s prose is nothing short of exquisite, painting vivid landscapes and weaving a world that feels both ancient and alive. The pacing strikes a perfect balance, moving swiftly enough to keep readers hooked while allowing the emotional depth and intricate details of the story to shine.

Kore, the central character, is an unforgettable protagonist. Her journey of self-discovery and empowerment is as inspiring as it is heartfelt. Rautio masterfully develops her character, showing her vulnerabilities, strengths, and transformation in a way that resonates deeply. The supporting cast adds richness to the narrative, each with their own compelling arcs that complement Kore’s story.

What truly sets *The Tale of Kore* apart is its exploration of themes like identity, freedom, and the balance between light and dark. Rautio seamlessly integrates these profound ideas into an engaging plot filled with twists, challenges, and moments of breathtaking beauty.

This is a must-read for fans of mythology-inspired fiction and anyone who loves tales of resilience and transformation. Amanda L. Rautio has created a masterpiece with *The Tale of Kore*—a story that lingers in the mind and heart long after the final page. Again I say a must read for mythology fans.

Amanda (&NetGalley!) Thank you for the opportunity to read this book! I don't normally pick up retellings (I am going to blame this on my ADHD for not allowing me to stay entertained) but I really enjoyed this one and have recommended it to my book club friends!!!

The Tale of Kore is a well written and well researched mythological telling. Corey is a relatable and interesting FMC. However, the pacing was much slower than I would have liked, and I found the interludes pulled me too far out of the story. This is a great book for lovers of mythology and literary fiction.

📚 review 📚
tale of kore - amanda l rautio

girl, goddess, queen meets the secret history in this greek myth retelling which brings together the various tellings of these stories we love so much from cultures around the world. in the tale of kore, we mix hades quest to find a missing persephone with corey and her friends’ studies into the classics and ancient greece. it brilliantly combines the mythical settings we know with the modern world.
you might know by now that hades x persephone retelling are my roman empire… er… greek empire? whatever - i have read more than my fair share of retellings and this one is one of my favourites. we get a soft hades (my favourite version) and an independent persephone with a dark academia setting - it’s like it was written with me in mind! plus it’s the first in a duology, so i get to enjoy this world all over again soon!
i don’t want to give anything away but i loved the modern student versions of greek gods and i hope we get more of corey, kate and theo in book 2.
the tale of kore is available on kindle unlimited - thank you @netgalley for the opportunity to read it.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC.

I was really excited for this as I am a huge mythology nerd, and this story certainly has potential.

For me, there are two main issues with this book.
1. The pacing was so slow and even though the characters were each unique, none of them elicited any form of emotional attachment for me. Which made the story drag even more - I had to drudge my way through this one.
2. If you were to go into this book with no prior knowledge of Greek myths, legends, and customs you would have no idea what was going on. The multiple names of the gods are used interchangeably, the academic terms for customs are used, and it reads more like a textbook. Again, I think this affected the pacing. I also understand the vibe here is dark academia, which was done decently well, I think crossed the very fine line into being too academic and some of the pleasure was removed because of that.

All that being said I do think the idea is great and a unique twist on a classic Greek story. Just not for me.

A really different retelling of the Hades and Persephone that you can see how has been thoroughly researched. A fabulous read from start to finish.

I love Greek myth retellings and try to get my hands on as many as I can, so I was excited about this since the premise made it seem like it would do something different than other Hades and Persephone retellings out there. What initially drew me in was how the main character is studying Greek myth in her Classics master's program, which I had just been doing about a month before picking up this book. I was excited to dive into a story with a main character who was studying the same thing as me. However, I DNF'd at about 15%. The writing style was difficult for me to follow and get into, and there were a few errors that I couldn't get past. The structure was also very confusing and I did not enjoy the initial characterization of the female character. Maybe with another few rounds of editing, I would be willing to try reading it again. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

Amanda L. Rautio’s The Tale of Kore is an imaginative and richly layered modern myth that reimagines ancient Greek lore with a fresh and compelling twist. Combining academic intrigue, cosmic stakes, and personal growth, the novel offers a thrilling journey through the Underworld that’s both epic in scale and deeply personal.

Corey, the protagonist, is a relatable and vividly drawn character. Her dissatisfaction with her life as a master’s student and her yearning for something greater provide an accessible entry point into the story. Corey’s transformation from an ordinary scholar to a vital player in a cosmic struggle is both exhilarating and poignant. Her growth feels earned, as she confronts not only mythical beasts and ancient mysteries but also her own fears and insecurities.

Rautio’s portrayal of the Underworld is mesmerizing. It’s a realm of shadows and secrets, full of labyrinthine passages and haunting imagery. The setting is both beautiful and terrifying, a fitting backdrop for the high stakes of Corey’s quest. The author’s ability to seamlessly blend modern sensibilities with ancient mythology is particularly impressive, making the story feel timeless yet relevant.

The novel’s plot is fast-paced and engaging, driven by Corey’s mission to restore balance to a world on the brink of collapse. The reimagining of figures like Demeter, Persephone, and the goddesses of justice, memory, and spring adds depth to the story, exploring themes of renewal, loss, and the enduring power of myth. The stakes are tangible, and the twists keep readers guessing.

One of the novel’s strengths is its thematic richness. Rautio delves into the nature of justice, the importance of memory, and the cycles of life and death, weaving these ideas seamlessly into the narrative. Corey’s quest is as much about self-discovery as it is about saving the world, making her journey resonate on multiple levels.

