Lore Olympus: Volume Eight

Lore Olympus #8

by Rachel Smythe

This Barnes & Noble Exclusive Edition features original cover artwork on the hardcover by author and illustrator Rachel Smythe.

Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love—the Greek tale of Hades and Persephone gets a romantic modern update in the gorgeously illustrated, Eisner Award-winning Lore Olympus, including a brand new bonus short story!

“You have no authority here.”

Revelations rock Olympus as Persephone’s trial ends, threatening to throw the gods into a new war.

Though Persephone and Hades become closer than ever after she opens up to him about all she has endured, their peace is shattered when another truth is revealed: Apollo is Zeus’s son. The announcement shocks the pantheon, and the king of the gods realizes that the would-be usurper wants Persephone’s power to take the throne.

Zeus banishes Persephone to the Mortal Realm and, out of fear, cuts it off entirely from the rest of the gods. This decree succeeds in undercutting Apollo’s plan, but also inadvertently begins a decade-long divine cold war when Hades strikes back by shuttering the Underworld. With the gods scattered and weakened, Kronos uses the ensuing bedlam to finally escape his imprisonment and begin staging his own coup.

Persephone has only one choice when she discovers all the realms on the verge of collapse: Descend into the Underworld to try to defeat the power-hungry Titan, claim her rightful place as queen, and reunite with her one true love.

This edition of Smythe’s original Eisner Award–winning webcomic Lore Olympus features a brand-new, exclusive short story from creator Rachel Smythe and brings the Greek pantheon into the modern age in a sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel.

This volume collects episodes 180–206 of the #1 WEBTOON comic Lore Olympus.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Romance, Mythology, Comics, Fiction, Retellings

416 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2025

About the author

Rachel Smythe | #1 New York Times Bestselling Author


Rachel Smythe is the creator of the Webtoon phenomenon Lore Olympus. Debuting on Webtoon Originals in 2018, Lore Olympus captured hearts and minds with its glamorous setting, razor-sharp comedic timing, complex characters in messy relationships, and above all else, its breathtakingly beautiful visuals. Rachel’s craftsmanship and storytelling have seen the series rise to greater and greater success, winning many industry awards, including an Eisner in 2022 & 2023 and an animation adaptation with Jim Henson Studios currently in development.

"IF EYES COULD EAT, LORE OLYMPUS WOULD BE A FEAST." —NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

Reviews

[Melanie (meltotheany)]

➛ Volume One ★★
➛ Volume Two ★★★
➛ Volume Three ★★★★
➛ Volume Four ★★★
➛ Volume Five ★★★
➛ Volume Six ★★★★
➛ Volume Seven ★★★

“You’re right; for you, I could do something much worse.”

how have i already read 200+ episodes? Ahhhh, as always, i just love these characters, i love the imagination behind this world, and i love the art so much. this eighth installment feels like a really big one, because persephone and hades talk about what she has been… not talking about. the panels in particular for those conversations were truly so beautiful and just perfect. i was so emotional and it was just very thoughtfully done and i really appreciate it. this volume also contains the trial verdict, and zeus is just the worst regardless of the media he is being depicted in haha.

also, we just get to see persephone really be a badass, and fight so many monsters, both metaphorically and actually physically, too! just seeing her find her voice, in all the ways, felt really special and really powerful. and i will fully admit i did cry when i saw the pomegranate. again, 200+ episodes in, i just want to see persephone have the life that she wants to have

cws from the author at the start of this book: physical + mental abuse, sexual trauma, + toxic relationships

other tw/cw i wrote down: talk of death, trial / courtroom settings, talk of infertility, blood, hurt animal (they are okay), illness, possession, battle

♡ buddy reading this series with penny
✰ read for free on webtoon

blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon

[rayhanah]

5 ⭐️ for the queen of the Underworld 🖤

[Emily]

I will never not love these books!

[Lexi]

5⭐️

This one might just go down as my favorite one to date!!!

