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mada_lean's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
Quick read, and the ending was very unexpected.
brookebomber's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cheyenne_crawford's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
bethaburn's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn’t put this down. I really hope the author’s third book exists within the same world. The world building is really captivating.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Mariana is a talented group therapist but has some issues of her own. She is mourning the death of her husband Sebastian. This does not stop her from going to Cambridge when her niece's friend is found murdered. Mariana immediately suspects that something sinister is going on at the university and she is almost certain that Edward Fosca, a popular Greek Tragedies professor is behind it. He seems oddly obsessed with the story of Persephone, the maiden doomed to return to the underworld every winter. Fosca is especially beloved by a secret society of his female students who call themselves The Maidens. The murder victim was one of these Maidens. There are also facts about how the victim was murdered that relate to the Tragedies.
I seem to be reading a lot of books set on college or boarding school campuses this year AND also books related to Greek Mythology and this novel falls into both of these categories. Growing up, I had a strange affection for Greek myths so books like this call to me with their siren song. :). I read Michaelides popular novel [b:The Silent Patient|40097951|The Silent Patient|Alex Michaelides|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582759969l/40097951._SX50_.jpg|59752778] in the past couple of years and found that one also tied into Greek lore (Euripides). Overall, I found The Maidens to be a bit of a slow burn and it took a bit too long for me to get into it, so I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I'd hoped I would. I had a hard time connecting with Mariana as a protagonist though, which is probably why it didn't 100% click for me. It was a fun atmospheric, literary mystery though. I loved all the references to Greek mythology. I did a project on Persephone once in school so I have a certain fondness for her story.
I listened to this on audio and it was an entertaining listen. It was great to listen to while doing busy work and chores around the house.
3.5 stars.
What to listen to while reading...
A playlist curated by the author: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4esFoa4zaIKt90RGlYk45G?si=b9fbaa242e1a47cc
Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook!
I seem to be reading a lot of books set on college or boarding school campuses this year AND also books related to Greek Mythology and this novel falls into both of these categories. Growing up, I had a strange affection for Greek myths so books like this call to me with their siren song. :). I read Michaelides popular novel [b:The Silent Patient|40097951|The Silent Patient|Alex Michaelides|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1582759969l/40097951._SX50_.jpg|59752778] in the past couple of years and found that one also tied into Greek lore (Euripides). Overall, I found The Maidens to be a bit of a slow burn and it took a bit too long for me to get into it, so I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I'd hoped I would. I had a hard time connecting with Mariana as a protagonist though, which is probably why it didn't 100% click for me. It was a fun atmospheric, literary mystery though. I loved all the references to Greek mythology. I did a project on Persephone once in school so I have a certain fondness for her story.
I listened to this on audio and it was an entertaining listen. It was great to listen to while doing busy work and chores around the house.
3.5 stars.
What to listen to while reading...
A playlist curated by the author: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4esFoa4zaIKt90RGlYk45G?si=b9fbaa242e1a47cc
Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook!
lindsayaunderwood's review against another edition
4.0
Wayyyyy better than I’d thought it be. After Linda gave it a good review is knew it be good. Total 5 starer until right after the twist is revealed, then it was totally unhinged.
kdawg14's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
phantomignis's review against another edition
4.0
I just finished the book and the ending left me shell-shocked. It was good, but in a way I’m still reeling from the last twist. I like when I can guess most of the ending, but the execution still left me surprised, and I think I may have even liked this one better than The Silent Patient.