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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I started reading Lavinia by Le Guin immediately after, which set it in stark contrast in several ways. Though I didn't dislike reading Atalanta, I constantly felt like something was missing. Whatever it is Le Guin has, her skill with language, her turn of phrase, her choices when it comes to starting off and building up a story, it immediately clicked in a way this book couldn't.
By the very end I perhaps got a sense of what Atalanta tries to do, but it's a little too heavy on the 'all men bad' and the 'not like other girls' for my taste. The way things unravel and go to shit at the end is so incredibly fast while the emotional buildup (for me) felt lacking for it to pack the punch it's undoubtedly meant to pack.
The one thing it had going for it was the way it put Iason and the Argonauts into perspective. These guys did very little, looking at it from Atalanta's pov. Orpheus saved them from the sirens (a passage that got a few pages if that). Medeia is the one who magics them to the Fleece. The grand quest falls flat on its ass. An interesting look, but overall I wasn't drawn in sufficiently to feel the catharsis.
By the very end I perhaps got a sense of what Atalanta tries to do, but it's a little too heavy on the 'all men bad' and the 'not like other girls' for my taste. The way things unravel and go to shit at the end is so incredibly fast while the emotional buildup (for me) felt lacking for it to pack the punch it's undoubtedly meant to pack.
The one thing it had going for it was the way it put Iason and the Argonauts into perspective. These guys did very little, looking at it from Atalanta's pov. Orpheus saved them from the sirens (a passage that got a few pages if that). Medeia is the one who magics them to the Fleece. The grand quest falls flat on its ass. An interesting look, but overall I wasn't drawn in sufficiently to feel the catharsis.
Thanks to Headline Publishing for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Having read and enjoyed both of Saint’s previous Greek mythology retellings, I was eager to dive into Atalanta’s story, especially since it’s one I don’t know much about. Saint didn’t fail to deliver, as usual. Atalanta was a beautiful read filled with lyrical writing and interesting characters.
This book follows the titular character, Atalanta. As a baby, Atalanta is abandoned by her parents because she is not a boy. She gets taken in by a bear and eventually by Artemis herself. When Jason and the Argonauts go on a quest to receive the Golden Fleece, Atalanta joins them as Artemis’s champion. Throughout the course of the book, Atalanta has to prove time and time again that she is not only equal to the male warriors, but better than them.
While I found the plot of this book to be interesting, I wasn’t as gripped by it as by the previous books, especially Elektra. The pacing felt a bit off at times – I wish more time had been spent on some aspects of the story and less on others. As for Atalanta as a character . . . I found her to be very interesting. She wasn’t particularly likeable, but she was fierce and determined to do whatever she had to, and I enjoyed seeing that, especially in a Greek retelling.
The writing was beautiful and painted a lovely picture while still being accessible and easy to read. The ending definitely took me by surprise, and it’s not one that I will forget anytime soon! Overall, this was a truly good book, but there was something about it that just didn’t entirely hit the mark for me, hence the three-star rating.
Having read and enjoyed both of Saint’s previous Greek mythology retellings, I was eager to dive into Atalanta’s story, especially since it’s one I don’t know much about. Saint didn’t fail to deliver, as usual. Atalanta was a beautiful read filled with lyrical writing and interesting characters.
This book follows the titular character, Atalanta. As a baby, Atalanta is abandoned by her parents because she is not a boy. She gets taken in by a bear and eventually by Artemis herself. When Jason and the Argonauts go on a quest to receive the Golden Fleece, Atalanta joins them as Artemis’s champion. Throughout the course of the book, Atalanta has to prove time and time again that she is not only equal to the male warriors, but better than them.
While I found the plot of this book to be interesting, I wasn’t as gripped by it as by the previous books, especially Elektra. The pacing felt a bit off at times – I wish more time had been spent on some aspects of the story and less on others. As for Atalanta as a character . . . I found her to be very interesting. She wasn’t particularly likeable, but she was fierce and determined to do whatever she had to, and I enjoyed seeing that, especially in a Greek retelling.
The writing was beautiful and painted a lovely picture while still being accessible and easy to read. The ending definitely took me by surprise, and it’s not one that I will forget anytime soon! Overall, this was a truly good book, but there was something about it that just didn’t entirely hit the mark for me, hence the three-star rating.
adventurous
fast-paced
Big big fan. My girl, my hero. Men are trash. Atalanta EATS. Yet another book reminding me I hate Jason. And I love Atalanta. Bit of a theme.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This story soothes my soul.
My children gifted me this for my birthday and it came at a time when I was needing a little reminder of who i am deep down.
Atalanta will give you that in abundance. Her story feels beautiful and empowering and really relevant right now. I love it!
My children gifted me this for my birthday and it came at a time when I was needing a little reminder of who i am deep down.
Atalanta will give you that in abundance. Her story feels beautiful and empowering and really relevant right now. I love it!
Greek mythology as told from a woman’s perspective. Jason and the Argonauts / Golden Fleece.
With each novel I read by Jennifer Saint she increasingly becomes one of my favourite authors. Her way of retelling and humanising the women of Ancient Greek myths is incredible, gratifying and readable. So far this is my favourite of her works and I’m looking forward to reading another.
adventurous
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated