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Accursed Women: A collection of Short Stories
Five stories, five women, five legends.
Phaedra, a Minoan princess, marries out of duty and to safeguard her precious home. She falls in love with Hippolytos, her husband’s son and asks the Goddess Aphrodite for help. He spurns her affections.
The Trojan War, one of history’s greatest stories ever told. What if the legend as told is wrong? History is told by the victors, and facts changed to twist the truth. Is it possible Helen of Sparta never went to Troy?
Hera, Queen of the Gods, is the most powerful goddess on Mount Olympos. For the first time ever in a candid interview, Hera shares what it’s like to be a goddess and wife to Zeus, the King of the Gods.
Created by the gods as a gift to humanity, Pandora is the first woman on Earth. Did she know what Zeus intended when he presented an urn as a wedding dowry to her husband? Neither she nor Epimetheus knew what it contained, but they were told never to open it.
All Medousa wanted was a life of love and acceptance but one fateful night it changed. While she’s alone in the Temple of Athene tending to the sacred fire, Poseidon pays a visit. No human can stop an immortal from taking what they want.
Phaedra, a Minoan princess, marries out of duty and to safeguard her precious home. She falls in love with Hippolytos, her husband’s son and asks the Goddess Aphrodite for help. He spurns her affections.
The Trojan War, one of history’s greatest stories ever told. What if the legend as told is wrong? History is told by the victors, and facts changed to twist the truth. Is it possible Helen of Sparta never went to Troy?
Hera, Queen of the Gods, is the most powerful goddess on Mount Olympos. For the first time ever in a candid interview, Hera shares what it’s like to be a goddess and wife to Zeus, the King of the Gods.
Created by the gods as a gift to humanity, Pandora is the first woman on Earth. Did she know what Zeus intended when he presented an urn as a wedding dowry to her husband? Neither she nor Epimetheus knew what it contained, but they were told never to open it.
All Medousa wanted was a life of love and acceptance but one fateful night it changed. While she’s alone in the Temple of Athene tending to the sacred fire, Poseidon pays a visit. No human can stop an immortal from taking what they want.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2013
7 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
About the author
Luciana Cavallaro
10 books140 followersLuciana Cavallaro is a multi award-winning author of historical adventure fiction with a mythological twist. Her stories blend ancient history, legendary heroes, and gripping quests, drawing readers into immersive, cinematic worlds. Her books—The Labyrinthine Journey, Minotaur’s Lair, and The Guardian’s Legacy—have been recognised internationally, including as a Finalist in the New Media Film Festival and Quarterfinalist in the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition.
Luciana grew up in Western Australia, where her passion for myths and storytelling began early—so early, in fact, she once tried to drive the family car at age three. That early spark of curiosity and mischief now fuels the imaginative adventures she writes today.
She loves connecting with readers, so feel free to follow her here on Goodreads or visit her website.
Luciana grew up in Western Australia, where her passion for myths and storytelling began early—so early, in fact, she once tried to drive the family car at age three. That early spark of curiosity and mischief now fuels the imaginative adventures she writes today.
She loves connecting with readers, so feel free to follow her here on Goodreads or visit her website.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 7, 2014
A fresh interpretation of ancient Greek myths with unique astuteness and vivid imagination!
Being a Greek, I’ve been raised with the enchanting myths of my country, including the ones portrayed in this book. They’ve always fascinated me so when I was presented with the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review, I jumped at the chance, yet didn’t expect any novelties in the content. Little did I know though, what the author had in store: Greek heroes and heroines I thought I knew so well paraded before my eyes as I read the book but for the first time, they had flesh and bones, and they seemed incredibly real as if walking the earth today.
And how can it not be so when the author choses to portray some of these protagonists as living in the modern world? Who would have thought to present Goddess Hera as a guest in a live TV show for example? And as for novelty, how about hearing the real cause behind the Trojan War from the mouth of Helen herself? What if it has all been a lie and she never ran away with Paris?
