Lore Alexandra Bracken – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Lore Alexandra Bracken

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2023

52%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

Greek gods as mortal prey in a high-octane NYC death match—inventive mythology meets Hunger Games violence.

Lore Alexandra Bracken

book

2023

52%

WISE Score

4.3

Amazon

Greek gods as mortal prey in a high-octane NYC death match—inventive mythology meets Hunger Games violence.

4.3

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Screenwise Verdict

Lore is a legitimately creative mashup of Greek mythology and urban fantasy, with a premise that actually feels fresh: gods forced to be mortal and hunted in modern NYC. The action is relentless, the world-building is solid, and for teens who love mythology, it's catnip.

But let's be clear: this is violent. Like, really violent. We're talking graphic combat, murder, and a sexual assault scene that multiple parent reviews flag. The language is explicit, the tone is dark, and the whole thing is drenched in revenge and brutality. This is not Percy Jackson with a slightly edgier vibe—it's a different animal entirely.

For the right reader (mature 14+, comfortable with intense content, loves action and mythology), this is a page-turner that'll keep them up late. For anyone younger or more sensitive, it's going to be too much. Know your kid, and don't let the YA label fool you into thinking this is middle-grade friendly.

Age Fit

This is strictly for mature teens 14 and up—the graphic violence, sexual assault content, and dark themes make it inappropriate for middle schoolers despite the YA label. Teens who loved The Hunger Games and are ready for grittier content will find this compelling.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While the book features themes of family loyalty and friendship, it's anchored in brutal violence, revenge, and includes a sexual assault scene. The emotional tone is dark and intense, with graphic fight sequences and murder as central plot elements. The relationships (particularly the romance with Castor) provide some emotional grounding, but the overall atmosphere is far from emotionally healthy or age-appropriate for younger teens.

Imaginative

The premise is genuinely inventive—Greek gods forced to walk as mortals every seven years, hunted by bloodline descendants in modern New York City. Bracken successfully blends ancient mythology with contemporary urban fantasy in a way that feels fresh. The world-building around the Agon and the hunter families is detailed and original, inviting readers to imagine this hidden supernatural society. The action-movie pacing keeps the creativity moving forward.

Safe

Contains explicit violence and gore (people hunting and killing gods), frequent strong language, and a scene depicting sexual assault. Parent and kid reviews on Common Sense Media consistently flag these elements as requiring maturity. This is not content a younger child could pick up unexpectedly without encountering potentially traumatic material. The violence is graphic and central to the plot, not incidental.

Enriching

Offers meaningful engagement with Greek mythology, requiring readers to understand pantheons, ancient rivalries, and classical stories reimagined. Explores themes of revenge vs. forgiveness, the cost of power, and choosing your own path versus inherited destiny. The protagonist's journey from trauma survivor to active agent provides some emotional depth. However, the emphasis on action and violence sometimes overshadows deeper character development. Strong 4.3 Amazon rating suggests readers find it entertaining and engaging.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely original take on Greek mythology—gods hunted every seven years by ancient bloodlines in modern-day New York
Fast-paced action-movie energy that keeps pages turning; reviewers consistently describe it as thrilling and hard to put down
Strong female protagonist dealing with trauma, family loss, and choosing between revenge and moving forward
Requires actual knowledge of Greek mythology to fully appreciate, making it intellectually engaging for teens who love that world
#1 NYT bestseller with 4.3 Amazon rating—it connects with its target audience

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What to Watch For

Graphic violence throughout—people literally hunting and killing gods, with detailed combat and gore
Sexual assault scene where Lore describes past trauma; not graphic but present and potentially triggering
Frequent strong language (f-bombs and more)
Dark, revenge-driven plot that doesn't shy away from brutality—this is not Percy Jackson

Conversation Starters

"If you could have any Greek god's power, which would you choose and why? What would be the downside?"
"Lore spent years trying to escape her family's legacy. Do you think we're defined by where we come from, or can we really choose our own path?"
"The book explores revenge vs. forgiveness. When is revenge justified, if ever?"
"How does this version of Greek mythology compare to other stories you've read? What makes gods interesting as characters?"

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