Clytemnestra's Bind

The House of Atreus #1

by Susan C. Wilson

Clytemnestra’s Bind is a bold and brutal first-person retelling that redefines her story, unveiling the untold depths of her soul and the legacy she forged as a mother, wife, and queen. Queen Clytemnestra's world shatters when Agamemnon, a rival to the throne of Mycenae, storms her palace, destroys her family and claims not only the throne but Clytemnestra herself. Tormented by her loss, she vows to do all she can to protect the children born from her unhappy marriage to him. But when her husband casts his ruthless gaze towards the wealthy citadel of Troy, his ambitions threaten to once more destroy the family Clytemnestra loves. From one of Greek mythology's most reviled characters—a woman who challenged the absolute power of men—comes this fiery tale of power, family rivalry and a mother's burning love. Perfect for readers of Greek mythology, and fans of Costanza Casati’s Clytemnestra , Madeline Miller’s Circe , and Jennifer Saint’s Elektra .

Genres: Mythology, Greek Mythology, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Fantasy, Retellings, Historical

288 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2024

About the author

Susan C Wilson is a working-class Scottish writer. She developed a passion for ancient Greece during childhood, after stumbling across tales of gods and heroes while browsing the dictionary for naughty words. She loves to explore what makes us human: the eternal motivations, desires and instincts that cross time and place.

While researching her novels, she gained a diploma in Classical Studies from the Open University. She also has a degree in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University. Most recently, she completed a Minoans and Mycenaeans course from the University of Oxford.

​​X: @BronzeAgeWummin
Bluesky: @susancwilson.bsky.social
Instagram: @susancwilsonauthor
Amazon

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Clytemnestras Bind is a harrowing, emotional story about Clytemnestra and her life. This is the first book I've read about Clytemnestra, and although brutal and hard to read in places, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn't keen on Clytemnestra at first, but she grew on me throughout the book, and my heart broke for her several times.
The book begins after the birth of her first child and Agamemnons assassination of her family when he takes over the throne and takes her as his wife. The hardships she has to live through to protect herself and her children are cruel, brutal, and devastating.
The detail, build-up, and settings within the story are mesmerising, as are the depth of the characters. I can't wait to read book two as soon as possible.

[Ziyad · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I need no coronation. I have always been queen.”

Oof. I can’t believe I stayed up till 1:30 to finish this.

Clytemnestra’s Bind is a lyrical and captivating retelling of the story of the cursed House of Atreus. Having read several (around 3? 4?) retellings of Clytemnestra’s story, I was concerned with whether or not this novel would bring something new to the table, but my oh my did it blow me away.

Unlike every other story or retelling I’ve read of Clytemnestra which starts with the murder of her daughter, Iphigenia, at the hands of her husband and Iphigenia’s father, Agamemnon, Clytemnestra’s Bind adds an often overlooked dimension to Clytemnestra’s story and begins with her first marriage to King Tantalus, allowing the reader an earlier introduction to Clytemnestra and a deeper understanding of her character and motives.

Whereas most retellings focus on Clytemnestra’s revenge, this novel chronicles her trauma, her relationship with her children, and the horrors of being married to a man like Agamemnon. Only after reading this am I realizing that all other accounts of Clytemnestra that i’ve read have kept me at arm’s length from her, this digs deep into her psyche; her soul, her thoughts, her motivations in a way no other retelling i’ve read so far has.

It often irks me when publishers compare any and all Greek Mythology retellings to Circe, but I feel as though this one is truly deserving of the comparison and earns its spot right next to it.

What I loved:

* The dialogue? *chef’s kiss* witty, sharp, and natural.
* The writing is spectacular; vivid, poetic, and does not shy away from the grotesque.
* Started off with a bang, and ended with one.
* I can’t wait for the sequels even though I know how this story ends, so that’s how I know this is a great book.
* This reads as Clytemnestra’s story and not the story of Clytemnestra, it is hers to tell.

“On that hallowed ground, he and I would swear a binding oath - to slay her murderer on his return from Troy.”

Thank you NetGalley and NeemTreePress for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Beth Roger aka Katiebella_Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️

Summery

I have to thank the author for the family tree at the beginning of the book. There are a lot of characters, and how they are all related can become a bit confuddled. This helpful tool came in very handy.

This is the tale of Clytemnestra and her tragic life. The murder of her first husband and son. The forced marriage to the murderer of her family. The raising of her children, and a mother strength and love against all odds.

My Thoughts

The book is incredibly well written. Often, i find that historical fiction (that isn't romance) can be a bit bland/dry. The author has done a remarkable job of blending historical mythology with easy engrossing reading. A tip of the hat to her 🎩

I dont know how many people remember the movie Caligula, but this book definitely had that feel minus the erotica. The sexual horrors that can befall people during the time period. Not to mention the pure murderous brutality that was common place among royalty then.

"I mustn't think of dead children, I mustn't imagine them weeping in the corridors of the palace."

Clytemnestra's strength of character is a wonder to behold. She caries herself through some of the absolute worst tragedies imaginable with grace and determination. She raises her daughter with lioness protection and a swans fineness. She is admirable and uses her meekness as a weapon.

I greatly enjoyed this book, even if it was a tough read being a mother myself. I can't wait for the sequel.

Trigger warnings ⚠️
* infanticide
* child murder
* child abuse
* sexual abuse
* rape
* unwilling cannibalism

[Yvonne (the putrid Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clytemnestra’s Bind is intensely moving. It’s a masterclass in beautiful writing.

