deborahrosegreen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
Although the author overuses the word 'pleasantly', this book is well researched and written. The protagonist makes frustrating decisions and I disliked him immensely, especially due to his thoughts and actions towards women. I understand, however, that those aspects work towards making this novel historically accurate and acknowledge that it was written in the 50s. Overall, I do recommend this to anyone interested in Greek mythology.
mateusjobim's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
1.0
fred312's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rosedosed's review against another edition
4.0
The King Must Die was written in an interesting style that lends itself well to myths, it keeps some distance from the reader while still being quietly vulnerable, and seems very aware of the looming history it’s trying to take on its shoulders. Theseus was an engaging protagonist that I grew to enjoy very much, which is interesting considering I’ve always been biased in the minotaurs favor since I was like 4 years old. (I think any kid would become a scary monster if you locked him in a labyrinth and treated him Like That)
Unfortunately this reading experience was quite harried with real life constantly distracting me, and all of my critiques are from the part of the book that I read with half an eye. So this one may be up for a reread quite soon!
Tldr 4/5, I think the minotaur would have been a much chiller guy if yall just let him smoke some weed. Good job on the killcount Theseus xx
Also, unrelated; This book contained a more intriguing depiction of that good ol’ blinding battle bloodlust than any other Greek mythology retelling I’ve ever read. I wish Renault had written about the maenads cause she’d do them endless justice ❤️
Unfortunately this reading experience was quite harried with real life constantly distracting me, and all of my critiques are from the part of the book that I read with half an eye. So this one may be up for a reread quite soon!
Tldr 4/5, I think the minotaur would have been a much chiller guy if yall just let him smoke some weed. Good job on the killcount Theseus xx
Also, unrelated; This book contained a more intriguing depiction of that good ol’ blinding battle bloodlust than any other Greek mythology retelling I’ve ever read. I wish Renault had written about the maenads cause she’d do them endless justice ❤️
alfast's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
cacacween's review against another edition
dnf
u know i be reading that borderline fancfiction.... consequences of reading percy jackson as a child unfortunatly
u know i be reading that borderline fancfiction.... consequences of reading percy jackson as a child unfortunatly
rainehana13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.5
marie7890's review against another edition
2.5
i’m too tired of heroes with megalomania saving people who are fine
and negligence and description of women in all these stories just makes me sick
knowing that this book was also written by a woman, i cannot fathom why the hell she decided to change important plot lines but kept the idea of men superiority, of women’s ”job” to be petite, beautiful, obedient and so on… the author awfully sexualised and objectified female characters, kept scenes of basically assault and coercion
for what?….
please, read “Ariadne” instead
if you see the same review under the second book, it just me again not willing to write sth new as i’ve already said everything i wanted in this text :)
and negligence and description of women in all these stories just makes me sick
knowing that this book was also written by a woman, i cannot fathom why the hell she decided to change important plot lines but kept the idea of men superiority, of women’s ”job” to be petite, beautiful, obedient and so on… the author awfully sexualised and objectified female characters, kept scenes of basically assault and coercion
for what?….
please, read “Ariadne” instead
if you see the same review under the second book, it just me again not willing to write sth new as i’ve already said everything i wanted in this text :)
waffelton's review against another edition
2.0
Very slow paced and the writing style was not for me. And I was waiting and waiting for Theseus to be introduced as an unreliable narrator, but it just never happened and he was just… genuinely nice ?? I hate it here.