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paigeofstories's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was the first webcomic I have ever read in its entirety, and I am so thrilled that I gave it a chance because it immediately shot to the top of my all-time-favorite stories… ever.
My inner artist was so happy with the beautiful illustrations that helped tell this story, but it was Smythe’s ability to transfer this epic myth into a modern retelling—and keep it believable while remaining true to its roots—that got to me. You can find a million retellings of Hades and Persephone, but none of them hold up next to this one.
The mythology? Perfect. Accurate. Glorious. Smythe beautifully translates the famous figures found in Greek mythos into a modern timeline, without losing an inch of the grandiosity that makes these myths what they are. By placing the mortal realm in a classical setting and the worlds of the gods in a modern one, Smythe seamlessly marries the modernization of this story with the peculiarities of ancient Greek mythos in a way that I have never seen done before. This allows for the characters to carry around cell phones, use computers and speak in modern dialects, while simultaneously giving space and justification for the archaic elements of myth, like the temples for worship. Simply put, it’s genius.
The romance? Exciting. More authors should write love interests that like this. Hades is the exact type of romance hero I want to see more of. It’s definitely a slow-burn, so I did get impatient from time-to-time, but honestly, I still know I’m going to re-read it multiple times from the beginning, so I guess it didn’t bother me that much.
The story? The characters? The world? Amazing. Incredible. Beautiful. I know that this is going to be adapted into an animated series, but its one of those comics that should be adapted into multiple shows that tie together; give me a Lore Olympus Universe. There are so many rich, interesting characters in this cast that one series isn’t going to do the world she’s created justice and I would LOVE to see this world continue to expand with Smythe at the helm.
My inner artist was so happy with the beautiful illustrations that helped tell this story, but it was Smythe’s ability to transfer this epic myth into a modern retelling—and keep it believable while remaining true to its roots—that got to me. You can find a million retellings of Hades and Persephone, but none of them hold up next to this one.
The mythology? Perfect. Accurate. Glorious. Smythe beautifully translates the famous figures found in Greek mythos into a modern timeline, without losing an inch of the grandiosity that makes these myths what they are. By placing the mortal realm in a classical setting and the worlds of the gods in a modern one, Smythe seamlessly marries the modernization of this story with the peculiarities of ancient Greek mythos in a way that I have never seen done before. This allows for the characters to carry around cell phones, use computers and speak in modern dialects, while simultaneously giving space and justification for the archaic elements of myth, like the temples for worship. Simply put, it’s genius.
The romance? Exciting. More authors should write love interests that like this. Hades is the exact type of romance hero I want to see more of. It’s definitely a slow-burn, so I did get impatient from time-to-time, but honestly, I still know I’m going to re-read it multiple times from the beginning, so I guess it didn’t bother me that much.
The story? The characters? The world? Amazing. Incredible. Beautiful. I know that this is going to be adapted into an animated series, but its one of those comics that should be adapted into multiple shows that tie together; give me a Lore Olympus Universe. There are so many rich, interesting characters in this cast that one series isn’t going to do the world she’s created justice and I would LOVE to see this world continue to expand with Smythe at the helm.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
kbnj's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
galactic_gigi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
thecityofstarlight's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Gaslighting
alexisdpatt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Lore Olympus: Season One” by Rachel Smythe⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
TW: rape and domestic abuse
I wasn’t aware until recently that “Lore Olympus” was on Goodreads or StoryGraph, so here we are! I also dabbled with whether or not to add the comic strips to my reading list and I honestly don’t see why I shouldn’t. This is a rereading thanks to the amazing podcast @loreolympod which I highly recommend if you want a more detailed and smut filled reading of the comic. 🙈
“Lore Olympus” is a Webtoon comic retelling of “The Abduction of Persephone” where Hades fell in love with Persephone and stole her from her mother Demeter then tricked Persephone into eating some pomegranate seeds (the fruit of the underworld) and was then bound to the realm for half of the year and that’s why we have spring, as she is the Goddess of Spring.
In the first season of “Lore Olympus,” Smythe creates this world where, even though the relationship between Hades and Persephone takes center stage, there are also other myths being explored in the context of the story like Eros and Psyche, Apollo and Daphne, even the prophecy and events surrounding the Titanomachy. The first season follows the story of Persephone and how she was originally called Kore, “the maiden” and how she came to be known as Persephone, “Bringer of Death.”
Smythe’s retelling of this story spins the original and places it into a modern contexts. It’s traumatic, feministic, romantic and therapeutic. Smythe’s use of deep themes brings about discussions that modern women face today whilst painting a beautiful and engaging story by intertwining different Greek mythologies and creating this intricate and complex world.
I won’t add season 2 yet since it’s still being written but I can confirm that it’s already better than season 1. 👏🏼
TW: rape and domestic abuse
I wasn’t aware until recently that “Lore Olympus” was on Goodreads or StoryGraph, so here we are! I also dabbled with whether or not to add the comic strips to my reading list and I honestly don’t see why I shouldn’t. This is a rereading thanks to the amazing podcast @loreolympod which I highly recommend if you want a more detailed and smut filled reading of the comic. 🙈
“Lore Olympus” is a Webtoon comic retelling of “The Abduction of Persephone” where Hades fell in love with Persephone and stole her from her mother Demeter then tricked Persephone into eating some pomegranate seeds (the fruit of the underworld) and was then bound to the realm for half of the year and that’s why we have spring, as she is the Goddess of Spring.
In the first season of “Lore Olympus,” Smythe creates this world where, even though the relationship between Hades and Persephone takes center stage, there are also other myths being explored in the context of the story like Eros and Psyche, Apollo and Daphne, even the prophecy and events surrounding the Titanomachy. The first season follows the story of Persephone and how she was originally called Kore, “the maiden” and how she came to be known as Persephone, “Bringer of Death.”
Smythe’s retelling of this story spins the original and places it into a modern contexts. It’s traumatic, feministic, romantic and therapeutic. Smythe’s use of deep themes brings about discussions that modern women face today whilst painting a beautiful and engaging story by intertwining different Greek mythologies and creating this intricate and complex world.
I won’t add season 2 yet since it’s still being written but I can confirm that it’s already better than season 1. 👏🏼
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
lillianreadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
emma_em's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape
sofiarodriguez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse
zoe_'s review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
3.0
The one thing I can say with confidence about Lore Olympus is that it’s addictive. Everything else I say without confidence. Ultimately, I think this is a case of „not my cup of tea“ and that I won’t continue the toon as you might say (but with huge questionmarks, that is how addictive the series is). The colours are pretty, but maybe also a bit one-dimensional. The story is cute but maybe also a bit superficial and meandering. The characters are cute but in more than 100 episodes they still come across as surface level. There are so many twists and turns teased but, I repeat, 100+ episodes and I still feel like I haven’t even scratched any surface.
So, yeah, I get why people love this desperately and I get why people might dislike it. For now I‘m happy to be smack in the middle of this debate.
Oh, I almost forgot, there is another thing I can say with confidence: this series seems to be right up my sister’s alley and I‘m glad I discovered it for that alone.
So, yeah, I get why people love this desperately and I get why people might dislike it. For now I‘m happy to be smack in the middle of this debate.
Oh, I almost forgot, there is another thing I can say with confidence: this series seems to be right up my sister’s alley and I‘m glad I discovered it for that alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
The potentially triggering sections are marked as such and can be avoided