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Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling
Ariadne, high priestess of Crete, grew up duty-bound to the goddess Artemis. If she takes a husband, she must sacrifice him to her goddess after no more than three years of marriage. For this reason, she refuses to love any man, until a mysterious stranger arrives on her island.
The stranger is Dionysus, the new god of wine, who empowers women and breaks the rules of the old gods. He came to Crete seeking vengeance against Artemis. He never expected to fall in love.
Furious that Dionysus would dare meddle with her high priestess, Artemis threatens to kill Ariadne if Dionysus doesn’t abandon her. Heartbroken, the new god leaves Crete, vowing to become better than the Olympians.
From the bloody labyrinth and the shadows of Hades to the halls of Olympus, Dionysus must find a way to defy Artemis and unite with his true love. Forced to betray her people, Ariadne discovers her own power to choose between the goddess she pledged herself to and the god she loves.
The stranger is Dionysus, the new god of wine, who empowers women and breaks the rules of the old gods. He came to Crete seeking vengeance against Artemis. He never expected to fall in love.
Furious that Dionysus would dare meddle with her high priestess, Artemis threatens to kill Ariadne if Dionysus doesn’t abandon her. Heartbroken, the new god leaves Crete, vowing to become better than the Olympians.
From the bloody labyrinth and the shadows of Hades to the halls of Olympus, Dionysus must find a way to defy Artemis and unite with his true love. Forced to betray her people, Ariadne discovers her own power to choose between the goddess she pledged herself to and the god she loves.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2021
18 people are currently reading
668 people want to read
About the author
Zenobia Neil
7 books57 followersZenobia Neil was named after an ancient warrior queen who fought against the Romans. She writes historical fiction and historical fantasy from under-represented perspectives. Her debut novel Psyche Unbound won a publishing contract. Her second novel The Jinni’s Last Wish takes place in the Imperial Ottoman Harem and focuses on a eunuch, a mysterious Jewish woman, and a jinni. Her third novel The Queen of Warriors is about a Spartan woman warrior in search of redemption in the war-torn remains of Alexander the Great's empire. Her newest novel, Ariadne Unraveled is a Mythic Retelling of the love story between Ariadne and Dionysus, which takes place in Bronze Age Crete and surrounding Aegean islands. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
April 27, 2022
3 "soapy, soft porny, imaginative" stars !!!
Most(est) Fun Review Written in 2021 Award
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Victory Netgalley Editing Co-op for an ecopy of this novel. I am providing my honest review. This was released July 2021.
I want to start off by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel to a 4 star degree ! This was like seeing mediocre opera. Mediocre opera is better than no opera and despite mishaps and flaws can be really quite enjoyable even though the soprano cannot reach high Cs, the mezzo is thirty years too old for the part and baritone hero looks like he hasn't showered in a few weeks.
First of all I want to say I lurved just lurved the author's vision and imagination in retelling this story through a feminist and queer lens which led to so much more variation and variety in plot and character expression. Everybody was fucking everybody in this romantic tale (or tail lol) and everybody from common servants, to princes, to priestesses, to satyrs and demigods had agency in creating destinies in beautiful and exciting ancient Greece.
Ms. Neil was able to impart the magic of the myths while infusing them with a modern sensibility,
erotic titillation and romantic haze that had this reader smiling, enjoying and wondering where this story would go to next and what intrigue lay behind door number theta !
The prose, however, is extremely uneven. There are parts that are extremely vivid and graceful whereas other sections are pedestrian and at the worst of times become histrionic and (unintentionally) extremely cheezy. It would have been also more interesting to explore the depths of the characters' psychologies as the extremely interesting plot warranted this rather than simply stereotypical feminist heroines, bisexual demi-gods and male chauvinist kings (with good intentions of course).
I have great hope that Ms. Neil can overcome some of the big flaws in this book and come out with a mythic tale that is sparkling in its entirety rather than just be brilliant in certain sections.
But remember ! Mediocre opera is better than no opera but is not better than hearing Diana Damrau sing Strauss !!
Most(est) Fun Review Written in 2021 Award
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and Victory Netgalley Editing Co-op for an ecopy of this novel. I am providing my honest review. This was released July 2021.
I want to start off by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel to a 4 star degree ! This was like seeing mediocre opera. Mediocre opera is better than no opera and despite mishaps and flaws can be really quite enjoyable even though the soprano cannot reach high Cs, the mezzo is thirty years too old for the part and baritone hero looks like he hasn't showered in a few weeks.
First of all I want to say I lurved just lurved the author's vision and imagination in retelling this story through a feminist and queer lens which led to so much more variation and variety in plot and character expression. Everybody was fucking everybody in this romantic tale (or tail lol) and everybody from common servants, to princes, to priestesses, to satyrs and demigods had agency in creating destinies in beautiful and exciting ancient Greece.
Ms. Neil was able to impart the magic of the myths while infusing them with a modern sensibility,
erotic titillation and romantic haze that had this reader smiling, enjoying and wondering where this story would go to next and what intrigue lay behind door number theta !
The prose, however, is extremely uneven. There are parts that are extremely vivid and graceful whereas other sections are pedestrian and at the worst of times become histrionic and (unintentionally) extremely cheezy. It would have been also more interesting to explore the depths of the characters' psychologies as the extremely interesting plot warranted this rather than simply stereotypical feminist heroines, bisexual demi-gods and male chauvinist kings (with good intentions of course).
I have great hope that Ms. Neil can overcome some of the big flaws in this book and come out with a mythic tale that is sparkling in its entirety rather than just be brilliant in certain sections.
But remember ! Mediocre opera is better than no opera but is not better than hearing Diana Damrau sing Strauss !!
September 9, 2021
I love mythology retelling. Although, I read a little about Ariadne. I heard her more in other stories about her family, her mother Pasiphae and Minotaur, Circe, Madea, and his grandfather Helios. So, I found this very interesting story.
The story is told by Ariadne and Dionysus and started with their meeting before Theseus, son of Aegeus. Dionysus, the divine son of Zeus, wanted vengeance on Artemis, his half-sister, and Crete was a place for his plans.
Ariadne, the high priestess of Crete, took a husband for one to three years. She wed him, bedded him, and sacrificed him to the goddess (the rules on Crete were different). Her mother Pasiphae had done the same, but she had angered the goddess by keeping her husband, Minos.
This was a very romantic, beautifully written retelling of Ariadne, and I think a lot added to the typical one. I enjoyed it. Highly recommended to romance and mythology fans.
"He had promised to make her his queen in Athens, to never forget how she had saved him. The promise of a man was worthless."
Many thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for giving me the chance to read Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling by Zenobia Neil in exchange for an honest review.
Published Date 07 Jul 2021.
The story is told by Ariadne and Dionysus and started with their meeting before Theseus, son of Aegeus. Dionysus, the divine son of Zeus, wanted vengeance on Artemis, his half-sister, and Crete was a place for his plans.
Ariadne, the high priestess of Crete, took a husband for one to three years. She wed him, bedded him, and sacrificed him to the goddess (the rules on Crete were different). Her mother Pasiphae had done the same, but she had angered the goddess by keeping her husband, Minos.
This was a very romantic, beautifully written retelling of Ariadne, and I think a lot added to the typical one. I enjoyed it. Highly recommended to romance and mythology fans.
"He had promised to make her his queen in Athens, to never forget how she had saved him. The promise of a man was worthless."
Many thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for giving me the chance to read Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling by Zenobia Neil in exchange for an honest review.
Published Date 07 Jul 2021.
July 1, 2021
5 stars!
Wow, this book is everything I had hoped it would be and more. I could honestly go on about it for days, but I’ll try to keep this brief. I’ve been looking for a Dionysus and Ariadne retelling for a while, so I’m glad I came across this book. There are, unfortunately, very few couples in Greek mythology who actually had a healthy relationship. Dionysus and Ariadne are one of said lucky pairings, and this book absolutely did them justice.
Being that so many Greek myths were passed down orally, there are many different variations of every story. This book does a great job of retelling the most popular rendition of this story (granted, with a few changes), while also alluding to some others. Although I do think anyone could easily enjoy this book, I will say that it will probably hold a lot more appeal if you are already a fan of Greek mythology. There are tons of references to note within the text that people who are familiar with Ariadne’s story will pick up on.
Now, as much as I loved this book, I will admit that I was hesitant towards it at first. The plot starts really fast and begins with some insta-lust. However, said lust makes sense in terms of the narrative, and from that point on, the relationship between Ariadne and Dionysus is beautifully written. Although I loved the romance and general plot of this book, it’s stand out feature to me is its incorporation of so many feminist messages. Unfortunately, rape is a very common feature in Greek mythology. This book, however, does not choose to ignore this in its retelling. It wonderfully addresses consent, rape culture, and the process reclaiming your body. It does a great job of rewriting women, as well as 21st century ideals, into history.
This book also does a great job with the characterization of the side characters in this story. Greek mythology is a difficult subject to retell with a new protagonist, as the original myths are so dramatic. With such intense antagonists, it can be hard to tell the story from a new point of view without completely villainizing a different character. This book though, does a great job of humanizing all the characters in this story. Although some characters have better morals than others, and some stand in the main characters way, while others do not, they all feel like they could believably be real people. That being said, this book also makes sure not to idealize any of its characters. No one is without their flaws, even heroes.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book, and am so glad I picked it up. From the romance, to the feminist messages incorporated into the story, to the overall writing quality, this book was incredible. Hopefully it gains recognition in the genre of Greek mythology retellings, because it’s truly a beautiful book.
Lastly, in case it is something that may trigger you, be warned that this book does contain scenes of attempted rape. (There’s a full list of trigger warnings at the start of the book if that’s something you need to check before picking this up)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this book is everything I had hoped it would be and more. I could honestly go on about it for days, but I’ll try to keep this brief. I’ve been looking for a Dionysus and Ariadne retelling for a while, so I’m glad I came across this book. There are, unfortunately, very few couples in Greek mythology who actually had a healthy relationship. Dionysus and Ariadne are one of said lucky pairings, and this book absolutely did them justice.
Being that so many Greek myths were passed down orally, there are many different variations of every story. This book does a great job of retelling the most popular rendition of this story (granted, with a few changes), while also alluding to some others. Although I do think anyone could easily enjoy this book, I will say that it will probably hold a lot more appeal if you are already a fan of Greek mythology. There are tons of references to note within the text that people who are familiar with Ariadne’s story will pick up on.
Now, as much as I loved this book, I will admit that I was hesitant towards it at first. The plot starts really fast and begins with some insta-lust. However, said lust makes sense in terms of the narrative, and from that point on, the relationship between Ariadne and Dionysus is beautifully written. Although I loved the romance and general plot of this book, it’s stand out feature to me is its incorporation of so many feminist messages. Unfortunately, rape is a very common feature in Greek mythology. This book, however, does not choose to ignore this in its retelling. It wonderfully addresses consent, rape culture, and the process reclaiming your body. It does a great job of rewriting women, as well as 21st century ideals, into history.
This book also does a great job with the characterization of the side characters in this story. Greek mythology is a difficult subject to retell with a new protagonist, as the original myths are so dramatic. With such intense antagonists, it can be hard to tell the story from a new point of view without completely villainizing a different character. This book though, does a great job of humanizing all the characters in this story. Although some characters have better morals than others, and some stand in the main characters way, while others do not, they all feel like they could believably be real people. That being said, this book also makes sure not to idealize any of its characters. No one is without their flaws, even heroes.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book, and am so glad I picked it up. From the romance, to the feminist messages incorporated into the story, to the overall writing quality, this book was incredible. Hopefully it gains recognition in the genre of Greek mythology retellings, because it’s truly a beautiful book.
Lastly, in case it is something that may trigger you, be warned that this book does contain scenes of attempted rape. (There’s a full list of trigger warnings at the start of the book if that’s something you need to check before picking this up)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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July 8, 2021DNF.
I really tried to force myself to read this but at the 30 % mark I just had to quit. Here is why:
I was so excited going into this book as it was based on one of my favourite couples from Greek mythology- I absolutely love Dionysus and Ariadne- as well as the multiple myths and plays surrounding these characters. There’s just so much of their story that anyone can explore.
I usually love picking up a myth- retelling too! Bu this just did not hit the mark for me. Straight away there was instant love; I can understand the instant lust, but the instant love? No. In the book, Ariadne realises her love for Dionysus super early (for Dionysus it was instant love) but it just came out from nowhere, especially when she vowed she wouldn’t like him. There was no development for the shift in emotion and was too sudden for this to portray any real depth or reality of the emotion.
The writing style of this is also something I couldn’t enjoyably read. It was almost YA/middle grade but then random sex snippets would be put in; it just was a bit jarring to read.
I also found that the characters weren’t that developed and had sudden emotions and not much chemistry? It made it difficult to believe in and understand their love, especially when the characters would constantly just sleep with other people. I think I wanted more emotional depth, rather than something that appeared superficial and insta-lovey.
I do, however, like that this novel contained scenes of sapphic love and showed all the facets of love that the god Dionysus partakes in.
Thank you to Net Galley for giving me this Arc.
I really tried to force myself to read this but at the 30 % mark I just had to quit. Here is why:
I was so excited going into this book as it was based on one of my favourite couples from Greek mythology- I absolutely love Dionysus and Ariadne- as well as the multiple myths and plays surrounding these characters. There’s just so much of their story that anyone can explore.
