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emmsbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
renettereads's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
The Heroines is a Greek retelling of Phaedra who initially falls in love with her stepson, Hippolytus, and then accuses him of rape when the feelings aren’t reciprocated. With this novel, Shepperson takes a few liberties with the myth and shapes it into a relevant message.
Though I really appreciated what Shepperson was saying with this novel – we are still dealing with victim blaming and shaming whenever sexual assault comes to the forefront – I couldn’t entirely immerse myself in the story. I think that was partly because of the many POV’s of this book. I felt as though some perspectives weren’t essential and switching as often, and with each voice being so different, the experience became more jarring, pulling me out of the story instead of making an impact.
I also felt as though the writing style in places wasn’t for me – I’ll be the first to admit that I want my prose flowery, especially when it comes to Greek retellings – and so this one just didn’t grip me as much I would’ve liked.
Though I really appreciated what Shepperson was saying with this novel – we are still dealing with victim blaming and shaming whenever sexual assault comes to the forefront – I couldn’t entirely immerse myself in the story. I think that was partly because of the many POV’s of this book. I felt as though some perspectives weren’t essential and switching as often, and with each voice being so different, the experience became more jarring, pulling me out of the story instead of making an impact.
I also felt as though the writing style in places wasn’t for me – I’ll be the first to admit that I want my prose flowery, especially when it comes to Greek retellings – and so this one just didn’t grip me as much I would’ve liked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence
Moderate: Murder
that_chick26's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: War
coffeekitaab's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a pretty heavy read...
I haven't read Greek mythology since school and have always wanted to read more as an adult. This has been the first opportunity I had in a long time and I found I was still as interested and had never come across the story of Theseus, Phaedra and Hippolytus.
Trigger warnings should be checked.
I really enjoyed the story being told from the perspective of the female characters, and the author did well to commit to the different narratives. I do feel it was weak for a novel that is set out as a "feminist retelling". The characters are helpless before the dominating males and, even the goddesses seem subjected to their violence and treachery. I felt uncomfortable at how explicit the description of male harassment, violence etc was so trigger warnings flagged here.
My only other gripe is at times there was an assumption that the reader was well versed on the different myths which left the writing hanging to your the reader's imagination. Of course that does not work unless you know the tales, so I lost myself in these moments and found it a bit frustrating. This was a 3.5* for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read Greek mythology since school and have always wanted to read more as an adult. This has been the first opportunity I had in a long time and I found I was still as interested and had never come across the story of Theseus, Phaedra and Hippolytus.
Trigger warnings should be checked.
I really enjoyed the story being told from the perspective of the female characters, and the author did well to commit to the different narratives. I do feel it was weak for a novel that is set out as a "feminist retelling". The characters are helpless before the dominating males and, even the goddesses seem subjected to their violence and treachery. I felt uncomfortable at how explicit the description of male harassment, violence etc was so trigger warnings flagged here.
My only other gripe is at times there was an assumption that the reader was well versed on the different myths which left the writing hanging to your the reader's imagination. Of course that does not work unless you know the tales, so I lost myself in these moments and found it a bit frustrating. This was a 3.5* for me.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
thereadingmum's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mythological retellings are one of my favourite genres and this one did not disappoint.
This is the story of Phaedra, daughter of King Minos, sister of Ariadne and the Minotaur, wife of Theseus.
I didn't know the traditional story, and I didn't look it up while reading the book. I feel this helped me to enjoy the book more. However, it is important to know that this story does not end well. The atmosphere of impending tragedy is there right from the start and not everyone likes that. I personally don't, but with myths, there is a lot of it so it's to be expected. I mean humans are always either being abused and killed by gods. It seems to be our way to lay blame on most of our tragedies.
