"anOther Mythology" by Maxwell I. Gold is a captivating collection of horror prose poetry that breathes new life into ancient myths from a queer perspective.

Gold's unique voice and imaginative storytelling shine through as he reimagines iconic figures such as Thanatos and Hades in a fresh and compelling way. Through his poetry, Gold seamlessly merges camp sensibility with cosmic horror, creating a mesmerising blend of beauty, blood, and wit.

Each poem in the collection is a masterful exploration of gods and monsters, weaving together elements of mythology, horror, and queer identity. Gold's prose is both evocative and thought-provoking, inviting readers into a world where familiar myths are transformed into something altogether new and haunting.

"anOther Mythology" is a poetic soap opera that delves into the depths of the human psyche, challenging readers to confront their own perceptions of identity, power, and desire. With its rich imagery and lyrical language, this collection is a must-read for anyone who enjoys poetry that pushes boundaries and explores the darker aspects of the human experience.

Glorious! Clever and queer and fun and horrifying, and clearly written with a huge amount of love for the mythology. Brilliant

I personally just did not enjoy this book. Towards the end, I found myself skimming just so I could finally finish it (because I had been reading it for months at that point and my galley was about to expire) towards the end, and I really just was not interested. This book clearly didn't stick very well for me, as I literally forgot to even include it in my monthly wrap up or any of my spreadsheets. I genuinely forgot I even read it, even though I finished it 11 days ago.
The premise of this collection had really intrigued me, but ultimately I was disappointed by the execution. There were a couple poems I did like, but for the most part I really just did not care and the way it was written did nothing for me. Could be for someone else, but definitely wasn't for me. Overall, I just feel meh about this collection.

I'm afraid I'm one of the people that this just didn't gel with. It seems to have worked for some others, so ymmv!

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

Hmm, this was not at all what I expected. It was a reinvention of mythology stories, however very short and in poem form.
It was not my thing.

After sitting on this read for a while, I unfortunately have to say that it's one of the few mythology reads I've disliked. This is not to say that the content doesn't have merit or that the writing is inherently bad, but the prose poetry didn't seem to do what I think the author wanted it to. As a queer person who is fairly well-versed in (especially Greek) mythology, I didn't really see how these poems were "turning traditional myth on its head" or "adding queerness to myth." I think the idea of reshaping how we view myth is an ambitious goal and it just was not achieved here. I think one would also have to subscribe to the idea that all gods, mortals, and characters in mythology are terrible, oppressive, heteronormative people and I don't believe that. Perhaps this just went over my head, and perhaps it just isn't for me, but I really wanted to love this and it fell short.

Thanks to the publisher for the e-ARC.

This collection of poetry is not quite what I expected. I see reviews raving about the depth of these poems and how beautiful they are, but I can't reconcile the retelling with the original myths. Maybe I'm just not looking deep enough or maybe I'm not familiar enough with the mythology so it's over my head. But it seemed to me to be mostly run-on sentences and random babble that required a dictionary every few words, like the author was trying way too hard to be impressive and profound. I don't consider myself to have a simple vocabulary by any means, but this just seemed overdone. A lot of things didn't make sense and I had to read them multiple times, which I suppose you're meant to do with poetry, but it just wasn't working for me. I usually enjoy the flow of poetry, but this didn't flow well. I don't know, I guess I'm in the minority here. Maybe it just wasn't for me.

Thanks anyway to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the eARC, but I won't be recommending this to anyone, unless they are queer and deeply interested in mythology.

Maxwell I. Gold has taken mythology and transformed it into something new and exciting. He takes myths that are well-known and spins them into queer, horror poetry that is terrifying, as well as it is touching.

This was a very quick, light read that took a unique turn on mythology stories. It had lyrical, beautiful writing included on every page that made the story easy to read. As someone who loves mythology and lyrical writing, this was a perfect book for me to read during the school year since it didn't take long and I was engaged the whole time. It was a nice change of pace from textbooks.

I love mythology and especially retelling in any format so I was so keen to read this and it didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed it

If you say Greek Mythology (pretty sure it wasn’t only Greek mythology though), you know I’m in, especially if it’s poetry and queer.
I enjoyed reading this, especially as it focused on many Gods that aren’t usually the focus of retellings and stories.
Often, I felt out of the loop though and found it hard to connect.
Still, overall an enjoyable read.

As someone who doesn't really read poetry, this surprised me. It was amazing and I would recommend this the everyone who liked greek myth and wants a short and fast read.

I'm a little torn about this collection. The whole concept of re-contextualizing mythology through a more queer and transgressive lens was fascinating and also the reason I picked up this up in the fist place, however I didn't really see the vision.

