25 Greek Mythology Books and Retellings That’ll Take You Back in Time
Updated: May 01, 2023From graphic novels to historical fiction to teen reads and more, these Greek mythology books appeal to a range of readers
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Feed your craving for Greek mythology books
It’s nearly impossible to walk into a bookstore or a library and not come across at least one mythology-inspired book. The original myths may be centuries old, but their stories are timeless and continue to resonate with modern readers. Greek myths in particular are perennial favorites, with authors adapting age-old tales across genres and for all age ranges. In fact, many Greek mythology books make an appearance on bestseller lists and BookTok recommendations.
Whether fiction or nonfiction, books featuring interpretations of Greek myths have had an undeniable hold on our imaginations for centuries. Ancient texts like Homer’s The Odyssey and The Iliad continue to get new translations that find nuance in the story, and contemporary classics like Percy Jackson make fans of new readers.
We scoured the shelves to find a mix of Greek myths and books inspired by them. Some are bestsellers, others have rave reviews from readers and critics alike. Some have changed the game in their respective genres, and others (we’re looking at you, The Odyssey) basically created the game. Whatever you’re looking for—fantasy novels, romance novels or even the best books of all time—this list is a smart place to start.
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1. The Odyssey by Homer
It’s near impossible to talk about written Greek mythology and legends without mentioning Homer. The poet lived in ancient Greece and composed such meaningful works that they remain mainstays of classic literature nearly three millennia later. Likely composed in the eighth or seventh century B.C.E., The Odyssey is a classic epic poem following the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, on his 10-year journey home after the end of the Trojan War. Since he was away for so long—prior to his decade-long journey, he spent a decade at war—his kingdom assumed he had died. (Considering his crewmates perished and he kept running into monsters, it was a fair assumption.) At home, his wife, Penelope, has been fending off more than a hundred suitors aiming to take Odysseus’s place. Such an enduring piece of classical poetry is definitely worth a read.
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2. An Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie Obioma
Our list’s first twist on The Odyssey is this 2019 literary novel, which weaves Igbo cosmology into a modern take on Homer’s ancient tale. Set in Nigeria and following poultry farmer Chinoso, An Orchestra of Minorities offers a fresh perspective: It’s narrated by Chinoso’s chi, or guardian spirit. The story kicks into high gear when Chinoso stumbles upon Ndali, who’s about to jump off a bridge. The chance encounter changes his life, but despite the growing love between them, there is no chance of approval from her family—until he gains social standing. In a story of Odyssean scale, author Chigozie Obioma takes readers on a journey across continents, tackles classism and raises questions about destiny and self-determination. If you’re looking for more books by Black authors, we’ve got you covered.
3. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
Clytemnestra may be dealing with Agamemnon’s curse itself: This May 2023 title’s release had to be pushed back a few months after a truck carrying finished copies of the book caught fire. (This is no Greek tragedy; no one was hurt.) This blazing debut novel retells the story of Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon and twin sister to Helen of Troy. Not only is she forced into a marriage not of her choosing, but she also has to grapple with the fact that her new husband has killed the infant son from her marriage to her first husband (who Agamemnon also murdered). But when Agamemnon sacrifices Iphigenia, their daughter, in an attempt to win the Trojan War, Clytemnestra begins to plot her revenge. If you’ve been looking for more feminist takes on Greek myths that put a complicated woman right at the center, pick this one up.
4. Pandora’s Jar by Natalie Haynes
Pandora, Eurydice, Clytemnestra, Helen, Medusa … women in Greek mythology books have often been written by men and are usually relegated to side characters. But as Pandora’s Jar and other titles on this list prove, that’s changing. This 2020 nonfiction bestseller brings to the front this imbalance by re-centering the stories to highlight the impact women had on the myths. Smart and witty, this feminist take on the classic characters is a must-read for anyone looking for a deeper dive into some complex mythological figures who have too often been banished to the sidelines. When you’re done, get even more recommendations for great books.
