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sunsskies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
missaprilmay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
brookiekav's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
roseayyy_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
larawalden's review
4.0
I am really enjoying these retellings of Greek mythology from the women’s perspectives. These stories are still relevant today, if only to know that toxic masculinity has existed pretty much forever.
guybrarian133's review
2.0
(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)
Written in the tradition of Madeline Miller’s Circe and Natalie Hayne’s A Thousand Ships, Ariadne is another contemporary retelling where a female character (or characters) steps out of the small side roles they’ve held in their respective myths for thousands of years and onto center stage. This time, it's the daughters of King Minos, Ariadne (along with her younger sister Phaedra) whom author Jennifer Saint shines the spotlight upon.
Until now, my experience with the title character was her crucial but ultimately bit role in the tale of Theseus and the minotaur, where after quickly falling for the hero she supplies him with the ball of thread that he needs to eventually escape the labyrinth, Then afterward, at least according to several variations, their relationship quickly meets its end when she is left on the island of Naxos for the wine god Dionysus. Given the relative brevity of her appearance in the original myths, I was interested to see how Ariadne would be fleshed out. And Saint definitely does not disappoint on this front. Given that Ariadne is the mortal granddaughter of the sun-god Helios and the sister of a bull-man-beast that dines on Athenian youth in a horrid tribute system set up by her father, she is given a considerable to say on matters like family, love, and the cruelty and pettiness of the gods in a matter that both seem realistic yet also fits in perfectly well with the fantastical setting that she inhabits. Later on in the story, after becoming acquainted with Dionysus, she ends up having to contend even more with the nature of the ultimately flawed Olympian gods, who are simultaneously too human in so many aspects and not human in others. To say the least, it all gets quite complex for her, and it’s this aspect of the story that I found to be the most engaging.
Unfortunately, that aspect of the book ended up being fairly limited. Most of the rest of Ariadne ends dragging heavily as little more than a largely untouched beat-by-beat retelling of the original mythology. This includes several instances where characters basically sit down and then give their entire backstory to Ariadne. Now granted, this may be helpful for readers who may not have a strong familiarity with Greek mythology going into this title. However, I write this as someone who has already read a fair share of classic Greek mythology, and was looking to gain a fresh perspective on an age-old tale through the eyes of a traditionally sidelined character. I didn't reach for Ariadne because I wanted to hear about the tale of Theseus or the origins of Dionysus for the umpteenth time, but that's what I ended up getting.
The book definitely deserves praise for making Ariadne more realized as a person than she's probably been in millennia. Unfortunately, overall I consider this a disappointing case of squandered potential.
Written in the tradition of Madeline Miller’s Circe and Natalie Hayne’s A Thousand Ships, Ariadne is another contemporary retelling where a female character (or characters) steps out of the small side roles they’ve held in their respective myths for thousands of years and onto center stage. This time, it's the daughters of King Minos, Ariadne (along with her younger sister Phaedra) whom author Jennifer Saint shines the spotlight upon.
Until now, my experience with the title character was her crucial but ultimately bit role in the tale of Theseus and the minotaur, where after quickly falling for the hero she supplies him with the ball of thread that he needs to eventually escape the labyrinth, Then afterward, at least according to several variations, their relationship quickly meets its end when she is left on the island of Naxos for the wine god Dionysus. Given the relative brevity of her appearance in the original myths, I was interested to see how Ariadne would be fleshed out. And Saint definitely does not disappoint on this front. Given that Ariadne is the mortal granddaughter of the sun-god Helios and the sister of a bull-man-beast that dines on Athenian youth in a horrid tribute system set up by her father, she is given a considerable to say on matters like family, love, and the cruelty and pettiness of the gods in a matter that both seem realistic yet also fits in perfectly well with the fantastical setting that she inhabits. Later on in the story, after becoming acquainted with Dionysus, she ends up having to contend even more with the nature of the ultimately flawed Olympian gods, who are simultaneously too human in so many aspects and not human in others. To say the least, it all gets quite complex for her, and it’s this aspect of the story that I found to be the most engaging.
