Lore Olympus: Volume One

Lore Olympus #1

by Rachel Smythe

Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love - witness what the gods do after dark in this stylish and contemporary reimagining of one of mythology's best-known stories.

'Steamy, often laugh-out-loud funny and emotional' Jennifer L. Armentrout, # 1 New York Times bestselling author of From Blood and Ash
____________________________________
Persephone, young goddess of spring, is new to Olympus. Her mother, Demeter, has raised her in the mortal realm, but after Persephone promises to train as a sacred virgin, she's allowed to live in the fast-moving, glamorous world of the gods.

When her roommate, Artemis, takes her to a party, her entire life changes: she ends up meeting Hades and feels an immediate spark with the charming yet misunderstood ruler of the Underworld.

Now Persephone must navigate the confusing politics and relationships that rule Olympus, while also figuring out her own place - and her own power.

This edition of Smythe's original Eisner-nominated webcomic Lore Olympus features a brand-new, exclusive short story, and brings the Greek pantheon into the modern age in a sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel.

This volume collects episodes 1-25 of the #1 WEBTOON comic Lore Olympus.

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

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 2, 2021

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

[chai ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, this graphic novel is the only thing holding the tatters of my sanity together

[Becca & The Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

400 delicious pages of Mutual Pining. Obsessed.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg that ending!!!!! i can’t wait for volume two😭

[Emily May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm.

So I did enjoy this. Love the art style, some good banter, etc, etc. but I am not yet sold on Hades and Persephone in this retelling, which I think is supposed to be the whole point. Are we constantly going to be reminded throughout about how sweet and young and oh so naive she is compared to how very old, grumpy and experienced he is? It's creeping me out, to be honest.

I like them individually, especially Hades and his dogs, but I dislike relationships with weird power dynamics. I can't stand poor innocent damsel / big bad man romances. Does nothing for me.

Still, it's early. I'll be back for more.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Winner of Goodreads Choice Awards for Comics and Graphic Novels
I don't understand how that happened because I read a lot of comics and graphic novels and I'd never even heard of this until the nomination.
Then again, I assumed they (THEY?) just looked for something with a pastel cover and clapped their hands in joy. I don't personally get the hype, but I can see why this was successful as a webtoon.
And honestly, webtoons are so popular now that I think they deserve their own category.
Please?



Anyway, this wasn't terrible.
It's got chubby art, a nice color palette, and an easily digested storyline that updates and retells the Hades/Persephone story in a SQUEE kind of way. Not a lot happens here, so I'm not really getting the level of OMGFLAIL that I see happening in the reviews.
Again, this may be due to the fact that this has been miscategorized as something someone who enjoys regular comics would want to read.



The gist is that Hades and Persephone lock eyes at a boujee party, and then everyone proceeds to act like awkward 12 years olds.
Is that the audience? My 14 year old daughter is the one who recognized it, so she's actually the one I originally bought it for, but my curiosity got the better of me after I saw all the rave reviews.
If this is middle grade, then I apologize because I thought it was an adult story, so my expectations might have been off a bit.

[Eva B. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah, besides the art, I just don't get the hype for this one. Naive sunshine girl and grumpy older guy is a hard ship to sell me on, especially since this has a pretty big age gap. So much of a big deal was made of Persephone's naivety that it just made me feel uncomfortable. This also felt like nothing really happened? Like there were two, maybe three plot points in this. On the plus side, I liked the art and I liked Hades for the most part, and I really liked Hera since she's usually made into a one-note jealous wife in Greek mythology retellings.

[Marureviere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edit: I'm ecstatic that this won on the Goodreads Choice Awards. So well deserved.


This is now my new hyperfixation.

Random incoherent thoughts after reading season 1:

