I think it’s safe to say that, for many of us, our love for Greek mythology began when we read Percy Jackson & The Olympians for the first time. Rick Riordan’s young reader series, starting with The Lightning Thief, introduced us to Greek mythological figures and modern-day demigods as Percy and his friends went on epic adventures. But if you’re looking for stories that delve deeper into Greek myths with a more mature outlook, we’ve curated a list of adult novels that capture this with stunning retellings and immersive narratives.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
A stunning retelling of The Iliad, Miller’s story reimagines Homer’s masterwork by focusing on the point of view of Achilles and Patroclus, as well as their childhood and stellar love story. The son of a cruel sea goddess, Achilles possesses immense strength and is beautiful beyond words. On the other hand, Patroclus is an awkward prince and was exiled from his homeland. When the two characters meet by chance, they become inseparable and are trained together in the arts of war and medicine. But when Helen of Sparta is kidnapped, and all of the heroes of Greece must besiege Troy in her name, Achilles steps up to join their cause and fight. Feared and worried for his friend, Patroclus follows him into the battlefield, and the cruel Fates await these characters as they face the treacherous war. I recommend this beautiful novel to all I meet, for it will change your view of love, as these characters portray it more deeply than I’ve ever seen written before.
“He is half of my soul, as the poets say.”
The Song of Achilles
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
Haynes takes the tale of Medusa and reframes it to portray her fierce wit and utter passion. Medusa is the youngest in her family of gods and the only mortal. Unlike her other sisters, she grows older and feels weaker because of her mortality. When she is harmed by Poseidon in Athene’s temple, the goddess becomes enraged at Medusa for violating her sacred space and punishes her by transforming her hair into mythical snakes that can turn living people into stone. Now cursed with a power that destroys all she loves with one simple look, Medusa forces herself into a life of isolation. Stone Blind takes on a bold feminist outlook as Haynes brilliantly writes heartfelt characters that will stay with you long after you finish the story.
“And the monster? Who is she? She is what happens when someone cannot be saved.”
Stone Blind
Daughters of Olympus by Hannah Lynn
Demeter once lived happily without fear until her precious daughter was taken from her. Now, she hides herself away in the wildflowers. Core, now known as Persephone, has always been devoted to her mother and is portrayed as bright as summer. But Core is naïve and desperate for freedom, and when she catches the eye of a powerful god, Hades, her entire life changes around. When Demeter finds out Core has been kidnapped by the god and was renamed Queen of the Underworld, she will stop at nothing to bring her back. Lynn adequately portrays the overwhelming protective nature of motherhood and a daughter who learns about love and her freedom to choose.
“I was a goddess, but you made me a queen. I had power, but you were the one who showed me how to be powerful”
Daughters of Olympus
Orphia and Eurydicius by Elyse John
Can their love cheat death? Orphia dreams of singing poetry that can bloom flowers and grow forests, but her father, the sun god Apollo, forbids her from this art and forces her to learn warrior crafts. Until she’s given a sudden chance to meet a gentle shield-maker, Eurydicius, who gives her the courage she needs to finally use her voice. Orphia gains more confidence and learns how to use her talents to craft words of magic to win the protection of the goddesses of the arts, but she struggles with her desire for fame and her growing love. As her bond with Eurydicius evolves, Orphia must leave on a quest for the Golden Fleece. Her journey as she longs for her return to her shield-maker will illustrate how she will fight for her love with all the power of her songs and poetry.
“Understand this: death is not tragedy. Death removes us from pain. You see, pain abides in life. It lies in putting one foot after the other when every step brings the torment of loss.”
Orphia and Eurydicius
Just as the Percy Jackson novels introduced a new generation to the epic gods and mythical heroes, these adult Greek mythology novels reinterpret our understanding of these legendary figures from a new perspective. They delve into deeper themes of certain gods and goddesses we may never have considered and portray the true power of mythology in literature.
For more adult books on Greek mythology, click here.
Check out our list of Greek romance retellings here!
