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Decoding Andean Mythology

Margarita B. Marin-Dale

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Book

Decoding Andean Mythology analyzes native Andean oral traditions spanning five centuries. Based on...

ClareR (6129 KP) rated The Shadow of Perseus in Books

Mar 10, 2023

The Shadow of Perseus

Claire Heywood | 2023 | Fiction & Poetry

9.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Have I said lately how much I’m enjoying these retellings of Greek myths? Keep ‘em coming, I say!

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!

Kudos

Fair and Foul: Beyond the Myths and Paradoxes of Sport

D. Stanley Eitzen

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Fair and Foul explores our love of sport, just as it reveals sport's darker side-the influence of...

Jason Williamson recommended Illmatic by Nas in Music (curated)

Illmatic by Nas

1994 | Rock

7.0

(2 Ratings)

Album Favorite

"I got into that around 2008. That again was all about hopelessness, there was some positivity in there, but I think he had a lot to say on this album. He never bettered it. That second track, the line, ""Cuz you never know when you're going to go!"" Chilling, really. I haven't listened to it for a long time, but you have the sense of a cold afternoon in the projects, an afternoon spent doing nothing, walking up the stairs to your apartment, the hopelessness of being a young black kid. He wasn't really a funny guy, Nas. But brutal. He must have been educating himself. Books are a great source, aren't they. Some literature was held in some circles, myths about certain books, what I tend to find with a lot of rappers is this religious connection, even though some won't admit it, black culture is very connected to religion, more so than white people. It's kind of that as well, the fear of the wrath of god."

Source

Kudos

Debbiereadsbook (1721 KP) rated Still Waters, Deep (Between Hill and Sea) in Books

Apr 18, 2026

Still Waters, Deep (Between Hill and Sea)

Morgan Sheppard | 2026 | Contemporary, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

love the descriptive passages!

Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

This is the first in a new series by Ms Sheppard, and it reads a little bit different to her other books.

Seren is an archivist, and Talise a hydrologist. Catrin wrote about the water of Llyn Du, over 100 years ago, before she disappeared and now all three ladies are entwined by a red thread of fate.

It took time for the threads to weave, and as such, I didn't know where it was all going for a long time. It meant I had to slow down my reading, and concentrate really hard, which in turn meant it took me longer to read. Not a bad thing, just needs a comment, cos Book Feelings are important!

I enjoyed that Seren and Talise have a voice, and Eifion doesn't. I think if he had, the water might have muddled a bit(see what I did there?) between Catrin and Talise, around the lake and what was happening to Talise and what had happened to Catrin.

It's full of Ms Sheppard's signature Welsh myths and legends. There is a bit at the end that talks about Llyn Du and the red thread of fate. I didn't read it. but some might fine it helpful.

It's also full of descriptive passages that you can actually feel. You can feel how the lake reacts to Talise. You can feel how heavy the bell is, how Talise can feel it in her bones. You can feel how Seren reacts to the red thread, so far away from the lake. I love these passages, the way Ms Sheppard writes them. They come across so beautifully, so emotionally, so real.

There is no violence, and no smex. And I loved that there isn't!

Like I said, first in a new series, all connected by that red thread of fate, Welsh myths and nothing more. I look forward to reading what comes next!

4 very VERY good stars

*same worded review will appear elsewhere