✔️ Odysseus needs a new hairdresser
✔️ Apollo can choke
✔️ A form of media where Zeus is portrayed as a piece of shit and the scum of scums that he really is? Win.
✔️ Topless Hades is a sight I don't deserve but here we are
✔️ Hades spoiling Persephone 😭🤚🏻
✔️ WOMEN
✔️ Wtf you deserve to be loved and cared for Hades and not just be given half-assed attention
✔️ When is Minthe gonna get turned into mint?
✔️ Zeus doesn't deserve a queen like Hera
✔️ Hermes is a good boi
✔️ This comic is basically TRAUMA: gods & goddesses edition
✔️ Death is too lenient for Apollo's entitled ass
✔️ Zeus 🤢🤢🤢🤢
✔️ Why is Demeter acting like my mother
✔️ The way that emotional abuse and sexual trauma are handled here is commendable
✔️ Doggos!!!
✔️ Cerberus!!!! 🌟⭐✨🌟⭐💛
✔️ God is a woman and her name is Persephone
✔️ I love this so much omg
✔️ "Congratulations you're dead!" 💀
✔️ I have a new-found love for Aphrodite and Eros
✔️ Ares with other people: 😡😠🤬🤪😤👹😈
Ares with his mom: 🌟⭐♥️💚💛🧡✨🌸🌺🌹
✔️ Daphne!!! Run!!!!!!
✔️ Wow this story is fucked up and deeper than I thought
✔️ Aphrodite has so many kids omg
✔️ The underworld >>>>>>> anywhere else
✔️ Eros is the bestie you wish you had 💅💅💅
✔️ Artemis needs another brother bc hers is cancelledt
✔️ I need more Athena!!!
✔️ No incest? GASP
✔️ Why is Hestia portrayed like this umfgh she's one of my fav goddesses and basically the least problematic but just ajhsjajjs
✔️ The art is god tier holy fuck
✔️ How can I reach the author I JUST WANNA TALK
✔️ Whomst do I pay to off Apollo
✔️ Thanatos is hot but bland
✔️ Minthe's friend squad is the epitome of toxic friendships
✔️ Where is Hephaestus?? Did I miss him???
✔️ What's with all these secrets aaaaaa
✔️ Hades adopted another doggo! So smol asfaghss
✔️ Persephone's definition of a make out session is a quick peck on the lips lmaoo
✔️ Minthe desperately needs a new personality transplant
✔️ Ngl I want more Poseidon content he's chill
✔️ Hecate can run me over with a truck and I'll still ask her to do it again repeatedly right after
✔️ 💛⭐🌟✨⭐💛💛🌟⭐ Persephone and Hades 🌟💛🌟✨✨🌟✨✨🌟🌟
✔️ Persephone getting turned on is hilarious and also adorable
✔️ Persephone did what????!!!!
✔️ Wait where tf is Psyche

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Behold- the best retelling of the taking of Persephone to exist.

Ever.

Lore Olympus is a modern spin on the original tale of Hades kidnapping Persephone to be his wife (doesn't happen like that in this version obviously, it's 2021 people). In this retelling, Persephone is a college student, studying at a university in Olympus. She grew up living a rather sheltered life with an overprotective mother (Demeter), who has only allowed her to come to the city because she's on a scholarship from the Goddesses of Eternal Maidenhood, meaning she has to remain a sacred virgin. Persephone is staying with Artemis, one of the members of the organization.

On her first night in the city, Artemis takes Persephone to one of Zeus's parties, where Hades sees her for the first time. He is completely smitten and comments to his brothers that she "puts Aphrodite to shame." Upon hearing this, Aphrodite gets Persephone very drunk and puts her in the back of Hades' car, to teach her a lesson for "smiting the goddess of beauty."

Hades finds her there when he gets home, takes her in, and lets her stay the night. Persephone wakes up very confused and embarrassed, but Hades explains the situation to her and she relaxes a little bit more. They talk (and fliiiirrt) and soon it becomes clear Persephone is equally smitten with the king of the dead. He takes her home, and after that, they can hardly stop thinking about each other.

But of course, they can't be together because Persephone is supposed to be a candidate for the goddesses of eternal maidenhood.

That is- until freaken piece of trash immortal garbage piece of f8929king shit Apollo shows up.

(trigger warnings up ahead, dealing with sexual abuse)




Apollo is taken aback by Persephone's beauty and proceeds to be a total condescending and controlling asshole, freaking wakes her up in the middle of the night and freaken rapes her and takes pictures of it and yeah obviously I hate him.

This is kind of where we leave off at the end of volume one.

Volume one only covers episodes 1-25 (out of, 191 episodes that exist on webtoon, as of now), this review is ONLY FOR EPISODES 1-25

I have tried to review this a couple of times but obviously, as you can see, the plot is very fast-moving and dense and it's hard to break it down unless it's in smaller chunks.