5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
If you’ve been on BookTok for any amount of time, or you’ve ever searched for “books that will make you cry,” chances are you’ve come across Madeline Miller’s 2011 epic The Song of Achilles. Set during the Trojan War, this heartbreaking story of love follows the legendary Greek warrior Achilles and exiled young prince Patroclus. Though scholars debate the relationship between the pair, Miller writes it as a gay love story—and a heartbreaking one at that. As the two head into battle against Troy after the taking of Helen, Achilles bounding in and Patroclus following behind, their destinies soon come to a tragic end.
6. Antigoddess by Kendare Blake
Kendare Blake may be best known for Three Dark Crowns, but Antigoddess, Blake’s 2013 YA book series starter, is a masterpiece in its own right (and one more people need to pick up!). Cassandra is in the center of a looming war between the Greek gods, despite not knowing they exist. But it’s when Athena and Hermes track her down that she learns she was once Cassandra of Troy, a legendary prophetess doomed to never have anyone believe her. She also discovers the gods are dying—slowly and painfully. Hera and others have teamed up to lengthen their own lives, killing off rivals and transforming horribly in their attempts to stay alive.
7. Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth
Veronica Roth, best known for the dystopian Divergent trilogy, heads into the realm of Greek retellings with this 2023 sci-fi take on Antigone. In Arch-Conspirator, Earth is a wasteland, and the only thing moving the human race forward is the Archive, which stores the genes of the dead and allows for the creation of children. Polyneikes, Eteocles, Ismene and, of course, Antigone were conceived the old-fashioned way and are treated differently because of it. And when her parents are murdered, Antigone doesn’t receive the courtesy of mourning; Kreon, her militant uncle, has come forth to claim her father’s throne. It’s one heck of a plot, and Roth pulls it off in under 150 pages, making this the perfect short book for a low-commitment read.
8. Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
Webtoon’s all-time most popular webcomic, Lore Olympus, began publishing online in 2018, with printed editions beginning in 2021. With more than 1.2 billion views on the digital-comic site and Harvey and Eisner Awards to its name, it’s clear this graphic novel series is a phenomenon. The four-volume series (the fourth releases on June 6, 2023) centers on the will-they-won’t-they relationship between the god of the dead and the goddess of spring. When Hades and Persephone first meet, there’s an initial spark to their relationship. But complicated matters of the gods, as well as unhealed traumas, keep them apart. Still, their paths toward growth just may lead them back to each other.
9. Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
Another sensational 2023 retelling comes from the author of Ariadne and Elektra (both worth your time and attention). Hitting shelves on May 9, 2023, Atalanta follows the titular huntress on all her adventures. Born a princess to parents who required a son, Atalanta is left for dead and then raised by a mother bear. With the goddess Artemis watching over her, she grows into an adventure-seeker, eventually earning the opportunity to fight alongside the Argonauts. But Artemis has a warning for her: Marriage will be her downfall. As Atalanta joins the quest for the Golden Fleece and attempts to prove herself worthy among the warriors, she finds love and begins questioning Artemis’s motivations. Readers looking for an incredible female author to add to their shelves should pick up Saint’s entire collection.
10. Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera
Lilliam Rivera’s Latinx retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice came out in the midst of 2020’s COVID-19 shutdowns, so you’d be forgiven for sleeping on this gem of a teen novel. But Never Look Back is worth a read, and not just because it’s a Pura Belpré Honor winner. Here’s the premise: Eury lost everything in Hurricane Maria and has come to the Bronx from Puerto Rico, certain that tragedy is not far behind. When musician and charmer Pheus meets Eury, he wants nothing more than to make her happy and ensure she’s safe. As the world tries to tear them apart, they must fight to remain together.
11. The King Must Die by Mary Renault
Mary Renault’s 1958 look into the story of Theseus was such a game-changing work of fiction that author Suzanne Collins named it as one of the things that inspired her dystopian book series The Hunger Games. So if you’re a fan of that trilogy, The King Must Die is the book you’ll want to pick up. Adult Theseus tells the story of his adventures in five sections, each taking place in a different city. Experience young Theseus discovering his parentage, avoiding assassination and finding himself face-to-face with the Bull Court.
