Review: Perilous Times

Title: Perilous Times

Author: Thomas D. Lee

Publisher: 30th May 2023 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 534 pages

Genre: fantasy, fiction, retellings

Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

An immortal Knight of the Round Table faces his greatest challenge yet—saving the politically polarized, rapidly warming world from itself—in this slyly funny contemporary take on Arthurian legend.

Being reborn as an immortal defender of the realm gets awfully damn tiring over the years—or at least that's what Sir Kay's thinking as he claws his way up from beneath the earth, yet again. 

Kay fought at Hastings, and at Waterloo, and in both World Wars. After a thousand years, he thought he was used to dealing with a crisis. But now he finds himself in a strange new world where oceans have risen, armies have been privatized, and half of Britain’s been sold to the Chinese. The dragon that's running amok, that he can handle. The rest? He's not so sure. 

Mariam's devoted her life to fighting what's wrong with her country. But she's just one ordinary person, up against a hopelessly broken system. So when she meets Kay, a figure straight out of legend, she dares to hope that the world's finally found the savior it needs.

As the two quest through this strange land swarming with gangs, mercenaries, and talking squirrels, they realize that other ancient evils are afoot. Lancelot is back too--at the beck and call of immortal beings with a sinister agenda. And if their plans can’t be stopped, a dragon will be the least of the planet’s worries.

In perilous times like these, the realm doesn't just need a knight. It needs a true leader.

Luckily, Excalibur lies within reach - and Kay's starting to suspect that the hero fit to carry it is close at hand.

My Thoughts

Perilous Times is a book that defies genres with its quirky mix of Arthurian lore, futuristic dystopian themes set against an environmental stance on climate change. Yup! You read right, an eclectic mix that really works! Set in future England when global warming has all but ruined the world, it is the Knights of the Round Table that are called upon to save the day - or not?!

‘So the idea was, whenever Britain was in peril, we'd come back from the dead and sort things out. … Whenever people need help. So maybe it was the dragon, or maybe it was you, but … that’s why I’m here. I’m here to help.’

The overall combination is what attracted me in the first place and the witty, clever writing is what kept me to the very end. It is a clever premise with compelling characters, rich world building and a thrilling plot. It’s crazy but somehow it works. I feel that resurrecting Arthur and the Knights is not just for novelty but also to illustrate the complex issue of past solutions not working in the present climate (pardon the pun).

‘I've been working for a very long time to try and save men from their own stupidity. To try and stop them from poisoning their own planet. And it hasn't worked. So my intention is to bring back the one man who might actually listen.’

Apart from the central theme of climate change there are really rich themes under the microscope here - the role of women and refugees, governments and politics and the capacity of individuals to make a difference. Woven throughout (so as not to get bogged down) is much humour. These poor Knights have been called upon throughout the ages and are forced to confront a range of time periods that throw at them everything from guns to helicopters. So why not add a dragon to the story with some serious magic and you just about have it covered. 

‘I can see the earth rendered barren . .. a lifeless husk with burning skies. It looms ahead of us. Almost inevitable, now. So few shoots of green. We've ignored so many of them. So many chances wasted. Now we have so few left.'

This is an entertaining and compelling read that cleverly balances out the serious with the silly. It is a clever mix and I think it’s a winner in turning legends around and highlighting the plight of our planet in an engaging and memorable way. It’s crazy but somehow it works.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

 

Review: Emma of 83rd Street

Title: Emma of 83rd Street

Author: Audrey Bellezza & Emily Harding

Publisher: 1st June 2023 by Simon & Schuster (Australia)

Pages: 384 pages

Genre: romance, contemporary, retellings

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

In this witty and romantic debut novel, Jane Austen’s Emma meets the misadventures of Manhattan’s modern dating scene as two lifelong neighbours discover that, in the search for love, sometimes you don’t have to look any further than your own backyard.

 

Charming and clever, Emma Woodhouse is used to getting her way. She’s content living in her tight-knit Upper East Side neighbourhood, maintaining perfect grades at university and keeping an eye on her lonely father. And when her budding matchmaking hobby results in her sister’s marriage, she knows she’s on to something. If only her annoying neighbour and childhood friend, George Knightley, would get out of the way.

