Clytemnestra- A Spartan Princess, Sister of Helen, Wife of King of Kings, Queen of Mycenae but more than all of that, a Mother.

A mother who was murdered by her very own son.

Why? Because of Greek gods tradition of avenging their father’s murder. Why should fathers only be avenged? Why should only all fathers be avenged, and not mothers or children? Why Patriarchy trumps over everything, in times ancient and even in present times, in certain countries and cultures?

When will we get over this mentality and break free our society from patriarchy? This book poses beautiful questions whose answers will help refine your thinking.

This is a great book, and something that should be a part of your TBR pile. Only con: I wish it was slightly crisp in the beginning because at one point it felt like it dragged on and on. But when you continue turning the pages, it gets better.

Rating - 4/5

Thank you to Sourcebook Landmark and Netgalley for the digital ARC of A SPARTAN'S SORROW. This review is entirely my own thoughts and opinions based on the ARC.

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A Spartan's Sorrow is a fantastic feminine rage retelling into the myth of Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon, who sacrificed their eldest daughter to bring back the wind so he could finally set sail to Troy. Fearing for the rest of her children's lives, Clytemnestra stops at nothing to keep them safe, but can one go to far?

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MY THOUGHTS:

I love Greek tales. I grew up on a steady diet of reading Greek Mythology and all the supernatural trials and tribulations their heroes went through. Greek re-tellings will always be a favorite of mine to sink into and this did not disappoint.

Hannah Lynn did a fabulous job of keeping true to the atmosphere of Greek Mythology, the verbiage, the caidence, the culture, while also modernizing Clytemnestra's tale. She did a fabulous job keeping true to the tragedy of her story. (I'm not saying I cried, but like... it was weird. it started raining inside the house sooo).
The Clytemnestra of Hannah's book is first and foremost, a mother and she will stop at nothing to protect her children, even from their own father, even at the risk of her own relationships with her children. She is fierce, she is loving, she is a Queen. There is never a moment when her character doesn't drop the air of regalness, even when in dire moments. Hannah does an excellent job portraying the moral grey dance Clytemnestra does throughout this book as she struggles with being true to herself while also ensuring her actions protect her children and herself.
The constant hypocrisy of what is okay for men to do and not okay for women to do is put on full display as Clytemnestra's tale continues to unravel. A son must avenge his father, but what about a mother avenging her husband and son? What about a mother protecting her children from an abusive husband and neglectant father? Men can have concubines and multiple wives, but women cannot take a single lover? I felt for Clytemnestra as she struggled to navigate these waters.

I especially appreciated that Clytemnestra's story did not end with her death. It continued on as her son begins to deal with the consequences of his actions—so great in fact that the gods themselves had to step down and intervene. This gave way to a riveting trial where hard truths were brought up and put on display in a skillfully written way. My only complaint is that those who encouraged her son's betrayal (mainly his friggen sister) were never held responsible for the fact that needled him into doing something he repeatedly stated he did not want to do.

All in all, this was such a great book. I almost read it in an entire day, I was so caught up in it. I absolutely need to read more of Hannah's Greek retellings!

Once again, I'm raving about Hannah Lynn. I will read everything this woman writes. I get so caught up in her words that i forget I'm reading. Love love love. This might just be my favorite book, and Clytemnestra holds such a special place in my heart.

I loved the female strength in this book. It intertwines history with the author's own creative stories beautifully. There's drama, romance, tension and everything in between. Loved this author's other works and will keep an eye out for more of their stuff! :)

**I received this as a free ARC from NetGalley.**

I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked from the first chapter, and crying pretty soon after that. I felt like it was a fresh retelling of the myth, and it dealt with the tricky issues really well. The characters were believable and alive, all with different motives, feelings, and understandings of what was happening to and around them.

I can't wait to read more from Hannah Lynn!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. I was hopeful of this being a new spin on Clytemnestra and giving more insight into her psyche but that felt like it was done better by Costanza Casati. This did not have any moments in Clytemnestra's life before the Trojan War is about to begin beyond dialogue from Clytemnestra as she remembers. Nothing about her relationship with her parents or her siblings which could have enhanced her character even more. The parts following Orestes and his murder and subsequent torture by the Fates was well executed but I was here for Clytemnestra. It was still good for what it was but I was left wanting more. 3 stars.

This captivating story takes place in ancient Greece and tells the moving tale of Clytemnestra. After her husband Agamemnon tragically sacrifices their eldest daughter, Clytemnestra is determined to protect her remaining children at any cost. The story explores themes of love, grief, and revenge, vividly portraying Clytemnestra as a powerful queen caught in a whirlwind of divine punishment and family conflicts. Lynn's expert storytelling, rich historical detail, and complex character development made me feel deeply connected to the struggles and triumphs of Clytemnestra and her son Orestes.

The tale of Clytemnestra, a Queen of Ancient Greece, has been told many times, having come down to us through Homer’s Iliad, the story of the Siege of Troy. But the queen didn’t set sail for Troy, and Hannah M. Lynn stands fast with this Spartan woman, left behind to hold court for ten long years. A SPARTAN’S SORROW focuses on the woman behind the story of revenge, murder and grief.
Continued.

