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A review by aylma
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I wanted to like this book, I really did. I was hooked on reading it, and whilst I know enough about greek mythology to have a rough idea of what would happen, I always love reading those perspectives anyway.
BUT THIS BOOK.
There’s obviously many different versions of the Ariadne/Theseus/Phaedra/Dionysus/Hippolytus myth. The choices the author made were just… bad?! It’s like they chose the options that matched the formula to create the most tragic book… without even considering character relationships and reasonable behaviour. Some of the characters behaviour is so… out-of-character for the means of the tragic plot line that it just ruins things for me. Ariadne and Phaedra’s interactions after being separated for years is just lacklustre. The author tries to convey the idea that they’ve “changed and matured” to excuse this behaviour, but it juts out awkwardly in the story.
Also, the one genuine romance in the book and no kissing description???? she has 5 children by him and not one description of how? i’m not lewd by any means, but for a book centred around romance and love and its impacts, at least one descriptive kiss would be nice. the audience aren’t mormons.
rest of the book earned the other stars because in all honesty, i couldn’t put it down. i’ve read better romances and better tragedies, didn’t shed any tears but somehow stayed up til 1am to finish this.
BUT THIS BOOK.
There’s obviously many different versions of the Ariadne/Theseus/Phaedra/Dionysus/Hippolytus myth. The choices the author made were just… bad?! It’s like they chose the options that matched the formula to create the most tragic book… without even considering character relationships and reasonable behaviour. Some of the characters behaviour is so… out-of-character for the means of the tragic plot line that it just ruins things for me. Ariadne and Phaedra’s interactions after being separated for years is just lacklustre. The author tries to convey the idea that they’ve “changed and matured” to excuse this behaviour, but it juts out awkwardly in the story.
Also, the one genuine romance in the book and no kissing description???? she has 5 children by him and not one description of how? i’m not lewd by any means, but for a book centred around romance and love and its impacts, at least one descriptive kiss would be nice. the audience aren’t mormons.
rest of the book earned the other stars because in all honesty, i couldn’t put it down. i’ve read better romances and better tragedies, didn’t shed any tears but somehow stayed up til 1am to finish this.