Mythos: The Illustrated Edition

I love this series by Stephen fry! And you add these beautiful illustrations! Honestly I just want him to do more in this series.... thankyou for the chance to look at this!

<b>This review refers to the edition illustrated by Jesús Sotés.</b>

Witty and intelligent and highly readable. Fry spends a good amount of time with the primordial deities, imbuing them with more personality than most authors bother with, and gives some of the less common variations on the more well-known myths.

Jesús Sotés's illustrations are lush and vibrant, but I don't believe they're quite right for this book's humorous tone. I think that Sotés's (truly beautiful) work would be perfect for a lavish children's collection of myths.

Stephen Fry does a great job making Greek mythology accessible and easy to follow. Mythos follows the primordial gods, Titans, Olympians, and a smattering of humans who interacted with gods and tells their stories with humor and style. The illustrations were a beautiful addition to the stories and I absolutely loved the color scheme throughout.

Highly highly recommend to fans of mythology, particularly those wanting a great overview of Greek tales.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review

I love Greek Mythology and this is an interesting book with beautiful illustrations that I would certainly want inin my library shelf

This book is a delightful exploration for lovers of Greek mythology, blending fascinating tales with visually stunning artwork. Stephen Fry expertly makes Greek mythology captivating and simple to comprehend and the overall reading journey is fantastic. Would love to have this edition on my bookshelf!

This book is STUNNING! The writing, the illustrations... it's magical! Mythos: The Illustrated Story by Stephen Fry is such a fantastic way to kindle interest in classic mythology.
If you love mythology or are just trying it out for the first time, this book is a great option. Traditional mythology with a modern approach and fantastic art. Not to mention, Stephen Fry's storytelling skills take this book to the next level.

I have Mythos in e-book format and in print, and I would suggest grabbing this book in print form to fully appreciate the illustrations, but both are great!

Thank you #NetGalley, Chronicle Books and author Stephen Fry for access to the e-book format of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review. I LOVED it and bought the printed copy so my kids could enjoy it too.

Lovely illustrations add to the story. The layout was nice, I just wish there were more illustrations.

Stephen Fry retells Greek myths. That's all you need to know. Go buy it.

But seriously, if you haven't yet discovered Fry's modern-language tellings of these classic stories, you're in for a treat. He's honored all of the symbolism and complexity of the originals, but updated them to feel immediate, present, and in your face. And don't worry, there's no "LOLs" or "#galpals" sorts of language here. When I say modern-language, I mean that they read fluidly and naturally.

This edition is updated with beautiful art that renders characters and scenes in flat, stylized imagery reminiscent of designs from Greek pottery of the time. That's clearly intentional, and it's a clever choice. While there are a few images where I personally would have liked a bit more detail, that's just preference, and I can't find fault with the artist's execution. In other words, the addition of the art to an already great book just makes it even more compelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review. This review will be cross-posted to my social media accounts closer to the book release date.

I have this series on audiobook (we ❤️ Stephen Fry in our family) and when I saw this illustrated edition on NetGalley, I immediately knew that this was one I wanted to see.

The absolutely beautiful, vividly lush illustrations add much to an already amazing and beloved book.

A recommendation for fans of Fry’s, Greek mythology, or gorgeous books that are also wonderfully fun (and funny) to read.



Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the PDF

This is the ideal book to pick up if you’re looking for a more in depth look into Greek mythology. Despite the presence of some heavy themes, the author manages to set a lighthearted mood and comfortable pace through his account of the events.

Personally, I had a difficult time getting through the second third of the book, because I couldn’t find interest in many of the stories being told. The illustrations are well placed and have such beautiful colors. It’s an enjoyable read, even though it could’ve been a shorter one.

Many thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This review and many others can be viewed on my Goodreads page at the following link: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/80102102-ana

I loved this. I absolutely love mythology, and having a book of all the myths and deities was amazing. The art was beautiful and I love Fry's writing for these myths.

I have read Mythos by Stephen Fry before and LOVE how entertaining and witty Fry's writing is. I was extremely excited to reread Mythos, especially with the new art. This book format reminded me of the illustrated version of the Harry Potter books. While the book retells the ancient myths we all know, Fry’s witty additions made it enjoyable and helped me fly through it. It made it very easy to find all of the myths I know and love, and for those I don’t love as much, I made them engaging so I wouldn’t get distracted and put the book down. Did I go back after reading the book to look at the pictures? Of course. Was I reading this to partially prepare to gain some background knowledge of the myths so I could reread and watch the Percy Jackson series? Absolutely. And guess what… I am prepared.

