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molliford's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexism
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Abandonment
rhosynmd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
odinspot's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
elizabeth_lepore's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual content
mythian's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent and Child death
guineapiggirl's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed this version of Atalanta's tale, but I do have another version that I prefer a tad more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
ssellwood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
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? N/A
4.0
Atalanta follows the passions and adventures of Atalanta, raised by a bear in the forest and taught by Artemis to hunt and be fearless. We see Atalanta as she ventures into the open world and discovers the dangers of men, and joins Jason on the Argo. With strong themes of female power, connections to the earth and solitude, Atalanta creates a strong and determined character. The only let down for me is that some of the action scenes feel rushed, as if trying to add one too many classic myths into the story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
gracescanlon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
My favorite of her books to date. Though I didn’t love the ending, it definitely could’ve been a worse one, given the subject matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Animal death, Suicide, and War
Minor: Abandonment, Rape, and Sexual assault
zombiemozart0725's review
I was intrigued by Atalanta as a concept. While the Greek mythosphere is dominated by the likes of Heracles, Achilles, Theseus and Jason, Atalanta stands as an exception to the overwhelming presence of men. Atalanta provides much needed representation in the realm of legendary heroines in popular myth and folklore, and is still quite unknown by even those who (like yours truly) made Greek mythology their entire personalities in their teenage years. Known for her speed, much in the same way Heracles is known for his strength and Odysseus is known for his wits, Atalanta's original story sees her outpacing her male contemporaries in the slaying of the Caledonian Boar as well as a race for her hand in marriage. The book by Jennifer Saint paints a picture of a commonly disputed part of her myth: Her place among Jason's Argonauts in the pursuit of the Golden Fleece. While Jason declares the Argo a boys-only ride in many versions of the story, this is easily the part of Atalanta's story with the most narrative potential. The trouble is, almost halfway through the book, that narrative potential doesn't quite hit its mark. I hardly regret reading what I did - it was certainly not time wasted by any stretch of the imagination - but there are some glaring issues with the structure and pacing of the story that made it impossible for me to continue once I noticed them. The book desperately wants to simultaneously be a character-driven piece that sees Atalanta grappling with her oath to Artemis, an adventure book that explores the Ancient Greek world, and a girl power book in which Atalanta works to prove herself in a unfamiliar world made by and for men. Sadly, this lack of clear focus is its downfall. The book absolutely shines when it slows down and takes its time to stay in one place. Atalanta's recollection of her time with Artemis and her nymphs is an enchanting bit of setting that paints an uneasy picture of what women in Ancient Greece went through (and what many modern women still do), and the mystery of the Lemnian women is suitably sinister. The problem is, the book seems to be afraid to stay in these places too long and should have been at least twice as long to explore them adequately. Action scenes go by in the blink of an eye, conflicts of all types resolved in the space of a few pages or fewer, and there are multiple places where the book devotes entire pages to explaining niche Greek myths. The book clearly wishes to emulate the works of Rick Riordan and Madeline Miller, but what made those books so strong in their respective genres was that they didn't overexplain their settings. The characters LIVED their worlds, taking them in stride and interacting with them in an organic way. Miller's Circe character doesn't stop to ask Medea what happened between her and Jason and why they must be absolved of their sins. It is instead left to the reader to infer from existing knowledge. This book's solution to its worldbuilding unfortunately falls into dumping exposition in many places. Telling, rather than showing. Once I noticed these issues, especially after reading the unmatched character work of Miller and the intrigue and adventure of Riordan, they were impossible to ignore. Read this book if you are just starting out with Greek mythology. The characters are charming in a very simple way, the implications of Artemis being a victim-blamer are intriguing, and Jennifer Saint's devotion to exploring Ancient Greece's heroines of old is admirable. The book has something for everyone! Unfortunately, you may have to wade through its chaotic focus in order to find what you're looking for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
amanda_mh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
The feeling this book gave me while reading, Is exactly what I wanted and needed after watching the Barbie movie. I think that says a lot. 🏃🏽♀️🏹🥰😭
This quote ends the book and it’s absolutely perfect
The oracle warned that I would lose myself, but the opposite is true. I am more myself than I have ever been. I am wild, I am free.I am Atalanta.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault and War