February 2021 Standalone BOTM - Lore, by Alexandra Bracken

[Alaina]

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Darkest Minds comes a sweepingly ambitious, high-octane tale of power, destiny, love and redemption.

Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.
Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family's sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt's promises of eternal glory. For years she's pushed away any thought of revenge against the man--now a god--responsible for their deaths.

Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.

The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore's decision to bind her fate to Athena's and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost--and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.

**This BOTM thread will be open until March 5th @ Midnight (in your time zone)**

[Kelsey]

I am so interested to see what everyone thinks about this book!

[Alaina]

This is the only BOTM for February that I haven't read yet. So I'm super excited!!

[Kelly]

Alaina wrote: "This is the only BOTM for February that I haven't read yet. So I'm super excited!!"

It's the opposite for me. Lore is the only one I already read ^^

[Alaina]

Kelly wrote: "Alaina wrote: "This is the only BOTM for February that I haven't read yet. So I'm super excited!!"

It's the opposite for me. Lore is the only one I already read ^^"

hahahah

[Natalie]

Finished this just the other week! Excited to see what other people think!

[Jenn]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[ I'm just saying, if anything would have happened to the dog, I was done. It's crazy to see all of the Gods this way. artemis was always my favorite and to see her just so broken. And castor was obviously trying to get answers about what happened to him so I don't think he even understands how he is the new Apollo. (hide spoiler)]
Part 2: (view spoiler)[ well shit, Gil was Hermes?? This is getting really good. I feel like there's more to Lore than what's been said. And I still want to know how castor killed Apollo. Also, I'm now hoping that Miles is just Miles and not someone else hidden (hide spoiler)]
Part 3: (view spoiler)[ oh artemis, she was so lost without her brother. I had hoped she would come to work with them and shed some light on Castor. I don't think he's dead though. Artemis had asked what he was so there's something else besides Apollo's power that resides there (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[ well I was wrong about Lore having anything to do with the Castor/Apollo thing. But it makes sense that Apollo chose to end his life. Glad Athena finally came around and did what was right. I was kind of hoping we would have a meeting with Zeus instead of the ending just happening but I'm glad they all get to stay together (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Natalie wrote: "Finished this just the other week! Excited to see what other people think!"

What did you think of it?? I loved it once I got over the confusion at the start lol

[Natalie]

Jenn wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Finished this just the other week! Excited to see what other people think!"

What did you think of it?? I loved it once I got over the confusion at the start lol"

It was okay for me. I love Alexandra bracken (the darkest minds is one of my favorite series) but some of it didn't hit home for me. I think it was mostly that the main character's decisions made me rly frustrated at times lol. I'm so happy that you liked it, though!!

[Alaina]

Starting this now!

[Alaina]

22%: (view spoiler)[Aw the dog doesn't recognize him? That's so sad :( I would probably cry if that happened to me and my dogs. Also I want to know what happened to the hand. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

45%: (view spoiler)[fjsaldfjlsfjldsafldj please be okay. Also I'm still on the revenge train. Let's do it. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

69%: (view spoiler)[I'm flying through this and I'm wondering if a certain someone is evil and behind it all? Honestly wouldn't be that surprised. (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

100%: (view spoiler)[Okay this was a pretty cool and entertaining book. Still peeved that I got the dumb chapter sampler for an ARC but definitely happy that I own the book now.

Lore kept me on my toes throughout the book. I felt bad that because she stole and hid something that her family died. Such a sad thing to have weighing on you constantly.

Then there's Athena and Apollo. Wasn't completely shocked with what went down but I'm glad Athena is back to normal somewhat. (hide spoiler)]

[❀ Crystal ✿ -]

10% (view spoiler)[So far I loving this. But wow it’s so much more complex than I thought it would be. Feel like I’m in history class trying to remember all these gods and connections and totally failing at grasping it all lol. But mm just me or does anyone else not trust Athena at all. After the binding she gives Lore a “cruel, blinding smile,” and all I can think is great she’s bound herself to the real enemy. Hope I’m wrong. (hide spoiler)]
64% (view spoiler)[I don’t know how to feel that her old friend was actually Hermès. I was thinking maybe it was miles and he was just acting or doing his best to be in her life to protect her? But can any of these gods really be trusted, i don’t think so. Feels so wrong if he was just using her for what she could do for him with the shield especially after she cared for him. (hide spoiler)]
78% (view spoiler)[Ugh. I’m not at all surprised about Athena. I saw this coming from the beginning. Guess I am disappointed though. I feel bad for Lore now that she knows not only did Athena betray her, she’s also the one who slaughtered her family like a serial killer 😢 This and Castor walked away from her, my heart 💔 What’s worse is how the guilt of leaving that window open will stick with Lore. (hide spoiler)]
78% (view spoiler)[Ok now I’m shocked I take it back. Lore just flippin stabbed herself. All this to save everyone else, wonder if Cas will come to the rescue or this will be a stereotypical self sacrifice win for the good guys? Like she’ll be granted new life or heck maybe be a god herself? At this point who knows lol (hide spoiler)]
Finished (view spoiler)[Not sure I love this ending. Are we supposed to believe that her wish came true? Suddenly they are both human and still on earth now? Was her simply asking the gods for it to end all it took? I mean technically all the old gods are gone and she did save the day but I’m skeptical. After such a lengthy book I’d have liked a more solid end, an epilogue could have done wonders. It was a really good read, maybe to lengthy at times and a bit complex, but really good nonetheless. (hide spoiler)]

[Kelsey]

Natalie wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Finished this just the other week! Excited to see what other people think!"

What did you think of it?? I loved it once I got over the confusion at the start lol"

It w..."


I felt the same way. The ending was also just...there. I really wanted to love it, especially since it is Greek Mythology, but it just felt like something was missing.