Reviews

see, this book isn't bad, but I set myself up due to my excitement. it revolves around one of the most fascinating families in greek myth, and Clytemnestra has long been one of my favorite figures. unfortunately, the narrative did not live up to my imagination.
among the three perspectives— Electra, Orestes, and Clytemnestra— i only felt a genuine emotional connection to Orestes and his journey. the female characters, who I believe are the true heart of the myth, were disappointingly underdeveloped. we barely get a glimpse at Clytemnestra's profound pain from loss and betrayal; her suffering and rage that drive her to kill Agamemnon are largely absent. & the she just reverts back to a powerless and passive figure.
Electra's perspective is similarly lackluster; she comes across as passive, making her storyline feel dull and uninspired. While I hesitate to attribute this solely to the author being male, it’s evident that crucial themes surrounding femininity—such as motherhood, female rage, and resistance —were not explored with the depth they deserved. In contrast, Orestes' story was conveyed with clarity and emotion.

lizzillia's review against another edition

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4.25

This is not a Greek myth retelling as such, the author uses elements of the known myth and plays with it. Told in the three POVs of Clytemnestra, Elektra and Orestes this is a story of loss, of betrayal and of power. It is also, I suppose the story of a dysfunctional family. The story is well known -how Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia to get good winds for his fleet, how Clytemnestra murdered him when he returned after the Trojan war to avenge her daughter's death. How Elektra and Orestes then plotted to kill their mother to avenge their father's death. However, in this tale Orestes is almost the weaker sibling and - in a change to the story - he relies on his friend Leander. The POVs of Clytemnestra and Elektra are in the first person but that of Orestes is in the third - which almost puts some distance between character and reader. The story also focuses on the 'kidnap' of Orestes and his escape. For me, Clytemnestra was the strongest character - we see a woman plotting and losing faith in the Gods and the grief and anger after her daughter's sacrifice is raw - in fact the scene of Iphigenia's death is one of the most harrowing interpretations that I have read. Orestes in the beginning is the child, always wanting to play at sword fighting, a boy who cannot understand why he has been 'kidnapped' and who finds himself manipulated by those he cares about including his sister Elektra who also almost side-lines him when meeting with advisors. This is not the Orestes of the myths that I have read before. Sadly, I could not engage with the character of Elektra. However, even though I have read other re-tellings that I have really been able to immerse myself in, this is nevertheless an enjoyable read.

aseel_reads's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I enjoyed the first 40% of the book, found the next 30% okay to read, and the last 30% was just a slog to get through, by the last hour, I wanted it over so badly. I am usually a clytemnestra girly, but I found Electra's pov really compelling. Honestly, it's probably Orestes who was super boring to read and the ghost elements weren't as engaging as they could have been

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jaiminh0's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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

3.25

whoopsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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