This novel is an in-depth look into the life of Clytemnestra, queen of Mycenae from Greek mythology. Clytemnestra is betrayed by her father when he forces both she and her sister, the famous Helen of Troy, to marry the ruthless sons of Atreus. Even though her mother, Leda discourages Clytemnestra from seeking revenge, she becomes a ruthless queen whose primary motivation is to force retribution on all who have taken the things she loves from her.
This story was beautifully told from the perspective of Clytemnestra who has not been seen as a primary focus of traditional Greek mythology. I really enjoy these stories retold from the women’s perspectives and this one is well done. There was never a dull moment in Clytemnestra’s life and the book reflects this - it was action packed and interesting throughout. In spite of her revengeful nature, Clytemnestra is a likable character and strong protagonist.
Thanks to NetGalley, Bookish First and Sourcebooks Landmark for the Advanced Reader Copies.

5/5 stars

In the past few months, I've read a lot of Greek myth retellings, especially focusing on women. Out of all of them, I think Clytemnestra is my favorite. I don't know too much about the original story beyond the basics, but it's always bothered me that she's treated like a villain because I simply cannot help but root for her! There's something about a woman being allowed to enact her revenge that she deserves after going through so much hardship that I just love reading about and I think the author does a really nice job of setting that up and enacting it over the course of the story.

I also really loved how the beginning of the novel included bits of Helen and Clytemnestra's relationship and the bonds of sisterly love. I think it goes outside of the confines of the original Trojan War story but I would have loved to have seen them meet again at the end of the story. Same with Clytemnestra's relationship with Timandra (a figure I'd never encountered before this novel). We didn't see as much of it but I really enjoyed the snippets we got at the beginning of the novel. (And the small amount of f/f romance? Absolutely, we love to see it!)

There were a few things that sort of took me out of the immersion of the novel –– such as the writing occasionally being in passive voice instead of active voice, Clytemnestra's "progressiveness" (that's not the right word but I don't know how to describe it) being too overt/awkward–– but it didn't really bother me enough for it to knock down my rating. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more by this author!

Certainly for fans of Madeline Miller, Jennifer Saint, Natalie Haynes in telling an old story from a woman's point of view. This book follows Clytemnestra throughout her entire life, from childhood up to killing Agamemnon. It is a compelling, layered, complex portrayal of a woman claiming her power. It is a manifesto on female rage. The stunning prose is a stark juxtaposition to the ugliness that Clytemnestra endured. Highly recommend for fans of mythology and retellings.

cw: sexual assault, child death, kidnapping, blood, murder, misogyny, homophobia

ℂ𝕃𝕐𝕋𝔼𝕄ℕ𝔼𝕊𝕋ℝ𝔸 𝔹𝕐 ℂ𝕆𝕊𝕋𝔸ℕℤ𝔸 ℂ𝔸𝕊𝔸𝕋𝕀

👑👑👑👑
4/5

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a retelling on Clytemnestra, the most notorious villianess turned queen.

This story follows Clytemnestra through many tragedies, and we get to see how she faces them all head on. Clytemnestra is such a strong, and powerful character. She is flawed, but who of us isn’t .

Clytemnestra is the daughter of of the king of Sparta. She trains with them since she is young, as part of growing up with a father as king.

I recommend this if your a fan of Greek mythology and strong female characters

There seems to be new trend of novels based on mythological characters. Clytemnestra is the latest in what looks to be a never-ending spate of them and it ranks among the better. Author Costanza Casati has done her readers a great service by telling Clytemnestra's story chronologically from her childhood. Thus, we experience some of the nuances of her family life, as well as the hardships she endured as we follow Clytemnestra, wife of Tantaras and then Agamemnon and mother of two slain children and three who lived to childhood. This is a story of power and revenge and of great emotional and psychological trauma, The novel is not without some issues, including a 9-year gap and her never-waning physical abilities even as Clytemnestra ages.. Although long, the novel will appeal to many readers, including those who love mythology and who may be familiar with some of the characters and to those who relish reading about a strong woman.

