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Amy Fine Collins recommended The Fugitive Kind (1960) in Movies (curated)
Rachel Maria Berney (114 KP) rated Norse Mythology in Books
Dec 4, 2018
A little informative and interesting
Contains spoilers, click to show
I love Neil Gaiman. I was so excited to read this book as I really enjoyed American Gods and jabe a love of Viking history. Right before reading this I read Stephen Fry's Mythology, unlucky for Neil and me. I can't help but compare the two and Gaiman's Norse Mythology comes up short. Whilst we do have access to more information of Greek myth than Norse myth, I don't think that's the entire reason that Norse Mythology is a hard read. The telling of the Norse stories doesn't have the flow I have come to expect from Gaiman, there is a strangled growth to it that makes for a choppy reading that is just hard work and not that enjoyable. Gaiman's style and what I enjoy about him is too constrained in this retelling of Norse myths, this may be due to a lack of evidence of Norse myth and history. I think it would have worked well online, as blog posts etc. As a book it is something easily put down, forgotten about and never finished.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated Song of the Huntress in Books
Jun 25, 2024
Song of the Huntress was a really enjoyable listen, narrated well by Kristin Atherton. It felt like I was in 60AD with them: the descriptions of the land, the court, the battles and the Wild Hunt; the inner thoughts and motivations of Herla, Queen Æthelburg of Wessex and her husband King Ine were all described and narrated in such a way that I wanted to keep listening.
This had just the right amount of history, myth and magic for me - well, anything with those three things in is a winner, in my opinion!
With the resurgence of Greek Myth (yes, I’m a fan), it has been really heartening to see the odd Norse and Celtic myth and folklore book coming out. I enjoy a good retelling, and 5is is a good read. Yes, there are some seemingly modern themes: Æthelburg and Herla’s attraction and Ine’s asexuality in particular, but who’s to say these weren’t appropriate in 60AD? I’m sure homosexuality and asexuality have been a ‘thing’ for as long as there’s been humans (there probably is someone who could say - this is the internet, after all).
To me, as a listener/ reader, this just felt really genuine and well researched. I loved learning about the characters and their world.
Just as Sistersong left me eagerly awaiting Song of the Huntress, I’m really looking forward to whatever comes next from Lucy Holland.
This had just the right amount of history, myth and magic for me - well, anything with those three things in is a winner, in my opinion!
With the resurgence of Greek Myth (yes, I’m a fan), it has been really heartening to see the odd Norse and Celtic myth and folklore book coming out. I enjoy a good retelling, and 5is is a good read. Yes, there are some seemingly modern themes: Æthelburg and Herla’s attraction and Ine’s asexuality in particular, but who’s to say these weren’t appropriate in 60AD? I’m sure homosexuality and asexuality have been a ‘thing’ for as long as there’s been humans (there probably is someone who could say - this is the internet, after all).
To me, as a listener/ reader, this just felt really genuine and well researched. I loved learning about the characters and their world.
Just as Sistersong left me eagerly awaiting Song of the Huntress, I’m really looking forward to whatever comes next from Lucy Holland.
Liev Schreiber recommended Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) in Movies (curated)
ClareR (5603 KP) rated The Silence of the Girls in Books
Nov 14, 2018
A retelling from a different direction.
This isn't just a straightforward retelling of the Iliad. In fact it's not that at all. This is the story of Briseis (I even googled how to pronounce her name), the queen of one of Troy's neighbouring kingdoms. When her kingdom is sacked by Achilles, she is taken as a slave along with the women and girls who survive, whilst the remaining men and boys are killed. Briseis becomes Achilles concubine - a prize of a battle won.
The violence of war is so graphically described in this novel. Briseis, along with the other slave women, are supposed to care for these mens wounds and fulfil their every (sexual) wish - the very men who had murdered their husbands, fathers and sons.
I've never read a Greek myth from the point of view of the women - they were supposed to be silent. Their stories are forgotten, but Pat Barker brings them to life in this book. We hear their sadness, their worries, their opinions of their masters. I could almost smell the filth, smoke, food and sweat of the Greek camp (in reality, I would imagine that I'd walk in the other direction!).
I've always loved the Greek Myths: I read them as a child and a teenager, and I'm really enjoying the resurgence of these stories at the moment. This novel adds another dimension to these stories, which I really loved. I'd highly recommend this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hamish Hamilton for my copy of this book.
