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corabookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Every year in Ithaca, 12 girls are hung and dropped into the sea to satisfy Poseidon. Except, this year, one survives. Leto wakes on an island and meets the mysterious Melantho, a girl who tells her that to end Poseidon's wrath, they must kill Ithaca's prince.
I really enjoyed this book! The plot was a beautiful combination of curse-breaking and assassination attempts and romance, and the writing was really gorgeous. My only real problems were that 1) the plot and pacing got a little tedious at times, as it would kinda loop around and repeat and drag at a few points and 2) (slight spoilers!) I do feel like it perpetrated the whole bisexuals-are-cheaters narrative as the main character holds a relationship with both Melantho and Mathias without either of them knowing. I know other people had issues with the historical accuracy of this book, but honestly if you go into it just expecting a fun fantasy novel, there's nothing that really sticks out or ruins the story or anything. And all the controversy about the author never having read the Odyssey is pointless. This is NOT a retelling of the Odyssey. It takes one element of the end of the story and spins a new tale that takes place centuries later. (I also really did like this spin on said element of the Odyssey.)
All in all, this book wasn't perfect, but I really liked it! If you like Greek Mythology-inspired stories and retellings, you should check this one out!
I really enjoyed this book! The plot was a beautiful combination of curse-breaking and assassination attempts and romance, and the writing was really gorgeous. My only real problems were that 1) the plot and pacing got a little tedious at times, as it would kinda loop around and repeat and drag at a few points and 2) (slight spoilers!) I do feel like it perpetrated the whole bisexuals-are-cheaters narrative as the main character holds a relationship with both Melantho and Mathias without either of them knowing. I know other people had issues with the historical accuracy of this book, but honestly if you go into it just expecting a fun fantasy novel, there's nothing that really sticks out or ruins the story or anything. And all the controversy about the author never having read the Odyssey is pointless. This is NOT a retelling of the Odyssey. It takes one element of the end of the story and spins a new tale that takes place centuries later. (I also really did like this spin on said element of the Odyssey.)
All in all, this book wasn't perfect, but I really liked it! If you like Greek Mythology-inspired stories and retellings, you should check this one out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, and Grief
Moderate: Rape, Slavery, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcohol, and Classism
pagesofplatypus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I know the biggest complaint about Lies We Sing to the Sea is its inaccuracies regarding The Odyssey. If you look past that and accept this as headcanon, Lies is really very enjoyable. The ending is so beautiful and wrecked me.
I love love love Leto and Melantho's relationship and romance 🥰! And their mission to break the curse of Ithaca is engaging. Their naiad-like abilities to manipulate water was also a neat touch.
Melantho, my love, you did nothing wrong and you deserved so much better.
Mathias had me going back and forth on whether I found his character likeable or not.
I personally did not feel the chemistry between Leto and Mathias as much I did between Leto and Melantho. I love a bi mc, but her romance with Mathias just wasn't as believable. Although their "steamy" scene was done very tenderly and beautifully.
There are some instances where the writing and especially the dialogue feel to modern, so don't expect Madeline Miller, but overall the writing is engaging, emotional, and keeps things moving along smoothly.
I love love love Leto and Melantho's relationship and romance 🥰! And their mission to break the curse of Ithaca is engaging. Their naiad-like abilities to manipulate water was also a neat touch.
Mathias had me going back and forth on whether I found his character likeable or not.
