This is the second book of The Songs of Penelope series, and know that I did not read the first book. This did not deter me from jumping right into House of Odysseus at the time when Penelope has been without a husband for far too long. Odysseus has long been gone and Penelope has no idea when/if he will ever regain his throne. This is even more difficult for her as, unlike Clytemnestra, she has no interest taking over her husband duties and become the official Queen of Ithaka sitting on her husband's throne. Elektra arrives urgently with her brother Orestes, King of Mycenae, who previously killed his mother Clytemnestra, and seems to not get past some poisoning someone has inflicted on his. Elektra want to hide her brother so he doesn't appear weakened and ill in front of his people. But he is not recovering from the poisoning. Penelope observes the patterns and she has her doubts on who the culprit of this ailment is sitting their with them, traveling alongside them, and maintains the poison in Orestes's system.

I have to admit that I enjoyed the beginning because if the exhilaration I automatically feel every time I start reading a new Greek mythology retelling. But I slowly started to get bored but the florid writing, the many unnecessary details I was skimming through. Too many characters. I love slow burns but this book was another level. Around 66% into the book, I suddenly woke up by a major twist related to a character I dislike and who pleasantly surprised me. So much so, I started rooting for her! The last 10% of the book were my favorite part. Everything gets untangled and I was impressed by the strength of some characters and I appreciated Claire North taking the time to give them a voice and letting them explain why they did what they did and the explanations were super satisfying. I love Penelope, Elektra and Helen so much. Exquisite characters who have so much to hide that most don't know their true selves. I am giving this book a 4 star instead of a 5 because the build-up was too long. Other than that, it was perfect!

A big thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for letting me enjoy an e-ARC in exchange on my honest review.

House of Odysseus was a great read! The story is told from the perspective of the Greek goddess Aphrodite and focuses on the happenings on Ithaca while Odysseus is on his Odyssey. There is a big focus on the storylines of Penelope, Orestes, Electra, and Helen. This was a read that was more light in tone, so it made it perfect for a summer read! I definitely recommend reading this for anyone who is a fan of mythology-based fiction!

I didn't realize this was book 2 in a series when I requested this ARC from NetGalley, so my review is probably skewed because of that.

Overall, this was a good read and it worked as a standalone for the most part. I really enjoyed the author's tone and can't wait to read Ithaca and North's other reads.

Thank You Claire North, Red Hook and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved how Penelope, known for her wise cunning and survival skills in navigating those pesky suitors, flawlessly wove the most audacious plan to secure and defend her kingdom while using and turning her adversaries to her advantage. Its so Penelope! I loved it. The story was so well written and had me hooked from the start! I adore Greek retellings so this was right up my alley. Highly recommended!

If you haven't read a book by Claire North you are missing out on beautiful storytelling. This book and series has quickly become a favorite of mine.
The description of the characters, their unique personality, thier life choices and how it had affected them makes the reader connection with them easily. The author has a great grasp on how to convey each characters background and personality.
This book is a must read with strong female characters.
I cannot wait for the next book.



Description
House of Odysseus continues award-winning author Claire North's Penelope trilogy, "a powerful, fresh, and unflinching" reimagining (Jennifer Saint) that breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men.

On the isle of Ithaca, queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband Odysseus sailed to war with Troy and never came home. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace—a peace that is shattered by the return of Orestes, King of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra.

Orestes' hands are stained with his mother's blood. Not so long ago, the son of Agamemnon took Queen Clytemnestra's life on Ithaca's sands. Now, wracked with guilt, he is slowly losing his mind. But a king cannot be seen to be weak, and Elektra has brought him to Ithaca to keep him safe from the ambitious men of Mycenae.

Penelope knows destruction will follow in his wake as surely as the furies circle him. His uncle Menelaus, the battle-hungry king of Sparta, longs for Orestes' throne—and if he can seize it, no one will be safe from his violent whims.

Trapped between two mad kings, Penelope fights to keep her home from being crushed by a war that stretches from Mycenae and Sparta to the summit of Mount Olympus itself. Her only allies are Elektra, desperate to protect her brother, and Helen of Troy, Menelaus' wife. And watching over them all is the goddess Aphrodite, who has plans of her own.

Each woman has a secret. And their secrets will shape the world.

I hadn’t read North before, but as I’m currently on a Greek retelling kick, after decades of enjoying Norse mythology, I readily seek out the Greek retellings. But I won’t lie. House of Odysseus was a hard book to get into. It was impossibly slow, and I felt like I was reading a 600 page novel. It was when we broke the halfway mark, or so, that I started to really get into the storytelling. It wasn’t just the mundane day-to-day of the women.

