28 Must-Read Greek Mythology Books, Chosen by a Librarian (2024)

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Updated: Aug. 10, 2024

From graphic novels to historical fiction to teen reads and more, these Greek mythology books appeal to a range of readers

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Genre: Classic, epic poetry

For fans of: The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood and Autobiography of Red: A Novel in Verse by Anne Carson

It’s nearly impossible to talk about written Greek mythology and legends without mentioning Homer. The poet lived in ancient Greece and composed such meaningful works that they remain mainstays of classic literature nearly three millennia later. Likely composed in the 7th or 8th century B.C., The Odyssey is a classic epic poem following the king of Ithaca, Odysseus, on his 10-year journey home after the end of the Trojan War. Since he was away for so long—prior to his decade-long journey, he spent a decade at war—his kingdom assumed he had died. (Considering his crewmates perished and he kept running into monsters, it was a fair assumption.) At home, his wife, Penelope, has been fending off more than 100 suitors aiming to take Odysseus’s place.

Suffice to say, there’s a lot going on in this epic tale! Such an enduring piece of classical poetry is definitely worth a read, and it’s clear that Homer inspired some of the best Greek mythology books out there.

Genre: Fiction

For fans of: Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Our list’s first twist on The Odyssey is this 2019 literary novel, which weaves Igbo cosmology into a modern take on Homer’s ancient tale. Set in Nigeria and following poultry farmer Chinoso, An Orchestra of Minorities offers a fresh perspective: It’s narrated by Chinoso’s chi, or guardian spirit. The story kicks into high gear when Chinoso stumbles upon Ndali, who’s about to jump off a bridge. The chance encounter changes his life, but despite the growing love between them, there is no chance of approval from her family—until he gains social standing. In a story of Odyssean scale, author Chigozie Obioma takes readers on a journey across continents, tackles classism and raises questions about destiny and self-determination.

Genre: Mythological fiction

For fans of: The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes and House of Names by Colm Tóibín

Clytemnestra may be dealing with Agamemnon’s curse itself: This 2023 release had to be pushed back a few months after a truck carrying finished copies of the book caught fire. (Fortunately, it wasn’t a Greek tragedy; no one was hurt.) This blazing debut novel retells the story of Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon and twin sister to Helen of Troy. Not only is she forced into a marriage not of her choosing, but she also has to grapple with the fact that her new husband has killed the infant son from her marriage to her first husband (who Agamemnon also murdered). But when Agamemnon sacrifices Iphigenia, their daughter, in an attempt to win the Trojan War, Clytemnestra begins to plot her revenge.

Reading Clytemnestra is like opening a passageway directly into a weary warrior heart. On every page, I was dreaming of a shift to the future I knew was awaiting the lead character, believing, as they say in Hadestown, that it may work out this time. Clytemnestra’s emotions are so lived-in that every page feels like an omen to an inevitable showdown. If you’ve been looking for more feminist takes on Greek myths that put a complicated woman right at the center, pick up this one.

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Genre: Nonfiction

For fans of:Women & Power: A Manifesto by Mary Beard and All the Single Ladies byRebecca Traister

Pandora, Eurydice, Clytemnestra, Helen, Medusa … women in Greek mythology books have often been written by men and are usually relegated to side characters. But as Pandora’s Jar and other titles on this list prove, that’s changing. This 2020 nonfiction bestseller brings to the front this imbalance by re-centering the stories to highlight the impact women had on the myths. Smart and witty, this feminist take on the classic characters is a must-read for anyone looking for a deeper dive into some complex mythological figures who have too often been banished to the sidelines.

Genre: Mythological fiction

For fans of: Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson and Divine Might by Natalie Haynes

If mythological retellings enchant you, The Fates by Rose Blythe (aka Rosie Garland) is a new treasure you can’t miss. Released in 2024, this novel breathes new life into the ancient figures of the Fates—Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos—in a beautifully woven narrative that follows the three sisters born out of Nyx’s darkness to become the famous Fates. But how much do the three sisters actually have control of their own fate?

