I loved Hera's POV in the first book and it took me a second to figure out who was giving their POV for this one. Aphrodite was alright as the narrator for this story. I feel like this book was sooo long though, and there was so much going on that at times I was either lost or uninterested. This book focused a lot more on Orestes, Menalaus, and Elektra. I felt like Penelope was kind of in the background, but I am hoping that changes for the next book. The author does a good job of giving light to every character in this book. I did find Helen's character description to be very different from other stories I have read. I find Helen to be an extremely frustrating character in greek mythology anyways though, so i found this dopey version of her accurate, haha!! I loved the first book so much, I just fell like this one fell flatter for me. I am sure it is getting up for the bigger story and the final trilogy book but it was just kind of boring. I still enjoyed it to a point though.

We find ourselves on the barren island of Ithaca once again, and now King Orestes and his sister have arrived seeking asylum from King Menelaus. Claire North once again writes with such beautiful and descriptive imagery. I really enjoyed this second book in the trilogy and felt like it moved at a much better pace than the first. It was fun to follow the tale through the eyes of Aphrodite, and I enjoyed how different that made this book from the first with Hera. If you like writing that appreciates the muscles of men's bodies and a more sensual take on the world then you're in luck with this viewpoint! I also liked meeting another of the infamous queens, Helen, and seeing how she hid her intelligence behind superficial chatter. It really makes you re-examine the meaning of power, especially in a world run by men. The women of Ithaca and Penelope are so strong, and watching her outmaneuver kings to take back a little control is so satisfying. Penelope's long speech to Orestes about forgiveness was so well written!

I really recommend this book for fans of Greek Mythology and fantasy. While it is the second book, I think if you have a basic understanding of Odysseus' tale you can easily jump into the trilogy here. I'm looking forward to reading the final book in "The Songs of Penelope," especially with Odysseus entering the narrative. I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley for my opinions.

I ultimately DNFed this at about 20%. While I loved the concept in Ithaca of Hera's narration, Aphrodite turned out to be too much for me. She went on and on about things I did not feel mattered, and I didn't feel like I was connecting with either the characters or the plot. Had this book continued with Hera's narration, I think I would have enjoyed it more.

North's writing, however, is beautiful, so I will likely continue to look into her future works.

Thank you to Redhook Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early read. This picks up right where Ithaca ends. If you loved Ithaca like I did then you will love this one as well. I HIGHLY recommend checking this one out. I think Claire North did better with Elektra than Saint did.

The second installment in Claire North’s Songs of Penelope series is House of Odysseus. Told this time from Aphrodite’s perspective, the story picks up nearly where it left off, after the death of Clytemnestra. Her children are missing from Mycenae, and her son has gone mad, presumably tormented by the matricide he committed. Soon he and Elektra appear on Ithaca’s shores, and their terrible uncle Menelaus, along with the infamous Helen, is not far behind. Aided by her secret league of female warriors, Penelope must once again balance justice with politics to get both herself and Ithaca through this fraught situation intact.

I really enjoyed the continuation of this series, a detailed look into the many years of Penelope life while Odysseus is away. Though I found Aphrodite’s narration slightly crass and overbearing at times, and preferred Hera’s viewpoint in the first book, the pacing worked better here. This story and the characters in it had real teeth, including Penelope, who gets stronger with each book.

I highly recommend this to readers who want a well-written, character-forward, detailed, historical fiction style look into this overlooked part of Greek mythology. I am looking forward to continuing the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook for the advanced reader copy.

House of Odysseus released August 22, 2023.

"House of Odysseus" by Claire North is an absolute masterpiece that takes us on a gripping journey to the enchanting isle of Ithaca. In this vividly crafted world, we witness the complexities of power, the haunting specter of the past, and the indomitable spirit of its characters.

Claire North's storytelling prowess shines as she weaves a tale of Queen Penelope's unwavering strength and cunning. Penelope's struggle to maintain peace in her husband Odysseus' absence is portrayed with finesse, drawing us into her intricate web of diplomacy and deception. The return of Orestes, haunted by guilt and madness, adds a compelling layer to the narrative, and his complex character development keeps us enthralled.

