Alexandra Bracken’s Lore from 2021 really intrigued me. The back cover made Lore sound quite interesting, with promises of Greek gods walking among mortals, bloodlines tangled in a deadly hunt, and an ancient blood feud still burning bright. The Agon is a brutal, high-stakes period during which Olympian gods are forced to live on Earth, hunted relentlessly by descendants of ancient bloodlines eager to end their divine lives.
Lore is not just the name of the novel, it’s also short for Melora Perseous. She’s at the heart of it all — a fierce survivor caught in this deadly mythological chess match. This Lore book review is going to give you a bit of an idea of my thoughts on the story.
LORE: City of Gods
Lore begins with a dedication from Alexandra Bracken to my Greek family. Next is a double-page map of New York City.
We then see the living lines, which include the House of Kadmos, the House of Odysseus, the House of Theseus, the House of Achilles, and the House of Perseus. The dead lines are the House of Meleager, the House of Bellerophon, the House of Jason, and the House of Herakles.
Every seven years, during the Agon, gods must walk as mortals, while being exposed to great danger. That’s because if a Hunter can kill one, they gain a powerful reward: the immortality of that god — a gift that echoes down through their bloodlines. But make no mistake: if blood of a god stains their blade, the killer will be hunted in the next round.
Lore is caught in the chaos. She has seen Hunters firsthand. As the story unfolds, the masks they wear do more than just hide their faces. They are essential for protection, since the threat of revenge is always close at hand.
Lore comes into contact with Castor, her childhood friend, and admits to fearing others like Aristos Kadmou, a ruthless hunter shrouded in mystery and menace. Lore soon crosses paths with Athena, who seems to be nearing her last moments. We learn that Hermes and Artemis are still around. Apollo may have been killed, but since no one saw it happen, no one knows for sure.
Lore Book Review
I did plan to read the whole Lore: Gods in the City (Part One), which isn’t the entire book but a large chunk of it. But honestly, I only got to the end of chapter six — about halfway through — before I had to stop. Why? Because it didn’t really click with me. The book felt chaotic, like too much information was being dumped too quickly through the pages, making it hard to follow or picture what was happening. The Lore story seemed all over the place, and I found it difficult to stay interested.
I’d rate Lore by Alexandra Bracken a 3 out of 10. That’s a shame because I know many people really love Lore, given the high number of positive ratings — so maybe it’s just not my thing.
The concept of hunting Greek gods is compelling, but the book’s execution feels off in some way. Over the years, there has been chatter about a Lore adaptation — like a Lore TV series or Lore movie — which would be awesome to watch, as the premise has all the makings of great entertainment. However, it seems to be stuck in development or hope. Still, I’d advise not to get too caught up in the book itself. It’s confusing, and I found it impossible from what I read to be transported into the City of Gods.
That’s my experience with Lore, but yours might be completely different — just like those who have given it fantastic reviews. And get this: there are many awards that Lore has received. I have no idea how it won these awards, but it probably reflects my complete ignorance in this particular case.
The awards include: Instant #1 New York Times bestseller, USA Today bestseller, a GoodReads Choice Award Finalist for Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction, Amazon Best Book of 2021, and Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2021.
I wonder what Zeus would think of Lore…
Check Price & Availability: Lore by Alexandra Bracken
When I hear the word “Lore,” I immediately think of the graphic novel series Lore Olympus, with Hades and Persephone in the spotlight. I found this book much more interesting.
What does the word “Lore” mean? “Lore” refers to traditional knowledge, stories, and beliefs passed down through generations. It includes myths, legends, and cultural practices that shape a community’s identity and understanding.
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