Cavallaro fleshes out her characters with pumping hearts and weeping eyes as they recount the curses put upon them and their tragic downfalls. The book is a testament from five tragic women: Phaedra, Helen of Troy, Goddess Hera, Pandora, and Medousa.
In a nutshell, Luciana Cavallaro has created a gem, even though she’s used ingredients that have been overly used before and seem as plain as common stones! Don’t fool yourselves like I did that this is your run of the mill book of Greek myths. Far from it, these tales ring true at the heart, as if referring to people living next door. Their stories have been told and retold over the millennia but Cavallaro has managed the impossible: to breathe in these heroines new life and to render their pain and regret utterly believable.
Definitely looking forward to more books from this author.
Being a Greek, I’ve been raised with the enchanting myths of my country, including the ones portrayed in this book. They’ve always fascinated me so when I was presented with the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review, I jumped at the chance, yet didn’t expect any novelties in the content. Little did I know though, what the author had in store: Greek heroes and heroines I thought I knew so well paraded before my eyes as I read the book but for the first time, they had flesh and bones, and they seemed incredibly real as if walking the earth today.
And how can it not be so when the author choses to portray some of these protagonists as living in the modern world? Who would have thought to present Goddess Hera as a guest in a live TV show for example? And as for novelty, how about hearing the real cause behind the Trojan War from the mouth of Helen herself? What if it has all been a lie and she never ran away with Paris?
Cavallaro fleshes out her characters with pumping hearts and weeping eyes as they recount the curses put upon them and their tragic downfalls. The book is a testament from five tragic women: Phaedra, Helen of Troy, Goddess Hera, Pandora, and Medousa.
In a nutshell, Luciana Cavallaro has created a gem, even though she’s used ingredients that have been overly used before and seem as plain as common stones! Don’t fool yourselves like I did that this is your run of the mill book of Greek myths. Far from it, these tales ring true at the heart, as if referring to people living next door. Their stories have been told and retold over the millennia but Cavallaro has managed the impossible: to breathe in these heroines new life and to render their pain and regret utterly believable.
Definitely looking forward to more books from this author.
February 5, 2017
was lucky enough to win Accursed Women in a competition a while ago.
It is an anthology of character-led short stories unravelling and illustrating Greek mythology in a contemporary way.
This was an unusual read for me, partly because, not being totally familiar with the original tales, I first needed to read them in order to see how Luciana Cavallaro contrasts or equates the with contemporary society. And partly because the book is not something i would instantly look for. But I was intrigued… and then thrilled to receive it.
There are five short stories about five legendary figures but written as ordinary women (‘ordinary’ being probably the wrong word, considering the strong writing!); Phaedra, (not so much the conniving, scheming woman as a someone who makes the most of her situation) Helen of Troy (less the character usually shown to have begun a war, more as a woman whose circumstances lead inevitably to strife), Hera ( to me a true feminist), Pandora (not the foolishly nosy woman habitually depicted), Medousa (definitely not the hideous monster, more a naive girl).
Each tale told from the protagonist’s point of view, each threaded through with contemporary women’s fiction themes. The author has portrayed these characters in today’s culture in a powerful feminist way and brought them to life.And then given the stories a great twist
An innovative and compelling read. Highly recommended!
It is an anthology of character-led short stories unravelling and illustrating Greek mythology in a contemporary way.
This was an unusual read for me, partly because, not being totally familiar with the original tales, I first needed to read them in order to see how Luciana Cavallaro contrasts or equates the with contemporary society. And partly because the book is not something i would instantly look for. But I was intrigued… and then thrilled to receive it.
There are five short stories about five legendary figures but written as ordinary women (‘ordinary’ being probably the wrong word, considering the strong writing!); Phaedra, (not so much the conniving, scheming woman as a someone who makes the most of her situation) Helen of Troy (less the character usually shown to have begun a war, more as a woman whose circumstances lead inevitably to strife), Hera ( to me a true feminist), Pandora (not the foolishly nosy woman habitually depicted), Medousa (definitely not the hideous monster, more a naive girl).
