It’s no secret that publishing has trends. World War II fiction has exploded in the last 10-15 years. Hockey and cowboy romances are all over TikTok at the moment. But my favorite of recent years has been focused on mythology, either retellings of the classic stories or reimaginings in a different setting.
It’s worth noting before I share some of my favorites that there are many different mythologies out there and I have not read nearly as diversely as I could have so far. If you have any recommendations for mythology retellings that aren’t Greek/Roman/Norse inspired, I would love to hear about them in the comments!
The Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan — Starting off with a cliche, but as a millenial I was a touch too old for this middle grade series when it was first published in 2005. However when I did pick them up, post-college, I fell in love with the world of demi-gods and the way Riordan taught classic myths with humor and heart. In the first book of the series, Percy Jackson discovers he’s the son of Poseidon and finds himself the prime suspect when Zeus’s lightning bolt is stolen. I also loved the companion series, Heroes of Olympus, and the new Disney Plus tv show.
The Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeline Miller — Another cliche and probably the catalyst for the mythology retelling trend, both of Miller’s books deserve every ounce of praise that’s been heaped on them. The Song of Achilles retells the legend of Achilles from The Iliad through the perspective of Patroclus, while Circe expands upon the Godess’s role in The Odyssey. Miller is currently at work on a Persephone retelling, which I am eagerly awaiting.
Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson — If all you know about Hercules comes from the (sanitized) Disney movie, a lot of this retelling will surprise you. In her author bio Rogerson says she wrote this because she couldn’t find all the stories of Hercules in one volume, so she decided to write it herself. However, the reader never hears from Hercules himself. Instead his twelve labors and other adventures are told through the perspectives of everyone around him: his mother, his wives, his lovers, his rivals.
Sistersong by Lucy Holland — In an ancient land, three royal siblings fight to keep their kingdom safe from the Saxon warriors who threaten its borders and shape the destiny of the land that will become Britain. This is a retelling of “The Twa Sisters,” a ballad thought to have originated in England or Scotland. I wasn’t familiar with the ballad before reading the book, but I do love English folklore, so I enjoyed the setting very much.
Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann — Greek/Roman mythology is reimagined into a ranching family in Texas in this novel. March (Mars/Ares) returns home to East Texas two years after he was caught having an affair with his brother’s wife. Within days of his arrival, someone is dead and marriages are upended. This is one of the most unique retellings I have ever read and really hope more like it are written.
The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec — After Angrboda angers Odin for refusing to provide him with knowledge of the future, she flees to a remote forest. While there she is found by the trickster god Loki and risks the wrath of the gods after falling in love with him and producing three unusual children. Most of my knowledge of Norse mythology came from Marvel movies, so it was wonderful to learn more through this setting. This is probably the closest readalike to Circe, if you have already read that.
My next two recommendations are not straight mythology retellings, but I think they still fit the general vibe of the previous books.
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward — When I first picked this up I had no idea it evoked Dante’s “Inferno,” which I’ve never read. However, I think the idea of juxtaposing going deeper into hell with a young enslaved woman’s journey is brilliant. Annis, sold south by the white enslaver who fathered her, is the reader's guide, leading them through the descent as she is forced on a miles-long march. I wish I had been able to study this novel alongside the “Inferno” in a classroom setting.
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin — The soul of New York City is personified in the bodies of five different individuals, one for each of the boroughs, who need to come together to stop an ancient evil that crushes empires. While this is not based on any one ancient mythology, I feel like it’s appropriate to include here since Jemisin created a mythology all her own.
Do you have a favorite mythology retelling? I’d love to chat about it in comments.
Herc sounds so interesting! I haven't heard of it, I'll definitely have to check it out.
We wrote about mythology retellings a few months ago, and shared recommendations for books written by authors who identified with that culture/tradition:
https://thenovelteapod.substack.com/p/the-matrix-of-mythology?r=3354h8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
- Shruti
i think the percy jackson books will always be my favourite. i only read them at 17 (older than the target demographic) but they still have nostalgic value for me. i’ve never had a reading experience quite like that one since! recently, i enjoyed ‘lies we sing to the sea’ by sarah underwood and cannot wait for her new book which was inspired by the eros & psyche myth