Reviews

The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes

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daethule's review against another edition

slow-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No

3.0

Didn't care much for this one. It felt like surprisingly little actually happened. Everything dragged. I hated Ismene's POV chapters. Jocasta had potential but in the end she was kind of dull too. I was expecting some more emotional upheaval but the characters really weren't very dynamic to me. Ultimately it was kind of just a boring retelling of a tragic myth, like the author had been challenged to make it as mundane as possible.

unreal's review against another edition

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dark 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

3.75

cassie_tee's review against another edition

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4.0

Brilliant. I loved this book. I know Haynes takes liberties with truth and fiction but this was a great historical ride.

victoria_catherine_shaw's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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? Yes

3.0

redewhurst's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-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? Yes

4.75

littearacy's review against another edition

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5.0

The Children Of Jocasta is the third book I've read by Natalie Haynes and I just love her books so much. Her writing style is amazing, very touching, emotional and haunting. She gives a voice to those often overlooked in Greek mythology.

The thing about retellings of Greek mythology is that you know how the story ends - or at least that it's not a good ending. And yet you hope. And hope and hope and hope that this time, Jocasta won't fall in love with her own son. That she is spared the fate the oracle has assigned her. You hope that her children will be fine, you hope they won't have a tragic ending. Natalie Haynes makes you hope for them, gives you the sliver of a silver lining while you're waiting for the other shoe to drop.

And then you're left emotionally exhausted but in love with both the writing and the story.