hazelrosen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
abbie_fisher's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
tiffany_sostar's review
I wanted to enjoy it but I found it a bit too relentlessly grim.
thefairymila's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rebeccareeves____'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.25
tinakelava9's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
owlbear425's review
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
boards_books_and_brews's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Ithaca (The Songs of Penelope #1)
Written by Claire North
Read by Catrin Walker-Booth
Book 181/200
Genre: Mythology, Retelling
Format: Audio
Pages/Time: 391/12hr 32min
Published: 2022
Rating: 8.5/10
“Penthesilea, for example, fought against Achilles himself…”
“And died!”
“Against Achilles – everyone died against Achilles, it was his predominant characteristic.”
Mythological retellings are one of my favorite sub-genres. The story already exists, so it leaves the author free to play with inventive ideas and re-contextualize the tale. Claire North takes the classic myth of the Odyssey, and writes it in the perspective of Penelope.
While Odysseus is galivanting around the Mediterranean, Penelope is on Ithaca, trying to run a country and fend off suitors. North makes the bold decision to tell this story from the viewpoint of the goddess of marriage and motherhood, Hera, and I love it. Penelope's perspective is both intriguing and heartbreaking. I'm excited to read the other two books!
Written by Claire North
Read by Catrin Walker-Booth
Book 181/200
Genre: Mythology, Retelling
Format: Audio
Pages/Time: 391/12hr 32min
Published: 2022
Rating: 8.5/10
“Penthesilea, for example, fought against Achilles himself…”
“And died!”
“Against Achilles – everyone died against Achilles, it was his predominant characteristic.”
Mythological retellings are one of my favorite sub-genres. The story already exists, so it leaves the author free to play with inventive ideas and re-contextualize the tale. Claire North takes the classic myth of the Odyssey, and writes it in the perspective of Penelope.
While Odysseus is galivanting around the Mediterranean, Penelope is on Ithaca, trying to run a country and fend off suitors. North makes the bold decision to tell this story from the viewpoint of the goddess of marriage and motherhood, Hera, and I love it. Penelope's perspective is both intriguing and heartbreaking. I'm excited to read the other two books!