 

George, a successful businessman, is only too happy to point out Emma's flaws. Is she spoilt? Maybe a little. Does she insert herself into other people’s business? Only sometimes. Emma has the best of intentions, though – she just wants everyone around her to be happy, even as she sets her mind to completing her graduate degree and finding her own place in the world. But will anyone ever take her seriously?

 

As Emma’s schemes collide with nearly everyone around them, Emma and George come toe to toe. But they slowly begin to realise that there might be more to the person they’ve known their entire life ... and that sometimes the best matches come from the most unexpected places.

My Thoughts

“He was never trying to be mean, he just wanted her to be ready for the world beyond 83rd Street. And just as she was beginning to finally understand what that even meant, he was gone.”

I am a sucker for all things Jane Austen and this modern retelling of Emma looked very appealing. Emma of 83rd Street turned out to be one book that I am awfully glad I picked up and if your tastes are similar to mine, be sure to check this one out! It is sexy, it is sweet and all up a super fun read. 

“Why are you so mad about this?” “Because . . .” He stopped himself, closing his eyes and raking both hands through his hair as if it would somehow restore his patience. “You treat the world like it’s your personal playground, Woodhouse. Like everything is here to amuse you until you find something better to do.”

The story remains faithful to the classic with a few minor adjustments and loads of contemporary innovations. I mean, if you know Emma then you know how this story will end but as always, it's the journey the author takes you on that makes the reading trip so worth your while. A slow burning friends to lovers trope with the added bonus of sections from Knightly and his viewpoint. 

“It’s like a new beginning for her. I’ve given her the fresh start she needed.” “You didn’t negotiate world peace here. You dyed her hair.” “It’s a balayage.” “It’s brown.”

The fun adjustment of having Emma as a socialite living in New York and studying art history is so very clever. The weaving of themes from light and fluffy moments to the deeper lessons taken from the classic is perfect. Both Emma and Knightley's journey will bring a smile to your face with the banter between the two second to none. The writing is witty and en pointe, the characters are layered and engaging, the chemistry is off the charts. If this author duo is rumoured to be working on another Austen adaptation, count me in! The cameo of Will Darcy has me excited ;)

“… if I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: The Heroines

Title: The Heroines

Author: Laura Shepperson

Publisher: 31st January 2023 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 338 pages

Genre: Greek mythology, historical fiction, retellings

My Rating: 3 cups

Synopsis:

In Athens, crowds flock to witness the most shocking trial of the ancient world. The royal family is mired in scandal. Phaedra, young bride of King Theseus, has accused her stepson, Hippolytus of rape.

He's a prince, a talented horseman, a promising noble with his whole life ahead of him. She's a young and neglected wife, the youngest in a long line of Cretan women with less than savoury reputations.

The men of Athens must determine the truth. Who is guilty, and who is innocent?

But the women know truth is a slippery thing. After all, this is the age of heroes and the age of monsters. There are two sides to every story, and theirs has gone unheard.

Until now.

My Thoughts

‘I was to learn the truth: that any man can throw words up into the air, and it is women who must pay when those words land.’

The Heroines joins a strong group of Greek mythologies currently on offer for readers. Set out like a Greek tragedy with three acts and a Chorus (giving voice to the women of Greece - very clever!) it is presented as a powerful feminist retelling of Theseus's wife, Phaedra. This is a tale of women's rights and how they fought during this period against the often cruel ways of men and alas, their also often sad demise. 

The story is presented through a range of characters in individual chapters and reads like a letter in many ways rather than a direct retelling. This makes the reader somewhat removed from the story and problems further arise with a large cast of characters. These are all in first person (with frequent switches) and do not allow for full development. I do enjoy these Greek retellings regaling the lost voice of women, however, this book does not reach the standard of others currently on offer. 

The reader is left wanting something more in both character development and world building. The author does, however, clearly highlight the plight of women and their lack of power at this time. 

The Heroines is a fresh and contemporary retelling of this Greek myth, especially through the eyes of Phaedra who is often overshadowed by stronger characters from the period. Whilst I was excited to read her story and the book held potential, it needed more depth for me to make those necessary, deep connections. 

‘If they are the heroes, does that make us the heroines?

We keep going, we persevere, we ask for nothing and we get even less.

