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bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Slower paced compared to Lynn’s other books and my least favorite of hers so far. I will say I did enjoy getting to know the characters and marked a lot of memorable passages! I also was glad to finally learn the rest of the story surrounding Clytemnestra and Orestes.
Overall it’s not the worst myth retelling I’ve read but it was wildly disappointing compared to Lynn’s other novels and especially as a so-called “feminist retelling.” I’m hopeful other Clytemnestra retellings are better so far now I’d say it’s a skip and to research the myth/plays rather than read this retelling.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and War
Minor: Incest and Rape
kylosten's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The writing style was good. Adding emotion to the characters to give meaning behind their actions was also well done overall. I liked that Clytemnestra, at the heart of everything was motivated by a deep love for her children and the story did a good job showing the tragedy of her story lies in a society rooted in misogyny.
I think having some idea of the original stories is helpful since this starts in the middle of Clytemnestra's story.
The incest storyline in part 2 felt like it was just there to appeal to Song of Achilles fans and a bit disingenuous tbh. While I appreciate LGBTQIA+ storylines and representation it felt like it would have made more sense as a strong brotherly relationship. The romantic aspect kind of came out of nowhere.
And I understand incest was likely viewed differently in the time these stories were written since there are marriages between cousin/affairs among family members (and that some interpretations of the two characters are romantic). It just felt unnecessary here and took away from the overall second half for me.
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death and Incest
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
karmkeigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Incest
shay43geek's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Torture, and Grief
Minor: Slavery and War
momma_needs_to_read'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
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Pregnancy
daniellereadslikealot_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Sexual violence
cynicalraven's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Misogyny