Monday, April 11, 2016

top ten tuesday: books for mythology nerds

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish. This week's theme is: "April 12: Ten Books Every X Should Read (up to you! Examples: every history nerd, memoir lover, ballet lover, feminist, college student, etc etc.)" I chose to do my list for people who love mythology of all sorts– Greek/Roman, Egyptian, Norse, Indian, etc – because I am obsessed with mythology myself, always have been!



1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series– Rick Riordan 
Okay, I'm just going to go ahead and cover my bases here with the Rick Riordan series. Riordan is technically middle grade, but read one of his books without cracking up and then get back to me on that label. Percy is the OG demigod up in here: he's a bamf, even when he's like 12. This series has five books. If you haven't read it already... literally where have you been? One of my all time favorites EVER. 

2. The Heroes of Olympus Series – Rick Riordan
Just when you THINK you're done with Percy... NOPE. Uncle Rick gave us this beautiful and amazing and expansive follow up series of five books which follows Percy and Annabeth and Nico and Grover and our fave gods, then gives us some incredible new characters as well. Five books in this one also, a close runner up to the first series. 

3. Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series– Rick Riordan
 This is Riordan's most recent addition to his canon of mythology, this one following Norse gods and demigods instead of the Greek/Roman/Egyptian ones that he has explored in the past. There is only one book out currently, with the second, The Hammer of Thor, coming out later this year. Though I did not fall directly in love with this one quite like I did with the Greek and Roman series, it was still AWESOME and hilarious, in true Riordan fashion. 

4. The Covenant Series– Jennifer L. Armentrout 
More Greeks, more demigods here, but YA instead of MG this time. This series is very similar to the Vampire Academy series, but I honestly love them both. I read Covenant before VA, and I seriously fell head over heels in love with the characters. Five books in this series, mythology less directly involved, more implied and effused. 

5. The Song of Achilles– Madeline Miller
The story of Achilles and Patroclus, from the time that they meet as youths, until both of their untimely demises in the Trojan war. (that's not a spoiler, it's literal, mythological fact) Sweet, adorable, cute, stabby... what more could you want? Patroclus is a cinnamon roll, too good, too pure for this world. Achilles is a sinnamon roll. This is all we need to know. 

 

6. The Chaos of Stars – Kiersten White 
Hello, Egyptian mythology! Welcome, take a seat here with your Greek and Norse counterparts. This is a standalone novel where the main character is the daughter of Isis, Egyptian goddess of marriage and many other things. This book is super romantic, and honestly pretty short, but definitely one of my faves. It could be a quick beach read for you this summer! 

7. Cruel Beauty – Rosamund Hodge
 I don't know if I'm cheating here, because honestly this isn't *about* Greek mythology, specifically. It is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. BUT! It is super interesting and different because there are elements of Greek and Roman culture woven into the tapestry of this fairy tale retelling. It is a lot more subtle than the rest of the books on this list, but it's beautiful and captivating, so I included it.

8. The Wrath and the Dawn – RenĂ©e Ahdieh
 Also don't know if this one is cheating... but I don't really care, because it feels like it belongs here, to me. This book is a retelling of 1001 Nights, which, in itself, is a little hazy over whether it is classified as a "classic book," a "legend," or a "myth." I like to think of it as a Middle Eastern, Persian myth, and this book has other elements of that culture as well. Gorgeous, gorgeous writing, beautiful characters, engaging plot. LOVE it. 

9. The Grisha Trilogy – Leigh Bardugo 
Though this is set entirely in a fantastical world called Ravka, there are definite influences of Russian culture upon it. There are also echoes of Russian myths, such as that of the Firebird, so if you're looking for something with definite allusions to Russian folklore, this is your book. Also, just a kickass series all around.

10. The Raven Boys Series – Maggie Stiefvater 
Here we come to the last book on our list, which includes some elements of Welsh mythology! Something new and different for us. I know there is like a cult following for this series, but I'm totally not caught up yet, I haven't read Blue Lily, Lily Blue yet!!! So no spoilers. I'm waiting til I get my hands on The Raven King to finish this series. 

I hope you enjoyed this list :) link me to your posts this week!

xx
Caroline

23 comments:

  1. OMG YES! This is such a wonderful list! I love Song of Achilles and the Grisha Trilogy and Cruel Beauty!! Such amazing books! I still really need to check out The Raven Boys! :D

    Here are my Top Ten!

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    1. :) you definitely should check out the raven boys, it really sucks you in! thanks for stopping by tracy :)

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  2. WHAT A GREAT TOPIC CHOICE! I love mythology! And I really love Percy Jackson, The Heroes of Olympus and The Raven Cycle. If I remember correctly, The Companions Quartet is also a great mythology based series. Or at least I think it was mythology. And I assume it was great - I read them about 5 years ago.
    Great post!

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    1. ahhh thanks! and me too, obviously haha. ooh i'll have to look in on the companions quartet, sounds interesting! thanks :)

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  3. Such a great list! I really love Percy Jackson, The Heroes of Olympus and The Raven Cycle.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/top-ten-tuesday-52/

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  4. Ooh mythology. I haven't read Riordan but was strongly thinking about starting with the new Norse series (love Norse mythology).

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    1. If you haven't read Riordan yet, then starting with the Norse series is as good a place as any! they're all fabulous so you can't go wrong!

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  5. I really need to read more books that focus on mythology. The Raven Boys is one of my favorite book ever and I really loved the Wrath and the Dawn. How many more days before the sequel is released?

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    1. oh I think its coming out in less than a month!! end of april/beginning of may? i'm not sure exactly, but i am SO EXCITED

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  6. I get the impression you like Rick Riordan! My TTT.

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  7. I'm hoping to start the Percy books this year and work through them, Heroes, and move into Magnus Chase because OMG how have I waited this long when I love mythology??? I also need to get into the JLA series and some others as well!

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    1. yes yes yes definitely read percy jackson first if you haven't read them yet. they're incredible!!

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  8. Great list! I actually haven't read any of these yet, but I do own Percy Jackson and The Raven Boys. Thanks for stopping by!

    Lauren @ My Expanding Bookshelf

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    1. I would definitely recommend both of those that you already own! :)

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  9. Great list! I enjoy mythology and have Wrath and Dawn as well as Cruel Beauty on my TBR list. I still need to read The Raven Boys as well!

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    1. The Wrath and the Dawn is probably my favorite of the three you mentioned, but they're all great :)

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  10. So many favorites on your list that I love and have read already! I have not read Half Blood or Cruel Beauty yet, but those two are already on my TBR! i can't wait to start them!
    great pick for this week' TTT freebie!
    Emily @ www.rabbitholereviews.com

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    1. I hope you like Half Blood and Cruel Beauty whenever you get around to them, they're both great!! :)

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  11. Great list! I love both The Raven Boys and Shadow and Bone, although I do still have yet to read the rest of the series. I'm also halfway through the Percy Jackson series, so seeing three of Riordan's series on here should give me motivation to continue on!
    Heres my TTT

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    1. ahh I hope you do continue on and love the rest of percy jackson!! thanks for stopping by :)

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  12. This is such a great list! I love the mythology idea - so many people are probably looking for books similar to Percy Jackson and things like that. I've been meaning to read the Covenant series for such a long time now - I love Jennifer L. Armentrout so much.
    Wonderful idea and amazing job, Caroline!
    Olivia @ Fluttering Pages

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