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erikariehigano22's review against another edition
5.0
NOOOO WHY THE ENDING GOTTA BE LIKE THAT T___T
Maybe because the book was such a good platform for me to take notes of how I can do my own fanfic inspired from this myth that the ending did not disheartened me as much as I would have, if I only had my reader's perspective and not carry the writer in me.
Everything in this book was spell binding! I never once could put it down everytime I read it. But due to being busy at uni, it stopped me from finishing this for less than a week.
The dynamic between Ariadne and Phaedra was beautifully depicted in this book, which I think has not been explored much in retellings and from the ancient story-tellers compared to Persephone and Demeter.
It was also interesting I read this book after Madeline Miller's Circe, which felt like the two books were related plot-wise all because the family tree in these two books were the same. I like the coincidence which helped my reading experiences on this.
As much as it broke my heart to see Dionysus and Ariadne disagree on his ritual rites and the nature of his worshipping, it was splendid characterization on Dionysus. He is the God of Madness after all! There was no sugar-coating, and traces of his natural lunacy was in this book which I am impressed.
At first I thought I might dread Phaedra's chapters but good thing I was dissuaded and actually enjoyed her progression and also her unfortunate misery. The way how Saint portrayed her suicide and the consequential curse of Theseus to Hippolytus was wonderfully segmented.
Circe was written in a very academic perspective, whereas Ariadne was written like a YA that makes it accessible for those who are just getting submerged into the genre of mythology retellings without the background knowledge of these characters and their history. This is a big reccomendation for me---a must read and might be one of my favourite books this year.
Maybe because the book was such a good platform for me to take notes of how I can do my own fanfic inspired from this myth that the ending did not disheartened me as much as I would have, if I only had my reader's perspective and not carry the writer in me.
Everything in this book was spell binding! I never once could put it down everytime I read it. But due to being busy at uni, it stopped me from finishing this for less than a week.
The dynamic between Ariadne and Phaedra was beautifully depicted in this book, which I think has not been explored much in retellings and from the ancient story-tellers compared to Persephone and Demeter.
It was also interesting I read this book after Madeline Miller's Circe, which felt like the two books were related plot-wise all because the family tree in these two books were the same. I like the coincidence which helped my reading experiences on this.
As much as it broke my heart to see Dionysus and Ariadne disagree on his ritual rites and the nature of his worshipping, it was splendid characterization on Dionysus. He is the God of Madness after all! There was no sugar-coating, and traces of his natural lunacy was in this book which I am impressed.
At first I thought I might dread Phaedra's chapters but good thing I was dissuaded and actually enjoyed her progression and also her unfortunate misery. The way how Saint portrayed her suicide and the consequential curse of Theseus to Hippolytus was wonderfully segmented.
Circe was written in a very academic perspective, whereas Ariadne was written like a YA that makes it accessible for those who are just getting submerged into the genre of mythology retellings without the background knowledge of these characters and their history. This is a big reccomendation for me---a must read and might be one of my favourite books this year.
sabine_beans's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
renata_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Animal death and Suicide
milatonin's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jamesblyth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
kiara393's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
jamiecakes0522's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read. I liked the fairytale feel of the writing. The drama and twists kept me invested til the very end.
maisiewrites247's review against another edition
4.0
This story follows Ariadne, Princess of Crete, on her journey from Crete to Naxos, from family to betrayal to love to loss. Readers gain insight to her relationship with her family, specifically her sister, Phaedra, as well as the numerous men who betray her, the god she marries, her children, and the women she meets along the way. A retelling from the point of view of the women central to the story. I love Ariadne and I hate all of the men. I recommend this book because I love Greek mythology, I picked this up after reading The Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeline Miller so if you enjoyed either of those books, I highly recommend. The story is beautifully written and captures such a big plot in only 400 pages without feeling like anything is missing. And I’m a sucker for a strong female character. I’m feeling very bittersweet over the ending. ‘I would not let a man who knew the value of nothing make me doubt the value of myself.’
aibibyreads's review against another edition
4.0
I personally enjoyed this story. I have not read any other books about Ariadne. Maybe that is why I enjoyed this retelling. I can’t give it any other rating besides the one I am about to write.
The audiobook for this story was far more entertaining to listen to. I looked up the different myths after reading this book, and the differences were even more fascinating.
Ariadne felt hopeless about what it seemed like. All she wanted was to run away from someone she thought loved her. Ariadne attempted to escape the island with her sister, but failed. She ended up abandoning her sister and committing a heinous crime in the process. She did all of this because she wanted to be with the person that she loved the most. She ends up stranded on a sland and is abandoned by Theseus, who is then met by a god named Dionysus. He changes her perception of what love is.
This entire retelling, is giving me Adam and Eve vibes. It is like, the story when Eve follows Adam until she doesn't. Ariadne is completely happy and oblivious to everything, and her surroundings, and she is asked for one thing. Ariadne breaks this rule, and from there, we see her life fall apart in front of her. What she thought brought her life joy eventually starts to crumble. What she thought was righteous was just another narcissistic God lying and tricking her to get his way.
If my review was based solely on the audiobook, I would say it was well done. The storyteller they chose for the audiobook matched it very well.
I was very engaged, and I ended up finishing the book in two days.
The audiobook for this story was far more entertaining to listen to. I looked up the different myths after reading this book, and the differences were even more fascinating.
Ariadne felt hopeless about what it seemed like. All she wanted was to run away from someone she thought loved her. Ariadne attempted to escape the island with her sister, but failed. She ended up abandoning her sister and committing a heinous crime in the process. She did all of this because she wanted to be with the person that she loved the most. She ends up stranded on a sland and is abandoned by Theseus, who is then met by a god named Dionysus. He changes her perception of what love is.
This entire retelling, is giving me Adam and Eve vibes. It is like, the story when Eve follows Adam until she doesn't. Ariadne is completely happy and oblivious to everything, and her surroundings, and she is asked for one thing. Ariadne breaks this rule, and from there, we see her life fall apart in front of her. What she thought brought her life joy eventually starts to crumble. What she thought was righteous was just another narcissistic God lying and tricking her to get his way.
If my review was based solely on the audiobook, I would say it was well done. The storyteller they chose for the audiobook matched it very well.
I was very engaged, and I ended up finishing the book in two days.
dspencer991's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25