Ariadne

The book itself came on time and in brand new condition.As far as story: I've always been a fan retold myths. I was a fan of 'Circe' by Madeline Miller, and I was always curious about Ariadne from the myths considering she never seemed to get a true happy ending; so I was excited when this book came out! I was ready for a strong Ariadne that wasn't some man's side piece... I was disappointed.Without giving away too much, the beginning was slow and kinda like a teen drama. Obviously more fantasitical as Ariadne is a teen with parents who own a Minotaur. But still the same dysfunctional family concept of parents that don't pay attention because they're too self absorbed with their own troubles, and a bratty kid sister always hanging around.I feel like the story dwelled on Ariadne's abandonments on Naxos forever. I actually stepped away from the book for a few weeks at this point. Then decided to go back because I was determined to read what I paid for!But even in reading this take on Ariadne's adulthood it felt like Ariadne wasn't the hero that first got me to buy this book. Yes, it described motherhood realistically. But mostly it felt like Ariadne was going through the motions of the actions of the people around her. It seemed she was still too meek to speak up or have any actual presence in a situation, and I get that's how some of myths goes but I thought this was supposed to be a retelling where she was the 'Sister. Lover. Traitor. 'HERO'. That something would happen where she decides she doesn't like a situation and try to take fate into her own hands, but no... Fate plays her.Maybe I was looking for another character like Circe who 'found herself' by the end of that book. I feel like Ariadne was oblivious to even her own husband by the end and got screwed over by yet another man in her life. I mean even a tragic hero has some kind of catharsis.I especially didn't like the ending.If your into mythology, the ending is not the version of the myth where Dionsys turns her into a goddess.Other comments: The story was not just told from Ariadne's point of view. In fact, the most interesting parts of the story belong to Phaedra , who had the ability to be a stronger character, but once again devolves back into her 12 year old persona who can't handle rejection in the end. I get that the story wanted to make it seem like postpartum depression, which I applaud! It made Phaedra seem like she was gearing up to be a great villainess. But again I was left disappointed.All in all: no true character development. I should've borrowed this book at the library instead of purchased it, but I was just too excited.

A lovely novel of Greek gods and the mortals who love them, hate them, tend them, await them. I read it while watching KAOS on Netflix, a good mix to aid my understanding of mythology.

Not my favorite, but an interesting story. I wanted to much more for them all.But it was worth reading. However, I don’t plan to read the rest of the series.

This was a great book. I will say I felt terribly for Phaedra and hated Theseus. My feelings were mixed toward and at the end.

It’s a very fun read but it’s not as good as Circe or Song of Achilles. The theme of women’s plight is a good angle and interesting but it was a bit heavy handed and I would’ve been interested in pursuing it more through the characters feelings and experiences vs it being narrated through Adrianes inner thoughts