💛💛💛 Hades and Persephone FINALLY drop the Love Bombshell. And my heart couldn’t be more happier!!!💛💛💛
~~~~~~~
***Pre-Read:*** And now it’s time to spend as many days as possible with Hades and Persephone. 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽.

[Hamed]

قبلا گفتم، این مجموعه معادل یه سوپ‌آپرا ست که بازیگراش خدایان یونانی باشن.
حالا این دلیل میشه که ازش حض معنوی نبرم؟ یواشکی دلداده‌ی پرسیفونه نشم؟ از تک‌تک شخصیتاش، رومنس پیچیده‌ش و فشن سِنس خالقش لذت نبرم؟ نه واقعا. توی شرایط فعلی میهن که برای پیدا کردن بهونه‌ی خوش بودن باید دست به دامن fates بشیم، من یکی که حاضر نیستم خوشی رُ فدای فرهیختگی ظاهری کنم.
خلاصهههههههه. این ولوم بهترین ولوم تا اینجا و یه پایانبندی محشر برای فصل دوم بود.

[Jan Agaton]

this was one of my favorite volumes! IT WAS SO ROMANTIC 🥹

[Libbies_library]

I read this for free on webtoons but I will end up buying a physical copy because the art is gorgeous. 😍

Honestly these ratings are purely based on vibes. I'm writing these reviews after finishing the entire webtoon so it's hard to pinpoint specific plots and I noted the ratings whilst reading. The story is so good I love the modern spins and twists on greek mythology and their story.

[Oscar]

Great series!

[suonnahbooks]

WOW just WOW everything I need and more 😩😭🫶🏾

[Iris]

Once again, a Lore Olympus volume that didn't disappoint!

I am really intrigued to see how the story progresses after this volume. Not only there has been a 10 year time-skip, Kronos almost got his revenge and Persephone found both new powers and Hades! A lot happened throughout these chapters, but I think it was a well planned way to propel the plot. I can't wait to see what happens next!

As always, I loved to get back into the drama that is Olympus and its deities, their squabbles and struggles. But I also adore to read the sweet and heartwarming moments and the many moments of self discovery. My favorite in this volume were definitely Hebe (who is now grown, I wasn't ready 🥹) Ares and Athena (I like how they're both ready to tell the truth to Zeus in his face ☺️).

I actually really like Ares, which is a bit unexpected, since he often goes under my radar in Greek Mythology, but I somehow find him really sweet? I actually wish his characterization wasn't changing and he was still with Aphrodite, making his story more accurate to his myth. I dislike his flirting with Persephone, mainly because I would never see him do it, honestly and I don't think he would undermine his relationship with Aphrodite in that way (by comparing them and so on, even in myth, he is pretty much devoted to her, from what I've read!). Still, Greek Mythology retelling can go anywhere plot wise, so I'm also not too mad about it!

This is a fun series to read because it has so many good elements put together, including the most gorgeous art and colors!! I can't wait for the next volume to be released! In the meantime, I will do my best to avoid spoilers 😁

[Lindsay (pawsomereads)]

I definitely enjoyed this volume more than the last one. It had more action in it and advanced the plot a lot more. The art continues to be stunning and I’m looking forward to reading more of the series.

[Rod Brown]

The best scenes in this entire series occur at the start and end of this book. The stuff in the middle gets a little wobbly and mired, but that's just the bunt, strikes and walks that goes on between the grand slams.

Frankly, I'm a little surprised to see that two more volumes are on the way, because it seems like this series could just wind down now, but I'll stick around to see what's up.


FOR REFERENCE:

Portions of this work originally appeared on webtoons.com.

Contents: Episodes 180–206 -- Bonus Short Story

[kate]

that’s my queen.

[aylin ༊⋆˚࿔ ꒰ on hiatus ꒱]

⸺ ♾️ stars 👑 ⟢
Hades: I will kill him.
Persephone: You can't kill a god.
Hades: You're right; for you, I could do something much worse.

⟡ ⋮ ₊✎⋆. my thoughts ꒱