Each tale told from the protagonist’s point of view, each threaded through with contemporary women’s fiction themes. The author has portrayed these characters in today’s culture in a powerful feminist way and brought them to life.And then given the stories a great twist
An innovative and compelling read. Highly recommended!
December 16, 2013
The collection of short stories by Luciana Cavallaro is a retelling of Greek myths about cursed women and goddesses, but with a different twist from what we originally read. These myths are told from the perspective of different storytellers: a Minoan princess writing her last account after taking poison; a historian interviewing Helen of Troy; a talk show host interviewing Hera; a parent telling the story of Pandora; and Medusa’s story in retrospect. Based on the storyteller, the plot unfolds differently than what was handed down through various generations from the male perspective. What these tales bring out is the unfair handling of these legendary women and goddesses. The Greek gods and goddesses were capricious and their curses often unfair. I particularly liked the stories about Helen of Troy and Medusa. The scene of Perseus killing Medusa was riveting, but the story explaining Medusa’s childhood and curse was bittersweet. For those who love mythology, I strongly recommend this book of short stories.
November 30, 2015
“Accursed Women” is a collection of short stories portraying the well-known Greek mythology in a new, modern light. As one can guess from the title, the protagonists are all females, strong, driven, highly intelligent and causing nothing but the admiration of the reader, especially taking into consideration the sexist society they had to live in.
The feministic line is very powerful in this collection, and the parallel of women’s role in the ancient culture and today’s society can be easily drawn. I also truly enjoyed the way the author presented some stories in a new light, like the one of Helen of Troy, making her a victim of circumstances and not a lustful woman who everybody used to take her for. Medouse’s story caused nothing but my sympathy, I absolutely loved how the author showed the innocent girl behind the monster, who was condemned to suffer for something she had not any control of.
A wonderful work of fiction! I’ve always loved Greek mythology and this short story collection was a fresh, riveting read. Highly recommended!
The feministic line is very powerful in this collection, and the parallel of women’s role in the ancient culture and today’s society can be easily drawn. I also truly enjoyed the way the author presented some stories in a new light, like the one of Helen of Troy, making her a victim of circumstances and not a lustful woman who everybody used to take her for. Medouse’s story caused nothing but my sympathy, I absolutely loved how the author showed the innocent girl behind the monster, who was condemned to suffer for something she had not any control of.
A wonderful work of fiction! I’ve always loved Greek mythology and this short story collection was a fresh, riveting read. Highly recommended!
July 21, 2014
This book was recommended to me and I’m so glad I read it because I discovered Luciana Cavallaro’s writing. She gives vibrancy and personality to the most famous Greek myths. It is written in an engaging tone. Definitely not your typical dry, textbook reading about Helen, Hera or Pandora! We know these famous names but Luciana engages us into their timeless and dramatic tales in a truly creative way. In the end she successfully brings out the compelling and important themes that we love to relate to in today’s women’s fiction. I highly recommend Luciana’s new twist on Greek mythology.
December 20, 2015
ACCURSED WOMEN, self published by Luciana Cavallaro, is a series of vignettes re-telling the tales of five notable women of ancient Greek myth and legend. She writes of Phaedra, Helen, Hera, Pandora, and Medousa. In her short stories, Cavallaro adeptly gives voice to women who are known to us today only by their faults and failings.
The first story is Aphrodite’s Curse, and it concerns Phaedra, daughter of Minos and Pasiphae, sister of Ariadne, and the wife of Theseus. There are a few versions of her story, but the main point is that Hippolytus devotes himself to Artemis and spurns the worship of Aphrodite. She punishes him by cause his stepmother—Phaedra—to fall in love with him. Though there are several variants, Theseus is told that his son raped his wife, at which point Theseus curses Hippolytus who then dies.
