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Mythology

Tales' category of mythology contains some of the oldest written texts in history. The mythology books will take you on adventurous journeys through ancient worlds of brave heroes and great gods of the past. Our collection covers myth from all around the world. You can find stories about the Vikings’ Norse gods and sorceresses, but you can also dive into the legendary and heroic tales of Ancient Greece. You can also get wiser on Ancient Egypt and it’s gods and pharaohs. Finally you will find mythology books about Ancient Japan with descriptions of its traditions and customs. Get ready to be inspired by the stories of the past.
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  • Save 10%
    by Imani Erriu
    £8.99 - 15.49

  • Save 17%
    by Elena Emma Sottilotta
    £24.99 - 65.99

  • by Akshat Gupta
    £11.49

    The brutal Afghan army was led by Sardar Khan, the most ruthless commander of Emperor Ahmed Shah Abdali, ill-famed for the demolition of temples and building a history of genocide in Bharat.

  • by Dr Anna Chiara (Tor Vergata University of Rome Corradino
    £88.99

    A focused study of an ancient myth and its reception, which provokes new consideration of how myth in general can challenge social norms.Analysing the visual and literary transformations of the myth of Endymion and Selene, Corradino argues that this myth becomes a valuable tool for understanding the cultural problematization and censorship of female sexuality, as well as the marginalization of alternative forms of male sexuality. The myth's key themes, of dominant femininity, reified masculinity and female necrophilia, are shaped through the centuries from the core story of Selene, the goddess of the Moon, falling in love with a mortal shepherd, Endymion, and granting him eternal sleep so she can kiss him every night. In three core sections focusing on the archaeology of the ancient world, the art of the Renaissance to Baroque periods, and modern art and film, Corradino traces the way the relationship between the two 'lovers' embodies the taboo topic of the eroticization of the sleeping and/or dead male body and the suppressed desire of female domination and dominance. This research breaks new ground by displaying how these marginal desires have always challenged normativity and have had a profound impact on and through multiple receptions.

  • Save 14%
    by Peter Taylor-Gooby
    £9.49

    A riveting and engaging true story of an extraordinary woman who defied ancient Greek standards and became the First Lady of Athens. Aspasia was trafficked as a sex-worker but rose to become the lover of Pericles. She went on to publish her own philosophical work and became the most prominent female figure in the history of Athens.

  • Save 14%
    by Helen Oyeyemi
    £9.49

    Mr Fox, by award-winning author Helen Oyeyemi, is an beautiful and immersive exploration of the labyrinthine world of imagination, storytelling and love. It's a bright afternoon in 1938 and Mary Foxe is in a confrontational mood. St John Fox, celebrated novelist, hasn't seen her in six years. He's unprepared for her afternoon visit, not least because she doesn't exist. He's infatuated with her. But he also made her up. Will Mr Fox meet his muse's challenge, to stop murdering his heroines and explore something of love? What will his wife Daphne think of this sudden change in her husband? Can there be a happy ending - this time?'Oyeyemi reveals a twinkling sense of humour . . . A delight' - Independent.

  • Save 15%
    by Stuart McHardy
    £8.49

    In Scotland's Sacred Goddess, Stuart McHardy explores the pre-Christian beliefs of the Scottishpeople. Before the monks arrived, the Scots had a rich mythology, with stories that explained the creation and workings of the world. McHardy demonstrates that these ancient beliefs are not lost but can be seen in today's landscape if one knows how to look. Using a mix of ancient oral tales, place names, local rhymes and landscape shapes, McHardy reveals the echoes of ancient beliefs whilst determining the characteristics of the Cailleach Goddess and although the stories have changed over the millennia since she was first thought to have inhabited the land, her stories are still being told. Many tales, especially those involving witches and the Devil, trace back to ancient mythologies. These narratives highlight a fundamentally feminine power in creating and understanding the world. The perfect read for historians, folklorists, students and Scotland enthusiasts, McHardy's work shows that the ancient goddess and her stories, though transformed, continue to shape Scotland's cultural and physical landscape.

  • Save 10%
    by A.G. Slatter
    £8.99

    A captivating dark gothic fantasy set in the same universe as the award-winning author's All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead. A tale of vampires, assassins, ancient witches and broken promises, perfect for readers of Alix E. Harrow, Hannah Whitten and Alexis Henderson.

  • Save 10%
    by Kyrie McCauley
    £8.99

  • by Joseph Jacobs
    £52.49

    These tales were translated into English to understand Indian culture and literature. Beneficial for linguists, language experts, and research scholars interested in Indian vernacular tradition.

