Reviews

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

mpenny's review against another edition

Though I enjoy mythology, this book didn’t grab me for some reason. I didn’t find myself wondering what would happen next. It was hard to pick it up. 

amandabuckley's review

adventurous medium-paced

• 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? No

3.75

amy02's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.0

I liked it, but it wasn't like life changing or anything, and I really didn't like the end, it felt kinda rushed, and at least for me it felt unsatisfactory, but I do appreciate that this is the case with many myths, so in a way it makes it more true to greek mythology. But I will always eat up a myth retelling, and this was no different.

aroseemanuel's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No

3.0

bookshelf_book_reviews's review against another edition

adventurous

2.5

saramar's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad medium-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? No

3.0

mtstellens's review

3.0

I think I just don't love the way Jennifer Saint writes these, they always lead me to wanting more. They need to be longer and richer. She chooses these stories that are so long and tapestry like and they always end up seeming dull to me. I want more between the characters, more moments to illustrate the relationships. I think that Artemis and Atalanta is the most fleshed out relationship and the most complex, it was really well done, I only wish that the others were just as good. Then again, those two are also the most complex characters. Medea and Hypsipyle were also interesting, had complicated motivations and helped to add to the themes of independence and marriage, but neither had that many conversations with Atalanta. The men were mostly cardboard. I understand that this was not a story ABOUT men, but WITH men. THe issue is that because of that, I didn’t even really understand why Atalanta chose the man she did to marry, he seemed pretty close to the first man she slept with on the Argos. It was kinda a let down. The endings of all of Saint’s books are also so abrupt. It always feels so rushed at the end, I know it may not be totally true to the myth but I think there needs to be some way to extend the ending to not feel so out of place. It's weird that in no time at all Atalanta has chosen to lose her race, to run away with her new husband, find and decorate a temple, and gets turned into a lion. Yeah, all of her books are very poorly paced, that's the major issue I keep coming back to.

4nadant's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.0

fairyellen's review

adventurous tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

lenny9987's review against another edition

adventurous reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

When I read Jennifer Saint’s novel, Ariadne a few years ago, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped to but was eager to give more of her writing a try – especially since she focuses so much of the female characters from Greek mythology. Since I didn’t manage to get my hands on a preview copy of Atalanta before it came out last year, I decided to go on the waitlist for my library (though, I have my fingers crossed that I’ll get to preview her upcoming novel Hera later this summer). Not remembering more about Atalanta than something about a race and golden apples from my illustrated children’s mythology book growing up, I was surprised to learn that Saint chose to feature the myths where Atalanta was a member of the Argonauts crew. In her pursuit of glory for herself and Artemis, Atalanta explores the life of a woman who makes no attempts to fit into society’s traditional roles for women. But just because she has little respect for the rules of society doesn’t mean she can escape the need to play by them (or bend them to her will).

Left exposed as an infant, Atalanta was found and raised amongst the nymphs and under the watchful eye of the maiden goddess Artemis herself. With no men around, it took Atalanta a while to fully understand the various threats they posed, though she saw firsthand what Artemis could do if the females who pledged themselves to her failed to remain virgin – even if they were attacked. After a close call in the woods one day (and an unusual introduction with an unusual young man), Atalanta is encouraged to leave the forest and seek glory in Artemis’ name. She is encouraged to seek a place amongst the departing crew of the Argo – a heroes’ journey is planned with glory and honor all but guaranteed for any who participate. But Jason and many of his crew are reluctant to accept a woman among them, particularly one who means to fight alongside them and seeks to share in the glory. As the ship makes its way, Atalanta must prove her value and protect herself from the men who would cause mischief. But she also finds some allies along the way. What will Atalanta need to do for her name to be remembered and will it be remembered for the right reasons?

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