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thelibraryofklee's review
3.0
“His life is a thread that fate could snap at any moment … Use your breath to pray. Not much else will help.”
Got to give props, kiwi author, debut, writing a retelling about Greek myth! Multiple reasons why I picked this one up.
This is the story of the friendship, pre-Helen and Trojan War, between Odysseus and Menelaus. It is set in the Bronze Age in Greece. This book could quite comfortably fall into the YA category (although it requires it's trigger warnings - because of course, the Greek weren't known for their placid, non-violent nature). This is ancient history brought to life.
My main criticisms is some of the vernacular didn't feel right, example, some was called a "nincompoop". The genre in itself is also hard to pin down - historical fiction but also a bit of mystery / murder / revenge.
Got to give props, kiwi author, debut, writing a retelling about Greek myth! Multiple reasons why I picked this one up.
This is the story of the friendship, pre-Helen and Trojan War, between Odysseus and Menelaus. It is set in the Bronze Age in Greece. This book could quite comfortably fall into the YA category (although it requires it's trigger warnings - because of course, the Greek weren't known for their placid, non-violent nature). This is ancient history brought to life.
My main criticisms is some of the vernacular didn't feel right, example, some was called a "nincompoop". The genre in itself is also hard to pin down - historical fiction but also a bit of mystery / murder / revenge.
poetic_liz's review against another edition
5.0
Screaming, crying, throwing up.
Such a wonderful retelling. I love the characterisation of Odysseas, Menelaos, and Agamemnon. The author managed perfectly to build a childhood which relates perfectly to the relationships between those characters that we see in the epics.
The writing style was extremely good, yet quite simple. Very fitting.
All in all amazing, though I would not recommend this as an actual YA book despite the characters ages.
Such a wonderful retelling. I love the characterisation of Odysseas, Menelaos, and Agamemnon. The author managed perfectly to build a childhood which relates perfectly to the relationships between those characters that we see in the epics.
The writing style was extremely good, yet quite simple. Very fitting.
All in all amazing, though I would not recommend this as an actual YA book despite the characters ages.
lgchalmers's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I mean, its a pretty easy read and I mostly enjoyed it, but nothing really happens. And a lot happens, it's confusing. Worth a read if you like very YA mythology but a skip for most others
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt
the rape and suicide are important in the book but not graphic at all. just mentioned and important
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