The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Achilles, a powerful and irresistible hero, and Patroclus, an exiled prince, form an unbreakable bond despite the gods’ disapproval. Trained in war and medicine by the centaur Chiron, they join the Greek campaign to rescue Helen of Sparta, drawn by glory and loyalty. Their journey leads them to face the cruel Fates, who demand a harrowing sacrifice.
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
Reimagines Medusa’s story, bringing empathy to the “monstered” woman of myth. The only mortal among her divine Gorgon sisters, Medusa is assaulted by Poseidon and punished by Athene, cursed with a deadly gaze and forced into solitude. Haynes offers a sharp, compassionate retelling that challenges the narrative of blame and transforms this ancient myth into a powerful, modern tale.
Circe by Madeline Miller
Born to Helios, the mighty sun god, Circe is an outcast among gods and mortals until she discovers her gift for witchcraft, capable of challenging even the gods. Banished to a remote island, she hones her powers and encounters legendary figures like Odysseus and Medea. Faced with divine wrath and mortal danger, Circe must decide where her true allegiance lies: with the gods of her birth or the mortals she loves.
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
Reimagines the myth of a fierce huntress raised by bears and blessed by Artemis. As the only woman among the Argonauts, Atalanta proves her worth on their epic quest for the Golden Fleece, defying expectations and embracing adventure. Torn between love and loyalty to Artemis, she fights to claim her place among the greatest heroes of Greek mythology.
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
Tells the story of three women bound by the curse of the House of Atreus and the whims of men and gods. Clytemnestra, betrayed by her husband Agamemnon, seeks revenge; Cassandra, cursed to foresee Troy’s fall but never be believed, faces inevitable tragedy; and Elektra, horrified by her family’s bloodshed, struggles to break free from a destiny of violence. Their intertwined fates reveal the enduring weight of vengeance and fate.
Hera by Jennifer Saint
Reimagines the queen of the gods as a powerful, complex figure navigating the perilous reign of Mount Olympus. Once an ally in Zeus’s rise to power, Hera begins to question his cruelty and her own role in perpetuating a cycle of violence. This fresh retelling transforms Hera from a jealous wife into a strategic and ambitious leader, determined to forge a better world while grappling with the cost of her power.
The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
Reimagines the myth of Perseus through the voices of three women overshadowed by his legend. Danae, his exiled mother, struggles to build a life for herself and her son; Medusa, a recluse, is drawn into his violent path; and Andromeda, forced to sacrifice for her people, finds her fate altered by his intervention. Through their perspectives, Heywood dismantles the traditional hero narrative, revealing a tale of violence, resilience, and reclaiming agency.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Reimagines the myth of the Princess of Crete, who helps Theseus slay the Minotaur, defying gods, family, and country for love. As she risks everything for a new life, questions arise about the price of her choices and the fate of her sister Phaedra, left behind. This captivating retelling places the overlooked women of Greek mythology at its center, giving them a voice in the epic.
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
Retells the fall of Troy through the eyes of the women forever changed by the war. From the Trojan women enslaved by the Greeks to the Amazon princess who defied Achilles, and even Penelope awaiting Odysseus’s return, their voices weave a powerful tapestry of love, loss, and resilience. This is an epic that reclaims the stories of the women at the heart of one of history’s greatest myths.
Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara
Reimagines the myth of the mortal princess and the god of desire in a tale of love, trust, and defiance. Cursed by Aphrodite, Eros falls for Psyche, but a prophecy and divine powers threaten to keep them apart forever. With vivid characters and a sweeping romance, this dazzling debut explores what it means to fight for love against all odds.
Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson
Reimagines the story of Hercules from the perspective of those often overlooked in his epic tale. Through the voices of his mother, friends, wives, rivals, and even his victims, this humorous and heartful retelling explores the lives of those affected by Hercules’ labors and adventures. With a feminist and queer twist, it brings new depth to the classic myth, revealing the untold stories behind the hero’s legendary feats.
