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Elektra
Elektra: The Classical Mythology Phenomenon of the Year | Jennifer Saint
44 posts | 43 read | 58 to read
An exciting and equally lyrical new retelling from Jennifer Saint, the Sunday Times bestselling author of ARIADNE 'Saint's immersive novel thrusts the reader straight into the heart of Greek mythology' ipaper on Ariadne The House of Atreus is cursed. A bloodline tainted by a generational cycle of violence and vengeance. This is the story of three women, their fates inextricably tied to this curse, and the fickle nature of men and gods. Clytemnestra The sister of Helen, wife of Agamemnon - her hopes of averting the curse are dashed when her sister is taken to Troy by the feckless Paris. Her husband raises a great army against them, and determines to win, whatever the cost. Cassandra Princess of Troy, and cursed by Apollo to see the future but never to be believed when she speaks of it. She is powerless in her knowledge that the city will fall. Elektra The youngest daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, Elektra is horrified by the bloodletting of her kin. But, can she escape the curse, or is her own destiny also bound by violence? Praise for Jennifer Saint and ARIADNE: 'A lyrical, insightful re-telling' Daily Mail 'Relevant and revelatory' Stylist 'Energetic and compelling' Times 'An illuminating read' Woman & Home 'A story that's impossible to forget' Culturefly
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Mccall0113
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Up next!

53 likes1 stack add
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Livb444
Pickpick

Jennifer Saint hitsss as always. Such a good story. Incredibly sad and my heart aches for all of them. I love being able to read from different prospectives. 10/10

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Serenity_Within86
Pickpick

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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gossamerchild
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Bailedbailed

Okay, I tried. And I don't have any issues with the writing, but the story stressed me out way too much. It's definitely a case of it just not being for me.

I'm sorry, #lmpbc #groupf. I gave it a good go. I'll have it in the mail ASAP.

@persephone1408 @Chrissyreadit @Laughterhp

persephone1408 I thought it was supposed to be sent by the last day of the month. Not halfway thru the next month.🤦🏻smh I think you singlehandedly ruined #lmpbc for me. 10mo
Chrissyreadit @persephone1408 considering i completely delayed a month i think i‘m in awe of @gossamerchild 😍😘🥳 10mo
gossamerchild @persephone1408 I didn't receive the book until the beginning of this month. I don't know what else to tell you. 10mo
See All 12 Comments
gossamerchild @Chrissyreadit thank you ❤️❤️❤️ 10mo
Laughterhp I‘m sorry this book wasn‘t for you! I didn‘t really like it either. 10mo
KateReadsYA @gossamerchild @Laughterhp I'm debating reading this one! What is it that you both didn't like about it?! I'd hate to waste time on a book I don't like haha. 10mo
Laughterhp @KateReadsYA Honestly, I found it very boring and there wasn‘t really anything new if you‘ve read any other Trojan war retelling. I also don‘t think I really liked Elektra. 10mo
KateReadsYA @Laughterhp oof thanks for letting me know. I'll probably skip this one honestly. I hate a boring read. 10mo
gossamerchild @KateReadsYA I disliked the relationships between the women. It stressed me out too much. I wasn't bored, but dreaded reading it. 10mo
KateReadsYA @gossamerchild Were they hateful to each other?! 10mo
gossamerchild @KateReadsYA it's... Complicated 😂😂. And my reaction is a me thing, so don't let my opinion scare you off! 10mo
KateReadsYA @gossamerchild Hahahhaa okay. Love it. Thanks for letting me know!! 🤩🤣🤭 I'm gonna trust yalls opinions. 10mo
35 likes12 comments
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Cazxxx
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🎧 currently listening 🎧

43 likes1 stack add
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Kar2b
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Pickpick

There were parts I really loved about this book: Cassandra and Clytemnestra are strong women in a male-dominated world. However, for as much as I liked them, I could not connect with Elektra or Helen; in fact, I‘m sympathetic to Clytemnestra for being related to such selfish women. The story was a little slow, and I found myself paging through some chapters quickly, especially those in Elektra‘s POV.

