5 out of 5 stars
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Becoming Athena by Katherine Lore is a coming-of-age story about Scarlet Leone, a Utah teenager with a difficult home life. Scarlet grows up, falls in love, and tries to make peace with her past. But the future is not guaranteed, and she must find ways to navigate the life she didn’t see coming. This is her journey to find herself and face life head-on; she must become the titular Athena, brave and strong. Unlike most high school students, Scarlet is unique. She isn't fitting in well with her friends. She compares them to the likes of Aphrodite, Hercules, and Apollo, including the handsome, charming boy across the street named Cy (aka Apollo). She finds herself falling for him despite her determination not to. Following Scarlet’s journey, she feels like a mortal in the world of the gods. determined to keep her head down.
This is a coming-of-age novel following Scarlet through a journey of religious exploration, self-discovery, and forgiveness. Lore has created a study of how no person is completely good or bad in every character. She does a brilliant job of making Scarlet a relatable character filled with juxtapositions. Scarlet is capable yet vulnerable, intelligent while still making mistakes, and incredibly sure of herself while questioning every aspect of her life. The themes discussed in the book are relatable and familiar, as Scarlet struggles with her religious beliefs and sense of belonging.
This is much more than a love story. In fact, that wasn’t even my favourite part. Scarlet has an additional depth that is often missing in young-adult novels. She is from an abusive family and grapples with her identity as part of that home. She also struggles with being the only non-Mormon in her community. She takes her own path in school and in her personal interests. Basically, Scarlet is a well-developed character, with or without a relationship. Additionally, her friends and family had amazing developments. Every character has their own story, and they all change and grow as the years pass.
I loved everything about this book. throughout her journey. I would rate this book a 5 out of 5.I love the Greek mythology references used throughout the book. It was professionally edited and, overall, a remarkably smooth read. I loved both the story itself and the underlying message. I do not feel it would be off-putting to readers of any religious belief. The author does a great job of providing information while remaining unbiased.
I recommend this book to a variety of audiences. Those interested in Greek mythology will enjoy the modern take on the personalities of the gods, while those wanting a good love story will be equally satisfied. The most appropriate demographic would be female readers in their late teens or early twenties. However, I could also see those outside this range enjoying the book.
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Becoming Athena
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