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caelfind's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“Because isn’t that, ultimately, the way we cope with grief? There’s nothing sophisticated or civilised about it. Like savages, we ingest our dead.”
This was an exquisite story of the complexities of war, freedom, and womanhood, set amidst the immediate aftermath of the Fall of Troy. Barker crafts a harrowing, raw tale, never flinching from the realities of ancient warfare, and offering us fresh, nuanced depictions of well-known characters. Her characterisation is the shining star of this book; the characters’ deeply complex, and sometimes contradictory, personalities perfectly mirror the horrific war they grapple with. The Greeks must find a way to return home and face the violence they wrought, while the women wait to meet their uncertain futures. And all the while, the countless dead seem to hover in the corner of every hut, watching with judgemental eyes. This was a truly masterful work and I can’t wait to pick up the third book.
This was an exquisite story of the complexities of war, freedom, and womanhood, set amidst the immediate aftermath of the Fall of Troy. Barker crafts a harrowing, raw tale, never flinching from the realities of ancient warfare, and offering us fresh, nuanced depictions of well-known characters. Her characterisation is the shining star of this book; the characters’ deeply complex, and sometimes contradictory, personalities perfectly mirror the horrific war they grapple with. The Greeks must find a way to return home and face the violence they wrought, while the women wait to meet their uncertain futures. And all the while, the countless dead seem to hover in the corner of every hut, watching with judgemental eyes. This was a truly masterful work and I can’t wait to pick up the third book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Murder, Death, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
Minor: Child death
liaemsy's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-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
3.0
jasmineehare's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
missclarkson_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
the_girl_who_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mblanke's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Child death, Sexual content, Violence, Torture, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Slavery, Death of parent, Infidelity, Grief, Rape, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and War
Minor: Animal death
sophiedianee's review against another edition
3.0
I was quite surprised this sequel even existed, considering that the first book (Silence of the Girls) seemed to end so well. Like the first, it gives a voice to many iconic Greek women who were lost to history and the atrocities they faced forgotten. I did continue to appreciate this books feminist intentions and aspects. However, I did feel this was lacking compared to the first. It felt like dozens of sub plots pushed together instead of one main line of conflict and I wish we could have seen more character growth from the last book instead of packing on new points of view that didn’t totally feel necessary.
aislingat's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
sslovesbooks_1's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this sequel to The Silence of the Girls and thought the women’s voices throughout this book were captivating and I adored hearing their stories.