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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Atlanta’s story is beautifully portrayed yet very tragic. It really reflects the savagery of Greeks and male dominated era. What I liked about this story is that she tried so hard to fit in this world but she wasn’t comfortable in her own skill until the curse of Rhea. If you love stories about misfits. This one is for you.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't know anything about Atalanta backstory going into it as I don't really read a lot into Greek Mythology so learnt a lot about it from this book. I felt like the pacing of the story hindered my engagement with the story which i think showed as it took me over a year to finish 350+ pages but I did feel connected to her emotionally during her story as she tries to shape the women she wanted to be or knew she could be
adventurous
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a beautiful, short read. I hadn’t heard much of Atalanta so her story was new to me. The first part of the book about her upbringing in the forests of Arcadia had me captivated the most, compared to the feats with the argonauts, surprisingly (or maybe that was the point).
Rating this against similar Greek mythology feminist retellings, this didn’t have me quite as hooked and enchanted like Circe. But I love the way this book turned a classic tragic ending into one of empowerment and freedom. Overall I’m satisfied 3.5/5
Rating this against similar Greek mythology feminist retellings, this didn’t have me quite as hooked and enchanted like Circe. But I love the way this book turned a classic tragic ending into one of empowerment and freedom. Overall I’m satisfied 3.5/5
What does freedom look like? Feel like? What does it mean to be free?
Not in the mood for it rn, will circle back to it.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read and loved Jennifer Saint's first two novels, Ariadne and Elektra, so I was eager to read this one too. But to be honest, I'm not sure what to make of this one. Unlike the other two, I knew very little about Atalanta. So, on the one hand, it was interesting to learn more about her, but on the other hand, I had some issues with this book. I read 1/3 of it last year in June, and I really liked the part where she lives with Artemis and her nymphs. But then she goes off to join Jason and the Argonauts on their mission to steal the Golden Fleece. And after their first stop at Lemnos, I put the book aside. I didn't pick it up again until now, when I read the other 2/3 in 3 days. While I went through it quite quickly, I'm not sure I enjoyed it that much. I mean, it was a nice story, I enjoyed reading it, but it all went so quickly. Maybe this novel just tries to cover too much? The story of the Argonauts could easily take up an entire novel, but here, it's only a portion, with other things happening in Atalanta's life both before and after it. And their time at Colchis, stealing the Golden Fleece, it only lasted maybe 2 chapters, I felt like it went by so quickly. But that might have been on purpose, because Atalanta seemed to have the same feeling. Medea did all the work, so there wasn't much action for the other characters. But then after their mission, everything changed, and it felt a bit rushed, like too many things still needed to happen before the end of the book. And in that time, Atalanta changed her mind about things so many times, it felt a bit strange. For most of the book, she doesn't want to marry; she makes the same vow of virginity as Artemis and her nymphs, but she breaks it during her time with the Argonauts. Still, she does not plan on marrying. Until the last chapter, where she throws her beliefs, her personality, and everything she believes to be important out of the window. In the end, what mattered to her until the penultimate chapter is simply disregarded. And while I know the author could not change Atalanta's fate, I don't agree with the way she let her respond to it. I feel like this was trying to be a feminist retelling, and Atalanta claims her fate, turns it into something good, but it isn't. A myth being retold from the woman's perspective doesn't make it a feminist retelling. But despite my issues, I still enjoyed reading about Atalanta, especially since I wasn't familiar with her myths beforehand.
Had to return it to the library :(
adventurous