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home_in_books's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I decided to read this book at the beginning of September in order to get back into school mood, since I mainly study classic Greek and Latin culture, and I am very glad I did. What I enjoyed the most about this novel is that, even though it is a retelling of Clytemnestra's story, it doesn't take a totally different turn from the original myth, but it only shows the whole tale from a POV that the ancient greeks didn't consider, Clytemnestra's. Therefore, I recommend to check trigger warnings before diving into this book, that it is often heavy and disturbing. After having stated all these things, I can say that, even though I found this novel fascinating, I have to tell you that I felt a little bored during some sequences, precisely because the novel sticks very strictly to the original myth, and therefore I already knew how the story was going to end. To sum up, I recommend this book mainly to those who don't know much about Greek's mythology, especially Clytemnestra and Agamemnon's tale.
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
4.0
This captivating story takes place in ancient Greece and tells the moving tale of Clytemnestra. After her husband Agamemnon tragically sacrifices their eldest daughter, Clytemnestra is determined to protect her remaining children at any cost. The story explores themes of love, grief, and revenge, vividly portraying Clytemnestra as a powerful queen caught in a whirlwind of divine punishment and family conflicts. Lynn's expert storytelling, rich historical detail, and complex character development made me feel deeply connected to the struggles and triumphs of Clytemnestra and her son Orestes.
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
The first chapter pulled me in!
I know a bit about the story because of Troy (the movie) but don’t know most of it. This is probably the darkest, most depressing myth retelling I’ve ever read and one of the few that has made me cry.
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.
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.
I didn’t love how much Clytemnestra talked down about other women, especially Helen, her own sister. She’s trapped in a marriage to a man she hates and has never loved and yet she seems to think she’s the only woman stuck in that situation?!
Clytemnestra is very complex and often times unlikeable. I can sympathize with her for losing her daughter but that doesn’t give you free rein to be shitty about other women and act like you’re a goddamn martyr. Oh and the way she treats Electra, her youngest daughter? Listen she was annoying and arrogant but she’s a child and she can clearly tell that her mother has favorites and she’s not one of them-of course she’s going to act out and hate you?!
This was the most infuriating, pick me, internalized misogyny book that Lynn has written thus far in the series. The other 2 I’ve read do a great job of giving a voice to women but this one does so at the cost of tearing other women down the majority of part 1. Anyone saying there’s feminist undertones in this story has to be joking. The amount of times whore is used and Clytemnestra victim blames made me set the book aside for 3 days to calm down.
Lastly this is me being Nitpicky maybe but twice she mentions Penelope and her suitors when the suitors did not arrive to Ithaca yet! This book takes place mostly during the war in Troy, but the suitors don’t show up until after the war has ended and Odysseus is on his (long journey) home. Just made me irritated that such a glaring mistake was mentioned not once but twice. Also, Athens did not have an acropolis nor democracy at this time for another 500+ years?! Sooo many inaccuracies that are easy to research😭
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and War
Minor: Incest and Rape
echooutside's review against another edition
3.0
Moral of the story: murder everyone and get killed in return.
brealawton's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Hannah Lynn for providing me with a digital arc of this book!
*light spoilers*
I don't have very strong opinions of this book. Maybe it's because I have read multiple renditions of the story of Clytemnestra and her children, but this book didn't really do anything new for me. I did like that we got to see more of Orestes and his story this time around, but it didn't make me feel sympathy for him. I think if the scene where he murders his mom had been drawn out a bit more, I'd feel differently, but I didn't sense much hesitation from him. I was fully and completely on the mother's side, from the beginning to the end, which I don't think was the author's intention. The ending was incredible satisfying. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, just not my favorite. 3/5 stars.
*light spoilers*
I don't have very strong opinions of this book. Maybe it's because I have read multiple renditions of the story of Clytemnestra and her children, but this book didn't really do anything new for me. I did like that we got to see more of Orestes and his story this time around, but it didn't make me feel sympathy for him. I think if the scene where he murders his mom had been drawn out a bit more, I'd feel differently, but I didn't sense much hesitation from him. I was fully and completely on the mother's side, from the beginning to the end, which I don't think was the author's intention. The ending was incredible satisfying. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, just not my favorite. 3/5 stars.
brealawton's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Hannah Lynn for providing me with a digital arc of this book!
*light spoilers*
I don't have very strong opinions of this book. Maybe it's because I have read multiple renditions of the story of Clytemnestra and her children, but this book didn't really do anything new for me. I did like that we got to see more of Orestes and his story this time around, but it didn't make me feel sympathy for him. I think if the scene where he murders his mom had been drawn out a bit more, I'd feel differently, but I didn't sense much hesitation from him. I was fully and completely on the mother's side, from the beginning to the end, which I don't think was the author's intention. The ending was incredible satisfying. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, just not my favorite. 3/5 stars.
*light spoilers*
I don't have very strong opinions of this book. Maybe it's because I have read multiple renditions of the story of Clytemnestra and her children, but this book didn't really do anything new for me. I did like that we got to see more of Orestes and his story this time around, but it didn't make me feel sympathy for him. I think if the scene where he murders his mom had been drawn out a bit more, I'd feel differently, but I didn't sense much hesitation from him. I was fully and completely on the mother's side, from the beginning to the end, which I don't think was the author's intention. The ending was incredible satisfying. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, just not my favorite. 3/5 stars.
accidentalra's review against another edition
2.0
A Spartan's Sorrow, which gives voice to Clytemnestra and characterizes her as a fierce and sacrificial mother rather than just an adultress and murderer, was a bit of a mixed reading experience. The book is divided into three sections: the first focuses on Clytemnestra's tragic past and protective motherhood; the second on the aftermath of Agamemnon's murder; and the third on the torment and trial of Orestes, the youngest child of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon who reluctantly avenged his father's death.
Part One was by far the best of the three sections. That said, even though the story was interesting and well-structured, the tone and writing style never drew me into the narrative. I consistently felt like I was being held at arm's length and was never moved to care about her or about what happened to her. This was a bit different in Parts Two and Three, written with slightly different stylistic choices, during which I came to care about Orestes. I found this effect baffling—I mean, the novel is supposed to be a feminist retelling, so why is the son written as a more developed and sympathetic character than the mother?
But I could have made peace with the author's tone and style choices had it not been for Part Three, where the literal deus ex machina completely derailed the narrative for me. I cannot even estimate the number of times I rolled my eyes.
On a side note, this might be a fun novel to read if you enjoy playing Spot the Anachronism. Ultimately, however, I would say that A Spartan's Sorrow is just profoundly okay—not objectionable, but not entirely enjoyable.
Part One was by far the best of the three sections. That said, even though the story was interesting and well-structured, the tone and writing style never drew me into the narrative. I consistently felt like I was being held at arm's length and was never moved to care about her or about what happened to her. This was a bit different in Parts Two and Three, written with slightly different stylistic choices, during which I came to care about Orestes. I found this effect baffling—I mean, the novel is supposed to be a feminist retelling, so why is the son written as a more developed and sympathetic character than the mother?
But I could have made peace with the author's tone and style choices had it not been for Part Three, where the literal deus ex machina completely derailed the narrative for me. I cannot even estimate the number of times I rolled my eyes.
On a side note, this might be a fun novel to read if you enjoy playing Spot the Anachronism. Ultimately, however, I would say that A Spartan's Sorrow is just profoundly okay—not objectionable, but not entirely enjoyable.
mafionn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nahdea's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75