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Fit for the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined
An anthology of gender-bent, queered, race-bent, and inclusive retellings from the enchanting and eternally popular world of Greek myth, featuring stories by:
Marika Bailey • Alyssa Cole • Zoraida Córdova • Maya Deane • Sarah Gailey • Zeyn Joukhadar • Mia P. Manansala • Juliana Spink Mills • Susan Purr • Taylor Rae • Jude Reali • Suleikha Snyder • Valerie Valdes • S. Zainab Williams • Wen Wen Yang
Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, and the other denizens of Mount Olympus feel almost as present and larger than life today as they did when they were worshipped as gods. Humanity has been telling and retelling stories about the characters from Greek and Roman myth for centuries—heck, the Romans liked the Hellenic originals so much, they remade them faster than Marvel remakes Spider-Man movies. And from Virgil's Aeneid to Xena: Warrior Princess to Percy Jackson to The Song of Achilles, the obsession has never waned.
Yet Fit for the Gods shows how these stories still have a power of metamorphosis that would impress Ovid. Brave, bold, and groundbreaking, the stories in Fit for the Gods will be like ambrosia for those craving fresh interpretations of their favorite myths, and give long-time fans a chance to finally see themselves in these beloved legends.
Marika Bailey • Alyssa Cole • Zoraida Córdova • Maya Deane • Sarah Gailey • Zeyn Joukhadar • Mia P. Manansala • Juliana Spink Mills • Susan Purr • Taylor Rae • Jude Reali • Suleikha Snyder • Valerie Valdes • S. Zainab Williams • Wen Wen Yang
Zeus, Athena, Apollo, Aphrodite, and the other denizens of Mount Olympus feel almost as present and larger than life today as they did when they were worshipped as gods. Humanity has been telling and retelling stories about the characters from Greek and Roman myth for centuries—heck, the Romans liked the Hellenic originals so much, they remade them faster than Marvel remakes Spider-Man movies. And from Virgil's Aeneid to Xena: Warrior Princess to Percy Jackson to The Song of Achilles, the obsession has never waned.
Yet Fit for the Gods shows how these stories still have a power of metamorphosis that would impress Ovid. Brave, bold, and groundbreaking, the stories in Fit for the Gods will be like ambrosia for those craving fresh interpretations of their favorite myths, and give long-time fans a chance to finally see themselves in these beloved legends.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2023
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2004 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 20, 2022
I wrote a short story for this anthology and I really had a blast with it.
its-a-no-from-me
April 27, 2023There isn't a single Greek author in this GREEK mythology related anthology.
NOT. A .SINGLE .ONE.
NOT. A .SINGLE .ONE.
October 26, 2023
An imaginative, heartfelt anthology that reimagines some of the most recognizable figures of Greek Mythology. These inclusive retellings look at the core of storytelling: emotion, desires, and visibility, in order to blend together the traditional with the contemporary, the old with the new. Each story offers a fresh look at the classical tales, weaving themes of ownership over one’s own story, love, loss, revenge, and lgbtq identity into an enjoyable, dynamic collection that highlights the pursuit of security and joy in a turbulent world. Fun and interesting, fit not just for the gods, but for every mythology lover who looks for themselves amidst the pages.
September 27, 2023
As a former Latin teacher, I have spent a lot of time reading modern myth stories written by teenagers. These are not much better than those often were. The only difference is that these authors could include 4 letter words and sex. I enjoyed a few of these stories but not all that much. In this age of retelling ancient myths, Madeline Miller and Natalies Haynes do it so much better!
July 26, 2023
overall a 3.5, rounding up for a couple of incredible stories
The Gorgon Confessionals by Zoraida Córdova - Melpomene interviews a reborn Medusa to get her side of the ancient story, and then asks a couple of men for their opinions too. this story is written in an interview format, which was delightful.
4/5
Dion and the Maenads by S. Zainab Williams - Dion (Dionysus reincarnated, obvs) hangs out with her Maenads (May, Mae, and Mei) and complains about how terrible Zeus is. they come up with a plan to try and humble him a little with the help of a couple unsuspecting mortals.
3/5
Tiresias by Zeyn Joukhadar - one of my least favorite of the collection. it felt very disconnected from mythology; it follows a protagonist and their boyfriend (who doubles as an Ass) and there's casual animal sacrifice in the kitchen. idk, I didn't love it but the writing was absolutely gorgeous so I'm nudging the rating up a bit.
2.5/5
Wild to Covet by Sarah Gailey - one of the stories that saved the collection. this is a retelling of Thetis; of the struggle against ownership and prophecy and independence. Thetis was an incredible character and it was a delight seeing her in a new way. I'm definitely biased bc Gailey just Gets It and their writing is top shelf, but I adored this one. also, in this story her son (Achilles in myth) is named Easu and his best friend/best beloved (slash boyfriend, Patroclus in myth) is named Pistol.
5/5
Pescada by Juliana Spink Mills - I'm very sad to report that, by just reading the story (there's extra notes at the back for a bunch of them to explain stuff) I had no idea what was trying to be accomplished. we see Penelope in this one but she's definitely not myth!Penelope, and she runs a store called Circe. which myth are we riffing off here? Mills needed to commit and clarify instead of just throwing a bunch of disconnected references around.
2/5
Pickles for Mrs. Pomme by Susan Purr - this one was genuinely fun and it was a delight trying to ID who everybody was supposed to be. our protag is Rodie (Aphrodite lol) and she's hilarious. I find Aphrodite in myth to be a very intriguing figure and Purr did a fantastic job leaning into that. Rodie is blind, as in "love is blind". (there's also a Persephone and Hades bit that was funny.)
4/5
The Ship of Thea by Suleikha Snyder - Theseus, aka Thea, goes to an escape room to try and get out of the house and maybe even get over all the mistakes she made with her ex-wife, Astra. the escape room is supposed to be impossible but Thea excels at puzzles and riddles, and discovers that the prize at the end is a second chance.
3.5/5
The Furies Detective Agency by Mia P. Manansala - the Erinyes siblings, owners of the literally named Furies Detective Agency, specialize in family dram and getting revenge. Elektra (of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon fame) approaches them for help investigating her older sister's murder. this one was a blast and I loved the hot take on Elektra.
5/5
Atalanta Hunts the Boar by Valerie Valdes - Kybele hires Atalanta and her husband Pom to kill a man known as The Boar, a ruthless mercenary who slaughtered a good deal of Atalanta's friend and Kybele's lover Attis. Atalanta got the closest anyone has ever come to killing him so she gets the job. this is a sci fi hot take and there's a sweet spaceship race in it.
