Reviews

I really didn't like this; i initally gave it a three but having thought about it for a while i feel as though a two is more accurate. I didn't like Hera as a narrator, though I fundamentally like the idea of an 'outsider looking in' style of narration. I just don't think Clare North executed it particularly well. I also don't like the presentation of the dynamic between Calypso and Odysseus - I understand that Hera is probably a biased narrator but i just don't have the confidence that Clare North would treat it with the complexity is demands

ekeiser8's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

emhawes's review against another edition

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4.25

I was a little skeptical going into this book, knowing that it was told from Hera's POV as she oversaw the events in Ithaca surrounding Penelope. That said, I ending up absolutely loving it. Hera was much more relatable than I was initially expecting. This was also a great way to tell the story following only the "facts", which let you observe from a more outside perspective which I really enjoyed. I also think this allowed for the gods to play a much more observable role in the story. I really enjoyed how the gods interacted with one another in addition to how they used their influence to sway the fates of man. I also really liked that we get to see Hera's soft spot for her three queens (Penelope, Clytemnestra, and Helen) and how she sees each of them with their own strengths and admires them all as individuals.

I have always loved the stories of Penelope, I just always thought her strategies to keep the suitors passive as she waited for Odysseus to return (or just so she didn't have to get remarried) were really remarkable. That said, she's typically just a footnote, and I really enjoyed getting a version of Penelope that was well rounded and cunning in several ways.

I am really excited that this is the start of a trilogy, and can't wait to jump into the other two books in the series!

senagbl's review against another edition

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5.0

thank you claire north for doing lord's work and finally writing a greek mythology retelling where hera is not a cold stone bitch villain who only cares about destroying everyone's lives and killing puppies, but is a woman who was assaulted and forced to marry his assaulter and was demonized for centuries when she, as the goddes of marriage, punished those who violated the sanctity of marriage (i agree that she shouldn't have victim blamed that much, but she could not punish zeus and had to make do)

chestylarue's review against another edition

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The pacing of this book is so slow. I might shrivel up and turn to dust before anything interesting actually happens. I don’t mind a slow book but this was pushing it way too far. Not even the witty commentary from Hera could save it.

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