Sometimes you just pick up a book and you end up having the most wonderful time with it. Fascinating characters that remind you just how thankful you are in your own life. Greek mythology is renowned for its rich and fantastical world-building, featuring a complex pantheon of gods, goddesses, heroes, and mythical creatures. Susan C. Wilson has excelled at this with this stunning story about Clytemnestra.

She is one of my favourite figures in Greek mythology. Her complex and tragic role in the Trojan War was deeply heartbreaking. Having her daughter sacrificed their daughter to the goddess, Artemis, to provide safe passage to Troy. The deep feminine rage you feel for her is real. This was what I was referring about before in regard to being thankful for the circumstances in your own life. Woman were treated appallingly, even those of royal blood.

The author has documented the hardships and trauma that Clytemnestra has endured. Wilson has phenomenal characterisation skills, her visage appeared in my head like a fever dream, the mythical figure appearing through the fog, her beauty on show for all to see. There is just something so mesmerising about this story. It’s what historical fiction should be and should aspire to be. It makes you fall in love with history, it makes you ache to learn more. It makes you search out all the material you can regarding that character (yes, that was me. Clytemnestra, is a character we can learn so much from.)

The opening of the book is brutal and raw, it sets up the story exceedingly well. Greek Mythology is brutal, so it was in keeping with that. The mortals struggled with keeping the deities happy and balancing that with everyday conflicts. I do want to express that Wilson’s take on this retelling is completely unique – I really wasn’t expecting what I got.

Motherhood can be an overused trope especially in historical fiction, whether that be how motherhood differs in mythology, how mothers adapt, this really gave us a feel of how motherhood was in mythical times. I loved that Wilson zeroed in on her children – Iphigenia, Elektra, and Orestes. I really related to her in those moments and made the story take on a real layer of everyday life. The story had a real heartbeat and that came from Clytemnestra.

[EmmsBookShelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clytemnestra's Bind is a retelling of the events that lead up to the Trojan War and its subsequent carnage from the perspective of Queen Clytemnestra, sister of Helen and wife of Agamemnon. At first, I found myself a bit thrown off, as it didn’t follow the version of events I was most familiar with in the beginning, but to be honest, this made me even more intrigued and eager to find out what was going to happen next. It is testament to good writing that a mythological retelling can be so captivating, when often, the reader already knows how it will end.
While I am familiar enough with the characters of Greek Mythology, I would recommend those who are not, read through the list of characters at the back first. A lot of names are quite similar sounding and it would likely help them keep events and characters clear.
I enjoyed reading this novel and found that the story flowed well and it had detailed description without bogging the reader down in unnecessary detail. For or the most part, Clytemnestra was a sympathetic protagonist, which made the knowledge of what was to come for her all the more tragic. She is depicted as an apt leader, a dedicated mother (which is often not the case in other depictions) and often puts aside her own desires in order to further the cause of her children. I did find some of the parts that involved Clytemnestra disciplining Electra a bit uncomfortable. I think it was the 21st Century mother in me feeling confronted by such different methods of raising children. So as much as I felt a bit uncomfortable, I understand it was placed in the novel for maintaining historical accuracy.
I both did and didn’t like the ending, I liked it because it gave an open sense of hope and victory. But, at the same time, I knew there was an unhappy end to the story and it felt, truncated.
Overall, I really liked reading this novel. It has been able to stand independently and memorably amongst the influx of Greek Mythology retellings from a feminine perspective that have flooded the market in recent years. Clytemnestra’s Bind was able to provide fresh voice to the injustices the women of this time experienced and it was able to paint a vilified figure in Clytemnestra in a much more sympathetic light.
Thank you to NetGalley and Neem Tree Press for providing me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

[lookmairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[bookishcharli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this just might be one of my favourite books about Clytemnestra that I’ve ever had the privilege to read. We finally get a book that starts at more towards the beginning of Clytemnestra’s story than most of the other books on the market. We see her first marriage and child, then her second marriage and children. If you’re familiar with Clytemnestra’s story then you’ll already know what’s going to happen in the next book, but because of the way this book is written I’m still extremely excited to read it. Susan C Wilson has done an incredible job and I cannot wait to read more from them.

Thank you to Neem Tree Press for sending me a proof of this one.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publishers through NetGalley as part of the blog tour in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

CLYTEMNESTRA'S BIND is the first in a series about the women whose lives are disrupted by the trojan war - and are vilified by the men writing it for defying their cruelty. This entry focuses on Clytemnestra, wife to Agamemnon after he murders her first husband and takes the throne from him.

There are many Greek mythology retellings out there, including ELEKTRA which also retells this story (though this stops earlier than that as I assume later books will continue the story.) I'm starting to get to the point of being pretty retelling'd-out, so I was looking for what made this entry different to the others.

I liked that Clytemnestra was angry and vengeful but then buried that for her children's sake. She tries to make a life in these new circumstances and protect them, to end the cycle of bloodshed. Knowing how the story must end, this makes it a tragedy (where continual vengeance wouldn't, because her attempt creates the possibility of it going alright, until her husband ruins everything.)

I liked seeing a woman in this current mythology wave try, to cling to the promise of security if she did as expected once the initial impulse for vengeance was gone from tiredness and failure. She does what is asked of her, all the unreasonable demands, to fit herself into this box, but it's never enough for her husband. But she keeps trying and trying, until his action break the last of her restraint. It's a way of breaking apart the lie of "conform and it will be ok" by showing what happens when you - the strain and the impossibility of it.