This is such an emotional and heartbreaking story. This Greek mythology retelling shares the story of Clytemnestra, wife of King Agamemnon and Queen of Mycenae, and her heartbreak as a mother. 
 
Hannah Lynn did such a great job with her research for this book. When it comes to Greek mythology, the stories have been told so many times by so many, and over time, details get changed or added, giving us now so many different ways to interpret them. 
 
While reading this book, I was really able to connect to Clytemnestra as a mother. She wanted nothing more than for her children to be safe and happy, and any mother can relate to that. My heart broke for Clytemnestra for all the heartbreak she went through, and I was 100% in support of her revenge on her horrible husband. 
 
I loved how the book progressed, starting with Agamemnon and what started this story. Then it opens to Clytemnestra and her life and years as Queen, ruling over Mycenae while Agamemnon and the men were at war. Eventually, the story progresses into her son's point of view, his life after his father's death, and the heartbreak he had to endure. I thought the POV of Orestes was so great and really did a good job at closing the story. My heart broke for him throughout his entire POV. 
 
Hannah Lynn did such an amazing job bringing new light to these well-known Greek mythological characters. She wrote the story with Greek mythology facts as well as making it her own in such a great way. I loved Athena's Child, her first book in the Grecian Women series, and I am so excited to read the next ones too!

What an amazing Story. I am a fan of Hanna Lynn and her way with words. A mothers determination to protect her daughter no matter the situation tugged at my heart strings. I loved the power, love, and vulnerbility that was given to Clytemnestra was amazing and i cried and i am not sorry about it. This book is just amazing.

This is a very interesting book about revenge and is a book that is intense and emotional. It is a story that takes you on a journey in a time when you had to be strong and in control. It is about mother's protecting their clan, protecting their precious children.

I really enjoyed how this book grabbed me from the very first page and didn't let me go. I kept reading and didn't want to put it down as I felt I wanted to be there, be in the story and the moment. It is just a gripping and a great depiction of Greek Mythology. One that is well worth the read.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Step into the world of 'A Spartan's Sorrow' and prepare to be swept away by a tale that tugs at your heartstrings. Like the Barbie movie made you want to hug your mom, this book makes you want to be fierce for your daughter. Through the eyes of Clytemnestra, you'll feel the weight of her sadness, heat of her hatred and the strength of her resolve. It's a story that stays with you, reminding us of the enduring power of the human spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the ARC of A Spartan's Sorrow.

I don't think this was the best Trojan War retelling I've ever read. But I think it was pretty close to the top of the list. It was fun to read but I don't know if there were enough totally unique elements to make it a 5 star.

I feel like a lot of books forget to mention that Clytemnestra is a spartan warrior. At the same time, she was a really great mom and I think some authors would have lacked the ability to create such a multifaceted character. I think Hannah Lynn did a really good job with that. It was fun to read about Clytemnestra training her children and running with the guards. Her fight with Elektra was one of the best scenes in the book. I liked how accepting she was of Orestes's passivity and curiosity. It was cool that she really let all of her children do what made them happy and supported them through it. I liked that she tried to weave with Chryothemis even though she hated it. I think the author also did a good job of showing grief. The scenes where Clytemnestra is running everyday because she wasn't fast enough to get to Iphigenia were really powerful.

I think this was my favorite portrayal of Orestes (especially his relationship with Pylades) and Aegisthus but my least favorite portrayal of Elektra. I think it would have been more enjoyable if Elektra had even one redeeming quality or if Clytemnestra had made any effort to get her back. On the other hand, I did LOVE that Agamemnon had no redeeming qualities.

4 Stars

A Spartan’s Sorrow follows Clytemnestra, Queen of Mycenae, who is married to King Agamemnon, a truly horrible, evil man. When Agamemnon willingly sacrifices their eldest daughter to appease the gods, Clytemnestra vows to do whatever it takes to protect her remaining children. But history turns strong women into monsters, and in saving her family she risks losing them altogether and becoming the most hated woman in Greece. Will her son be forced to avenge his father’s murder?

This book dropped me right into Ancient Greece, in the best of ways. The author’s writing was superb, and her storytelling was captivating from the beginning. Each character had depth and complexity, and even knowing Greek mythology, I found myself wondering what would happen as this book took me along for a fantastical ride into a world where gods and monsters are real. Enjoyable read!

Thank you to the author and Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the ARC! This is my honest feedback and review of this book.

Something happened when I turned 25 and now feel an overwhelming surge of empathy for mothers and stories about mothers. I think Hannah does a great job telling Clytemnestra’s story from her POV and the maternal grief and rage she faces for decades at the hand of her husband. This story is one that embraces and harnesses female rage, while also doing a great job demonstrating the range of emotions and experiences of her children and lover. I particularly enjoyed Orestes storyline and POV. Another great female-focused Greek mythological retelling.

I received a copy from NetGalley for review.