3.5/5
A Heart Inured to Suffering by Jude Reali - Odysseus is stuck on their derelict spaceship and imprisoned by the AI they built, Calypso. (this is what happens when you're too smart to take a breath and say "I cando this, but should I?") the Olympian gods are the Twelve, aka the highest order of AI in the universe. Odysseus occasionally gets helps from ATH3-NA but Calypso has been blocking reception lately, so for this they're on their own.
4/5
Trembling Aspen; Or, To Shiver by Marika Bailey - does everybody still remember Daphne? chased by Apollo, begged to turn into a tree to escape him, turned into his personal symbol even after she became a gotdamn tree? our protagonist is an Aspen tree and she's on a very, very long journey of revenge against the god who maimed her. lovely read, it's very slow and syrupy and feels like you're talking to trees.
4/5
Stasis (Bastion in the Spring) by Alyssa Cole - Sentinel 7 watches over bio matter and patiently waits for the planet to fix itself so it can birth humanity all over again. he calls himself Bastion in the privacy of his own head. an explicable new woman arrives named Perse, who reminds Bastion how to be gentle and kind. the ending was /chef's kiss
3/5
The Eagles at the Edge of the World by Taylor Rae - climate change was sunk the majority of earth's landmasses and a good deal of people travel on boats or live in floating cities. Aeneas and her mother are in search of a new home for their people and meets Di (aka Dido, keep up lads) at her lonely city. strange but very pretty.
3/5
The Words from the Mountain by Wen Wen Yang - I'm just perplexed on this whole thing. I did not like this story. I found it very boring, which is unfortunate because I love linguistics and this one had the potential to be stellar. there are some mortals, a precious few, who have the language of the gods, which allows them to do a great many things (heal, hurt, plant, rain, etc). the protag is strong-armed into it and wants to escape and ends up getting Hermes' help.
2/5
No Gods, No Kings by Maya Deane - Murina Prime, First of the Amazons, reminds the gods why her people are not to be trifled with. I liked this one a lot better after I sat on it for a couple of days and agree that it was a fitting conclusion to the collection. I do like seeing gods get their due tbh.
3/5
queer rep - nonbinary (they/them) 2, 8, 10 ;; achillean 3, 10 ;; sapphic 5, 7, 8, 13, 15 ;; bisexual 6, 11 ;; trans 15 (#s correspond to which story has which rep)
thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc ✨
The Gorgon Confessionals by Zoraida Córdova - Melpomene interviews a reborn Medusa to get her side of the ancient story, and then asks a couple of men for their opinions too. this story is written in an interview format, which was delightful.
4/5
Dion and the Maenads by S. Zainab Williams - Dion (Dionysus reincarnated, obvs) hangs out with her Maenads (May, Mae, and Mei) and complains about how terrible Zeus is. they come up with a plan to try and humble him a little with the help of a couple unsuspecting mortals.
3/5
“Dion. You are so tragic.”
“Girl, I know,” Dion shouted above the din of Swedish pop. “But one finds joy where one must when living in the darkest timeline.”
Tiresias by Zeyn Joukhadar - one of my least favorite of the collection. it felt very disconnected from mythology; it follows a protagonist and their boyfriend (who doubles as an Ass) and there's casual animal sacrifice in the kitchen. idk, I didn't love it but the writing was absolutely gorgeous so I'm nudging the rating up a bit.
2.5/5
Wild to Covet by Sarah Gailey - one of the stories that saved the collection. this is a retelling of Thetis; of the struggle against ownership and prophecy and independence. Thetis was an incredible character and it was a delight seeing her in a new way. I'm definitely biased bc Gailey just Gets It and their writing is top shelf, but I adored this one. also, in this story her son (Achilles in myth) is named Easu and his best friend/best beloved (slash boyfriend, Patroclus in myth) is named Pistol.
5/5
“Thetis wasn’t a domesticated creature, but she was curious about tameness, a fox nosing around a dog’s kennel.”
Pescada by Juliana Spink Mills - I'm very sad to report that, by just reading the story (there's extra notes at the back for a bunch of them to explain stuff) I had no idea what was trying to be accomplished. we see Penelope in this one but she's definitely not myth!Penelope, and she runs a store called Circe. which myth are we riffing off here? Mills needed to commit and clarify instead of just throwing a bunch of disconnected references around.
2/5
Pickles for Mrs. Pomme by Susan Purr - this one was genuinely fun and it was a delight trying to ID who everybody was supposed to be. our protag is Rodie (Aphrodite lol) and she's hilarious. I find Aphrodite in myth to be a very intriguing figure and Purr did a fantastic job leaning into that. Rodie is blind, as in "love is blind". (there's also a Persephone and Hades bit that was funny.)
4/5
The Ship of Thea by Suleikha Snyder - Theseus, aka Thea, goes to an escape room to try and get out of the house and maybe even get over all the mistakes she made with her ex-wife, Astra. the escape room is supposed to be impossible but Thea excels at puzzles and riddles, and discovers that the prize at the end is a second chance.
3.5/5
"You built me a maze, " she marvels, "because you knew I wouldn't be able to resist a puzzle. And because you knew I could solve it."
The Furies Detective Agency by Mia P. Manansala - the Erinyes siblings, owners of the literally named Furies Detective Agency, specialize in family dram and getting revenge. Elektra (of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon fame) approaches them for help investigating her older sister's murder. this one was a blast and I loved the hot take on Elektra.
5/5
Atalanta Hunts the Boar by Valerie Valdes - Kybele hires Atalanta and her husband Pom to kill a man known as The Boar, a ruthless mercenary who slaughtered a good deal of Atalanta's friend and Kybele's lover Attis. Atalanta got the closest anyone has ever come to killing him so she gets the job. this is a sci fi hot take and there's a sweet spaceship race in it.
3.5/5
A Heart Inured to Suffering by Jude Reali - Odysseus is stuck on their derelict spaceship and imprisoned by the AI they built, Calypso. (this is what happens when you're too smart to take a breath and say "I cando this, but should I?") the Olympian gods are the Twelve, aka the highest order of AI in the universe. Odysseus occasionally gets helps from ATH3-NA but Calypso has been blocking reception lately, so for this they're on their own.
4/5
Trembling Aspen; Or, To Shiver by Marika Bailey - does everybody still remember Daphne? chased by Apollo, begged to turn into a tree to escape him, turned into his personal symbol even after she became a gotdamn tree? our protagonist is an Aspen tree and she's on a very, very long journey of revenge against the god who maimed her. lovely read, it's very slow and syrupy and feels like you're talking to trees.
4/5
There is no gravity of reparations. No universal pull toward righteousness. There is only you, and me, and us, and what we are willing to do.
