Scan barcode
poseidons_siren's reviews
173 reviews
Mr. Malcolm's LIst by Suzanne Allain
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have always and will always be so picky and critical of the myth of Medusa. She is my favorite in all mythology and her story is always confused and misconstrued. Not with Natalie Haynes. Haynes is a goddamn mastermind, beautifully integrating both Greek and Roman style myths into something so incredible and breathtaking that I'm without words and was choked up on many occasions while reading. Medusa was born a gorgon, yet not. Born beautiful, but still a monster. Taken advantage of, made a monster, loved, feared, used, betrayed. This was the most beautiful and stunning books I've ever read, and I do not mean that lightly. I loved this book so much and I love Haynes immensely more for creating such a work of art.
Queens of Themiscyra by Hannah Lynn
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
If you aren't familiar with the story of Theseus, Panthesilea, Hyppolyta, the Amazons in general, or the Trojan war, then you will love this book 😀 I already knew the mythology and stories, and this book was a big let-down for me. I do want to say here that I know and acknowledge that authors have no obligation to stay true to the myths when creating a retelling, but this one felt like too many creative liberties were taken and I think a better story about the Amazons could have been told. I thought it was okay, I didn't love it, and I felt that the creative interpretation of the myth was a bit messy and different paths didn't need to overlap. Am I mythology purist? Absolutely. Am I being too critical? Probably. But I desperately wanted a great retelling of Hyppolyta and to touch more on Themiscyran society or something and this book wasn't it.
Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
fast-paced
2.0
This could have definitely been longer and would have been a better book if it was. It needed more substance, more details, more plot, more everything. I know it was probably supposed to be some sci-fi cozy book, but idk, it just didn't do it for me.
Psyche and Eros by Luna McNamara
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Not accurate to the myth, it was trash, so many things wrong with it.
Phaedra by Laura Shepperson
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
While it isn't a "feminist tale" of the myth of Phaedra, i thought this was one of the most phenomenal books I have read all year and likely will read all year.
The author is clearly very well-versed on mythology and the different versions, as well as ancient Greek society and culture. The proper pronunciation being used in the audiobook was such a breath of fresh air. The story of Phaedra was never a happy one and I was insanely impressed in the way Shepperson intertwined many different versions and points of view of the myths into the dialogue between characters. While, yes, she did have some creative freedoms with the retelling, what author doesn't? I enjoyed her take on the myth greatly.
This book made me feel so seen and validated, and when you suffer what Phaedra did (in the book, not the myth, because there is a lot of different versions there) you just want to know that you aren't alone and that some sort of justice is enacted, however positive or negative the ending was for you, that's really up to the reader, in my opinion. But without giving away anything else, I loved this book. I think that the low ratings aren't really doing it justice and when you look at it more through the lens of myth interpretation, it works so much better.
TL;DR, read the myth, go in blind to the book, ancient feminine rage will ensue.
The author is clearly very well-versed on mythology and the different versions, as well as ancient Greek society and culture. The proper pronunciation being used in the audiobook was such a breath of fresh air. The story of Phaedra was never a happy one and I was insanely impressed in the way Shepperson intertwined many different versions and points of view of the myths into the dialogue between characters. While, yes, she did have some creative freedoms with the retelling, what author doesn't? I enjoyed her take on the myth greatly.
This book made me feel so seen and validated, and when you suffer what Phaedra did (in the book, not the myth, because there is a lot of different versions there) you just want to know that you aren't alone and that some sort of justice is enacted, however positive or negative the ending was for you, that's really up to the reader, in my opinion. But without giving away anything else, I loved this book. I think that the low ratings aren't really doing it justice and when you look at it more through the lens of myth interpretation, it works so much better.
TL;DR, read the myth, go in blind to the book, ancient feminine rage will ensue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide and Sexual harassment