GENRE: Retelling, Greek Myth, Female Lead
RATING: 4/5


​This is a very solid Greek myth retelling. If you are someone who enjoyed Circe and Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, then Atalanta is definitely a great pick for you. I have to say, as far as placing this novel, I would say I preferred it over Circe but it did not hit the same way Song of Achilles did for me. All three have very similar writing styles and tones (which is expected in Greek myth retelling). The reason that Atalanta is just so exceptional compared to Circe, is that she is very relatable. She realizes through her story that she does not need to fit the definition of “HERO” that is attributed to men. She learns that she can fight and find challenges in her name rather than “the name of others”. It would be fair to call this a feminist or female empowering retelling of Atalanta. 

*** I RECEIVED THIS NOVEL FROM NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW***

​GENRE: LGBTQ+, Monster, Retelling
RATING: 3/5
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Queer Little Nightmares is an anthology of monstrous fiction and poetry written by various authors. The stories and poems in this collection explore the experiences of creatures of myth and folklore seeking belonging and intimate connection, cryptids challenging their outcast status, and classic movie monsters coming into queerness. The characters in these works push against tropes that have historically been used to demonize them and instead ask what it means to be (and to love) a monster.
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While I enjoyed the content of this anthology, I had a hard time with it because I received it as an audiobook. I often found myself getting lost in the narrator's voice, which I found lacking. If you are able to pick this up as a physical book or an ebook, I recommend you do.


Please note: I received this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

***This book has triggers, please check them if you need before reading this novel***
GENRE: Historical Fiction, Greek Mythology, Retelling
RATING: 4/5 

I absolutely love Circe, and that is something I never thought I would say after having watched Game of Thrones! (yes cringe joke, but back to the review)

I really liked this read a lot, especially because Circe although she is a Goddess, is very relatable to me, as someone who was always told to keep quiet and was very much ignored. There is so much in here that really just made me smile like turning men who r-word into pigs, as well as they tie-in to Song of Achilles (as within  the original myth, Circe meets Odysseus post Trojan war). I also love how we see her progress as a character and see her own worth and strength as the book progresses.

If you are someone who isn't afraid of a long story without a clear-cut plot, as this story very much follows the Greek style of not really having a specific climax and ending... If you are someone who loves Greek myths or historical fiction... If you love witches... then this is a read for you.

SPOILER WARNING BELOW
When Circe is pregnant, I found it interesting that none of her magic worked to help with her pain, that regardless of Goddess or human, child birth is hard and that if one experiences, they are just as powerful as Gods like Zeus. This was evident through the use of language to describe the pain. ex: dropped from the sky like a thunderbolt --- she literally uses Zeus's weapon to describe her pain and she overcomes without her magic regardless. 

There is also a moment in the novel where Athena threatens Circe, and the last thing she says is "You do not know what I can do" It gave me chills. So badass.