Electra (as she's known here) is a very irritating, stubborn, horrible child. I've never much liked her in the myths even when others are trying to tell me she's ok, so I did like seeing that reflected here.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clytemnestra's Bind is a hard hitting emotional rollercoaster of a book. She goes through one awful event after another and even if at times things aren't quite so terrible they soon become terrible again. I suppose it is mostly a book about what it was like to be a woman in a cruel male dominated world. Early on her husband and infant baby are killed and she is forced to marry the man responsible, and it doesn't get better for her from there. I'm sure this is a situation that many women in the ancient world had to deal with.

I don't want to make it sound like she is just a victim with no agency though. She isn't. The story is more complex than that. She remains true to who she is, what she is and so shows her strength.

If this was some modern Disney or Netflix mess of a thing she would of course instantly get her vengeance and become some unrealistic and unstoppable warrior queen, physically overpowering muscle bound men and so on, because it seems like these days the only way many writers can make a woman strong is by giving her a sword and having her run around like a female Rambo. So tired that stuff and so glad that Susan C Wilson instead gives us a realistic woman in these times. The sort that you could (unfortunately) imagine you would be if you were there surround by all these brutish war obsessed men.

It makes for a harsh and cruel story of rape and abuse, but it is real or at least feels real. She loves her children, hates the man who's done such cruel things to her and therein is her bind.

Really good book. Well written too. Thank you twr and neemtree

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love clytemnestra i cannot stand electra and this was a fantastic look at the early days of clytemnestra’s queenship (both times) that most books skip over

[Nephele · Rating 1 out of 5]

Positive things first: This book was competently written and the author did her research.

Now to the negatives: Clytemnestra's story is very complex and interesting but I can't see why someone wants to retell it when they have nothing new to add, or even worse, dumb it down. Take Agamemon, for example: he's certainly not a very sympathetic character but I've read quite a few retellings surrounding the Trojan war over the last few years and this is the most evil depiction of him I've ever seen. Seriously, I had to roll my eyes at how often this man goes out of his way to be as cruel as possible to his wife and daughters. No further exploration of his character, he's just evil. And it didn't even make sense within the logic of the story: Clytemnestra meets Aegisthus for the first time shortly after her marriage to Agamemnon and Agamemnon, misogyny made flesh, has no problem leaving these two alone on countless occasions. How does this make sense?
Same goes for Iphigenia and Electra. Iphigenia is the nice one and Electra is devoid of any kindness because she takes after her father. That's it.
Moral of the story, don't retell stories that have already been told much better 2500 years ago.

[Jody - Wicked Dark Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s exploration of the beginning of Clytemnestra’s journey is informative and insightful, bringing a new understanding to a previously ignored topic.

We get a glimpse into her life as we witness the start of her journey with her first marriage and child and later follow along as she embarks on a new chapter with her second marriage and growing family. I am genuinely impressed with Susan C Wilson’s work.

All things considered, the first installment of the series is quite impressive and sets a promising tone for what’s to come.

Thank you to TheWriteReads and Neem Tree Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

[Tris · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book sadly was eclipsed by another clytemnestra retelling published in 2023, which in my opinion gave more justice to the queen's story. personally, (because the other book was one of my favorite 2023 reads) i would have liked to see more of clytemnestra's character outside of this family, as a daughter, sister, and princess of sparta, and as queen of mycenae. but to be fair, clytemnestra's bind serves as the first installment in a series called "house of atreus" so i guess it makes sense that it focused on, well, the house of atreus. to its credit though, it did well in portraying clytemnestra's relationships with her children. the pacing was slow, which again i understand, but i felt certain parts spent too much time on unimportant things...

[Laetabunag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and this is definitely in my top 10 favourite greek myth retellings!

I really loved how the author focused more on the time period before the Trojan war unlike other retellings where Clytemnestra’s story starts with her daughter’s sacrifice. I enjoyed seeing how she changed throughout the different phases in her life and how she dealt with the situation she was put in. I also loved how the story itself focused a lot on her relationship with each of kids as opposed to other retellings where it was solely focused on revenge.

I also really enjoyed how there wasn’t much focus on the Trojan War and the book ends as the war is beginning. There’s been so many retellings recently focusing on the Trojan war that it’s been nice to see a retelling of someone from that era without all the focus being on the war.

The book itself was such an easy read. The author didn’t over complicate it or add too much unnecessary information, which made the story flow so well.

Overall, really enjoyed this and it’s definitely up there with my top favourite greek myth retelling books!