In Cavallo’s retelling of the story, she uses the version of the myth in which Phaedra’s nurse tells Hippolytus that his stepmother longs for him, and that Phaedra writes a letter to Theseus saying that Hippolytus raped her.
The story is written from Phaedra’s point of view, she being the author who is desperately writing out her confession as she is dying of hemlock poisoning. She declares that she never sent her nurse to her stepson, but that her nurse, trying to help soothe her lust, tried to entice Hippolytus to come to her.
Her tale is rather circuitous, as she recalls her youth in Krete, growing up in the palace, memories of her father the king and the curse placed on him for failing to sacrifice the bull that Poseidon gave to him, and how Poseidon caused her mother to fall in love with it and bore Asterion, the Minotaur. She mentions Deadalus and Ikaros. She tells of her sister Ariadne, and what Theseus did to her, even after she helped him defeat her brother Asterion and escape the Labyrinth. I actually began to grow weary of this tale as it never seemed to come to a point. However, by the end of the story, as Phaedra dies, she has made the case that her family, for her father’s sins, suffered great curses from the Gods, and that though not innocent, she herself was not so heartless and evil as she seemed.
The next story, The Curse of Troy, concerned Helen and her part in the Trojan war. The tale is skillfully retold here, that Agamemnon arranged his younger brother’s marriage to Tyndareus’ daughter, and Helen herself quickly came to learn that she was a mere possession and a means to possessing her father’s portion of the kingship of Sparta. In an ingenious reworking of the traditional story, Helen never ran off with Paris or stole from Menalaus’ treasury; instead, Agamemnon had her kidnapped and sent to Egypt where she remained under guard for ten years, so that he could have a pretext to attack Troy, and gain control of the rich trade route through the Hellespont. The story is told by an aged Queen Helen herself to an itinerant historian, and was wonderfully thought out and plotted.
The next story is A Goddess’ Curse, perhaps my least favourite of the stories here. Essentially the Goddess Hera appears as a guest on a reality television interview show, a la Maury Povitch, or Jerry Springer. Hera is subjected to questions about her early life, her family, her technically incestuous relationship with Zeus, her vindictive jealousies toward Zeus’ lovers and so on. Not much new was ever revealed about Hera in this piece, but suffice it to say that the interviewer will never forget his encounter with the Queen of the Gods.
Boxed in a Curse, the fourth story, is a retelling of Pandora. In this tale, the story is being told by a grandfather to his two young grandchildren. The story here does not really deviate at all from the traditional tale, but the myth is considerably fleshed out, clearly illustrating the temptation put in place that compelled Pandora to open the jar she was forbidden from opening. Cavallaro describes the urn itself as almost consciously enticing Pandora to open it. I was immediately reminded of the Near Eastern myth of Gan Eden, in which YHVH forbids Adam and Eve from eating of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, yet placed that very tree in the midst of the garden with them. The main difference is that in the Greek myth, Zeus knew full well what he was doing, and fully expected Pandora to open the jar to let loose pain, suffering, disease, and death upon mankind.
The final story is Cursed By Treachery, a retelling of Medousa’s story. Here, the tale is told backwards, chapter by chapter, beginning with Perseus slaying Medousa and escaping her sisters, and then moving back through time, when we see Medousa, Euryale, and Stheno as carefree, beautiful nymphs, daughters of Phorkys and Keto. Cavallo fills out the myth extremely well; in fact, Cavallo’s tale of Medousa and her sisters is far superior to my own upcoming novel. One of the things that impressed me most was that Cavallo was able to make the Gorgons utterly loathsome and repulsive and genuinely evil, and yet, sympathetic when you learn of their origins. And yet, because of what they had become, you don’t feel very much sympathy for Medousa when she is slain. It was masterfully told.
My favourite stories in this book were the tales of Helen and Medousa. Very well wrought, and I highly recommend this book and this author.
The first story is Aphrodite’s Curse, and it concerns Phaedra, daughter of Minos and Pasiphae, sister of Ariadne, and the wife of Theseus. There are a few versions of her story, but the main point is that Hippolytus devotes himself to Artemis and spurns the worship of Aphrodite. She punishes him by cause his stepmother—Phaedra—to fall in love with him. Though there are several variants, Theseus is told that his son raped his wife, at which point Theseus curses Hippolytus who then dies.
In Cavallo’s retelling of the story, she uses the version of the myth in which Phaedra’s nurse tells Hippolytus that his stepmother longs for him, and that Phaedra writes a letter to Theseus saying that Hippolytus raped her.
The story is written from Phaedra’s point of view, she being the author who is desperately writing out her confession as she is dying of hemlock poisoning. She declares that she never sent her nurse to her stepson, but that her nurse, trying to help soothe her lust, tried to entice Hippolytus to come to her.
Her tale is rather circuitous, as she recalls her youth in Krete, growing up in the palace, memories of her father the king and the curse placed on him for failing to sacrifice the bull that Poseidon gave to him, and how Poseidon caused her mother to fall in love with it and bore Asterion, the Minotaur. She mentions Deadalus and Ikaros. She tells of her sister Ariadne, and what Theseus did to her, even after she helped him defeat her brother Asterion and escape the Labyrinth. I actually began to grow weary of this tale as it never seemed to come to a point. However, by the end of the story, as Phaedra dies, she has made the case that her family, for her father’s sins, suffered great curses from the Gods, and that though not innocent, she herself was not so heartless and evil as she seemed.
The next story, The Curse of Troy, concerned Helen and her part in the Trojan war. The tale is skillfully retold here, that Agamemnon arranged his younger brother’s marriage to Tyndareus’ daughter, and Helen herself quickly came to learn that she was a mere possession and a means to possessing her father’s portion of the kingship of Sparta. In an ingenious reworking of the traditional story, Helen never ran off with Paris or stole from Menalaus’ treasury; instead, Agamemnon had her kidnapped and sent to Egypt where she remained under guard for ten years, so that he could have a pretext to attack Troy, and gain control of the rich trade route through the Hellespont. The story is told by an aged Queen Helen herself to an itinerant historian, and was wonderfully thought out and plotted.
The next story is A Goddess’ Curse, perhaps my least favourite of the stories here. Essentially the Goddess Hera appears as a guest on a reality television interview show, a la Maury Povitch, or Jerry Springer. Hera is subjected to questions about her early life, her family, her technically incestuous relationship with Zeus, her vindictive jealousies toward Zeus’ lovers and so on. Not much new was ever revealed about Hera in this piece, but suffice it to say that the interviewer will never forget his encounter with the Queen of the Gods.
Boxed in a Curse, the fourth story, is a retelling of Pandora. In this tale, the story is being told by a grandfather to his two young grandchildren. The story here does not really deviate at all from the traditional tale, but the myth is considerably fleshed out, clearly illustrating the temptation put in place that compelled Pandora to open the jar she was forbidden from opening. Cavallaro describes the urn itself as almost consciously enticing Pandora to open it. I was immediately reminded of the Near Eastern myth of Gan Eden, in which YHVH forbids Adam and Eve from eating of the Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, yet placed that very tree in the midst of the garden with them. The main difference is that in the Greek myth, Zeus knew full well what he was doing, and fully expected Pandora to open the jar to let loose pain, suffering, disease, and death upon mankind.
The final story is Cursed By Treachery, a retelling of Medousa’s story. Here, the tale is told backwards, chapter by chapter, beginning with Perseus slaying Medousa and escaping her sisters, and then moving back through time, when we see Medousa, Euryale, and Stheno as carefree, beautiful nymphs, daughters of Phorkys and Keto. Cavallo fills out the myth extremely well; in fact, Cavallo’s tale of Medousa and her sisters is far superior to my own upcoming novel. One of the things that impressed me most was that Cavallo was able to make the Gorgons utterly loathsome and repulsive and genuinely evil, and yet, sympathetic when you learn of their origins. And yet, because of what they had become, you don’t feel very much sympathy for Medousa when she is slain. It was masterfully told.