What truly sets this book apart is the rich tapestry of characters and their secrets. Elektra's fierce determination to protect her brother, Helen of Troy's enigmatic presence, and the ever-watchful goddess Aphrodite all contribute to the story's depth and intrigue. As these secrets unravel, they shape the world in ways both unexpected and enthralling.

"House of Odysseus" is a testament to Claire North's ability to breathe life into ancient myths and legends, offering a fresh and captivating perspective on well-known characters. With its impeccable pacing, intricate plot, and beautifully drawn characters, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling journey through the complexities of power, love, and destiny. Claire North has truly outdone herself with this enchanting tale that will leave readers eagerly awaiting her next literary masterpiece.

I haven't read a Claire North book in a while so I was kind of going into this one blind. (Not about the story 😂, about the writing style and so on.)
I actually really enjoyed Claire's writing style, it felt flowy and made for a smooth reading experience.
I have been looking for more Greek mythology books to read lately so this was a perfect pick up for me. I like how it story was told through a goddess's perspective. I also didn't know much about Penelope and I kind of feel in love with her character in this book.
This book ended like there maybe a third book in this series and I am here for it.

House of Odysseus by Claire North
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(The Songs of Penelope, #2)

Like many Greek Mythology retellings, I’m amazed at the time, attention, and research that goes into crafting the plot and characters. What made this book stand out from others I’ve read is that it was told from the prospective of the goddess Aphrodite.

Before I read Ithaca (The Songs of Penelope, #1) I read Clytemnestra by Constanza Casati. In my opinion, I was glad I read that first as it provided a lot of information about Clytemnestra, Helen, and Penelope who are all important characters in both Ithaca and House of Odysseus. However, it is not required by any means and you can enjoy Ithaca and House of Odysseus by themselves.

This book is lengthy, and you do have to take time to remember who each person is. At times I felt like I was wondering where the story was heading, but eventually you see how all the details weave themselves together to make for a satisfying conclusion. It was intriguing to see the roles the god and goddesses played within the storyline. At times, I felt like I was standing next to Aphrodite as she was watching events take place because of North’s storytelling abilities. Throughout the book, I was cheering and rooting for the women and the power they held.

I would highly recommend this book so you too can experience the adventures, and both the physical and mental battles that transpire. This book released on August 22, 2023 so it is ready to be enjoyed (after reading Ithaca).

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love how this is told from Aphrodites POV. It’s so unique for a Greek mythology retelling to be told from the point of view of a god who knows and sees all and that’s something I love about this series it brings something new to the table in a popular story/myth.

What an absolute delight!

My absolute favorite book of 2022 was ITHACA. I loved the story and the voice of the main narrator was wonderful. So I was impatiently waiting to see book two. When I got it I was surprised and worried about a change in narrator. Would she be as biting and funny as Hera was in book one? I might not be the best reader for these books since I have very little knowledge of Greek myths and the tale of Odysseus. Was I going to like Aphrodite as the main voice of House of Odysseus?

I should have trusted the author a little more. This book was just as wonderful as book one. I am driving everyone nuts with how much I praise this series. If you love me you will read this. I swear by Hera, you will love it. It is full of everything I love, a little sarcasm, a lot of wit, found family, brilliant, brave women and even a couple of surprising male heroes in a world where male heroism is vaunted but lacking. I am here in the same place I was after book 1. Impatient for book 3.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley.

This brilliant book left me with a smile on my face. Claire North's exceptional retelling of the Penelopiad had me laughing out loud, which was so enjoyable. As the second part of the trilogy, House of Odysseus surpasses Ithaca and I cannot wait for the next one.

Although the story began slowly and required me to jog my memory about where we last left Odysseus' wife, it quickly picked up steam. The House of Odysseus moves the plot forward, with Orestes and Elektra facing off against King Menelaus of Sparta, who covets the title of King of Kings. However, as usual, the so-called heroes neglect the women, who manipulate their situations to their advantage, despite being beaten, raped, or ignored.
I cannot praise this book highly enough- it's an absolute pleasure to read. Claire North has outdone herself. I wish all retellings were this good. House of Odysseus offers a fresh outlook on various goddesses, Spartans, and particularly, Helen. It is highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! 3.75/5 ✨ (rounded up) The 2nd book in The Songs of Penelope series. I enjoyed reading this book told from the perspective of Aphrodite, goddess of love.

