Underworld Fantasy Books Like The Games the Gods Play

Countless writers and artists have reimagined the relationship between Hades, the Lord of the Underworld, and his wife, Persephone, and T.C. Kraven’s Of Prophecies and Pomegranates is another addition to the dark fantasy canon. While traditional stories depict Hades as abducting Persephone against her will, Of Prophecies and Pomegranates narrates a tale of forbidden love, revealing a softer side to the main characters. Tender and a little spicy, this one will appeal to lovers of slow-burn romance and mythological retellings. 

As the title suggests, Molly Ringle’s Persephone’s Orchard follows the story of gods and goddesses via their modern-day reincarnations. But the main characters are not just the deities reincarnated—but their own persons with distinct quirks and traits. So, it feels both like reading a contemporary romance story as well as a timeless tale from Greek myth. Immortality, past lives, ghosts and dark magic—this book has it all. Overall, a captivating and passionate ride. 

Much of the action in R.F. Kuang’s highly anticipated Katabasis takes place in the underworld, though Hades and Persephone do not make an appearance. This dark academia novel draws upon Dante’s Inferno and other classical texts, reimagining Hell as a college campus, thus commenting not just on the cutthroat world of academia but also providing a refreshing tour of the underworld. Populated with shades, evil magicians, dead professors and strange monsters, Katabasis is a lively ride, abounding in logical paradoxes with an endearing enemies-to-lovers romance at its heart. 

If you’re in the mood for an underworld fantasy aimed at a younger audience that veers away from the Greek pantheon, but filled with just as much whimsy and intrigue, you might check out China Miéville’s Un Lun Dun. It subverts plenty of fantasy tropes, including the whole “Chosen One” archetype, and follows Deeba and Zanna as they journey through a mirror version of London where everything is topsy turvy. Clearly influenced by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this book is a darkly entertaining children’s story with plenty of ingenious twists.

If you can’t get enough of Hades and Persephone retellings, you need to try the web comic sensation, Lore Olympus. It’s a modern look at the Greek pantheon, with vividly emotional art and a focus on Persephone’s recovery from sexual assault, towards healing, reclaiming agency and finding love and comfort with a shy and self-conscious Hades. The webcomic doesn’t shy away from discussing mature themes or referencing the darker, sordid bits of Greek mythology, even as it shines with mushy scenes of tenderness and affection. 

Now if you’re fond of the dynamic between Hades and Persephone—bristling with the occasional rivalry and sexual tension—you’ll definitely like the dark romance that blossoms between Liesl and the Goblin King. Evocative, lyrical and sexy, Wintersong is heavily influenced by The Labyrinth and The Phantom of the Opera, with a richly imagined underworld and a searing love story that will keep you hooked till the last page, especially if you love prose that feels like music.

For those looking for something short and memorable, Margaret Atwood takes us through a tour of the underworld and back, in less than two hundred pages. While the original myths paint an enviable and larger-than-life figure of the trickster hero Odysseus, The Penelopiad takes a more realistic view of Greek masculinity and heroism, filtered through the lens of Odysseus’s wife, Penelope. While Odysseus was off adventuring, Penelope was in charge of the kingdom, raising their son Telemachus and fending off brusque suitors with grace and guile. This book is her story, as she reflects on her life and relationships from the underworld in this modern day and age.   

For some reason, the underworld is a popular dating spot—after all, it’s where the tragic finale of the love story between Orpheus and Eurydice unfolds. Lilliam Rivera’s YA novel, Never Look Back is an #OwnVoices retelling of the Greek myth with Afro-Latinx characters set in the vibrant town of Puerto Rico. Unraveling against the backdrop of Hurricane Maria, the book is a tender exploration of trauma, abuse and mental health issues. Engagingly written, Never Look Back is one hell of a haunting emotional ride.  

If you like your fantasy fiction served with a hot blend of dark romance, give Jasmine Mas’s Blood of Hercules a try. Set in the Spartan War Academy, the story follows Alexis Hert who’s determined to survive at any cost no matter what the Fates throw at her. But her quest for immortality isn’t going to be easy. Featuring gladiatorial combat, ancient prophecies, opinionated animal companions, and a reverse harem within a post-apocalyptic setting, Blood of Hercules is an excellent binge-read if you enjoy a lot of Greek mythology fanfic.