Medea by Rosie Hewlett
Follows the story of a woman longing for freedom from her family’s cruel grip and her own dangerous witchcraft. When the hero Jason seeks the Golden Fleece, Medea sees an opportunity to escape and joins him on a journey filled with trials, monsters, and love. But faced with betrayal, her desperation leads to a brutal act that shatters the lives of those around her.
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
An epic historical fantasy inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of Ancient China’s Four Beauties. Gifted with extraordinary beauty, Xishi is recruited by the military advisor Fanli to infiltrate the rival kingdom of Wu as a spy, using her allure to weaken their king from within. As she navigates the treacherous court, Xishi’s growing attraction to Fanli and the king’s dangerous affection threaten to unravel her mission and bring both kingdoms to ruin.
The Heir of Venus by Laura Shepperson
The legendary hero Aeneas is revered by the world but seen as a liar by Lavinia, whose life is torn between two men: her childhood sweetheart, Turnus, and the mysterious Aeneas, promised to her by her father. As war erupts over her marriage, Lavinia discovers unsettling truths about Aeneas’s past and must take control of her future and the fate of her people.
Medusa by Nataly Gruender
Offers a powerful reimagining of the legendary villain’s story, told from her own perspective. Once a mortal daughter of sea gods and a priestess of Athena, Medusa’s life is shattered after a violent assault by Poseidon and a cruel transformation by Athena. As she journeys across Greece, blindfolded to prevent turning others to stone, she grapples with her fate, encountering mythical figures along the way, and must decide whether to embrace the monster she’s become or fight to preserve her humanity.
Daughters of Olympus by Hannah M. Lynn
In this retelling, Persephone is torn between the love of her mother, Demeter, and the allure of the mortal world. Demeter, once the joyful goddess of spring, is consumed by grief after a devastating assault, finding solace only in her daughter. But when Persephone is kidnapped by Hades and taken to the underworld, she discovers newfound power, forcing both mother and daughter into a struggle that will reshape the fate of gods and mortals alike.
Horses of Fire by AD Rhine
Reimagines the legendary Trojan War, focusing on its strong yet overlooked female figures. Andromache, an Amazon warrior disguised as a dutiful wife, must rally a group of outcasts to save her family; Rhea, a war refugee and horse whisperer, becomes an unlikely spy to protect her home; and Helen, blamed for the war, must confront her tormentor and uncover the truth behind her role. Set against the backdrop of the Bronze Age collapse, this epic tale explores palace intrigue, female friendship, and the courage of unsung heroines.
Ithaca by Claire North
Tells the untold story of the famed wife of Odysseus, left behind on Ithaca as he sailed off to war with Troy. Seventeen years later, with rumors of Odysseus’ death spreading and suitors vying for the throne, Penelope must navigate a kingdom on the brink of civil war. Using her wit and the help of her trusted maids, she strives to maintain peace and protect her people. This novel shifts focus from the wars of men to the strength, choices, and cunning of the women left to rule and defend their world.
The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes
Reimagines the ancient myths of Oedipus and Antigone, focusing on the often overlooked female characters. The story centers on Jocasta, who, at just fifteen, is forced to marry the King of Thebes, and her sister Ismene, who suffers a violent attack that shatters her sense of safety. As their lives are shaped by tragedy, the novel explores how these events set in motion the fates of their family, offering a new perspective on these classic myths through the eyes of the women involved.
The Women of Troy by Pat Barker
A feminist retelling of The Iliad, focusing on the women left behind in the aftermath of the fall of Troy. Following the destruction of the city, the victorious Greeks take the women of Troy as spoils of war. Among them is Briseis, once Achilles’s slave, now belonging to his companion Alcimus. As the Greek camp is stranded, unable to return home due to the gods’ displeasure, Briseis observes the unraveling of the Greek coalition. Amid rising tensions, she forms alliances with other key women, including the defiant Hecuba and the soothsayer Calchas, all while plotting her revenge.
