Title: Ariadne
Author: Jennifer Saint
First published March 30, 2021
320 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250773586 (ISBN10: 125077358X)
Rating: 3.82
Overview
In Jennifer Saint’s captivating novel, Ariadne, readers are transported to the golden palace of Crete where Princess Ariadne grows up surrounded by gods and heroes. But her idyllic life is overshadowed by the constant threat of the Minotaur, her monstrous brother who demands blood sacrifice.
When Theseus, the Prince of Athens, comes to Crete to defeat the Minotaur, Ariadne sees in him a chance at escape. With love as her guide, Ariadne helps Theseus slay the beast, but her decision comes with a heavy price.
Will Ariadne find her happily ever after? And what of her beloved sister, Phaedra?
Jennifer Saint weaves a hypnotic and propulsive tale, putting the forgotten women of Greek mythology back at the center of the story as they fight for a better world.
Editoral Review
Jennifer Saint’s debut novel, Ariadne, is a captivating retelling of the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Published on March 30, 2021, Ariadne brings to life the story of the overlooked princess of Crete who helps Theseus slay the monster in the labyrinth.
The novel is set in ancient Greece, where the gods are always watching, and mortals are at their mercy. The author showcases her love for Greek mythology and her talent for storytelling through her vivid descriptions of the island of Crete, the royal palace, and the labyrinth.
Saint’s prose is lyrical, and she seamlessly weaves together the themes of love, betrayal, duty, and family.
The story is told from the perspectives of two sisters, Ariadne and Phaedra. Ariadne is the eldest daughter of King Minos, who is obsessed with maintaining his power and keeping his people safe from the monster that lives in the labyrinth.
Phaedra is the younger sister, who is often overshadowed by Ariadne and struggles to find her place in the world.
The novel follows Ariadne as she falls in love with Theseus, the son of King Aegeus of Athens, and helps him navigate the labyrinth to slay the Minotaur. However, their love story is fraught with danger and betrayal, as Ariadne’s actions have consequences that she could never have imagined.
Saint’s character development is exceptional, and she brings to life the complex personalities of the ancient Greek gods and mortals. She also addresses issues of gender roles and power dynamics, which are still relevant today.
The only flaw in the book is that the pacing can be slow at times, and some readers may find the descriptions of the palace and the labyrinth to be repetitive.
Overall, Ariadne is a beautifully written novel that will transport readers to ancient Greece and leave them captivated by the tragic love story of Ariadne and Theseus. The book is a must-read for fans of Greek mythology and historical fiction.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
