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emilyaix's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
jasperwrites87's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
georgiadavies18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
helen's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the first book, but this one fell flat. There were parts where I was bored and was willing something to happen.
I really liked Briseis's narration in the first book, but in this one I was frustrated with her being swept up in events rather than manipulating them. I wanted more scheming. Here is an incredibly brave women who is determined to survive, and the fact that she does (not a spoiler because her narration makes this clear) is more to chance than to any proactive choices. This is probably the point that Barker is making, but it didn't make for an engaging reading experience.
I'm giving it 3 stars though because although I wasn't a fan of the (lack of) story/plot there's no denying that Barker is very skilful at evoking domestic scenes and delving deep into character motivations.
I don't think I'll read book 3.
I really liked Briseis's narration in the first book, but in this one I was frustrated with her being swept up in events rather than manipulating them. I wanted more scheming. Here is an incredibly brave women who is determined to survive, and the fact that she does (not a spoiler because her narration makes this clear) is more to chance than to any proactive choices. This is probably the point that Barker is making, but it didn't make for an engaging reading experience.
I'm giving it 3 stars though because although I wasn't a fan of the (lack of) story/plot there's no denying that Barker is very skilful at evoking domestic scenes and delving deep into character motivations.
I don't think I'll read book 3.
sense_of_history's review
A bit disappointing second installment of Barker's Troy cycle.
cucharilla's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
booksonawednesday's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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
4.0
After I read Silence of the Girls earlier this year, I knew that I had to follow it up with the sequel.
The Greek (or rather, Trojan) retelling continues to follow Briseis, the former Trojan princess turned Greek slave turned Greek wife. Now pregnant with Achilles’s child, she is the wife of the soldier Alcimus and tries her best to help the Trojan women (slave or not) in the camp.
I just love Pat Barker’s writing: the language is modernised and yet still beautiful and relatable. Briseis’s perspective is insightful and painful, as she toes the line between staying faithful to her past and protecting her future.
The only thing I found lacking was the plot itself. Greek mythology is never devoid of drama, but ultimately not a lot happened within this book. However, I enjoyed the odd chapter focused on Pyrrhus (Achilles’s sociopathic son) and Calchas (disgraced soothsayer).
I’m certain that I will read on with the series.
The Greek (or rather, Trojan) retelling continues to follow Briseis, the former Trojan princess turned Greek slave turned Greek wife. Now pregnant with Achilles’s child, she is the wife of the soldier Alcimus and tries her best to help the Trojan women (slave or not) in the camp.
I just love Pat Barker’s writing: the language is modernised and yet still beautiful and relatable. Briseis’s perspective is insightful and painful, as she toes the line between staying faithful to her past and protecting her future.
The only thing I found lacking was the plot itself. Greek mythology is never devoid of drama, but ultimately not a lot happened within this book. However, I enjoyed the odd chapter focused on Pyrrhus (Achilles’s sociopathic son) and Calchas (disgraced soothsayer).
I’m certain that I will read on with the series.
dilppa_lukulaku's review against another edition
Got the ick when someone said bloody this bloody that. Too much swearing for first 5 pages and just wasnt feeling it. Its ancient greece and rome so kind of wanted the vibe too