Elektra covers a lot of ground, discussing parts of the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Orestes in this narrative about the House of Atreus. The story is told from three povs: Cassandra, princess of Troy, Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's wife, and Elektra, daughter of Clytemnestra. These three character are brought together through the horrid actions of the men around them, Cassandra's brother Paris steals Helen away to Troy and begins the Trojan war. Clytemnestra's husband sacrifices their oldest daughter for a fair wind to get the Greek army to Troy to seek glory, and Elektra is loyal to her father and his memory, and burns with anger towards her mother. This is a story that many familiar with Greek mythology already know, but it's always great to see myths from the female characters' points of view. I will say, I had assumed Elektra was the main character (due to the title), but felt she was the weakest character. Clytemnestra was the strongest, her character was nuanced and engaging, and gave a lot of insight into what her character could have been thinking. Elektra in contrast was hardly a major player in the narrative until about 70% through the book, having spent ten years being angry with her mother and waiting for her father to return. I would've liked to have seen more from her, and from Cassandra, who was depicted as she almost always is.

I so loved Ariadne and Jennifer Saint's ability to create very flawed female characters, women that I felt so much empathy in one breath, and was annoyed with in the next. She just knows how to write real women. So, I jumped on the chance to get my hands on an early copy of her next book Elektra, a searing and stunning take on a few of the women who get lost in the story of the Trojan War. If you are a fan of Greek retellings and love female driven stories, this is a book to put on your wishlist!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It's possible I'm swayed because I have taught some of the Greek myths in a college class, but I really think this retelling was engaging and entertaining. What's especially wonderful is that it's about women, who get short shrift in a lot of the texts most read and taught. The stories are already so dramatic and great, but Saint really imbues the characters with personality to which the reader can connect. I am a fan.

In a growing market where the myths and stories of Ancient Greece are coming to the forefront, Elektra definitely pulls its weight in the ring. An addicting story following one of the underdog women in Greece. If you loved Circe and Song of Achilles you will most certainly like this one as well. A great addition to the winter reading stack!