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hannah_hodges's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Child death, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Rape
kalliopekat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Still a young girl, Ariadne watches what happens to her mother and wonders if she, too, will one day become a victim in a game between the gods and men. She is a lucid narrator who leaves the reader sympathic to not only her own story, but the stories of many other women in the book, from the first page to the last. This tale of courage, love, motherhood, heartbreak, and the ever-fickle gods is just what the Greek stories were lacking.
Graphic: Suicide, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism, Blood, Child death, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Pregnancy, and Animal death
Minor: War and Rape
pagesofplatypus's review against another edition
- 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
My favorite part of the book that I was not expecting was seeing chapters from Phaedra's point of view. She offers a good foil for Ariadne and readers definitely grimace as they watch Phaedra's tragic fate unfold.
I was not very familiar with Ariadne nor her story before this book but Saint did a wonderful job traveling through Ariadne's life from childhood to adulthood. I loved the early chapters. The atmosphere was very engrossing and enveloping. I especially enjoyed seeing Ariadne's interactions with Daedalus who was the only one who truly understood her. And Asterion. Asterion, the infamous Minotaur, will always be a favorite tragic character of mine and Saint brings even more of a doomed arc to the Minotaur.
Themes of feminism, fate, power, and autonomy are all explored. Feminine rage is also at the forefront as Ariadne considers her life and everything that contributed to it. Some of it felt heavy handed and a little repetitive in certain parts (especially as Ariadne is alone on Naxus) in my opinion. But I still think it's important to portray.
Overall, I enjoyed the writing style but like I said some parts just felt very repetitive to me.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Animal death, and Sexism
Moderate: Misogyny, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, and Pregnancy
makaylastep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Sexism, Blood, Suicide, War, Grief, Pregnancy, Self harm, Incest, Violence, Death, and Misogyny
nicolewhopickedthisbook's review against another edition
Graphic: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Suicide, War, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Misogyny, Murder, Death, Child death, Blood, and Animal death
irishbelle10's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide, and Blood
kaylynn28's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Rape
jaywb's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
From start to finish, this book focused on the women lost within mythology, delving into the stories of those forgotten in favour of the male heroes. I have found that with other books that explore the same themes as 'Ariadne', the female characters are still somehow lost in the man's story even though the focus is meant to be on them and their role in Greek mythos; this is not a problem in 'Ariadne'. The focus is constantly on Ariadne and the women surrounding her i.e. her mother and sister, as well as women she percieves as legends e.g. Medusa, with Thesues' part seeming very minimal in contrast to the concentration on illustrating Ariadne's role. The book asks many important questions, inspiring deep thought on women's roles throughout history and mythology.
I found the story to be extremely engaging (I read it from start to finish within a week), challenging, emotional and oftentimes quite dark. I thoroughly enjoyed Saint's writing style and will be picking up her other books ASAP!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Toxic relationship
Minor: Incest
mepereyra6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Confinement, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts
morbidgoogle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Child death, Death, and Incest
Moderate: War, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Religious bigotry, Grief, and Violence