Reviews with content warning for Sexism - Atalanta

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Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

32 reviews

rachelmcg2004's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

4.5 stars! I liked this book - I thought it was a unique way of portraying how Atalanta herself might have felt about the adventures she experienced during her life. Sometimes I found myself slightly not vibing with her - a half star was docked for Meleager's tendency to say that Atalanta was "not like other girls," which in this context was completely true, but it still gave me war flashbacks.

However, I really loved how her arc concluded and I felt that her journey was realistic and true to her character in the myths. I especially loved how her interpersonal dynamics were developed with the characters that she was close with. One of the parts of the book that I really vibed with was Atalanta's viewpoint on the adventures with the Argonauts, and I loved how her relationship with Hippomenes was introduced and developed.

I found myself wanting a bit more, and I know this wasn't quite written in the epic style, but I do wish that it had been a bit more epic. However, at the same time it was a good story about a girl trying to find herself and find peace, and ultimately succeeding at finding both.

Would definitely recommend! <3

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lalapope's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4 1/2 stars - A strong first impression of this author. A feminist story that remembers that strong women don't need to be faultless to be charismatic.

Saint has woven a story that manages to handle many painful topics about womanhood with such grace. Some of these included, double standards and the fear (which in a Greek tale is very fair!) that marriage is the loss the self as a woman.

What I particularly enjoyed about Saint's book is that she is very realistic about the sort of power Atalanta would/did have. It would be wonderful if Atalanta was able to never stop being the tour de force she in combat, once the combat ends, but that's just not the life a woman like her would have. Instead, she responds somewhat rationally to everything. She accepts the world is not made for her, so she tries to make a life for herself that can fulfill her.

The fact she finds a way to overcome the danger of losing ones self in marriage, speaks volumes to her strength.

If I were to give a criticism, it would be that the final section of the book from

when she leaves the forest to visit her father, to the end of the book

felt quite rushed. If we spent even 20 more pages in that time space, I would have likely given this book 5 stars.

Also, the man Atalanta settles down with at the end of the book wasn't given enough time to really develop or demonstrate just why he loves Atalanta. It felt like a marriage of convenience. Perhaps this what Saint wanted, I'm not sure.

Overall , this is a great Greek retelling for anyone looking for a story about someone not quite as commonly written about.

I will likely read the rest of Saint's work in the future.

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tashtasher's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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manaledi's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

There are so many Greek myths and gods and goddesses and heroes and they all blur together. Atalanta is an interesting story for a retelling and yet it irks me the way a story about a woman who don't need no man still ends up being about the men she crosses paths with. Also, very weird pet peeve, but she left on a basically 9 month adventure on a boat with ONE outfit and no one ever discussed bathing or laundry and it's those practicalities that make it make sense even if the rest of it is magic.

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aurelia04's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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mrsandersonreads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

I absolutely loved this book. I raced through it. Luckily I don't know much about greek mythology, so the ending was a surprise. In some ways I wish it had ended differently, but overall I really loved this retelling of the ancient myth ❤️

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laurientroch's review

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adventurous emotional relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I love a myth retelling and had never heard of Atalanta before, so I was curious to get to know her. I did love the general vibe of the book. But I feel like some of the adventurous parts were a bit glossed over. Like something really epic is happening, but it’s over in two pages. I would have liked to have some more action-filled scenes. I also feel like Atalanta is kind of emotionally distant and I don’t agree with all of her desicions. But I love how fierce she is and I was happy with how she got her ending. Would recommend!

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peggyhepburn's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

“Equal in strength”.

I enjoyed this more than I expected to if I’m honest. I’m a fan of Greek mythology, and re-tellings are such an interesting way to learn more, especially of stories less shared.

This started out quite slow, of course setting up the character and getting to know the protagonist well before she heads on her quest, and I struggled with this build-up even though I knew it was necessary for the story.

But when I started Part 2 I found it difficult to put down. The journey was so rich, the characters felt fleshed out, and I just needed to know more.

I audibly gasped at one point in a later part which is rare for me, and yet I am so thankful it was this book that made it happen.

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bookish_hollyx's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

3.5

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efowfow's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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