Greek mythology inspired books take the reader to ancient Greece, where you can watch the fall of Rome, talk to gods and goddesses, and possibly fall in love with a legendary hero. Or, sometimes, these books bring elements of ancient Greece to our world. Either way, they are filled with epic battles, quests, and lore. So, pick up one of these books and step into the pages of a legend and become a hero/heroine for a few hours.
If you’re participating in our 2025 Fantasy/Sci-Fi Reading Challenge (and it’s never too late to join!), April’s theme is to read a Greek Mythology-Inspired fantasy book.
YA Greek Mythology Inspired Fantasy Books
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Okay, so this book is more middle-grade than YA, but it can be enjoyed by people of all ages! Set in our world, Percy Jackson soon realizes that he’s no ordinary kid: he’s a demigod. He must get to a school for kids like him before monsters attack him. Once there, the real fun begins.
If you’re craving more lighthearted, epic adventure books, check out these 10 series like Percy Jackson.
Lore by Alexandra Bracken
As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by those who want to seize their power. A goddess offers Lore a chance at leaving this hunt behind forever, but at a deadly cost.
Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou
Follow Io, an ancestor of the Fates as she happens upon a terrible crime during her job as a private investigator in the half-sunken city of Alante. There’s plenty of action and some romance. But be warned, it’s the first of at least a duology! (Thankfully, the second book, Hearts That Cut, is out now).
The Immortal Games by Annaliese Avery
A Greek take on The Hunger Games, in which gods and goddesses randomly choose humans to play in The Immortal Games and gamble with their lives. Sixteen-year-old Ara isn’t just playing to survive. She’s playing to get revenge on the gods for allowing her sister to die in the games.
Adult Greek Mythology Inspired Fantasy Books
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
This Greek mythology inspired book tells the tale of the fall of Troy and its aftermath from the viewpoint of the women: both Greek and Trojan. A Thousand Ships will make you rethink everything you learned during high school English class about the Trojan war.
Ithaca by Claire North
This is the story of Penelope, wife of Odysseus, who must run the city of Ithaca, keep a civil war from breaking out, and keep suitors away while her husband is off fighting. Here, on the island, it’s the choices of the women and their goddesses that will change the course of the world.
Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara
The god of desire is cursed to fall for a spirited young mortal woman, but if she looks upon his face they will be parted forever—an epic adventure and love story sure to satisfy fans of Madeline Miller and V.E. Schwab. (P.S. I’m not sure about the spice level in this book.)
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
The story of Medusa in which a woman–injured by a powerful man–is blamed, punished, and monstered for the assault.
Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth by Natalie Haynes
Read about the goddesses on Mt. Olympus whose prowess, passions, jealousies, and desires rival those of their male kin.
Circe by Madeline Miller
This is the book that started the Greek mythology inspired fantasy book trend! It’s also the one that got me pulled into this subgenre.
In Circe, you’ll follow that minor goddess, a daughter of the Titans, as she discovers the ability to transform rivals into monsters and threaten the gods themselves.
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper
Amara is a she-wolf, forced to hide her talents as she works as a slave in Pompeii’s brothel. She hasn’t given up hope at reversing her fortune. But how much will her freedom cost her?
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Ariadne, Princess of Crete, grows up listening to her nursemaid’s stories of gods and heroes. But beneath her golden palace echo the ever-present hoofbeats of her brother, the Minotaur, a monster who demands blood sacrifice. When Theseus shows up to vanquish the beast, Ariadne sees her chance to escape. But will it lead to a happy ending?
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
This Greek mythology inspired book is the story of three women, their fates inextricably tied to a curse and the fickle nature of men and gods. You will not only encounter Elektra, the youngest daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, but her mother and Cassandra, princess of Troy who’s cursed by Apollo to see the future but never to be believed. Learn about the fall of Troy by seeing it through these unique women’s views.
Hera by Jennifer Saint
The Greek gods and goddesses are almost always shown as fickle, selfish, ruthless people. And although Hera is not portrayed as a saint in this book, the author does show a more compassionate and strategic side of this goddess as you see more behind-the-scenes into the legends surrounding her and Zeus. You’ll also meet some monsters! (And who doesn’t like monsters?)
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
In this Greek mythology inspired book, you’ll follow the story of Atalanta, a mortal who was raised by bears. Then Artemis brings her into her enchanted garden, which Atalanta can call home as long as she doesn’t marry. Then Atalanta is called to join the Argonaut’s quest to find a golden fleece, and her promise to Atalanta is no longer as easy to keep. Be warned, this book does have an affair (with the sex being off-page).
Which of these books look best to you?
