Mythological Fiction Quiz
Test your knowledge of mythological fiction versus fantasy with this quick quiz. Each question will help you understand the key differences between these genres.
When you hear the word mythical, you might think of dragons, gods, or heroes who walk on water. But is mythical actually a book genre? The short answer: no. But that doesn’t mean myth-based stories aren’t a major force in fiction. They just don’t call themselves ‘mythical’-they’re called mythological fiction.
Mythological fiction isn’t just fantasy with gods
People often mix up mythological fiction with high fantasy. But there’s a key difference. Fantasy builds worlds from scratch-think elves, magic systems, and invented languages. Mythological fiction pulls directly from real-world myths. It takes the stories people have told for thousands of years and retells them, twists them, or drops them into new settings.Take The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. It’s not fantasy. It’s a retelling of the Iliad, told from Patroclus’s point of view. The gods show up. Achilles is half-divine. The Trojan War plays out exactly as the myths say. But Miller doesn’t invent new magic. She digs into the emotional truth behind the myth. That’s mythological fiction.
Compare that to The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien invented the One Ring, the Balrog, and the entire history of Middle-earth. He borrowed from Norse and Celtic myths, but he didn’t retell them. He built something new. That’s fantasy. Mythological fiction is rooted in what already existed.
Where mythological fiction comes from
Every culture has its myths. Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Hindu, Native American, West African-each has stories about creation, heroes, monsters, and gods who meddle in human lives. Mythological fiction takes those stories and gives them new life.In 2025, mythological fiction isn’t just a niche. It’s booming. Authors like Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson), Kamala Khan (the Ms. Marvel comics), and Roshani Chokshi (The Star-Touched Queen) have made myth-based stories mainstream. Why? Because myths aren’t old fairy tales. They’re about power, loss, identity, and what it means to be human. That’s why they still hit hard today.
For example, the myth of Persephone-abducted by Hades, forced to spend half the year in the underworld-wasn’t just an explanation for seasons. It was about trauma, control, and the loss of innocence. Modern retellings like Mythos by Stephen Fry or Orpheus Rising by A. J. Hartley turn those ancient themes into stories about modern relationships, mental health, and autonomy.
What makes a book mythological fiction
Not every book with a god in it counts. Here’s what separates mythological fiction from other genres:- Rooted in real-world mythology - The gods, heroes, and creatures must come from actual cultural traditions, not invented lore.
- Uses existing myth structure - The plot often follows the hero’s journey, descent into the underworld, or divine punishment cycles found in the original myths.
- Respects cultural context - Even when reimagined, the story doesn’t strip away the meaning behind the myth. It explores it.
- Often set in the real world or a version of it - Unlike fantasy worlds, mythological fiction usually takes place in places that existed-or still exist-like ancient Greece, modern New York, or rural India.
So if a book has a phoenix and a talking tiger but the phoenix is invented and the tiger speaks because of magic crystals, that’s fantasy. If it’s a story about the Hindu god Ganesha walking through Mumbai, trying to stop a demon from stealing sacred texts-that’s mythological fiction.
Common myths turned into books
Some myths get retold so often, they’ve become their own subgenre. Here are the most popular ones:- Greek mythology - The most common source. Books like Circe, The Silence of the Girls, and The Penelopiad all rework Homer and Hesiod.
- Norse mythology - The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan, Mythos by Neil Gaiman, and Northworld by David A. McIntee.
- Egyptian mythology - The Kane Chronicles by Riordan, Gods of the Nile by K. M. Shea.
- Indian mythology - The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi, Shiva Trilogy, and Myth: The Book of the Dead by Pavan Choudary.
- West African and Yoruba mythology - Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor.
These aren’t just adaptations. They’re conversations with the past. Authors aren’t copying-they’re asking: What does this myth mean now? Who gets to tell it? Who was left out?