So I really love Hannah's greek retellings. They follow stories that I don't think I would have known about otherwise. I enjoy that they mostly follow the women of the Greek mythos. Clytemnestra was done so dirty in the end though. I know this is how the myth goes and I know that it's a tragedy, but it would be so nice if a woman could come out on top in the end for once. Also her kid definitely deserved what he got. She did everything to raise him and Electra and his bestie poisoned him against her. That being said I can't wait for the next one in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an eARC of "A Spartan's Sorrow" by Hannah M. Lynn. Keep reading for my honest review.

This is great for fans of Greek mythology, Madeleine Miller, and Jennifer Saint. A Spartan's Sorrow tells a tale of love and loss through Clytemnestra's marriage to Agamemnon, the king of kings.

For those that have read Elektra by Jennifer Saint, this is the same story of familial betrayal. The way that Lynn tells the story pulls the emphasis away from just the main women, and instead brings the persepctive of Orestes.

With that in mind, it is slightly less of a feminist take on the tragedy. I don't think that makes it a less meaningful version of the story, especially considering how prominent Clytemnestra's love and loyalty to her children is in this retelling.

Fun Fact: Did you know that modern-day Sparta is located in Laconia, Greece. It is still to this day called Sparta and exists in the same spot along the Eurotas River. Clytemnestra was a Spartan warrior princess.

A Spartan's Sorrow is a retelling of Clytemnestra's story. Clytemnestra is a hated woman who kills her husband Agamemnon and Cassandra after he returns from Troy. But was she really that petty and jealous?

Greek retelling is an art. To reconstruct these stories, an author needs a finesse. Are all the villains really bad and evil, or are they portrayed that way because they are women? Clytemnestra is one such character. She is a Spartan princess, woman, queen, and wife, but foremost, she is a mother. What length can she go to protect her loved ones?

Greek mythology is full of patriarchal nuances, and the author has done an amazing job with this story. The ending was not my favorite, but this is not a happily ever after fairytale. The games Gods play seldom are. I enjoyed the interlude between Apollo and Athena.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Landmark @bookmarked , for this book.

CW: This book is based on the Greek retelling and contains some heavy triggers.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I did not take any courses in Greek Mythology in High School or College. I see I have been missing out on some great stories!
I devoured this retelling of Clytemnestra. I was hooked from the first chapter and could not wait to see how this one played out. I had a tiny bit of backstory of Achilles and Helen of Troy, but that was the extent of my knowledge.
With so much love, loss and betrayal I knew I was in for a wild ride.
That last paragraph had me doing a deep dive on the internet for more information on Orestes.

4.05!

“One is not worth more than the other. Men are not more worthy. Fathers are not more worthy. Do you think a god would be here defending a girl who had killed her father? Of course not. She would be hanged, or worse.”

The main plot of this book is whenever a king is killed in order for his son to ascend the throne he must kill the murderer and of course women can not sit on the throne because MEN>WOMEN (avg. greek myth lore) but tbh I liked how Clymenstra was portrayed as a bad ass and I wish we got a different outcome for her. Back to the plot, so after Agmmenon sacrifices their daughter to escape consequences for his own mistakes which leads to Clymenstra planning her revenge. It was going well until it was not. I also must say the spartans sorrow was actually a really great title.

Clymenstra, honestly had my whole heart and I loved her because she struggled so much!! first getting her first husband and daughter killed so Agmmemnon and claim her and then killing their daughter for a sacrifice and he also abused her a lot and honestly she went through so much and the way her whole healing journey is written along with the time jumps is so good!! Agesthius, out love interest, who is also Agmemnon's brother (heehe forbidden romance) but honestly he was the father and the husband Clymenstra and her kids never had and I loved how he contributed so much to her healing journey and the love that they had for each other was very beautifully written. Their romance did not occupy a lot of the screen time but it was one that I liked a lot.

The children, I forgot the name of the first born but I liked her the most because she actually had a brain but it felt like near the end of the second part the author just forgot about her and then we had the second daughter Elektra and OMG I hated her so much, I literally wanted to backhand her. She was so brainwashed that led to her doing incredibly stupid things and even after knowing the truth she still acted the way she acted meaning she was too far gone and finally Osthereus I actually liked him a lot during the first two parts even in the first few chapters of part three because he was being brainwashed and was doing things against his will but I cant say much without spoiling. What he did, did not really bother me, it was how he did it and the outcome of it that made me angry.

I did enjoy this one a lot until the the third part of the book I was loving it. It was well written. I was feeling all the vibes, the greek mythology aspect was done well. I was rooting for the characters, it was so well thought and so well executed and even read like a tv show with all the time jumps which honestly did not bother me, it would have been a 4,5 at least if not for the end because part three which consists of 6 chapters and an epilogue ruined it tbh to some extent but I also could not rate it any lower than this because it was actually very written.

SPOILERY BIT

I hate athena she is such a hypocrite. I hate her and I also hate how ors did not face any consequences for killing his mother and still loved his bf who literally orchestrated the whole thing and killed agesthius plus his little brother and omg I hated how elektra got a happy ending?? I WAS JUST SO MAD AT THE END I CANT EVEN FORM WORDS RN

SPOILERY BIT

Overall, I enjoyed it a lot and I will ignore the third part and make up my own ending because I refuse to accept that and I also got the arcs of the next two books in this series. SO safe to say, I will be reading them.