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Chrissyreadit
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Pickpick

i‘m a month late with this and so very sorry- it has been an awful time with crazy brain fog and i‘m not sure what‘s going on- but I liked the book, although it was also frustrating. the title character just made me sad. and although i know it‘s not a happy story it was dark for me. it was mailed and should arrive tomorrow.

Deblovestoread Hope the fog clears and things are better soon! It is hard to function under those conditions. Wishing you comfort and healing. 11mo
AmyG Hope you are feeling better soon, my friend. I have a letter on the way to you. 😘 11mo
Chrissyreadit @Deblovestoread ❤️thank you! 11mo
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Chrissyreadit @AmyG 🎉😘i‘m looking forward to it!!! 11mo
gossamerchild No worries, life and sickness can mess up all kinds of plans. Hope you feel better soon! 11mo
Jari-chan Hope you're feeling better soon! 11mo
BethM Hope you‘re feeling ok! 11mo
75 likes7 comments
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Super_Jane
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Pickpick

4.25/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌘 I loved Clytemnestra and Cassandra but I hated Elektra. #elektra #jennifersaint #greekretelling #greekmythology #troy

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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Leftcoastzen That is beautiful! 12mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Leftcoastzen I‘m a sucker for a beautiful cover! I wish they had had it in hardcover! 12mo
64 likes2 comments
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Laughterhp
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Mehso-so

So I don‘t know if it‘s me or this book, but I didn‘t love it. I don‘t want to say too much since it‘s my pick for #LMPBC. I hope everyone else likes it a lot more than I did. I don‘t want to influence anyone else‘s opinion.

I hope to mail this out this week (along with the Golden Enclaves)!

JenniferP I felt the same - liked it, but not special. I liked her Ariadne a little better. 13mo
Laughterhp @JenniferP Yes, I liked Ariadne so much better! 13mo
persephone1408 @Laughterhp I'm excited because of how much I loved ariadne. Lol 13mo
Laughterhp @Chrissyreadit This went out today! You should get it on Monday. 13mo
67 likes4 comments
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vlwelser
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Pickpick

I like these Greek mythology retellings, especially the ones from a female perspective. This was not my favorite. But I think this story of Elektra has less substance to work with than some of the others. Still giving it a pick.

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BriannaT
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Mehso-so

I think this book was well-written, and it made all the characters - Cassandra, Clytemnestra, and Elektra - more human. It didn‘t stop it from being sad or, in Elektra‘s case, cringey. I know there‘s a complex named after her, but how she blindly worships her father got so annoying and gross, considering he wasn‘t even that good of a man. I don‘t empathize with her as much as the others, who got the shorter end of the stick.

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Robotswithpersonality
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Pickpick

"Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves" is a quote Confucius probably DIDN'T say, but it's seems the best way to sum up this Greek tragedy retelling. 1/?

Robotswithpersonality I maintain that Jennifer Saint remains a little closer to the original tales in tone than Madeline Miller, but I loved this one WAY MORE than Saint's Ariadne. Perhaps others might call the ending defanged, given the messages in the rest of the book, but if that's the case you'd also have to critique Euripedes' play the same way, because it looks like that's the version of Elektra's story this is based on. 2/? 1y
Robotswithpersonality I'll never be able to tell how much having studied ancient Greek classics colours my opinion of myth retellings, but I did feel like Saint filled a gap by choosing to have the story narrated from these three key women character's perspectives AND how she combined pieces of the narrative from the Homeric epics and Ele(c/k)tra play(s?) to reach what feels like the natural end point of THEIR stories, that is otherwise truncated by early tales. 3/? 1y
Robotswithpersonality Repetition makes the themes easier to perceive!

Danger of pride, arrogance, ambition, aka that good ol' hubris; don't look to be too close to the gods.

Vicious cycle of violence, rage and revenge, how they leave no room for love or healing

How subjective experiences colour our perceptions of the reason for events, the nature of our loved ones.

4/?
1y
Robotswithpersonality You can't outrun fate/the gods vs you can't change the bad choices/mistakes you made vs bad things may happen to you that are not your fault - but what if you could break the cycle?