The violence of war is so graphically described in this novel. Briseis, along with the other slave women, are supposed to care for these mens wounds and fulfil their every (sexual) wish - the very men who had murdered their husbands, fathers and sons.
I've never read a Greek myth from the point of view of the women - they were supposed to be silent. Their stories are forgotten, but Pat Barker brings them to life in this book. We hear their sadness, their worries, their opinions of their masters. I could almost smell the filth, smoke, food and sweat of the Greek camp (in reality, I would imagine that I'd walk in the other direction!).
I've always loved the Greek Myths: I read them as a child and a teenager, and I'm really enjoying the resurgence of these stories at the moment. This novel adds another dimension to these stories, which I really loved. I'd highly recommend this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hamish Hamilton for my copy of this book.
Mitchell Knutzen (16 KP) rated Till We Have Faces in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Best Lewis Novel By Far
More than a simple retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth, this is a masterwork of storytelling by an author often hobbled by his well known and, in my opinion, laughably ridiculous religious beliefs. Yet unlike so many others that let these beliefs dissolve their efforts of mainstream fiction into so many pieces of nonsense too hamstrung by foolishness to ever assemble something coherent, let alone worth reading, Lewis often managed to rise above it, as with (for the most part) his deservedly beloved Narnia chronicles. Till We Have Faces is nothing short of brilliant, beautiful, at times achingly sad, and very profound. Those of you not fooled by the Jesus parade, but who love a damn good book written by a master of his craft, do yourself a HUGE favor and read this gem of a book. Then do the literary world a favor by passing along the good word (lol, couldn't help myself) that this may be the best book that nobody has heard of.
A very odd mix of stories that feature a harvest moon and only the first by Lackey fits the cover, of which makes me think of fairies and moonbeams.
Overall: <b>3.5 stars</b>
<i>A Tangled Web</i> by Mercedes Lackey (Light Fantasy)
A retelling of the Greek myth pertaining to Persephone and Hades, with some added Norse mythology. A cute story, if a little thin on actual plot. I'll probably forget it by next week.
<i>2.5 stars/5</i>
<i>Cast in Moonlight</i> by Michelle Sagara (Fantasy/Urban Fantasy hybrid)
Fascinating mythology and world-building, intriguing characters and races. If I hadn't already been interested in reading the Chronicles of Elantra series, this would have done it. Pretty much a perfect story that stands alone quite well.
<i>5 stars</i>
<i>Retribution</i> by Cameron Haley (Urban Fantasy)
A solid short story dealing with a sorcerer and enforcer for a mob boss. Has some interesting ideas and is a promising beginning to a new series. While it does have cursing, it feels authentic and fits the scenes and characters. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart.
<i>3 stars</i>
Overall: <b>3.5 stars</b>
<i>A Tangled Web</i> by Mercedes Lackey (Light Fantasy)
A retelling of the Greek myth pertaining to Persephone and Hades, with some added Norse mythology. A cute story, if a little thin on actual plot. I'll probably forget it by next week.
<i>2.5 stars/5</i>
<i>Cast in Moonlight</i> by Michelle Sagara (Fantasy/Urban Fantasy hybrid)
Fascinating mythology and world-building, intriguing characters and races. If I hadn't already been interested in reading the Chronicles of Elantra series, this would have done it. Pretty much a perfect story that stands alone quite well.
<i>5 stars</i>
<i>Retribution</i> by Cameron Haley (Urban Fantasy)
A solid short story dealing with a sorcerer and enforcer for a mob boss. Has some interesting ideas and is a promising beginning to a new series. While it does have cursing, it feels authentic and fits the scenes and characters. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart.
<i>3 stars</i>
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Burn Baby Burn (Fairytales of the Myth #1) in Books
Apr 30, 2021
Wow!
Ella and Cadeyrn have been captured by the enemy, Ella has promised to get her revenge for their capture and her fathers death whatever it takes or how long she will make them pay. This is fairytales of the myth #1 Miranda Grant claims it is a dark steamy retelling of Cinderella it certainly is that!
I was absolutely hooked with this book ,I actually was disappointed when i realised that id finished the book, It felt that id only just started reading it! i find it very interesting some of the things learnt like i genuinely didn't know that a slave master in roman times were actually known as Domina/Dominus.