Blythe’s lyrical prose and intricate storytelling will sweep you off your feet and keep you turning pages late into the night as you unravel the fate of the three sisters, meeting them while they are young rather than their usual ancient portrayal. This is one mythical retelling where there is nothing shiny about the portrayal of Zeus except his perfect arrogance and chaos. This recommended book is idealfor those who love a fresh take on classic myths.

Genre: Mythological fiction

For fans of: The Last of the Wine by Mary Renault and The Hidden Prince by J. Tuttle

If you’ve been on BookTok for any amount of time or you’ve ever searched for “books that will make you cry,” chances are you’ve come across Madeline Miller’s 2011 epic The Song of Achilles. Set during the Trojan War, this heartbreaking story of love follows the legendary Greek warrior Achilles and exiled young prince Patroclus. Though scholars debate the relationship between the pair, Miller writes this Greek mythology book as a gay love story—and a heartbreaking one at that. As the two head into battle against Troy after the taking of Helen, Achilles bounding in and Patroclus following behind, their destinies soon come to a tragic end.

Genre: YA, fantasy/mythological fiction

For fans of: Lore by Alexandra Bracken and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh

Kendare Blake may be best known for Three Dark Crowns, but Antigoddess, Blake’s 2013 YA book series starter, is a masterpiece in its own right—and one more people need to pick up! As a kid who had a huge “obsessed with Greek mythology” phase, I’ve always been intrigued by retellings that take big risks, and I think this series scratches that itch in an entirely new way. Blake’s take on desperate, dying gods and modern teens thrown into the chaos is one that has stuck with me through the decade since the first book released.

Cassandra is in the center of a looming war between the Greek gods, despite not knowing they exist. But it’s when Athena and Hermes track her down that she learns she was once Cassandra of Troy, a legendary prophetess doomed to never have anyone believe her. She also discovers the gods are dying—slowly and painfully. Hera and others have teamed up to lengthen their own lives, killing off rivals and transforming horribly in their attempts to stay alive.

Genre:Dystopian fiction

For fans of: Legend by Marie Lu and I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger

Veronica Roth, best known for the dystopian Divergent trilogy, heads into the realm of Greek retellings with this 2023 sci-fi take on Antigone. In Arch-Conspirator, Earth is a wasteland, and the only thing moving the human race forward is the Archive, which stores the genes of the dead and allows for the creation of children. Polyneikes, Eteocles, Ismene and, of course, Antigone were conceived the old-fashioned way and are treated differently because of it. And when her parents are murdered, Antigone doesn’t receive the courtesy of mourning; Kreon, her militant uncle, has come forth to claim her father’s throne.

It’s one heck of a plot, and Roth pulls it off in under 150 pages, making this the perfect short book for a low-commitment read. Listen, no one can tell me that I didn’t love Divergent: I ran an entire summer camp based on it at one point in my life. But I truly believe that where Veronica Roth shines is in the novellas she’s been releasing recently, including this killer Antigone retelling. I think that there is nothing better than a novella that knows exactly what it wants to do, and this one is among the finest.

Genre: Graphic novel, fantasy, mythological fiction

For fans of: Punderworld by Linda Sejic and Promises and Pomegranates by Sav R. Miller

Webtoon’s all-time most popular webcomic, Lore Olympus, began publishing online in 2018, with printed editions beginning in 2021. With more than 1.2 billion views on the digital comic site and Harvey and Eisner Awards to its name, it’s clear this graphic novel series is a phenomenon. The four-volume series centers on the will-they-won’t-they relationship between the god of the dead and the goddess of spring. When Hades and Persephone first meet, there’s an initial spark to their relationship. But complicated matters of the gods, as well as unhealed traumas, keep them apart. Still, their paths toward growth just may lead them back to each other.

Genre: Mythological fiction

For fans of: The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec and Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

Another sensational 2023 retelling comes from the author of Ariadne and Elektra (both worth your time and attention). Published in 2023, Atalanta follows the titular huntress on all her adventures. Born a princess to parents who required a son, Atalanta is left for dead and then raised by a mother bear. With the goddess Artemis watching over her, she grows into an adventure-seeker, eventually earning the opportunity to fight alongside the Argonauts. But Artemis has a warning for her: Marriage will be her downfall. As Atalanta joins the quest for the Golden Fleece and attempts to prove herself worthy among the warriors, she finds love and begins questioning Artemis’s motivations. Readers looking for an incredible female author to add to their shelves should pick up Saint’s entire collection.

