Social Science - Folklore & Mythology

Ladies of Lore: Female Characters in Folklore and Mythology

See yourself reflected in these ancient and fascinating tales of women drawn from across European mythology and folk tales, as they fall in love, get revenge, play tricks, and seek redemption.

The world of these European women, drawn from mythology and folk tales across the continent, is dynamic and complex, revealing more about us than we might like to admit—after all, who hasn’t fallen deeply in love or dreamed quietly of revenge or played a trick that didn’t go quite to plan?

Here, for the first time, folklorist Rosie Mahoney has organised the women of European mythology into the twelve Jungian archetypes, which reflect our collective human experience, like Lover, Mother, Child and Trickster. She shows how these women resonate through modern society, from iconic figures such as Persephone and her cursed pomegranate seeds to Baba Yaga and her hut on chicken legs, to more unknown tales, such as Sigyn, the wife of Loki, and Scathach, the legendary Scottish warrior.

In Ladies of Lore, these ancient stories will fascinate, captivate, and shock you, as you experience mythology as a living, evolving, tradition shaped by the storyteller, the audience, and the times. Accompanied by evocative and expressionist artwork by artist Georgia Naughton, this book is a visual and narrative celebration of feminine power, transformation, and storytelling across the ages.

About The Author

Rosie Mahoney is an Australian writer and lifelong mythology enthusiast; a passion ignited during high school when she lived in Sweden and discovered the magic of Norse mythology and the sagas. She loves exploring and telling stories at the intersection of myth and modern life, drawing on her background in digital media, community events, and creative strategy. Through her growing audience on TikTok, Instagram, and Substack, Rosie explores how ancient stories continue to shape pop culture, identity, and everyday life. She also shares mythology through her community-based storytelling project, By the Hearth.

  • Publish Date: April 13, 2027
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Social Science - Folklore & Mythology
  • Publisher: Batsford
  • Trim Size: 5-3/4 x 7-1/4
  • Pages: 204
  • US Price: $24.95
  • CDN Price: $33.50
  • ISBN: 978-1-83733-102-4