You know what my frantic reviews of Lore Olympus remind me of? Those eerie, antique diaries, documenting someone's slow descent into madness, people sometimes find under wooden panels of an abandoned attic in psychological thrillers. Except there's fairly less demonic possessions and bloody murderers in mine. Looking through the links out of curiosity, I almost cackled when I saw past aylin saying stuff along the lines of I'm not sure if I'll review every volume of the series, there's eleven of them, that's way too much. If I had the ability to travel back in time, grab myself by the shoulders, and shake some sense into myself, I would scream:

Honey, you've got a big storm coming.

When I started reading this series, my idea for it was simple: having something to occupy my lazy evenings with. Easy. I was missing graphic novels as a form of entertainment, but since I had nothing unread on my shelves, I picked up my phone instead. And now here we are - my whole reading schedule is dancing in flames, my updates consist solely of Lore Olympus reviews, my goodreads girlies are probably tired of me, and my face looks like a splotched, fuzzy peach, with puffy eyes full of tears. I would've never guessed that, out of all authors in the world, Rachel Smythe would be the one stealing the crown of my favorite 2026 author. But honestly? Eight volumes in and three perfect ratings, I can't imagine it being any other way. I freaking love this series so bad. If I end up being remembered as that one Lore Olympus girl, I'll die happily either way, hehe.

Volume eight was unexplored territory for me. Since my first attempt at following the series ended somewhere around the beginning of season three, everything I experienced after was more visceral than the rest. And what I mean by visceral is: Rachel Smythe is a criminal, she deserves jail, and I should sue her for emotional damages, instead of praising her writing. Ten years long time skip? Jail. Forcing my babies apart, even though it was to be expected considering their myth? Jail. Zeus being an utter asshat who made me feel for him nonetheless? Jail. The angst? Jail. How dare you shatter my soul like glass when I barely put it back together after volume seven, Rachel? I hate it here, mom please pick me up, I'm scared. My fragile, maiden heart can't take it.

Highly recommended by the way, great read! 👍
*Smiles through tears* for real.

⟡ ⋮ ⚠️ spoiler segment ⚠️ ꒱

1. The trial continues. Until everything spontaneously combusts and the world explodes, that is. Persephone's trial was my favorite part of the whole series, I think. Apart from being revolutionary for Hades and Kore's relationship, the appearance of Eris - the goddess of discord - who revealed her blessing of wrath, Apollo admitting to being an offspring of Zeus, and the heart-wrenching verdict of Persephone's banishment from Olympus, made the whole event legendary. When Persephone disappeared from Hades' embrace, unable to confess her love, I was sobbing like a screeching banshee. I hate Zeus for being such a coward. If he pushed his head out of his ass and considered marrying Kore off to his brother instead, all this bullshit could've been avoided.

2. Ten years of banishment. Ten. Freaking. Years. Poor Persephone, for a decade after the trial, she tried her best to please Zeus, turning Daphne back into her human form, saving Minthe from the curse, and working her ass off, managing spring all on her own, while he was purposely denying her out of personal fear. He truly fits the image I had for a father figure to a piss poor excuse of a son that is Apollo. What a pair. I don't blame Artemis for leaving Olympus after the coronation. Seeing Apollo and Zeus ruining everything with secrets and schemes, the underworld closing down, gods falling to some kind of sleep sickness, and general misery, I would've run away too.

3. Persephone sneaking back into the underworld. Slay. If I saw poor little Cerberus hurt, I would've panicked as well. Although I still struggle to comprehend that Persephone isn't my little baby anymore, she's a thirty-year-old woman, I'm in awe of her character growth. She became so much more confident down the line, from a tiny, water-eyed girl to a true, powerful goddess. Like, she defied the king of the gods and descended into the underworld all by herself! And even after being attacked by rogue Kronos, she still continued her search for Hades without fear. I know Hecate is officially my favorite character of Lore Olympus, and that will never change, but Persephone is a close second.