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Clair Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently found a love of Greek mythology, I was keen to read Clytemnestra’s Bind, especially after being introduced to the character of Clytemnestra as one of the main narrators in Elektra by Jennifer Saint.
Clytemnestra is happy living with her young husband Tantalus and her week old son Iphitus in Mycenae. The house of Atreus to which they belong has a long and bloody history. Atreus and Tantalus’s father Thyestes were brothers disputing who should rule Mycenae. Atreus murders Thyestes sons and serves them to him in a stew and takes the throne but Thyestes gets it back. Just a week after Iphitus is born, Atreus’s sons Agamemnon and Menelaus storm the palace, and kill Thyestes and Clytemnestra’s husband and son and Agamemnon claims the heartbroken Clytemnestra for himself, forcing him to marry him.
She forms a friendship of sorts with Aegisthus the foster brother of Agamemnon and Menelaus and tries her best to kill Agamemnon in revenge but before she is able to she finds herself pregnant with her daughter Iphigenia, whom she can’t help but love dearly despite her father. Over the years she goes on to have another daughter, the headstrong Elektra and finally a son and heir, Orestes.
Menelaus goes on to marry Helen (Clytemnestra’s sister) and when Helen leaves him for Paris and goes to Troy, war is declared.
Narrated in first person by Clytemnestra herself, the anger and fury she rightly feels towards Agamemnon is clear. I was impressed by her strength – she looses a loving husband and a new born baby, is raped by her new husband and he never treats her or her children (especially her daughters) well and has no respect for her at all. But she carries on and survives, making the best of her situation, giving her love and devotion to her children. She herself had a happy childhood with loving parents and she is saddened by how little Agamemnon has to do with his children, and has to deal with their disappointment when he rejects them again and again. Despite his treatment of them, Elektra especially can see no faults in her father and tries her hardest to earn his approval.
The book ends with a glimmer of hope – Agamemnon is at war in Troy and while Clytemnestra is heartbroken, he has left her to rule, alongside his foster brother Aegisthus in his absence. She has formed a close bond with him as they have a mutual dislike of Agamemnon and this gives her the strength she needs to come up with a plan to fight back.
What I found really useful was the family tree at the beginning of the book which I referred to often!
A brilliant read – gritty and dark but full of vivid descriptions of the life and traditions of ancient Greece. Clytemnestra’s Bind is the first of a trilogy – Book 2 is called Helen’s Judgement and will be out later in 2024 and I can’t wait!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ Renowned in Greek literature as the wife and slayer of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra has been a figure that inspires conflicting emotions. Some people revile her for murdering her husband on his return from Troy, whilst some (me) recognise the justice in his murder, a fair exchange for sacrificing their daughter.

What Wilson offers in her revision is something quite unique. We don’t see the events that have been retold time and time again, but instead, we see where it begins. The House of Atreus, tarnished by kin slaying and curses; Clytemnestra’s story begins with her first husband, Tantalus, son of Thyestes. When her house is overran by Agamemnon’s men, and her baby torn from her arms and smashed against a wall (reminiscent of the death of Hector’s son, Astyanax), Clytemnestra’s forced into a marriage with the tyrant. Given that Agamemnon sacrificed his own child for his men’s impiety and murdered a helpless baby, it is not difficult to be convinced of Clytemnestra’s hatred emerging much earlier on. We see how vile he truly is within this depiction.

What I really liked specifically was the depiction of the children. Whilst the ending depicted Agamemnon away at Troy, with Clytemnestra plotting against him, the early depictions of the children, namely Electra and Orestes, foreshadows what will later emerge. Electra, a tomboy who wants nothing more than her fathers approval, and Orestes, a young man who has been groomed to revile women and respect men. If you’ve read the Oresteia trilogy, then you’ll know what happens.

Overall, it was a very thorough take on the tale, crafting a narrative with such detail and care.

[C. M. Dumas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clytemnestra’s Bind is an unflinching and graphic peek into the life of Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon and Queen of Mycenae.

This debut novel was exhilarating. As someone whose knowledge of Greek drama is limited, I found this to be a story that spoke across time, connecting with me as a modern reader and person in a female body. The main idea of the story is clear: women are pawns to be used by men in their desperate grasping for power. The helplessness and resignation that Clytemnestra feels during this story is something that I know many women unfortunately still feel today.

I found the opening chapters to be brutal to read (in a good way) because of the striking images of death and grief. I was immediately gripped. As the story carried on, the antagonists became clear: Agamemnon and, surprisingly, her daughter Electra. Unfortunately, Agamemnon fell flat as a character. He was a murderer and a brute and a rapist and almost nothing more. I often wanted to reach through the screen and punch him. There was little sense of complexity in his character, which was noticeable beside the complexities of Clytemnestra, our narrator. This is perhaps a pitfall of the first-person perspective; readers can really only ever see the world through the narrator’s eyes, and her view of her second husband was less complex than her view of other characters.

Overall, I liked the pacing. The story took place over many years, and there were barely any lulls in the drama and intrigue. I think Wilson has done a great job exploring a complex (perhaps unlikable?) character and giving Clytemnestra life before she fulfills her dramatic destiny (in the next book?).

I’m looking forward to Book Two in the House of Atreus Trilogy!

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSirens and NeemTree Press for the e-book copy.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I have loved Clytemnestra as a character since I read Constanza Casati's Clytemnestra almost two years ago, so when I was offered this as an eArc I was excited.

Wilson writes a beautiful, enthralling story of Clytemnestra, but I did feel as though her character lacked a little depth. The Clytemnestra I was used to was bold, fierce, and daring; whereas this version seemed a lot more subdued, as though she had succumbed to her fate rather than fighting back as I was expecting, so I did find this a little disappointing. This being said, I did feel as though we got a slightly newer take on Menelaus, and I was surprised to find myself liking him at the beginning of the novel. Agamemnon, however, was simply a horrendous, torturous brute of a man, and I felt it would have been nice to shown a more rounded view of his character.

Though the book spans around fifteen years and at times moves quickly, I did feel as though the pace was still rather slow and I did find myself aching for some action to happen at times.