Where are our stories?’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Ithaca

Title: Ithaca - The Songs of Penelope #1

Author: Claire North

Publisher: 13th September 2022 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 400 pages

Genre: historical fiction, Greek mythology, retellings

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Beyond Ithaca’s shores, the whims of gods dictate the wars of men. But on the isle, it is the choices of the abandoned women—and their goddesses—that will change the course of the world.

"North brings a powerful, fresh, and unflinching voice to ancient myth. Breathtaking." —Jennifer Saint, author of Ariadne

Seventeen years ago, King Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the island of Ithaca. None of them has returned, and the women of Ithaca have been left behind to run the kingdom.

 

Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. While he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door. 

 

No one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus' empty throne—not yet. But everyone waits for the balance of power to tip, and Penelope knows that any choice she makes could plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war. Only through cunning, wit, and her trusted circle of maids, can she maintain the tenuous peace needed for the kingdom to survive.

From the multi-award-winning author Claire North comes a daring reimagining that breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men. It’s time for the women of Ithaca to tell their tale . . .

My Thoughts

‘Let us therefore to Ithaca go, in that warm late summer when the leaves begin to crinkle and the ocean clouds tumble in too mighty to be bothered by the little land below.’

Ithaca is a wonderful addition to the various Greek mythological classic retellings of recent years. Author, Claire North, aims to provide a feminist perspective and voice to her book - from the power of its Queens, to the goddesses of Mount Olympus. Ithaca is the first book in a trilogy telling the story of Penelope, left to rule when Odysseus went to war.

I love a good retelling of Greek Mythology. This one follows the classic story of Penelope and the women of Ithaca, staying true to the original myth. It’s more character driven than plot which I believe adds to the feel of the book. Adding in the voice of the goddess Hera as the narrator, brings a whole new perspective to this particular retelling. Her sarcasm and humour may not sit well with some readers but being the goddess of women makes it perfect to my mind - how women can be strong, struggling for a balance between being a Queen, a mother and having some feminine freedom. There is a large cast of characters, sharp dialogues and much reflective writing.

‘Of these maids of Ithaca - these slave women and sold girls, these indentured daughters - so much more of them will I have to say. I am the goddess of queens, wives and women; my tasks may be thankless, but I perform them nonetheless.’

All up, Ithaca is a well written feminist take on the Greek myth giving voice to women as deserved. I look forward to reading the remaining books in this trilogy. If you love Greek mythology retellings with unique narrative voices, I recommend reading Ithaca. 

‘This is the world we live in. We are not heroes. We do not choose to be great; we have no power over our destinies. The scraps of freedom that we have are to pick between two poisons, to make the least bad decision we can, knowing that there is no outcome that will not leave us bruised.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Joan

Title: Joan

Author: Katherine J. Chen

Publisher: 12th July 2022 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 343 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre:  historical fiction, retellings

My Rating: 4 cups

Synopsis:

Girl. Warrior. Heretic. Saint? A stunning secular reimagining of the epic life of Joan of Arc, in the bold tradition of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall

1412. France is mired in a losing war against England. Its people are starving. Its king is in hiding. From this chaos emerges a teenage girl who will turn the tide of battle and lead the French to victory, an unlikely hero whose name will echo across the centuries.

In Katherine J. Chen's hands, the myth and legend of Joan of Arc is transformed into a flesh-and-blood young woman: reckless, steel-willed, and brilliant. This deeply researched novel is a sweeping narrative of her life, from a childhood steeped in both joy and violence to her meteoric rise to fame at the head of the French army, where she navigates both the perils of the battlefield and the equally treacherous politics of the royal court. Many are threatened by a woman who leads, and Joan draws wrath and suspicion from all corners, even as her first taste of fame and glory leave her vulnerable to her own powerful ambition.

With unforgettably vivid characters, transporting settings, and action-packed storytelling, Joan is a thrilling epic, a triumph of historical fiction, as well as a feminist celebration of one remarkable—and remarkably real—woman who left an indelible mark on history.

My Thoughts

"I, Joan, am coming for you."

