jkneebone's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Amber & Clay is a lush, deeply researched historical fiction novel in verse that primarily follows two young people, Rhaskos and Melisto, living in Athens circa 400 BCE. Laura Amy Schlitz clearly put a lot of time and thought into creating the historical setting of the novel, which I really enjoyed; I haven't read many things set in this period that took such pains to be accurate, and it made the reading experience very special.
Rhaskos is a slave, the son of a Thracian woman who was captured from her homeland as a child. Although his earliest years are pleasant enough, as he grows he experiences the full pain of life as an Athenian slave. He ends up working for a potter, where his interest in art is able to be nurtured, and befriending the philosopher Sokrates.
Melisto is a highborn girl, beloved by her father but despised by her mother. She struggles against the limitations placed on her as an Athenian girl - she doesn't want to stay inside and weave. When she is selected to serve Artemis as a Little Bear, where she is able to spend time outdoors and live without restrictions, she finds the experience liberating.
Rhaskos and Melisto's lives and destinies overlap in many ways, few of which they are aware of until the final chapters of the book. I enjoyed following Rhaskos's life and storyline, but Melisto's prominence in the story waned over the course of the book, which lead to me forgetting some of what had happened to her. It kept my interest, but I wasn't desperate to find out what happened next.
I liked Amber & Clay, but wasn't blown away. The mythological element, and the aspect of fate, was very well done and kept me interested, but there were parts of the plot (since a lot happened) that I found more interesting than others. This is a very lyrical, well-written book; the actual reading process was very enjoyable, and I think fans of novels in verse or those who are interested in Ancient Greece would find it interesting.
Rhaskos is a slave, the son of a Thracian woman who was captured from her homeland as a child. Although his earliest years are pleasant enough, as he grows he experiences the full pain of life as an Athenian slave. He ends up working for a potter, where his interest in art is able to be nurtured, and befriending the philosopher Sokrates.
Melisto is a highborn girl, beloved by her father but despised by her mother. She struggles against the limitations placed on her as an Athenian girl - she doesn't want to stay inside and weave. When she is selected to serve Artemis as a Little Bear, where she is able to spend time outdoors and live without restrictions, she finds the experience liberating.
Rhaskos and Melisto's lives and destinies overlap in many ways, few of which they are aware of until the final chapters of the book.
Spoiler
To be honest, I was slightly disappointed that a book about friendship gave so little on-page time to the friendship - we only see Rhaskos and Melisto really interact at the very end, in a way that felt almost rushed.I liked Amber & Clay, but wasn't blown away. The mythological element, and the aspect of fate, was very well done and kept me interested, but there were parts of the plot (since a lot happened) that I found more interesting than others. This is a very lyrical, well-written book; the actual reading process was very enjoyable, and I think fans of novels in verse or those who are interested in Ancient Greece would find it interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
anonymous_biblioholic's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Animal death
Minor: Cursing
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