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Top 6 Mythological Books to read

on Oct 28, 2022

Mythological fiction is one of the best ways to understand the underlying mythologies of the worlds that have been fabricated, keeping the Gods & Monsters from the myths. Some of the most popular mythologies remain Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Indian. Several noteworthy books have been written set in the worlds of these myths that tell genuine reflections of the old myths. Some of these include:

Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan

One of the most popular and new reader-friendly series is Percy Jackson and the subsequent series 'Heroes of Olympus.' Just like Harry Potter, the series is written from the perspective of a teenage boy who finds out that he is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of Sea, and has to go to a camp for other children of Gods called the ‘Camp Half-Blood’ where he finds himself in the middle of a prophecy that ties him to the bane of gods, the Titans, and their father Kronos, the God of Time himself. Dive into these stories and learn about the Greek and Roman myths upon which the adventures are based. Drama, love, betrayal, and epic battles are all part of these brilliant YA stories.

The Shiva Trilogy by Amish

This is a different take on the story of Shiva, where he is a mortal man who finds himself in the kingdom of immortals. The Kingdom of Meluha finds its prophesied 'Neelkanth' in Shiva when he first drinks the Somrus and thus starts his journey in the lands as a savior. He is then used as a political tool but finds his own way through his insightful mind and the people's faith. The story is filled with twists and turns and big reveals that really shape the pith of the story but where it shines the most is its philosophical side, where Amish shows his true ability to focus on the study of good and evil. Read it for the mythological aspects but stick to the underlying philosophical principles.

Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe is a 2018 novel by American writer Madeline Miller. Set during the Greek Heroic Age, it is an adaptation of various Greek myths, most notably the Odyssey, as told from the perspective of the witch Circe. The novel explores Circe's origin story and narrates Circe's encounters with mythological figures such as Hermes, the Minotaur, Jason, and Medea, and ultimately her romance with Odysseus and his son, Telemachus.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

This is more of modern mythology about America as a society that is now filled with gods of the people who migrated to America and now call it home, locked in a battle with new gods born of the new age. In a classic clash of the ages, we find old gods like Odin, Kali, Artemis, etc., fighting the gods of Technology, the Internet, and Surveillance while playing with the lives of their devotees and new heroes.

The Daughter from a Wishing Tree by Sudha Murty

Looking for the best Indian mythology books for a little tour into the parallel universe? This book by Sudha Murty might be the one for you. It narrates enchanting stories about women in Indian mythology. From tales about Parvati to Mandodari, it shows how women were the backbone of their families. These powerful women are fearless and adept at slaying demons and protecting their devotees. A very inspirational and motivating read, this book features a strong characterization of women who will stop at nothing to protect and love what is dear to them.

The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi

This book by Ashwin Sanghi is a thrilling retelling of the last avatar of Lord Vishnu. Anil Varshney, a famous archaeologist who cracked the Indus Valley seals code, is found dead. His childhood friend and historian, Professor Ravi Mohan Saini, has been accused of murdering him. To clear the accusations, Professor Saini touches upon the untouched areas of the mythological realm. His findings leave him baffled as he uncovers the real culprit behind this killing – Taarak Vakil, who believes that he is Kalki, the one who leads Kaliyug to its end and the harbinger of the Satya Yuga. Saini must find all four pieces of the seal to solve the puzzle and prevent Vakil from murdering other historians involved in this search.

All these books and more have been written to bring back the jewels of mythology that still shape the cultures of our society. Read these and suggest a few in the comments.