bonemade's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
4.75
pezski's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
This second volume of Claire North's Song of Penelope is at least as good as the first. I've been a fan since The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, but here her writing has matured to something extraordinary; poetic, earthy, profound, funny.
While the first part, Ithaca, was narrated by Hera, this is from the POV of Aphrodite. Penelope is still defending Odysseus' kingdom in his absence, but the story moves on from the machinations of the suitors to the more direct threat of King Menelaus of Sparta, seeking too wrest the Mycenaean crown from his nephew Orestes - ailing with sickness, either cursed by the Furies for having killed his mother Clytemnestra or, perhaps, less supernatural reasons.
Having defeated the "pirates" in the earlier book, with her army of women, Penelope is growing in confidence and needs every iota of wisdom and subtlety and diplomacy, and all her allies to match the cunning, brutish king of Sparta.
It's a while since I finished a book feeling so satisfied with the whole, and I cannot wait for the conclusion to the trilogy.
While the first part, Ithaca, was narrated by Hera, this is from the POV of Aphrodite. Penelope is still defending Odysseus' kingdom in his absence, but the story moves on from the machinations of the suitors to the more direct threat of King Menelaus of Sparta, seeking too wrest the Mycenaean crown from his nephew Orestes - ailing with sickness, either cursed by the Furies for having killed his mother Clytemnestra or, perhaps, less supernatural reasons.
Having defeated the "pirates" in the earlier book, with her army of women, Penelope is growing in confidence and needs every iota of wisdom and subtlety and diplomacy, and all her allies to match the cunning, brutish king of Sparta.
It's a while since I finished a book feeling so satisfied with the whole, and I cannot wait for the conclusion to the trilogy.
hlc22's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
daydreamerjade's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-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
4.0
noodlecaboodle63's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
catburps's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marmageddon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
booksandboos's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of the book via NetGalley (thank you Redhook Books and Claire North). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love the way this series is being narrated by a different goddess each book. I loved Aphrodite's POV and enjoyed seeing Penelope's story continue to unfold. This was a little slow to get started for me, but once I reached 20-25% I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more in the next book.
I love the way this series is being narrated by a different goddess each book. I loved Aphrodite's POV and enjoyed seeing Penelope's story continue to unfold. This was a little slow to get started for me, but once I reached 20-25% I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more in the next book.