My thoughts:

This is one of the GoodReads choice award winners where I was like, "YESS, THIS IS THE ONE THAT SHOULDA WON"

The art in this series is freaking amazing, the style is so beautiful and unique and even if the plot wasn't all that great (FYI it is fantastic), I would still give it 5 stars for the art.

Even though the subject matter is often heavy, this series still manages to be incredibly funny and adorable, Persephone is basically a conscious incarnation of a cinnamon roll.

The plot is twisty, I think one of the reasons it's so great is because as a book that was originally a webtoon, the author has to leave you wanting more after every chapter so you keep coming back for the updates, which I think makes for a very fast-paced and captivating plot that always keeps you guessing.

Also Persephone and Hades- just- mwah, perfection.

This is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE SERIES EVER!!! Even if you don't know a whole lot about Greek mythology, I would still give this a shot, the art is wonderful, it's super adorable and hilarious, but also a beautiful and powerful story about dealing with trauma and finding your place in the world. <3

[s.penkevich [hiatus-will return-miss you all] · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Winner of the 2021 Goodreads Choice Award for Graphic Novels!*
Volume 2 out next week!

Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades

If reading about mythological god clowning around while spreading gossip and scandal is intriguing to you, Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe is a must. Setting Greek myth in a modern day society of fast cars and bars, Lore Olympus is comedic and playful with the well-known characters in a way that is fresh and just thoroughly entertaining. Originally released as a webtoon (read it here), this graphic novel compiles the first 25 episodes in full color to show off Smythe’s wonderfully stylized artwork. Using the Hades and Persephone story as an anchor around which all the other god’s stories play out and cross paths, Smythe retells the myth without the horrific rape and instead as a cute story of shy romance. These are the gods of Olympus here, so while it is playful and fairly lighthearted it is also dark and filled with toxic interactions, manipulations and assaults—as one would probably expect but heads up. This is a treat for those who know the stories, but if you are unfamiliar with Greek mythology or only have a basic understanding this book won't make you feel outside of it at all and, if anything, will really welcome you in and be easy to follow. With sharp and colorful art that really pops and spirited, modernized retellings that demonstrate a true love for the source material, Lore Olympus is a delightful success.

As one should probably expect, we get to watch the gods be complete pricks to each other and spite one another and scheming for revenge or just pure sport. The gods of Olympus were more or less an early soap opera and Smythe definitely delivers on the soap opera front. Lore Olympus opens with Persephone as the “new girl in the city” role, having just moved in to be Artemis’ roommate while Hades is this corporate executive-type just off a breakup with Minth. He spots her at a party with his brothers Zeus and Poseidon and the plot races off down the morally murky highway. It’s all fast cars, high fashion, and rich folks with too much time on their hands and a complete lack of fucks to give about anyone other than themselves, and I’m here for it.

The depiction of Zeus is great, depicting him as super shitty and egotistical as you’d imagine but still making him just a lot of fun as he messes with his two brothers. My favorite depiction is Eros as a bubbly bisexual, though the strong-willed, protective best friend vibes from Artemis are equally enjoyable. It’s all very energetic and entertaining, and the modern setting opens up a lot of fun with the characters all having iphones and instagrams which quickly spread all the gossip.


With Lore Olympus you get pretty much what you expect, and all of it is a really good time. The color palettes are great, contrasting Persephone’s pink with Hades and the underworld all in blacks and blues and a fun watercolor-splash look to the backgrounds. It looks pretty andt while the stories aren’t exactly pretty, they really grab you. Smythe includes a warning at the beginning that these stories can be pretty troubling, which is cool, especially when she mentions talking with people if you find yourself needing support. Take care of each other and yourselves, friends, so basically don’t do what these characters do. I wish this was longer into the story but Lore Olympus is a blast and I can’t wait to read more.

4.5/5

[Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lore Olympus es una de las novelas gráficas o Webtoons, como quieran llamarle, más adictivas que he leído en mi vida. No solo es una historia absolutamente espectacular que reinterpreta muchísimos mitos griegos de una manera un poco más modera, sino que se centra en Hades y Perséfone.

Esta pareja se ha vuelto muy popular últimamente y yo no podía estar más contenta con ello. Todos estos retellings de la relación de Hades y Perséfone le dan un giro tan romántico y tan único al asunto que, según la mitología original, los obligó a estar juntos, que es algo muy refrescante y que, además, llena tu vida de una tensión y unas expectativas que muy pocos libros logran darte.

Mientras lees Lore Olympus lo único en lo que piensas es que quieres que todo salga bien para Hades y Perséfone, que por fin se confiesen sus sentimientos, que dejen los prejuicios de lado y por fin decidan ser felices y estar juntos.

Pero, claro, la autora nos va a hacer sufrir eternamente. Es casi como pasar por el Tártaro, pero todo lo vale. Si aman la mitología griega y las novelas gráficas, les recomiendo este libro enormemente. Además, tienen la ventaja de que está toda la historia gratis en la app de Webtoon. Y, encima, van a poder leer mucho más de la historia que lo que tenemos en este primer tomo, pues el Webtoon va como en el episodio 200 y este tomo solo recopila los primeros 25.

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 1 out of 5]

How to approach reviewing this one? You'll have noticed I give it one star, so I didn't like it, but there are two caveats to that:

1. I am obviously not the imagined audience for this series..

2. I don't want to just descend into laughing at things teenage girls like - it's condescending sexist shittiness.

But, I did think it was uniquely terrible (which is also the only unique thing about it, come to think of it).

This is not my first Hades/Persephone rodeo, so I know it's A Thing, but I find the whole set-up really boring. And so this is another treatment of that story that descends into soapy, drawn out romantic tropes. There's a distinct lack of characterisation, which is actually quite a feat, what with the endless conversations.

Yes, there is a rape scene towards the end, but this is after all based on Greek mythology, and this at least is handled with care - in the original stories rape happens regularly and it is accepted as totally normal (Zeus specifically seemingly doesn't know impregnation can also involve consent).

[Six months later addendum: That might be true, lots of rape in ye olde mythology, but I do question why you'd add that to your soapy romance that's mostly read by teens. Feels unnecessary, Rachel Smythe!]

The art isn't great. It's unsurprising that each character gets their own snazzy fluorescent skin colour, as they all look the same and it's the only way to tell them apart. The women have hourglass figures, most of them have mucho boobage, they have round faces and pouty mouths. The men have upper bodies like upside down triangles, necks as thick as their heads, and pointy noses. And pointy shoes.

I get it, it's a bit of romantic fun, you shouldn't take it too seriously.. but it's also unoriginal, vapid pap with rushed indistinct art.

[Melanie (meltotheany) · Rating 2 out of 5]

i am always going to be here for a Hades and Persephone retelling! but sadly, i didnt love this one. but i still had a good time reading it and i loved the art and color palette. i do feel like the next installment would be even better and i am very intrigued to picked it up! (also maybe this was just overhyped a little bit subconsciously for me too... because even my b&n here in vegas, they have a huge display dedicated to this series! so... take my star rating with a very big grain of salt bc i am for sure not the popular opinion here!) <3

✰ read for free on webtoon

♡ buddy read with Penny

author's cw/tw published in book: physical + mental abuse, sexual trauma, and toxic relationships

more tw/cw that i wrote down: drinking, drugging, blackmail, captivity, kidnapping, parental abuse, paparazzi/stalking, blood depiction, rape, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual pictures being taken, anxiety depiction, trauma depiction, and disassociating while something traumatic is happening.

Youtube | Instagram | Twitter | Blog | Spotify | Twitch

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t tell you how beautiful this book is. The illustrations are breathtaking. The writing is witty and sharp and romantic and funny and I just can’t stop reading. Bravo, I’m addicted.

[Katie Colson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork is ✨STUNNING✨
Truly masterful.
But there was not much dialogue or story. For 384 pages, not much happens. But what did happen is fantastic.
I definitely see myself giving the future volumes 5 stars.
I really enjoyed Hades and Persephone as characters. The side characters are cute as well. I haven't become invested in them but I'm sure I will given time.
It just seems like a lot of pages for so little to have developed.

[Josu Diamond · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una introducción que queda floja.

La mayoría del tiempo que he estado leyendo este primer volumen de Lore Olympus me encontraba completamente desubicado, como si me faltara información. He de admitir que poco sabía de este Webtoon, pero, ¿siendo un primer libro no debería comprenderlo? ¿No es esa su función?

Una de las cosas que más me ha gustado ha sido el guion, los diálogos están súper bien y hacen que la lectura sea dinámica. La autora no se corta en ser grosera o utilizar palabrotas, algo que es refrescante. También me ha gustado mucho la escena de ab*so s*xual, jugando con las metáforas. Creo que es lo mejor de todo este primer volumen.

Después de haberlo leído, he de admitir que no termino de entender el hype detrás de esta obra. Que alguien me explique cuál es la novedad porque no la he visto por ningún lado.

[Victor Almeida · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star Rating: —> 4.5 STARSSS!!!

COMPLETELY & UTTERLY OB–SESSEDDDDD !!!! (The only reason I deducted .5 stars was that there was totally NOT enough HadesxPersephone content for the intro to the serial webcomic!

_________________
Omfgggggg I have wanted to read this for so long & I was holding out for the print ver. & YAY ITS ALMOSTTTT HERE!

[Rosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet another Webtoon read. I’ll share a proper review only once done with the final book. Until then, just penning some random thoughts on each graphic novel. (As is evident below, I can’t be brief even when I am penning random thoughts.)

This first graphic novel covers episodes 1-25 from the Webtoon series.
Total episodes: 285. (280, if you don't include the extra content.)

❀ A graphic retelling of the story of Hades and Persephone with a contemporary twist.

❀ Better if you have some basic familiarity with the original characters because introductions aren’t present often.

❀ Balance of seriousness and humour. But the content is as sexist as you would expect from Greek Mythology.

❀ Oddly funny to see the Greek “gods” gallivanting about with smartphones and fancy cars and partying in clubs.

❀ Hades looks promising. As yet, undecided about Persephone. Her portrayal isn’t consistent, randomly shifting between shy and overconfident, and also between virginal and provocative.

❀ Insta-love. *eye roll.*

❀ Age-gap relationship. And when I say ‘gap’, I mean ‘gaaaaaaaaaaap’. *my poor eyes still rolling.*

❀ Didn’t expect a sexual assault so early in the story. (Should have known better. Greek Mythology – Sigh…) It was handled as sensitively as is possible for a Greek myth retelling, but it was still hard to read.

❀ Not at all fond of the art style. A bit too overt for my taste in hues as well as physicality. The anatomy of the female characters seems needlessly sexualised, which is further exacerbated by their stance.

❀ This is aimed at teens and young adults, and that fact is giving me the ick. The story is clearly romanticising some abhorrent tropes. I hope youngsters reading it realise that there’s nothing romantic about *most* couples of Greek mythology, no matter what retellings claim.


Verdict: I don’t get the hype. The plot has only just begun, so too soon to confirm anything concrete. Obviously, I can’t expect a feminist story considering the original source. I can only hope it keeps the creepiness to the minimum because so far, it’s quite cringe-worthy. No matter what, I don’t think I’ll be a fan of the artwork. I’ll have to grit my teeth through the illustrations of the remaining episodes. (Unless I simply abandon the series out of extreme annoyance.)

2 stars.

Fingers crossed for the next.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars? The art was INCREDIBLE but as someone who isn't super familiar with greek myths, I was a little lost for a lot of this lol. Will brush up on my myths before the next volume comes out and hopefully I'll enjoy that one a bit more!

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Persephone, the goddess of spring, was raised by her mother, Demeter in the mortal realm. Persephone is allowed to live in the glamorous world of Olympus after she promises to train as a sacred virgin. When Artemis, her roommate takes her to a wild party she meets Hades, the charming god of the Underworld and she feels a spark with him. Persephone must learn the relationships and politics in Olympus as well as discover her own place and power.

I loved this book so much! This was a fantastic retelling of Hades and Persephone about love, power, politics and discovering your place in the world. I loved that the author created a modern age perspective of Hades and Persephone in a graphic novel format, it was refreshing. The art and illustrations in this novel are beautiful. I love Hades and Persephone so much! I love how sweet and kind Hades is to Persephone. Persephone she is so nice, caring and helpful. I also really liked Eros and Artemis. I appreciate that the author mentioned content warnings in the second page of the novel. I'm so excited to read the next book! I recommend this graphic novel to anyone who loves mythology, romance and Hades and Persephone retellings.

[Poppyflowerjj · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/ 5⭐
1/5 🌶️

This is now my new hyperfixation.

Behold- the best retelling of the taking of Persephone to exist.

Ever.

Quotes:

“Hades, all the fine suits in the world won't change the fact that you stink of death.”