Stasis (Bastion in the Spring) by Alyssa Cole - Sentinel 7 watches over bio matter and patiently waits for the planet to fix itself so it can birth humanity all over again. he calls himself Bastion in the privacy of his own head. an explicable new woman arrives named Perse, who reminds Bastion how to be gentle and kind. the ending was /chef's kiss
3/5
The Eagles at the Edge of the World by Taylor Rae - climate change was sunk the majority of earth's landmasses and a good deal of people travel on boats or live in floating cities. Aeneas and her mother are in search of a new home for their people and meets Di (aka Dido, keep up lads) at her lonely city. strange but very pretty.
3/5
The Words from the Mountain by Wen Wen Yang - I'm just perplexed on this whole thing. I did not like this story. I found it very boring, which is unfortunate because I love linguistics and this one had the potential to be stellar. there are some mortals, a precious few, who have the language of the gods, which allows them to do a great many things (heal, hurt, plant, rain, etc). the protag is strong-armed into it and wants to escape and ends up getting Hermes' help.
2/5
No Gods, No Kings by Maya Deane - Murina Prime, First of the Amazons, reminds the gods why her people are not to be trifled with. I liked this one a lot better after I sat on it for a couple of days and agree that it was a fitting conclusion to the collection. I do like seeing gods get their due tbh.
3/5
queer rep - nonbinary (they/them) 2, 8, 10 ;; achillean 3, 10 ;; sapphic 5, 7, 8, 13, 15 ;; bisexual 6, 11 ;; trans 15 (#s correspond to which story has which rep)
thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc ✨
August 21, 2023
“My mind is a storm, and if I believed anyone would listen, I might pray”
April 26, 2025
Though Greek mythology originates from several millennia ago, their stories have been renewed again and again over the centuries through art and literature. In this anthology, more than a dozen authors tackle this too - but their tellings are with a twist, bringing racially, sexually, and culturally diverse takes to the classic stories.
I've always loved Greek mythology and have engaged with in a plethora of ways, from reading classic translations to the Percy Jackson books to the recent trend in novel-length unpackings like Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles and Circe. However, while I've seen more diverse adaptations of, say, fairy tales and Shakespearean plays on the rise, authors seem less willing to play around with Greek myths, so I was pretty happy to pick up this anthology.
In this book authors take on everything from the gorgons and the furies to episodes from the Trojan War and the Odyssey, covering every genre from romance to horror to sci-fi. I loved that while the stories stretched and transposed the familiar stories into forms that the ancient Greeks never could have imagined, they remained at their heart themselves. Some of my favorites were Sarah Gailey's "Wild to Covet," which turns the story of Thetis and Achilles into an uncanny Appalachian tragedy; Valerie Valdes' "Atalanta Hunts the Boar," which takes Atalanta's story to the stars in a fast-paced space race; and Taylor Rae's "The Eagles at the Edge of the World," which sets Aeneas's fleeing of Troy in a post-apocalyptic water world.
However, as is the case with any anthology, I preferred some stories over others. I thought a couple of the stories stretched the connections between myth and retelling a bit too thin, more 'inspired by' than 'reimagined.' Similarly, a couple stories felt rushed or incomplete, ending without making its point.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I've always loved Greek mythology and have engaged with in a plethora of ways, from reading classic translations to the Percy Jackson books to the recent trend in novel-length unpackings like Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles and Circe. However, while I've seen more diverse adaptations of, say, fairy tales and Shakespearean plays on the rise, authors seem less willing to play around with Greek myths, so I was pretty happy to pick up this anthology.
In this book authors take on everything from the gorgons and the furies to episodes from the Trojan War and the Odyssey, covering every genre from romance to horror to sci-fi. I loved that while the stories stretched and transposed the familiar stories into forms that the ancient Greeks never could have imagined, they remained at their heart themselves. Some of my favorites were Sarah Gailey's "Wild to Covet," which turns the story of Thetis and Achilles into an uncanny Appalachian tragedy; Valerie Valdes' "Atalanta Hunts the Boar," which takes Atalanta's story to the stars in a fast-paced space race; and Taylor Rae's "The Eagles at the Edge of the World," which sets Aeneas's fleeing of Troy in a post-apocalyptic water world.
However, as is the case with any anthology, I preferred some stories over others. I thought a couple of the stories stretched the connections between myth and retelling a bit too thin, more 'inspired by' than 'reimagined.' Similarly, a couple stories felt rushed or incomplete, ending without making its point.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
October 2, 2023
3.5 stars. First off, I am rusty with my Greek mythology.
Second, I loved the idea of retelling Greek myths with a diverse/representative slant and for the most part, the stories succeeded in that respect. Of course, some stories were more successful than others. Some stories left me a little confused about what I had just read. Others made me wish they were novellas or even full novels.
Favorites: The Gorgon Confessionals, Dion and the Maenads, The Furies Detective Agency, Atalanta Hunts the Boar, and Stasis (Bastion in the Spring).
Not Bad: Wild to Covet, Pescada, Pickles for Mrs. Pomme, The Ship of Thea, No Gods No Kings, Trembling Aspen; Or, To Shiver
Could've Done Without: Tiresias, A Heart Inured to Suffering, The Eagles at the Edge of the World, The Words from the Mountain (this last one started strong, but then lost me)
Second, I loved the idea of retelling Greek myths with a diverse/representative slant and for the most part, the stories succeeded in that respect. Of course, some stories were more successful than others. Some stories left me a little confused about what I had just read. Others made me wish they were novellas or even full novels.
Favorites: The Gorgon Confessionals, Dion and the Maenads, The Furies Detective Agency, Atalanta Hunts the Boar, and Stasis (Bastion in the Spring).
Not Bad: Wild to Covet, Pescada, Pickles for Mrs. Pomme, The Ship of Thea, No Gods No Kings, Trembling Aspen; Or, To Shiver
Could've Done Without: Tiresias, A Heart Inured to Suffering, The Eagles at the Edge of the World, The Words from the Mountain (this last one started strong, but then lost me)
July 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️.75/5
For me, this was just okay. I liked and enjoyed that there was queer flair woven into a lot of these retellings. Unfortunately for me, most of them fell really flat and didn’t move me at all. There were only a couple of stories that knocked it out of the park for me, one involving Medusa, and one was a wonderful retelling of Hades and Persephone.
There isn’t much else to say about it, unfortunately. I wish this had rocked my world just a little more.
For me, this was just okay. I liked and enjoyed that there was queer flair woven into a lot of these retellings. Unfortunately for me, most of them fell really flat and didn’t move me at all. There were only a couple of stories that knocked it out of the park for me, one involving Medusa, and one was a wonderful retelling of Hades and Persephone.