“Hate is a bad root. It takes its place in your heart and it grows and grows, letting everything rot.”

Infamous daughter of Sparta and wife to Agamemnon, she was born to be a leader in a world that will never trust a woman on the throne. This beautiful take on Greek mythology follows Clytemnestra, the favorite daughter of the King of Sparta (despite her sister, Helen, being the most beautiful woman of her time). Trained to be a warrior and a queen, she experiences death, grief, and injustice so often she becomes a hardened leader who will not stop until justice prevails.

Consider this a how-to on feminine rage. Casati doesn’t dance around the mistreatment Clytemnestra faced at the hands of tyrants and would-be protectors. Instead of making her meek or villainous, we see the queen use her rage for revenge, sometimes waiting decades to fully utilize her own wit and strength to fight back. While almost 500 pages, this does not read like a debut novel. I was highly impressed and look forward to more from the author!

Thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

(Content warning: rape, violence) I got an ARC of this through NetGalley – it will be released on May 2, 2023. My knowledge of ancient Greece and Greek mythology is spotty at best – I know the big names, but not some of the less well-known ones, which is to say that Clytemnestra’s story was completely new to me. It took me a little bit to really get into the story, but I ended up loving it – she was a fierce female warrior and queen. Clytemnestra was trained as a warrior from youth, but found her life upended when her husband was murdered and she was told she’d be marrying Agamemnon, who was involved in the plot to murder her first husband. But Clytemnestra continued to fight – for power, for freedom, for herself. I found myself fully immersed by the end.

I really surprised myself with how much I enjoyed this book! I feel like the market is flooded with Trojan War retellings and I’m a bit burned out on them, but this author brought a whole new aspect to Clytemnestra’s story I hadn’t heard before and portrayed her arc in a fairly novel way. The book is also very well written and is almost lyrical at times. Overall, I would definitely recommend for any Greek mythology fans!

Greek Mythology has been pulled from the shelves, dusted off and the pages flipped releasing a plethora of Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, noblemen, merchants, peasants and slaves. And just like in a game of chess we see them moved across the board trying to win that one thing that is so highly coveted yet inanimate: Power. It all comes alive in this mythological tale told to us by Clytemnestra.

When the story begins Clytemnestra is a Spartan princess along with some very famous siblings. The one that I’m sure most of you already know about is Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships. Supposedly abducted by Paris (she went willingly), a Prince of Priam, which started the 10-year Trojan War. The book is sprinkled with even more famous heroes and Greek Gods such as Ajax, Hercules, Odysseus, Prometheus, Hector, and Achilles to name a few.

But the Trojan War is all near the end of Clytemnestra’s story. It’s all the things that she endures before that final chapter that is going to have you turning pages. And you will be turning them as Costanza Casati creates and decorates a believable world populated by people who come alive with masterful personalities and characterization.

I know I felt anger so intense at one point of the story that I had to put the book down and walk away until I could process all that had happened before I could continue. I don’t know when I last had such an emotional reaction to a work of fiction. Sure, I’ve had a cry or two but this was anger so intense I just wanted to jump into that story and do something … anything … to stop what I knew was coming next.

I am delighted to have read an advance reader’s copy of Costanza Casati’s first novel Clytemnestra. Thank you NetGallery. This review is given freely.

Clytemnestra is haunting my dreams. Of all the books based on mythology, Casati’s Clytemnestra delivers a nuanced, yet compelling character for whom you will cheer, yell at, at times, hate, but will remember. As an older sister to Helen of Troy fame (not twin as others described her), daughter, widow, wife, mother, domestic abuse survivor, warrior, lover and other roles, she has had to learn to control her behavior while devising her long game. Power. Betrayal. Revenge. Genius.

Having grown up studying the warrior arts and sitting by her father, the King, Clytemnestra honed her skills in leadership and power. At the presentation of suitors for Helen, after Odysseus bows out in favor of Penelope, Agamemnon, brother to Menelaus (Helen’s choice) sets his plan to marry the already married Clytemnestra. The scheming and double dealing go on from there.