My favourite stories in this book were the tales of Helen and Medousa. Very well wrought, and I highly recommend this book and this author.
October 7, 2017
A New Voice in Mythology!
Ms. Cavallaro brings new blood to ancient myths with imaginative, unique story telling! "Accursed Women" speaking for themselves, revealing perceptions never before considered. A fresh take to pique the reader's curiosity, such as a Queen goddess on a modern day television talk show and a famed beauty relating her own experiences to an understanding historian, just to mention two of these unusual, thought-provoking tales. Totally enthralling and captivating! There's always more to the story and Luciana Cavallaro brings it to life in a fascinating way!
Ms. Cavallaro brings new blood to ancient myths with imaginative, unique story telling! "Accursed Women" speaking for themselves, revealing perceptions never before considered. A fresh take to pique the reader's curiosity, such as a Queen goddess on a modern day television talk show and a famed beauty relating her own experiences to an understanding historian, just to mention two of these unusual, thought-provoking tales. Totally enthralling and captivating! There's always more to the story and Luciana Cavallaro brings it to life in a fascinating way!
February 25, 2014
A Solid 5-Star Story Collection!
Splendidly written, Luciana Cavallaro gives life and personality to some of the most famous and fascinating characters of Greek mythology. However, ACCURSED WOMEN is mythology with a modern twist! The stories don’t read like a dry academic recounting, instead the author weaves mythological legends with modern motif.
The collection of five stories is refreshingly unique and creatively told, each from different perspectives. Ageless legends unfold differently than accounts handed down throughout the ages, with the stories told through the eyes of famous women and goddesses. The author makes the myths completely captivating, like fiction stories you might read anywhere with romance, intrigue, dialogue, and emotion. A powerful underlining theme is woven into the stories…not only were these women beautiful, but they possessed great strength and intelligence. Interesting enough, the gods with their immortality and all the powers they possessed, still were able to fall prey to weakness.
Have you ever wondered who Phaedra really fell in love with? Or how Menelaos became Helen of Sparta’s husband or what it was like to be the wife of Zeus? And exactly what was in the urn Zeus gave Pandora as a wedding dowry to her husband?
Luciana Cavallaro tells all and more in Accursed Women, an exciting, modern reconstruction of Greek mythology. I highly recommend this book.
Splendidly written, Luciana Cavallaro gives life and personality to some of the most famous and fascinating characters of Greek mythology. However, ACCURSED WOMEN is mythology with a modern twist! The stories don’t read like a dry academic recounting, instead the author weaves mythological legends with modern motif.
The collection of five stories is refreshingly unique and creatively told, each from different perspectives. Ageless legends unfold differently than accounts handed down throughout the ages, with the stories told through the eyes of famous women and goddesses. The author makes the myths completely captivating, like fiction stories you might read anywhere with romance, intrigue, dialogue, and emotion. A powerful underlining theme is woven into the stories…not only were these women beautiful, but they possessed great strength and intelligence. Interesting enough, the gods with their immortality and all the powers they possessed, still were able to fall prey to weakness.
Have you ever wondered who Phaedra really fell in love with? Or how Menelaos became Helen of Sparta’s husband or what it was like to be the wife of Zeus? And exactly what was in the urn Zeus gave Pandora as a wedding dowry to her husband?
Luciana Cavallaro tells all and more in Accursed Women, an exciting, modern reconstruction of Greek mythology. I highly recommend this book.
July 21, 2014
Accursed Women by Luciana Cavallaro
A book of five short story about five legendary women. Phaedra, who falls in love with her husbands son. Helen of Sparta who was claimed to have a war started over her. Hera, wife of Zues and the most powerful Goddess. Pandora who was know for opening a forbidden box, and Medousa, the snake haired creature.