Overall, this is a good telling of Clytemnestra's story, but if you are looking for something with a slightly newer take or more depth, you may find yourself slightly disappointed.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I DEVOURED this! Full review to come! 🐍

(FINAL REVIEW):

I will be honest: was I nervous to start yet another Clytemnestra centered retelling? Yes. But man was I in for a treat with this short retelling (especially after my not so great time with my last read). ❤️‍🩹

This retelling is focused on a historical view of Clytemnestra and the House of Atreus. I loved the way Wilson wove in ancient forms of deity practice and the names of those gods into the tale. It really provided a wonderful element to the story and I’m just a sucker for good historical representations. 🏺

This Clytemnestra was a mix of two different versions I’ve read before while still being unique. She reminds me of the softer Clytemnestra from (EDIT: I got the wrong surname 🥲) Heywood’s Daughters of Sparta and the vengeance ruled Clytemnestra from Casati’s eponymous character towards the end. But what really made me love this version of the woman was her love for her children. The grief and pain she suffered from loosing her firstborn to watching her two youngest get turned against her was so sad and you can feel her pain as Agamemnon continues to destroy all that she holds dear in life. 😢

The only thing I wish I could’ve gotten more of in this book was time with the characters. But, I’m super excited to see Wilson’s second novel, Helen’s Judgement and get to see her take on the infamous beauty. 🪞

Thank you to Neem Tree Press and NetGalley for accepting my request to read in exchange for a review and to the author, Susan C Wilson, for crafting such a beautiful historical retelling of this vengeful woman. ❤️

Publication date: April 9 for US, UK already out!

Overall: 4.5/5 ⭐️

[Monika Armet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Clytemnestra, a wife of Agamemnon and a mother to Iphigenia, Electra, and Orestes.

What I liked about this book is that it starts off with Clytemnestra’s first, very happy, but brief marriage to Tantalus. They had a son together, but before his naming ceremony, he was killed by Agamemnon, who stormed the city’s gates with his brother, Menelaus.

Clytemnestra, still grieving for her baby and husband, is forced to marry Agamemnon and put up with his brutal demeanour. He is no shy of hitting her when he thinks she’s done something wrong.

Agamemnon was a distant father, who didn’t care much for his daughters. Electra was always seeking her father’s approval, Iphigenia was a quiet and obedient daughter, who much later on was sacrificed by her father for a “fair wind” to Troy.

I really liked Aegisthus, Agamemnon’s foster brother, who was kind and caring towards Clytemnestra and her children. I was shocked to read the story of his conception.

Overall, it is a great start to the series. I cannot wait for another book.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5stars

A gripping and emotional retelling focussing on Clytemnestra as a mother and wife. It’s shows her strength in such a harsh and brutal world - some of the things she has to go through at such a young age is terrible- but her loyalty and love shown to her children never falters.
The strength of her character shines through every page and the writing brilliantly captures her formidable nature. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this trilogy develops and hope we see Clytemnestra grow and gain confidence in her role. A brilliant retelling.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retelling Greek mythology from the perspective of the women has become a very popular subgenre in recent years. Madeline Miller's Circe, Claire Heywood's Daughters of Sparta, and Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls are just a few examples of this type of work, some of the best. A particular favorite among authors is Clytemnestra, the sister of Helen and vengeful wife of Agamemnon. There have been a few retellings of her life and actions, and Susan C. Wilson offers up Clytemnestra's Bind to add to the shelf.

All in all, the book was decent. Clytemnestra's life was a brutal one, if one takes into account all of the stories that were told about her - the murder of her first family, including her firstborn child, for example. No doubt living with a violent man like Agamemnon was no picnic either. And then comes the sacrifice/murder of her eldest daughter, Iphigenia, supposedly to appease the offended goddess Artemis and summon a fair wind to take the united Greek armada across the sea to make war on Troy. In some ways, that is where Clytemnestra's story begins for a lot of people, since the murder of her daughter is the catalyst for everything that comes after. Strangely, though, that is where Clytemnestra's Bind ends. The climax of Clytemnestra's life is left off in the future (perhaps as fodder for a future book, given that this book is meant to be the first in a trilogy).

I've read a few retellings of Clytemnestra's life, and they've been rich and fantastic retellings. With this book... I'm torn. On the one hand, it's repetitive to the point where the pace just drags in places. Agamemnon being a misogynist creep, Iphigenia being perfect, Electra being a little beast, Orestes striving to be a chip off of the old misogynist block, Aegisthus whining about how Clytemnestra needs to take revenge or run away with him (whatever his current fixation is at the moment), and Clytemnestra just trying to get by and keep her children safe (even if two of them drive her 'round the bend at times). It's all just a recycling of the same character traits.

Perhaps, though, that is the point. Clytemnestra spends most of the book just trying to get by, to play the hand that she believes the gods dealt her. She never forgives the murder of her son Iphitus, but she ultimately chooses to forsake vengeance in order to preserve the children that come of her forced marriage to Agamemnon. She shields her children from their father's depravities as best she can, despite Electra's constant efforts to engage her father's attention (which have dismal results each time because Agamemnon has no use for her other than as a potential future bride that he can make an alliance with - her efforts usually end with her getting beaten, but she keeps trying). She stifles her own queenly ambitions in the name of safety, only to, in the end, see history repeat itself. Agamemnon kills another of her children for the sake of his war. Only then does the call for vengeance answered and we see Clytemnestra start down the road that will lead to her most famous act.

