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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
raaahella's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
It was interesting to learn more about this group of individuals but it was also predictable. I could determine she was a maid pretty early on. There were a ton of warning signs. And the other two main characters were a bit annoying. The mother was definitely the worst and her out offer was not helpful and seemed to just come from hate
I also didn't fully get the prophecy. Was it actually shared or just hinted at?
I also didn't fully get the prophecy. Was it actually shared or just hinted at?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Slavery, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
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
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
kkalicky94's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
lesemaus2303's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved every bit of it!
Almost didn't want to finish it because i didn't want the story to end. Emotional and so thrilling.
Almost didn't want to finish it because i didn't want the story to end. Emotional and so thrilling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
pau0704's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
1.0
This book is like dumpster on fire. Very entertaining to watch at first because of the chaos, then it's just meh.
Fist of all there's absolutely nothing about Greek mythology on this book, just the false advertising claiming it to be a retelling of the Odyssey (which is absolutely not). I came across it after I read song of Achilles and was looking for something similar, I may add, nothing similar to it.
Overall, the book makes no sense, the plot makes no sense, the "curse" makes no sense, the solution makes no sense. It's very frustrating to see the whole thing developing under no foundations for anything.
Also, the main character's very infuriating, she's an assh*le to both secondary characters, idk if the author was trying to make her morally grey, but God, I hated her and how she used the two people who cared about her because she could control her hormones. Ver very bad LGBTQ representation (or bi representation). Felt like I wasted my time reading this, also, the book is not hard to read but took me so long to get through it.
Fist of all there's absolutely nothing about Greek mythology on this book, just the false advertising claiming it to be a retelling of the Odyssey (which is absolutely not). I came across it after I read song of Achilles and was looking for something similar, I may add, nothing similar to it.
Overall, the book makes no sense, the plot makes no sense, the "curse" makes no sense, the solution makes no sense. It's very frustrating to see the whole thing developing under no foundations for anything.
Also, the main character's very infuriating, she's an assh*le to both secondary characters, idk if the author was trying to make her morally grey, but God, I hated her and how she used the two people who cared about her because she could control her hormones. Ver very bad LGBTQ representation (or bi representation). Felt like I wasted my time reading this, also, the book is not hard to read but took me so long to get through it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Murder
l6zarras's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Death of parent