[Ri ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You don't need some amateur Goddess barging in on your Sunday morning."
"I would pay you a salary to barge in on every single aspect of my life."

Hades and Persephone are already so perfect 💘🤭 what the hell I'm obsessed!?!?!?

The art is gorgeous and different from what I usually read in graphic novels so it just added more to my excitement. I loved the plot as it is the modern retelling of greek myths and the way the author draw the characters in this is just so unique, stylish and perfect. The story is about the myth of Persephone's abduction by Hades but in a modern world of friendships, lies and gossips and the wild parties where we get to see the different sides of greek gods.

I started this last year but couldn't read more than 5 episodes and thanks to Lila (you're the best🥹🫶) whose review made me try this again and Lila guess what? I'm obsessed!!!


✦ Hades: I love how Grumpy he is sometimes and yet so soft for Persephone 🥺 and the way he was jealous of his own dog Cerberus because Persephone was touching the dog 🥹

✦ Persephone: The sweet pink cinnamon roll 💗 she is my favourite and I want her to stand for herself and I know she tries her best but sometimes people like Apollo don't know the meaning of NO😤 and all I want for her is happiness!!!

✦ Eros: He is just perfect and such a sass queen in this and I can't wait to know more about him 😌 also I'm scared for him to be heartbroken and it already happened 😭 but the way he loves Psyche is just 😭💘

Psyche- "I love being here. It's like a dream....but I don't want to be a dream. I want to be real."

Eros- "I love you and I want you to be happy. But right now, it's not safe for you to leave."

✦ Psyche: I liked her but I'm so scared for her and Eros's story and I know they got their happy ending but the way they got it was just 😭 and I'm not ready for it...

✦ Hera: She's funny and witty and I love how protective she is of Persephone 🥺 I want more of her and Zeus since they both look so adorable in this!!

✦ Zeus: Man is so smitten with his wife lmao🤣😭 I love his relationship with Hades and Poseidon 🤣 the trio I didn't knew I needed!!

✦ Artemis: she's so funny, lovely and so damn better than her brother. And the way she said that boys are not allowed in her house but then let Eros in because he brings donuts for her and Persephone 🤣💗

✦ Minthe: I hate her that's all and I know she's going to behave like a bitch in the upcoming storyline 😠

✦ Demeter: Artemis once said "Demeter is such a fucking helicopter." And It's the truth. And the way she trapped her own daughter is horrible 😭

✦ Apollo: Someone kill him already 😠🔪 he's such a piece of shit and how the hell he fucking did that to my sweet Persephone 😠😤🔪🔪 Die Die Die!!


The ending in this was just sad 😭 It was lovely too see how Hades was so smitten by Persephone. I hated how trapped Persephone feels and that she needs to prove herself 😭 She deserves the world and Hades!!! I NEED MORE OF THEM!!!

This is addicting and why the hell didn't I read this before!??
"Better late than never." I guess😌
So excited to read more of it!!!

[Imme [trying to crawl out of hiatus] van Gorp · Rating 3 out of 5]

|| 3.0 stars ||

This was kind of cute, I guess? I’m not sure what to say, to be honest. The plot is so painfully simple it’s barely even there, but there are definitely a few good scenes in here.

The main characters, Persephone and Hades, don’t have much depth to them, but their relationship is pretty adorable. The instant obsession and relentless pining from Hades’s side is always gratifying, and one of the reasons I love retellings of this myth so much.

I do want to point out that the drawings for all the female characters are overly and unnecessarily sexualized, which truly annoyed me and even made me a little uncomfortable.

The ending was extremely intense, though. Definitely a lot more heavy than what I ever thought we would get considering the light tone of the rest of the story.

All in all, I thought this was okay, but I have to admit that I expected more from this because of all the hype it had.


'Lore Olympus' series:
Volume One - 3.0 stars
Volume Two - 4.0 stars
Volume Three - 3.0 stars
Volume Four - 2.0 stars
Volume Five - 1.5 stars

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Do I have a new obsession? Probably. Wow.