Genre: YA, fiction, magical realism

For fans of: Furiaby Yamile Saied Méndez and A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey

Lilliam Rivera’s Latinx retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice came out in the midst of 2020’s COVID-19 shutdowns, so you’d be forgiven for sleeping on this gem of a teen novel. But Never Look Back is worth a read, and not just because it’s a Pura Belpré Honor winner. Here’s the premise: Eury lost everything in Hurricane Maria and has come to the Bronx from Puerto Rico, certain that tragedy is not far behind. When musician and charmer Pheus meets Eury, he wants nothing more than to make her happy and ensure she’s safe. As the world tries to tear them apart, they must fight to remain together.

Genre: Mythological fiction

For fans of: The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Mary Renault’s 1958 look into the story of Theseus was such a game-changing work of fiction that author Suzanne Collins named it as one of the things that inspired her dystopian book series The Hunger Games. So if you’re a fan of that trilogy, The King Must Die is the book you’ll want to pick up. Adult Theseus tells the story of his adventures in five sections, each taking place in a different city. Experience young Theseus discovering his parentage, avoiding assassination and finding himself face-to-face with the Bull Court.

Genre: Mythological fiction

For fans of: Savage Beasts by Rani Selvarajah and The Trials of Ophelia by Nicole Platania

New to bookshelves in 2024, Rosie Hewlett’s Medea offers a riveting retelling of the tragic story of Medea, one of mythology’s most misunderstood characters. Hewlett’s writing is both empathetic and profound, delving deeply into Medea’s psyche and the events that shape her fate. Misunderstood and ostracized, Medea lives a lonely and trapped life until the striking hero, Jason, arrives to claim her father’s famed and fiercely protected Golden Fleece. How can Medea possibly guess as she aids him, and slowly falls in love, that battling monsters is not the worst thing she will face—and that betrayal, and how we handle it, can change everything?

If you like a good villain origin story or magical books with some feminist rage, you’ll be captivated by this book and the absolutely iconic Medea, who comes to life in the pages.

Genre: Mythological fiction

For fans of: Phaedra by Laura Shepperson and The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Ithaca is the first of the Songs of Penelope book series that began in 2022. And like many modern Greek mythology books, it gives voice to women who have traditionally been sidelined in mythology. The story sets readers on the island of Ithaca. It’s been 17 years since most of the men, including King Odysseus, sailed to fight in the Trojan War. Left behind was Penelope, his young wife, who is now dealing with everyone’s assumption that her husband is dead and their barely concealed desire for his throne. It’s up to her to keep the kingdom from falling apart, despite the fact that every decision she makes has the capacity to destroy Ithaca forever.

Genre: Fantasy

For fans of: Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel and A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Roshani Chokshi’s 2016 debut catapulted her into bestsellerdom and launched an impressive career in fantasy novels for all ages. The Star-Touched Queen is a loose retelling of the Hades-and-Persephone myth, melded with Indian folklore. Married off by her father, the Raja, to the Akaran king Amar, Maya enters a world far different from the one she has always known—the one that has brought her nothing but curses. Akaran is overflowing with things for her to discover, but within the secrets of locked doors and glass gardens lies danger. If you love this one, pick up the companion novel, A Crown of Wishes, which is currently being adapted for TV.

Genre:YA, fantasy

For fans of: Medusa (The Myth of Monsters, #1) by Katherine Marsh and A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel

It would’ve been hard to imagine back in 2005 that the first children’s book by adult mystery novelist Rick Riordan would make such an impact that it would spawn a multi-series universe, a duo of movies, a Disney+ television series and even a summer camp. But here we are, and Percy Jackson is a name that’s now synonymous with children’s literature.