If there’s a minor critique, it’s that some aspects of the mythology might feel dense for readers less familiar with Greek lore. However, Rautio does an admirable job of providing context without bogging down the story.

Corey is in her final year of her master´s degree in classics. She has the feeling all her friends know exactly what they´re doing but she feels a bit lost.
She has an ordinary life, shares a flat with her childhood friend Kat. All of this is changing one day when Corey and her friends recreate the Eleusinian Mysteries for fun and she ends up taking Persephone´s place. Who would have thought she is ending in the underworld and Hades is awaiting her?

This is a really great re telling of Persephone and Hades. I like that this old story gets such a modern twist here. Persephone is a strong person, the one with the real power and she is making hard decisions.
I really like that we get glimpses to Persephone in the past and have the current story unfolding in front of us. The idea that not everybody is who they seem to be at first is well written.
Lots of myth is woven into this story and with all the names (also the different ones for the same person) and all the background information is given here. Sometimes this was a bit too much for me as in my opinion it slowed down the storyline and I had the feeling it dragged in some places. It took me a bit too long till Corey got what was happening and how all is linked but then when the story has picked up speed I couldn´t stop reading as I wanted to know how it ends.
I really liked Hades. For me he is such a wonderful character here and I am so happy that he is not the bad guy as usually in the story.
Aiden is mysterious but for me a really wonderful character.
With Corey I had some issues. I think it took her quite some time to read the signs and accept what is going on but then I liked her a lot.
Persephone is here a strong female character who doesn´t want to accept fate or what everybody is saying what her fate is. So this is really a great new view.
A good book I enjoyed reading. I really like the amount of knowledge woven into the story and how interesting the characters are.
I deduct stars as for me it dragged in some parts and it slowed down the story before it took off really well at the end again.

This is such a great read. The amount of research and thought that has gone into the story is clearly evident. I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A Percy Jackson for adults! A dark academia retelling of Greek Myth. The mythology used in this book was well researched, I particularly liked what the author did with Hades. I tend to have a soft spot for Hades so I enjoy when authors give him more to do then just be the villain. This book was my first dip into the world of dark academia and after reading this book I am ready to read more books in this genre!

I was really excited for this Greek mythology retelling, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was slow, with large chunks of filler and unnecessary explanations, making it feel drawn out, and at times, the writing felt a bit amateurish. While the concept was interesting, especially with the feminist take on Persephone, the execution just didn’t work for me, and I found myself more frustrated than engaged throughout the story.

Cawpile 9.00
This book was absolutely what I needed. It was soo good this was everything what I needed, A fresh look at a story we know for all how hades and Persephone came but this voice was so unique and I cannot wait for more in this series because I am in love with Aidan and Carey and cannot wait to see where their story goes and how it proceeds. It is stunning how much I knew in this book but did not feel as if I was being taught just that I was experiencing it with the characters.

If you like Greek mythology give this book a try and trust me you will not be disappointed as it had me gasping, tearing up and rooting for the two main characters throughout.
I have already recommended this to my friends because it was that good.

Going up on Instagram today

This book really puts the history in historical fiction...
Parts of it felt more like a text book than an actual novel.
There are some really amazing plot moments and character development it just feels like it's sandwiched between teaching us history and cutesy friendship building moments that were plot filler and didn't really add much value to the story.
I feel like 10% of the first 30% of the book is needed to get to where the story ends. 30%-80% was more enjoyable then the last 20% was mostly unnecessary until the last chapter.
When the story was progressing it was really good! I really did enjoy it but I was skim reading to get to the meat of the story. The underwood sections were by far the best part. I wish there was more mystery around Corey discovering her heritage and less about the others who don't come into play in this story (even if they do later that should've been done in their own books).
In saying that I think anyone who wants to learn about Ancient Greece and their myths and folklore as they read would really enjoy this book.
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. This is my honest opinion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amanda L. Rautio for the arc.

This book features cults centered around Greek myths. The main character is obsessed with Persephone, and honestly, I have no words for that because I can't stand her. I always do my best to push through ARCs, but I had to stop when it was revealed that the FMC was actually a reincarnation of Persephone.

While the story had an intriguing concept, the writing felt amateurish to me. That said, I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys Hades x Persephone retellings in an academic setting. Even though it wasn’t for me, I know that’s a “me” problem.*

This was a really unique greek mythology retelling. I enjoy any Hades and Persephone retelling but this one was very unexpected. It had a great blend of academia and fantasy with a mystery element that kept me hooked. It reminded me somewhat of the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy.

I loved that this rewrote Persephone’s story in a very feminist way and deviated from the classic myth retelling that (whilst entertaining) is somewhat overdone. I liked the way that we were taken on a journey with Corey, discovering the truth alongside her. Weaving Persephone’s perspective through the story at just the right points to either entice the reader with more mystery or give further explanation when needed complemented the narrative well.

I do feel like the pacing could have been improved. 100 pages or so could have been condensed as it did feel slow at points with quite large chunks of filler and some things were overly explained. It felt fairly low stakes considering the discussions around the possibility of Cronos raising and stopping world destruction, I’m assuming this was to focus more on Corey’s journey of self-discovery. I would also have liked more time focusing on the romance between Corey and Aiden because it was so sweet, I just wanted more of it.

Overall, a really good book, I'm looking forward to reading the next one as I hope to see the other gods/goddesses stories unfold.