Our Favorite Myths and Legends

From time to time, we poll our authors on their favorite books in a certain category. This time, we asked them about their favorite tales of myth and legend.

Here are their responses, in alphabetical order:

1. American Gods by Neil Gaiman: A man is released early from prison when his wife dies. He gets hired as a bodyguard by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday and finds himself in a hidden world where a battle is brewing between old gods and new gods.

2. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman: After his dad dies, Fat Charlie discovers he was the African trickster god Anansi. He also meets the half-brother he never knew, who takes him off on a whirlwind of adventure.

3. Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi: Twelve-year-old Aru accidentally frees the Sleeper, a demon whose duty is to awaken the God of Destruction. With her classmates and her mother frozen in time, it's up to Aru to save them by finding the reincarnations of the Pandava brothers from Hindu legend.

4. The Epic of Gilgamesh trans./ed. Benjamin R. Foster: one of the earliest-known writings in the world. It follows the eponymous hero-king of Uruk and his friend Enkidu as they undertake a series of dangerous adventures and quests.

5. Goddess: A Celebration in Art and Literature ed. Jalaja Bonheim: goddess myths from all over the world along with many lovely illustrations.

6. Homer's Daughter by Robert Graves: a reimagining of The Odyssey. Sicilian princess Nausicaa frees herself from an abusive marriage, saves her father's throne, and rescues her two brothers.

7. Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny: a science fantasy in which the Hindu gods are a starship crew who subdue a colony world and rule it with their "powers" of advanced technology. Retired god Sam opposes the tyranny and starts an uprising.

8. The Magnus Chase books by Rick Riordan: A once-homeless teens sets off on a death-defying quest across the Norse realms. After discovering he's the son of the god Frey, he becomes one of Odin's chosen warriors.

9. Mythos, Heroes, and Troy by Stephen Fry: the Greek myths reimagined and retold for the modern age. Tragic heroes, intoxicating love stories, and the unstoppable force of fate.

10. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman: the ancient stories of Thor, Odin, Loki, and other famous figures fashioned into novel form. It begins with the genesis of the nine worlds and follows the exploits of deities, giants, and dwarves.

11. The Once and Future King by T.H. White: a poignant story of adventure, romance, and magic. White retells the saga of King Arthur, Merlin, the founding of Camelot, the knights of the Round Table, and more.

12. The Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan: Percy discovers he's the son of Poseidon and goes to live at Camp Half-Blood, where he trains to be a hero. Soon he must fight against monsters, gods, and then stop the Titans from destroying the world.

13. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke: a dreamlike novel with elements of Greek myths. Piranesi lives in a house with endless labyrinthine corridors and an ocean inside it. He thinks only he and The Other live there, but then uncovers evidence that someone else does too. A terrible truth unravels, revealing a world beyond the one he's always known.

14. The Temple of the Muses: A Mystery by John Maddox Roberts: book 4 in a series but can stand alone. A junior senator on a diplomatic mission to Alexandria decides to investigate a philosopher's suspicious death. In the process, he uncovers a conspiracy to bring down the entire Roman Empire. The gods don't appear, but their presence is felt.

15. The Usborne Book of Greek Myths by Anna Milbourne, Louie Stowell, and (ed.) Ruth Brocklehurst: 32 illustrated tales for children of heroes, gods, and monsters. Also includes maps, a glossary, and margin notes with illustrations providing further insight.
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What are some of your favorite myths and legends?

P.S. - If you enjoyed this list of recommendations, why not sign up for our newsletter? Twice a month, we'll send you a themed list of fantasy and/or sci-fi book recommendations, and sometimes music or movies too!

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Remy Apepp

If stories were stars, Remy would want to write an entire night sky full. Remy's debut novel is Sand to Glass, a dark literary fantasy about a desert kingdom on the edge of destruction. The next book in the series, The Blessed, is coming in September! Find Remy's author site at remyapepp.wordpress.com.

Sarah Awa

Sarah writes about monsters and lives in Ohio with two hairy guys. Her debut novel is Hunter’s Moon, featuring werewolves in college without alphas, packs, or fated mates. Check out her author website at www.sarahmawa.com.

Jeff Ayers

Jeff is an English teacher living in Arkansas (Go, Razorbacks!) with his wife, two kids, and two dogs, all of whom he loves dearly. He's the author of Skate the Thief and its sequel, Skate the Seeker (watch for it next year!). Find him at jeffayersauthor.weebly.com.

Catherine Butzen

Catherine is the author of Painter of the Dead and various other fantasy novels. Her interests include sewing, archery, languages, cybersecurity, and being a font of strange but occasionally useful trivia. Check out her author website at catherinebutzen.wordpress.com.

Laura Ruth Loomis

Laura is a social worker by day, space cadet by night. She’s the author of The Cosmic Turkey, a wild romp through the galaxy with a dilapidated spaceship and a misfit crew, and other books and short stories. Her author website is www.lauraruthloomis.com.

Katherine Vick

Katherine lives in the middle bit of England and is the author of The Disposable, The Merry Band, and their sequel, The Narrative - coming in November! She's also secretly famous for writing fanfiction stories (under a pseudonym). Find her at www.realmofkatherinevick.blogspot.com.