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fronk10's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A really interesting book of political intrigue and hidden agendas. I didn’t know a lot about Penelope going in, and it was refreshing to see a different aftermath of Tory and a parallel to the Odyssey. It got a little slow in the middle, but I loved the camaraderie between the women of Ithaca and the goddesses of Olympus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Sexual assault
sirenricobooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Incest, Sexism, War, Bullying, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual violence, Racism, Pregnancy, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, and Rape
andrealinia's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Violence
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
The story of the women of Ithaca awaiting the return of Odysseus from the Trojan War, narrated by Hera.
This was the inaugural pick for my new book club Myth of the Month and it was fun way to kick off the year! I thought the narration was hilarious and really enjoyed Hera as a storyteller. That said, I found the plot a bit slow-moving, and felt like not very much happened…by the time things started to pick up towards the end, the book was over, and I felt like the entire story was more of a set-up for a sequel than a standalone novel.
Still, if you enjoy feminist mythology retellings, this one was beautifully written, and I would still recommend it overall, particularly if you like a more character-driven narrative!
CW: Murder/blood; death of parent; sexual violence; slavery
The story of the women of Ithaca awaiting the return of Odysseus from the Trojan War, narrated by Hera.
This was the inaugural pick for my new book club Myth of the Month and it was fun way to kick off the year! I thought the narration was hilarious and really enjoyed Hera as a storyteller. That said, I found the plot a bit slow-moving, and felt like not very much happened…by the time things started to pick up towards the end, the book was over, and I felt like the entire story was more of a set-up for a sequel than a standalone novel.
Still, if you enjoy feminist mythology retellings, this one was beautifully written, and I would still recommend it overall, particularly if you like a more character-driven narrative!
CW: Murder/blood; death of parent; sexual violence; slavery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Slavery, Sexism, Misogyny, Violence, War, Death, Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Blood
maheandco's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mythologie grecque - femmes dirigeantes - secrets
Ce livre est un véritable coup de coeur à mes yeux. Fan inconditionnel de l'univers d'Homère, c'est la première fois que je lis la réécriture de l'Odyssée du point de vue de Penelope ; ou du moins, des femmes de cette île.
Le plot est relativement simple : voilà près de de huit ans que la guerre de Troie est finie, mais toujours aucune nouvelle du roi Ulysse. Bien que cela fait une vingtaine d'année désormais que Penelope dirige le royaume avec discrétion, plusieurs éléments viennent perturber la paix présumée d'Ithaque. Encore une fois, ce sera aux femmes d'y réagir.
La première chose qui m'a clairement surprise dans cet ouvrage, c'est le point de vue : il s'agit de celui de la déesse Héra et une chose est sûre : elle est *petty*. Déesse souvent mise à part et peu apprécié pour ce qu'elle est réellement, elle a jeté son dévolue sur les femmes d'Ithaque et notamment la reine Penelope. Une reine fière, forte et dont la discrétion est son atout principal.
Cette série sera une trilogie et on sent ici que pas mal de choses se mettent en place, mais suffisamment pour me faire déjà pleurer sans que je n'ai rien demandé. Plusieurs histoires se rencontre, notamment avec Clytemnestra et la vengeance de ses enfants Oreste et Elektra : et juste... J'ai encore envie de pleurer.
Un gros gros plus aussi sur le fait que plusieurs religions se côtoient, notamment avec un homme venu d'Egypte et qui amène ses dieux avec lui. J'aime beaucoup le fait de mettre en avant que plusieurs religions peuvent se côtoyer et que cela est totalement accepté.
Enfin bref, un gros coup de coeur et j'ai plus que hâte de lire la suite ! Le premier tome a déjà été traduit en français et le dernier tome sort en anglais fin de cet été <3
Ce livre est un véritable coup de coeur à mes yeux. Fan inconditionnel de l'univers d'Homère, c'est la première fois que je lis la réécriture de l'Odyssée du point de vue de Penelope ; ou du moins, des femmes de cette île.
Le plot est relativement simple : voilà près de de huit ans que la guerre de Troie est finie, mais toujours aucune nouvelle du roi Ulysse. Bien que cela fait une vingtaine d'année désormais que Penelope dirige le royaume avec discrétion, plusieurs éléments viennent perturber la paix présumée d'Ithaque. Encore une fois, ce sera aux femmes d'y réagir.
La première chose qui m'a clairement surprise dans cet ouvrage, c'est le point de vue : il s'agit de celui de la déesse Héra et une chose est sûre : elle est *petty*. Déesse souvent mise à part et peu apprécié pour ce qu'elle est réellement, elle a jeté son dévolue sur les femmes d'Ithaque et notamment la reine Penelope. Une reine fière, forte et dont la discrétion est son atout principal.
Cette série sera une trilogie et on sent ici que pas mal de choses se mettent en place, mais suffisamment pour me faire déjà pleurer sans que je n'ai rien demandé. Plusieurs histoires se rencontre, notamment avec Clytemnestra et la vengeance de ses enfants Oreste et Elektra : et juste... J'ai encore envie de pleurer.
Un gros gros plus aussi sur le fait que plusieurs religions se côtoient, notamment avec un homme venu d'Egypte et qui amène ses dieux avec lui. J'aime beaucoup le fait de mettre en avant que plusieurs religions peuvent se côtoyer et que cela est totalement accepté.
Enfin bref, un gros coup de coeur et j'ai plus que hâte de lire la suite ! Le premier tome a déjà été traduit en français et le dernier tome sort en anglais fin de cet été <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Bullying, Alcohol, and Blood
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Extremely well-written and thoughtful. It goes very much in-depth about the experience of being a woman, particularly what it would’ve been like during that time. It focuses a good deal on the quiet, subtle power women wield through deception, as well as the sheer audacity of men. I liked it more as it went on as I got used to the narration style (it is narrated by Hera in an omnipotent POV, which I’m not the biggest fan of, but grew to appreciate). I liked it, but I don’t think I’ll continue on with the series. The first part of the book I didn’t have a strong emotion reaction to anything other than annoyance at the men. However, I did get emotional at certain parts when Hera brings up her affection and love for “her queens”, as well as the despair that is to come both in their future as well as in their experience due to the ego of men. Overall, it was thoughtful and hit the points it wanted to address effectively, but as for it continuing as a series…I’m not fully on board.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: War and Slavery
3arth2kaye's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and War
berrybiaful's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars
First of all, fuck Odysseus in every piece of literature lmfao!!! Your wife always waits for your return and you're always fucking something!!! Touch grass!!
I loved that we have Hera as the narrator and how she points out the misogyny throughout the book. She's a real girl's girl...well as much as one as a goddess will get lol. Athena you fucking pick me
The way this tale was portrayed was outstanding, and I loved how Penelope's character was written. You could really feel transported into the story, and while reading about war bores me most of the time, I was still entertained throughout.
I can't wait to read the next book
First of all, fuck Odysseus in every piece of literature lmfao!!! Your wife always waits for your return and you're always fucking something!!! Touch grass!!
I loved that we have Hera as the narrator and how she points out the misogyny throughout the book. She's a real girl's girl...well as much as one as a goddess will get lol. Athena you fucking pick me
The way this tale was portrayed was outstanding, and I loved how Penelope's character was written. You could really feel transported into the story, and while reading about war bores me most of the time, I was still entertained throughout.
I can't wait to read the next book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
Moderate: Sexual content
sauvageloup's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hard to rate this one since I read it rather piecemeal and I cant hold a coherent sense of it in my head
pros:
- the characters all have distinct personalities and dialogue, which is written well. Penelope is focused, hera is snippy, telemachus is foolish, etc. but they're all complex too. there were some nice additions to the canon, kenamon and teodora (or I didnt remember them anyway), and it was nice having some decent characters.
- there is dry humor, especially in here's perspective
- I like the concept on focusing on outwardly quieter female power, and looking at hera and penelope, and the other women from a different angle than the mythology does.
cons:
- it did feel too slow a lot of the time, with a lot of meandering and introspection.
- it was frustrating seeing telemachus ignore his mother repeatedly, and aspects of the myths play out, but that's not a book criticism, just that inevitable tragedy isnt rly my genre.
so overall, I appreciated the writing quality and definitely enjoyed meeting Claire North and hearing her discuss her work, but this wasnt quite my type of book, a bit too slow.
pros:
- the characters all have distinct personalities and dialogue, which is written well. Penelope is focused, hera is snippy, telemachus is foolish, etc. but they're all complex too. there were some nice additions to the canon, kenamon and teodora (or I didnt remember them anyway), and it was nice having some decent characters.
- there is dry humor, especially in here's perspective
- I like the concept on focusing on outwardly quieter female power, and looking at hera and penelope, and the other women from a different angle than the mythology does.
cons:
- it did feel too slow a lot of the time, with a lot of meandering and introspection.
- it was frustrating seeing telemachus ignore his mother repeatedly, and aspects of the myths play out, but that's not a book criticism, just that inevitable tragedy isnt rly my genre.
so overall, I appreciated the writing quality and definitely enjoyed meeting Claire North and hearing her discuss her work, but this wasnt quite my type of book, a bit too slow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Murder, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Child death, Gore, War, and Misogyny
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Rape
Minor: Xenophobia
xlivjones073's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Blood, Bullying, Death, Murder, Slavery, and War