Lore

Alexandra Bracken

Jan 2021 · Sold by Disney Electronic Content

About this ebook

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Darkest Minds comes a sweepingly ambitious, high-octane tale of power, destiny, love, and redemption.

Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals. They are hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.

Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world, turning her back on the hunt’s promises of eternal glory after her family was murdered by a rival line. For years she's pushed away any thought of revenge against the man—now a god—responsible for their deaths.

Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek her out: Castor, a childhood friend Lore believed to be dead, and Athena, one of the last of the original gods, now gravely wounded.

The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and a way to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore's decision to rejoin the hunt, binding her fate to Athena's, will come at a deadly cost—and it may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.

Ratings and reviews

'Lore' by Alexandra Bracken is an extremely creative born of the classic Greek pantheon of gods. Beginning with a theme of civil war which in traditional text included all but Hestia trying to challenge Zeus, Bracken's story is a little more centralized and results in much harsher punishments by the god king. The main character, Melora or 'Lore,' is the last surviving member of her House.. the House of Perseus. The Persedes as they're known.. are one of 9 descended Houses of legendary heroes.. who after the uprising of the gods and goddesses, are essentially tasked with their punishments. What is their punishment? The Agon. A hunt, basically.. that occurs every seven years.. when the 9 rebellious gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals while the legendary Houses try to run them into the ground, kill them, and take their power. As it turns out, whomever kills the previous god.. becomes the new one. At least, for another seven years until the next Agon when they have to join the hunt as prey. I genuinely love mythology and I'm always eager to get my hands on new stories that are inspired or developed from the fascinating ancient stories, but 'Lore' is just exceptional. The origin of events is certainly rooted in a believable premise that sounds as if it could have come from the same beliefs, but the modern twist is smoothly merged with the classic theme. The dynamics, both between the old gods and new, gods in general and those heroic descendants, and all of the above and any humans they come across are each distinctive and well-suited to what one would expect. In fact, while most of the new gods are egotistical.. it feels almost performative, like a youth who knows they were raised in wealth.. rather than someone working for it and overcompensating for that fact. The old gods are just casually arrogant and it's clear they simply don't think or understand beyond their experience. Actually, I love Athena.. she's hilarious and in that unintentional, dry wit sort of way. Also, I enjoyed that Bracken gave the old gods a very formal speech pattern and a disassociated perspective of the world and those around them. Castor is another favorite, though the characters in general all have depth to them, individuality, and distinctively clear 'voices' making the read as comfortable as any every day conversation. The dialogue is fantastic and that's the thing I find is weakest in most works from literature to tv to film. I'm predicting already that 'Lore' is going to be in my top reads list of 2021.. but we'll see what the year has to offer. It's a definite page turner, whereas there's either some kind of tense fight or unveiled drama going on at most times. I love it so much, I have three copies coming.. and I highly recommend this title for anyone with a love of mythology and modern urban fantasy. (I received this title as an ARC, but loved it so much I purchased 3 copies. All opinions are mine and freely given.)

First book completed of the New Year and a 5 Star at that. This cover is beyond gorgeous and hair-raising. It really encapsulates Lore's story and journey. I can't wait to get new book shelves and to display this novel with all the love it deserves! Lore is firey and wild. Even if you have no prior knowledge of Mythology, this novel will still be right up your alley if you are into action packed books. So much happens within this book, and it's a chunker. I appreciate a full and hefty book and with this cover, so beautiful. There are maps on the ends of the books noting the important places around town that the characters traverse to. The maps on the ends are gold and white and really stunning. There is also at the end of the book a guide to the characters (which I would read at the end of the book to not be spoiled by anything ie. Deaths that occur). Lore is not short of any bloodshed, death and frightening scenes. I was misty-eyed at many points of this novel. At the beginning as well there is also an explanation about the different living and dead bloodlines from the Gods, and their families. All of this information is to assist the reader, and honestly it was so nice to have, again Mythology that is already out in the world but reborn for this particular story. The Family crests are also displayed above the family write-ups. Lore is a book that I will definitely read again and recommend to anyone that I know that enjoys action adventure novels that also are filled with vengeance and passion and family ties. This is a standalone novel and honestly I was a bit worried because I wasn't sure where this story would go to be able to end and feel finished. But this story feels finished, and overall is jaw-dropping and satisfying. Lore as a whole was a wonderful surprise because all I knew going in was the cover, mythology was a big part of the story and that the main character was looking to end something she grew up believing in. I like to go into books pretty blind. I like being surprised and taken with the words written. Ms. Bracken takes us on a journey; present day; 7-years ago. The twists and turns within these pages had me wanting to read this book in one sitting. And the characters, were so fleshed out for a stand alone fantasy/mythology novel. The guilt and pain that Lore carries with her, is something that I could physically feel, and is something on some level I think most people can relate to. Ms. Bracken is able to take any character, a baddie, a good person, someone ambiguous and mysterious and makes you care about them and what the outcome of their storyline will be. I made myself take some time and days to finish Lore because I knew there would not be more once I was done. This novel is electrifying, engrossing and such a page-turner. I highly recommend Lore, you will not regret picking up this wonderful novel.

really enjoying it so far, one of my friends recommended to read this and I'm glad they did