To do that, she’ll have to get off the barren island she’s forbidden to leave, cross the dangerous Verdant Sea, the even more dangerous Crimson Sea, and the totally deadly Midnight Sea, and somehow defeat the unbeatable Sorceress. Charlie, meanwhile, has been captured by the mysterious Sorceress who rules the Midnight Sea, which leaves Tress with no choice but to go rescue him. When the duke realizes the two teenagers are falling in love, he takes Charlie away to find a suitable wife-and returns with a different young man as his heir. Charlie is the son of the local duke, but he likes stories more than fencing. Tress is an ordinary girl with no thirst to see the world.

Most main characters are cued as White there are two men of color, both gay.Ī gripping revenge story with enough twists to avoid becoming formulaic.Ī fantasy adventure with a sometimes-biting wit. Bracken builds a rich world around a skeleton of ancient Greek mythology that is perfect to read on a dull weekend and sure to delight readers. She is contrasted with the idealistic Castor, her childhood friend and love interest, with whom she has plenty of chemistry. Much like the heroes of ancient epics, Lore is a morally ambiguous but ultimately likable character, struggling to eliminate the monsters of her world while not falling into the brutality of her youth. Depictions of graphic violence and discussions of sexual assault are frequent, creating a tale as violent and unforgiving as its source material, albeit narrated through a feminist lens. Also, failure means the deaths of both Lore and Athena. Lore must hunt down the god once known as Aristos Kadmou, with the catch that she only has eight days. However, the Agon has begun again and brought with it an injured Athena, who promises her revenge on the one who ordered her family killed-in exchange for an oath binding their fates together. Leaving the conflict of gods and their hunters behind, Lore thought she had forged a new life.

To get revenge for her family’s murder seven years ago, Lore must reenter a deadly contest from her past.

Lore alexandra bracken