Reviews with content warning for Death - Lore Olympus, Season 1

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Lore Olympus, Season 1 by Rachel Smythe

9 reviews

bella613's review

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Ok preface to the review: this is a re-read from years ago. Lore Olympus was my first webtoon, and the comic that I attribute to getting me into all things webcomic, as well as my first real Greek mythology retelling (so I knew little to nothing about the lore, pun intended lol)

This is a great webtoon, but I think I can say that it's not really my favorite art style now, and more slow moving than I prefer my webcomics these days. It's also just ~not that deep~ and while it handles some tough subjects

(rape, trauma, confinement and even being eaten by a parent)

in a respectful way, it also doesn't do much with those subjects. If I remember correctly, season two goes further into that especially kore's rage, but for me this didn't hit nearly as hard with the re-read and I don't feel super satisfied with it. I do like it and would recommend it with TW. I'm rating it 4☆ but when I first found it (circa 2018 idk) I def would have done a full 5.

I will say, knowing a (little) bit more about Greek mythology now I really do love how Rachel Smythe does the modernization, and I think she takes enough liberty to make it a story entirely hers while also including important "canon" details (can you call it that in this case?) I LOVE her Eros and Hecate. Sometimes Persephone is too much of a cinnamon roll to take seriously and the one thing I don't love about it is the leaning into her little girl innocence and making it a daddy trope. We obviously can't ignore the nearly 2000 year age difference, or the problematic parenting of Demeter, but do we need to exaggerate her schoolgirly-ness?

Content Warnings

foxclcves's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

britrcup's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

sarahaurora628's review

Go to review page

dark emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I would like to start by saying, I read the first two printed volumes and left pretty harsh reviews of them. The first got 1 star from me and the second 2 stars. Some of my issues were…
⁃its inconsistent drawings where all of the characters have the same face
⁃the pacing (in the first volume nothing happened in 350 pages)
⁃the instalove between Persephone and Hades (and also the age gap between them)
⁃romanticizing the myth of Persephone’s kidnapping

That being said, at some point reading the rest of season 1 I was completely sucked in. I’m writing this caught up to season 2 episode 200 so some of my opinions of season 2 might trickle into this review. I still have those critiques of the beginning episodes, but after reading the whole thing I have a different view of the series as a whole.
⁃I don’t care about the inconsistencies in the art or the characters having similar faces anymore. The art style and color palette is what made me pick up the first volume to begin with and it only gets more beautiful as the series progresses. With the use of color its easy to distinguish the characters 99% of the time. The setting was a world I kept finding myself wanting to spend more and more time in.
⁃After some thought, I also don’t care that it isn’t accurate to mythology. The series never promised a history lesson, although the plot isn’t always rooted in accepted mythology there are tons of other lessons throughout the story. Lessons on the importance of communication, health vs. toxic relationships, and how to be there for someone dealing with trauma are only a few examples. I think it’s fantastic when taken for what it is.
⁃I like that events are often shown from multiple character’s perspectives
⁃Persephone shows so much personal growth and I love watching her find herself
⁃I love the growth of the relationship between Persephone and Hades
⁃Trauma, domestic abuse, sexual assault, gaslighting, and seeking help are difficult topics but I think they were handled well and depicted accurately (at least to my experience and feelings, I cannot speak for how another person may feel). I thought it had good representations and appreciated the consistent message of “its not your fault”.

There are definitely problems with this series, it isn’t perfect, but to be honest… I like it. If you’re looking for a lesson in mythology this series isn’t for you, but if you’re interested in a creative myth retelling about friendship, coming of age, romance, and figuring yourself out, and can stick out the slow beginning you might like it. (check trigger warnings first)

Content Warnings