The illustrations were a gorgeous addition to Stephen Fry's already great retelling of myths. My biggest complaint is that I do believe this will be better viewed in a physical copy as the ebook doesn't have the same feel. Really enjoyed.

Having read the unillustrated version of the book, I was excited to receive an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. The illustrations are lovely and add a new dimension to the book. I hope to see the illustrated version of Heroes as well.

A beautiful new edition to the original. I loved the new drawings and Stephen's writing style. Fun and informative at the same time. He's an automatic buy author for me.

I absolutely loved the stories and the illustrations in this book. I am a big lover of mythology stories and will be adding a physical copy of this book to my collection.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, Stephen Fry, and the illustrator for early access to this beautiful book in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations are gorgeous, absolutely beautiful. Bright greens, yellows, true reds, and deep blues ornament nearly every other page with depictions of the Theoi (the Greek Gods). I was the most fond of the depictions of Apollo, and especially the one of his slaying of the Python, one of my most favorite myths since childhood.

Fry's sense of humor comes to the front in most of the tellings, I imagine this would be quite a fun one to read outloud or have as an audiobook.

This is an automatic buy for me once its out; it's going on my shelf alongside the Homeric and Orphic hymns, the works of Sappho, and Walter Burkert's Greek Religion. I personally cannot wait for this.

This is an absolutely stunning edition of Stephen Fry's Mythology stories. This edition really brings it to life!

I absolutely love how the author went about telling Greek mythology stories in a way that was fun and easy to read and understand. The stories were told in a timeline that was easy to follow and entertaining. I enjoyed the artwork that accompanied some of the stories. The art was relevant and showed a snapshot of a part of the story. I also liked the author added additional information at the end of the book. It was interesting to get some perspective and background information on the sources the author used as well as get additional information about the myths from the story. Just FYI, I received this as an ARC and this is my honest review of the book.

Mythos: The Illustrated Edition by Stephen Fry is a perfect book to add to your collection. I have loved each and every book by Fry and this beautifully illustrated edition to the series is no different. Fantastically done!

Already fell in love with Greek mythology when I first stumbled upon the original copy, but now the illustrations just further bring these myths to life.

I flipped through this book on my iPad while listening to Fry narrate the audio version--best reading experience ever! I will be purchasing the hard cover as soon as possible.

I wasn't sure I'd like the illustrations because of the limited colors but it's truly stunning. It's the kind of book you could pick up and page through every day to pick your new favorite picture.
Of course, the reason I asked for this was because I've heard so much about the stories. Greek mythology is such a detailed subject, with thousands of details in stories that have made it into every area of popular culture. And it was just as good as I've heard, with fantastic retellings of all these stories.
I would recommend this book for libraries,as a gift, and for everyone who loves books and culture. It's a real treasure. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Stunning, detailed, witty and comprehensive. With the illustrations this would make a great gift sure to captivate any reader!

Thank you to Chronicle Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Mythos is a book that I will never hesitate to recommend. Stephen Fry's prose is enough to make even the most skeptical reader of mythology fall deeply in love with its flawed—and, ironically, very human—characters. While I've always enjoyed the stories of Greek mythology, the wittiness of Fry's writing is candid and so engaging that I believe it is the best account of the Greek myths that I have read. The illustrations by Jesús Sotés only add to the stories, complementing the writing with truly divine scenes, transcending the mortal realm and reminding the reader of the astonishing fact that these stories have been passed down for hundreds of generations.

**Thank you for the ARC!! All opinions are completely my own.** 4 stars. Incredible illustrations. Clear and easy to follow prose.

Reading this book was such a good experience. I was familiarized with most of the myths and revisiting them with the gorgeous illustrations was amazing. Although the selection of a few myths weren’t to my liking, this was a fun book to read. If you’re looking for a collection of Greek myths and want to slowly dive into mythology, this might be for you. Thank you NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book.

Pros: I listened to the non-illustrated version of this book several years ago and thought it was fantastic storytelling. The illustrations in this version add so much to the retellings of the myths and, to borrow a phrase from a younger generation, fit the "vibes" of the myths. I think this would be a fantastic book to give as a gift.

Cons: None that I can think of.

Thank you to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Stephen Fry does an amazing job putting his creativity and wit into his retellings of Greek mythology. I’ve always been really into Greek mythology but have been intimidated with the amount of stories that are out there. Fry perfectly organizes them in timeline order and gives the snippets that are most entertaining with a funny twist on them, making them easy to read and memorable. It was also so interesting to read about how a lot of these stories lead to certain terms and beliefs that we still hold today. The illustrations were also beautiful and fit in well with their respective stories Can’t wait to read more by Fry!