12. Ithaca by Claire North
Ithaca is the first of the Songs of Penelope book series that began in 2022. And like many modern Greek mythology books, it gives voice to women who had traditionally been sidelined in mythology. The story sets readers on the island of Ithaca. It’s been 17 years since most of the men, including King Odysseus, sailed to fight in the Trojan War. Left behind was Penelope, his young wife, who is now dealing with everyone’s assumption that her husband is dead and their barely concealed desire for his throne. It’s up to her to keep the kingdom from falling apart, despite the fact that every decision she makes has the capacity to destroy Ithaca forever.
13. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
Roshani Chokshi’s 2016 debut catapulted her into bestsellerdom and launched an impressive career in fantasy novels for all ages. The Star-Touched Queen is a loose retelling of the Hades-and-Persephone myth, melded with Indian folklore. Married off by her father, the Raja, to the Akaran king Amar, Maya enters a world far different from the one she has always known—the one that has brought her nothing but curses. Akaran is overflowing with things for her to discover, but within the secrets of locked doors and glass gardens lies danger. If you love this one, pick up the companion novel, A Crown of Wishes, which is currently being adapted for TV.
14. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
It would’ve been hard to imagine back in 2005 that the first children’s book by adult mystery novelist Rick Riordan would make such an impact that it would spawn a multi-series universe, a duo of movies, an upcoming Disney+ television series and even a summer camp. But here we are, and Percy Jackson is a name synonymous with children’s literature. The series is a standout, but start with The Lightning Thief: Greek mythology keeps coming to life for young Percy, especially when he learns he is the prime suspect in the theft of Zeus’s lightning bolt. With a fast-approaching deadline to return the stolen property (no one seems to care that he doesn’t actually have it) and the new knowledge that his father is god of the sea Poseidon, it’s up to Percy and his friends to find the true fiend and clear Percy’s name.
15. Oreo by Fran Ross
Fran Ross’s only novel was the 1974 Oreo, which takes after the myth of Theseus. Oreo, born to a Jewish dad and a Black mom, is raised by her grandparents in Philadelphia. Eventually, she decides to search for her father, a mission that takes her to New York. But her quest is quickly, if temporarily, thwarted by the sheer plethora of men in the city who share a name with her dad, making what should have been a quick stop the start of an epic journey.
16. Mythos by Stephen Fry
British actor Stephen Fry published Mythos, his first in a collection of three Greek myths, in 2019. (He shortly followed it up with Heroes and Troy.) Not only does the book retell the myths using Fry’s comedic chops, but it also contains artwork inspired by the myth alongside cultural context and notes from the author.
17. Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis
André Alexis’s award-winning 2015 novel, Fifteen Dogs, takes place in the aftermath of a godly bet between Apollo and Hermes. Now, a Toronto veterinary clinic is home to a group of dogs that have been granted temporary human consciousness. Part of the pack embraces the change, but some are hesitant and prefer things as they were. Both groups face new challenges and woes. And through it all, the author ruminates on consciousness and the nature of humanity—it’s a beautiful and insightful story.
18. Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
Kika Hatzopoulou’s fantasy noir novel—set to release on May 30, 2023—is the story of Io, the youngest of the three Ora sisters and a descendant of the fates. Though she’s been using her abilities to serve as a private investigator, she never dreamed she’d discover a terrifying conspiracy: Someone is maiming the life-threads of women in the city and letting loose the murderous wraiths that emerge. Worse, her sister is linked to the most likely suspect. Working together with Edei Rhuna, the soul mate she’s never met (oh, and the Mob Queen’s right-hand man), she must track down the culprit before everything she loves is destroyed forever. It’s a great pick for a Greek mythology–inspired YA novel.