  • Save 11%
    by Paulette Dowle
    £7.99

  • Save 11%
  • Save 10%
    by Rosie Hewlett
    £8.99 - 13.49

  • Save 10%
    by Melissa K. Roehrich
    £8.99

    There was no preparing for her storm

  • Save 21%
    by Mariely Lares
    £13.49

  • by Morgan Daimler
    £9.49

    Exploring the connection between humans and fairies across time

  • Save 10%
    by EA Wallis Budge
    £8.99

    Provides wonderful insight into Egyptian religion, spirituality and beliefs.

  • Save 15%
    by Morgan Daimler
    £14.49

    Hardcover collector's edition

  • Save 14%
    by Noah Angell
    £9.49 - 15.49

  • Save 10%
    by Katee Robert
    £8.99

    Welcome to the Black Rose Auction where every sin can be yours for a price. For three days, the doors to this luxe New York estate are thrown wide for anyone with a taste for the obscenely rich, the ultra-exclusive, and the once in a lifetime thrill of the forbidden: where nothing is off the table and everything-and everyone-can be had for the taking. In WICKED PURSUIT by Katee Robert, a Little Red Riding Hood remix, a mob princess with a taste for doing things she shouldn't acquires a stalker who will kill anyone who touches what's his... In DIVINE INTERVENTION by R.M. Virtues, a Goldilocks remix, a witch must work with her ex's father (who she betrayed) and an angel to steal a magical chalice from the auction floor. But things get scorchingly complicated when all three agree that revenge is best served in the bedroom... And that's just the beginning. Accept your invitation to this exclusive auction. You never know who you might see there...

  • Save 10%
    by Giles Kristian
    £8.99

  • Save 21%
    by Taran Matharu
    £14.99

  •  
    £93.99

    Presenting a wide range of new scholarly approaches, this is the first volume to critique the highly influential television series Xena: Warrior Princess. Based on the online international 2021 conference on Xena: Warrior Princess, this book offers a critical overview of the series' ground-breaking impact and discusses why it has maintained its appeal.Contributors from across the world include perspectives from classical reception studies, queer studies and fan studies to examine the influence of ancient Mediterranean mythology and history in the series and, in turn, how the series shaped the viewer's understanding of the classical past. Significantly, there are also studies of Xena's depiction as a barrier-smashing heroine, and an examination of how the series paved the way for portrayals of LGBTQ+ relationships on mainstream television. The legacy of the series is seen in how it has continued to shape modern views about classical antiquity and how it laid the groundwork for subsequent series and films representing the ancient world.

  • Save 21%
    by Maithree Wijesekara
    £14.99

  • Save 20%
    by Sine Quinn
    £11.99

    The folklore of Ireland has long been beloved by children across the world, but the lesser-known heroes and villains of Irish legends are the fae - the fairy folk. From trickster spirits to slippery shape-shifters, from the tiny leprechaun to the enormous giant, this stunningly illustrated gift book will guide you through fifteen remarkable Irish fairies. With "fact" pages exploring each fae's origins and traits, followed by a beautifully illustrated double page story inspired by true tales found in the Irish Folklore Collection, this will be a special gift for children everywhere.

  • Save 10%
    by Sav R. Miller
    £8.99

    Some women are worth waging wars over. Lenny Primrose has lived her entire life as her rich father's puppet. Now, at twenty-three, she's no longer interested in playing his games. Unfortunately, the only way to avoid being married off to one of her father's business partners is to involve the man he fears most: the British assassin who almost killed him. Jonas Wolfe would be content to never be in the same room as a Primrose ever again. His days are filled with contracted murder and running his pub-anything to keep from sitting around thinking about his one failed mission. But when Lenny commits a rash crime, Jonas steps in to help, and extracting himself from her family becomes impossible. Especially when she bats her pretty green eyes, proposing a fake relationship that she vows will benefit them both. Interested in improving his public image, Jonas agrees, and it isn't long before lingering looks become scorching hot kisses. But even as the two grow closer and bond over their common enemy and undeniable chemistry, Lenny still remains distant and closed-off. Turns out she's keeping a horrible secret...one that threatens to tear everything they've built together apart. From USA Today bestselling author Sav R. Miller comes a dark fake dating romance inspired by the Helen of Troy and Trojan War myths.

  • Save 12%
    by Ariel Slick
    £21.99

    "Fully illustrated with photographs of shrines and statuary, this book is the definitive guide to the dark, complex and extraordinary mythology of Ancient Egypt"--

