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jamvsjelly's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dylanshoutsintothebookvoid's review
Juno's narration was so far removed from the human characters that I just didn't care about anyone or anything in the story. Never demanded my focus or made me want to read
emma_vinkenoog's review against another edition
2.0
I was very excited to read this but I found it super boring :/
shay_talksbooks's review
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
Dropping into Ithaca with Penelope whilst Odysseus is 'lost at sea'/on his quest (actually holed up with Calypso on Ogygia), following the politics of the court and all the drama that unfolds upon the island.
I've read a lot about Helen, Clytemnestra & Elektra, but very little about Penelope so this filled in a few gaps in my Greek mythology knowledge!
I really enjoyed this one, although it did take me a while to get into the narration. The story is told by Hera and, at the beginning, the humour felt a bit forced and like the author was constantly trying to be funny instead of just telling the story, but at some point that changed for me and I began to really love and appreciate Hera's snarky comments. Loved it, and will definitely read the rest of the trilogy.
I've read a lot about Helen, Clytemnestra & Elektra, but very little about Penelope so this filled in a few gaps in my Greek mythology knowledge!
I really enjoyed this one, although it did take me a while to get into the narration. The story is told by Hera and, at the beginning, the humour felt a bit forced and like the author was constantly trying to be funny instead of just telling the story, but at some point that changed for me and I began to really love and appreciate Hera's snarky comments. Loved it, and will definitely read the rest of the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: Slavery
allisoon's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
wewantawitness's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
5.0
catelynevans's review against another edition
4.0
"Three daughters of Sparta became three queens in Greece, and I love them, power in their voices and fire in their eyes."
This was a solid retelling of Penelope's story awaiting the return of Odysseus to Ithaca. The men of Ithaca, both native and visiting, have a chronic case of forgetting that women are people with brains and perhaps not just objects to marry, sleep with, be served by, or kill at man's leisure (who knew? Aren't they just silly little hysterical women?). It is under this false judgement that Penelope, with help from her maids and other confidants, is almost always the one keeping Ithaca afloat through strategy, cunning and cleverness from behind the curtain (10/10, love this).
This story is narrated from Hera's point of view which I really enjoyed. It allowed for the reader to see a softness to Hera that is not always portrayed in Greek Mythology; as strong as her rage can be, her love for women shines just as bright in this story. It also allowed for a bird's eye view of the story, which gave insight into information or events that Penelope alone would not have been privy to.
However, this did mean the reader lost a bit of closeness with Penelope's character given the narrative was not told in her voice.
I really enjoyed reading this one, and I'm looking forward to reading Claire North's next work in the genre!
This was a solid retelling of Penelope's story awaiting the return of Odysseus to Ithaca. The men of Ithaca, both native and visiting, have a chronic case of forgetting that women are people with brains and perhaps not just objects to marry, sleep with, be served by, or kill at man's leisure (who knew? Aren't they just silly little hysterical women?). It is under this false judgement that Penelope, with help from her maids and other confidants, is almost always the one keeping Ithaca afloat through strategy, cunning and cleverness from behind the curtain (10/10, love this).
This story is narrated from Hera's point of view which I really enjoyed. It allowed for the reader to see a softness to Hera that is not always portrayed in Greek Mythology; as strong as her rage can be, her love for women shines just as bright in this story. It also allowed for a bird's eye view of the story, which gave insight into information or events that Penelope alone would not have been privy to.
However, this did mean the reader lost a bit of closeness with Penelope's character given the narrative was not told in her voice.
I really enjoyed reading this one, and I'm looking forward to reading Claire North's next work in the genre!
zagecko's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0