There isn’t much else to say about it, unfortunately. I wish this had rocked my world just a little more.
January 16, 2025
My three favorite stories were the ones about thetis, Odysseus, and hades/persephone. Some of the other stories were enjoyable but dragged a little bit. Overall not a bad anthology but pretty run of the mill
September 11, 2023
first story was amazing (real funny)
another one got my attention
... and that's it
another one got my attention
... and that's it
September 24, 2023
This is a very entertaining collection of diverse retellings of Greek mythology. Most are set in contemporary times or the future, with a few historical fantasy pieces. I loved all the queer takes.
February 15, 2024
I thought this was a super fun read. Some parts were kind of hard to understand but for the most part, it was great!
July 23, 2025
I liked less than half of the stories in this book. And I didn’t like the one they chose to end it all.
I think this book tried too hard.
But I did like the space themed/futuristic stories.
I think this book tried too hard.
But I did like the space themed/futuristic stories.
January 23, 2025
These stories were surprisingly good! I’m used to finding anthologies to be pretty meh most of the time, but I enjoyed all of these. (However, I did actually like the last one of the least lol.) The stories were all solidly original takes on their myths, and many focused on aspects of those myths that I had never considered before. I think my favorite was “The Eagles at the Edge of the World,” but so many of them were good.
June 25, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book.
There were a lot of authors who I hadn’t read before and others I had read before. Since there were a lot of authors whose writing styles I wasn’t used to, I found it harder to understand what was going on.
There were a few stories that I would enjoy a full-length novel based off those stories. For instance, I wanted to see more from Mia P. Manansala’s “The Furies Detective Agency” and Alyssa Cole’s “Stasis (Bastion in the Spring)” (I would love to read a full-length Alyssa Cole treatment of Hades and Persephone).
Overall, I think an intermediate knowledge of Greco-Roman mythology would help understand where a lot of the retellings are coming from.
There were a lot of authors who I hadn’t read before and others I had read before. Since there were a lot of authors whose writing styles I wasn’t used to, I found it harder to understand what was going on.
There were a few stories that I would enjoy a full-length novel based off those stories. For instance, I wanted to see more from Mia P. Manansala’s “The Furies Detective Agency” and Alyssa Cole’s “Stasis (Bastion in the Spring)” (I would love to read a full-length Alyssa Cole treatment of Hades and Persephone).
Overall, I think an intermediate knowledge of Greco-Roman mythology would help understand where a lot of the retellings are coming from.
June 18, 2023
Not every story is going to be for you, but every story has something to enjoy, to think about, to treasure. Creativity and intellect and magic run in the veins of this collection, and it may very well be the best short story collection I have ever read.
June 9, 2023
The first story, The Gorgon Confessionals , wasn’t my typical style to read in (via transcripts of a podcast) but I ended up loving it. I also thought it could be expanded into a whole book- the concept and the characters were so interesting and funny.
The Furies Detective Agency was my second favorite story. It had the air of Dick Tracy and the excitement of a good whodunnit, as well. I would love to hear more cases from this agency!
Over all, there were few other stories I really enjoyed, but I think this collection is great because it really has something for everyone. If one story isn’t your style, skip to the next and you might find it’s right up your lane.
Thanks Penguin Random House -Vintage for the NetGalley ARC.
The Furies Detective Agency was my second favorite story. It had the air of Dick Tracy and the excitement of a good whodunnit, as well. I would love to hear more cases from this agency!
Over all, there were few other stories I really enjoyed, but I think this collection is great because it really has something for everyone. If one story isn’t your style, skip to the next and you might find it’s right up your lane.
Thanks Penguin Random House -Vintage for the NetGalley ARC.
December 11, 2024
3 stars, for three stories carrying the collection.
The Gorgon Confessionals by Zoraida Córdova - 5/5
-The best story, hands down, in this entire collection. I honestly love Medusa, and this retake on her story is fantastic. This was the opening story for the collection which was a bummer because it got me really hyped to read the rest that didn't really deliver in the same way.
Dion and the Maenads by S. Zainab Williams - DNF
The only short story in this collection that I did not finish reading because I hate the frat/sorority life setting/party experience, even if it's fitting for Dionysus.
Tiresias by Zeyn Joukhadar - 1/5
Least favorite that I did finish reading. There are multiple stories about Tiresias through actual mythology, different places where Tiresias appears. This story tried to take all of those instances and shove them into one incoherent weird story about Tiresias and their asshole boyfriend at some house party (?) where people are all shitty and there's an animal sacrifice in the kitchen because why not. I can see where this story was trying to put the lens of a transgender experience on Tiresias, but it fell flat for me.
Wild to Covet by Sarah Gailey - 5/5
Veeeery nearly beat out The Gorgon Confessionals for top place. I loved this savage take on Thetis. This was the kind of retelling I was really looking for in this series.
Pescada by Juliana Spink Mills - 1/5
About a page or two into this story is where I had to pause reading this entire collection and do a palate cleanse with manga. This retelling is supposed to be about Penelope, but she runs a shop called Circe? There were just a whole lot of references in here that didn't actually work to make a cohesive retelling.
Pickles for Mrs. Pomme by Susan Purr - 4/5
I did actually have a good laugh at this one. The depictions for each god and goddess were great reimaginings.
The Ship of Thea by Suleikha Snyder - 2/5
I liked the idea of an escape room as the Maze, but otherwise, this didn't really feel like any kind of retelling/reimagining.
The Furies Detective Agency by Mia P. Manansala - 5/5
The moment the Erinyes sisters, and Meg in particular, were introduced, I knew Manansala had played Hades the video game! Because I absolutely loved their depiction in the game and this felt like a fantastic extension of that. Getting validation in the author's note for the story was just the cherry on top.
Atalanta Hunts the Boar by Valerie Valdes - 3.5/5
This was the first real sci-fi entry in the collection, and I thought it was a good reimagining of Atalanta and the Boar. Yay for spaceship races!
A Heart Inured to Suffering by Jude Reali - 4/5
This was a reimagining of Odysseus' long journey home to Penelope only this time, they're stuck on a rickety spaceship and imprisoned by the AI they created for the ship, Calypso. This story was delightfully dark and fucked up towards the end. The only reason it gets four instead of five stars is because it did take me a bit to get into it. It didn't immediately grab me like the other five-star stories.
Trembling Aspen; Or, To Shiver by Marika Bailey - 3/5
I didn't expect to come across a Daphne retelling, but this was exactly what you'd expect from a story being told by a tree. My only complaint is that the story can be so incredibly vague at times that I was left wondering, "wtf is point?"