Later in the story, after Helen is in Troy, Agamemnon brings together kings from all over to overcome the powerful Troy and reclaim Helen. While this took ten years, Clytemnestra rose in power and grew the economy of Mycenae. We watch her interactions with the elders, her children and her siblings. The character development puts you into the midst of the action.

While there are many “truths” about Clytemnestra, I will keep this version as my “truth.”

Needless to say, I definitely recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS/Landmark for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I'm not usually a fan of mythology retellings to be honest but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I had never heard of Costanza Casati but requested this book solely based off of the cover (it's usually how I buy my wine too - based off the label). Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't but thankfully it worked this time! I LOVED this book.

There was something about the author's prose that made me feel like I was in an ancient world with a modern twist. I can't really put my finger on how she did it, but I would get lost in her words through every chapter. I knew nothing about Clytemnestra and what the mythology was behind her and her husband's story. I'm glad I didn't because watching her story unfold while reading made it that much more enjoyable that I didn't know what was going to happen.

There were a lot of side characters in this book which can be quite confusing to some but I think the author did a great job with her main characters that it didn't really matter. I loved having the female POV throughout the book because, let's face it, so much of mythology is from the male perspective. The only thing I'll say that I didn't like was that it dragged on in some places (it's on the longer end at 450 pages) - so much that I skimmed a few pages here and there. But then there were other parts where I couldn't put the book down.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who like mythological retellings and strong FMC.

This magnetic novel from Casati is emotive, lyrical, and gorgeous. I knew nothing of Clytemnestra’s story before going into this, and she was a very compelling heroine to follow, and the cast of side characters were as well. I felt it moved a bit slow, but it was still very good.

Let me preface this review that I absolutely love Greek mythology. However, this book just did not work for me. Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati follows the titular character from her childhood to her most infamous act, killing her husband for sacrificing her daughter. I was really looking forward to this one because I had recently read Elektra so I was excited to read the story from Clytemnestra's perspective. However, this book is entirely too long. I was very interested for the first 100 pages, but after that it felt much too drawn out.

Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati gives us a fresh view of the life of this queen, who suffered so much because of the choices of those men around her. She lost her happiness by the hands of a selfish, ambitious man, and she has to live all her life with those feelings in her heart.

I don't even know where to start writing this review. As a Greek Mythology enthusiast, I didn't expect something different from a story I already know, but this book gave me everything I was looking for and even things I didn't expect to feel. I adored every page and every word written here, and that's my way of saying that the writing is fantastic from beginning to end. The author knows how to put emotions into words, how Clytemnestra is feeling in every step of the way, and how she slowly starts to close her heart. You can see at which point she simply stops feeling as she did before, and the reasons why she did that. I feel this writing made me enter into Clytemnestra's skin and mind and gods, I loved that. I appreciate a good writing, and in this book, that is something that totally exceeds the expectations.

In general, and related with the previous point, the story is so well built, that you get to know everything in the queen's life, starting from her youth. I love how Helen is portrayed here, and I love their relationship as sisters and friends for life. Getting to know Clytemnestra from such a young age and grow up with her, it makes you feel more aware of what she feels and what she will do. I haven't read many books where her youth is a topic, so that was a good start with this book. And how it ends for me seals the deal, like, we all know what's gonna happen, but for a moment, she can have peace.

As I said, I love how Helen is portrayed here, but I also really enjoyed the beautiful cast of characters. It was lovely to meet Timandra and the brothers too, I love how Cassandra is portrayed as a strong princess here, because I choose to believe it was like that.

And this book hurt me. Like, I knew what was coming, but it made feel angry, and sad, and the grief that Clytemnestra was feeling, I shared it with her, I wanted to hold her close and hug her, but also, I wanted to be close to her and fight at her side. I don't think I could have loved this book any more than I already do. Please, give this wonderful book a try.

The chokehold mythological retellings have on me! Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for this ARC.