It certainly is steamy but i must say the sex scene of the threesome did actually bring tears to my eyes bloomin eck! A rather rough session!
I was fascinated with the growth of Ella and the discovery of her true self and the things she had hidden.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series deffinatly one i am going to continue to read, i am also going to look at some of Miranda's other series as they too look fantastic
I was absolutely hooked with this book ,I actually was disappointed when i realised that id finished the book, It felt that id only just started reading it! i find it very interesting some of the things learnt like i genuinely didn't know that a slave master in roman times were actually known as Domina/Dominus.
It certainly is steamy but i must say the sex scene of the threesome did actually bring tears to my eyes bloomin eck! A rather rough session!
I was fascinated with the growth of Ella and the discovery of her true self and the things she had hidden.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series deffinatly one i am going to continue to read, i am also going to look at some of Miranda's other series as they too look fantastic
Merissa (11800 KP) rated The Little Morgen (Fairytales of the Myth #2) in Books
Jan 27, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
THE LITTLE MORGEN is the second novella in the Fairytales of the Myth series, and in case you've not realised, this time it is the Little Mermaid that gets the dark retelling.
This one I didn't enjoy quite as much, and let me tell you why. There is just too much that goes on for the number of pages you get! This made the story feel a bit disjointed to me, the pace is slightly too quick. There were so many characters and I didn't really get a feel for any of them, including Thalliya and Ragnar. There was no time to build a connection between them, or for a relationship to develop. I also found the epilogue slightly confusing as I've only just read Burn Baby Burn and the names given for Bjerner's parents jolted me.
What I did enjoy was the amount of world-building Miranda Grant puts into every story. The details were amazing. One of my favourite parts was when Ragnar bit into an orange!
So, not one of my favourites, but still a great story if you like dark and twisted retellings.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 27, 2021
This one I didn't enjoy quite as much, and let me tell you why. There is just too much that goes on for the number of pages you get! This made the story feel a bit disjointed to me, the pace is slightly too quick. There were so many characters and I didn't really get a feel for any of them, including Thalliya and Ragnar. There was no time to build a connection between them, or for a relationship to develop. I also found the epilogue slightly confusing as I've only just read Burn Baby Burn and the names given for Bjerner's parents jolted me.
What I did enjoy was the amount of world-building Miranda Grant puts into every story. The details were amazing. One of my favourite parts was when Ragnar bit into an orange!
So, not one of my favourites, but still a great story if you like dark and twisted retellings.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 27, 2021
Merissa (11800 KP) rated Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling in Books
Jul 6, 2021 (Updated Jul 17, 2023)
ARIADNE UNRAVELED is a retelling that involves Ariadne (obviously), plus Dionysus, Theseus, Artemis, and so many more.
The story takes various myths and legends and weaves them into one epic story that features betrayal, transformation, friendship, loyalty, and love. Instead of the usual Athenian telling of the Minotaur, we hear from the Minoans themselves. We learn how their women knew things about their own bodies that others didn't. We see how the Minoans were a magical, intelligent race that made mistakes just like any other. And woven through is Dionysus as he feels his way and figures out just who he is.
Wow! Just... wow! What a story. So intricate and rich in detail, I was totally immersed in Ariadne's story. I loved hearing about her - both the big picture and also the small, intimate details that made her life. And, yes, I know this is myth, but with how it has been written, I could see myself there and it all seemed real. There were even tears shed at some points, it was that good! The pacing is perfect and the writing style is smooth.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but I can guarantee you it won't be the last. Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 6, 2021
The story takes various myths and legends and weaves them into one epic story that features betrayal, transformation, friendship, loyalty, and love. Instead of the usual Athenian telling of the Minotaur, we hear from the Minoans themselves. We learn how their women knew things about their own bodies that others didn't. We see how the Minoans were a magical, intelligent race that made mistakes just like any other. And woven through is Dionysus as he feels his way and figures out just who he is.
Wow! Just... wow! What a story. So intricate and rich in detail, I was totally immersed in Ariadne's story. I loved hearing about her - both the big picture and also the small, intimate details that made her life. And, yes, I know this is myth, but with how it has been written, I could see myself there and it all seemed real. There were even tears shed at some points, it was that good! The pacing is perfect and the writing style is smooth.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but I can guarantee you it won't be the last. Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 6, 2021