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In 1788, exactly one hundred years before Jack the Ripper terrorizes the people of London, a sexual...
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Cunning Women
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The Smallest Man
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‘I want you to remember something, Nat. You’re small on the outside. But inside you’re as big...
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Rebecca's Children: A saga of love and betrayal in 19th century Wales
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A heart-wrenching saga of revolution, regret and family secrets... For fans of Nadine Dorries, Maeve...
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The Possible World
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An astonishing, deeply moving novel about the converging lives of a young boy who witnesses a brutal...
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'IMAGINATIVE AND COMPELLING' Juliet Marillier, author of the Sevenwaters Series THERE IS A VERY OLD...
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Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash
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It’s Pittsburgh, 1910—the golden age of steel in the land of opportunity. Eastern European...
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The Sin Eater
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Can you uncover the truth when you’re forbidden from speaking it? A Sin Eater’s duty is a...
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Men of Khyber
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Jawar Dil is the influential and charismatic leader of a powerful Hindu clan in Khyber. His skill in...
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ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Shadow of Perseus in Books
Mar 10, 2023
And here’s another take on the story of Perseus, except this has more of a historical fiction slant to it. There’s no magic, no snakey hair, no sea monster come to take it’s sacrifice. Instead there is a story packed full of adventure with women who try to make the best of their lives in a world where the patriarchy always comes out on top.
Much like the Perseus in Natalie Haynes’ Stone Blind, Perseus in The Shadow is very unlikeable. He’s immature, sulky, and believes the world - and his grandfather - owes him something. His ability to spin his own heroic deeds (are they heroic?!)makes fools of all the men, I felt. The women aren’t fooled though, and as in the original, Medusa pays the ultimate price.
The Narrator on the audiobook, Olivia Darnley, does a really good job of bringing the characters to life. She evokes the bravery and determination of all three of the female characters: Danae, Medusa and Andromeda. They all for a time become mistresses of their own fate, and I loved them for that. But of course, Perseus puts an end to all of that for all three of them. All through his own selfishness.
I’m going to have to go and read Daughters of Sparta, aren’t I? Oh yes I am! If it’s as good as The Shadow of Perseus, it’ll be time well spent!