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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another myth-retelling that avoids the tropes of the genre (predictability or changes just for the sake of changes) bringing something new to the story with a re-telling from an often overlooked perspective, the woman who are used as tools to teach lessons to the men.
I really had high hopes for this book given my love for Greek mythology, however this just didn't hit and I ended up DND 😥
This book is a retelling of the Theseus and the Minotaur story but from the perspective of Ariadne Princess of Crete. She is the sister of the Minotaur, who inevitably helps Theseus conquer the labyrinth and ultimately defeat the Minotaur.
The UK paperback edition cover is beautifully designed and one that would make any shelf look beautiful, which was what drew me to the book. After that the blurb at the back then peeked my interest so I had to see what the hype for this book is.
I found this book boring and hard to keep my attention, meaning that I went days on end not reading because I wasn't rushing to get back into the story.
I cannot recommend this book due to DNF, however I think the lack of review speaks volumes.
This book is a retelling of the Theseus and the Minotaur story but from the perspective of Ariadne Princess of Crete. She is the sister of the Minotaur, who inevitably helps Theseus conquer the labyrinth and ultimately defeat the Minotaur.
The UK paperback edition cover is beautifully designed and one that would make any shelf look beautiful, which was what drew me to the book. After that the blurb at the back then peeked my interest so I had to see what the hype for this book is.
I found this book boring and hard to keep my attention, meaning that I went days on end not reading because I wasn't rushing to get back into the story.
I cannot recommend this book due to DNF, however I think the lack of review speaks volumes.
Although I have given this book only three stars, I cannot deny its importance. It tells the tragedies of women caught in men's play for power and fame - not unlike the way women are caught today. Jennifer Saint is breathing life, and worth, and agency into Ariadne and her younger sister Phaedra, and later on the maenads. All of them are fierce and good hearted young women stuck with feelings towards men who cannot, and in some cause won't, fulfill them. They are flawed human beings and therefore resonate with the truth of life on earth, the true life we must all trodge along.
Myth is wonderful in that it can be interpreted in many many ways. It is why I keep being drawn to it. Ariadne's ending shook me to my core, and tears did run from my eyes. Lonely tears.
I feel we've all been left like stones more than once. If not our bodies, than our hopes, our dreams, our wit and perserevance.
I find "Ariadne" an important addition to the movement that seek to give voice to the forgotten women cast in heroes' and gods's shadows. It's time they step into the light.
At first, the parallel story of Phaedra threw me off. But I came to understand her, even started feeling her cages and her pain. Hers is a story I had never quite understood before. It now stands clear like day in my mind, and always will.
Another important part: the reader is confronted with motherhood. The myth of the perfect mother is shattered (thank gods!!!) There are many ways to be a mother. Some women don't even wish to be mothers. Some are forced in the name of honor and duty. Some merely to spawn decent heirs. Not one womans"s story and reaction is more correct than the others.
We also see different facets of fatherhood. The difference between the growing children is marked by their father's behavior and attendance.
Myth is wonderful in that it can be interpreted in many many ways. It is why I keep being drawn to it. Ariadne's ending shook me to my core, and tears did run from my eyes. Lonely tears.
I feel we've all been left like stones more than once. If not our bodies, than our hopes, our dreams, our wit and perserevance.
I find "Ariadne" an important addition to the movement that seek to give voice to the forgotten women cast in heroes' and gods's shadows. It's time they step into the light.
At first, the parallel story of Phaedra threw me off. But I came to understand her, even started feeling her cages and her pain. Hers is a story I had never quite understood before. It now stands clear like day in my mind, and always will.
Another important part: the reader is confronted with motherhood. The myth of the perfect mother is shattered (thank gods!!!) There are many ways to be a mother. Some women don't even wish to be mothers. Some are forced in the name of honor and duty. Some merely to spawn decent heirs. Not one womans"s story and reaction is more correct than the others.
We also see different facets of fatherhood. The difference between the growing children is marked by their father's behavior and attendance.
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Kristin Atherton. I really enjoyed this retelling of the mythological life of Ariadne. Although the novel reflects the uncertainty and horror of life for women in ancient times, it tells the story of Ariadne (and her sister Phaedra) from a feminist perspective, empowering these characters throughout the narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment
A refreshing take on the classics. Never would have guessed that I would enjoy this book this much. Captivating.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I honestly have no idea why this book had to be written. I didn't feel like I learned anything I didn't know about the myth, and the insight into Ariadne and her sister's heads just made it... worse. If you're going to do a retelling and pretty much stick to one of the canons of the myth, you're not going to write anything particularly revolutionary.
It felt very YA romance gone wrong. I expected this to portray Ariadne as someone who was truly horrified by the sacrifice to the Minotaur, but instead she starts off as a horny teenager with very little regard for other people unless they're pretty.
It felt very YA romance gone wrong. I expected this to portray Ariadne as someone who was truly horrified by the sacrifice to the Minotaur, but instead she starts off as a horny teenager with very little regard for other people unless they're pretty.