Review by Booklist Review
Countless tales have been told of Jason and his Argonauts and their quest to procure the Golden Fleece. But not nearly enough tales tell of the woman among their number, Atalanta, a woman raised first by bears and then by the nymphs of the grove of Artemis. Famous for her speed and her abilities with a bow, Atalanta is doubted and disdained by the men she meets, but she's okay with that--her loyalty is with Artemis. But can the world of men and uncaring gods threaten her hopes of triumph? In her latest retelling, Saint tackles this story of a fearless warrior woman confronting a world mired in patriarchal assumptions and threats. The second half of the novel feels rushed, probably owing to Saint's ambition in trying to fit in all of the action while also giving enough weight to relationships. But overall, it's a compelling story about a powerful, observant warrior who loves a good, honorable fight and about the more dishonorable side of some well-known mythological quests. Fans of Saint's Ariadne (2021) and Elektra (2022) will be happy with her newest offering.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Saint (Elektra) continues to breathe new life into Greek myths in this exciting and intelligent reimagining of the story of warrior Atalanta. After Atalanta's father, a Greek king, abandons her as an infant to die on a mountainside, she's rescued by a bear and later comes under the protection of Artemis, goddess of hunting, who raises her among nymphs and orders her to fend off men. When Greek hero Jason begins gathering Greece's greatest warriors to join his quest for the Golden Fleece, Artemis chooses Atalanta, who's honed her skills at archery, as her representative on the Argonauts. On her way to join the crew, she encounters Meleager, a king's son, who's also en route to join up. She overcomes skepticism from her comrades and proves her worth on the perilous journey as they battle monsters, six-armed giants, and hostile soldiers. Readers familiar with the original will appreciate Saint's thoughtful creation of an inner life for her protagonist, who struggles to reconcile her chaste upbringing with the passions Meleager inspires. For readers who can't get enough of feminist retellings, this will more than do the trick. (May)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A baby girl is left to die on a mountainside but survives under the goddess Artemis' protection. Deep in the Arcadian forest, secluded from Greek society, Atalanta grows into a formidable huntress. She's faster than any mortal, independent, and confident. In other words, she's made in Artemis' image, and the goddess has plans for her. She sends Atalanta to join the quest for the Golden Fleece to bring glory to her name. Atalanta, who has never been among other people, let alone a group of men--some the sons of gods, others the greatest heroes and adventurers in the land--must prove herself worthy of her place in history. Most of the crew of the Argo, her fellow Argonauts, don't make it easy, but she does find allies, including the famed Orpheus and an uncharacteristically egalitarian fellow named Meleager who becomes her lover as they journey for the legendary fleece. While all the Argonauts encounter tests of their strengths, Atalanta alone faces constant disdain. How can a woman be among the world's best warriors, a hero poets will sing about for all time? To most minds, it's impossible. And even when she proves them wrong, they find ways to diminish her. It's not just people Atalanta has to worry about, either. Like most other gods and goddesses, Artemis is a demanding and punishing champion. Author Saint--author of Elektra (2022) and Ariadne (2021)--has written another captivating protagonist who challenges the status quo to demonstrate the power of women when the odds stack against them. While the story sags here and there, the ending is so beautiful it makes every moment leading up to it worth the wait. In her acknowledgements, Saint says she hopes the novel will make readers fall as in love with Atalanta as she did--and her quest has been fulfilled. This contemporary rendition of Greek mythology gives the heroine's journey its due. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
