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** spoiler alert ** First, the positives: Saint's interpretation of Clytemnestra is, by far, the best modern interpreration to date (imo). She was a character I've never really cared much about before, but after reading this, she's become one of my favorite Greek myth characters of all time. I *will* give Saint credit for the depth, nuance, and care she gave Clytemnestra. Her drowning, never-ending grief was portrayed so well, her fierce love for her children felt so tangible that it felt like *I* lost people beloved to me as well. Her character FINALLY given justice after all these centuries. And the sisterly bond between her and Helen was just ... *chefs kiss*. Also, Iphigenia's death scene was so gruesome and so well-done and Clytemnestra's raw pain after was quiet painful to read that I actually skimmed some because I couldn't handle the gore and grief anymore.


Negative stuff: this book is still no better than Ariadne, but it at least got a little bit interesting after Agammemnon's death. I feel like Saint's retellings just follow the original texts too closely, but that's on me, not her. With the stories of the characters she's chosen so well-defined and told already, she has very little leg room for her own added flair or take on them. Helen was painted in a light not so different from others': pretty, perfect, cunning Helen who could do no wrong. And I hate to compare her to Madeline Miller, because other reviewers must've done this countless times, but Miller's prose just shines through with her work, which is why there are just SO MANY memorable quotes from TSOA & Circe. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for Saint. Her chapters, while the events themselves are highly compelling, the way she tells them is just dull. Simply dull. Yeah, someone's being murdered, mutilated, etc., but the way Saint describes it feels the same way as she might a grocery list. A few description of the weather, the palace pillars, palace floors, maybe people around them, and tada, scene's done. On to the next. And the next. Next. And the nex� [GUNSHOTS]

Elektra, while very much strong-willed and stubborn, gets exhausting after a while. I know Saint's just following the original text, but my GOD does Elektra get exhausting after a while. And she got sooo unbearably selfish near the end. I could understand her anger at her mother, but the way she was ready to sacrifice her brother to those horrible creatures, leave her best friend/husband who's been NOTHING but supportive and kind and patient with her, not sympathize with the other thousands of people who also had someone dear to them killed because of the war and NOT TO MENTION HER SISTER IPHIGENIA WHO WAS MURDERED all for a man who BARELY gave her any attention in the first place, the only meaningful interaction with the 2 of them is him giving her an ugly-ass dagger and ... petting of a dog? The whole thing where she TRIED TO REASON HER FATHER'S TAKING AND *RAPING* OF BRISEIS JUST LEFT ME SHOCKED. Seriously bitch? This dried little walnut cares as much about other women as she might a pebble stuck in her shoe. Elektra never truly cared about anyone apart from herself. Not even her husband, and you can't tell me otherwise. She thinks the whole world revolves around her and HER pain and noooooooo one will ever relate to poor, poor, Elektra. This is literally her every time she speaks: "Oh, woe is me! Woe is MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Jesus. Get your shit together girl.

Elektra seeked her father's approval so much and got SOOO blinded by the legacy of tHe miGhTy hOuSe oF aTrEuS and revenge that she willingly overlooked the fact that her father was a cruel, terrible, spiteful, petty and weak man, the cold-blooded murder of her sister, friendship of another sister, undeniable pain and grief of her poor mother, and the grim future she set for her brother; the rose-colored glasses of childhood nostalgia for pathetic little interactions she had with her father that MEANT NOTHING TO HIM blinded her ass so much to the truth that it's honestly so fucking frustrating. And that ending's supposed to be happy? Or hopeful? Fuck outta here. This book did the opposite for Elektra with it did with Clytemnestra for me. I've never really cared much about Elektra's character before, but after this, hope I NEVER read ANYTHING about this whining, revengeful little assbag ever again.


Cassandra, though. I would absolutely DIE for her.