Anyhoo, here's what I liked about this version of the story. I liked the multiple view points of mostly all women, and one old man. It definitely sets the stage for how the women are treated in ancient Greece, which is similar to most of ancient history up to about 100 years ago or less, depending on where you live. I liked that while Phaedra seems very naive, she does have a depth of strength. I liked how Medea's story bolsters the ending. I also liked Theseus devotion to his son, which is not in the original myth.
What I didn't like: in The Heroines as well as Stone Blind, which I read recently, there is an extreme vilification of men. Yes, I get that women had a hard time and mostly because of men, but for every single male in this story, apart from one guard, to be a complete a-hole, is a bit much.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you enjoy tragic Greek myths.
This is the story of Phaedra, daughter of King Minos, sister of Ariadne and the Minotaur, wife of Theseus.
I didn't know the traditional story, and I didn't look it up while reading the book. I feel this helped me to enjoy the book more. However, it is important to know that this story does not end well. The atmosphere of impending tragedy is there right from the start and not everyone likes that. I personally don't, but with myths, there is a lot of it so it's to be expected. I mean humans are always either being abused and killed by gods. It seems to be our way to lay blame on most of our tragedies.
Anyhoo, here's what I liked about this version of the story. I liked the multiple view points of mostly all women, and one old man. It definitely sets the stage for how the women are treated in ancient Greece, which is similar to most of ancient history up to about 100 years ago or less, depending on where you live. I liked that while Phaedra seems very naive, she does have a depth of strength. I liked how Medea's story bolsters the ending. I also liked Theseus devotion to his son, which is not in the original myth.
What I didn't like: in The Heroines as well as Stone Blind, which I read recently, there is an extreme vilification of men. Yes, I get that women had a hard time and mostly because of men, but for every single male in this story, apart from one guard, to be a complete a-hole, is a bit much.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you enjoy tragic Greek myths.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i did really like the storytelling and overall writing. however, i felt like there were some characters that were never really flushed out, some weird dialogue, and it overall just felt a little unrefined i guess. the ending was really good though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
anapthine's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you Net Galley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2023, especially due to my love for Greek Mythology, however it did not live up to my expectations. Whilst the writing, overall, was good, the characters felt very 2-dimensional and it was very difficult to form a connection with them. At times the plot felt rushed and disjointed, and it felt like there were parts missing that could have really added to the storyline. I didn’t really find the characters likeable, they seemed distant in a way. When comparing this with similar fiction that retell this myth, it fell short of the sheer genius that they all seemed to have. I did find this easy to read, and at times it was mildly enjoyable. I am gutted to be writing such a negative review as I really wanted to like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
maggiemercutio's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A dark feminist retelling of not only Thesus and the Minotaur but as well as Pheadra and Hippolytus. I can see what the author was shooting for but it did not quite hit for me and more or less just left me feeling empty. Too many povs, and with them being first person pov they all sounded too similar to the point where I would forget who's pov i was reading because reading wise they felt interchangeable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
mtnest's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and War
kari_f's review against another edition
3.0
“Justice is sometimes a mistreated woman. What should happen isn’t always what does happen.”
Sometimes there is so much injustice in a novel that I have to read in short spurts to keep myself from getting upset and worked up about it. Especially when that injustice mirrors the real world, whether in the past or present.
This is exactly that kind of book. Over and over and over, women are brutalized and mistreated and ignored and silenced. They are objects to own rather than humans with autonomy and value. They exist only to serve cruel men. So while I get the point of the message, decrying this sort of mentality, I’ll admit this was a really hard book to read.
I enjoyed the different perspectives and points of view throughout the book, especially seeing how twisted the accounts become with all of the court gossip and political spinning. The world building left a bit to be desired, and for readers that are new to Greek mythology, I think this would hinder some of their understanding of place and character.
Overall I felt that the plights of females were compelling, and the events tragic, but I didn’t enjoy the book enough to revisit it in the future.
“If they are the heroes, does that make us the heroines? We keep going, we persevere, we ask for nothing, and we get even less. Where are our stories?”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Kidnapping