Historically, we’ve often viewed Penelope and her situation with the suitors as a weakness; that she and her son could not get them out of the house was due to her inability as queen. But North has shown us that Penelope is anything but. It was interesting to see North’s take on Helen. While I’ve read the Odyssey countless times, you don’t get such a perspective on Penelope or Helen, and I liked North’s take on it.

And as the story includes Orestes, we often read of Clytemnestra, who my heart is still broken for after reading Costanza Casati’s beautiful book of the same name. Overall, this was a thought provoking take on the life on Ithaca and the palace in Odysseus’ absence. Thank you, Redhook Books, for sending over an advanced copy.

I think what I like about this Greek mythology series is how grounded and earthy Claire North makes the old stories feel, while also pulling back the divine curtain on the gods pulling the strings of their human puppets. I particularly enjoy the philosophical discussions between Athena and Aphrodite as they weigh in the balance what it means to be a woman, the foibles of men, and the tensions between justice and desire. Like the first book, I wasn’t too keen on the random, modern-feeling profanity *and* it was hard to read about the atrocities committed against women. But if you’re into mythological retellings, I recommend this feminist take on Penelope, “bereaved” queen and fierce woman.

House of Odysseus, the second installment in Claire North's Penelope trilogy, is a captivating and empowering retelling of the ancient myth of The Odyssey. The novel follows Queen Penelope of Ithaca, a woman of unparalleled wit and strength, as she navigates a delicate balance of power in her husband Odysseus's absence. The narrative amplifies the voices of women who have been wronged, outsmarted men, and displayed indomitable spirit in a world ruled by ruthless kings. North's masterful storytelling brings the ancient world of Ithaca to life, seamlessly blending mythology with contemporary themes of female empowerment and resilience.

Queen Penelope emerges as a compelling and complex heroine, showcasing her intelligence and cunning as she faces challenges to maintain peace on Ithaca, especially with the return of King Orestes of Mycenae and his troubled sister, Elektra. The story explores the power of female camaraderie and emotional intelligence, portraying women as formidable forces in a world dominated by ambitious men. While the narrative is told from the perspective of the goddess Aphrodite, the gripping plot and well-crafted characters captivate readers, making it an unforgettable and emotionally engaging reading experience.

"House of Odysseus" is a compelling addition to Claire North's Penelope series. Set on the picturesque island of Ithaca, the story follows the indomitable Queen Penelope as she maneuvers through a precarious balance of power.

North masterfully navigates the complexities of loyalty, ambition, and guilt as the characters' fates intertwine. Orestes' internal turmoil and the looming threat of his uncle Menelaus of Sparta, hungry for power, create a palpable tension that permeates the narrative. The women of the tale, Penelope and Elektra, wield agency and depth, defying their traditional roles in ancient myth. Their secrets, carefully guarded, hold the key to shaping the tumultuous world they inhabit.

North's prose is rich and immersive, conjuring a vivid landscape that transports readers to the ancient world. The narrative effortlessly oscillates between introspection and action, allowing moments of quiet contemplation to contrast with the mounting tension and inevitable conflicts.

This was such a fun sequel to Ithaca. I loved Aphrodite’s POV. I’m not a but mythology buff, so I struggled following the story and all the characters at times. But I still enjoyed it and looking forward to book three!

Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: August 22, 2023

The second book in Clair North's Penelope trilogy this one picks up not long after the first, Ithaca. While Ithaca was narrated by a brutal Hera, this one is narrated by a hilarious and sassy Aphrodite; man are there some great quotes from her in this! It did take me a little while to get into the book but I was in a bit of a slump so that is either on me or I had to get used to the different narration style but once I did I was hooked!

The plotting and the maneuvering in this book! And the surprises! Looking forward to the conclusion of the trilogy!

I requested this not knowing it was second in a series. I definitely want to read book one now. I don’t feel like I missed anything though in reading this first. I love Greek mythology and learning about other cultures. I absolutely loved learning about Penelope aka Odysseus wife!

Claire North’s trilogy of Greek reworkings offers up three queens (Clytemnestra, Helen, and Penelope) and three goddesses (Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena). The first book, Ithaca, centered on Penelope and Clytemnestra, and was narrated by Hera in a fiercely, sharply wry voice. House of Odysseus picks up shortly after the close of book one and (wholly unnecessary spoiler alert for the old as dirt storyline) the death of Clytemnestra at her son Orestes’ hands. Here the focus remains on Penelope, while Helen (and to a lesser extent Electra) become the other centers of attention. The narrator, meanwhile, shifts from Hera to Aphrodite, who has her own inimitable style. For the most part, House of Odysseus maintains the high quality of its predecessor and leaves me eager for the final book in the series.

