Reviews

Queens of Themiscyra by Hannah Lynn

angel07141789's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

poseidons_siren's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

If you aren't familiar with the story of Theseus, Panthesilea, Hyppolyta, the Amazons in general, or the Trojan war, then you will love this book 😀 I already knew the mythology and stories, and this book was a big let-down for me. I do want to say here that I know and acknowledge that authors have no obligation to stay true to the myths when creating a retelling, but this one felt like too many creative liberties were taken and I think a better story about the Amazons could have been told. I thought it was okay, I didn't love it, and I felt that the creative interpretation of the myth was a bit messy and different paths didn't need to overlap. Am I mythology purist? Absolutely. Am I being too critical? Probably. But I desperately wanted a great retelling of Hyppolyta and to touch more on Themiscyran society or something and this book wasn't it.

sugarpop's review

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• 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? Yes

3.0

lenemsl's review

This one felt somewhat dissapointing. Taking on the Amazons, telling their stories, and yet they felt so incredibly one dimentional. Hippolyte especially felt so reduced without any more explanation that well she loves this horrible man she also hates, and son. It felt so incredibly hollow and empty. Penthesileia got a bit more depth, but here it was all rushed. We spent so long on Theseus romancing and being just so nice and amazing, untill he isnt, and then the rest is a speed run. I dislike Theseus greatly, but even he was reduced to a one dimentional character who was so amazing and intriguing, till he is horrible and cruel, making Hippolyte's actions even more hollow, cause they were all for this? At least make the man she does this for worth it, both his good and bad, so we can understand the actions of the Queen of the Amazons. 

kade_1's review

emotional inspiring medium-paced

5.0

savetris's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

thank you so much to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review! 

and i'm gonna be real honest... WHO needed this story told (in this way, at least)? while i wasn't too knowledgeable about these particular women in greek mythology (ok i only remembered their names because of wonder woman), this can't actually be the best modern "feminist" retelling for their stories, right? did we need theseus playing such a huge part in this? everything i read about that slimy man just keeps getting worse!

i think i enjoyed penthesilea's pov more, if only because i'm more familiar with anything trojan war related.

laurenthebibliofile's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

The Amazons, feared throughout Greece, are led by Ares's chosen child, Queen Hippolyte. The Amazon's skills are well known and on the battlefield, there is no match. The Amazons call Themiscyra home, a place no man is allowed to tread, a place for their women. Hippolyte and the Amazons are returning home when they spot a strange ship off their coast, fearing the worst they prepare for a battle on their lands. The ship however carries men searching for the help of Hippolyte and a man that wants the Queen as his wife. 
Hippolyte is taken to Athens and begins building new bonds within its walls. Her sister Penthesilea is now Queen of the Amazons. For six years Hippolyte lives and loves in Athens. Meanwhile, the Amazons are growing stronger under the mighty rule of Penthesilea. However, when Hippolyte's world is flipped upside down she returns home to Themiscyra and her sisters for their help. Now Penthesilea must make the choice that could change the fate of the Amazons. 

I loved this story. This is a story on the strength of women and love. Lynn did a great job creating a story that never felt slow. The feminine rage I felt while reading this book was so strong. The story is rich with Greek culture and the characters have distinct and realistic personalities. This is the second book I have read by Hannah Lynn and her writing has proven to be consistent, I cannot wait to read more. She may be my new go-to Greek Mythology author. I cannot describe how many emotions I felt while reading this book but I can say I cried. I hope that Lynn decides to write more stories on Grecian women because I will preorder it immediately. 

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

lornamac88's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

mizzbooks_'s review against another edition

3.0

A book has to make you feel something so you’ll like it and it definitely did, don’t get me wrong. I also don’t think these books are made to tell the real history of Greek mythology. If you want that, find other books. These are just retellings with more dramatic aspects. I would say I gave it 3 stars tho, and not 4 or 5 because I didn’t see powerful women here, at all. They lacked the firmness I would’ve loved to see, and it wasn’t there unfortunately.

thisboricuareader's review

4.0

Okay, I have been reading a lot of greek retelling recently. Most of them have been from the same series and author, and being honest they were all interesting. 

This one too. A lot of this greek stories I don't remember the originals (until this one). I like the pacing and the writing. I do think it was a bit long and I just wanted it to end.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.