Genre: Fantasy / Mythology / Historical
Release Date: March 7th, 2023
Pages: 480
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“For fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe, a stunning debut following Clytemnestra, the most notorious villainess of the ancient world and the events that forged her into the legendary queen.
As for queens, they are either hated or forgotten. She already knows which option suits her best…
You were born to a king, but you marry a tyrant. You stand by helplessly as he sacrifices your child to placate the gods. You watch him wage war on a foreign shore, and you comfort yourself with violent thoughts of your own. Because this was not the first offence against you. This was not the life you ever deserved. And this will not be your undoing. Slowly, you plot.
But when your husband returns in triumph, you become a woman with a choice.
Acceptance or vengeance, infamy follows both. So, you bide your time and force the gods’ hands in the game of retribution. For you understood something long ago that the others never did.
If power isn’t given to you, you have to take it for yourself.
A blazing novel set in the world of Ancient Greece for fans of Jennifer Saint and Natalie Haynes, this is a thrilling tale of power and prophecies, of hatred, love, and of an unforgettable Queen who fiercely dealt out death to those who wronged her.”
My Review:
The poem at the beginning is beautiful and really sets the tone for the story. I also appreciate that we are given diagrams of the family lineages.
The opening line is bold and immediately draws you into the setting. The brief anecdotes of memories from the characters’ childhood show insight into her personality, and give us a backdrop of the story world. The writing is lyrical and atmospheric.
We get insight into the two sisters, Helen and Clytemnestra, and the ways that they both compare and contrast, as well as how their characteristics help or hinder them from fitting into the world around them. They are both at an age where they are transitioning from girls to women and we see how this journey is both scary and exciting for Clytemnestra, a very relatable theme. I already love the strong-willed, independent nature of Clytemnestra.
Everything you could want from a mythology-based fantasy. In the vein of both Jennifer Saint and Natalie Haynes, fans will absolutely love this one too. I would venture to say that her name will soon be added to theirs when people are comparing books within this sub-genre of mythological/historical fantasy.
Clytemnestra is beautifully portrayed, strong-willed, fierce, unapologetic, and independent. Traditionally one of the most hated women in Greek mythology, this story brings a new light to her life. From her childhood through to adulthood, we see how trauma has shaped her life and her personality, and the effects that it’s had in the course of her life and on the decisions she makes.
You will feel her anguish, burn with her rage, and vie for revenge right alongside her.
The story is full of complex relationships. It conveys the strength of bonds between family and friends, and the ramifications of betrayals.
The ambient prose paints the setting vividly and builds the state of the world around you, in a time dominated by men, where women were consistently underestimated and wrongly treated.
This story has a profoundness to it. It becomes an evocative experience, drawing you into the plights of the characters.
This book had me from the start and never let go. If you love Greek mythology, its fantastical stories, and the stark reality of its dark nature, should definitely read this one.
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me an early copy of this amazing story! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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