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A review by lydiavsbooks
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
This feels like too low of a rating: its a beautiful beautiful book, I just didn't personally connect with it as much as I'd hoped, and so I can't rate my experience with this book as any higher.
I love Ariadne by the same author, its one of my favourite books, which unfortunately meant I couldn't help but compare Elektra the whole time. The writing was beautiful, the characters were complex and nuanced and real, but I just didn't click with it on the same level that I did with Ariadne. Its entirely personal and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from reading this at all.
That said I really did enjoy this a lot. I loved Cassandras perspective especially, as well as the exploration of the complex relationship between Elektra and her mother. Its a mother/daughter relationship dynamic that isn't often explored from both sides. I do almost wish we'd had the perspective of Helen at times, her character really stood out to me and I wish we'd had more time to explore it, especially her relationship as a sister and a mother.
In many ways Elektra's perspective was the one I struggled with the most: I think it was an important one and deliberately challenging but the lack of connection I felt to her did I think hinder my enjoyment. Saint's aim within her retellings is to give voice to the women often overlooked within mythology, and she absolutely does that for Elektra, and the other women in this book. And the stories of different women will of course resonate with different people.
I love Ariadne by the same author, its one of my favourite books, which unfortunately meant I couldn't help but compare Elektra the whole time. The writing was beautiful, the characters were complex and nuanced and real, but I just didn't click with it on the same level that I did with Ariadne. Its entirely personal and I wouldn't want to discourage anyone from reading this at all.
That said I really did enjoy this a lot. I loved Cassandras perspective especially, as well as the exploration of the complex relationship between Elektra and her mother. Its a mother/daughter relationship dynamic that isn't often explored from both sides. I do almost wish we'd had the perspective of Helen at times, her character really stood out to me and I wish we'd had more time to explore it, especially her relationship as a sister and a mother.
In many ways Elektra's perspective was the one I struggled with the most: I think it was an important one and deliberately challenging but the lack of connection I felt to her did I think hinder my enjoyment. Saint's aim within her retellings is to give voice to the women often overlooked within mythology, and she absolutely does that for Elektra, and the other women in this book. And the stories of different women will of course resonate with different people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Blood