Stasis (Bastion in the Spring) by Alyssa Cole - 3/5
A lovely dystopian take on the Hades/Persephone myth, but I felt like the pacing was kind of off which can make or break a story for me.
The Eagles at the Edge of the World by Taylor Rae - 3/5
As a Latin nerd (and college minor) I have a very, very soft spot for Virgil and The Aeneid. This paid homage to that story under the guise of climate change and cultural preservation.
The Words from the Mountain by Wen Wen Yang - 5/5
Okay, I take it back, there were four five-star reads in this collection. I love linguistics and the history of different cultures developing a written language. I think a lot of people might forget about Hermes being considered the giver of languages. At first this story feels a little out of place, like you can't quite remember what myth is being depicted, but once you pick up on it, it's so so cleverly done.
No Gods, No Kings by Maya Deane - 1/5
I love the story of the Amazons, but honestly, this story just was not for me. I get that it was about the conflict between the Titans and the Olympians and the Amazons' sometimes depicted role therein. But there were so many alternate names (that weren't necessarily easily identifiable) just thrown about that I felt constantly jolted out of the story. And it feels like there's a lot of backstory for the Amazons to get to this point that you just don't get, so it feels like you're dropped into the middle of a story. No clear beginning, and frankly, no clear ending. "This is the conflict. And now it's done." Also, an ancient setting way back with the Titans and then later a reference to the actual company Amazon? Too, too jarring for me.
The Gorgon Confessionals by Zoraida Córdova - 5/5
-The best story, hands down, in this entire collection. I honestly love Medusa, and this retake on her story is fantastic. This was the opening story for the collection which was a bummer because it got me really hyped to read the rest that didn't really deliver in the same way.
Dion and the Maenads by S. Zainab Williams - DNF
The only short story in this collection that I did not finish reading because I hate the frat/sorority life setting/party experience, even if it's fitting for Dionysus.
Tiresias by Zeyn Joukhadar - 1/5
Least favorite that I did finish reading. There are multiple stories about Tiresias through actual mythology, different places where Tiresias appears. This story tried to take all of those instances and shove them into one incoherent weird story about Tiresias and their asshole boyfriend at some house party (?) where people are all shitty and there's an animal sacrifice in the kitchen because why not. I can see where this story was trying to put the lens of a transgender experience on Tiresias, but it fell flat for me.
Wild to Covet by Sarah Gailey - 5/5
Veeeery nearly beat out The Gorgon Confessionals for top place. I loved this savage take on Thetis. This was the kind of retelling I was really looking for in this series.
Pescada by Juliana Spink Mills - 1/5
About a page or two into this story is where I had to pause reading this entire collection and do a palate cleanse with manga. This retelling is supposed to be about Penelope, but she runs a shop called Circe? There were just a whole lot of references in here that didn't actually work to make a cohesive retelling.
Pickles for Mrs. Pomme by Susan Purr - 4/5
I did actually have a good laugh at this one. The depictions for each god and goddess were great reimaginings.
The Ship of Thea by Suleikha Snyder - 2/5
I liked the idea of an escape room as the Maze, but otherwise, this didn't really feel like any kind of retelling/reimagining.
The Furies Detective Agency by Mia P. Manansala - 5/5
The moment the Erinyes sisters, and Meg in particular, were introduced, I knew Manansala had played Hades the video game! Because I absolutely loved their depiction in the game and this felt like a fantastic extension of that. Getting validation in the author's note for the story was just the cherry on top.
Atalanta Hunts the Boar by Valerie Valdes - 3.5/5
This was the first real sci-fi entry in the collection, and I thought it was a good reimagining of Atalanta and the Boar. Yay for spaceship races!
A Heart Inured to Suffering by Jude Reali - 4/5
This was a reimagining of Odysseus' long journey home to Penelope only this time, they're stuck on a rickety spaceship and imprisoned by the AI they created for the ship, Calypso. This story was delightfully dark and fucked up towards the end. The only reason it gets four instead of five stars is because it did take me a bit to get into it. It didn't immediately grab me like the other five-star stories.
Trembling Aspen; Or, To Shiver by Marika Bailey - 3/5
I didn't expect to come across a Daphne retelling, but this was exactly what you'd expect from a story being told by a tree. My only complaint is that the story can be so incredibly vague at times that I was left wondering, "wtf is point?"
Stasis (Bastion in the Spring) by Alyssa Cole - 3/5
A lovely dystopian take on the Hades/Persephone myth, but I felt like the pacing was kind of off which can make or break a story for me.
The Eagles at the Edge of the World by Taylor Rae - 3/5
As a Latin nerd (and college minor) I have a very, very soft spot for Virgil and The Aeneid. This paid homage to that story under the guise of climate change and cultural preservation.
The Words from the Mountain by Wen Wen Yang - 5/5
Okay, I take it back, there were four five-star reads in this collection. I love linguistics and the history of different cultures developing a written language. I think a lot of people might forget about Hermes being considered the giver of languages. At first this story feels a little out of place, like you can't quite remember what myth is being depicted, but once you pick up on it, it's so so cleverly done.
No Gods, No Kings by Maya Deane - 1/5
I love the story of the Amazons, but honestly, this story just was not for me. I get that it was about the conflict between the Titans and the Olympians and the Amazons' sometimes depicted role therein. But there were so many alternate names (that weren't necessarily easily identifiable) just thrown about that I felt constantly jolted out of the story. And it feels like there's a lot of backstory for the Amazons to get to this point that you just don't get, so it feels like you're dropped into the middle of a story. No clear beginning, and frankly, no clear ending. "This is the conflict. And now it's done." Also, an ancient setting way back with the Titans and then later a reference to the actual company Amazon? Too, too jarring for me.
July 15, 2023
Zoraida Cordova knows what’s what. Her story, “The Gorgon Confessionals,” opens Fit for the Gods by imagining that the gods, immortals, heroes and villains of Greek mythology are regenerating into the modern world, they have their memories, but not necessarily their powers. Through a documentary series, Melpomene, the Muse of Tragedy, is examining the story of Medusa and Perseus through a series of interviews. Zeus is a Republican candidate for President. (Vote Hades!).
The stories by two of my favorite authors, Suleikha Snyder and Alyssa Cole dive deeply into the emotional core of their respective myths. In Snyder’s “The Ship of Thea,” a woman dealing with burnout and depression tackles a complicated escape room and discovers the prize is a second chance. Cole’s “Stasis (Bastion in the Spring)” might be my new favorite Hades and Persephone retelling.
