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, Greek Mythology, Fiction

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) · Rating 4 out of 5]

➛ 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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️ for the queen of the Underworld 🖤

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will never not love these books!

[Hamed Manoochehri · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽.

[Jan Agaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

[Libbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[suonnahbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Lindsay (pawsomereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 😁

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

that’s my queen.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 ♋️✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series soooo much

[emory⋆｡✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

➸ 4.75 stars

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

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[bella fazzati · Rating 5 out of 5]

i will never tire of reading about them ❤️‍🩹

[Sasquatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

read on webtoon (s3 ep 280)

[Hamad · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Aldi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Jasmijn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of episodes is honestly one of my favorite ones 💖 this was so good holy …!

[BookBoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐ 3/5

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

[inouch · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably one of my favourite volume so far

[Kayley Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have Dread Queen Persephone fighting Kronos, with bees, in print and in my hands.

[Keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zeus is such an a**hole 😆

I loved the ending and that last page with everyone 🥰

[꧁•⊹٭𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚍𝚒٭⊹•꧂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series sm