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A review by jamieleepilk
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
'Today I would seize my destiny for myself. I was a fitting wife for a legendary hero and I would prove it. My story would not be one of death and suffering and sacrifice. I would take my own place in the songs that would be sung about Theseus: the princess who saved him and ended the monstrosity that blighted Crete.'
Once you start Ariadne it's pretty hard to stop, the engaging and raw language pulls you in from page one. It's written so beautifully and brilliantly that even if you are aware of the myths, stories and characters it still feels fresh and like something new.
It begins in Crete with the two sisters Ariadne and Phaedra, Princesses of Crete. As the story continues the story is split between the two so you get chapters in turn from each of the sisters as there lives continue separately on different paths.
Something this book does insanely well is allowing it's female characters to be angry, allowing that rage to burn inside them instead of it dying away. The women of the story are given back their voices and power as if to say "we will no longer be overlooked" and there are some utterly incredible passages of Ariadne and Phaedra's anger and rage, in one instant Ariadne mentions her rage would be enough to burn cities. I liked the mentions of Medusa and Pasiphae's (the sister's mother) stories and how Ariadne connected with them and then her anger towards the injustice, this making her wary of the Gods and their wrath/judgement. Women in Greek mythology are often used and abused, discarded once they have filled their purpose (which is usually helping the Hero in a massive way and get zero thanks for it) so it was incredible to see it from the sisters point of view and getting to see them grow and get stronger, having their own thoughts/lives outside of the lives of the heroes and men of the stories.
The "Heroes" like Theseus are shown for what they really are, fame hungry and cold, taken down from his glowing pedestal.
I very much loved this and can't wait to see what Jennifer has coming up next!
Once you start Ariadne it's pretty hard to stop, the engaging and raw language pulls you in from page one. It's written so beautifully and brilliantly that even if you are aware of the myths, stories and characters it still feels fresh and like something new.
It begins in Crete with the two sisters Ariadne and Phaedra, Princesses of Crete. As the story continues the story is split between the two so you get chapters in turn from each of the sisters as there lives continue separately on different paths.
Something this book does insanely well is allowing it's female characters to be angry, allowing that rage to burn inside them instead of it dying away. The women of the story are given back their voices and power as if to say "we will no longer be overlooked" and there are some utterly incredible passages of Ariadne and Phaedra's anger and rage, in one instant Ariadne mentions her rage would be enough to burn cities. I liked the mentions of Medusa and Pasiphae's (the sister's mother) stories and how Ariadne connected with them and then her anger towards the injustice, this making her wary of the Gods and their wrath/judgement. Women in Greek mythology are often used and abused, discarded once they have filled their purpose (which is usually helping the Hero in a massive way and get zero thanks for it) so it was incredible to see it from the sisters point of view and getting to see them grow and get stronger, having their own thoughts/lives outside of the lives of the heroes and men of the stories.
The "Heroes" like Theseus are shown for what they really are, fame hungry and cold, taken down from his glowing pedestal.
I very much loved this and can't wait to see what Jennifer has coming up next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Pregnancy