Of course, you’ll want to start with the first book of the series, The Lightning Thief: Greek mythology keeps coming to life for young Percy, especially when he learns he is the prime suspect in the theft of Zeus’s lightning bolt. With a fast-approaching deadline to return the stolen the property (no one seems to care that he doesn’t actually have it) and the new knowledge that his father is god of the sea Poseidon, it’s up to Percy and his friends to find the true fiend and clear Percy’s name.

Genre: Fantasy, mythological romance

For fans of:A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and Neon Gods by Katee Robert

This scorching seventh book in Scarlett St. Clair’s beloved Hades x Persephone Saga completes the must-read series. If you are new, you’ll want to start at the beginning; there is no jumping around with this series. But prepare to be enchanted with St. Clair’s fresh take on the ancient Greek myth of Hades and Persephone, the god of the underworld and the goddess of spring. When the two gods met, they could never have imagined all that would follow—or burn—as their story unfolds.

St. Clair’s modern retelling is notable for its passionate and complex character dynamics and multiple points of view, making A Touch of Chaos a compelling read for those who enjoy mythology reimagined through a contemporary, romantic lens.

Genre: Fiction, satire

For fans of: Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From by Jennifer De Leon and Erasure by Percival Everett

Fran Ross’s only novel was the 1974 Oreo, which takes after the myth of Theseus. Oreo, born to a Jewish dad and a Black mom, is raised by her grandparents in Philadelphia. Eventually, she decides to search for her father, a mission that takes her to New York. But her quest is quickly, if temporarily, thwarted by the sheer plethora of men in the city who share a name with her dad, making what should have been a quick stop the start of an epic journey.

Genre: Mythological fiction

For fans of: The Greek Myths I by Robert Graves and Everything Under by Daisy Johnson

British actor Stephen Fry published Mythos, his first in a collection of three Greek myths, in 2019. (He shortly followed it up with Heroes and Troy.) Not only does the book retell the myths using Fry’s comedic chops, but it also contains artwork inspired by the myth alongside cultural context and notes from the author.

Genre:Fiction, fantasy

For fans of: The Plague Dogs by Richard Adams and Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton

André Alexis’s award-winning 2015 novel, Fifteen Dogs, takes place in the aftermath of a godly bet between Apollo and Hermes. Now, a Toronto veterinary clinic is home to a group of dogs that have been granted temporary human consciousness. Part of the pack embraces the change, but some are hesitant and prefer things as they were. Both groups face new challenges and woes. And through it all, the author ruminates on consciousness and the nature of humanity—it’s a beautiful and insightful story.

Genre:YA, fantasy

For fans of: To Shape a Dragon’s Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose and Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury

Kika Hatzopoulou’s fantasy noir novel from May 2023 is the story of Io, the youngest of the three Ora sisters and a descendant of the fates. Though she’s been using her abilities to serve as a private investigator, she never dreamed she’d discover a terrifying conspiracy: Someone is maiming the life-threads of women in the city and letting loose the murderous wraiths that emerge. Worse, her sister is linked to the most likely suspect. Working together with Edei Rhuna, the soulmate she’s never met (oh, and the Mob Queen’s right-hand man), she must track down the culprit before everything she loves is destroyed forever. It’s a great pick for a Greek mythology–inspired YA novel.

Genre: Fiction

For fans of: Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo and Hera by Jennifer Saint

A modern take on Hades and Persephone, The Middle Daughter, which hit shelves in 2023, takes place in a Nigerian family. Nani is 17, coping with the deaths of her father and older sister, as well as the resulting estrangement from the rest of her family. While searching for a connection, she finds a preacher who she soon marries. But an abusive marriage is difficult to escape from, and it will take all the courage she has to find herself again.

Genre:Mythological fiction

For fans of: Cassandra by Christa Wolf and The World’s Wifeby Carol Ann Duffy

The women of Troy take center stage in this July 2023 release. Horses of Fire brings together three strong heroines in an era filled with violence, with each getting the chance to tell her own story. Andromache, whose husband is Prince Hector, is determined to rise up to be the military commander she knows she can be. Rhea has finally found some solace in Hector’s stables, where she can use her skills as a horse whisperer to their full advantage. And Helen, famous for her role in the Trojan War, seeks a path out of her abusive marriage. It’s engrossing enough that it’ll have you racing from the first page to the last—a bonus if you’re trying to read more books this year.