Joan of Arc, such a well-known historical figure, one could be forgiven for wondering what spin an author could bring to warrant yet another book. Upon reading the first few pages it becomes abundantly clear why. Katherine Chen has written a very special and unique interpretation of this famous historical figure. She makes it very clear that this is a retelling, a reimagining of this incredible woman from history and she does an amazing job in giving a more contemporary and feminist perspective.

The author explores Joan from a completely different vantage point - her upbringing - with the greater part of the book being dedicated to this time. This makes for a highly engaging read as you are given an insight into Joan’s youthful feelings and the trauma she endured. This is not the religious and devout Joan of history books. This is very much a real person brought up in poverty and the impact of living with an abusive father. This is a girl who climbs trees, roams the village with her dog, loves her sister and both witnesses and experiences incredible trauma. This makes her determined to get out and do something … anything. 

Joan is a book that reimagines how her upbringing may have influenced her to become the teenage leader of the French army we are all familiar with. This is not a book about religious piety, in fact, it very much places under the microscope the life and culture of France at the time. Katherine has done an incredible job of melding both fact and fiction that it all rolls into one incredibly engaging tale. If historical fiction about real people from the past is something that interests you, be sure to pick this book up. You won’t be disappointed.

“Perhaps we were both foolish to expect any other conclusion than this. You have been permitted to do so much. You were the exception to every rule. But how could you overturn a game that is as old as time itself? I think now you were always meant to fail."

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: Elektra

Title: Elektra

Author: Jennifer Saint

Publisher: 26th April 2022 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 338 pages

Genre: historical fiction, Greek mythology, retellings

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

The House of Atreus is cursed. A bloodline tainted by a generational cycle of violence and vengeance. This is the story of three women, their fates inextricably tied to this curse, and the fickle nature of men and gods. 

Clytemnestra 

The sister of Helen, wife of Agamemnon - her hopes of averting the curse are dashed when her sister is taken to Troy by the feckless Paris. Her husband raises a great army against them, and determines to win, whatever the cost. 

Cassandra 

Princess of Troy, and cursed by Apollo to see the future but never to be believed when she speaks of it. She is powerless in her knowledge that the city will fall. 

Elektra 

The youngest daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, Elektra is horrified by the bloodletting of her kin. But, can she escape the curse, or is her own destiny also bound by violence?

My Thoughts

I read and reviewed Jennifer’s, Ariande, and loved it, so no surprises that I was eager to read her latest offering, Elektra. WOW! I loved it and then some. If Greek tragedies are your thing, you are in for a treat. 

‘…. my voice would be, at last, clear and brave. If I could speak the will of the gods and see the very fabric of fate, I could command attention and respect. With all of my heart, that was what I wanted. To be something other than myself; to speak in someone else’s words instead of my own.’

This book tells the story of three women who are each impacted by the Trojan war - Clytemnestra, Elektra, and Cassandra. If you are at all familiar with their stories, or the overall saga, you are in for a good retelling as this stays true to the original tale (think Troy: Fall of a City on Netflix) and I believe does a good job at giving a voice to these women.

‘A struggle for power was one thing - common enough, perhaps - but the history of this family I had joined was a gnarled and warped tangle, like the twisted roots of an ancient tree. Could I really believe that Agamemnon had severed the knot?’

What sets this apart from other retellings of this famous tale? The author chooses to focus on the ‘tainted’ bloodline of the cursed House of Atreus and how these three women’s fate are linked accordingly because of a curse, the dominance of powerful men and of course, the will of the Gods. I appreciated not only once again immersing myself in this famous tale but reading it afresh through three very different feminine perspectives. The characterisation is a definite highlight with all three viewpoints being clearly distinct. From all three women you get such different hopes and dreams with outlook and ambition surrounding revenge, abandonment, violence and trauma.

‘I wonder how she felt; what choice, if any, she had. My own twin sister, but I 

can’t imagine it at all. All the death and destruction that would chase them across the ocean; the years of relentless war that bought them their escape. Did she have any inkling of it? Of just how far the suffering would spread, how the tendrils of it would twist out to ensnare so many others?’

I believe Jennifer Saint has done an amazing job of interweaving, through elegant prose, the lives of these three very different women. The story is well paced and intensely heartbreaking at times. Ariande was a great debut however, Elektra I found to be next level engagement. This is a book I definitely recommend for readers who enjoy Greek tragedies through a feminist retelling. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.