I own the audiobook version of this book voiced by the one and only Stephen Fry, and I was pumped to see an illustrated written version! This is an incredible book, an extreme feat to put together, but this book adds illustrations and makes the Greek myths accessible to young people. I would buy this book for all the kids in my life. Note this doesn’t distill the stories down — it includes all the text from the full book and adds the illustrations. Truly it’s best bang for the buck for the whole family to enjoy.

I love Greek mythology so this was a fun read! The art enhances the text and the text is very surface level for a lot of the characters but I think this would be great for a beginning mythology class or someone whose just started getting interested into this area. I think the text does feel very modern specially compared to other work I’ve read but this is probably more accessible than those works.

I received this book in exchange for a honest review from NetGalley.

I have read Stephen Fry's Mythos in the past in its original format but this illustrated edition is amazing! It is exactly the kind of book that I would have loved as a kid. It is beautiful and so well crafted! Perfect addition to any library.

Stephen Fry's mythology books were one of my biggest surprises when I discovered them. Of course I blew through them in record time, and only bring them up at every chance I possibly get. I hope this whole series gets illustrated editions. I will quite literally eat them up.

This was an excellent and comprehensive history of Ancient Greek myth that never once felt like a history. Stephen Fry’s narrative voice comes through so clearly that the entire chronicle of the classical ages of the gods feels like a story. So many stories told individually are masterfully woven into a mostly chronological timeline. My favorite part are not the myths almost all of which I’ve read or heard before, but fries, consistent breaking of the fourth wall to directly address the way in which these stories live on with us. Despite so much information all I could think at the end was, I can’t believe it’s already over. I have all the incentive I need to pick up the next in the series, Heroes.

Authoritative and stunningly illustrated. Lengthy, but readable: a book to savor. Highly recommended.

Ancient myths were a way of explaining the world before science removed some of that mystery. Stephen Fry’s retelling of these myths, with illustrations by Jesús Sotés, is a magical introduction to these classic stories. Fry is smart, funny, and an excellent writer, making the myths less intimidating and much more interesting than expected. He draws attention to how these stories formed the beliefs many of us still hold today.

I loved the written myths, but the artwork -- this book would make a great gift!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Beautifully illustrated edition of Stephen Fry's collection of Greek myths. Witty writing that's easy to read and be engaged with even for those who don't have a lot of knowledge about greek mythology (like me, for example).

Herein be all the bits and bobs of Myths. . . mostly Greek, with the occasional call out to how other cultures related to the Greats of Olympus (how a Roman would refer to a Greek's Hera as Juno), as told by the splendid, myth-keen Stephen Fry.

He covers it all from Chaos to complex social problems like Midas, Gordian Knots. He doesn't miss the big tales or the little ones. And the footnotes! My favorite parts are the SF asides - and not just for humor - the man is brilliant. You will learn something even if you just let the book fall open in your lap - BOOM - read the page, and the footnote, and you've earned a nugget right there!

The book entire is wrapped up in the stylized art of Jesús Sotés, who renders in color, shape and line his take on whatever sits in within section or page Stephen Fry has unpacked for his readers. Be it Sisyphus and his Career Rock, Nymphs becoming Nature, or that handsome all-powerful face spread in gold, blue and white across the cover, and splashed throughout his work intrigues and draws one in. The visuals sweep and swing with movement, or can present a stop so sudden it almost vibrates with surprise - emotion is caught in this illustrator's work. The book becomes even more compelling.

The endpapers of a book like this - much like an accessible encyclopedia - can be taken in parts and Stephen Fry's are thorough and even-handed, making sure his readers are clear on where his biases lean (or don't lean). He offers Appendices, a robust Afterword, tender Acknowledgements, and a meticulous Index. I do love a good index. Saves so much time when you know what you know, but you just need one more tidbit on Tmolus and the lydian mode.

This is not just any book. It is a treat and treasure for readers who are ever seeking more about myths of the Greeks, and a few others. This will satisfy and please.

*A sincere thank you to Stephen Fry, Chronicle Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.*

In Stephen Fry's "Mythos: The Illustrated Edition," ancient stories come alive through colorful visuals and Fry's captivating prose. This masterful retelling of Greek mythology invites readers on an enchanting journey through the cosmos of gods, heroes, and monsters.

Lovers of Greek Mythology, this book is for you! What an amazing and thorough recounting of Ancient Greco-Roman myths.