I get Clytemnestra's choices. They make sense, and given the situation she was in, I could see myself making many of the same choices she did. However, that said, they don't make for the most interesting reading. In fact, it became rather dull at times and I kept looking to see how much of the book was left for me to read.

Also, Aegisthus also drove me mad. The man spends the entire book pushing Clytemnestra to take revenge for her murdered family, or to run away with him. The man himself does Nothing. But. Whine. The entire book. He just pushes, pushes, pushes. It's only at the end that we find out why, and it made me dislike him even more. Dude went through all *that,* and he still didn't have the balls to do something himself, but instead tried to foist it all off on Clytemnestra? Yeah, fuck him.

I suppose that leads me to the heart of everything - the choices the author made in terms of what made it into the story, what changed. Clytemnestra is no longer a daughter of Sparta, but of Lacedaemon. There's no mention of Helen being the daughter of Zeus. The gods are a presence in the story, but a much subtler one. I don't object to that, as it makes it interesting, but the choice to replace Sparta with Lacedaemon was strange. I was also a bit thrown by the choices made for Aegisthus' character, and to have him being present in the palace for the entire book.

So, overall, the book was a decent read, but pacing and narrative choices made it one of the more awkward ones.

[Sara Jesus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful reteling of Clytemnestra´myth, her side of lovely mother and her ambition to destroy her evil husband. Really like that in this version we see more of Aegisthus, know more about the tragedy of his story and his true feelings for Clytemnestra. Electra is such a selfish girl, and I will never understand her.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books focusing on strong but often overlooked female characters from Greek mythology are all the rage over the last few years so I was a little unsure if this one was just riding the coattails of fashion or actually had merit of its own.

I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. Susan C Wilson has something to be really proud of here. Clytemnestra's Bind is one of the best entries into this (can we call 'strong women of Greek mythology' a genre yet?) I have come across. The book's strength is largely down to the fact that the author takes time to really focus on and delve into the character. It's not just this happens then this happens and then this happens all in a rush, its about how these things affect Clytemnestra, how she deals with them, how she feels and how she responds.

The book really hits hard. Her husband, Agamemnon, is just the worst lol. And you really feel the trauma and heartache she has to deal with. We see how her children are her world and what she has to go through and put up with to protect thing. Gosh I just loved it.

[NrsKelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was almost a DNF for me. The dialogue was clunky and parts misplaced it seemed. I felt a bit like I was trying to read it on a tilt a whirl. Added to that the prose world building seemed out of place with the goalie. This just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Obviously there should be very loud TW. Most of us know how mythology is about ease, infanticide, petricide etc. so if you haven’t read a lot of this type book definitely make sure none of those things trigger you.
Overall I feel like the book could be further polished and perhaps it would have been a better read for me.

I received a ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Amy Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Greek mythology, we know the character of Clytemnestra as a villainess in a tale of love, revenge, and blood feuds, a familiar cycle in these stories. A Grecian fleet setting sail for the city of Troy to extract the princess Helen. A queen taking a lover and ruling in her king’s absence. A husband murdered in revenge for sacrificing his daughter to a goddess. A son committing matricide. But have we ever truly considered Clytemnestra’s rationale for her actions? Was she a tragic heroine or a villainess? Susan C. Wilson explores Clytemnestra’s dichotomous depictions in her remarkable novel The House of Atreus: Clytemnestra’s Bind.

Clytemnestra’s Bind centers on the pre-Trojan War life of Clytemnestra. Clytemnestra is the daughter of King Tyndareus and Queen Leda of Sparta and the half-sister of the famed beauty Helen of Troy. The pair wed the brothers Agamemnon and Menelaus respectively, and their relationships set into motion among the most famous and tumultuous stories in Greek mythology.

Clytemnestra’s Bind reimagines Clytemnestra’s story in a decisively feminist way, recalling similar efforts made by authors such as Madeline Miller. Mycenae’s queen is neither saint nor sinner but rather an authentic mix of the two. Fierce and intelligent, Clytemnestra must contend with circumstances foisted upon her at the behest of the men in her life, most particularly Agamemnon.

In Classical Greek society, women possessed little power and agency and operated within their domestic spheres as wives, mothers, and sisters. They raised their children, managed their households, wove fabric, and tended to graves. Women’s movement outside the home was usually limited to attendance at public speeches, sanctuary visitations, and participation in religious festivals.

And yet, Greek playwrights such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides offered portrayals of women outside of their traditional roles, often assuming those of a man: ruler, warrior, revenge-seeker. Aeschylus and Euripides in particular wrote about Clytemnestra, elevating her from a one-dimensional Greek woman to into what Natalie Haynes describes as “a woman who refuses to be quiet when her child is killed, who disdains to accept things and move on, who will not make the best of what she has.”

It is within this context that Susan C. Wilson presents her Clytemnestra: a compassionate and pious woman, one whose tenacity and anger are forged in the Hephaestian fires of adversity. That’s not to say Clytemnestra bears no flaws, however.

Her unequal treatment of her children presents perhaps her largest shortcoming. Iphigenia receives all of her mother’s love; the queen treats Electra, who moreso desires her father’s affection, dismissively and with scorn; and the prince Orestes rarely sees his mother and mimics Agamemnon’s worst tendencies. This sets the stage for future dissension amongst the family.

Wilson has a gift for prose and for adapting Greek mythology for a modern age. Her adept handling of the various sources shines through in Clytemnestra’s Bind. Fortunately, it’s not necessary to have read these works in order to enjoy the novel, and anyone familiar or unfamiliar with the myth should appreciate this rendering of the tale. And, readers will find a glossary of characters and Greek terms at the novel’s end.