In the author's note Maxwell I. Gold makes it that clear that they would like to "evoke a sense of wonderment" through the collection, but I felt like a fish out of water at times. Honestly, I think this speaks more to me as a reader and probably would have been appreciated by someone who has a more in-depth knowledge of mythology as this would not be accessible or a beginner mythology enjoyer (aka me). I also feel like the verse style was a little clunky for me and I really love verse poetry.

That being said I really enjoyed the poem 'Hetro Never-After' and few other stand out poem which were mostly at the back end of the collection.

An amazing set of poems focused on myths and showing different sides of the characters and parts. I would recomnend if you like prose poems and mythology. Thanks for the arc and cheers

With fluid writing and evocative flow, Gold reinterprets classic mythology in a new, queer lens. Each entry is enjoyable, and practically transports readers to these times and lands.

"AnOther Mythology" by Maxwell I. Gold invites readers into a mesmerizing tapestry of imaginative worlds, weaving together a collection of myths and tales that transcend the ordinary. Gold's skillful storytelling prowess and knack for transporting readers to realms unknown is evident in this captivating anthology.

The book unfolds as a captivating journey, unveiling an array of mythologies that feel both ancient and refreshingly contemporary. Gold's narrative voice is richly layered, evoking a sense of wonder and curiosity with each turn of the page. His ability to breathe life into diverse worlds, populated by intriguing characters and infused with timeless wisdom, is truly remarkable.

What sets "AnOther Mythology" apart is its fusion of tradition and innovation. Gold ingeniously reinvents classic mythic motifs while introducing entirely new narratives, resulting in a tapestry that feels familiar yet uniquely original. Each story is a standalone gem, yet collectively they form a cohesive mosaic that explores universal themes of love, sacrifice, destiny, and the human condition.

Moreover, Gold's prose is as enchanting as the myths themselves. His writing style effortlessly transports readers into the heart of these alternate realities, painting vivid landscapes with lyrical descriptions and immersive detail. Whether describing celestial landscapes or the inner turmoil of characters, his words resonate with depth and emotion.

While "AnOther Mythology" is a celebration of imagination and storytelling, it also serves as a reflection on the human experience. Through these myths, Gold skillfully unravels profound insights into our own world, prompting readers to contemplate deeper truths and universal aspects of existence.

In conclusion, "AnOther Mythology" is a spellbinding masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Maxwell I. Gold's ability to craft captivating narratives and infuse them with timeless wisdom makes this anthology a must-read for enthusiasts of mythology, fantasy, and those simply seeking an enthralling literary escape.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review! I enjoyed the pacing and idea of this book, but I did not get most of the Greek mythology references. The style and form were somehow inspiring but admittedly not easy to understand and not the typical kind of poetry. A quick read nevertheless, I might return to it in the future.

I was so lost while reading these poems.
I don’t know much about Greek Mythology and I didn’t understand anything from this read. Also I didn’t enjoyed the prose like style the poems was written it was too complicated to understand.

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me but I would say if you know a lot about Greek Mythology and like prose poetry then definitely give this one a read.

AnOther Mythology by Maxwell I. Gold lifted me up only to bring me down. The concept excited me - a reimagining of Hesiod’s Theogony and other mythological canon. The writing is fantastic but lacks expansion so each ‘poem’ felt unfinished. Gold had the potential to make this epic (in the original sense of the word) yet finishes each time at what feels like the very beginning. Reading this felt like walking through a gallery showcasing what could be, or what’s to come, without leaving with anything substantial.

And then, I read the author’s afterword and felt thoroughly disappointed. It reflects an attempt to criticise mythology without seeming to understand it, especially when Gold calls it ‘heteronormative’. Having studied Classics at degree level and having recently read Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Gold’s assessment seems a little tone deaf and superficial. There is so much to be found in mythology without the need to rewrite it in a way that utterly changes it.

While as a queer reader, aside from the use of ‘twink’ once and reimagining Persephone as a drag queen, this didn’t feel like the queer reimagining of myth Gold proposes it is… If anything it still read as ‘heteronormative’ as Gold imagines mythology to already be. Again, the word I would use is superficial.

AnOther Mythology lacks heart and depth. Mythology is vast and, of course, well within the realms to be criticised, but Gold’s assessment is weak and fails to put forward a sincere queer reimagining.

The way Gold writes was captivating and beautiful; each of the poems were easy to read and understand while also remaining full of emotion.

I also enjoy when poets play with the space they're given, and Gold did that well without having to fall back on it. It was used for emphasis and it worked.

I enjoyed this read - it was a quick, read-in-one-sitting book that I'll be happy to read again!