Unfortunately, that aspect of the book ended up being fairly limited. Most of the rest of Ariadne ends dragging heavily as little more than a largely untouched beat-by-beat retelling of the original mythology. This includes several instances where characters basically sit down and then give their entire backstory to Ariadne. Now granted, this may be helpful for readers who may not have a strong familiarity with Greek mythology going into this title. However, I write this as someone who has already read a fair share of classic Greek mythology, and was looking to gain a fresh perspective on an age-old tale through the eyes of a traditionally sidelined character. I didn't reach for Ariadne because I wanted to hear about the tale of Theseus or the origins of Dionysus for the umpteenth time, but that's what I ended up getting.
The book definitely deserves praise for making Ariadne more realized as a person than she's probably been in millennia. Unfortunately, overall I consider this a disappointing case of squandered potential.
kschiffm's review
4.0
In Ariadne by Jennifer Saint, the Minotaur has a sister. Ariadne, daughter of Minos, grew up under the shadow of the monster. Taking the first chance to get away that she finds, Ariadne seeks to see the world but ends up saved by Dionysis on his remote island. As she falls in love with the god and settles down, not everything in her life, or her past, is as remote as it seems. In a retelling of the classic myth, we get to know one of the women of greek mythology more.
Favorite Quote
“I would be Medusa, if it came to it, I resolved. If the gods held me accountable one day for the sins of someone else, if they came for me to punish a man’s actions, I would not hide away like Pasiphae. I would wear that coronet of snakes, and the world would shrink from me instead.” – Jennifer Saint, Ariadne
Review
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint is a retelling from the point of view of the sister of the Minotaur and the wife of Dionysis. As someone who has read Circe and The Song of Achilles, I knew this would be right up my alley. Ariadne’s story is less epic and has less adventure than other stories in the greek cannon, but still managed to have my full attention.
The book has a very dark ending that I didn’t quite see coming. While there are hints of it throughout, the final climactic scene was more brutal and horrifying than I had expected. Sometimes old myths serve to remind us that bad things can get out of hand quickly and that we should trust our gut.
I received an e-book arc of Ariadne by Jennifer Saint from the publisher Flatiron Books.
I recommend these books if you liked Circe and are interested in retellings of classic greek myths.
Favorite Quote
“I would be Medusa, if it came to it, I resolved. If the gods held me accountable one day for the sins of someone else, if they came for me to punish a man’s actions, I would not hide away like Pasiphae. I would wear that coronet of snakes, and the world would shrink from me instead.” – Jennifer Saint, Ariadne
Review
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint is a retelling from the point of view of the sister of the Minotaur and the wife of Dionysis. As someone who has read Circe and The Song of Achilles, I knew this would be right up my alley. Ariadne’s story is less epic and has less adventure than other stories in the greek cannon, but still managed to have my full attention.
The book has a very dark ending that I didn’t quite see coming. While there are hints of it throughout, the final climactic scene was more brutal and horrifying than I had expected. Sometimes old myths serve to remind us that bad things can get out of hand quickly and that we should trust our gut.
I received an e-book arc of Ariadne by Jennifer Saint from the publisher Flatiron Books.
I recommend these books if you liked Circe and are interested in retellings of classic greek myths.
alibookedup's review against another edition
4.0
4.0****
This story hit more at home for me after Roe v Wade was overturned. It ultimately tells the story of women who suffer for the deeds and greed of men. You want so bad for Ariadne to escape that story, but you know it’s a cycle that seems fated to repeat. However, what I am deciding to take away from this is that regardless we as women continue to fight and persevere. This book reminded me a lot of A Witch’s Heart and Circe. I loved all the feminist tones and the realistic relationship between the two sisters.
This story hit more at home for me after Roe v Wade was overturned. It ultimately tells the story of women who suffer for the deeds and greed of men. You want so bad for Ariadne to escape that story, but you know it’s a cycle that seems fated to repeat. However, what I am deciding to take away from this is that regardless we as women continue to fight and persevere. This book reminded me a lot of A Witch’s Heart and Circe. I loved all the feminist tones and the realistic relationship between the two sisters.
ellydavis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0