Reviews

I Never Liked You Anyway by Jordan Kurella

ruaridhreads's review

1.5

This book was about as well thought through and edited as the average CW show. Parts of it were so embarrassing I read them aloud to anyone who would listen (sorry Mum). 

Or;

My official break up with Greek mythology remixes. 

kissinglilies's review

the story/writing style feels like something out of the cw - not my cup of tea

detailsandtales's review

3.0

This is a retelling of the story of Eurydice and Orpheus, and it has a clear sense of place, voice and character. Unfortunately, it wasn't my cup of tea, but I think that comes down to personal taste. I also appreciated how the story included queer and poly characters and tackled unhealthy relationships.

aweichenlaub's review

emotional medium-paced

5.0

circereads's review

5.0

This book was unlike any classics retelling I've read in its style, language, and format, and, of anything I've encountered, most like the musical retelling (also of Orpheus and Eurydice) Jasper in Deadland. My least favorite part of the book was the way the author treats Hades' kidnapping of Persephone as a simple arranged marriage; this is one of my least favorite things in any retelling. However, I loved the writing of the friendship between Eurydice and Penelope. Especially the ways that the author wrote her changed relationship to Odysseus after his too-long journey were new to me and thoughtful. I also loved the ways in which Kurella reimagines death and life (although, not really) after death. By the end, I just wanted more, especially to learn more about the mechanics of Eurydice's current path

towards being a demigoddess

.

joreadsbooks's review

challenging lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

 Read an eARC from the publisher
Content warning: death, discussion of suicide, abusive relationships

Orpheus and Eurydice get the CW treatment in this retelling that puts the tragic couple in college. Both are music majors, and both have different goals for their relationship as well as their musical careers. A litany of questionable choices follow, told in the past in the music program and present in the Afterlife.

Really fun with delightfully messy relationships and excellent use of music references to move the story along.

The prose is very assertive, having great command of both the “teen drama tone” while also honoring the source story. It’s a mix that works incredibly, even if the mash-up if unconventional. Kurella does a great job with characterization, with specific details that really make the characters stand out and keep them discrete even though the messiness of their relationships want to have everyone believing otherwise. Queerness is at the forefront, and calling everyone a “disaster bisexual” is only the tip of that iceberg.

I won’t spoil who the POV narrators are, but the switching between past and present is so effective. Seeing Eurydice through her own eyes and from outside is such a fascinating character exercise. We see her at all stages of her arc, which moved me in particular. The way this story captures the mess that comes with dating in college, especially dating among creatives, is unmatched. Are they dating? Are they open or committed? Does it matter if one person has an ego that’s behaves like a black hole? The narrative itself doesn’t give clear answers until the very end.

If you want something fairly light-hearted with a conclusion that makes you scream, “Hell yes,” definitely give this one a read.