I was a little hesitant going into this book because it seems like there have been so many Greek Mythology retellings from the perspective of a woman and sometimes they don't sit well with me. However, I was pleasantly surprised by Ithaca. We follow the character Penelope, the bride of Odysseus, who has been left to rule Ithaca while Odysseus is away fighting in the Trojan War. Penelope battles rumors about her husband and his possible death, potential suitors, and a son who wants to fight in an army like his father. The story is told by the Greek goddess, Hera, and while I appreciated having a different point of view and found some of Hera's takes to be funny, the book almost becomes more about Hera than Penelope. I did appreciate Hera's biased opinions, the way that the author wrote her interactions with other gods/goddesses, and how Hera viewed other women in the story. It's a really beautiful, well-written book that is the perfect read for anyone who loves Greek Mythology.

Thank you to Redhooks Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #netgalley #ithacabook #clairenorth

I enjoyed this book. I have recently found the love again for a Greek mythology. I loved it when I was a kid and somehow lost track of it. I think if you enjoy reading other Greek mythology historical fiction. I think you'll enjoy this book. Some people might be a little thrown because apparently Claire North did more science fiction fantasy and this is a different genre. But most people really enjoy it, including myself.

This book had a lot of potential, and I have lived many Greek re-telling, but this one didn’t do it for me.
The writing style was very flowery and lyrjcal at times to an end I couldn’t clearly determine- just rather for the sake of being so.
Aside from that personal preference, it just seemed like I waited a long time to feel invested or to be captivated by the story of Penelope, but that moment never came. So much of the beginning seemed to have little to do with her and her character building that I had a hard time staying interested.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an early read of this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It does read a little slow but it covers the story of Penelope without any creative differences to the story. If you enjoyed Greek Mythology retellings (Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, Pat Barker....) then you will enjoy this novel.

I found it difficult to get into this story. I think it might have been because it was narrated by Hera, rather than a first- or third-person narrative. I did like Hera's witty, insightful comments throughout, but it made it a lot harder to get invested in the characters since they're only seen through Hera's eyes. I felt that there was some distance between Hera and the characters, more so than if it had, for example, been a first-person narrative where a human character was observing another, rather than a goddess observing humans.

*Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy*

This was an excellent historical fantasy book that incorporated traditional Greek mythology. I don't typically read retellings like this, but this one truly grabbed my interest. I adored how strongly feminist the story was and how its main characters were all powerful women. The prose was exquisite, and the writing was as strong. Although I like stories with a more rapid pace of narration, this slow-moving story was nonetheless well done. This is one you should certainly read if you enjoy books like Circe.

In the nearly two decades since Odysseus left the shores of Ithaca and sailed to war with Troy, the island has been surviving by a thread. Penelope is Queen on Ithaca, hosting a variety of suitors while repeatedly muling over husband’s inevitable return. When raiders attack Ithaca there is no one to defend her people and resources. The boys and old men are untrained or two feeble, and all seem to wait for the inevitable turn of power. The women of this island have always maintained life, and it appears that once again they will need to take matters into their own hands.

Told from the watchful eyes of the Goddess Hera, this story is layered with an array of perspectives that are delightful to follow! Hera’s musings are sharp and humorous, and her interactions with Athena, Artemis, and others provide such a rich frame of reference. The Gods pull the strings, the people live and die, and life persists. I did not expect to laugh or feel for the characters as much as I did. To be a woman, even a Goddess, is an existence fraught with obstructions, and Ithaca reminded me to laugh at the ironic and amusing when I can.

Thank you to @netgalley, Redhook Books, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book! Ithaca is a new release and available now!

This book was a bit difficult to get into as it started out in the middle of action, but it was a really cool story and take on mythology. I really enjoyed the world building, pace, and writing style of this book — North creates a nuanced and intriguing setting that is both familiar and unknown. The poetic nature of the writing really enhanced the story; it felt comparable to the epics that were written in the time period, which was very interesting and added to the events that were taking place. The shifting perspectives throughout the book also gave insight into the events that would not have necessarily had the same impact; overall Ithaca was a very unique read!

