10 Fantasy Books Set In Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece—a realm of mighty gods, legendary heroes, and whispered prophecies—has long inspired some of the most spellbinding fantasy tales. Whether you seek epic quests, vengeful deities, or sorcerers weaving fate itself, these books breathe new life into Greek mythology while crafting their own unforgettable magic.
Step into a world of warring titans, cursed mortals, and divine destinies with these 10 fantasy books set in Ancient Greece.
1. Circe by Madeline Miller
🌀 A Banished Witch, A Defiant Goddess
Circe, the enchantress of the Odyssey, finally tells her own tale in this lyrical, feminist reimagining of her life. Exiled to a lonely island, she hones her craft, encounters legendary figures like Odysseus and Daedalus, and dares to challenge the gods themselves.
📖 Read if you love: Mythological retellings, lush prose, and powerful women defying fate.
2. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
⚔️ A Love That Defies War and the Gods
A poignant, beautifully written reimagining of the Iliad, this novel follows Achilles through the eyes of his companion and lover, Patroclus. As war looms over Troy, their love is tested by prophecy, honor, and divine wrath.
📖 Read if you love: Tragic romance, Greek heroes, and poetic storytelling.
3. Lore by Alexandra Bracken
🩸 Greek Gods Turned Mortal in a Deadly Hunt
Every seven years, the Agon begins: fallen gods forced to live as mortals, hunted by those who seek their power. When Lore, the last of her bloodline, is dragged back into this brutal game, she must decide whether to seek vengeance or break the cycle forever.
📖 Read if you love: Fast-paced urban fantasy, Greek mythology in a modern setting, and high-stakes action.
4. Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
🧵 A Princess, A Monster, and A Betrayal That Echoes Through Time
Ariadne, the woman behind the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, takes center stage in this rich retelling. Betrayed by the hero she loved, she must forge her own fate beyond the shadows of gods and kings.
📖 Read if you love: Greek myths from a new perspective, feminist retellings, and emotionally resonant storytelling.
5. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
👑 The Women Who Watched Troy Burn
A gritty, heart-wrenching retelling of the Iliad through the eyes of Briseis, the enslaved queen claimed by Achilles. This novel strips away the grandeur of legend to reveal the raw pain, survival, and resilience of the women left in war’s wake.
📖 Read if you love: Dark, immersive historical fantasy, untold perspectives, and powerful female leads.
6. The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
⚔️ Three Women, One Legend, and the Truth Behind the Myth
Perseus is celebrated as a hero, but what if his story was built on lies and the voices of the women he left behind? This novel reimagines the tale through the perspectives of Danaë, Medusa, and Andromeda—three women silenced by history.
📖 Read if you love: Subverting classic myths, feminist retellings, and stories that challenge heroism.
7. Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews
🏛️ A Fierce Warrior on a Quest to Save Olympus
A reimagining of Daphne of Sparta, this novel transforms her into a skilled warrior thrust into a divine mission. When nine sacred artifacts are stolen from Olympus, she must retrieve them before the gods unleash destruction upon the world.
📖 Read if you love: Strong female warriors, quests filled with mythical creatures, and Greek epics with a fresh twist.
8. Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman
🏺 Secrets, Curses, and the Myth of Pandora’s Box
Set in an alternate Ancient Greece, this novel explores a young woman uncovering the mystery of a forbidden artifact—one that might hold the power of the original Pandora’s Box. As she delves deeper, she finds herself caught in a web of gods, deceit, and dangerous magic.
📖 Read if you love: Dark, atmospheric fantasy, mythological mysteries, and ancient artifacts with hidden power.
9. Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
🏹 A Wild-Hearted Heroine Who Refuses to Bow to Men or Gods
Born unwanted and raised by bears, Atalanta defies the fate expected of women in Ancient Greece. She runs with hunters, fights for her place among heroes, and refuses to be a prize to be won. But when the gods place her in the legendary hunt for the Calydonian Boar, she must decide if destiny or defiance will shape her path.
📖 Read if you love: Fierce heroines, lush historical detail, and classic myths rewritten through a feminist lens.
10. Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
💀 A Journey Through the Underworld Unlike Any Other
Though inspired by Mayan mythology rather than Greek, this lush, myth-infused fantasy novel belongs on this list for its divine undertones, epic journey, and legendary stakes. A young woman unexpectedly binds herself to the Mayan god of death, embarking on a journey filled with gods, magic, and impossible choices.
📖 Read if you love: Otherworldly adventures, beautifully crafted prose, and mythological fantasy beyond the usual Greek pantheon.
🌟 A Land of Gods, Magic, and Destiny Awaits 🌟
Ancient Greece thrives beyond history, living on through the stories we tell. Whether through feminist retellings, epic adventures, or mythical twists, these books breathe new life into a world ruled by gods, warriors, and fate.
📚 Which one will you dive into first? Let’s discuss!