19. The Middle Daughter by Chika Unigwe
A modern take on Hades and Persephone, The Middle Daughter arrived on shelves this April and takes place in a Nigerian family. Nani is 17, coping with the deaths of her father and older sister, as well as the resulting estrangement from the rest of her family. While searching for a connection, she finds a preacher who she soon marries. But an abusive marriage is difficult to escape from, and it will take all the courage she has to find herself again.
20. Horses of Fire by A.D. Rhine
The women of Troy take center stage in this July 2023 release. Horses of Fire brings together three strong heroines in an era filled with violence, with each getting the chance to tell her own story. Andromache, whose husband is Prince Hector, is determined to rise up to be the military commander she knows she can be. Rhea has finally found some solace in Hector’s stables, where she can use her skills as a horse whisperer to their full advantage. And Helen, famous for her role in the Trojan War, seeks a path out of her abusive marriage. It’s engrossing enough that it’ll have you racing from the first page to the last—a bonus if you’re trying to read more books this year.
21. The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
Looking for more modern retellings that allow the women of Greek mythology to tell their own stories their way? You’ll want to pick up The Shadow of Perseus. This 2023 novel tells the story of Perseus through the eyes of Danae, Medusa and Andromeda. Danae may have grown up a princess, but she’s doing what she can after her banishment to keep herself and her young son, Perseus, safe. Medusa has no contact with the outside world, but that all changes when she comes across an injured boy in the forest. And Andromeda’s nomadic desert tribe is threatened by a sandstorm, but the intervention of young Perseus changes her whole life.
22. The Iliad by Homer
The other seminal work attributed to Homer (likely completed somewhere in the ninth century B.C.E.), The Iliad is the longer of the two, taking place near the end of the Trojan War. In the final weeks of the decade-long siege, a standoff between King Agamemnon and Achilles—who are fighting on the same side—shifts the outcome of the war in an entirely different direction. Pride, rage and love all tangle with the whims of the gods to affect the outcome of the war—and many of the famous heroes’ lives.
23. Circe by Madeline Miller
Like her first book, Madeline Miller’s sophomore novel, 2018’s Circe, also makes regular appearances on BookTok and takes inspiration from Homer (though this time, it’s The Odyssey). It follows a daughter born to the nymph Perse and Helios, god of the sun. Though Circe did not inherit the full power or allure her parentage may suggest, she’s skilled in witchcraft. Banished to a deserted island by Zeus, she must learn to control her powers. There, she comes into contact with figures such as Odysseus, Medea and the Minotaur. Mired in danger, Circe will have to decide where she belongs: among gods or mortals.
24. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
This 2021 starter to Kalynn Bayron’s wondrous This Poison Heart duology is a mixture of greenery, magic and mythology, with connections to Medea and Jason, Hecate and more. Briseis has a hidden power—with just a touch, she can grow a seed into a fully bloomed plant—along with an immunity to poisonous plants, a gift that comes in handy at the rickety estate she’s inherited from an aunt she never knew she had. There, she discovers a garden accessible only to those with her lineage, and an apothecary that draws folks looking for various elixirs. Unfortunately, it also draws a group of people in search of a dangerous immortality elixir. As Bri comes to terms with her power, she’ll need to discover more about her family to keep those she loves safe.
25. Mythology by Edith Hamilton
Of all the Greek mythology books on this list, Edith Hamilton’s 1948 tome may be the one you’re most likely to see on a high school reading list, and for good reason. Collecting myths into seven sections (one of which is Norse mythology, a fascinating complement), Mythology first introduces the Greek gods and the myths of creation. It then branches out to explore the characters and myths that inspire modern retellings: the Argonauts’ search for the Golden Fleece, the stories of Theseus and Atalanta, the Trojan War, the house of Atreus and more. For those looking for an introduction to classic mythology, you cannot go wrong with this choice, so make sure it’s on your TBR list.
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Sources:
- Webtoon: “Lore Olympus”
- New York Times: “Suzanne Collins Talks About ‘The Hunger Games,’ the Books and the Movies”
