There’s nothing more thrilling than a mythological fantasy. You get to be thrown into an enchanting, new, and magical world with action-packed adventure, and the best part is, it is based on culturally rich myths that teach you something about the history of how different civilizations once lived by bringing you into the world of what they believed.
Here we have seven mythological fantasies that span far and wide across diverse cultures, sharing with you how these historical myths have lived on.
Greek Mythology: Hera by Jennifer Saint
The stories found within Greek mythology are some of the most well-known myths. Many are familiar with the stories of the all-powerful brothers: Zeus, being the god of thunder and king of the gods; Poseidon, god of the sea; and Hades, god of the underworld. But what about their sisters?
Hera is a mythological retelling that shares the story of Hera, sister and wife of Zeus, and queen of the gods and goddesses. Hera is known throughout common Greek mythology to be the vengeful wife of Zeus, seeking horrendous revenge on the women she finds with Zeus. Saint portrays a different perspective when it comes to Hera’s story. A story of an all-powerful goddess who must sit idly by on Mount Olympus as all of her power is taken and forgotten. But Hera was never one to be an idle wife; she conspires with monsters and lives to see the downfall of Zeus in this reclaimed story of womanhood and survival.
Hindu Mythology: Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
In Hindu mythology, Kaikeyi is largely known for her role in the epic Ramayana. She is known for her complex character, being the kind and respected third wife of King Dasharatha and also the jealous stepmother of Rama, as she is cited to be the cause of his exile.
In Kaikeyi, Vaishnavi Patel unravels this complicated tale through the eyes of Kaikeyi herself, a young woman married to a king who must fight for her and her son’s place in the royal court. She strives to be indispensable, becoming a trusted advisor to her husband. Although she must remember what a delicate thing it is to be favored and trusted. One wrong move and her reputation will be ruined.
Vietnamese Mythology: Bronze Drum by Phong Nguyen
Bronze Drum by Phong Nguyen weaves aspects of Vietnamese mythology seamlessly into this story based on true events during the rebellion against the Han Chinese rulers. Nguyen takes readers to ancient Vietnam to tell the fabled story of the Trưng Sisters, the warrior sisters who raised an all-woman army to help overthrow the Han Chinese.
After the death of their father, Trưng Trắc and Trưng Nhi must find a way to stay true to the Vietnamese traditions he taught them to love. The two sisters, while very different, must come together to forge the way for themselves and women like them who will be forced into the oppressive rule of the Han Chinese. With no men to save them, the girls must find a way to save themselves.
Chinese Mythology: Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Daughter of the Moon Goddess is inspired by the myth of Chang’e, in which she stole an elixir of immortality from Hou Yi and fled to the moon, becoming the Moon Goddess. In her story, Sue Lynn Tan follows Xingyin, the daughter of Chang’e, who has lived her life hidden on the moon, until her magic is discovered and she and her mother are endangered.
In order to save her mother and herself, Xingyin must embark on a quest where she encounters various creatures and the magic of legends, until she confronts the dangerous Celestial Emperor. This story is steeped in high-stakes adventure as Xingyin does all she can to save what is most important to her.
Mayan Mythology: Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Silvia Moreno-Garcia brings 1920s Mexico and the world ruled by the ancient Mayan gods crashing together in God of Jade and Shadow. Casiopea Tun lives with her grandfather, but dreams of a different life. She accidentally finds a wooden box in her grandfather’s room and frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, Hun-Kamé. She is thrust into an adventure that takes her far from her small town in southern Mexico after she agrees to help the Mayan god of death win back his throne from his brother.
This story brings together the history of 1920s Mexico as it recovers from revolution and comes alive with the age of jazz music. Casiopea travels throughout the country with the god of Death on a quest that for her means the difference between life and death. She is led into the Mayan underworld, uncovering new kinds of mysteries about the ancient civilization and the ancient god himself.
Norse Mythology: The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
In The Witch’s Heart, Genevieve Gornichec reimagines the story of Angrboda, known in Norse mythology to be a witch, the mate of the renowned trickster god Loki, and the mother of monsters. After she flees punishment from Odin and finds refuge in a remote forest, she meets Loki and finds herself falling for him. She gives birth to three children and keeps them and their destinies hidden from the world.
Angrboda’s prophetic powers betray her happiness as she learns of the dangers to come and tries to change the fate she has seen. This is a beautiful and captivating story of the strength found in womanhood and the bravery and sacrifice of motherhood.
Middle Eastern Mythology: The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty
The City of Brass is the first installment in The Daevabad Trilogy, where S. A. Chakraborty brings together the life of 18th-century Cairo and the mysterious magical world of the mythical djinn, the city of Daevabad. Djinn are creatures known in various forms of Middle Eastern cultures’ mythology as supernatural beings formed from smokeless fire that exist in a parallel realm.
Nahri is a con woman in Cairo who knows that none of the tricks of her trade involve any real magic. She wholeheartedly believes that magic is a thing of children’s stories, until she unknowingly summons a mythical djinn warrior who turns the world she thought she knew upside down. The djinn warrior takes Nahri to the Brass City, where a whole new world of politics and power is at play.
Mythology has a place in every culture around the world and is a never-ending source of inspiration for new stories. We hope these recommendations will help you to dive into new fantastical realms while exploring an interest in the diverse myths of different cultures.
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Find these books and more on our Myth Retellings We Can’t Get Enough Of bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
