This month we are discussing Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe.
Content Warning!!! Before reading this book please be aware it contains situations and subjects related to: physical and mental abuse, sexual trauma, and toxic relationships.
Spoiler Warning!!! This post is full of spoilers for Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe.
Discussion:
Michaela: Hello friends and welcome to our discussion of Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe. This is our first graphic novel of 2024, and only our fourth graphic novel here at Shelf Explored Book Club. This graphic novel was much more in my lane than some of the other ones we have read so far. The art style as well as the story was far easier for me to enjoy.
The art style in this was truly breathtaking for me. The colors and the abstractness of it was beautiful. Some of the pages I would love to frame and put on my wall. Also, we love a Hades and Persephone retelling around here. I liked that they have a very innocent beginning in this one, and they’re both very awkward yet flirty with each other. I feel like in the following volumes their relationship escalates rather quickly, but I loved this feel to their beginning. HOWEVER, the circumstances for them meeting…I have words for Aphrodite and Eros. But the artwork of Persephone’s confusion and drunkenness was so good. The visual representation of that felt quite accurate to what it does feel like to be really drunk. When the edges of reality begin to blur.
Jac: I’ve mentioned before that I don’t feel like I am able to absorb everything I should be when I’m reading graphic novels. I think I struggle with picking up on the nuances, tones, and facial expressions - much like I do in-person. I definitely feel like there are some holes in my understanding of some of the story and characters. All of that being said, I really enjoyed reading this one. The art style is striking. I love how Smythe uses such a colorful palette. It’s especially helpful in differentiating characters, too. Michaela is right - we love a good Hades and Persephone retelling here.
So far I’m not loving a lot of the characters. Zeus and Poseidon are irresponsible, leaving Hades to be the mature brother while they drag him along on their escapades. It’s like both him and Persephone are being pressured by the people around them to ignore their instincts, especially when it comes to each other. Artemis seems to be trying to be a good friend to Persephone, but she also disregards Persephone’s concerns about Apollo, which ultimately leads to Persephone being raped. Much like the artwork depicting Persephone being confused and drunk, I thought the artwork depicting Persephone retreating into herself during her assault was beautifully done. Not only that, it illustrated what was happening with an emotional punch that doesn’t re-traumatize other victims by depicting the act of the rape itself in the artwork.
Michaela: Everyone around Persephone treats her like she's a child or incompetent. I would say she has an innocence to her but everyone takes it way too far. She has obviously been sheltered and therefore struggles socially but I don’t think any of her friends are truly trying to help her. Instead it feels as if they’re trying to do it all for her, to think for her. We don’t really know how Hades will treat her yet, I can assume he will not treat her in the same fashion as her friends.
The artwork for Persephone’s emotional retreat truly brought a tear to my eye. It was so beautiful and devastating. The final frame where she’s hugging her legs and her brightness is all hidden in her body. Ugh…so well done.
I really do not like any of the other characters besides Hades and Persephone so far, like Jac said. I do think they’re a good caricature of the classic view we have of the Greek gods, but it’s leaning a little more towards the silly side. Zeus and Poseidon especially feel more ‘bro’ personalities than they would traditionally be. Their attitudes around sexual escapades feels pretty familiar to other versions of these gods we’ve seen before. Where our last Hades/Persepohone retelling turned more towards the dark side of the Greek god personalities, this one leans towards the silly so far. I’m curious to see how the series develops and how much it changes my perception of everyone.
Jac: I am too. I think that no matter what sort of Greek mythological retelling you do, you HAVE to include all of the plotting, gossiping, and scheming that happens among the gods. That’s definitely not missing here! I have a bit of hope for Eros, but with the hold Aphrodite has on him with Psyche, I don’t know. For once, I don’t think Zeus is going to be the main “bad guy” in this series like it’s often been in other Hades/Persephone retellings I’ve read before.
I’m anxious to see the aftermath of Persephone’s assault. I’m worried about the response Artemis and Demeter may have to it, and I honestly don’t expect anyone but Hades to give Persephone the safety and comfort she needs after a violation like this. What better to soothe you than a group of dogs and the King of the Underworld, after all?
I can’t wait to continue the series and see Hades and Persephone’s relationship grow. One of my favorite parts of romance books are the little flirting interactions that characters have as they grow closer, and I already know that we won’t be left disappointed.
Well friends, that’s it for our discussion of Lore Olympus Volume One. Thanks for joining us, and we’ll see you back here soon.