Reviews

Phaedra by Laura Shepperson

a_strix_named_strix's review

2.0

Actual rating: 1.5.

Legit couldn't tell who was who narrating. Helia was utterly pointless, I didn't care, but I'm too spent of energy to dislike this more.

zwachtel50's review against another edition

fast-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

2.0

Decent concept, poor execution 

maxine_t96's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.5

korotasz's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.0

The ending was very anticlimactic and it felt rushed. I don’t feel like loose ends were tied up well.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Self harm, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Murder

Details of sexual assault are sprinkled throughout the book, so there is not just one place that a reader can skip over

cjackson451's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault and Rape

izzylashley's review

1.0

Worst myth retelling I’ve ever read wtf even was that. Id give it 0 stars if I could

rqnee's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault

illusie's review against another edition

2.0

This is a retelling of the mythology of Phaedra. I was not familiar with the story yet which was why I picked this out. It was often hard to follow because there were too many point of views who all sounded the same. It was confusing.

sydneysbooknook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

ecussatti's review

2.0

Extremely bland retelling, taking many liberties to the point where it feels like fan fiction.

There are chapters that feel like their only purpose is to set up a final sentence that attempts to be some grand feminist statement that you’re supposed to highlight and underline, but every single one falls flat.

Gave absolutely zero depth to the title character and with the perspective changes every chapter, I often found myself having to go back and remind myself who was talking! Everyone sounded exactly the same!

Overall, it kept me entertained enough to keep reading it, but stylistically, it was so simplistic it felt like it was written for kids, with absolutely no world building.