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buer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Lore follows its titular character Melora as she is dragged back into a borderline magical world that she has spent her young adult life trying to escape. The story mostly follows her and a small group of friends as they try to figure out why people in that world are looking for Melora and eventually doing everything they can to save New York City from a threatening force. The story includes flashbacks to formative moments in her childhood when she was still involved in this world and training to be a god hunter.
There are several surprises and twists woven into the story and the modernization of and constant references to Greek Mythology is fun. Bracken artfully brings various ancient myths up in a way that always gives the reader a chance to figure out if they know the story before she gives the sparks notes version for anyone who can't quite remember the details. Characters are all strong-willed people who have values that they adhere to rigidly, which means that there isn't much in the way of character-building, but the plot moves quickly under the choices made by our leading characters.
I did find my interest in the story flagging toward the end of of the book. This could just be a result of me trying to finish the entire thing too quickly and it was just too much all at once, but the story leaps from one brutal killing or assault or attack to another and that gets exhausting.Being who I am, I don't love that all of the main characters are shipped, but I wasn't surprised that Bracken made those choices. I think I was also hoping for a book that was more empowering - I don't find stories that are constantly fighting misogynistic structures and people to be that empowering because they lean so hard on the existence of misogyny on the first place.
I listened to the audio book, which I'm not sure if I would recommend. I liked the narrator, but I had trouble keeping track of all the different houses and weapons and whatnot.
There are several surprises and twists woven into the story and the modernization of and constant references to Greek Mythology is fun. Bracken artfully brings various ancient myths up in a way that always gives the reader a chance to figure out if they know the story before she gives the sparks notes version for anyone who can't quite remember the details. Characters are all strong-willed people who have values that they adhere to rigidly, which means that there isn't much in the way of character-building, but the plot moves quickly under the choices made by our leading characters.
I did find my interest in the story flagging toward the end of of the book. This could just be a result of me trying to finish the entire thing too quickly and it was just too much all at once, but the story leaps from one brutal killing or assault or attack to another and that gets exhausting.
I listened to the audio book, which I'm not sure if I would recommend. I liked the narrator, but I had trouble keeping track of all the different houses and weapons and whatnot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Terminal illness
jacq_benoit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness
hollyheartless's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I will admit I had to pick this book up a couple of times to actually get started with it. Once you get to grips with the history of the characters and the world the characters are experiencing it is really thrilling. I was absolutely hooked. Would definitely recommend if you have the patience for a slow burner to start but when the action hits… it hits
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
ladyseven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Gore, Rape, and Torture
sophie1_xox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
withlivjones's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was originally daunted to start this book considering how long it is, but let me tell you I could not put it down! A thrilling storyline, compelling characters, and so many twists that I had no clue what to expect next!
I think that Lore is a wonderfully developed protagonist with a lot of flaws but who nevertheless manages to be very likeable through her love of New York and her attachment to those she loves. Miles is your typical quirky best friend and I love the fact that his knowledge of the mortal realm helps massively within the plot. I also loved witnessing the development of his relationship with Van, and I would honestly jump at reading the exact same book again but told from either of their POVs. Aristos Kadmou - or Wrath - is an absolutely terrifying villain that exemplifies what happens when you give power to the wrong kind of person. The one character I didn’t really connect with was Castor, his characterisation was a little inconsistent for me and by the end he kind of came across as a golden retriever boy with no flaws to use as a character arc. That said, I still really enjoyed the romance between him and Lore.
The plot twists are really what gives this book its oomph. They just keep coming and each one hit me like a truck, but at the same time they’re done in a clever way and actually serve a purpose rather than just being there for shock factor. The unreliable nature of Lore’s POV and how information is revealed very slowly adds to the fact that you honestly can’t fully trust any of the characters, not even the protagonist.
For such a thrilling storyline, the ending felt a little underwhelming for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the action of the final fight scene, but everything seemed to move very quickly after that with the rest of the Agon being resolved “offscreen” as it were, and there are a few loose ends that are left, or that were tied up too conveniently. Who was Van’s source within the Kadmides? Why do the rest of the Kadmides suddenly decide to truce with the hunters they had been fighting with so eagerly, even with the suspicion that they had been betrayed? Could they really be so ready to abandon their leader and his cause? And how do the final lines of the poem fit with what actually happens to end the Agon? Considering how much detail is included in the rest of the book, I would have loved a little more elaboration at the end.
Overall, this is an action-packed book for mythology-lovers. I don’t know if I’d call it YA, and I think it might be better suited to older teenagers due to certain content in the story, as well as the complexity of the worldbuilding and how deeply it dives into Greek mythology - prior knowledge of a fair amount of mythology is definitely recommended in order to understand all the references and discussions.
I think that Lore is a wonderfully developed protagonist with a lot of flaws but who nevertheless manages to be very likeable through her love of New York and her attachment to those she loves. Miles is your typical quirky best friend and I love the fact that his knowledge of the mortal realm helps massively within the plot. I also loved witnessing the development of his relationship with Van, and I would honestly jump at reading the exact same book again but told from either of their POVs. Aristos Kadmou - or Wrath - is an absolutely terrifying villain that exemplifies what happens when you give power to the wrong kind of person. The one character I didn’t really connect with was Castor, his characterisation was a little inconsistent for me and by the end he kind of came across as a golden retriever boy with no flaws to use as a character arc. That said, I still really enjoyed the romance between him and Lore.
The plot twists are really what gives this book its oomph. They just keep coming and each one hit me like a truck, but at the same time they’re done in a clever way and actually serve a purpose rather than just being there for shock factor. The unreliable nature of Lore’s POV and how information is revealed very slowly adds to the fact that you honestly can’t fully trust any of the characters, not even the protagonist.
Overall, this is an action-packed book for mythology-lovers. I don’t know if I’d call it YA, and I think it might be better suited to older teenagers due to certain content in the story, as well as the complexity of the worldbuilding and how deeply it dives into Greek mythology - prior knowledge of a fair amount of mythology is definitely recommended in order to understand all the references and discussions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Sexual assault, and Terminal illness
Minor: Gun violence and Alcohol
camiandkitread's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I’ve had Alexandra Bracken’s “Lore” on my TBR for years before I finally sat down to read it. I should have just kept it on the shelf…
The plot of “Lore” was amazing, with Greek gods being forced to walk the earth as mortals every seven years, as punishment for their past rebellion. During this time, descendants from Ancient Greek bloodlines hunt the gods in hopes of killing them and seizing their divine power and immortality.
Lore Perseous escaped that life several years following her family’s brutal murder by a rival bloodline. As the new Agon begins, Lore finds herself pulled back into that world by the reappearance of an old friend believed to be dead and Athena, one of the last original Olympians. Lore agrees to an alliance with the goddess in exchange for revenge, but will it be enough to temper the rise of a new god with enough power to crush humanity?
As a former Percy Jackson kid, I thought that “Lore” was going to be my new favorite book. It has been my most disappointing read of 2023 (as of April). The pacing of the book was off and none of the characters were particularly interesting once we began to scratch the surface.
Our narrator, the titular Lore, had many secrets—typical of a YA fantasy heroine—but it was not until the last few chapters that the reader learns what she’s been hiding all those years. Her secret was not shocking and was the blandest secret a main character can have in a fantasy novel but that didn’t stop Lore from constantly reminding the reader that she had a dark secret. It would have been more compelling if Lore had revealed to the reader earlier in the book and was only trying to keep it from the other characters.
“Lore” was particularly disappointing to me since I had just finished an ARC of Alexandra Bracken’s newest book, “Silver in the Bone,” and found the characters likable and the plot engaging—with a twist that I did NOT see coming. After finishing that, I wanted to check out more of Bracken’s work and assumed “Lore” would be a home run.
The good news is that Bracken has improved as a writer between “Lore” and “Silver in the Bone.” The bad news is that I spent way too long on “Lore,” convinced that it would turn around if I was patient enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, and Terminal illness
kayyyqgilbs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
ankelsocks's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Oof I really disliked this one. The writing is disjointed and clunky, the characterisation is random, the plot is uninteresting which is interesting giving how fast-paced the novel is. It just couldn't make me care at all. I like the premise, really, hunger games meets greek mythology should be my thang, but the Hunger Games aspect was needlessly brutal (so many incredibly gory deaths, almost all of them completely unable to serve the plot, BIG difference with HG) and the Greek mythology feels forced. I wanted to love this book and instead it annoyed the living daylights out of me. Doesn't help that the main character is a cardboard figure with a lot of rage (or sadness? Or confusion? God I don't know) and a really gruesomely murdered family (stop killing babies guys it's just ... No). I'm glad it's over. Meh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
cgp1234's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Sexism, and Sexual assault