I do wish there had been some additional world-building and description of Mycenae, Aulis, and other locales in the novel. But that’s not a failing on Wilson’s part; rather, it’s a personal preference.

Finally, I think Wilson very admirably balances the dichotomous representations of Clytemnestra in mythology: tragic heroine and villainess. The novel’s Clytemnestra emotionally reacts to her husband’s many, many sins, paving the way for her future retribution, understanding full well the cost of mariticide. The queen also invokes the Erinyes, the Greek goddesses of vengeance. But readers also understand the catalyst behind her actions - the love and losses she suffered. Clytemnestra deserves both a measure of sympathy and incredulity, as the best Greek heroes and heroines do. It takes a talented writer to accomplish what Wilson has, and I look forward to reading The House of Atreus sequels: Helen’s Judgement and Electra’s Fury.

Thank you to Book Sirens, Susan C. Wilson, and Neem Tree Press for a free review copy of this novel. This review was honest and voluntary.

[Annelies - In Another Era · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Spartan princess Clytemnestra marries young Tantalus, heir to the Mycenaean throne, and together they have a baby son called Iphitus. But the house of Atreus is known for blood feuds and when her husband and child are taken from her, she has to marry their murderer Agamemnon.

How many books can you devote to one woman? I haven’t yet had time to read Casati’s recent novel about Clytemnestra, but she was one of the main characters in Saint’s Elektra, in Toibin’s House of names and in Heywood’s Daughters of Sparta. She’s also one of many characters in Barker’s The silence of the girls and Haynes’ A thousand ships. Even in Ithaca, which is about her cousin Penelope, she’s an important character who steals the stage. Clytemnestra is hot, so can Wilson’s debut novel really bring something new to her character?

As it turns out, the answer to that question is yes. For instance, there’s no focus on her family and Helen, rather the book opens with her first marriage to Tantalus, a cousin of Agamemnon and Menelaus. A great personal drama occurs and Clytemnestra’s character is so shaped by it that you get an insight into her feelings throughout the book. And it isn’t easy to do that with this character. This is one of the first few times that we get to see a vulnerable woman in her, that we don’t see a queen who’s born for that task. You see her becoming that queen because of everything that happens to her.

Wilson not only provides a different interpretation of this woman, but also about the entire house of Atreus, the role of Aegistus and the children of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. But still based on the well-known myth, although she adds a few extra things to the story. I found the characterization of the children perhaps the biggest weakness: Iphigenia is so perfect and Elektra her total opposite that as a reader you are pushed in a certain direction.

But Wilson writes smoothly and makes you long for more. ‘Clytemnestra’s bind‘ stops suddenly, but you don’t need to worry about that. This is the first part in a series about the House of Atreus. I’m already looking forward to the next part. And so another new author sets her foot next to those big names I’ve mentioned before.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.

Dutch review:

Clytemnestra trouwt met de jonge Tantalus, erfgenaam van de Myceense troon en samen krijgen ze een zoontje Iphitus. Maar het huis van Atreus staat bekend om bloedvetes en wanneer haar man en kind haar ontnomen worden, moet ze trouwen met hun moordenaar Agamemnon.

Hoeveel boeken kan je aan één vrouw wijden? Ik heb nog geen tijd gehad Casati's roman over haar te lezen, maar ze was wel één van de hoofdpersonages in Saint's Elektra, in Toibin's House of names en in Heywood's Daughter of Sparta. Ze is een van de vele personages in The silence of the girls en A thousand ships, en zelfs in Ithaca, dat over haar nicht Penelope gaat, is ze een belangrijke verschijning. Clytemnestra is hot, wat kan Wilson's debuutroman die haar center stage zet dan nog bijdragen.

Veel zo blijkt. Zo is er geen focus op haar familie en Helena, maar begint het boek met haar eerste huwelijk met Tantalus, een neef van Agamemnon en Menelaos. Het boek begint met een groot drama. En Clytemnestra's karakter wordt er zo door gevormd dat je het hele boek lang een inkijk krijgt in haar gevoelens. En dat is niet eenvoudig om dat met dit personage te doen.

Wilson zorgt sowieso voor een andere interpretatie van deze vrouw, het volledige huis van Atreus, de rol van Aegistus en de kinderen van Clytemnestra en Agamemnon. Dat vond ik misschien het grootste zwakke punt: Iphigenia is in dit boek zo perfect en Elektra zo haar tegenpool dat je als lezer in een bepaalde richting geduwd wordt.

Maar Wilson schrijft vlot en doet verlangen naar meer. Het boek stopt plots en dat is het eerste deel in een serie rond het huis van Atreus. Ik kijk alvast uit naar het volgende deel. En zo heeft er weer een nieuwe auteur de Griekse mythologie hervertellingen op de kaart gezet.

Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar van dit boek in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story:
When Agamemnon claims the throne of Mycenae and takes Queen Clytemnestra as his wife, murdering her family in the process, she vows to do all she can to protect the children of this unhappy marriage from their tyrannical father.

But when Clytemnestra’s sister Helen abandons her own husband and Agamemnon’s brother for a handsome prince of Troy, Agamemnon once again looks set to destroy everything Clytemnestra holds dear…

My thoughts:
The first thing to say about this book is that it includes both a map and a family tree at the start, both of which I always love to see! And in this case, as I find with all stories of Greek myth, both were very useful, particularly the family tree. There are quite a few characters with complex relationships to keep track of, so I found this helpful to keep flipping back to (there is also a full list of characters, mortal and divine, at the back of the book).