First off, Fry’s tone and style is incredible. Engaging, witty, and with an incredibly dry sense of humor, this book is a delight to read. American high school students are often given excerpts of myths to read, and I firmly believe we should swap all material for Fry’s. The intelligent yet conversational tone of his writing style make it accessible and informative.

The amount of research and dedication that went into this novel is astounding. Fry covers everything. EVERYTHING. This is the new source of Greek mythology, in my humble opinion.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and unique. They added to and elevated the tales, without taking over.

Overall, if you are a lover of Greek mythology, you need to get your hands on this.

*I did receive an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, for which I am very grateful.

Entertaining with some beautiful illustrations! Would recommend to anyone interested in Greek mythology.

Full disclosure, when I picked up Mythos: The Illustrated Edition, it was with the background that this is already one of my most favorite books on the planet. I can’t count how many times I’ve read this book, occasionally picking up the audiobook to re-listen to some of my favorite myths or freshen up on others. So I all but banshee screeched when I saw this new edition announced.

The book itself is a classic - written with Stephen Fry’s beautiful & lyrical style, he delivers the Greek myths in a way that others couldn’t even touch. It’s so thorough but accessible & I have always appreciated his note at the beginning that implores the reader to not get hung up on remembering all the names & facts & to just enjoy the journey.

But this illustrated edition brings Mythos alive in a whole new way. The illustrations by Jesús Sotés are S T U N N I N G. From full-page spreads to perfectly placed accents, the art is minimal but stunning & somehow feels both modern & ancient at the same time. Like you might see it printed on pottery dug out of an excavation site as easily as you’d see it in a book published in 2024.

I will absolutely be picking up a copy of this book when it’s officially released, just so I can look through all the photos whenever I want to.

Thank you NetGalley & Chronicle Books for providing a digital advanced copy of this book for review. All thoughts & opinions expressed are my own.

I don't generally think of the great Greek myths as "charming", but Stephen Fry's presentation certainly meets and exceeds that standard. There is humor, suspense, drama, and wry flair in his telling. The text is neither dry nor overly academic, but Fry's version is thorough and so well organized, themed and presented that the reader is taken on a journey that connects all of the myths into a coherent and logical whole. This is a marvelous work.

I'm a Stephen Fry fan and I've long been interested in learning more about Greek Mythology, so I eagerly picked this book. I didn't realize, however, that it is a new edition of an existing work. When I mentioned it to my son, he said that he owned all three of the series and loved them. So, I'm late to the party but a new enthusiastic reader.

Stephen Fry's storytelling is imaginative, witty, and intelligent. He doesn't spare the reader the more salacious and violent details of the myths that were often sanitized from our school books, but he does keep his tongue firmly in cheek while sharing them. Footnotes help relate the stories to contemporary life.

The biggest treat in this new edition is that it is fully illustrated with stunning pictures by Jesus Sotes. This makes it an excellent choice for a special gift, and an heirloom edition. Many thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this special ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank You to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

As a huge fan of Stephen Fry's Mythos, I knew I needed to read a version with illustrations though I wasn't prepared with how breathtaking they would be, adding depth to the lyrical narrative. Thank you for adding such gorgeous imagery to this book, it was a delight to re-read!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Chronicle Books in return for a fair and honest review.

The writing in this book is witty and easy to read. Stephen Fry has written the text in a down to earth modern way and the illustrations add a visual element to help draw you into the story. This makes it a bit more accessible to younger readers although as a parent you might want to read the book before giving it to a younger reader as some of the contents of the story are adult in nature. All in all a great book and highly recommended.

Definitely a cool read. It was nice to go through all the stories. Some I knew but most I wasn’t aware of so it was a solid read. I liked how the stories connected and flowed well. Also liked the little injections of personality. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes mythology.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

Stephen Fry wears a few hats. One of these is author and, in that guise, he has written his version of the Greek myths. Readers are lucky that he has taken on these stories of the gods with all of their powers but also their human flaws.

This is a long (over 500 pages) book that will keep readers entertained for hours. So many stories are included here. Read about Gaia’s Revenge, Hera, Artemis, Cupid, Phaeton, Hyacinthus, Pyramus and Thisbe, Midas… and that is just a very small sample of the characters found in these pages.

This is a new edition of the previously published Mythos. It is lavishly illustrated. Mythos will bring so much pleasure to readers. Think about giving this as a gift to someone who loves Greece, mythology and beautiful editions of books. I am certain it will be welcomed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

Having just read The Song of Achilles, the prospect of Mythos: The Illustrated Edition sounded intriguing—and it definitely delivered. Stephen Fry’s retelling of Greek myths is engaging as ever, with his signature humor and insight making the stories both entertaining and enlightening. The illustrations by Jesús Sotés add a whole new dimension to the book, with their striking, modern yet timeless style. Each page feels like a visual feast that enhances the already compelling text. This edition is a fantastic addition for anyone who loves Greek mythology or just appreciates beautiful book design.

This is the second time I have read this book. I adore Stephen Fry’s retellings of the stories of the Greek Gods and loved this edition with the illustrations. They made it even more enjoyable.

Stephen takes the stories of the Greek Gods that we have heard before and adds his own flare to them. Most of the stories focus on the divinity, along with some tales of the mortals who are affected by the gods and goddesses.

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, which Stephen reads himself. He is an incredible narrator and I’ll never get enough of his narration. The illustrated edition of this book is absolutely beautiful! The illustrations fit so well with the tales and make an incredible edition. Perfect for collectors out there. I’m sure it will be even more beautiful physically.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my eARC of the illustrated edition of this wonderful book. I highly recommend picking it up for fans of the original and Greek Mythology as a whole.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Mythos: The Illustrated Edition by Stephen Fry and illustrated by Jesús Sotés is a collection of Greek mythology. Opening with the beginning of the universe according to Greek mythology and focusing strongly on the origins of the gods and many of the more epic heroes and villains, this edition is a great introduction for mature readers.

The illustrations have a more limited color palette and use every color to its fullest. They’re very vibrant pictures and each color is carefully chosen to contrast with another color, sticking mainly to blues, yellows, reds, and greens. We also have some full page spreads and some illustrations strategically placed around the prose.

This edition is more for mature fans of Greek mythology because of some of the humor, particularly in regards to sexual content, and a nude image of Aphrodite herself. Because nothing is graphic, I would say that it’s really up to individual readers (or guardians) discretion for whether or not it’s appropriate for each individual.

One thing I really appreciated was Stephen Fry using the footnotes to clearly state when different myths have different interpretations (such as the ancestry of Harmonia) and or when he’s personally not sure of what something is (such as the girdle of Aphrodite). It helps establish that different worshippers of Greek myths and different storytellers had different versions, so there’s no one true version. I respect authors who admit when there isn’t a consensus and that they made a personal choice for which version they used but that doesn’t mean it’s the correct one.

I would recommend this to fans of Greek mythology, readers of mythology collections, and those looking expand their knowledge of Greek myths.

"Stephen Fry's beloved retelling of the Greek myths, now presented in a deluxe edition with stunning original illustrations.

Rediscover the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of these timeless tales, from the majestic heights of Mount Olympus to the eerie depths of the Underworld and from Eros and Psyche's against-all-odds romance to Prometheus's gift of fire to mankind. Fry draws out the humor and pathos in each story and reveals its deep resonance with our own lives without losing any of its original wonder. Featuring vibrant artwork throughout, this collectible volume comes complete with a textured cover and dyed page edges. Explore the captivating world of monsters and gods, of magic and mayhem, with a brilliant storyteller as your guide.

BELOVED AUTHOR: Stephen Fry is an icon whose signature wit and mellifluous style make this retelling utterly unique. Readers love hearing his interpretations, whether they are familiar with the original Greek myths or not.

COLLECTIBLE EDITION: Fry's series of retellings - Mythos, Heroes, and Troy - are international bestsellers. Now, fans can complete their collection and revisit the beloved first book with this gorgeous, illustrated edition.

GIFT FOR MYTHOLOGY FANS: With a sleek contemporary design and full-color original artwork throughout, this deluxe volume makes a superb present for anyone interested in mythology, Greek history, or the classics.

Perfect for
Fans of Stephen Fry and the Mythos series who want a complete collection
Mythology and history buffs
Collectors of illustrated classics
Gift-givers looking for a deluxe holiday present for a classics lover
Fans of Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology, Madeline Miller's Circe and Song of Achilles, and Edith Hamilton's Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes."
Perhaps they don't want to mention Neil Gaiman...

Am I a mythology girlie now? I devoured this - I've always found the Greek myths interesting, but Fry's approach made them even more accessible. The illustrations in this edition are beautiful as well. This might be a great gift to give to the mythology lovers in your life!

** I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

thank you to Chronicle Books and Netgalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for this review.

i didn't think the original Mythos collection could get any better, but i was proven pleasantly wrong by this revamped and illustrated version!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

This has been one of my favorite mythology compilations for many years, and the illustrations in this new edition are just stunning!

The artwork was breathtaking. I have the print edition, the regular one so I jumped to see this one. Beautiful.