Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
| Atalanta by Jennifer Saint | |
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| Category: Literary Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Olivia Tierney
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| Summary: Another beautiful and enthralling retelling of Greek mythology, Atalanta is a book you will love from start to finish. Saint's latest book – a sweeping tale that shines light on a heroine whose story, though fierce, has always been hidden behind others – is a delightful triumph you won't want to put down. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 386 | Date: April 2023 |
| Publisher: Wildfire | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-1472292155 | |
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I was as worthy as any one of them. I would get on board that ship, I vowed. I would take my place, not just in the name of the goddess. It was for the sake of my name, too. Atalanta
Princess. Warrior. Lover. Hero.
Abandoned at birth for being born a daughter rather than a son, Atalanta is raised under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis and fashioned into a formidable huntress who longs for adventure. When the opportunity comes – to join the Argonauts, a fierce band of warriors, descendent from the Gods themselves on the greatest quest the world has ever known – Atalanta seizes the chance to fight in Artemis' name and carve out her own legendary place in history. What follows is a whirlwind of challenges and discovery, and through it, Atalanta must remember Artemis' fatal warning: that if she takes a husband, it will be her undoing.
Atalanta is at its heart a coming-of-age story. We follow Atalanta from a baby left on a mountainside adopted by bears, to a young girl training to hold a bow and arrow by Artemis herself, to a fearless warrior fated to leave the only corner of the world she has ever known as the goddess's champion. Through her amongst a band of heroes we embark upon the Argo's legendary quest, rich in adventure and exploration, to steal the coveted Golden Fleece, and through her eyes we experience love and loss, acceptance and rejection, entrapment and freedom. Strong, beautiful and intelligent, Atalanta will be a character readers can't help but relate to and root for. Her determination to prove herself, her defiance to conform, her independence will keep you turning page after page to discover each and every twist and turn in her fate.
As usual, Saint's writing is truly exquisite. At times you aren't reading a book; instead, you're racing barefoot through a verdant forest, staring out at the horizon as you sail across unruly seas, or standing uncertainly at the doorway to an opulent throne room. It's incredible how vivid the author's storytelling is – the descriptions, the character's voice, the arcs of the story are all finely crafted – and it is easy (and a great joy) to steal away into the world of ancient Greece, discovering another heroine's forgotten story.
Rife with magic, action and intrigue, Atalanta is one of those books you'll love and tell everyone else to read as soon as possible.
Many thanks to the publishers for sending The Bookbag a copy for review!
In terms of further reading, Jennifer Saint's previous two novels, [[Ariadne by Jennifer Saint|In terms of further reading, Jennifer Saint's previous two novels, Ariadne and Elektra are as equally magical and atmospheric Greek mythology retellings. Alternatively, if you fancy something more factual Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece by Stephen Fry is a collection of famous enchanting tales that are excellent.
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