This story is the first book in the House of Atreus trilogy, and follows one of the most reviled female characters of Greek myth – husband-murdering Queen Clytemnestra. From the start the author immediately evokes the sense of danger in the royal household, with brother over-throwing brother, nephew against uncle.

I studied Latin at school, part of which involved reading Book 2 of “The Aeneid”, which deals with the sacking of Troy. So I found it fascinating to read this tale of the events that precipitated this most famous of defeats. The writing is excellent, and the author doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the events or the passionate emotions of Clytemnestra — love for her children, and hatred of the man who has taken her as his wife.

Clytemnestra is not always a pleasant character. She can be rude, unkind and aloof. But she is also strong, determined and loyal to those she loves. And although the characters in this book often call upon the Gods for help, and try to honour them in their rituals, the plot is rooted in the mortal world, where it is the actions of men and women that determine the fate of the world.

Of course, the trouble with books like this is that I constantly look up characters and fall into a rabbit hole of backstory and myth. The author has done a great job incorporating the mythology of Clytemnestra into a fresh and enthralling story. This book will be followed by “Helen’s Judgement” and “Elektra’s Fury”, and I can’t wait to read more.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to The Write Reads and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.

One genre I have always loved, as long as I have been a reader, is a retelling. Fairytale retellings, classics retellings, and mythology retellings. Greek mythology retellings especially have always been a literary weakness of mine. I know it seems as though the reading world has been inundated with them as of late, but I can’t get enough! That’s why I was eager to jump on the blog tour for Clytemnestra’s Bind! I’m not as familiar with her myth, but I was ready and willing to dive in.

Our story follows the young queen and new mother, Clytemnestra, as she navigates life in a new land after marrying into the House of Atreus. Her happiness is short lived, however, as her husband’s cousin, Agamemnon storms back to reclaim the throne he believes is rightfully his. After a brief and bloody battle that leaves her a widow and childless, she is forced to wed the one man she would rather slay. And that’s just the beginning of her woes.

The first thing I’ll say about this book is that it is compulsively readable! I found it difficult to put down, flying through the pages hoping for the best, but knowing the worst was yet to come. Even knowing very little about this particular myth, I knew enough to know there were no happy endings coming. And yet! Even though I knew the eventual outcomes, the author made me so invested in the story with her incredible writing and character study.

I will say, though, that the author absolutely does not shy away from the awfulness of Clytemnestra’s tale. This book is brutal and I would advise anyone wanting to give it a try to check trigger warnings. It was never to the point, in my opinion, where it felt like brutality for brutality’s sake, though. It all made sense to the story the author was trying to tell. It was just rough, oof. And we really harped on how terrible of a person Agamemnon was. Every time that man was on page, it was like he was trying to one-up how awful he was the last time we saw him. We get it… he’s the villain. It didn’t have to be reinforced every. single. time.

Although Agamemnon as a character felt a little one dimensional, however, Clytemnestra absolutely shined. I loved following her journey from optimistic queen to a woman who is just trying to survive a hateful man and his hateful ways. A mother who wants the best for her children but is realistically flawed. I suppose it would make sense that her character is the one that is the most compelling, the most nuanced since the author is trying to change her narrative. Trying to show that she’s not the villain she is sometimes painted to be in the myths. I think, in this first installment of the series, she has done a masterful job of doing just that.

Overall, this was a compelling read that had me instantly hooked. Though there were bits that felt a little ham-fisted (looking at you, Aggie…), the author does a great job rebuilding characters that we are familiar with from ancient legends. I truly enjoyed the first saga in this series and I know I’ll be picking up the next one as soon as it drops!

[Theartsyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilson made Clytemnestra’s story come to life from the beginning. Her many hardships, the many horrors she had to experience and endure made her who she was, and this book tells them in a very lively manner. It is very well-written but you are going to have to be ready for beatdown after beatdown – Clytemnestra really suffers a lot. Before you are even half-way through the book her first husband and her only days-old baby are killed and she is taken as a trophy bride. She promises vengeance and wants to kill her new husband, but instead ends up, well… just treated absolutely atrociously. Agamemnon, her abductor, you could say, is presented as just about as nasty, horrible and violent a guy as you could think up. I don’t know how accurate that is, but from a cursory knowledge of the story of Troy (and the Brad Pitt movie) it sounds about right.

Of course, all this leaves Clytemnestra in a state where she hates this horrible man, but is trapped by his side because of the children she has had. This time she wants to protect them with all her might. She ends up devoting herself to her children, but still yearning for vengeance against the man who has tormented, dominated and abused her so terribly.

What I really like about this book is that the author focused Clytemnestra’s story on where it all began instead of what most do – focusing on the big events that have been retold again and again. Wilson clearly put a lot of time, care, and research into this book. The writing flows very nicely, and there are so many details that make Clytemnestra’s story really come to life. I wasn’t a big fan of the swear words and at times rather foul language used, but from other retellings I know this made the men’s voices even more authentic. People who are triggered by this, and also by rape scenes and killings, should probably have a look at the complete trigger warnings first before reading.

4 stars for this well-written novel!

To check out my full review head over to my blog:

https://theartsyreader.com/book-revie...