I knew I would love Lore Olympus, and I've known it for ages, but I've been waiting for the bind-up to come out because I really struggle with focusing on webtoons. Not sure what it is, because there are a million and one webtoons I would love to read, but I never seem to get around to them until they're printed in a bound format like this. That said, I got this as a Christmas gift from my spouse today and literally binge read it the moment I got the chance (which was maybe two hours after opening the gift). Now I'm sad that Volume One is over, I have no idea when Volume Two is coming out (please be soon, please be soon), and I'm thinking I'm going to probably finally cave and just start reading it as a webtoon because there's no way I can wait for the next volume bind-up. I miss Hades and Persephone too much already.

✨ Content warnings for: sexual assault/rape, a character is drugged without consent, misogynistic jokes/comments, abusive parent

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[Megi Bulla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dai disegni, alle frasi, al sarcasmo cinico buttato li all'improvviso... questa graphic novel è semplicemente perfetta.

Ho trovato incredibile come sia stato semplice sentirmi trascinare da questa storia d'amore nonostante ci abbia messo meno di un'ora a leggere tutto.

Persephone rappresenta il conflitto tra ciò che gli altri vogliono che tu sia e ciò che desideri per te stess*, il bisogno di libertà e anche di poter sbagliare, purché a deciderlo sia tu.
Ade rappresenta la triste consapevolezza che la felicità per te non arriverà mai perché gli altri ti hanno detto talmente tanto spesso che non te lo meriti, che alla fine ci hai creduto.

Ho riso, ho amato e ho provato ansia e tristezza. Tutto in così poco tempo.
Non vedo l'ora di poter avere il secondo.

[Exina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just a few tags:

trashy, dull, unoriginal storyline
boring dialogues
sexist, black-and-white characterization
sexist artwork, too
weak, naïve heroine
alpha-male hero
so-not-2020s
forced seduction / rape
over-hyped
overrated

[TJ ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What do you want then?"
"I want to feel loved and safe every day. Not sometimes. All the time." 💫

the art in this is just my favorite ever. i rly don't think i'd love the webtoon as much if it weren't for the unique style and colors. there were panels that i'd straight up just buy as wall art









the details too, like how sometimes her pink will rub off on him and vice versa 💙🌸





the hades persephone myth invented grumpy/sunshine trope and that's a fact

other things i loved:

🍬 height difference 😚

🍬 hades being such a dog person



pls not him blow drying him 😩✋🏽

🍬 when artemis puts on her warrior garb

🍬 eros and psyche <3

🍬 EVERY TIME HADES STUTTER COMES OUT. it's truly peak cuteness

🍬 sorry but minthe might be my fav character 🏃🏽‍♀️ i think she's a great example of how well-rounded the writing is. even tho she's an abusive, toxic, unlikeable character, she's not made to be one-dimensional. and episode 46 slapped i won't budge on that ☝🏽



the fear in her eyes PLS. the way she hates herself to the point that she physically can't stand him still showing her affection when she's done every possible thing to push him away. alexa play boyfriend by ariana grande, i want a redemption arc

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A CW-fied version of Greek mythology. The Greek Gods live in an Olympus that reminds me of New York City. The Gods get a Kardashian type makeover, the characters are all rich, entitled and vapid for the most part.

As my friend Al suggested, the art is very reminiscent of Kyle Baker with maybe a little Babs Tarr thrown in. It's fine but pretty basic art. For current retellings of Hades and Persephone, I much prefer what Linda Sejic
is doing over in Punderworld.

[Julezreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Lesen von Teil 1 und 2 von "Lore Olympus" hat wahnsinnig Spaß gemacht. Ich bin förmlich durch die Seiten geflogen und konnte kaum aufhören. Die unterschiedlichen Darstellungen der Götter auf äußerst humorvolle Weise haben mich besonders überzeugt. So faszinieren nicht nur die Protagonisten, sondern Nebenfiguren wie zum Beispiel Hera und Eros mit ihren Hintergrundgeschichten😍. In jeder Zeichnung liegt so viel Gefühl, Charakter und Niedlichkeit, dass es auf mich gewirkt und in mir ganz viel Freude ausgelöst hat.

Anmerkung: Dafür wie schnell man durch die Seiten fliegt und wie wenig Zeit man mit dem Buch verbringt, ist es schon sehr teuer, daher bin ich mir trotz der Bewertung unsicher, ob ich die nächsten Teile lesen werde🥲

[Rachel L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a beautiful graphic novel! Seriously, the illustrations are stunning.

I am a sucker for mythology retellings and this is a great one with Hades and Persephone beginning a romance against all odds. I am very excited to see where this all goes.