Ithaca is a strongly written book telling the story of Penelope as she awaits the return of Odysseus. In a twist from typical tellings of this story, we get it from Hera's perspective. The goddess, while a biased narrator is honest in what she sees and presents a 'no-nonsense' attitude.

This was a refreshing take perspective and read on Penelope's story. Although there are many names and people that can easily be confused that is just the nature of Greek myth retellings. Overall the characters were developed and there was a bit of dry humor throughout, providing an entertaining read.

I adore Claire North, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to have read her newest release in the vein of Circe and Ariadne. It was a delight, and it gives a dark and thrilling voice to Penelope, the woman left behind while Homer has his Odyssey.

I love a good Greek Mythology retelling. The writing was slow and packed with information. I wish the author was able to develop my attachments to the characters more.

This is the book that made my Greek Mythology loving heart soar with joy.

Luckily for me, newly published Ithaca by Claire North is the first in a new series that finally gives voice to the women who were originally sung as the meek supporters of the ruthless men who dominated the ancient myths. This is the story of Queen Penelope of Ithaca and the many women who remain on the island after King Odysseus sailed to Troy with every man of fighting age, seventeen years prior. Now Penelope must rule in her husband’s stead, trying to maintain control of the island while keeping potential suitors at bay who she is forced to treat as guests and feed nightly. This is not the tale of a weak woman weaver who stares passively at the sea waiting for her husband to arrive home, this is a story of Penelope; indomitable, clever, loyal, mother and Queen.

Like Queen Penelope of Ithaca, I had a rather rocky beginning my read of Ithaca. Not having read the synopsis, I dove right in and after 20% I was giving serious thought about throwing in the towel not really having any clue just what was going on. Once I realized that the goddess Hera is our storyteller, I went back to the beginning and I am so glad I did.

It does take awhile for me to acclimate to the nuanced writing style from Claire North. By giving Hera the means to tell the story, the point of view fluctuates creating a richly layered, unique narrative structure woven throughout. Giving way to gentle scenic transitions, political intrigue, and mounting tensions, the plot precipitates the breadth of what this reimagining explores—the psyche of a woman as mother, daughter, goddess, peasant, Queen, warrior, slave, wife, cousin, and friend.

If you do choose to travel to Ithaca hand-in-hand with the goddess Hera, and I really hope you will, be prepared to settle in for this exquisitely written, slow-burn ancient myth reimagining that will leave you feeling empowered and hopeful.

Thank you so much to the publisher @redhookbooks for the opportunity to read and review Ithaca. Available now.

I tend to love feminist retelling of mythology, but i unfortunately found this one to be boring, for lack of a better word.
I considered not finishing it, but I did want to find out what would happen (even though it felt like nothing really happened… ever). I felt like the bigger events in the end of the book should have been much… bigger. It was too long, often going on and on about characters or events that felt irreverent to any of the storylines.
The writing style bothered me. Not because it wasn’t well written- it was! But because it felt like she was switching the prose throughout the book. I could tell she was attempting humor, but maybe wasn’t sure how to make it work for the time period, so she threw in a fart or anatomy joke instead?

Anyway, overall I didn’t hate it, but it just wasn’t for me.

Ithaca was my first Claire North book, though I have heard positive things about her others. I enjoyed Ithaca enough that I will likely check out some other’s on her backlist.

The book follows Penelope, wife of Odysseus, as she tried to maintain peace, between her many suiters and between Ithaca and the rest of Greece.

Going into the book, I was familiar with both Iliad and other modern interpretations of Penelope’s story. I’m my opinion, The book did a good job of sticking to the source material, while also developing The characters of Penelope and the women of Ithaca.