Reading from her pov was super interesting and loved her voice. I am obsessed with all them women in this novel especially Penelope & Helen.

Claire North is very detailed & descriptive in her writing and I felt like I was transported to that time.

The plot even had a bit of mystery (who dunnit) & I was trying to figure out who it was. It was very clever & I honestly didn’t see it coming.

Women run the world 💪🏽

This the second installment of Claire North’s retelling of the penelopaid and it was funny, and contemplative, and feminist and I love it. If you liked Circe this series is for you.

I’ll start by saying I love the premise of depicting the horrible hand Penelope was dealt when Odysseus left and the lengths she would have to go to protect her island.

I loved Hera as a narrator in Ithaca and I was a little sad to see her go, but the change in narrator ended up being a brilliant decision.

Here we have Aphrodite continuing with the story where it was left in Ithaca. This was initially really cool because we got a new perspective on characters we already knew, which ended up giving us a deeper understanding of them. But at the end of the day, Aphrodite was the perfect narrator for the story because it is about how love motivates us. The love of another, the love of our people, and even the love of power.

Also chapter 38 may have been one of the best chapters in a book I’ve ever read.

The ending perfectly set up the next installment and I cannot wait.

I will leave you with this gem:

“the curves of womanhood that change as women age, flesh moving here and there of its own accord to create new contours that the nymphs mock and deride, not understand what it is to live in a body that is the mirror to your soul”

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for an advanced copy.

I liked the pacing on this one much more than the first and I felt like there was more action. I really like the concept that each book has been told from a different goddesses POV while also mixing in some history around that goddess. I feel like the author does a great job of building characters so that you really do have feelings towards them, like King Menelaus and his pompous personality that is overly sweet and fake.

Claire North is the queen of mythology. I always love a re-telling from a different perspective, especially that of a woman.

House of Odysseus has all the makings of an epic novel but without the length. Worth a read for fans of mythology and historical fiction.

Happy Pub Day to House or Odysseus! I loved Ithaca and was thrilled to get an advanced copy of the sequel.

We hear the events of this book in the voice of Aphrodite, a great follow up to the first book told from the POV of Hera. The book follows her favorites in their quests for power and safety and her pet cause, love.

IMHO Claire north is a master of Greek retellings in par with Jennifer Saint and Madeline Miller.

My thanks to Redhook for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

In this second installment of the Songs of Penelope, we are shown the aftermath of Orestes having killed his mother, Clytemnestra, to avenge his father Agamemnon. In the time following Clytemnestra's murder on Ithaca, Elektra and Orestes return to Ithaca for Penelope's help in concealing that Orestes is sick (and being tormented by unseen Furies). They plan to keep this from Menelaus, who would use it as an excuse to take the throne from Orestes and rule over a larger empire. This only compounds the issues that Penelope is going through herself, as she expertly fends off suitors in an effort to keep Ithaca in her own family.

The pacing of this story is steady, told from the point of view of Aphrodite (whose narrations border on funny yet distracting with some of her word choices). The series continues its theme of the strength of women in the face of men who underestimate them, and I enjoyed it very much. The only difficulty at times is the sheer number of names to remember in this story! Some of the fringe characters can get lost in the narrative and if you asked me to name any characters apart from the main ones, I wouldn't be able to give you any with real certainty. For this reason, I largely ignored them if they were not essential to the main plot.

I am looking forward to the next installment, as the cliffhanger this one ended on was a very good one!

Almost 20 years after her husband sailed off to fight for the return of another man’s wife, Penelope is facing an ever more precarious hold on her throne. Suitors circle like sharks, hoping to declare Odysseus dead and Penelope eligible to wed once again. Telemachus has secretly sailed off in search of his father. Meanwhile, the goddesses watch the women of Ithaca.

