A review by aurelia2
House of Odysseus by Claire North

challenging emotional funny tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

An incredible sequel, I loved reading this. The pace is slow, the book covers only a few weeks if that, but this leaves lots of room for the luscious prose. There's a new narrator, which provides fresh commentary; Aphrodite is witty and self-aware, but also manages to provide empathy for every character. The characters are the real stars, North manages to create beautifully complex and nuanced depictions. Similar to how Hera and Clytemnestra were a major theme in Ithaca, and how Penelope compares, in this book Aphrodite and Helen provide another foil. In addition to this, the web of politics and scheming is intricately and elaborately woven and there were so many instances of subtle foreshadowing that you pick up on at the end.