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The gods demand their justice, but we suffer for it every time: Reviewing Elektra by Jennifer Saint

Hi everyone! It’s been a bit, but I haven’t forgotten this blog. I like to think of myself as a reliable and dutiful source of book reviews. If you think otherwise, I completely understand. Guess what? I have another Greek mythology-inspired book for you all! This is also not my first review of a Jennifer Saint book. Check out my review of Ariadne if you so desire. I hope, though, that you are interested in this review of Elektra.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Sexual Assault, Disturbing Imagery, Suicide

Helen of Sparta goes missing, and Greece goes to war. Clytemnestra, queen of Mycenae and twin sister of Helen, is betrayed by her husband Agamemnon and quietly plots her revenge against the House of Atreus. Meanwhile, the Trojan princess Cassandra is cursed by the god Apollo and is plagued with visions of Troy’s fall. Elektra, the youngest daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, desperately wants her father to come home, but fears that her family curse will befall him once he sets foot in his home. Revenge, desperation, and love drive these women to do the unthinkable in the hopes of saving their families.

Elektra is a vivid, haunting, and unflinching look at three women who are often villainized or mocked in Greek mythology. Jennifer Saint allows her protagonists to be imperfect and scheming, while also being sympathetic and relatable. There is no right way to view these characters, and I think that is indicative of Jennifer Saint’s writing talents. I think it’s important to have female characters who are complex and, sometimes, cruel. It makes them all the more human. It is hard to read at times, but Jennifer Saint handles sensitive subjects with care. It is as grotesque as necessary. The writing is wonderful, and I actually really enjoyed the multiple POVs. It made the novel all the more dynamic and moving. I can’t recommend this book anymore. Elektra is a must-read for female-led novels and novels about Greek mythology.

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The heart does not go backward. Only the mind: Reviewing The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

Hey everyone! How are you all doing? I hope you answered positively. If you didn’t , then I hope your day improves. I am currently drowning in books because of all of the summer library sales that are happening around where I live. There are a couple of “little libraries” in my neighborhood as well, so I like to check those from time to time for anything good. Unfortunately, I have no impulse control and will take home any book that looks remotely interesting to me. With that being said, don’t forget to support your local libraries and small bookshops. Anyways, you can check out my review of The Historian, also by Elizabeth Kostova. For now, we are talking about The Swan Thieves.

Robert Oliver, a reclusive and brilliant artist, is arrested for attempting to attack a famous painting with a knife. He is placed under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Marlow. Marlow is also a painter and wants to relate to his stubbornly silent patient. In an attempt to understand Robert Oliver, Marlow goes on a journey through his patient’s past. By doing so, Marlow finds himself enthralled in a tale of obsession, passion, and secrets. The key to all of this is through the love letters between a nineteenth century artist and her forbidden lover. Only through these can Marlow finally understand his patient and himself.

Where The Historian fell in to the category of “dark academia,” The Swan Thieves fits comfortably in “light academia.” Kostova’s prose is breezy, eloquent and uncomplicated. This style, though, does not simplify or demean the themes of the novel. It is a novel focused on the complexities of identity and love, all told with art history in mind. Kostova gives no clear answer to her characters’ motives, but paints a picture (pun intended) and leaves the reader to interpret what any of it truly means. This is all done, though, with no pretention or assumption. It is a presentation of the complicated lives of characters who feel so incredibly lifelike, even in a slightly idyllic fictional setting. Kostova is a ridiculously talented writer and I so wish she had more than two books out. With all of that being said, you should absolutely read The Swan Thieves and The Historian.

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The measure of a person is not how much they have lived. It’s in how they make use of what life has shown them: Reviewing The Alloy of Law (Book 4 of the Mistborn Saga) by Brandon Sanderson

Hello everybody! How are you all doing? I hope you answered my silly rhetorical question while reading this. I am back (yet again) with another Brandon Sanderson book. Go ahead and check out my reviews of The Stormlight Archive and the first three books of The Mistborn Saga. It’s a lot, but it’s a good time I promise. With that being said, it’s time to talk about The Alloy of Law, the first book in the Wax and Wayne series.

Content Warning: Violence, Some Disturbing Imagery

Three hundred years ago, Vin, Kelsier, Elend and Sazed saved Scadrial and they live on trhough legends. Now, Scadrial is a flourishing city with steam powered locomotives and electricity. The outskirts of the city, known as the Roughs, are a lawless land where only those with magic have any hope of survival. Lord Waxillium “Wax” Ladrian is one of those. As a rare Twinborn, Wax has Allomancy and Feruchemy which allows him to Push on metals and control his weight. A tragedy, though, pulled him away from the life of a lawman. Just as Wax feels content with being a nobleman and politician, a gang of Allomancers go on a robbing spree and take several valuable hostages with them. With his city in danger, Wax finds himself drawn back into the life of a lawman once again.

The Allow of Law is a fun, fast-paced continuation of an already action-packed series. What I appreciated about this book was that it didn’t rely heavily on the previous trilogy but had enough references. This book was not as dark nor as centered on political drama as its predecessors. I appreciated the slight light-hardness because it didn’t detract from the excitement of the main plot. I enjoyed the new batch of characters in this book. They offered plenty of witty dialogue and just enough believability to the novel. Sanderson continues to dazzle me with his fascinating worlds and non-stop avalanche of interesting ideas. I am interested to see where this series goes and I would recommend that you join me in reading the Mistborn saga.