  • Save 25%
    by Rachel Smythe
    £17.99

    Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love - the Greek tale of Hades and Persephone gets a romantic modern update in the gorgeously illustrated, Eisner Award-winning Lore Olympus, including a brand new bonus short story!"Blood of mine or not, if you proceed with this trial, I hope you are prepared to live with the consequences."The rifts between realms grow ever wider as the temporary shelter Persephone had found in the Underworld is destroyed. Apollo has captured Demeter, turning the fugitive goddess over to Zeus in an attempt to win the king's favour. Persephone and her mother must now stand trial for concealing Persephone's unsanctioned act of wrath - though the goddess of spring feels secure with Hades on her side. But safety is not guaranteed in the world of the gods. As the trial brings to light truths and betrayals that threaten to upset everything - even Hades and Persephone's relationship - the other gods face perils of their own. Eros uncovers Ampelus's secret during a fight in the Mortal Realm. Thanatos and Daphne's budding relationship is threatened by a vengeful Apollo. Minthe is trapped in her cursed form until Persephone gains full control over her powers. And Hera is haunted by the specter of Kronos, whose influence in Olympus seems to be growing... This edition of Smythe's original Eisner Award-winning webcomic Lore Olympus features a brand-new, exclusive short story from creator Rachel Smythe and brings the Greek pantheon into the modern age in a sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel. This volume collects episodes 153-179 of the #1 WEBTOON comic Lore Olympus.

  • Save 23%
    by Hazel Marshall
    £16.99

    Our hero is bound by honour and family tradition to avenge a past wrong, for this is a tale of vendetta. Long-lasting family feuds often do not work out well. Vendettas can also sour relations between tribes and between nations; we need only recall the long-standing conflicts all over the world.

  • Save 10%
    by Lilly Inkwood
    £8.99

    She has the power to change a kingdom.

Mythology
Mythology is the foundation of many of today's stories, take for example the stories of King Arthur and Merlin, a well-known story that goes back to the celtic mythologies. It has fascinated many writers all around the world and with good reason. Myths take you on fascinating and sometimes even magical journeys and into the ancient worlds of the past. The mythologies build on folklore and you can learn a lot about the ancient lifestyles by reading mythology books. The themes in mythologies are often built around honor and bravery, but the tales also have their own universal moral message. 

Norse mythology books
In the Nordic countries we have a long and proud history of folk tales and some of them can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages and even before that, to what we describe as the Norse period, where all the Scandinavian countries were connected as one and not divided into nations. The North was instead formed by many smaller societies, who lived comparatively insulated and connected to nature. Such a life could be hard and created fertile soil for folklore and the belief in supernatural creatures, which are found in many folk tales. Most of the tales were part of an oral tradition and were often handed down through many generations. The mythology tales were first written down and converted into mythology books many years after they were told for the first time. 
We cannot mention the Norse period without the Vikings. Vikings are known all over the world for their strength, ships and sometimes brutal conquests, but the Vikings were defined by so much more than that. They had for example a vivid and intriguing tradition for mythology. To the Vikings they were so much more than myths, it was their religion. The Norse religion referred to as Asatru consists of multiple gods, goddresses, brave heroes and volvas, which were strong female sorcerers and fortune tellers. If you want to find your way to get started in Nordic mythology you can find a good description and overview in Penguin Book of Norse myths - Gods of the Vikings

Greek mythology books
Some of the greatest and most famous myths are found in Ancient Greece. You might have heard about the gods Zeus and Prometheus, the goddesses Athena and Aphrodite, and the heroes Hercules and Achilles? They are just a few of the unique figures of Ancient Greek mythology. They are found in some of the greatest classics of world literature; the Iliad and the Odyssey written by Homer. At Tales you can get them as mythology books in their traditional verse form, but we would also recommend you to take a look at Stephen Fry’s interpretations of the classical tales. Fry takes the timeless classics into modern times by rewriting the mythologies in a modern, easy understandable english, but he still keeps the essence of the Ancient mythologies. You can find Stephen Fry’s Heroes and Mythos in our selection of mythological books. 

Egyptian mythology books
Another world of mythologies is found in Ancient Egypt. Here we come across Ancient gods and goddesses with faces formed as animals. One of the central gods in Egyptian mythology is the sun god Ra. Ra was the incarnation of the sun, which was the foundation of life. In Egyptian mythology we also find mummies. Mummies were the deceased faraos, who were embalmed and covered in gaze to restore them for the afterlife. The god Osiris would then help them on their way through the afterlife. The mummies were placed in their own pyramid, who would show the greatness of the faraos for the times to come. The pyramids still stand in Egypt and show the history of the past. Among our egyptian mythology books you find the book Egyptian Mythology, which has collected all the fascinating tales of Ancient Egypt and all its gods, goddesses and legendary creatures. 

Japanese mythology books 
You can also find japanese mythology books in Tales’ selection. The japanese myths are little known to people, but contain many amazing stories. You can for example find the story behind the samurais, an Ancient collection of warriors in the japanese armies. A samurai had to live up to certain virtues in order to keep his status. A samurai should both be loyal and have a high level of endurance, modesty, and honor. You could learn a lot about a country from its mythology, because it is the foundation of the country’s culture, although a lot of changes have found place since then. If you aren’t familiar with japanese mythology, we recommend you to read the Handbook of Japanese Mythology among our collection of japanese mythology books. 

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