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pedanther's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Racism, Suicide, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, and Abandonment
explorachel's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A great book for those who love Greek mythology retellings from a feminist perspective. By far the best part of the book is how the author perfectly describes and provides insights into the characters mind and motivations. The asides that build a brutally honest portrait of each character are truly the most fascinating parts of this book, how the author can perfectly lay a soul bare with a cutting sentence. The second best part is the strong current of sisterhood, women supporting other women in any overt or subliminal way possible.
The first half of this book relies on the above two best things about the book to keep readers interested. The second half is when the action actually begins once the reader is most familiar with the characters’ motivations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
jo_cbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
House of Odysseus is the second book in Claire North’s The Songs of Penelope trilogy. It continues to follow Penelope’s struggles with managing Ithaca in Odysseus’ absence, and without stepping over the line of what society views her place as a woman and queen should be. Told from Aphrodite’s point of view, the book kicks off with Elektra returning to Ithaca with a seemingly insane Orestes. When King Menelaus tracks his nephew to the island under the guise of concern, Penelope’s role becomes much more complicated.
If you love mythology that gives a glimpse into what the women went through and showcases their strength and intelligence, this trilogy is perfect. Each character is so distinct. Penelope is perfectly written, walking the fine line between meek and mastermind; Menelaus is repulsive and boorish; Laertes is witty and entertaining; and the misogyny that oozes out of the male characters is perfectly counteracted by the sly and strategic females they continually underestimate.
Though I typical do not like modern language in my historical fiction, in this series I found it amusing without detracting from the story, if anything it adds just the right amount of zest! I also loved watching Penelope blossom into her queenliness and just being an overall bad a**.
As with the first book, it took a little bit for me to get into. However, unlike the first book, there was a lot more action and plotting that drew me into the story sooner. I do think I preferred Hera’s narration over Aphrodite’s (I found it more humourous, as well sometimes finding Aphrodite’s sexual descriptions a bit to explicit for my taste), but each of them offer different perspectives and it is such a creative way to write a story! I am not sure if the change to the story of Paris and the goddesses was intentional and a nod towards the differing versions of Greek mythology or if it was a missed error, so that was a bit confusing to me.
Overall, this is a great book for anyone who is enjoying the resurge of mythology retellings, especially ones from a female voice.
*thank you Redhook Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
If you love mythology that gives a glimpse into what the women went through and showcases their strength and intelligence, this trilogy is perfect. Each character is so distinct. Penelope is perfectly written, walking the fine line between meek and mastermind; Menelaus is repulsive and boorish; Laertes is witty and entertaining; and the misogyny that oozes out of the male characters is perfectly counteracted by the sly and strategic females they continually underestimate.
Though I typical do not like modern language in my historical fiction, in this series I found it amusing without detracting from the story, if anything it adds just the right amount of zest! I also loved watching Penelope blossom into her queenliness and just being an overall bad a**.
As with the first book, it took a little bit for me to get into. However, unlike the first book, there was a lot more action and plotting that drew me into the story sooner. I do think I preferred Hera’s narration over Aphrodite’s (I found it more humourous, as well sometimes finding Aphrodite’s sexual descriptions a bit to explicit for my taste), but each of them offer different perspectives and it is such a creative way to write a story! I am not sure if the change to the story of Paris and the goddesses was intentional and a nod towards the differing versions of Greek mythology or if it was a missed error, so that was a bit confusing to me.
Overall, this is a great book for anyone who is enjoying the resurge of mythology retellings, especially ones from a female voice.
*thank you Redhook Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
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