Assumed male entitlement to women's bodies vs women finding agency (often via manipulation/destruction of a man). ⚠️SA, slavery 5/?
1y
Robotswithpersonality Beautiful writing, made these ancients' emotions, values, and action come alive, which can be trickier the farther from the present day sensibilities and infrastructure you venture.

Quiet moment with Cassandra and Hector just ripped my heart right out and stomped on it. 6/6
1y
6 likes5 comments
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MicrobeMom
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Pickpick

I have really enjoyed the modern day retelling of Greek myths. This is the retelling of the Troy and it‘s events before and after, from the point of view of three minor female characters: Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and Elektra. One is viewed as crazy, two are obsessed with vengeance, and one is obsessed with her father. It is dark, slow, and thoughtful. I love putting the females in the forefront and how the events effected them.

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Laughterhp
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Thank you so much Tanya for the book and chocolate! I can‘t wait to read this one and dive into the chocolate! Happy Holidays!

#JolabokaflodSwap

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rabbitprincess
Pickpick

I liked this retelling a lot, although I was constantly trying to remember what Natalie Haynes said about the characters in Pandora‘s Jar.

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Marialou
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Pickpick

Absolutely brilliant.

All three women, Elektra, Clytemnestra and Cassandra, are fully realised and developed. Obviously incredibly well researched, honours the myths whilst giving fresh perspective.

I am totally Team Clytemnestra. Agamemnon had it coming.

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dmanto00
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Mehso-so

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

It was a good read but not my favorite Greek mythology retelling. I did enjoy the references to places and stories I heard from Greece. #elektra

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AFrostCauseReads
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this Greek myth retelling! There were three POVs: Cassandra, Clytemnestra, and Elektra and it bounced around all through famous events while adding new input from these characters.

I will say the plot/rising/falling action was a little unfocused - it did try to take on three major myths at once. BUT no matter who‘s chapter it was or what was going on, I was always interested and invested.

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emmaturi
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Pickpick

I am really loving all the Greek mythology books that are out and this one is no exception. The points of view from these three women Clytemnestra, Cassandra and Elektra, were all really brilliant. It's another side of the Trojan War that is hardly written about I think ( could be wrong). I also love learning about these events too. #books

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rachelm
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Peaceful morning coffee and book time before the kids get up. I‘m enjoying this one, not quite as much as Ariadne, but enough. The betrayals are so awful in Greek lit and Saint has a way of putting them so clearly

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Emily92Bibliophile
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Pickpick

SO good! Can‘t choose a favorite between ARIADNE or ELEKTRA- I love that both provide alternative perspective to women in mythology who do not have a voice other than through their male counterparts and male story tellers.

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Booksandtea23
Pickpick

This is a great retelling of the Trojan war.

This book really puts into perspective how far someone will go for vengeance and to avenge their family‘s name. The three main characters were introspective and you really see how the sacrifices that each had to make because of the war changed each of them in some way.

This is a great summer read. A wonderful Greek mythology story with a more feminist lens.

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Emily92Bibliophile
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✨It‘s good to be back ✨ the last 9 months have been a roller coaster at work, where I am honestly just ✨surviving✨ until Librarians finish on 6/6. There might be a lot of changes coming up, but I am thankful for rest, reading, & healing 📚While I have been MIA for a while, I have read quite a bit, thanks to my Youth Lit grad course, & then some. Soon I‘ll gather all that I have read while I have been out of commission, & share with you all 💙

LeahBergen Hello again! 👋🏻 2y
Emily92Bibliophile @LeahBergen Hello! 👋🏻 2y
15 likes2 comments
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5feet.of.fury
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Mehso-so

I might be being harder on this one because everyone loved it 😬 I did not.
Elektra follows Cassandra, Clytemnestra & Elektra around the events of the Trojan War.
Elektra is just the worst honestly.
Jumps to the next chapter left me wanting more from the last, time passes & the tone doesn‘t convey any difference in the characters.
My knowledge of Greek classics/mythos is Song of Achilles maybe I would have gotten more out is it w/more background?

