Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Disney-Hyperion; 2021; 480 pages
Content Warnings: Graphic descriptions of violence, loss of loved ones, blood, murder, dismemberment, sexual assault, fire, intense action scenes
About the Author: “Alexandra Bracken was born in Phoenix, Arizona. The daughter of a Star Wars collector, she grew up going to an endless string of Star Wars conventions and toy fairs, which helped spark her imagination and a deep love of reading. After graduating high school, she attended The College of William & Mary in Virginia, where she double majored in English and History. She sold her first book, Brightly Woven, as a senior in college, and later moved to New York City to work in children’s book publishing, first as an editorial assistant, then in marketing. After six years, she took the plunge and decided to write full time. She now lives in Arizona with her tiny pup, Tennyson, in a house that’s constantly overflowing with books. Alex is a #1 New York Times bestselling and USA TODAY bestselling author. Her work is available across the world in over 15 languages.” (Bio from the author’s website)
Website: http://www.alexandrabracken.com
Instagram: @alexbracken
Twitter: @alexbracken
Seven years ago, Lore Perseous fled the world of the Agon, a deadly competition where the Greek gods walk the earth as mortals, hunted by those descended from their ancient bloodlines who are eager to kill a god and seize their immortality and divine power. In the last Agon, Lore’s family was brutally murdered, leaving Lore desperate and alone. For years, she’s refused to believe that she can seek revenge against the man—now a god—who’s to blame for their deaths. Yet with the next hunt beginning in her home town of New York City, Lore is forced back into the world she thought she’d never face again in order to help two participants: her childhood best friend Castor, who was believed to be dead, and a perilously-wounded Athena, one of the last original gods. The goddess presents a dangerous deal: if Lore binds her fate to Athena’s and rejoins the hunt, the goddess will avenge Lore’s family’s deaths. But with time ticking and enemies around every corner, Lore and her friends must work together to stop the rise of a new god set on destroying humanity or watch as their beloved city crumbles to ruin.
This book left me speechless. Alexandra Bracken’s brilliant writing combined with a premise as intense as The Hunger Games packed with Greek mythology references creates a masterpiece that everyone needs to behold. The entire book is so full of heart and passion that you can feel it in every word and every bit of Lore’s character. And speaking of Lore, she is a wonderful character who teeters between being a hero or a villain because nothing is as straightforward as it seems. The ending was the best that I’ve read in a while and left me thoroughly satisfied. With heart-pounding moments and a slow-burn romance, this book is perfect for any lovers of high-stakes fantasy novels.
(Pine Reads Review would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing us with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change.)
PRR Writer, Wendy Waltrip