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knitreadkate's Reviews (85)
adventurous
medium-paced
reflective
slow-paced
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found it difficult during the first 10-15% of the book to settle into the world and its characters.
After this, I was engrossed and stayed up too late to finish the book.
The writing style was something I was not used to, omniscient narration that can swap from one characters view to another by a paragraph. After a short time, I really enjoyed it and found it easy to read.
I found the writing so descriptive. I was there in the cookhouse or the garden, I could picture the rooms, the markets, the gardens. I enjoyed the focus on Agnes and her children.
I was absolutely heart broken when Hamnet drew his last breath and couldn’t tear myself away from Agnes’ pain.
I enjoyed the artistic trail of thought of the characters minds, mulling over every option of thought and following their trail of thinking to me felt like I was with the character.
I remember very little of the Shakespeare I had learned in high school and read this book without k ow much of the historical background or what the time period was like.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope to read more from Maggie O’Farrell.
After this, I was engrossed and stayed up too late to finish the book.
The writing style was something I was not used to, omniscient narration that can swap from one characters view to another by a paragraph. After a short time, I really enjoyed it and found it easy to read.
I found the writing so descriptive. I was there in the cookhouse or the garden, I could picture the rooms, the markets, the gardens. I enjoyed the focus on Agnes and her children.
I enjoyed the artistic trail of thought of the characters minds, mulling over every option of thought and following their trail of thinking to me felt like I was with the character.
I remember very little of the Shakespeare I had learned in high school and read this book without k ow much of the historical background or what the time period was like.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope to read more from Maggie O’Farrell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Grief, Pregnancy
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I think the book would be beautiful in Japanese as intended. I feel something has gone amiss with the translation.
It was a quick read and I did feel for those emotional moments but the writing was distracting.
It was a quick read and I did feel for those emotional moments but the writing was distracting.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed “Ashling” as the 3rd book of the Obernewtyn series.
There are little slow moments, many twists and action.
My heart absolutely broke when Mathew was taken away with no way to save him. That was unbearable to endure.
As was the pain of Dameon at the end for his unrequited love.
I am on a quest to re-read Obernewtyn before starting the final giant book of The Red Queen.
There are little slow moments, many twists and action.
As was the pain of Dameon at the end for his unrequited love.
I am on a quest to re-read Obernewtyn before starting the final giant book of The Red Queen.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Elspeth, love.
What a feeling. What a book.
I absolutely enjoyed Farseekers. I found Obernewtyn, Book 1, a slower read as it built the world, its rules and characters.
Farseekers had a lot more action. The plot had a driving sense of urgency and fear.
I feel Carmody’s writing is so immersive I am inside the world, standing with Elspeth as she navigates through the old way.
I am continuing my quest to re-read all the books before starting The Red Queen. I pre-ordered the final back and it has sat at the front of my bookshelf for so long, I couldn’t bring myself to see the end of Elspeth’s story.
Onwards with Ashling.
What a feeling. What a book.
I absolutely enjoyed Farseekers. I found Obernewtyn, Book 1, a slower read as it built the world, its rules and characters.
Farseekers had a lot more action. The plot had a driving sense of urgency and fear.
I feel Carmody’s writing is so immersive I am inside the world, standing with Elspeth as she navigates through the old way.
I am continuing my quest to re-read all the books before starting The Red Queen. I pre-ordered the final back and it has sat at the front of my bookshelf for so long, I couldn’t bring myself to see the end of Elspeth’s story.
Onwards with Ashling.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So, "Ariadne" by Jennifer Saint is like a new spin on those Greek myths we all kinda know, but it dives deep into the story of Ariadne, you know, the one from the whole Theseus and the Minotaur thing. I was more used to Madeline Miller's stuff and the Disney version of Heracles, so this was a bit of a switch-up.
Characterisation:
The characters in "Ariadne" are a mixed bag. Ariadne's journey is front and center, and it's a rollercoaster of love, betrayal, and resilience. The way they write Pasiphae and the differences in writing styles with Madelline Miller took me a bit to wrap my head around. I appreciated the compassion and different view.
The characters in "Ariadne" are a mixed bag. Ariadne's journey is front and center, and it's a rollercoaster of love, betrayal, and resilience. The way they write Pasiphae and the differences in writing styles with Madelline Miller took me a bit to wrap my head around. I appreciated the compassion and different view.
Writing Style:
Saint's writing style is kinda unique, mixing a bit of fancy talk with straightforwardness. After reading "Circe" last year, it took me a bit to get into the groove.
Saint's writing style is kinda unique, mixing a bit of fancy talk with straightforwardness. After reading "Circe" last year, it took me a bit to get into the groove.
Themes and Messages:
This book goes all out on the theme of how women get a raw deal from both men and the gods. It's like, even if they're rolling with a dude or the dude messed up, the women end up with the short end of the stick. The book really hammers home how unfair it all is for women in ancient Greece.
This book goes all out on the theme of how women get a raw deal from both men and the gods. It's like, even if they're rolling with a dude or the dude messed up, the women end up with the short end of the stick. The book really hammers home how unfair it all is for women in ancient Greece.
World-Building:
I really appreciated the description of Naxos, I felt that was very clear to see. But, I gotta say, the picture of Crete and Athens wasn't as vivid. I was kinda hoping for more detail in those spots.
I really appreciated the description of Naxos, I felt that was very clear to see. But, I gotta say, the picture of Crete and Athens wasn't as vivid. I was kinda hoping for more detail in those spots.
Pacing:
The first half of the book is a bit of a slow burn. It took some effort to stick with it, but then the second half kicks in, and it's like, "Hold on, we're on a ride now!" Shifting between Phaedra and Ariadne keeps it interesting, but I scratched my head a bit at Phaedra's ending and her strange one-sided romance. Something felt a bit off.
The first half of the book is a bit of a slow burn. It took some effort to stick with it, but then the second half kicks in, and it's like, "Hold on, we're on a ride now!" Shifting between Phaedra and Ariadne keeps it interesting, but I scratched my head a bit at Phaedra's ending and her strange one-sided romance. Something felt a bit off.
Final Thoughts:
So, "Ariadne" was a good time. I loved soaking up the vibes in Naxos, but Crete and Athens could've used some more love in the description department. The rushed ending hits you in the feels, especially with Ariadne dealing with that abandonment stuff. Not perfect, but "Ariadne" is a cool journey into a different side of Greek myths, and I'd recommend it for sure if you're not already familiar with her story.
I have no prior experience or knowledge of Greek myths, so my review my be biased as this is the only story of Ariadne I have read.
So, "Ariadne" was a good time. I loved soaking up the vibes in Naxos, but Crete and Athens could've used some more love in the description department. The rushed ending hits you in the feels, especially with Ariadne dealing with that abandonment stuff. Not perfect, but "Ariadne" is a cool journey into a different side of Greek myths, and I'd recommend it for sure if you're not already familiar with her story.
I have no prior experience or knowledge of Greek myths, so my review my be biased as this is the only story of Ariadne I have read.