The biggest surprise for me was Valerie Valdes’ “Atalanta Hunts the Boar.” I loved the scifi setting and the way Valdes took the names and the dynamics from mythology to tell the story of Atalanta and her (not so) himbo husband taking down a vicious killer. I have Valdes’ Chilling Effect on my kindle, and clearly I need to find time to read it.
One of the things I love about anthologies is getting to try new authors. I really enjoyed WenWen Yang’s “The Words from the Mountain.” I loved that Yang and Maya Deane’s (“No Gods,No Kings”) stories of sacrifice and liberation wrapped up the anthology.
I had to brush up on my mythology for a few of the stories. Knowing the relationships between characters in myth particularly deepened my enjoyment of Valdes and Mia P. Manansala’s (“The Furies Detective Agency”) stories.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Penguin Random House and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
The stories by two of my favorite authors, Suleikha Snyder and Alyssa Cole dive deeply into the emotional core of their respective myths. In Snyder’s “The Ship of Thea,” a woman dealing with burnout and depression tackles a complicated escape room and discovers the prize is a second chance. Cole’s “Stasis (Bastion in the Spring)” might be my new favorite Hades and Persephone retelling.
The biggest surprise for me was Valerie Valdes’ “Atalanta Hunts the Boar.” I loved the scifi setting and the way Valdes took the names and the dynamics from mythology to tell the story of Atalanta and her (not so) himbo husband taking down a vicious killer. I have Valdes’ Chilling Effect on my kindle, and clearly I need to find time to read it.
One of the things I love about anthologies is getting to try new authors. I really enjoyed WenWen Yang’s “The Words from the Mountain.” I loved that Yang and Maya Deane’s (“No Gods,No Kings”) stories of sacrifice and liberation wrapped up the anthology.
I had to brush up on my mythology for a few of the stories. Knowing the relationships between characters in myth particularly deepened my enjoyment of Valdes and Mia P. Manansala’s (“The Furies Detective Agency”) stories.
I received this as an advance reader copy from Penguin Random House and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
August 31, 2023
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was immediately taken in by the premise of this book, "an anthology of gender-bent, queered, race-bent, and inclusive retellings," all based in Greek mythology. As someone who loves Greek mythology and loves a twist on a classic tale, I was sold. I think almost every story had a good premise and did accomplish what it set out to do, however I did not think the anthology style really gave each author a chance to flesh out their universe. Each story was so unique had such different worlds that it was hard to cram enough world building into each as they were all allotted one chapter.
I do want to point out two stories I really did enjoy though. One was the opening story "The Gorgon Confessionals" by Zoraida Cordova and the other was "Wild to Covet" by Sarah Gailey. I think both, while extremely different, really let the reader be sucked into the world each author was creating in very few pages. Cordova's story was a retelling of Medusa and Perseus set as a reality show/documentary and really started us off on a good note. It was humorous but with a heart. Gailey's on the other hand was a retelling of Thetis's story and reminded me in some ways of "Where the Crawdads Sing". It was very atmospheric and just pulled you in. It was a great exploration of what it means to be a woman and a mother and what it means to be wild and free.
While I did not love most of the stories as they were in this book, I did still think they were excellently written and had interesting concepts. I just needed more to really fell connected to each one and to understand all the things the author wanted to do. I would recommend checking this out if you do like mythology retellings as I feel it is worth a read.
I was immediately taken in by the premise of this book, "an anthology of gender-bent, queered, race-bent, and inclusive retellings," all based in Greek mythology. As someone who loves Greek mythology and loves a twist on a classic tale, I was sold. I think almost every story had a good premise and did accomplish what it set out to do, however I did not think the anthology style really gave each author a chance to flesh out their universe. Each story was so unique had such different worlds that it was hard to cram enough world building into each as they were all allotted one chapter.
I do want to point out two stories I really did enjoy though. One was the opening story "The Gorgon Confessionals" by Zoraida Cordova and the other was "Wild to Covet" by Sarah Gailey. I think both, while extremely different, really let the reader be sucked into the world each author was creating in very few pages. Cordova's story was a retelling of Medusa and Perseus set as a reality show/documentary and really started us off on a good note. It was humorous but with a heart. Gailey's on the other hand was a retelling of Thetis's story and reminded me in some ways of "Where the Crawdads Sing". It was very atmospheric and just pulled you in. It was a great exploration of what it means to be a woman and a mother and what it means to be wild and free.
While I did not love most of the stories as they were in this book, I did still think they were excellently written and had interesting concepts. I just needed more to really fell connected to each one and to understand all the things the author wanted to do. I would recommend checking this out if you do like mythology retellings as I feel it is worth a read.
August 7, 2023
Fans of Greek and Roman myths who think they’ve read it all have a new book for their To-Be-Read pile. “Fit for the Gods,” edited by Jenn Northington and S. Zainab Williams, is a collection of classic myths with a twist. From modern settings to space races to clever storytelling styles (who knew a documentary transcript could be so intriguing?), this anthology truly has something for everyone.
The best part of this collection is that these retellings are so inclusive and approachable. Changes range from gender to race to sexuality, but each new version adds depth and a new perspective to the themes of the original. Familiarity with the classic myths provides readers with fun little moments where the dots suddenly connect or with chuckles at witty naming conventions. However, knowledge of the originals is not required to enjoy “Fit for the Gods.” I knew some of the stories before picking up this collection, and I was able to appreciate the artistic choices made by the authors in those circumstances. That being said, there were absolutely retellings of stories that I hadn’t read before, and I enjoyed them just as much as those whose background I already understood.
Overall, this book is a great read, and I’d recommend it for those who are looking to see their favorite stories through a new lens (especially our friends Odysseus, Hades, and Persephone) or for those who are looking for stories that place themselves firmly outside of the box and which create their own rules.
Thank you Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the free advanced reader copy! Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The best part of this collection is that these retellings are so inclusive and approachable. Changes range from gender to race to sexuality, but each new version adds depth and a new perspective to the themes of the original. Familiarity with the classic myths provides readers with fun little moments where the dots suddenly connect or with chuckles at witty naming conventions. However, knowledge of the originals is not required to enjoy “Fit for the Gods.” I knew some of the stories before picking up this collection, and I was able to appreciate the artistic choices made by the authors in those circumstances. That being said, there were absolutely retellings of stories that I hadn’t read before, and I enjoyed them just as much as those whose background I already understood.
Overall, this book is a great read, and I’d recommend it for those who are looking to see their favorite stories through a new lens (especially our friends Odysseus, Hades, and Persephone) or for those who are looking for stories that place themselves firmly outside of the box and which create their own rules.