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5feet.of.fury
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Pardon my misandry, but men are so obtuse 😂

Santie As someone who just got out of a relationship because my ex would not intervene when his mother accused me of really bad things… I feel you ✋ 2y
5feet.of.fury Clytemnestra is plotting her revenge right now. 💕 I‘m sorry that happened to you, congrats on your freedom though 🍾 2y
21 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Ericalambbrown
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Pickpick

THIS WAS SO GOOD! I thought it was even better than Ariadne, which I loved. It‘s a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and Elektra. So well done, though heartbreaking in places - particularly where Clytemnestra narrates the fate of Iphigenia. If you like retellings of Greek mythology from the female perspective, give this new one from Jennifer Saint a go.

Tamra Amazing cover! 2y
Ericalambbrown @Tamra thanks! I liked the UK covers better on these so I splurged and ordered them from over there. 2y
61 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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LatrelWhite
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My second Jennifer Saint book!🥰

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love this cover 🧡 2y
Ericalambbrown I just finished this and loved it! I hope you do, too! 2y
10 likes1 stack add2 comments
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5feet.of.fury
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Got out of work early for a dentist appointment, grabbed myself a late lunch and came to enjoy the beautiful weather with this one. I‘m reading what seems like a good amount of Greek retellings with absolute 0 foundational knowledge. I should probably rectify that at some point.

KathyWheeler I have Ariadne and need to read it. 2y
34 likes1 comment
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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

Having loved Ariadne, I fully expected to love Saint‘s take on three of the women impacted by the events surrounding the Trojan War—I was not disappointed.

Excellent writing and heartbreaking stories… I cried more than once (not afraid to admit once was when Patroclus rode out in Achilles‘ armor, but I am a Song of Achilles super fan, so…).

Not sure about the title choice, since Elektra is not any more central than Cassandra or Clytemnestra⬇️

sprainedbrain I‘m not a fan of Elektra as a character anyway, and this story did nothing to change that. Clytemnestra was justified in her righteous anger for Agamemnon (I like how Saint handled her and Cassandra as well) and I will die on that hill.

This is a really good audiobook, though I was distracted at times by the narrator for Elektra‘s swallowing. 😬 But again, I don‘t like Elektra so maybe that‘s me?! Lol

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2y
CBee I‘m also a Song of Achilles super fan ♥️ 2y
sprainedbrain @CBee Just a perfect book! ❤️ 2y
100 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Emilymdxn
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Pickpick

I was so excited to read this after finishing Ariadne earlier this year. I did like it, but probably less than Ariadne. I think because I knew the myths better this time around and I felt like humanising Elektra and Clytemnestra to make them into sympathetic characters made them lose a lot of what made them interesting - I liked them more twisted and monstrous personally.

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GondorGirl
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Came home from visiting my folks and had a bunch of #BookMail!

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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

#NetGalley #AudioArc

This audiobook was excellent. The narrator did a fantastic job.

Elektra is the title but this book explores the relationships of Clytemnestra and Cassandra as well. I loved the focus being on the females and the psychology explored in their choices.

Jennifer Saint truly has a gift for Greek mythology retellings. She combines the classic stories with a fresh new spin full of excitement and adventure.

Cinfhen I really loved the audio too!!! The scene with Clytemnestra and Iphigenia broke my heart even though I already knew the outcome 😭 2y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Booksandtea23
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4 likes1 stack add
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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

I run our local B&N book club and when I was looking at the new releases for this month I was so hoping this would be our pick. Well it was!!! Y‘all drop what you‘re reading and pick up this one up! Even though it‘s title is Elektra it also focuses on Clytemnestra and Cassandra. If you‘re not familiar with Greek mythology a quick Google search will catch you up ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ current favorite book of the year! #mayreading

5feet.of.fury I‘m picking this up tomorrow, and I cannot WAIT, everything I‘ve heard is so good 2y
KristiAhlers @5feet.of.fury I‘m so excited for you! Seriously it‘s so very good. 2y
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Jess_Franzino
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Pickpick

This was SO much better than “Ariadne”! While I still will always despise Clytemnestra and find her to be just as bad as Agamemnon in canon; this book did an excellent job of showing the psychology behind her and Elektra. I‘m also glad that she didn‘t go with the version where Apollo r*pes Cassandra and also showed the youth & innocence of Orestes.

