Extremely disappointing. I was looking forward to this debut, but stopped halfway through it when learning the author has been review bombing fellow poc debut authors, including those from the same publishing company at that. I didn't even bother adding this as my current read on my fyp. It didn't help that the romance was as another fellow reviewer quoted, "lackluster", and the characters didn't seem to ever evolve.
Hopefully there will be another D&A retelling out there that is more brilliant with an author who isn't intimidated by others' success.

I really did not enjoy this book - I found it hard to get through. While I was very excited for this duo's retelling the characters and depth seemed lacking. I was definitely hoping for more...

After founding out the author was one star bomb reviewing POC books by creating fake accounts, I will not be reading or reviewing this tittle. I was looking forwards to reading it.

DNF @30%

First part of this review, which I wrote before the social media mess:

This had a lot of potential, but felt poorly edited. My brain was itching at all the redundancies, weird turns of phrase, on-the-nose descriptions that don't trust the reader to come to their own conclusions, the INCESSANT use of italics, and most of all the insane amount of infodumping. The author frequently interrupts what should be tense, fast-paced scenes with paragraphs and paragraphs of exposition. It was eventually enough to make me DNF. And it would have been SO easy to fix! So frustrating.

Ariadne's inner monologue felt obnoxious and juvenile, with forced humor and SO. MANY. ITALICS. This book's fatal flaw--besides the horrendously executed exposition--was that I never really bought Ariadne as a character. It was never really explained WHY she was a better person than the rest of her terrible family, having been raised in the exact same environment. She felt less like a character and more like the author's self-insert. I cringed every time a 2020s meme was referenced.

The worldbuilding was... fine, I guess? I don't really understand why it had to be a space opera, since the "space" part is really just aesthetic. I think that's okay, to a degree--I'm not one to crap all over science fantasy, a subgenre I truly love--but some books would just work better as fantasy and this was one of them. The little bits of sci-fi were so underdeveloped, they just felt forced and jarring.

The quick-paced, conversational tone of the narrative will appeal to some readers, I'm sure. It might even have appealed to me if it were better executed, but alas. If you enjoy LGBTQ romantasy with a YA feel (except, with lots of smut), you'll probably enjoy this. That's the highest praise I can bring myself to give this book.

Second part of this review, written today (time of posting):

A brief note on the social media debacle currently unfolding: I had been VERY excited for this book, as a space opera reader and writer, and promoted it wherever I could. I find this turn of events extremely disappointing. Even though I didn't personally enjoy the book, there is precious little adult sci-fi being published and watching an author in that space tank her own career in such a pointless, racist, petty way is... It's just so, so sad.

I find it ironic that this author went after Molly X Chang's book, To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods, in such a vicious way. I've read and reviewed that book as well, and the two have a LOT of problems in common: heavy-handedness, redundant prose, a very YA voice, and some of the worst infodumping I've read in trad pub recently. Yes, they share an editor. Del Rey (specifically Anne Groell), ffs, please start doing your job. TGUWG's writing is a little cleaner, and to my knowledge the author isn't problematic af, so.... if you enjoyed the style and atmosphere of COS but don't want to support Cait Corrain, I recommend checking out TGUWG.

Reconsider publishing this mess. Not only is the author’s behaviour inappropriate and appalling, but the book itself is poorly written with very YA prose (which is fine if this was YA—but it’s not), the dialogue beyond cringe, and the characters really not likeable enough. I also found it is a poor representation of my Greek culture. DNF at around 75%.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

DNF-ed at 64%. To be honest, I really wanted to like this. I mean, Greek mythology + sci-fi element = cool and exciting, right?

Well, not exactly. At first, the pacing was fine and I enjoyed reading about Adriane and her perspective on her father's terrible way of sacrificing people. After escaping her father, everything after that became really boring. I expected more fantasy and less drama/romance. Adriane doesn't really have any personality to her, and all the Greek gods are EXACTLY how you imagine them to be (which IMO isn't good because they're just labelled as good or bad, aka they're one-faced). There's also no real plot that makes me want to continue reading. Also, where is the sci-fi??? It's barely there.

Also, apparently this author supports reviewing bombing, which I don't like.

I wanted to like this book, but the first chapter was so cringy and just not at all well written.

On top of that it’s been spreading on social media that the author has been review bombing other authors with 1 star reviews and pumping up her own book with 5 star reviews. That’s disgusting behavior, and I will NOT support an author like that.

I would give this zero stars if I could.

I started this book, only to discover the recent behavior of the author online. The book itself was fine– it was exactly the kind of thing I craved, as Dionysus and Ariadne are my Roman empire, but it wasn't as engaging as I hoped it would be. Overall, though, I don't wish to support an author who behaves as unprofessionally as Cait Corrain does, which is why I did not finish the book and I am limiting my review to net galley specifically, to spread the word of this behavior.