Why people love mythological fiction
It’s not just about dragons and swords. People connect with these stories because they feel familiar-even if they’ve never read the original myths.Think about it: every culture has a story about a hero who dies and comes back. Or a god who falls in love with a mortal. Or a trickster who outsmarts the powerful. These patterns are in our bones. Mythological fiction taps into that. It doesn’t need to explain why the hero is brave. We already know.
It also gives voice to stories that were silenced. For centuries, Greek myths were told from the perspective of men. Now, women like Penelope, Medusa, and Helen are getting their own books. Indigenous myths, once dismissed as folklore, are being told by their own cultures. That’s not just storytelling. It’s healing.
What mythological fiction isn’t
Let’s clear up some confusion.It’s not urban fantasy. Urban fantasy puts mythical creatures into modern cities-vampires in New York, werewolves in Chicago. But those creatures are often invented or loosely based. Mythological fiction requires direct ties to real traditions.
It’s not religious texts. The Bible, the Quran, or the Vedas aren’t mythological fiction. They’re sacred. Mythological fiction treats those stories as literature-not doctrine.
And it’s not just for teens. Yes, Rick Riordan started it with YA books. But now, adult readers are driving the genre. Circe spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list. The Song of Achilles won the Orange Prize. These aren’t children’s books. They’re literary.
How to find more mythological fiction
If you’re curious where to start, look for books that say they’re retellings. Check the author’s notes-they’ll often mention their sources. Look for keywords like:- Retelling
- Reimagined
- Based on the myth of...
- From the perspective of...
Libraries and bookstores often shelve these under ‘Fantasy’ or ‘Mythology,’ but the best way to find them is to search by culture: ‘Greek myth novels,’ ‘Norse mythology books,’ etc.
Follow authors who specialize in this: Madeline Miller, Neil Gaiman, Kamala Khan, Roshani Chokshi, and N.K. Jemisin. They don’t just write books-they rebuild myths for a new world.
Final thought: Myth isn’t dead. It’s just wearing new clothes.
The word ‘mythical’ might sound like fantasy. But mythological fiction is something deeper. It’s not about escape. It’s about remembering. These stories have survived floods, wars, and censorship because they speak to something real in us. When you read a myth retold, you’re not just reading a book. You’re joining a conversation that’s lasted 4,000 years.Is mythical a book genre?
No, 'mythical' isn't a book genre. It's an adjective. The actual genre is called mythological fiction, which refers to novels that retell or reimagine real-world myths from cultures like Greek, Norse, Egyptian, or Hindu. These stories use existing myths as their foundation, not invented magic systems.
What’s the difference between mythological fiction and fantasy?
Fantasy creates entirely new worlds, magic systems, and creatures. Mythological fiction uses real myths from human history. A fantasy novel might have a dragon invented by the author. A mythological fiction novel might have a dragon from Chinese legend, retold with new emotional depth. The key is whether the source material comes from documented cultural traditions.
Are mythological fiction books only for young adults?
No. While Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series brought mythological fiction into YA, the genre has grown far beyond that. Books like Circe and The Song of Achilles are literary fiction aimed at adults. They’ve won major awards and spent months on bestseller lists. The themes-grief, power, identity-are universal.
Can a book be both mythological fiction and historical fiction?
Yes, and many are. Historical fiction sets stories in real past times with real people. Mythological fiction uses real myths. When a book like The Silence of the Girls sets the Trojan War in ancient Greece with real historical details-but tells it through Briseis’s eyes and includes gods who intervene-it’s both. The myth is the lens; the history is the stage.
Why do so many mythological fiction books focus on female characters?
Because traditional myths were often written by men and focused on male heroes. Women like Medusa, Circe, and Penelope were either villains, victims, or background figures. Modern authors are rewriting those stories to give them agency, complexity, and voice. It’s not just about feminism-it’s about balance. These retellings complete the picture.
Do I need to know the original myths to enjoy these books?
No. Most mythological fiction books are written so you don’t need prior knowledge. Authors include enough context within the story. But if you do read the original myths afterward, you’ll notice deeper layers-the irony, the grief, the hidden motives. It’s like watching a movie and then reading the director’s commentary.