Genre:Mythological fiction

For fans of: Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes and Medusa’s Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear

Looking for more modern retellings that allow the women of Greek mythology to tell their own stories their way? You’ll want to pick up The Shadow of Perseus. This 2023 novel tells the story of Perseus through the eyes of Danae, Medusa and Andromeda. Danae may have grown up a princess, but she’s doing what she can after her banishment to keep herself and her young son, Perseus, safe. Medusa has no contact with the outside world, but that all changes when she comes across an injured boy in the forest. And Andromeda’s nomadic desert tribe is threatened by a sandstorm, but the intervention of young Perseus changes her whole life.

Genre:Classic, epic poetry

For fans of: Memorial by Alice Oswald and The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

The other seminal work attributed to Homer (likely completed somewhere in the 9th century B.C.), The Iliad is the longer of the two, taking place near the end of the Trojan War. In the final weeks of the decade-long siege, a standoff between King Agamemnon and Achilles—who are fighting on the same side—shifts the outcome of the war in an entirely different direction. Pride, rage and love all tangle with the whims of the gods to affect the outcome of the war and many of the famous heroes’ lives.

Genre:Mythological fiction

For fans of: Ariadne by Jennifer Saint and Athena’s Child by Hannah Lynn

Like her first book, Madeline Miller’s sophom*ore novel, 2018’s Circe, also makes regular appearances on BookTok and takes inspiration from Homer—though this time, it’s The Odyssey. It follows a daughter born to the nymph Perse and Helios, god of the sun. Though Circe did not inherit the full power or allure her parentage may suggest, she’s skilled in witchcraft. Banished to a deserted island by Zeus, she must learn to control her powers. There, she comes into contact with figures such as Odysseus, Medea and the Minotaur. Mired in danger, Circe will have to decide where she belongs: among gods or mortals.

This is one of those books that I had to sit with for a while after finishing, to fully process the majesty of what I had read. Pleasing to both literary fiction fans and those who love retellings, Circe takes another powerful leading lady to the canon in her own story. I, and much of BookTok, highly recommend Madeline Miller—one of the main things we agree on!

Genre:YA, fantasy

For fans of: The Dark Tide by Alicia Jasinska and Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

This 2021 starter to Kalynn Bayron’s wondrous This Poison Heart duology is a mixture of greenery, magic and mythology, with connections to Medea and Jason, Hecate and more. Briseis has a hidden power: With just a touch, she can grow a seed into a fully bloomed plant, along with develop an immunity to poisonous plants—a gift that comes in handy at the rickety estate she’s inherited from an aunt she never knew she had. There, she discovers a garden accessible only to those with her lineage, and an apothecary that draws folks looking for various elixirs. Unfortunately, it also draws a group of people in search of a dangerous immortality elixir. As Bri comes to terms with her power, she’ll need to discover more about her family to keep those she loves safe.

Easily one of my favorite authors writing now, Kalynn Bayron is a rising star, and this duology is such a marvelous example of why. Romantic, magical, with family legacies and winding vines, this is a great book for both the teens and the adults that I hand it to, because it has so many different angles to offer audiences.

Genre:Nonfiction

For fans of: A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes

Of all the Greek mythology books on this list, Edith Hamilton’s 1948 tome may be the one you’re most likely to see on a high school reading list, and for good reason. Collecting myths into seven sections (one of which is Norse mythology, a fascinating complement), Mythology first introduces the Greek gods and the myths of creation. It then branches out to explore the characters and myths that inspire modern retellings: the Argonauts’ search for the Golden Fleece, the stories of Theseus and Atalanta, the Trojan War, the house of Atreus and more. For those looking for an introduction to classic mythology, you cannot go wrong with this choice, so make sure it’s on your TBR list.

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Sources:

• Webtoon: “Lore Olympus”
• New York Times: “Suzanne Collins Talks About ‘The Hunger Games,’ the Books and the Movies”

Originally Published: March 11, 2024