Skip to main content

Trends in YA: Persphone

Greek Mythology related YA stories have always been, but since the rise of Percy Jackson, it feels like we're seeing more and more Mythology make it's way into YA novels. But there's one myth that seems to cropping up more than others: retellings of Persephone and Hades. Maybe because there's an element of star-crossed romance, maybe it lends itself to angsty romantic plots, but whatever it is, Persephone is a popular character right now.

The first Persephone book I really noticed was back in 2009. I remember reading about this one on Betsy Bird's HarperCollins preview and I knew I wanted to read it based on the cover:



But then the Persephone stories kept coming:







Coming out this year is a dystopian take on Persephone:



And Leila at Bookshelves of Doom posted about another Persephone book coming our way from author Bree Despain.

So what do you think? Do you like reading about Persephone? Is she the myth worth all this attention or is there another mythological story you'd like to be reading more of?

Comments

  1. Solstice is being *traditionally* published this year... it was a self-pubbed ebook before that. I bought a copy at least a year ago!

    Anyway, I love Persephone stories...you can tweak it in just enough ways to make each a little different, but at its core its' core still have that great love/hate story...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think there are so many things you can do with Persephone to keep it fresh which makes it an interesting trend.

      Delete
  2. I've read a couple of the Persephone books that you've listed above. It's a good story but like any trend it gets old fast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True-trends do tend to get old! The ones I've read have so far all been very different, which is good!

      Delete
  3. You're right, Persephone is definitely a popular character recently. Although I've yet to read a good twist to her story. Having said that, I can't wait for Solstice to come out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope Solstice is good! I like the dystopian twist to the myth. I've always enjoyed the Persephone story, so I like reading all these different takes on it.

      Delete
  4. I absolutely adore the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone, so I'm really happy about all of the differnt re-tellings of the story. I've read each of the different Peresphone stories you listed above (minus Solstice) and each has a different twist on the original that makes them all interesting.
    I haven't heard about Solstice before this post, so thank you for alerting me to a dystopian take on her story.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

I love hearing from other readers! Share your thoughts and chime in!

Popular posts from this blog

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 5/5 Stars Genre: Realistic Fiction Release Date: 2/26/2013 Add to Goodreads About the Book: Eleanor and Park are both misfits. When new girl Eleanor sits next to Park on the bus, they don't want anything to do with each other. But over the course of the school year, things change. It starts with comic books and becomes a friendship and a romance that the two will never forget. You never forget your first love. GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Have you ever had a book sit on your shelf that you've heard so much hype about? And you think that books sounds like it would be right up your alley, but you're in a reading slump and you're afraid to give it a try unless it fails? I knew Eleanor and Park sounded like my perfect book, but I was in such an after committee slump that I even though I knew this book would help, I just didn't want to be disappointed. I should have known better because Eleanor and Park was perfect and everything that I had hoped it wou

Contact Me

  I love to hear from fellow readers and librarians! Send me an email to say hello! You can reach me at greenbeanteenqueen (at) gmail (dot) com

Post Downton Abbey Reading List

Downton Abbey is over (with a shocking and frustrating ending!) and now I'm suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal. I've got a reading list full of books that I hope will satisfy my post-Downton Abbey cravings and I thought I'd share what's in my pile and get suggestions for other after Downton reads. Here's what I hope to be reading this year (a mix of YA and adult titles):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  A couple Julian Fellowes reads:                And a few re-reads:                    Edited to add: What's on your Post-Downton Abbey reading list?