First of all, just read Percy Jackson and the Olympians again. I promise, even if you haven’t read then since you were in the target audience, they hold up for adults. Still excellent. Then read the Heroes of Olympus. Then read the Trials of Apollo. Then The Sun and the Star. Then of course, the new additions to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. But after that, if you’re still hankering for some Greek mythology, check out these picks (click the link to go to my review of the book on the blog–you may have to scroll down):
The Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer, tr. Emily Wilson
Look, you can’t go wrong with the OGs. These two classics can seem dense and intimidating but let me just tell you: the Emily Wilson translations are a delight. Hers is the only translation that keeps the text in metered poetry and that oral/auditory quality really sets her translation apart from others (not that I’ve read another translation in full–I couldn’t get through any of them).
Circe by Madeline Miller
The story of the enchantress Circe on whose island Odysseus is shipwrecked and his men turned into pigs. Feminist take on one of the many women in Greek mythology who is painted as a villain. So, so lovely.
Song of Achillies by Madeline Miller
Gay and slaps. Trojan war retelling from the perspective of Patroclus. Sometimes I see TikToks of people who apparently don’t know how this story ends, (which always surprises me, but I guess some people don’t have a special interest in Greek mythology) so I won’t say more.
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Modern urban fantasy. Purge style, once every seven years the Greek gods are made mortal and descendants of the ancient bloodlines try to kill them and seize their divine power and immortality. Super hard to put down and 10/10 banter.
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
The story of the women of the Trojan war: Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon, Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon, and Cassandra, seer and sister of Paris. I adored this.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
The tale of what happened to Ariadne after Theseus defeats the minotaur and takes Ariadne from her homeland. Sad but very good.
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
Follows Atalanta, the only woman on Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece. Gorgeous.
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
Contemporary fantasy about the descendants of Jason of the Golden Fleece. Gay and slaps.
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
The story of Medusa told in a constellation of POVs of the women around her. Feminist and fascinating.
Ithaca by Claire North
The Songs of Penelope book 1 of 3
What happened to Penelope while Odysseus was gone for 20 years. The story is told by Hera and it’s just fabulous.
Books I haven’t read yet but I’m excited about
Medea by Rosie Hewlett
Medea is usually painted as quite the villain (of the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece, if you’re not a nerd), so I’m interested to see Hewlett’s take on her story.
Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson
How different is the Disney Hercules movie compared to the original myth? O let me count the ways. My sister said this book was really good, so I’m excited about it.
Hera by Jennifer Saint
Jennifer Saint has yet to write a book I don’t like, so I’m super excited for her next book which is coming out soon!
Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood
Based on the story of Penelope’s twelve handmaidens who were hanged, but taking place a generation later. I’ve heard it’s sapphic and I’m excited about it.
The rest of The Songs of Penelope series by Claire North
More Penelope? Yes, please.
The new Percy Jackson and the Olympians books
Need I say more?
Bonus: not Greek mythology, but same vibes
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
The Ramayana from the perspective of the so-called evil stepmother of Rama. I cannot convey how good this book is.
The Magnus Chase books by Rick Riordan
People be sleeping on these books. They’re really good.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Just some Norse myths, told excellently.
Really anything by Rick Riordan or from Rick Riordan Presents
Some stand outs include Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia and Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, but you really can’t go wrong.
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
Elements of Cadence book 1 of 2
Celtic mythology vibes.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
The Legendborn Cycle book 1 of 3
Contemporary take on Arthuian legend.
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
Sinbad the sailor vibes.
