****
4/5 Stars
This book was a bloody good time.
I may be biased. Whenever someone says ‘Greek mythology’ I perk up and immediately hone in. I swear, Greek mythology is the cure to my ADHD. Ahah. Does that mean I’m a demi-god?
Let’s see…parallels….what did this book remind me of? Percy Jackson (I uh, still have to read most of that series. I’ve only read the Lightning Thief), Hunger Games (but even GRITTIER, say whaa), and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey (the game that took over my life for way too many hours).
Percy Jackson because of the obvious. Hunger Games because of the gruesome fights to the death. Odyssey because, well, Greek mythology and the concept of the bloodlines, which honestly had me thinking about all of the cult members I still need to assassinate in my file of the game.
I digress.
There were still heavy YA elements, of course. This story wasn’t particularly unique. Outside of the above comparisons, I was also reminded of the Mortal Instruments because of the hunting in New York aspect.
The romance wasn’t very heavy, and I can’t decide whether or not that’s a good thing. Have I been corrupted by the guilty pleasure reading of Sarah J. Maas? Am I just a filthy person now? I’m not going to think about it too hard, or else I’ll get concerned. But I do think there could have been a teensy bit more. Nothing too steamy, but just…more. Although I do recognize that this story was more about Lore and her development than a silly romance, and that’s a GOOD thing, and my smutty mind needs to kindly calm down.
Bracken’s writing style was a balm. I was still recovering from my frustration with my last read, which was so painfully simple I honestly think my own writing suffered from it. But Bracken has a bit more of a hold on in-depth, flowing writing, and thank goodness.
Flashbacks normally aggravate me. One is fine. Maybe even two. But when a story relies heavily on flashbacks, I tend to growl WHY DIDN’T YOU JUST WRITE A PREQUEL INSTEAD. In this book, however, the flashbacks lent strength. Emotion. Plot twists. They were done perfectly right.
Why not 5 stars? Because I didn’t like how Athena was portrayed. Especially in the beginning. Her cruelty was fine, but her almost childish behaviours did not sit right with me. She’s been lodged in a mortal body every 7 years for CENTURIES, and yet she’s still surprised by modernity. I’m sure it’s not a big deal, I just didn’t like it. Although the Athena at the end of the book was an excellent character. That’s all I’ll say in interest of spoilers.
I was also a little disappointed by the ending. The arcs were neatly tied up, but there were still a few questions I would have liked answered.
In summary, Lore is a good read for anyone who likes YA urban fantasy and Greek mythology.
