allyem_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
I thought this was an excellent retelling of Clytemnestra’s story. I’m well versed in her myth—Aeschylus’s Oresteia was a particular focus of mine in school—so nothing in this book was technically new information to me, but I enjoyed how the author told it. The voice was very clear, vengeful and strong. Very “good for her” vibes. I mean, Clytemnestra is the original “good for her” character, really. Her motivations always made sense and she remained level-headed throughout the entire novel, which isn’t always the case in newer retellings. I’m surprised at the ending, though: it felt rather hopeful, which of course doesn’t really match the source material, but I’m not mad about it.
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Death, Sexual violence, Child death, Gore, Blood, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: War, Torture, Suicide, Slavery, Incest, and Alcoholism
missgarceau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Slavery, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Hate crime, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cannibalism, Classism, Sexism, War, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Animal death, Body horror, Infidelity, Mental illness, Torture, and Trafficking
professoremdash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: War, Torture, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
rustmaiden's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Toxic relationship, Child death, Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Violence, War, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Incest, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Child death, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit, Torture, and War
amanda_marie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, War, Sexism, Rape, Murder, Torture, and Death of parent
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Child abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Grief, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, War, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Incest, Lesbophobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Infidelity
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Clytemnestra" follows Clytemnestra, arguably the most infamous villainess of the ancient world. She unknowingly marries a tyrant who commits multiple evil acts against her, the worst being murdering their child in an effort to appease the gods. When presented with the choice, Clytemnestra can decide to accept her fate, or exact revenge on all of those who have wronged her. In her own cunning way, she chooses to play the long game, and take the power she deserves.
Clytemnestra is definitely an evil character, but once you begin to read her story, you cannot but help to feel badly for her. Everyone treated her horribly, and seemingly every time she got a sliver of good in her life, it was tainted and taken away.
This story absolutely blew me away, especially because it is a debut. I am not a huge fan of Greek retellings, but this one I could not put down. Clytemnestra is such a complex and morally gray character, and I loved seeing her evolution. This villain origin story will make you empathize with her and be up in arms with her.
The writing was beautiful, but very approachable. The author wrote this in a way that even if you know nothing about Greek history, you can enjoy and follow this story easily.
I look forward to reading more from Costanza Casati in the future.
Graphic: Infidelity, Child death, Toxic relationship, Murder, Death, Kidnapping, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, War, Toxic friendship, Torture, and Gaslighting
madelinequinne's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This story is incredible, filled with female rage and agony, told in such a beautiful way! I couldn’t stop reading, I just needed to not what happened next. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in ancient greece and the queens of that time
Graphic: Incest, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Child death, Cursing, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Murder, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, and War
booksareoxygen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Pregnancy, Grief, Blood, Child abuse, War, Domestic abuse, Murder, Child death, Kidnapping, Rape, Infidelity, and Death
missindyrose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Violence, War, Torture, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Murder, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death, and Child death