Penelope remains bedeviled by the plague of suitors inhabiting her home, but this soon becomes the least of her problems. First, Electra arrives on Ithaca with a possibly mad/possibly poisoned Orestes in tow. While the reader gets to see what Orestes sees — the maddening Furies punishing him for killing his own mother — the characters do not, and so they are left with a screaming mess of a supposed king. Bad enough for Orestes and his sister, but a crazed king is a short-lived king, especially with their uncle Menelaus seeking them out to offer his “assistance”, which in reality means showing the world Orestes is crazy (Electra has so far managed to keep it a secret), killing him, and declaring himself King of all the Greeks. Electra and Orestes have barely arrived and been secreted away before Menelaus himself shows up and, since none of Ithaca’s men have returned from Troy, he basically conquerors the island with a few soldiers and his charming but oh so menacing “I’m here to help” façade. He”s also brought along his famous wife, though she’s a bit more of a ditz and a drunk than her legendary persona. All of which leaves Penelope in a terrible position, one made even worse when a shocking murder takes place within her palace. To save her island, and herself, she has to solve the murder, cure Orestes, keep Orestes (sane or not) out of the hands of Menelaus, somehow get Menelaus off her island, find a traitor in their midst, and of course, deal with the suitors.

Luckily, as crafted by North, she is up to the job, Penelope remains the heart and mind of this trilogy, a true queen who finds ways to wield power despite all the constraints and strictures that seek to prevent her from doing so. Smart, wise, cautious, and pragmatic, she’s a fantastic creation, an older dignified woman who doesn’t need to be sassy or spunky, doesn’t need to bandy repartee. She thinks, she acts, she fears, she both bends and stands firm, she is defiant but not to the point of inanity. It’s a truly mature portrayal. And also a multi-faceted one. In book one, we see Penelope the Queen but also Penelope the mother thanks to the presence of her son Telemachus. Here, Telemachus is gone, off to search for his long-missing father, and the grief of her son’s absence still takes it toll on Penelope. But beyond that, we also see Penelope the woman, as one of the suitors becomes a true ally and friend, with the potential of even more, though I won’t say where that goes.

With Penelope the constant, Helen is the new addition and unfortunately, she can’t match up with her predecessor Clytemnestra from the first book (admittedly a tough bar to match). Helen has her moments, particularly in the latter part of the novel, but it’s pretty easy to see early on what North is doing with her character, which not only makes her storyline predictable but also means the reader has to sit through a seemingly weak character’s annoying tics and flaws while impatiently waiting for the inevitable shift. Fortunately, Helen’s husband Menelaus has more than enough presence, albeit a malevolent one, for both of them, He’s unnervingly compelling, charming yet chilling, and watching him and Penelope match wits is wonderful.

Meanwhile, the shift in narrative voice from Hera to Aphrodite loses some bite, loses some of that sharply incisive commentary Hera was so good at. But Aphrodite, unsurprisingly, has her own charms, it’s a lighter touch and adds some needed humor to a pretty dark, tense storyline. But the best part is her wide ranging musings in the nature of love in all its forms, not just the sexual. Her commentary on her sisters Athena and Artemis is particularly moving and thought-provoking. As a narrator, she doesn’t quite have the impact, the immediate impact of Hera, but she winds her way into your mind and lingers there.

My favorite Greek reimaginings remain the works by Madeleine Miller and Pat Barker, but North’s two books are alone in my “second tier” of such works, with not quite the sweeping power and lyrical grace of those other two but still better than the number of others I’ve read. Given what’s come so far, I have no doubt the next book will cement that placement, and given how this one ends, I’m especially looking forward to its arrival. Strongly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and RedHook for my copy of the House of Odysseus!

I read Ithaca a few months ago so I was very excited when I found that a second book was coming and imagine my delight when I got approved for the ARC! I was ecstatic! I thoroughly enjoyed Claire North's take on the first one and no surprise, I still do on the second one. I'm a little bit surprised that she chose Aphrodite as her narrator for House of Odysseus but it did kind of make sense a few chapters in on why. I enjoyed Aphrodite's narration a lot as it sheds her in a new light as she has been put in a stereotype. It showed more depth to Aphrodite's character.

I also loved every single interaction Laertes and Penelope has. I just find it so humourous whenever they are in a scene together. I am more enraged with Menelaus now after reading this book cause he's just the worst (second to Agamemnon). Helen in this (especially the ending) was just so surprising! Still hate Elektra. And Penelope, my queen. Nothing tops her. She's the best.

This was just so well written and I can't wait to get my hands on the physical book on its release!

