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isabellabaker's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cheyenneconrady's review against another edition
4.0
I am wild, I am free.
I am Atalanta.
This has so far been my favorite of Jennifer Saint's books (Elektra and Ariadne being the others I have read). Perhaps it was partially because I was largely unfamiliar with Atalanta's story, so I could not have the same criticisms I had of the former books, but I do think Saint's writing shines better in this easy-to-consume work.
Atalanta is a mortal, but just barely. Left on a mountainside by her parents, who were saddened to see she was born a girl, she was raised by bears until Artemis discovered her and invited her to live among her nymphs in the forest. Unlike other reviewers, this was actually my favorite part of Atalanta's story, save for the ending. I loved learning about Artemis' forest, how her nymphs lived, how they came to be her devotees, and of course the classic Greek tragedies that befall them along the way. Finding out how Atalanta was shaped by their lifestyle, and how she grew outside of it, was fascinating to me, and I felt Saint's writing style really flourished here.
I was one of those embarrassingly ignorant people who did not know Atalanta was a part of the Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece. Getting to learn her side of the story, and that of a warrior who felt sidelined and slighted by Medea and Jason's trickery, was unique and fun. I loved seeing Atalanta waver between her promise to Artemis and her mortal feelings and challenges.
Although I grew slightly less interested once (SPOILER) she was kicked out of Artemis' forest, I enjoyed the last scene and the way Saint finished this book that it brought it back up a whole other 1/2 star for me, making it my first 4-star book for her. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and it convinced me to give her other works another try.
I am Atalanta.
This has so far been my favorite of Jennifer Saint's books (Elektra and Ariadne being the others I have read). Perhaps it was partially because I was largely unfamiliar with Atalanta's story, so I could not have the same criticisms I had of the former books, but I do think Saint's writing shines better in this easy-to-consume work.
Atalanta is a mortal, but just barely. Left on a mountainside by her parents, who were saddened to see she was born a girl, she was raised by bears until Artemis discovered her and invited her to live among her nymphs in the forest. Unlike other reviewers, this was actually my favorite part of Atalanta's story, save for the ending. I loved learning about Artemis' forest, how her nymphs lived, how they came to be her devotees, and of course the classic Greek tragedies that befall them along the way. Finding out how Atalanta was shaped by their lifestyle, and how she grew outside of it, was fascinating to me, and I felt Saint's writing style really flourished here.
I was one of those embarrassingly ignorant people who did not know Atalanta was a part of the Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece. Getting to learn her side of the story, and that of a warrior who felt sidelined and slighted by Medea and Jason's trickery, was unique and fun. I loved seeing Atalanta waver between her promise to Artemis and her mortal feelings and challenges.
Although I grew slightly less interested once (SPOILER) she was kicked out of Artemis' forest, I enjoyed the last scene and the way Saint finished this book that it brought it back up a whole other 1/2 star for me, making it my first 4-star book for her. I thoroughly enjoyed this read, and it convinced me to give her other works another try.
shmadsie's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. For me, this just misses the mark at getting at something deeper; more interested in getting all the aspects of the myth on the page and leaving the complexity of Atalanta to a mostly surface skim.
Her motivations and personality are remarkably two-dimensional for a book that bears her name.
Her motivations and personality are remarkably two-dimensional for a book that bears her name.
tperry613's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.5
lottie1803's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
3.75
misscabi's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the story up until about 70%.
I would have been perfectly satisfied with it if it ended right there.. The story afterwards dragged in an uneccesary plot that was nor exciting nor really fit in with the rest of the story.
I would have been perfectly satisfied with it if it ended right there.. The story afterwards dragged in an uneccesary plot that was nor exciting nor really fit in with the rest of the story.
mitskimonday's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
3.25
cloprestonn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.0