For more information, see here: https://www.tiktok.com/@xiranjayzhao/video/7310312405571996933?_t=8i2yWmS58d0&_r=1

DNF. I do not support authors who tear down other authors. As much as I wanted to like this book, I won’t let the book community be tainted with this stupid hate.

I can't in good conscience read this book and review it, with all the evidence of the author review bombing other authors and claiming to be the victim. It just doesn't sit right with me. I stick by those authors who were the victims of this slanderous attack and won't be reading this ARC.

the plot/blurb seemed so interesting that i had no choice but to be intrigued in it. the retelling plot was captivating.

however, everything in the book had disappointed me. i didn't feel anything when reading this book, which is a major factor because that simply reflects the author's writing.

the character development could have been a lot better, and i think that if it had, maybe this would have overall been a better book.

thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

This ARC was really good and had the potential to be a major contender in the book community. Unfortunately there is way too much damning evidence that the author review bombed fellow debut authors while upvoting her own book and I cannot support a book, no matter how good, when the author finds it acceptable to behave in this way. Without this, I truly believe this book would have done incredibly well. This review is for the book itself but I will not be recommending this book to anyone I know and will instead be recommending the books of those impacted by this disgusting act.

I'm sure this won't come as a surprise but after some recent events and allegations I will not be moving forward with reading this book.

It's despicable to review bomb other authors and turn around to try to give herself an upperhand in reviews.

As someone said, she had nothing to gain and everything to lose and she's on that road.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for granting my wish for this book. I was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to read and review this novel, and was extremely excited about this book. However, with the actions of the author coming to light about her actions on Goodreads, and attempting to sabotage other debut authors - mostly BIPOC authors as well - I cannot in good conscience support or review this novel. I do not support the racism inherent in attempting to tear down BIPOC authors to make oneself look better, nor the idea of making other authors look bad in an attempt to make yourself look better just in general.

I would be willing to revise my review if the author is willing to make amends for their actions and takes proper steps to do so, but otherwise I will not support this author or these actions. Thank you to Random House Ballantine for this ARC, and I am sorry that the author’s actions have forced this response from the reading community.

I was eagerly anticipating reading this book, however after the events that have transpired this week with this author, I cannot and will not support her work. To purposely target and review bomb BIPOC authors, which is already a marginalized group is absolutely disgusting. It is my fervent wish that as her publisher you all consider retracting her contract for this book as she has clearly demonstrated that she is not worthy of ANY notoriety.

Please do not use my rating or feedback in relation to this book due to the author's actions on Goodreads.

To Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey, and my fellow readers who would happen upon this review on netgalley.:

Thank you for granting me the wish for this book. Unfortunately I will no longer be able to read, review, and promote this book as it has been revealed that the author has chosen to review bomb multiple diverse authors releasing in 2024 like Molly X. Chang, Kamilah Cole, Frances White. Bethany Baptiste, L.L. McKinney, as well as author POC authors like Thea Guanzon who have released books in 2023. What is even more strange is that Cait Corrain is friends with many of these authors.

I have added the links to the videos explaining, one from a reader's perspective Madi Lim (@limmadi8 on tiktok) and another from a huge author, Xiran Jay Zhao (@xiranjayzhao on tiktok) who both have receipts on this issue.

I hope that the publishers at Del Rey would see this and take action against incredibly abhorrent behavior as this seems to be ruining careers of other authors and peers in the publishing space for seemingly no reason.

I had just started this book and in light of the allegations I will not be continuing. It is never okay to try and demean/sabotage other authors simply for being published at the same time, frankly it's sad. I find it especially ridiculous when this author had already gained quite a hype for the release from what I saw. If these allegations prove false I would be interested in picking up the book again. Thank you Random House for the ARC, I'd still be interested in reviewing for you in the future.

Update: Due to the recent news, I no longer recommend this book.

A Greek mythology retelling with a contemporary and sci-fi twist. Fans of Ariadne and Dionysus have a new book on their radar.

Ariadne Tholos, Crown Princess of the interstellar Cretan Empire, seeks refuge from her tyrannical father by marrying Dionysus and moving to Olympus. There is romance and political unrest at every turn.

I am not familiar with the story of Ariadne, but I’m a huge fan of Dionysus, so I was excited to read more about him. The first part was slow, and I struggled to stay invested. We meet Dionysus in part two, and the story finds its charm. The dialogue is very contemporary, which can deter some. That being said, fans of this mythology will enjoy this new twist to the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine for this ARC.

I'm very disappointed with the authors actions. I'm not comfortable reading and recommending this book at this time.