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A review by savvyrosereads
The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Out now! [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a gifted copy!]
Rating: 5/5 stars
Told from the perspective of three women—Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda—The Shadow of Perseus is a feminist reimagining of the myth of the Greek “hero” who founded Mycenae.
I usually enjoy a retelling, so I had high hopes for this book, and when I tell you it still BLEW. ME. AWAY. I was a bit nervous that the structure (each part focusing on a different protagonist) might make the novel feel disconnected, but instead the different characters wove their stories together PERFECTLY and I was so deeply drawn to all three of them and the tales they had to tell. And it’s not just the protagonists that are well-written…the villains in this book are perfectly rendered and deeply, magnificently hatable in parts as well (I may have wanted to google “does Perseus die a violent death???” a few times—sorry, not sorry).
Heywood does so much here with regard to commentary on stories/myth, the voices of women, and how history is remembered and passed on, but the best part is that she manages to pack all of this into a book that is also extremely entertaining, fast-paced, and simply fun to read (though also emotional and heartbreaking in more than a few parts). I have a feeling she’s just become an auto-buy author of mine, and I need to go get my hands on Daughters of Sparta asap.
If you enjoy retellings, PLEASE go read this one.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: Greek mythology; feminist retellings; vibrant characters
CW: Sexual assault/rape; confinement/kidnapping; emotional abuse; murder/blood/violence; suicidal thoughts
Rating: 5/5 stars
Told from the perspective of three women—Danae, Medusa, and Andromeda—The Shadow of Perseus is a feminist reimagining of the myth of the Greek “hero” who founded Mycenae.
I usually enjoy a retelling, so I had high hopes for this book, and when I tell you it still BLEW. ME. AWAY. I was a bit nervous that the structure (each part focusing on a different protagonist) might make the novel feel disconnected, but instead the different characters wove their stories together PERFECTLY and I was so deeply drawn to all three of them and the tales they had to tell. And it’s not just the protagonists that are well-written…the villains in this book are perfectly rendered and deeply, magnificently hatable in parts as well (I may have wanted to google “does Perseus die a violent death???” a few times—sorry, not sorry).
Heywood does so much here with regard to commentary on stories/myth, the voices of women, and how history is remembered and passed on, but the best part is that she manages to pack all of this into a book that is also extremely entertaining, fast-paced, and simply fun to read (though also emotional and heartbreaking in more than a few parts). I have a feeling she’s just become an auto-buy author of mine, and I need to go get my hands on Daughters of Sparta asap.
If you enjoy retellings, PLEASE go read this one.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: Greek mythology; feminist retellings; vibrant characters
CW: Sexual assault/rape; confinement/kidnapping; emotional abuse; murder/blood/violence; suicidal thoughts
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Slavery and Pregnancy