There are some instances where the writing and especially the dialogue feel to modern, so don't expect Madeline Miller, but overall the writing is engaging, emotional, and keeps things moving along smoothly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death and Death of parent
katie0528's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Leto is born on Ithaca, home of the famed Greek hero Odysseus. However, hundreds of years earlier, Odysseus offended the god Poseidon by executing his wife's Penelope's maids. Poseidon curses the land, creating a yearly tradition where the people of Ithaca sacrifice 12 more young women. Leto, is unfortunately one. After her violent execution, Leto wakes up on an island, home to the mysterious Melantho, a girl who died much the same way as Leto. Melantho reveals that the only way to break the curse is to kill the prince of Ithaca, Mattias, so the two girls disguise themselves as Matrias' betrothed and her maid. Unfortunately, killing a prince is easier said than done, particularly when he's handsome, charming, and also desperately wanting to break the curse. I spent the whole book hoping this would turn into a throuple situation, but alas I was disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
jessicohen15's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
I speed ran through the second half of this book and was surprised to see the pages fly by. The cadence picks up as the plot reaches its climax and I really enjoyed the themes of friendship, trust, and some gay love. My first step into mythology :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
kathi_mllr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
gentle_human's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
batbaby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
I often read multiple books at once but i couldn’t stop reading this. I was always thinking about melantho and Leto wondering what they could do, what they would do next, if their plan would work. The voice acting was beautiful and perfectly fit the characters. I will miss these characters and will be thinking about them for a while. Definitely one of my favourite reads this year so far
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death
amylemaire's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide
cluttered_mind's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
If you know little to nothing of greek history or mythology, and are a fan of trope characters you will probably love this. And I sincerely hope you don't let other people's (and mine) opinions ruin your enjoyment of the book.
I was listening to the audiobook, and the three narrators did an amazing job. The feelings they put into their work comes across very well. They're the main reason I managed to finish the book.
Boring and drawn out, could have easily cut 100 pages.
The author clearly has done no research into ancient Greek life or mythos. If you wanna make a fantasy greek world that's fine, but this tried to bring in actual historical events, and brought up characters from the epics etc. Which made it read as under-researched. The dialogue is also modern in nature.
I was also told this was a retelling of the Odyssey, and going in with that mindset set the book up for failure in itself.
I've read the deleted interview with the author after I finished the book, and had I known about this, I would have never even tried reading this, as it's not written for me.
I'm baffled over how they marketed this book.
The characters are stiff, and the love triangle is badly executed. It also didn't feel like it was intentional how unlikeable Leto was. Mathias is also a wet fish. Spending months being sad about girls being killed and doing absolutely nothing. But I suppose this comes to the pacing issue of the book.
The story also has the cheating bisexual trope. Something I definitely did not enjoy. And again, I was told this book was sapphic, so went into the book expecting something else. Rape was also use as a plot point.
The two girls were cute until they arrived at Ithaca I suppose. But all the relationships in the book felt insincere.
There is an issue of time blindness and space awareness in the writing. Suddenly it's night when it was just morning, and characters happens to be at places that makes no sense for them to be. Mostly for drama. I'm surprised the editors didn't fix these issues.
Fade to black sex scene was also neither appropriate nor welcome right before the only important part of the book
Basically feels like a cash grab, hanging onto the popularity of Greek retellings.
I was listening to the audiobook, and the three narrators did an amazing job. The feelings they put into their work comes across very well. They're the main reason I managed to finish the book.
Boring and drawn out, could have easily cut 100 pages.
The author clearly has done no research into ancient Greek life or mythos. If you wanna make a fantasy greek world that's fine, but this tried to bring in actual historical events, and brought up characters from the epics etc. Which made it read as under-researched. The dialogue is also modern in nature.
I was also told this was a retelling of the Odyssey, and going in with that mindset set the book up for failure in itself.
I've read the deleted interview with the author after I finished the book, and had I known about this, I would have never even tried reading this, as it's not written for me.
I'm baffled over how they marketed this book.
The characters are stiff, and the love triangle is badly executed. It also didn't feel like it was intentional how unlikeable Leto was. Mathias is also a wet fish. Spending months being sad about girls being killed and doing absolutely nothing. But I suppose this comes to the pacing issue of the book.
The story also has the cheating bisexual trope. Something I definitely did not enjoy. And again, I was told this book was sapphic, so went into the book expecting something else. Rape was also use as a plot point.
The two girls were cute until they arrived at Ithaca I suppose. But all the relationships in the book felt insincere.
There is an issue of time blindness and space awareness in the writing. Suddenly it's night when it was just morning, and characters happens to be at places that makes no sense for them to be. Mostly for drama. I'm surprised the editors didn't fix these issues.
Fade to black sex scene was also neither appropriate nor welcome right before the only important part of the book
Basically feels like a cash grab, hanging onto the popularity of Greek retellings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
leahhslibrary_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault