A review by phantomgecko
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Circe is my touchstone for mythological retellings, so I couldn't help but compare this novel to it. I was shocked to find this book was longer than Circe because it felt like less happened. One possible explanation is the splitting of the narrative between Ariadne and Phaedra. I just wasn't able to get to know either of them as well as I came to know Circe.
I enjoyed the feminist angle here, the emphasis on woman's suffering at the hands of the gods. Like, true. Men suffered too, but mostly it was their own fault?
This retelling felt softer. The buck wildness of Greek mythology was present but not as nitty gritty as in Circe. Importantly, I cried at the end because the theme of motherhood was strong, and I am but an emotional mother.
I enjoyed the feminist angle here, the emphasis on woman's suffering at the hands of the gods. Like, true. Men suffered too, but mostly it was their own fault?
This retelling felt softer. The buck wildness of Greek mythology was present but not as nitty gritty as in Circe. Importantly, I cried at the end because the theme of motherhood was strong, and I am but an emotional mother.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Gore, Body horror, Child death, Death, and Abandonment