Ariadne was the debut novel by Jennifer Saint, published in 2021.
Ariadne was an instant Sunday Times bestseller, shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year in 2021 and was Waterstones Book of the month in January 2022
Ancient Greece and mythology has always fascinated me so I was looking forward to reading this book about Ariadne and the part she played in helping Theseus.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Plot
Ariadne is the gentle daughter of the fearsome King Minos, and sister to the monster who bellows from the Labyrinth beneath the palace.
This monster, also known as the Minotaur, demands blood and every year 14 innocent young men and women from Athens are given as a sacrifice. Despite being horrified by the brutality and loss of life, Ariadne does nothing.
One year Theseus, Prince of Athens, offers himself as a sacrifice to the beast and Ariadne is instantly infatuated with him. She decides to help Theseus kill the Minotaur, betraying her family and country.
Will Ariadne’s decision to help Theseus ensure her happy ending? Or will she, as so many other women before her, be treated as nothing more than a necessary sacrifice?
Ariadne Book Review
Ariadne was the first book I’d read centred around Greek mythology and it instantly grabbed my attention.
The characters were vividly brought to life and I enjoyed reading from both Ariadne and Phaedra’s perspectives. I did find the story slowed a little in the middle but quickly picked up again towards the end.
I’ve read reviews stating this is a feminist interpretation of the classic story but I’m not so sure it is. Jennifer Saint gives Ariadne a voice when she is so often forgotten in retellings of the tales of the Minotaur.
However, other than her actions at the beginning of the book, I found Ariadne to be quite a passive character. I did enjoy reading the story from a woman’s perspective and it perfectly highlighted how women would be punished for the actions of a man.
However, is this feminism? Feminism, to me at least, is more than just the criticism of men.
Having said that, I did like Ariadne as a character. Not every character has to be a feminist icon. I enjoyed her gentleness and her capacity for forgiveness. I also enjoyed reading Phaedra’s perspective, despite finding her infuriating at times.
The author did a great job of introducing other tales within the main story. We learn about how Medusa became a monster and what drove Icarus to fly too close to the sun. I really enjoyed the opening chapters about the Minotaur and how he came to be the monstrous beast he was known to be.
There are variations to the myth regarding Ariadne’s fate and I actually enjoyed the author’s interpretation and how the story ended.
Overall I really enjoyed Ariadne. I enjoyed learning more about her after the events in the labyrinth and I really liked her as a character.
What should I read after Ariande?
If you enjoyed Ariadne, I would definitely suggest reading more books by Jennifer Saint. I’d recommend starting with her second novel, Elektra.
If you’re a fan of Greek mythology I’d also recommend The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes.
This book is featured on the following lists:
Related Book Lists
Related Books