I love powerful women.

4. And speaking of powerful women. All hail the queen of the underworld! Persephone, goddess of spring, who ate the pomegranate and became the queen of Tartarus, defeating Kronos! My jaw was on the floor when she changed into a titaness, silent, eyes bulging, eyebrows arched... Absolute cinema. I loved seeing her reunite with Hades, don't get me wrong, but her fight with Kronos was the real reason for all those tears. I think I almost died from a heart attack.

⟡ ⋮ overall ratings: ꒱

⸺ ꒰ঌ volume #1 ⋆ 3.25 ☆
⸺ ꒰ঌ volume #2 ⋆ 4 ☆
⸺ ꒰ঌ volume #3 ⋆ 5 ☆
⸺ ꒰ঌ volume #4 ⋆ 4.5 ☆
⸺ ꒰ঌ volume #5 ⋆ 4.25 ☆
⸺ ꒰ঌ volume #6 ⋆ 4.5 ☆
⸺ ꒰ঌ volume #7 ⋆ ♾️ ☆
⸺ ꒰ঌ volume #8 ⋆ ♾️ ☆

[Caitlin]

There were moments in this one that I think could’ve been better clarified, and we time jumped quite a bit in the middle there. But it also made me cry and I loved the ending so I am still giving it 5 stars.

[Erica ♋️✨]

Loving this series soooo much

[Jeanne]

I have been caught up with the WebToon, but to have a physical copy of the comic that helped me find avenues to use with my own SA: it's everything! Can't wait for Volume 9.

[Avani ✨]

Love them so much

[emory⋆｡✩]

➸ 4.75 stars

first book with an actual plot?? i'm impressed! LOVED THIS. easy five stars for the queen of the underworld🫦

[Morgan]

I loved this one! There was so much happening and I feel like I needed at minimum 100 more pages! lol love this story! Love the art in these books! Can’t wait for the next one!

[Matt Quann]

I was shocked after finishing the seventh volume to see that the 11th is the final in the series. We’re really in the homestretch here.

There’s a lot of culminating plot lines in this one and each is satisfying. A fairly climatic battle at the end of this volume felt particularly epic in scope and art style. Smythe really pushed here!

Now maybe a short break before wrapping up the volumes published to date.

[Krysta ꕤ]

3.5 stars

[bella fazzati 🪿]

i will never tire of reading about them ❤️‍🩹

[Sasquatch]

Scenes:
Kissing

Notes:

It took 8 volumes for Hades to finally find out about Apollo.

There's a ten year time skip in this volume then Persephone really comes into power. I'm hoping the next volume finally gets into their romance.

[zel]

read on webtoon (s3 ep 280)

[coinppa ❁]

On the one hand, I love his devotion, but the idea of him being lonely is crushing.

[Aldi]

Plot! Plot! A veritable plot! IDK, I enjoy this series and the art is so gorgeous, but the pacing of the main arc is terrible, lol. There’ve been so many volumes that consist largely of meandering side quests and/or characters sitting around talking earnestly about their feelings like they’ve all been to the same intro to therapy class. It’s mostly fine, because most of the side characters are awesome so you get invested in the side quests; still, there’ve been a lot of books that were basically filler.

And now, plot! In fact, so much plot that it might be… a little too much for one volume…? I know, I know! But that’s what I mean about pacing. About five books of molasses, and now, a flash flood. I’m not actually complaining about things finally happening. It was super-nice to see Kore get some shit done, and I’m so relieved that romantic feelings have finally been addressed because IDK how much more mostly-undressed moony-eyed cuddling, tender fondling and mutual goo-goo-eyeing whilst blabbing about how they’re just friends I could have taken.

I missed Minthe, my stroppy beloved.

More plot, please! Keep it coming!

[Hamad]

Lore Olympus: Volume One ★★★ 1/2
Lore Olympus: Volume Two ★★★★
Lore Olympus: Volume Three ★★★★ 1/4
Lore Olympus: Volume Four ★★★★
Lore Olympus: Volume Five ★★★★
Lore Olympus: Volume Six ★★★★ 1/4
Lore Olympus: Volume Seven ★★★★ 1/4
Lore Olympus: Volume Eight ★★★★

Finally, the story moved so much in this volume and there was some pretty action too. I like how it preserves a certain level when it comes to the drawing and production.

[BookBoo]

⭐ 3/5

I'M TIRED OF PEOPLE THINKING THAT MY GIRL, PERSEPHONE, IS TO BE MESSED WITH! F APOLLO AND F ZEUS!

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews)]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️