Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/01/2021 *Starred Review* Nearly 1,500 years ago, nine Greek gods rebelled against Zeus, who, as punishment, created the Agon: every seven years, those gods are stripped of their immortality and hunted by the descendants of ancient heroes. Anyone who kills a god wins their powers and, when that cycle of the Agon is over, their immortality. As a child, Lore Perseous dreamed of achieving everlasting glory in the Agon and restoring honor to her once-great family line. But that ends when her entire family is brutally murdered by rival hunters who have seized the power of the god of war, and Lore, the last of the Perseus line, tries to disappear forever. But when another Agon arrives in New York City, that old world comes for Lore in the form of Athena, one of the last remaining original gods, who demands Lore's help in exchange for the vengeance she hasn't let herself crave; it comes in the form of Castor Achilleos, the childhood friend Lore has long believed to be dead. Greek mythology is a rich wellspring for Bracken (Passenger, 2015), who, despite the enduring popularity of these stories, keeps Lore's fresh and mesmerizing from start to finish. As relentlessly action-packed as this is, Bracken also uses different legends to interrogate the power structures in Lore's—and, through her, our—world, crafting an adventure that ultimately is as richly woven as it is violently captivating. A ferocious triumph.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Bracken's made bestseller lists with her The Darkest Minds and Passenger series, and this breathless new fantasy, supported by a hefty marketing campaign, takes the always high-interest world of Greek mythology in a stunning new direction. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 02/01/2021 Gr 9 Up—Every seven years, nine Greek gods are called to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of ancient bloodlines. Called the Agon, these descendants have the opportunity to seize an ancient god and take their power and immortality. Descended from Perseus, Lore left that life behind after her family was gruesomely murdered. Even though she's vowed to never return, the heroine can't pass up an opportunity for justice and revenge offered by a goddess. Throughout the story, Lore tries to figure out where she belongs in this fantastical world. The protagonist is bold, fierce, and powerful and takes nothing for granted. Her best friend Miles, who is gay, supports her every step of the way. This fast-paced narrative is filled with action, intensity, and gripping details. Most main characters are cued as white. VERDICT In this captivating tale, Bracken brings Greek mythology to life in a battle for ultimate power along with threads of friendship, feminism, and romance.—Paige Kostelyk, Crown Point Christian Sch., St. John, IN - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.