A review by sapphic_in_the_stacks
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

dark reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This beautifully lyrical feminist retelling of the story of Ariadne, Princess of Crete and wife of Dionysus, will capture you attention from the first page and hold it until the last. The story begins in Crete, recounting the story of her family, her father King Minos, her mother Pasiphae, and the creation of the Minotaur. When one the children intended to be sacrificed to the Minotaur, Theseus, Prince of Athens, catches her eye, she will betray her father to help him escape, killing her half brother in the process. When she runs away with him, leaving her family behind, will he prove to be cruel like her father in the end?

Like many similar feminist retellings that have been published in recent years, Ariadne highlights the common theme in Greek mythology where women will be punished for the crimes of the men in their life. Whether it is Medusa being punished by Athena because of what Poseidon did, or Pasiphae being punished by Poseidon for her husband Minos's crimes, Greek mythology is littered with these stories. Ariadne grows up knowing this, and understanding how spiteful and petty both men, and the Gods, can be. The story draws these connections between the repetitive petty and self absorbed actions of the Gods, and similar actions taken by men, specifically famous demigod heroes, and how they are often taken at the expense of others. I appreciate how this story shows how even those who may start out with the best and purest of intentions can become this way when they fall into the trap of believing they deserve more than they are being given.
Unfortunately, Ariadne is unable to escape the same fate as she is ultimately killed for her husband Dionysus's crimes, though she condemned his actions.
This story also touches on the many varied ideas and experiences of family, and motherhood. We are given the view of motherhood from two very different perspectives, Phaedra, who does not feel connected to her children, and views them primarily as tools to accomplish her goals, and Ariadne who feels deeply connected to her children and revels in her motherhood and the joy her children bring her. This book was delightfully nuanced and beautifully written, with a poignant conclusion to the story. 
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