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miranda_lynn1234's review against another edition
I really don’t like the perspective it’s written from, I wish we could truly get a feel for what the character is feeling at the time and a better grounding to the main characters just not for me sadly
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
forgetbeenot's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Sexual assault, and Violence
happy_meeal's review
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, and War
crazytourists_books's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It took me a while to like it, but I found it to be a descent approach to the ancient myth of Penelopy and the suitors.
My main problem, mainly at the beginning was the constant whining of the narrator (I won't say who it was) and later on by the endless descriptions. I liked the choice of narrator but I was a bit disappointed tho find them rather restrained and frightened not how I had them on my mind; defying and fearless. I also enjoyed this side of Penelopy, the dutiful, loyal wife trope of the ancient myths is rather boring. I could do without the feministic notions, but they sell, right? It has a promising end and I will probably read the second book when it's out.
Again, it should have been shorter, at least a hundred pages shorter...
My main problem, mainly at the beginning was the constant whining of the narrator (I won't say who it was) and later on by the endless descriptions. I liked the choice of narrator but I was a bit disappointed tho find them rather restrained and frightened not how I had them on my mind; defying and fearless. I also enjoyed this side of Penelopy, the dutiful, loyal wife trope of the ancient myths is rather boring. I could do without the feministic notions, but they sell, right? It has a promising end and I will probably read the second book when it's out.
Again, it should have been shorter, at least a hundred pages shorter...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, War, Blood, Violence, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, and Rape
madamenovelist's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Rape, Misogyny, War, Gore, Violence, Murder, Slavery, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Sexism, Xenophobia, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death, and Death of parent
wlreed312's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
For years I have wanted a book about what's going on in Ithaca during the events of the Odyssey, so you can imagine my excitement when I heard about this. And after a kind of rocky start, I ended up enjoying it a lot, but not as much as I had anticipated. For me it was the POV that took me out of it, I honestly didn't like Hera much as a narrator. I wanted to know more of what was going on in Penelope's mind, and this didn't give me as much of that as I would have liked. I also had some issues with how Hera talked about women, there was some cattiness that didn't sit well with me. And there was once or twice where there was a line or two that bordered on homophobic for me.
But in spite of that, I thought the last third of the book was outstanding. We get some really lovely scenes between Penelope and Elektra, as well as between Penelope and Clytemnestra. There is some great dialogue, and I thought the ending was very good. So while it wasn't exactly what I was looking for, it was still very enjoyable.
But in spite of that, I thought the last third of the book was outstanding. We get some really lovely scenes between Penelope and Elektra, as well as between Penelope and Clytemnestra. There is some great dialogue, and I thought the ending was very good. So while it wasn't exactly what I was looking for, it was still very enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: War, Sexual violence, and Rape
fluffyeti's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The writing is beautiful, at turns lyrical, idyllic, vulgar, and changeable as any one person's speech usually is. Given that the entire book is narrated from the point of view of Hera, the style is fitting and enjoyable to read. Will add more thoughts later.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape and Physical abuse
poetic_liz's review against another edition
4.75
I should give this book five stars for its relentless, ruthless, bitterly honest narrator and it's beautiful, ugly, pretty use of words. So many of those quotes will stay with me. The book balances beautiful prose with harsh commentary, lyrical stanza with curse words, poetic descriptions with vulgar and heartless wording.
As someone who read way too many books on Greek myth, this was very refreshing to read, both in terms of narrator, style choices and timeline chosen. It is truly unique amongst other retellings and focuses on women very differently than most "women focused"/"feminist" retellings do. Often I dislike them for trying to hard or not enough. This book wasn't ashamed to face the bitter truth of the lives of women and goddesses. It was ugly, disturbing, and utterly beautiful.
The thing that keeps the 5 stars away is that I wasn't happy with some of the plot choices made. This is completely on me and my personal taste, other people may love it. The book would for sure be 5/5 if I could only give full stars.
I beg everyone to read this, to approach it with an open mind, ready to be disappointed by your heroes and the female characters alike, for they are all human. And what can I say? Humans are built like gods, so be ready to be disappointed by the gods as well.
As someone who read way too many books on Greek myth, this was very refreshing to read, both in terms of narrator, style choices and timeline chosen. It is truly unique amongst other retellings and focuses on women very differently than most "women focused"/"feminist" retellings do. Often I dislike them for trying to hard or not enough. This book wasn't ashamed to face the bitter truth of the lives of women and goddesses. It was ugly, disturbing, and utterly beautiful.
The thing that keeps the 5 stars away is that I wasn't happy with some of the plot choices made. This is completely on me and my personal taste, other people may love it. The book would for sure be 5/5 if I could only give full stars.
I beg everyone to read this, to approach it with an open mind, ready to be disappointed by your heroes and the female characters alike, for they are all human. And what can I say? Humans are built like gods, so be ready to be disappointed by the gods as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Rape, War, Slavery, and Misogyny
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
3.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I'm definitely on the Greek Mythology re-telling train. I've read so many this year already and have a few ready for the rest of the month. Talk about a hot topic at the moment. So I was fascinated by Ithaca and a re-telling of Penelope's story. To start this review, let me tell you some things that would have helped me while reading. For one, Ithaca is going to have a sequel. I didn't realize that when I began reading so when the ending came I was taken aback.
Additionally, because I feel like in literature class we don't talk too much about Penelope's time while Odysseus is gone, more things happen than you might remember. Because of that it can feel a little bit slow at times as your expectations war with your experience. Furthermore, parts of Ithaca are actually told from the gods perspective, specifically Hera. I actually enjoyed these sections as it made me not only feel 'above' of the action, but gave me insight into the workings and favors of the gods above.
I'm definitely on the Greek Mythology re-telling train. I've read so many this year already and have a few ready for the rest of the month. Talk about a hot topic at the moment. So I was fascinated by Ithaca and a re-telling of Penelope's story. To start this review, let me tell you some things that would have helped me while reading. For one, Ithaca is going to have a sequel. I didn't realize that when I began reading so when the ending came I was taken aback.
Additionally, because I feel like in literature class we don't talk too much about Penelope's time while Odysseus is gone, more things happen than you might remember. Because of that it can feel a little bit slow at times as your expectations war with your experience. Furthermore, parts of Ithaca are actually told from the gods perspective, specifically Hera. I actually enjoyed these sections as it made me not only feel 'above' of the action, but gave me insight into the workings and favors of the gods above.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
tinybluepixel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Violence, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Murder, Infidelity, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Death
Moderate: War and Incest