Daughters of Olympus, Hannah Lynn

Daughters of Olympus

Hannah Lynn

Storyline

Demeter did not always live in fear. Once, she loved the world and the humans who inhabited it. After an act of devastating violence, though, she hides herself away among the grasses and wildflowers. Her only solace is her daughter… 
Before she was Persephone, she was Core. 
Core is as bright as summer and devoted to her mother, even during their millennia in exile from Olympus. But she craves freedom. Naïve and determined, she secretly builds a life of her own—and as she does so, she catches the eye of a powerful god…
The daughters of Olympus will have the last word…
Then Hades kidnaps Core and renames her as Queen of the Underworld. In the land without sun, she realizes she may have a chance to gain back what she thought she'd lost forever. But Demeter will destroy anything—even the humans she holds so dear—to bring her daughter back. A mother who has lost everything and a daughter with more to gain than she ever realized, they will irrevocably shape the world: all in the name of something as human as love.

Review

“Daughters of Olympus” by Hannah Lynn narrates the story of Demeter and Kore, known today as Persephone in Greek mythology and Proserpina in Roman mythology, and her abduction by Hades, the god of the underworld. This tale emphasizes the resilience of two women who are unwilling to surrender to their fates without a fight.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is the author's decision to divide it into three sections, each presenting a unique point of view. The narrative transitions from Demeter to Kore initially, then revisits the same scenes from both perspectives. This approach captivates the reader's interest and enables the exploration of the emotions of both the mother and daughter within a brief timeframe, without inducing confusion or chaos.
Love and pain emerge as the central themes of the story, around which cathartic experiences unfold, leading to profound changes in the characters. On one hand, Persephone flourishes in her fullness through love, which grants her freedom; on the other, Demeter plunges into an abyss of resentment and suffering, living in a state of rage that consumes and self-destructs. This results in a sort of devolution: while Persephone gains awareness, transforming from a maiden into a goddess and queen, Demeter implodes, dragging everything around her down and inflicting suffering on humanity, which is forced to endure her wrath through long and agonizing hardships
I appreciate how the narrative limits the number of characters involved to only those essential to the story, avoiding an overabundance of figures and elements. While numerous gods are mentioned, these references are not superficial; on the contrary, each mention adds meaning to the plot and supports the narrative
Hannah Lynn excels in characterizing the protagonists and creating an empathetic connection between the reader and the characters. This is achieved through a fluid writing style and simple language that suit the dialogues between the deities, giving the work a fresh and harmonious tone.
I found the modern interpretation of the characters particularly interesting. The struggle for authenticity, self-acceptance, and moments of growth and change are universal and timeless concepts. They are easily recognizable in contemporary experience, making them relatable
In conclusion, “Daughters of Olympus” is a captivating and potent retelling that I recommend to all mythology enthusiasts and lovers of timeless stories, as well as to those interested in historical narratives with modern elements.