Starred Review ALA Booklist (Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)

Starred Review Nearly 1,500 years ago, nine Greek gods rebelled against Zeus, who, as punishment, created the Agon: every seven years, those gods are stripped of their immortality and hunted by the descendants of ancient heroes. Anyone who kills a god wins their powers and, when that cycle of the Agon is over, their immortality. As a child, Lore Perseous dreamed of achieving everlasting glory in the Agon and restoring honor to her once-great family line. But that ends when her entire family is brutally murdered by rival hunters who have seized the power of the god of war, and Lore, the last of the Perseus line, tries to disappear forever. But when another Agon arrives in New York City, that old world comes for Lore in the form of Athena, one of the last remaining original gods, who demands Lore's help in exchange for the vengeance she hasn't let herself crave; it comes in the form of Castor Achilleos, the childhood friend Lore has long believed to be dead. Greek mythology is a rich wellspring for Bracken (Passenger, 2015), who, despite the enduring popularity of these stories, keeps Lore's fresh and mesmerizing from start to finish. As relentlessly action-packed as this is, Bracken also uses different legends to interrogate the power structures in Lore's d, through her, our rld, crafting an adventure that ultimately is as richly woven as it is violently captivating. A ferocious triumph.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Bracken's made bestseller lists with her The Darkest Minds and Passenger series, and this breathless new fantasy, supported by a hefty marketing campaign, takes the always high-interest world of Greek mythology in a stunning new direction.

Kirkus Reviews

To get revenge for her family's murder seven years ago, Lore must reenter a deadly contest from her past.Leaving the conflict of gods and their hunters behind, Lore thought she had forged a new life. However, the Agon has begun again and brought with it an injured Athena, who promises her revenge on the one who ordered her family killed-in exchange for an oath binding their fates together. Lore must hunt down the god once known as Aristos Kadmou, with the catch that she only has eight days. Also, failure means the deaths of both Lore and Athena. Depictions of graphic violence and discussions of sexual assault are frequent, creating a tale as violent and unforgiving as its source material, albeit narrated through a feminist lens. Much like the heroes of ancient epics, Lore is a morally ambiguous but ultimately likable character, struggling to eliminate the monsters of her world while not falling into the brutality of her youth. She is contrasted with the idealistic Castor, her childhood friend and love interest, with whom she has plenty of chemistry. Bracken builds a rich world around a skeleton of ancient Greek mythology that is perfect to read on a dull weekend and sure to delight readers. Most main characters are cued as White; there are two men of color, both gay.A gripping revenge story with enough twists to avoid becoming formulaic. (cast of characters) (Fantasy. 16-adult)

Publishers Weekly (Mon Oct 07 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

With ambitious worldbuilding and breakneck pacing, Bracken-s (the Passenger series) standalone novel blends Greek mythology and modern-day Manhattan. After her family is brutally murdered, Melora Perseous, known as Lore, is the last of the mortal Perseides. Training in New York City as an underground fighter, Lore lives undetected from those who seek her family-s shield, the aegis, which is -the envy of all the other bloodlines.- When the Agon occurs-the seven days every seven years when gods can be murdered for their powers-Lore is thrust into a world she would rather avoid, taking friend Miles and childhood pal Castor, now Apollo, with her. Teaming up with Athena to thwart a wrathful villain intent on killing off the gods, Lore balances achieving her destiny-kleos, or legendary honor-with mourning her family. Employing crafty nods to ancient epics (-Seven years stretched between them like the wine-dark sea-) alongside gritty action sequences and violence, including sexual assault, Bracken cuts tense moments with Lore-s backstory, told in illuminating flashbacks. With its inventive combinations of technology and magic, Bracken-s lively take on Greek mythology is an entertaining joyride. Ages 14-up. Agent: Merrilee Heifetz, Writers House. (Jan.)

School Library Journal (Mon Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)

Gr 9 Up-Every seven years, nine Greek gods are called to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines. Called the Agon, these descendants have the opportunity to seize an ancient god and take their power and immortality. Descended from Perseus, Lore left that life behind after her family was gruesomely murdered. Even though she's vowed to never return, the heroine can't pass up an opportunity for justice and revenge offered by a goddess. Throughout the story, Lore tries to figure out where she belongs in this fantastical world. The protagonist is bold, fierce, and powerful and takes nothing for granted. Her best friend Miles, who is gay, supports her every step of the way. This fast-paced narrative is filled with action, intensity, and gripping details. Most main characters are cued as white. VERDICT In this captivating tale, Bracken brings Greek mythology to life in a battle for ultimate power along with threads of friendship, feminism, and romance. Paige Kostelyk, Crown Point Christian Sch., St. John, IN