Thank you Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the free advanced reader copy! Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 7, 2023
Fans of Greek and Roman myths who think they’ve read it all have a new book for their To-Be-Read pile. “Fit for the Gods,” edited by Jenn Northington and S. Zainab Williams, is a collection of classic myths with a twist. From modern settings to space races to clever storytelling styles (who knew a documentary transcript could be so intriguing?), this anthology truly has something for everyone.
The best part of this collection is that these retellings are so inclusive and approachable. Changes range from gender to race to sexuality, but each new version adds depth and a new perspective to the themes of the original. Familiarity with the classic myths provides readers with fun little moments where the dots suddenly connect or with chuckles at witty naming conventions. However, knowledge of the originals is not required to enjoy “Fit for the Gods.” I knew some of the stories before picking up this collection, and I was able to appreciate the artistic choices made by the authors in those circumstances. That being said, there were absolutely retellings of stories that I hadn’t read before, and I enjoyed them just as much as those whose background I already understood.
Overall, this book is a great read, and I’d recommend it for those who are looking to see their favorite stories through a new lens (especially our friends Odysseus, Hades, and Persephone) or for those who are looking for stories that place themselves firmly outside of the box and which create their own rules.
Thank you Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the free advanced reader copy! Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The best part of this collection is that these retellings are so inclusive and approachable. Changes range from gender to race to sexuality, but each new version adds depth and a new perspective to the themes of the original. Familiarity with the classic myths provides readers with fun little moments where the dots suddenly connect or with chuckles at witty naming conventions. However, knowledge of the originals is not required to enjoy “Fit for the Gods.” I knew some of the stories before picking up this collection, and I was able to appreciate the artistic choices made by the authors in those circumstances. That being said, there were absolutely retellings of stories that I hadn’t read before, and I enjoyed them just as much as those whose background I already understood.
Overall, this book is a great read, and I’d recommend it for those who are looking to see their favorite stories through a new lens (especially our friends Odysseus, Hades, and Persephone) or for those who are looking for stories that place themselves firmly outside of the box and which create their own rules.
Thank you Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the free advanced reader copy! Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 31, 2023
In the Anthology Fit for the Gods, these stories are glorious reimaginings of Greek Mythology, offering tales that are haunting and beautiful, with characters of different genders, sexuality and inclusion. Each story has a different myth that it focuses on but the overall theme gives us creative and imaginative transformations of the old mythology into something incredible and new.
One of the reasons I love anthologies is the potential for stories that take risks and give us new perspectives. This anthology does that incredibly well, each story compelling, intriguing and impossible to put down. I love the inclusive element, with LGBTQ characters, including not just characters of different sexuality but also gender, like a Transgender character for the tale of Tiresias. I especially love the stories that propel us into the far future with spaceships and the reimagining of Hades and Persephone with artificial intelligence.The anthology has depth and creativity that makes it a must read. Not only will you find beautiful, creative stories that are glorious reimaginings of Greek Mythology, you will discover new authors to fall in love with as they give you compelling characters and transformative ideas.
One of the reasons I love anthologies is the potential for stories that take risks and give us new perspectives. This anthology does that incredibly well, each story compelling, intriguing and impossible to put down. I love the inclusive element, with LGBTQ characters, including not just characters of different sexuality but also gender, like a Transgender character for the tale of Tiresias. I especially love the stories that propel us into the far future with spaceships and the reimagining of Hades and Persephone with artificial intelligence.The anthology has depth and creativity that makes it a must read. Not only will you find beautiful, creative stories that are glorious reimaginings of Greek Mythology, you will discover new authors to fall in love with as they give you compelling characters and transformative ideas.
Currently reading
October 14, 20231) The Gorgon Confessionals by Zoraida Córdova - 4* - Riveting Reality TV
2) Dion and the Maenads by S. Zainab Williams - 2* - I enjoyed the characterization of Dion and the story was well narrated, but the similar names of the Maenads (May, Mei & Mai) made it difficult for me to differentiate between them and the ending was a letdown.
3) Tiresias by Zeyn Joukhadar - 2* - Well narrated and an introduction to Tiresias for me. The challenges faced by trans people are showcased and the writing is touching, but the tale was too sexualized and the ending anti-climatic.
4) Wild to Covet by Sarah Gailey - 4* - An Achilles story from Thetis' POV. A brilliant take on prophecy and agency.
Pescada by Juliana Spink Mills -
Pickles for Mrs. Pomme by Susan Purr -
The Ship of Thea by Suleikha Snyder -
The Furies Detective Agency by Mia P. Manansala -
Atalanta Hunts the Boar by Valerie Valdes -
A Heart Inured to Suffering by Jude Reali -
Trembling Aspen; Or, To Shiver by Marika Bailey -
Stasis (Bastion in the Spring) by Alyssa Cole -
The Eagles at the Edge of the World by Taylor Rae -
The Words from the Mountain by Wen Wen Yang -
No Gods, No Kings by Maya Deane -
2) Dion and the Maenads by S. Zainab Williams - 2* - I enjoyed the characterization of Dion and the story was well narrated, but the similar names of the Maenads (May, Mei & Mai) made it difficult for me to differentiate between them and the ending was a letdown.
3) Tiresias by Zeyn Joukhadar - 2* - Well narrated and an introduction to Tiresias for me. The challenges faced by trans people are showcased and the writing is touching, but the tale was too sexualized and the ending anti-climatic.
4) Wild to Covet by Sarah Gailey - 4* - An Achilles story from Thetis' POV. A brilliant take on prophecy and agency.
Pescada by Juliana Spink Mills -
Pickles for Mrs. Pomme by Susan Purr -
The Ship of Thea by Suleikha Snyder -
The Furies Detective Agency by Mia P. Manansala -
Atalanta Hunts the Boar by Valerie Valdes -
A Heart Inured to Suffering by Jude Reali -
Trembling Aspen; Or, To Shiver by Marika Bailey -
Stasis (Bastion in the Spring) by Alyssa Cole -
The Eagles at the Edge of the World by Taylor Rae -
The Words from the Mountain by Wen Wen Yang -
No Gods, No Kings by Maya Deane -
August 18, 2023
Fit For The Gods is an anthology of short stories of Greek mythology retellings. I absolutely love reading short story anthologies as a way of getting additional content from authors I love and to discover new-to-me authors. I love Greek mythology and when I read that Fit For The Gods featured "gender-bent, queered, race-bent, and inclusive retellings" I knew I had to read it.
Fit For The Gods has such a variety of storytelling styles and I loved having no idea what awaited from one story to the next. As a Sci-Fi fan, my favorite short stories of the bunch were Atalanta Hunts The Boar and A Heart Inured To Suffering. These two stories had me HOOKED. Atalanta Hunts The Boar felt like I had been thrown into one of my favorite Star Wars stories!
