mythicreader 's review for:

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint

5.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

AD: PR product - gifted by wildfire books

'Go Atalanta. Her stare burned into me.
'Board the Argos as my champion. Be the best of them
all’

Atalanta is a woman in Greek mythology that I sadly know little about. A little came up in an epic module I did at university where we briefly looked at Jason and the Argonauts, but beyond that I never heard about her again - so I was definitely intrigued when @iennifer. saint.author chose her as her next heroine in her retellings. And of course, I wasn't disappointed.

Atalanta is a girl who was left as a baby on a hillside and then raised by a bear before being taken under her Artemis's wing with her nymphs. Atalanta is incredibly fast and strong and more importantly for a woman of that time she is free - until she is sent by Artemis to represent her on the Argo on the quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece.

This is a story of growing up, of sexism, of love, freedom, friendship, proving yourself. Atalanta represents so many women who battle men at every turn to just be seen as equal. Her story is timeless, even if she's mythological - and that's what I love about this book.

Jennifer is god-like in writing old tales in a way that makes them feel still so present and relatable. She is breathing new life into these women who were often footnotes in the story. She clearly knows her mythology and researches well to collate a story dripping in myth but adding a modern touch. You'll find yourself reading the whole book when you just meant to read a chapter.

It's the perfect escapism.

Of course this book was a five star read for me, but then I didn't expect it to be anything else if l'm honest. I can't wait to see what figure Jennifer Saint writes next!