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KristiAhlers
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Picked up my book club book today. May sit down with this one later tonight after dinner. Really excited for this one! #bookclubread #maybookclub

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Read_By_Red
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Pickpick

The thing that I loved the most about this audiobook is that there are three people reading as the three main characters/narrators, and for me I was able to better distinguish each woman from the others, and that made listening to this story so much more enjoyable. I liked the life brought to these characters by Eyre, Collingwood and Teal. I don‘t always enjoy audiobooks but Elektra may very well be my absolute favorite audiobook.

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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

Audio #Arc #NetGalley #AvailableMay3 #Tuesday Outstanding audio production 🙌🏻While it‘s titled Elektra, this is VERY MUCH Clytemnestra‘s story too. Three female protagonists, each in distinct and passionate narration share the years before, during & after the Trojan War. While I am familiar with parts of the tale, this book has captured parts I was not intimate with. Five stars and all the love for this #GreekReTelling

BarbaraBB You‘re reading so many good books at the moment! 2y
Cinfhen I am @BarbaraBB 🥰 2y
squirrelbrain I don‘t suppose they could call it Clytemnestra though could they?! 2y
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Cinfhen Exactly @squirrelbrain 🤣🤣🤣 2y
shanaqui I really need to try Jennifer Saint's work, I hear such good things! 2y
Cinfhen Her writing is really gorgeous @shanaqui and the audio for this book was fantastic ♥️ 2y
TrishB Great review 👍🏻 2y
Cinfhen Thanks @TrishB now I need to write a proper review for #NetGalley 2y
Centique This sounds like just my cup of tea! 2y
Cinfhen Audio was SO GOOD @Centique !!!!! 2y
KarenUK It‘s our bookclub book at work this month…. 💕 2y
Cinfhen How was your vacation?????? @KarenUK 2y
KarenUK Aww, it was lovely and relaxing, thanks for asking! @Cinfhen 💕 2y
87 likes2 stack adds13 comments
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Cinfhen
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TorieStorieS
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Pickpick

Told in three voices, Saint breathes fresh life into Elektra‘s (and Clymenestra and Cassandra‘s lives). The Trojan war unfolds when Clymenestra‘s twin sister, Helen, leaves her husband to go with Paris to Troy. Clymenestra‘s husband & father to her youngest daughter, Elektra, gathers the mightiest army and is gone for ten years. In that time his actions cause irreparable damage to his family. The audio is well-performed & I listened to it quickly!

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readingjedi
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Pickpick

MASSIVE PICK ALERT ⚠️ Drop everything & read this book ASAP!

Seriously, it's very good indeed. It's got me like Angelica Schuyler when Alexander Hamilton played fast & loose with his comma placement.

So many emotions, swinging this way then that way. My heart broke, my gut wrenched & I can't stop thinking about it!

As fan of retellings & myths, a grecophile, a feminist, a daughter, a mother - this just hits hard.

Loved Ariadne, adore this!

readingjedi Also love this alternative cover that depicts the 3 women who tell their stories - Cassandra, Clytemnestra & Elektra. 2y
Butterfinger Wow!!! 2y
LiteraryinLawrence Great review! Love your enthusiasm! 2y
shanaqui Oooh. you've made me very curious! I'm guessing this is quite separate from Ariadne, so I could start with this one? 2y
readingjedi @shanaqui Yes, you don't have to have read Ariadne to enjoy/understand this one. 2y
84 likes13 stack adds5 comments
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readingjedi
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I have been looking forward to starting this one for a while now so I'm going to give myself a little Christmas treat and bump it straight to the top of my TBR schedule.

This cover is really something else 😍

LiteraryinLawrence With the vine placement it looked at first like Flektra. Elektra makes way more sense! Happy reading! 2y
69 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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readingjedi
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Just received this!!!!! So excited, I loved Ariadne.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awesome cover 💚🖤 2y
398.2 Beautiful cover! 2y
perfectsinner Woohoo lucky. Araidne is on my wish list 2y
69 likes3 stack adds3 comments