[b:House of Odysseus|61346133] is the sequel to [b:Ithaca|59416521], [a:Claire North|7210024]’s retelling of Penelope’s story as she endures Odysseus’s delayed return. While her husband is off in the arms of Calypso, the Ithacan queen faces an invasion of her own: Menelaus comes seeking his nephew, King Orestes, who is being driven mad by the Furies for killing his mother as revenge for the death of his father. His sister Elektra brings him – and mortal danger – to Penelope and Ithaca as she seeks to defend his hold of the Mycenaean throne from Meneleas’s hunger for power.

As a feminist retelling, [b:House of Odysseus|61346133] is more than serviceable. North’s Ithaca is a kingdom dominated by bloviating men but controlled by women determined to outsmart and outmaneuver them, even as they take care not to seem to get ideas beyond their place. We see a different side to Penelope through the eyes of narrator Aphrodite than we did in <i>Ithaca</i> through Hera. As Aphrodite, North’s narration was slow to get going – she tends toward floridness and travels down unrelated paths that seem to try to make her as interesting as the maltreated Hera, but doesn’t quite succeed. Penelope is almost maddeningly unflappable, though passionate Aphrodite does see her tempted by the exotic foreigner, Kenamon. Elektra – who ranged from inscrutable to enraged in <i>Ithaca</i> as she seeks the death of her mother Clytemnestra, is reduced to weeping at her brother’s bedside. As much fun as it is to see Penelope run circles around Menelaus and roll her eyes at Helen, the king is little more than a buffoon. At least Helen’s simpering chatter is a mask as she finds a way to survive her post-“abduction” return to Mycenae.

Looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy with [b:The Last Song of Penelope|195113207] next year.

[b:House of Odysseus|61346133]
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫 3.5 stars rounded up
🗡️ Don’t read if squeamish
🐐I appreciate North’s realistic picture of Ithaca’s… smelliness
😵‍💫 Just couldn’t keep all the maids and suitors straight
🦉 So, will Athena be our next narrator?

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.</i>

Did you want Claire North's Ithaca to be less of a book about power dynamics and more horny? Well, now you can have the second without sacrificing the first, as Aphrodite is the narrator of this one!

Look, this is a book about war, power, and patriarchy. Yes, there's no one Aphrodite wouldn't, given the right circumstances, but despite being a little wary, I grew to love the goddess of love as a narrator almost as much as bitchy Hera. Although it's not her purview, per se, that doesn't mean she's not involved in a hundred different ways...and I think that's as clever a choice as Hera's "Ithaca, what a dump" energy.

Or maybe that's just how North MAKES it.

The power of women, I suppose.

I’ve never been a huge fan of Greek myths, other than the original tellings. I blame being an English teacher, and assigning ‘The Odyssey’ as part of required reading for many years. So I’m very selective about retellings of myths to pick up. I loved CIRCE when I read it a couple years ago, but it wasn’t until I picked up ITHACA this year, that I became a fan of newly told myths.

THE HOUSE OF ODYSSEUS is the second installment of The Songs of Penelope, in which Odysseus’s faithful wife and queen of Ithaca is a fleshed out version of Homer’s original. And I must say, I *love* her. North both sharpens and dulls Penelope’s one-dimensional mold. She is as shrewd and cunning—more, I would argue—as her husband, and just as deliciously flawed.

I love the layers North has built of her: queen, mother, politician, woman. And what all those titles entail. This sequel pits her against her uncle, Menelaus, sees the return of her cousins, Elektra and Orestes, and introduces us to the illustrious Helen of Troy.

In place of Hera, Aphrodite is the omniscient deity narrating this tale, and she delivers the story with the same snark tempered with some tenderness for the mortals under her watch, as her stepmother. The plot deals with the fallout of Orestes’s actions at the end of ITHACA, and once again, Penelope’s gift for subterfuge plays a role in resolving the conflicts. There is even an unexpected subplot in which Penelope has to play detective, which only highlights her brilliance as a character.

Overall, this was a delight to read and once again revisit the little island of Ithaca. My only gripe, and it’s so minor that it can be overlooked, is that Aphrodite’s voice sounds an awful lot like Hera, but again, it’s negligible. I’m so pleased to discover that The Songs of Penelope is a trilogy, and I am eager to find out what happens in the story.

Thank you to @orbitbooks_us #redhookbooks and @netgalley for an early copy of this delightful sequel in North’s Songs of Penelope series!