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putpot's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There were a lot of parts of this that I enjoyed and I think Saint's writing style made the read very smooth even as we switched between the three women's points of view. I know it's part of the story and a part of her myth but I reallyyyy could've done without Elektra's weird incesty feelings for her dad because ew.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Incest and Sexual assault
sweeetpeasoup's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.25
This retelling does not shy away from the dark and brutal cycle of war and violence throughout Homer’s epics. Very well written, and the varying perspectives deepen the narrative and themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder, and War
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
booktwinning's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Murder
readsbyfatima's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I expected more out of this book than just a faithful retelling. I found it to be incredibly bleak and quite frustrating at times. It was written beautifully and was incredibly engaging. I could totally understand what drove each character, but it was a real shame to not be able to witness any growth in the characters. They all got wrapped up in their own revenge fantasies (except for Cassandra - whom I love) and seem to perpetuate the cycle of violence that the House of Atreus has been cursed with. I guess it makes sense that things played out the way they did due to this curse, but I just wish there could have been some form of realisation or regret of following the vengeance path. It was particularly hard to read Elektra’s POV because of her blind loyalty to her terrible father. I got really irritated by her hatred of her mother and easy dismissal of her sister’s murder. I related more to Cassandra and Clytemnestra because their POVs made more sense to me. Clytemnestra ended up perpetuating the curse rather than breaking it by enacting revenge, which I thought was fascinating. I just wish Elektra could have had some of her self-awareness…All in all it was a fascinating read, but a tad disappointing in terms of it not meeting my full expectations on character growth and the overall message of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder
fatkidatheartreads's review against another edition
4.0
Greek mythology is built on vengeance, bloodshed, fragile male egos and violence against females. They are all due for family therapy. Imagine if they all(from Zeus to the nymphs) took a step back and recognized that they needed to calm down because they were functioning on astronomical anger levels??
Also, this book is about Elektra, her mum and Cassandra ( a trojan priestess and sister to Paris). Elektra was giving major daddy issues so the mum definitely takes the cake for best/most badass character in this narrative.
Quote: "Nothing brought them more joy than the fall of a lovely woman. They picked over her reputation like vultures, scavenging for every scrap of flesh they could devour."
Also, was Helen kidnapped or a willing participant? I guess this will forever be the million dollar question.
Also, this book is about Elektra, her mum and Cassandra ( a trojan priestess and sister to Paris). Elektra was giving major daddy issues so the mum definitely takes the cake for best/most badass character in this narrative.
Quote: "Nothing brought them more joy than the fall of a lovely woman. They picked over her reputation like vultures, scavenging for every scrap of flesh they could devour."
Also, was Helen kidnapped or a willing participant? I guess this will forever be the million dollar question.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual assault
meliroo's review against another edition
sad
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
odyssia's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-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
4.25
This novel is an improvement on Saint's previous Greek mythology novel - Ariadne, in my opinion, partly as it's a more compelling story in the first place. The choice of perspectives - three narrators - was a good one as it shows the differing interpretations and motivation of key characters, which also provides some depth and fodder for discussion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and War
cristinarivas88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, and War
kianareads's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“Nothing brought them more joy than the fall of a lovely woman.”
This is the pattern of myths and of history. Women. Their reputations. Their legacies. Their lives. Picked apart by the vultures of our patriarchal society until nothing but bones are left.
Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and Elektra are three such women of myth who’s fates were twisted and warped by gods and by men.
Even though this telling seeks to reclaim their narratives in a way, there are no victors. ELEKTRA binds the lives of these three women together through loss, grief, and pain. A (beautifully weaved) literary tragedy in every sense of the definition. For once, they are given ownership over their own choices and stories, and yet they cannot escape the inevitability of their fates.
I was able to read this as an audiobook (courtesy of NetGalley–thank you!!) and, with three distinct narrators, I found the format to be especially powerful and helpful in ensuring that these three women were shared as individuals outside of their collective tale.
The end brought me right back to when I finished reading Mockingjay for the first time. That really unsettling and tired feeling of relief and sorrow. Read if you wanna experience that little easter egg of nostalgia. ❤️🩹
This is the pattern of myths and of history. Women. Their reputations. Their legacies. Their lives. Picked apart by the vultures of our patriarchal society until nothing but bones are left.
Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and Elektra are three such women of myth who’s fates were twisted and warped by gods and by men.
Even though this telling seeks to reclaim their narratives in a way, there are no victors. ELEKTRA binds the lives of these three women together through loss, grief, and pain. A (beautifully weaved) literary tragedy in every sense of the definition. For once, they are given ownership over their own choices and stories, and yet they cannot escape the inevitability of their fates.
I was able to read this as an audiobook (courtesy of NetGalley–thank you!!) and, with three distinct narrators, I found the format to be especially powerful and helpful in ensuring that these three women were shared as individuals outside of their collective tale.
The end brought me right back to when I finished reading Mockingjay for the first time. That really unsettling and tired feeling of relief and sorrow. Read if you wanna experience that little easter egg of nostalgia. ❤️🩹
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Blood
amelianotthepilot's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
A retelling of the greek myth of the Trojan War focusing on Cassandra (seer and daughter of the king of Troy), Clytemnestra (Queen of Sparta, wife of Agamemmnon), and Elektra (daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemmnon). However the characters voices were all very similar which made it confusing between chapters.
Yet again I'm unimpressed with these retellings. I love greek mythology so much that I will read anything involving it but these retellings are really lacking for me. It's something with how the author depicts women.
It was a feminist retelling, highlighting the struggles the women had to endure and the unfairness of society but it also seemed like a dated feminist view. The women were powerless and trapped in their gender roles but it seemed like the author was content with that. I think a gender essay could definitely be written about the representation in this story which at least highlights the women's stories who were often overlooked but it really fell flat for me. There also could have been a lot more queer representation, especially since ancient Rome and Greece were known for having lots of queer relationships.
Yet again I'm unimpressed with these retellings. I love greek mythology so much that I will read anything involving it but these retellings are really lacking for me. It's something with how the author depicts women.
It was a feminist retelling, highlighting the struggles the women had to endure and the unfairness of society but it also seemed like a dated feminist view. The women were powerless and trapped in their gender roles but it seemed like the author was content with that. I think a gender essay could definitely be written about the representation in this story which at least highlights the women's stories who were often overlooked but it really fell flat for me. There also could have been a lot more queer representation, especially since ancient Rome and Greece were known for having lots of queer relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and War