The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
A subversive reimagining of Norse mythology, focusing on Angrboda, a banished witch who falls in love with the trickster god Loki. After Odin punishes her for refusing to share knowledge of the future, Angrboda is left powerless and flees to a remote forest. There, she meets Loki, and their love blossoms, leading to the birth of three children with secret destinies. As Angrboda regains her prophetic powers, she realizes that her family’s fate—and possibly the fate of the world—is in jeopardy. With the help of the huntress Skadi, she must decide whether to accept her foreseen future or defy it and shape a new path for her loved ones. The novel weaves a story of love, loss, and hope, drawing on ancient tales to create a narrative relevant to modern times.
Lilith by Nikki Marmery
A feminist retelling of the Hebrew myth of the first woman, Lilith, who was cast out of Paradise for refusing to submit to Adam. In this reimagined version, Lilith and Adam are initially equals in Eden, but when Adam demands Lilith’s submission, she defies him and is banished. Witnessing the creation of Eve, who accepts Adam’s dominance, Lilith embarks on a mission for revenge and justice. Armed with wisdom from the Tree of Knowledge and knowledge of the missing Queen of Heaven, Asherah, Lilith sets out to restore balance to the world. Her quest spans history, from ancient Sumer to the court of Queen Jezebel and Roman Judea, ultimately leading her to modern times, where she realizes how deeply inequality has affected humanity. Lilith’s journey is a powerful exploration of justice, equality, and women’s rightful place in the world.
Medusa’s Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear
This reimagining of the Medusa myth tells the story of her and her sisters, Stheno and Euryale, long before they became Gorgons. Seeking belonging in the mortal world, they are caught in a dangerous Olympian rivalry, leading to their tragic transformation. The novel explores their journey from sea-born origins to the outskirts of the Parthenon, focusing on their bond as sisters and the conflict between vengeance, peace, and truth.
The Fates by Rosie Garland
Before gods and mortals, there were the Fates—Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos—three sisters tasked with weaving the lives and deaths of humanity. Captivated by the lives of the mortal warrior Atalanta and her lover Meleager, the Fates struggle with their own immortality and the question of whether they can escape their own destinies.
Inanna by Emily H. Wilson
In this lyrical fantasy reimagining of The Epic of Gilgamesh, the fates of the goddess Inanna, the warrior Ninshubar, and the mortal soldier Gilgamesh collide. Amid war and divine conflict, Inanna, caught in a dangerous marriage, and Gilgamesh, imprisoned for his arrogance, find their paths intertwined with Ninshubar, a cast-out warrior. Together, they may have the power to change the world forever.
Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel
In this powerful reimagining, Ganga, the joyful goddess of the river, is cursed to live as a mortal until she fulfills the curse’s obligations. She marries King Shantanu, but is forced to abandon her infant son, Devavrata, who unknowingly inherits the curse. As he makes an oath to never claim his father’s throne, their fates become intertwined, setting the stage for a tragic war and a deeply moving exploration of duty, destiny, and the bond between mother and son.
The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec
In tenth-century Norway, two women’s lives become intertwined through a prophecy and a blood oath. Oddny, determined to rescue her kidnapped sister, Signy, finds herself caught in a world of Viking raiders, while Gunnhild, a witch seeking power, is drawn into the fate of King Eirik. As they navigate their separate paths, their unbreakable bonds will be tested in a story of magic, history, and sisterhood.
Shield Maiden by Sharon Emmerichs
Fryda has always dreamed of being a shield maiden, but after a childhood injury leaves her unfit for battle, she believes her fate is sealed. However, when treachery threatens her home during a celebration of her uncle, King Beowulf’s reign, Fryda discovers a powerful force within her. As her strength grows, she must rise to defend her people, facing both betrayal and an ancient dragon in this epic reimagining of Beowulf.
The Valkyrie by Kate Heartfield
In this lyrical retelling of Norse mythology, Brynhild, a fallen Valkyrie, and Gudrun, a princess caught in a power struggle, are bound by fate to clash with Sigurd, a warrior with a legendary sword. As myths collide and rivalries unfold, these characters discover that not all heroes are heroic, and love may be the most powerful weapon of all. From bestselling author Kate Heartfield, this epic reimagining explores the complexities of legend, fate, and the human heart.
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