I recommend this book if you’re a BIG Greek mythology fan. I am a fan but not a SUPER fan and I felt like perhaps my knowledge of the original myths was not great enough to fully appreciate these stories. Many of the stories weren't really for me and I found myself having to force myself to keep reading. I am glad I powered through because I ended up truly enjoying a few of the stories.
Thank you to Vintage Anchor Books and NetGalley for the eARC.
Fit For The Gods has such a variety of storytelling styles and I loved having no idea what awaited from one story to the next. As a Sci-Fi fan, my favorite short stories of the bunch were Atalanta Hunts The Boar and A Heart Inured To Suffering. These two stories had me HOOKED. Atalanta Hunts The Boar felt like I had been thrown into one of my favorite Star Wars stories!
I recommend this book if you’re a BIG Greek mythology fan. I am a fan but not a SUPER fan and I felt like perhaps my knowledge of the original myths was not great enough to fully appreciate these stories. Many of the stories weren't really for me and I found myself having to force myself to keep reading. I am glad I powered through because I ended up truly enjoying a few of the stories.
Thank you to Vintage Anchor Books and NetGalley for the eARC.
July 30, 2023
When I read the description of Fit for the Gods, it sounded interesting not just because of the Greek myths, but also because it’s marketed as “gender-bent, queered, race-bent and inclusive”. Most of the 15 stories in the collection are set in the modern-day world, though a couple of them are more sci-fi. It does help to have at least a passing familiarity with Greek mythology to know what story is being told, though there are a few stories adapting more obscure myths. Regardless, the stories do speak for themselves and each one is refreshingly different.
Though all of the stories in this anthology are well written and plotted, some are more enjoyable than others. The collection starts very strong with “The Gorgon Confessionals”, telling the tale of Medusa and Perseus in the style of interviews. I thought “Pickles for Mrs. Pomme” was a cute day-in-the-life story of Aphrodite. But my favorite was “The Furies Detective Agency”, which is a noir tale that sees Elektra hiring the siblings to solve her sister’s murder.
Though all of the stories in this anthology are well written and plotted, some are more enjoyable than others. The collection starts very strong with “The Gorgon Confessionals”, telling the tale of Medusa and Perseus in the style of interviews. I thought “Pickles for Mrs. Pomme” was a cute day-in-the-life story of Aphrodite. But my favorite was “The Furies Detective Agency”, which is a noir tale that sees Elektra hiring the siblings to solve her sister’s murder.
August 4, 2023
*Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review*
This is a really fun, imaginative collection of Greek mythology retellings. Some of the stories are familiar, in others it's the characters you recognize that are in new situations. There was a lot of variety in genre and the parts of the mythos the authors were adapting. I hadn't read much of the included authors' other works, but i'm definitely going to look for more from many of them. Some of the stories I liked in particular were the noir detective style one with Elektra and the sci-fi Odyssey, they were the two that i'd love to read a full book of. While I didn't love every story, there is something to love about each one, and the diversity of stories will appeal to a lot of different readers. I felt like this collection was incredibly imaginative, taking Greek mythology into new genres outside of urban fantasy and creating fascinating takes on these well-known stories.
This is a really fun, imaginative collection of Greek mythology retellings. Some of the stories are familiar, in others it's the characters you recognize that are in new situations. There was a lot of variety in genre and the parts of the mythos the authors were adapting. I hadn't read much of the included authors' other works, but i'm definitely going to look for more from many of them. Some of the stories I liked in particular were the noir detective style one with Elektra and the sci-fi Odyssey, they were the two that i'd love to read a full book of. While I didn't love every story, there is something to love about each one, and the diversity of stories will appeal to a lot of different readers. I felt like this collection was incredibly imaginative, taking Greek mythology into new genres outside of urban fantasy and creating fascinating takes on these well-known stories.
February 7, 2024
okay okay lots to unpack
pros: very diverse, lots of queer and POC rep, very well-written
cons: while i get that these are reimaginings of greek myths and therefore are rather loose interpretations, some of these stories felt rather disconnected from their origins and for some of them it kind of just felt like the names of greek heroes/gods/etc were sort of just thrown in there? perhaps for some of them, the 'foundation' myths could have been used more to bolster the story
MY FAVOURITES:
- the gorgon confessionals: LOVE a good medusa retelling, also I'm automatically sympathetic to any bitch named perseus
- wild to covet: TALK ABOUT FEMALE AUTONOMY holy shit this was GOOD (explores thetis and how she was forced to play along in a society in which she never wanted to be a part of)
- atalanta hunts the boar: i love women who could kill me and also himbos
- status (bastion in the spring): this made me cry. hades and persephone get me every time i love those guys
- no gods, no kings: women, lesbians, weapons. what more could you want?
pros: very diverse, lots of queer and POC rep, very well-written
cons: while i get that these are reimaginings of greek myths and therefore are rather loose interpretations, some of these stories felt rather disconnected from their origins and for some of them it kind of just felt like the names of greek heroes/gods/etc were sort of just thrown in there? perhaps for some of them, the 'foundation' myths could have been used more to bolster the story
MY FAVOURITES:
- the gorgon confessionals: LOVE a good medusa retelling, also I'm automatically sympathetic to any bitch named perseus
- wild to covet: TALK ABOUT FEMALE AUTONOMY holy shit this was GOOD (explores thetis and how she was forced to play along in a society in which she never wanted to be a part of)
- atalanta hunts the boar: i love women who could kill me and also himbos
- status (bastion in the spring): this made me cry. hades and persephone get me every time i love those guys
- no gods, no kings: women, lesbians, weapons. what more could you want?
April 8, 2024
This anthology was phenomenal, a must-read if you too are in love with Greek mythology. Some stories even incorporate the mythology and lore of other cultures (see "The Words from the Mountain", "No Gods, No Kings", "The Eagles at the Edge of the World", and "Pescada"). The reimagining of classic tales are inclusive-this is a world reflective of the modern world. There are queer protagonists (I could list but honestly there's a lot which is a good things), AI ("A Heart Innured to Suffering"), main characters that are minorities (another example of a lot of them, particularly representation of Latine/Filipine/Indigenous populations. I remember one with a queer Indian protagonist, "The Ship of Thea"), and more examples of open representation (disability inclusion in "Pickles for Mrs. Pomme"). One story, "Statis (Bastion in the Spring)", had me full-on crying which doesn't happen very often. Fantastic read if you're a Greek geek, looking for more modern anthologies, or want to witness bada** plots. Much gratitude to LFPL since I discovered this book there.
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