A review by just_one_more_paige
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe

emotional lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • 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

3.0

 
This is a situation of having checked this book in one too many times to pass it up again. Flipping through, the colors and illustrations looked so fun, and as you know I’m into mythology of all kinds. And I’m apparently on a Hades and Persephone streak (having just read A Touch of Darkness), so I brought it home. Worth it though, as once I sat down with it, I made it through the whole thing in like, less than an hour. 
 
So, obviously, this is a graphic novel Hades and Persephone retelling. It’s originally a Webtoon comic, from Smythe, that has since been turned into a series of fully physically published collections. This first installation takes us through Hades and Persephone meeting at a party, their first night “together” and the feels they’re starting to have about each other. Plus, we get some back story on each, explaining some of their vibes and traits – some of Hades’ soft spots and flashbacks, some of Persephone’s sheltered past and intro to the world of Olympus. And we get introduced to a few other gods and goddesses, like the brothers (Zeus and Poseidon), Artemis and her brother Apollo, Hermes, Hera and Aphrodite and her son Eros, along with a few side plots/stories more focused on them. 
 
The illustrations were just as colorful and fun as they looked when I first flipped through – I loved the entire visual facet of the story. I did struggle a few times following the jump between stories and locations and interactions, but that could also come down to me, as this is a Webtoon series I am consuming all in one sitting. This is a great contemporary take, with cell phones and strip clubs and other current day aspects. Plus, I did really like the sibling relationship amongst Hades, Zeus and Poseidon – the three of them interacting is not something I usually see and that’s really fun (if unhealthy, in ways lining up with how all the gods’ relationships are). As with all mythological stories, there are really toxic relationships all over, quite a bit of sexual harassment and assault (either on-page or in reference,) and Smythe recognizes and includes those pieces here. But there is also a sweetness to the budding connection between Hades and Persephone that holds promise. And a lot of the side/additional stories, as I mentioned earlier, hold promise of developing alongside the primary one, adding interest and dimension. 
 
Other than that, while I definitely enjoyed this read and am looking forward to the next compilations (my library has volumes 2 and 3 as well, and I am already on the holds list for them) I am into, but not yet in love with, this retelling.  I am, clearly, invested enough to see where it goes from here, and hoping that my lukewarm-ness is more to do with the fact that the ending leaves me hanging (I mean, I know what happens, but still, what are they talking about on their phone call and when do they see each other again and can someone just knock Apollo out already?!) than anything else. As a retelling of a story I’ve consumed lots of times (which is a high bar expectation that is absolutely on me), this so far is a solid, but not groundbreaking, version. A very entertaining first graphic novel interpretation though, and like I said, looking forward to continuing the story.  
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