I also enjoyed the POV shifts throughout the book and particularly Hera’s sections. They were the highlight of the book in my opinion. I found her characterization to be really interesting and compelling.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and am excited for the sequel!

I'm usually very interested in Greek retellings, but for some reason Ithaca fell flat for me. Maybe it was the perspective that it was being told from, but I didn't enjoy this book nearly as much as other Greek retellings. If you want a decent retelling of the women from Homer's Odyssey, this book may be your cup of tea.

Sadly, as a Greek mythology lover, I just couldn't get into this book. I gave it a good go (received a NetGalley ARC) but I couldn't finish.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved a good Greek mythology retelling and this fit the bill perfectly. Not only did it give more light to Penelope, who is usually relegated to the background. But it was also filled with sympathy for Ancient Greek women in general. The pains that Greek Queens went through, the difficulty of soft power, the dynamics of Penelope and her son. All together a great book.

I also loved the narrator choice. Hera as the narrator added interest to the story as she was a outside perspective (kind of) and she had her own relationship dynamics to contend with.

Worth a read for any Greek myth lover.

This book was a ride, and unexpected in many ways. Based on the description, I thought this was a story about Penelope; and while it is, I think it's more about Hera, queen of gods and
goddess of queens (and boy is she sassy!). "Ithaca" is about what it means to be a woman in a man's world, bound by their rules and expectations. I thought this exploration was, in
turns, humorous and thoughtful. I have only two complaints, neither of which affected my star rating because I really and truly enjoyed this book. Personally, I think the book could have done without the profanity; I'm not attempting to be puritanical, it just felt abrupt when I was reading the story. And speaking of abrupt, the ending left me feeling bereft; I needed so much more closure! Otherwise, a fun entry in the mythological rewritings of recent yore. I received an e-arc from NetGalley in return for my honest review. This book was just released September 6th!

Penelope, wife of Odysseus, has been alone since he sailed away 17 years ago. Penelope waits, surrounded by men who desire not only her but the power in Ithaca. I found this book a little difficult to read, being as it is narrated by the goddess Hera, and there is a huge cast of characters. Nonetheless, a good read.

Ithaca is a fantasy with historical fiction elements by Claire North. The ebook version is 464 pages. I did a blended read with this book by also listening to the audiobook, which clocks in at twelve and a half hours and is narrated by Catrin Walker-Booth.

It has been seventeen years since King Odysseus sailed away from the island of Ithaca with all of their men of fighting age, heading off to war with Troy. But this is not a story about men.

The women of Ithaca were left behind to pick up the pieces and run the kingdom. In the years since, Queen Penelope has been plagued by suitors vying for her hand. She knows she must be cautious, lest the isle fall into civil war. To maintain a tenuous peace, she uses her cunning, wit, and her trusted circle of maids to allow the kingdom to remain intact for when Odysseus returns.

I'm a big fan of feminist mythology retellings. They're kind of my catnip, as a person who minored in Classical Mythology in college. This one is especially interesting because it is narrated by Hera, the queen of the gods and wife of Zeus. Hera is the goddess of marriage, women (especially during childbirth), and family. She has a very distinct and unique point of view, and I really enjoyed seeing this story through her eyes.

She's definitely not the only Greek God(dess) we see in this book, as they're all meddling creatures. We see a good deal of Athena too, and Artemis. Our main mortal character here is Penelope of course. Hera likes to hang around to see how she interacts with her suitors, her advisors, her maids, and her warriors defending Ithaca from pirates.

This book is very character-driven and thus is a bit slow-moving. I did really like the author's prose, but I found it helpful to switch to listening to the audiobook at the 50% mark (thanks monthly Audible credit!). It appears to be the first book in a trilogy, and I'm absolutely going to pick up the next book once it's been published.

If you were a fan of Elektra by Jennifer Saint or The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec, you may like this book!

Tropes in this book include: Greek mythology retelling, feminist retelling

CW: mentions and descriptions of sexual assault, murder, death, violence, description of corpses, gore