Books generally are inspired by anything from literal dreams to historical happenings. The exciting tales of the ancient Greeks have enchanted humanity for centuries.
Of late, many interesting and exciting books have been published mainly from Greek mythology stories -introducing avid readers to the world of mythological creatures, gods, and goddesses that come to life in dark romances, educational reads, and fun fantasies. Greek Mythology books are full of gods and goddesses whose stories live on.
If you’re looking for books to help you learn about a fictional retelling of any goddess or a famous Greek myth, these are some of the best books to check out; they are also available as audiobooks, so keep reading to enter into the magical and epic world of the Greek mythology.
Best Greek Mythology Books For Your Reading Pleasure
1. Circe By Madeline Miller.
- Audible Audiobook
- Madeline Miller (Author) – Perdita Weeks (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 04/10/2018 (Publication Date) – Hachette Audio (Publisher)
As a reader’s favorite, this book creates an atmosphere that is spectacular and somewhat with a feminist twist. In ancient Greek mythology, women are classified into two categories- devoted and murderous and unfortunate pawns with an inconsequential effect.
The central character, Circe, is very different. Born as a daughter into the house of a mighty titan, Helios, the God Son, Circe is one of the women of ancient times who is allowed to have powers; her powers can menace the gods and even transform her rivals into monsters without punishment.
In this story, Circe has more power as a woman than what the Greek society says a woman can have. The author, Miller, uses excellent skill and lyricism to weave the character of Circe by bringing her mythical journey to the present and also proves how her story remains relevant.
2. The Complete World Of Greek Mythology – Richard Buxton-2004.
- New
- Mint Condition
- Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
- Guaranteed packaging
- No quibbles returns
- Hardcover Book
- Richard Buxton (Author)
Greek mythology is fascinating, from the early millennials until the present.
These interesting myths are constantly repeated in various variations and interpretations. Countless Greek mythology stories have been made into TV shows, movies, and video games.
This book by Richard Buxton blends Greek myths with an inclusive explanation of the world they were created in – the Greek religion, their relationship to the Greek landscape, and their society.
3. Gods Behaving Badly By Marie Philips – 2013.
- Audible Audiobook
- Marie Phillips (Author) – Rosalyn Landor (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 12/11/2007 (Publication Date) – Random House Audio (Publisher)
Existing as a Greek god in the 21st century is difficult, and it has nothing to do with living as a god In ancient times.
In this book, Aphrodite is a phone sex operator, Apollo is a TV psychic, Artemis- is a dog walker, and lastly, Dionysus is a DJ. Funny right?
In this book, 12 Greek gods live in an apartment in London; they face having a limited supply of hot water, many siblings, and excess hormones in one space. It’s no longer easy to be an Olympian god in the present world.
The prolific author – Marie Philips writes this engaging and satisfying novel while turning the literature world upside down.
4. Minotaur By Philip W. Simpson- 2015.
- Simpson, Phillip W. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 349 Pages – 05/05/2015 (Publication Date) – CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
This book makes for an intriguing reading! The Minotaur shook his enormous head, and his eyes looked like clear glass with the heavy weight of thousand-year-old memories; so begins the story of Asterion.
Asterion describes his childhood in Crete, the abuse he went through at the hands of his stepfather, what exactly happened in the Labyrinth, the fun adventures with his best friend Thesus, and his love for the gorgeous Phaedra.
The author- Philip W. Simpson, gives one more version of the Minotaur myth; it claims that the Minotaur was not the dreadful man-eating monster as described in other stories.
5. The Odyssey By Homer. Translated By W.H.D Rouse.
- Audible Audiobook
- Homer (Author) – Mark Nelson (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 04/22/2021 (Publication Date) – Erika (Publisher)
The Odyssey is a rich tapestry of unforgettable characters and incredible experiences. A vengeful God dooms a wandering king who is a war hero to roam the earth, a wife who wishes to replace her missing husband, a plethora of beautiful experiences, and a son who is in search of his father. If you want to understand the details of Western mythology, then this book is a must-read classic.
6. Psyche And Eros By Luna Mcnamara.
- Audible Audiobook
- Luna McNamara (Author) – Rachel Petladwala, Joshua Riley (Narrators)
- English (Publication Language)
- 06/13/2023 (Publication Date) – HarperAudio (Publisher)
A prophecy has prophesied that Psyche, the princess of Mycenae, will single-handedly defeat the monsters that everyone, even the gods, feared. She begins to train hard to become a warrior with arrows and swords, which goes against society’s expectations for women.
Before Psyche can fulfill her fate, she angers the goddess of love- Aphrodite, who sends Eros, the god of desire, to deliver a brutal curse to Psyche.