Clytemnestra is daughter of a Spartan king, where it is common for woman to be taught to fight. Clytemnestra is a strong woman, and a very good fighter. This is how she eventually captures the eye of Agamemnon, who will do anything to have her. Once married to Agamemnon she becomes Queen of Mycenae, eventually left to rule it while her husband is fighting the Trojan War. Her hatred for Agamemnon only grows as the years go by for the unforgivable things he has done to her. This story follows Clytemnestra from a young age up until the Trojan War is won. The story is well paced, and does have a few time jumps, I think it does a great job of letting the readers see Clytemnestra grow into a woman, and see her character develop.

Clytemnestra is a notable figure in greek mythology, often a hated one. This retelling offers a more in depth account to why she is the way that she is and why she does the things that she does.

Overall I enjoyed this story, and I think any fan of greek mythology would.

A stunningly written book that retells Clytemenstra's story with care, beauty and intelligence. My favorite read of 2023 so far!

Overall, I really enjoyed Casati's debut novel. I knew nothing about the eponymous protagonist before picking up the book, but that didn't make the story any less enjoyable. Casati's writing is emotive and illustrative, ebbing and flowing with the twist and turns of the story. While the novel wasn't exactly a quick read, I wasn't ready for it to end, either. Throughout, the reader has to pay close attention to details throughout, almost like an intriguing crime story. The way that Casati winds the narrative around her protagonist, fully embracing the good and bad that live within Clytemnestra, is truly compelling.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOK Landmark Publishing Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Historical Clytemnestra is cast as a conniving and treacherous spouse who betrays her husband after the Trojan War. This book seeks to recast her motives by telling her version of the story, just like Elphaba, or the Wicked Witch, in Wicked.

Before you begin the novel, you already know how it ends. Clytemnestra murders her husband after returning from the Trojan war. How then will Casati create a fresh experience for the readers?

She used great research of the historical era. I learned a great deal about the Spartan nobles and princesses and how they were the free women of the Greek. They are not modern day free, but they are taught to fight until they are child-bearing, and often times get to choose their own spouse.

The contrast between the Spartan women and the rest of the Greek women was a great way to show the freedom of Clytemnestra as she’s forced to operate outside of Sparta. In Mycenae, men do not see her as an equal, yet she demands to rule and take traditionally male tasks while Agamemnon is at war.

Clytemnestra is her father’s favorite and trained to be a fair ruler. She is an embodiment of fierce, motherly, calculating, conniving, and resilient strength.

The retelling was fresh, heavily researched, moving, and unexpected despite being one of the oldest stories of our time. I put this book up there with Circe as one of my favorites in the category of Greek retelling and feminist anthems.

Excellent book - big and bold and dramatic and lyrical. This debut novels packs a powerful punch - about a strong woman who loses so much and fights so hard and rules with fierceness - a Greek myth retelling that is smart and feminist leaning - I’m giving all current likes 4 stars

Clytemnestra is probably most well known in Greek mythology as the murderer of her husband, Agamemnon, after returning from the Trojan War. This feat is... well, perhaps impressive isn't the right word for a murder but let's just go with that. It is impressive, especially after all of the harm Agamemnon did during the Trojan War, including the death of his daughter. People who have read the Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller will hate him even more, as he serves sort of as the main antagonist of that book and does even more horrible things. And trust me, if you have only read the Song of Achilles and already hate Agamemnon's guts, you haven't seen anything yet.

It is Agamemnon's evil nature that coexists with Clytemnestra in this book. We see how his actions have harmed her, and they essentially shape this woman into an evil woman herself. But unlike Agamemnon, her actions are more justified, and seeing her turn from a rather innocent girl into the wicked Queen she becomes is both heartbreaking and awesome. As one would think by reading the title, she is the star of this book, and her development and character are an interesting read.

It is when the book doesn't focus directly on Clytemnestra and her overall goal that the book begins to suffer. There are definitely some pacing issues, which aren't helped by the abundance of characters that appear, both original and directly from mythology. It results in large chunks of the book being very slow, but thankfully it picks right back up when we focus back on Clytemnestra.

I think that fans of other Greek mythology retellings will enjoy this book. Being more familiar with the many characters that appear in this book helps with some of the slower moments. But Clytemnestra's journey to becoming a wicked and cunning Queen is worth the read.