Each story is wonderfully told with a twist on what might have been. The woman are perceived as actual women, not as Goddesses. Told from the women's point of view, Luciana Cavallaro brings these women to life and leaves a lasting impression.
I was left thinking what if ......? A fantastic read. I highly recommend Accursed Women to those who like mythology and short stories.
A book of five short story about five legendary women. Phaedra, who falls in love with her husbands son. Helen of Sparta who was claimed to have a war started over her. Hera, wife of Zues and the most powerful Goddess. Pandora who was know for opening a forbidden box, and Medousa, the snake haired creature.
Each story is wonderfully told with a twist on what might have been. The woman are perceived as actual women, not as Goddesses. Told from the women's point of view, Luciana Cavallaro brings these women to life and leaves a lasting impression.
I was left thinking what if ......? A fantastic read. I highly recommend Accursed Women to those who like mythology and short stories.
January 14, 2016
Enjoyable retellings from Greek mythology!
This is a book I did not expect to enjoy very much, because it attempts to do something that is very difficult indeed - to retell stories from Greek mythology with the author's own unique interpretations and twists. I have seen this done badly so many times that I did not have great expectations for this book. I am happy to say that I was wrong - these stories are very well done, and are unique interpretations of the related stories. Strongly recommended for anyone who would like to read a different twist on some familiar myths!
This is a book I did not expect to enjoy very much, because it attempts to do something that is very difficult indeed - to retell stories from Greek mythology with the author's own unique interpretations and twists. I have seen this done badly so many times that I did not have great expectations for this book. I am happy to say that I was wrong - these stories are very well done, and are unique interpretations of the related stories. Strongly recommended for anyone who would like to read a different twist on some familiar myths!
November 26, 2013
Accursed Women
Luciana Cavallaro
Mythos Publication
A unique collection of short stories about an array of Greek myths and legends. Every story engages the reader and makes you feel like you're there living the moment. Expertly written and a very enjoyable take on the Greek Gods and their myths. I especially enjoyed the story The Curse of Troy because of it's excellent characterization.
Thanks to Goodreads First Reads and Luciana Cavallaro for this free copy!
Luciana Cavallaro
Mythos Publication
A unique collection of short stories about an array of Greek myths and legends. Every story engages the reader and makes you feel like you're there living the moment. Expertly written and a very enjoyable take on the Greek Gods and their myths. I especially enjoyed the story The Curse of Troy because of it's excellent characterization.
Thanks to Goodreads First Reads and Luciana Cavallaro for this free copy!
December 2, 2014
All the stories are well written and packed with information. They are highly readable and entertaining. I'm sure if school Classics lessons had been this interesting I would have paid more attention. A really enjoyable collection and excellent adaptations written with flair and originality.
December 13, 2014
This book of short stories is such an original concept! I like how author Luciana Cavallaro retells popular Greek myths in ways that add twists and modern elements. The short stories, which focus on women, were very enjoyable to read!
July 25, 2022
The book is a collection of 5 stories about women who have weathered great dramas interpreted from "their" perspective. And that's the difference...how they want to tell their stories. The last story in the collection was a surprise.
December 11, 2013
This is awesome.
Review coming soon!
Review coming soon!
September 1, 2021
Most of this book was a bit disappointing. The stuff that wasn't was either ok or downright depressing. I liked the first story the best and it kinda went downhill from there.
guess every book can't be a winner.
guess every book can't be a winner.
October 30, 2014
I hoped this book would be an amusing way to remind myself of the Greek Gods and Goddesses and their complicated family tree. And I did relearn about the War between the Titans and Olympian Gods, about part-human monsters, about Gods who eat their children. However it was at the expense of wading through some pretty uninspired writing.
March 16, 2015
I would have preferred the author not use names close to the original Greek. I can appreciate the desire to maintain accuracy, but even with a rough guide at the beginning it was difficult. Then there was the weird sudden twist to modern settings when the other stories to place in Ancient Greece.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews