A review by angelkisses
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Inconsistent pacing, an overarching story that screams feminism 101, repetitive expository dialogue. The writing was enchanting and the descriptions were palpable, their power muted by the narrative they occupied. Part I was a bore and Part III was the novel at its best. The epilogue was interesting enough and Part IV interesting in the way that expectations of a specific character
Spoiler(Dionysus)
were "subverted" but not so much that anyone who doesn't have a basic understanding of Greek mythology. There are better examples of 'mythological realism' out there, one being the very book it's being comped to in its description (Circe by Madeline Miller) where constant narrative questioning and tired repetitive exposition doesn't plague the story. I understand this is a debut story so I will not hold prejudice against the author -- they certainly have a talent for writing.
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