Princess Ariadne and her sister Phaedra live on the island of Crete, which is ruled by their despotic father Minos, who keeps renowned inventor Daedalus imprisoned and sacrifices fourteen men and women from Athens every year at the hands of the Minotaur.
The attention to detail is a delight to behold as it mixes some of the more well-known legends with relatively obscure ones, and the quality of the storytelling is such that the book becomes extremely difficult to put down. We are experiencing of a golden age where the women of Greek myth, humans and deities alike, are being reclaimed by a host of talented authors, and this is a standout addition to the list. With engaging writing throughout and a fantastic use of dual perspectives, it stays true to the mythology while placing the emphasis squarely on two endlessly fascinating female characters. The story of Ariadne is a bittersweet one in which divine prosperity is tinged with fateful tragedy, and this retelling encapsulates all of it in stunningly absorbing fashion. In a world where women are nothing more than the pawns of powerful men, will Ariadne’s decision to betray Crete for Theseus ensure her happy ending? Or will she find herself sacrificed for her lover’s ambition?
But helping Theseus kill the monster means betraying her family and country, and Ariadne knows only too well that in a world ruled by mercurial gods – drawing their attention can cost you everything. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives in Crete as a sacrifice to the beast, Ariadne falls in love with him. The Minotaur – Minos’s greatest shame and Ariadne’s brother – demands blood every year. Trigger warnings: Animal sacrifice, allusions to rape, suicideĪs Princesses of Crete and daughters of the fearsome King Minos, Ariadne and her sister Phaedra grow up hearing the hoofbeats and bellows of the Minotaur echo from the Labyrinth beneath the palace.
0 kommentar(er)