In House of Odysseus, Claire North perfectly captures the voice of her narrator: the goddess Aphrodite. Aphrodite is powerful, clever, and effervescent. Written off by many, Aphrodite nonetheless holds influence whether mortals pray to her or not. One of Aphrodite’s favorite mortals, Helen of Troy, plays an important part in House of Odysseus. I appreciated how this story focuses on Helen’s tale after the war is over and Paris has been killed, because it feels like this period of time is typically not covered. Helen was forced to continue on after the final battle concluded and had to deal with the repercussions. Helen’s relationship with Menelaus was terrible to read, but I loved how she ended up with the upper hand. I enjoyed how skillfully Helen manipulates what people expect of her and uses that to her advantage.

Claire North artfully weaves together the stories of Penelope, Helen, and Elektra. North’s writing is detail-oriented and sets the scene beautifully. Readers will vividly feel the harshness of life on Ithaca and the tense political battles. Penelope is such a fantastic character and I loved how she was portrayed here. Penelope holds power in subtle ways and will fight to her last breath to maintain control of Ithaca. She never gives up on the hope of her husband and son’s return, while handling the suitors and invaders by outwitting them. Elektra was the character I knew the least about previously and I enjoyed learning her story, especially her bond with her brother. I also enjoyed how Athena, Artemis, and the Furies were also included in this tale.

Readers who enjoyed The Shadow of Perseus (Claire Heywood) and Psyche and Eros (Luna McNamara) would love this book! Claire North is quickly turning into an auto-buy author for me when it comes to Greek myths. I’d highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reimagined Greek mythology with excellent twists that focuses on powerful women’s stories.

Thank you so much to Claire North, Redhook Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

Thanks to Claire North and Net galley for this arc
When I requested this book I didn’t know it was a the second book in series and I have to read the first one , and that didn’t disappoint talk .
I love the authors writing style .
I loved reading Aphrodite as the narrator and seeing the story through her POV was enjoyable
When it comes to the story I love d how strong Penelope was so strong she is one of my favorite characters from Greek mythology .
This book was just perfection.

As usual, Claire North writes a very solid interpretation of Greek Myth. She highlights the women and portrays them as stronger than the men, which I love.

House of Odysseus has absolutely blown me away. This is a feminist retelling of Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, who was left to run Ithaca for twenty years whilst Odysseus sailed to the Battle of Troy. This story explores female desire, has exceptional political court intrigue, and is a lesson in underestimating women.
I felt way more emotionally invested in all the characters in this book. I think it’s because this story is told from Aphrodite’s point of view, rather than Hera’s. In fact, the point of view of Aphrodite is one of my favourite aspects of this novel. It provides such an amusing more actively participating role in the lives of the characters The pacing is fast and entertaining.

Penelope was the main character of the story but the author highlighted the women who were wronged, the women who outsmarted the men, and the women who bested men in a fight. Whilst I liked Penelope in the story of Ithaca, I fell completely in love with her in House of Odysseus.

3.5 stars. Penelope is still dealing with annoying suitors swarming Ithaca and trying to win her hand when her niece Elektra shows up at the doorstep with an ailing brother in tow. The brother that's now the High King of Greece, Orestes. He's gone mad after killing their mother, and needs a place to hide from their uncle Menelaus, who will surely depose him and take the throne for himself if he sees Orestes' condition. Penelope is wily, but is she crafty enough to manage Menelaus in his singular ambition to scour Ithaca and find Orestes?

I absolutely adored the first book in this series, and this installment was a touch disappointing by comparison. It's very slow-paced, which the first was as well, but my main complaint is the narrator's voice. Book one's narrator was Hera, who was loud, sassy, and ever-present throughout the story. Aphrodite has pick up the narration in <i>House of Odysseus</i>, and though fun, I didn't find her voice to be as strong or engaging as Hera's.

Penelope remains a beloved character along with her clever women, though I have to admit that my favorite character in this book was Laertes, by a landslide! Hilarious. The hijinks everyone gets up to in the story are amusing to picture, though I wish we had perhaps covered a longer timeline. I will most definitely read any other books in this series, though I hope Athena's narration (I presume) in the next book is stronger than I found Aphrodite's to be.

Thank you to Claire North, Redhook Books, and NetGalley for my advance digital copy.

Okay at first I was not into this being mostly Aphrodites POV instead of Hera, but it didn’t take long for me to completely change my mind and love it.

This was a great follow up to Ithaca. The way Claire North writes is so clever and witty but it’s also blink and you might miss it level calculated. This story expanded on the penelope of ithaca in a major way. Not only does she take on Menéalas and kick his ass. She also gets to have complicated and angry feelings toward Odysseus and a bit of a thing with the only decent suitor. FINALLY. She is more than just a sad or angry widow.
I also really enjoyed how Helen is portrayed, the hilarity that is Laertes, and the little murder mystery thrown in for good measure. As I’m writing this I’m changing my rating from 4.5 to 5 stars cause it really was flawless.