I am kicking off my 2024 book reviews with a three-in-one of Lore Olympus Volumes 1,2 and 3. This series was and still is originally published on Webtoon as an online comic, which I use to read back in 2018/2019. But it has been a while since then and when I was in my local library last week I spotted the first three print editions on the shelves and immediately grabbed them. I’d been considering buying them for well over a year, eyeing them off in Dymocks but I am so lucky that my library has got these now! I really enjoy graphic novels, so this was a really fun way to kick of my year of reading, especially as it helps with two of my reading goals: 3 out of 20 books read and to use my library more.
@wilddinosaurr Ticking off some reading goals by borrowing the #loreolympus series from my local library. Review is now live on my blog, link in bio. ✨ #loreolympusbook #bookreview #graphicnovel #comics #librarybooks #librarytok #booktok ♬ L’amore dice ciao (From “La matriarca – The Libertine”) – Main Titles – Armando Trovajoli
BLURB:
Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love – witness what the gods do after dark in this stylish and contemporary reimagining of one of mythology’s best-known stories from creator Rachel Smythe.
Persephone, young goddess of spring, is new to Olympus. Her mother, Demeter, has raised her in the mortal realm, but after Persephone promises to train as a sacred virgin, she’s allowed to live in the fast-moving, glamorous world of the gods.
When her roommate, Artemis, takes her to a party, her entire life changes- she ends up meeting Hades and feels an immediate spark with the charming yet misunderstood ruler of the Underworld.
Now Persephone must navigate the confusing politics and relationships that rule Olympus, while also figuring out her own place – and her own power.
REVIEW:
It’s a beautifully illustrated series about Hades and Persephone that feels equally as modern as it is stepped in the original mythology, balancing the two well. It is sweet and steamy at times, complimented by the stunning artwork on every page. I love the illustrative style of the characters in really helping to characterise them visually. It’s romantic, but still expertly weaves in the darkness of the original myths. In this regard there are dark themes running through the series as much as the love story, one theme being sexual assault. This I think is handled and written well and in such a way I think others who may have experience this in real life might find comfort in Persephone that she did not deserve what happened to her, and there is healing to be found in seeking support as well. It’s also a slow burn, protective and seductive look at Hades and Persephone. By the end of volume 3 they are still not together, but the tension and wanting between the two has been building since volume one.
I forgot how much I enjoy reading graphic novels/comics, it has been far too long. I remember when this was a pretty new webtoon online and had to wait for each episode to be released. It has been a while since I’d read this series, and I enjoyed it almost as much in print as I did reading it online. I love graphic novels and comics, but it has been a while since I’ve read any and devoured these so quickly. I think would could be better about this series is the pacing of Hades and Persephone’s romance, but as this is a Webtoon comic original that has been adapted to a book format I think that is down to the format change, as I remember I had no such feeling reading the webtoon.
I enjoyed these three volumes. The story and art are simple but beautifully expressed. I’ve always had a soft spot for the story of Hades and Persephone, so this was really enjoyable. I’ll be seeing if my library has the rest of the series in print format, but if not, I’ll be jumping back on Webtoon to keep reading and see what happens next.
“You don’t need some amateur Goddess barging in on your Sunday morning.”
“I would pay you a salary to barge in on every single aspect of my life.”
Until next time,
Tropes
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Self-discovery
- Episodic storytelling
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Mythology Comic/Graphic Novel
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