Eros is indecisive about what he wants, but he doesn’t want to be an errand boy to the other gods and doesn’t want to have anything to do with the mortal world. Eros accidentally pricks himself with the cursed arrow meant for Psyche; now, he is fated to long for a woman who will be ripped from him as soon as he sees her.
7. A Thousand Ships By Natalie Haynes.
- Audible Audiobook
- Natalie Haynes (Author) – Natalie Haynes (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 01/26/2021 (Publication Date) – HarperAudio (Publisher)
This book is powerfully told from an all-female perspective. This story begins with Cruesa, who wakes up in the middle of the night to find her dear Troy engulfed in flames. Ten endless years of fierce conflict between the Trojans and the Greeks end, and the Greeks are triumphant.
The consequences of Troy’s fall stretch across the sky and oceans. This book covers the stories of women who found themselves in the Trojan war and its aftermath, and also the fatal decisions and the feud that started the war.
This book gives voice to goddesses, women, and girls who have been silent for too long.
8. Autobiography Of Red By Anne Carson.
- Audible Audiobook
- Anne Carson (Author) – Paul Boehmer (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 05/24/2016 (Publication Date) – Tantor Audio (Publisher)
Anne Carson, the author, reinvents a genre in a beautiful work that is both an eccentric creation of a coming-of-age story and an ancient Greek myth and also a poem and a novel.
The protagonist, a young boy named Geryon, is a winged red monster who reveals what his tormented and fragile soul goes through in an autobiography he begins at age 5.
As Geryon grows older, he escapes from his ineffectual but affectionate mother and abusive brother. He finds comfort behind his camera lens and in the arms of Herakles, a young man who is a cavalier drifter who eventually leaves him at the peak of growing passion.
Herakles reappears years later, and Geryon confronts the pain of his desires and begins a journey to unleash his creative imagination with hopes of reaching its fullest extent.
9. Olympus Bound By Jordanna Max Brodsky.
- Audible Audiobook
- Jordanna Max Brodsky (Author) – Jordanna Max Brodsky, Robert Petkoff (Narrators)
- English (Publication Language)
- 02/13/2018 (Publication Date) – Hachette Audio (Publisher)
Selene must save her father, Zeus, the great king of the gods; she must leave her adopted home in Manhattan and travel to Mount Olympus.
It’s summer in New York, a golden hour on the streets, but a sad time for Selene because she has lost the man she loves and her home.
An evil cult hungry for ancient power has targeted all her friends and kidnapped her father. For Selene to save them, she must boldly face her past, one she has been running away from, a history when the faithful called her Artemis, Huntress, and the moon goddess.
Having the pantheon at her side, she must return to the seat of her immortal powers, from the temples of Athens to the heights of Olympus and down to the streets of Rome.
10. The Darkest Warrior By Gena Showalter.
- Audible Audiobook
- Gena Showalter (Author) – Max Bellmore (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 06/26/2018 (Publication Date) – Harlequin Audio (Publisher)
She is fire- Gillian has gone through too many tragedies in her short life, but nothing prepared her for her transition into immortality. For her to survive, she must marry a horned monster who both frightens and intrigues her and also becomes the warrior queen she is destined to be.
He is ice. The unvanquished and the host of the demon indifference -Puck cannot experience emotions without facing punishment, so he chooses to feel nothing, well, until Gillian. According to prophecies, Gillian is the only key that can avenge his past and save his rule and his realm as a king.
Puck, the emotionless one, finds himself overwhelmed by insatiable lust, obsession, and possession. The more Puck learns about his resourceful and clever wife, the more he passionately burns for her.
As for Gillian, the more time she spends with her overprotective husband, the more she craves for him. The question now is, Can Puck defeat fate to keep the woman who brought his dead heart back to life? Or will Gillian and Puck surrender to destiny and lose each other and all they have been fighting for?
11. Young Zeus By G. Brian Karas.
- Audible Audiobook
- G. Brian Karas (Author) – Jonathan Todd Ross (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 09/17/2013 (Publication Date) – Recorded Books (Publisher)
This book is a story of how young Zeus, with help from five Greek gods, six monsters, and his beloved mother, became the master of lightning, the gods of gods, and the strongest ruler over everyone.
In doing so, Zeus learns much about his family and how having relatives can be complicated. This book is based on Greek mythology; it’s an exciting and witty tale about family and finding one’s voice.
On A Final Note,
So far, these are the Best Greek Mythology Books we’ve compiled solely for your reading pleasure. We hope you get the most out of these exciting and captivating Greek tales.