I usually love picking up a myth- retelling too! Bu this just did not hit the mark for me. Straight away there was instant love; I can understand the instant lust, but the instant love? No. In the book, Ariadne realises her love for Dionysus super early (for Dionysus it was instant love) but it just came out from nowhere, especially when she vowed she wouldn’t like him. There was no development for the shift in emotion and was too sudden for this to portray any real depth or reality of the emotion.
The writing style of this is also something I couldn’t enjoyably read. It was almost YA/middle grade but then random sex snippets would be put in; it just was a bit jarring to read.
I also found that the characters weren’t that developed and had sudden emotions and not much chemistry? It made it difficult to believe in and understand their love, especially when the characters would constantly just sleep with other people. I think I wanted more emotional depth, rather than something that appeared superficial and insta-lovey.
I do, however, like that this novel contained scenes of sapphic love and showed all the facets of love that the god Dionysus partakes in.
Thank you to Net Galley for giving me this Arc.
June 4, 2021
I was so happy to see that Neil has just written a new book. I have read all her others: her writing style, attention to detail and massive research have always impressed me. And I was not at all disappointed. by Ariadne Unraveled; a gripping and totally unique retelling of the famous Greek myth. Of course I knew about Ariadne and Theseus and the Minotaur. I've been to Knossos twice and knew a little bit about the Minoan culture, (mostly that they had running water and toilets). But from the first page, this book just sucked me in. Maybe because of the lyrical writing, the amount of detail effortlessly woven in. With all of Neil's work you can easily see and touch and smell the atmosphere, the fabrics, the food. The mythic characters were so realistic and alive, exactly as the Greeks had envisioned their gods. Normally I don't like "magic" but hey! this was a myth and I loved the parts where I joyfully suspended disbelief.
Ariadne Unraveled is not just a retelling of the myth of Dionysus, now my favorite god! Who knew? I knew he was the god of wine and nothing more. Neil has him shedding tears of wine! Loved that. I was intrigued by the extremely plausible, empathetic rendering of the Minotaur. The Greeks defeated Crete and, like all victors, (to this day) lived to tell their own version of history. Why not tell of a bloodthirsty monster and a lustful queen? Neil's Paisephe and Asterion are so much more relatable, realistic characters. And there is so much about the inequality yet subtle power of women; how they coped with puberty and childbirth and tried to take part in their own destiny.
This is a vibrant re-telling of the (more interesting) forgotten part of a myth and also a beautiful tale of love and loyalty between women and women as well as men and men; and at best, a very romantic love story.
Ariadne Unraveled is not just a retelling of the myth of Dionysus, now my favorite god! Who knew? I knew he was the god of wine and nothing more. Neil has him shedding tears of wine! Loved that. I was intrigued by the extremely plausible, empathetic rendering of the Minotaur. The Greeks defeated Crete and, like all victors, (to this day) lived to tell their own version of history. Why not tell of a bloodthirsty monster and a lustful queen? Neil's Paisephe and Asterion are so much more relatable, realistic characters. And there is so much about the inequality yet subtle power of women; how they coped with puberty and childbirth and tried to take part in their own destiny.
This is a vibrant re-telling of the (more interesting) forgotten part of a myth and also a beautiful tale of love and loyalty between women and women as well as men and men; and at best, a very romantic love story.
July 8, 2021
This is a beautiful retelling of Greek God, son of Zeus, Dionysius and the high priestess of Crete, Ariadne. Although the story was told from switching between both Dionysius and Ariadne, I feel it was more focused on Ariadne as a character and her character development. There were multiple characters with great importance in this story. All of them had wonderful back stories which made me learn more about the myths as well as feeling connected to the story.
Unlike most of the Greek mythology where females are often treated as objects and had no regard in general but this book had a great significance of female empowerment and sexuality. The book also highlighted sapphic relationships as well as Dionysius being with both men and women.
Thank you so much Netgally for granting me an e-arc of this amazing book!
Unlike most of the Greek mythology where females are often treated as objects and had no regard in general but this book had a great significance of female empowerment and sexuality. The book also highlighted sapphic relationships as well as Dionysius being with both men and women.
Thank you so much Netgally for granting me an e-arc of this amazing book!
July 16, 2021
Blurb:
Ariadne, high priestess of Crete, grew up duty-bound to the goddess Artemis. If she takes a husband, she must sacrifice him to her goddess after no more than three years of marriage. For this reason, she refuses to love any man, until a mysterious stranger arrives on her island.
The stranger is Dionysus, the new god of wine who empowers women and breaks the rules of the old gods. He came to Crete seeking vengeance against Artemis. He never expected to fall in love.
Furious that Dionysus would dare meddle with her high priestess, Artemis threatens to kill Ariadne if Dionysus doesn’t abandon her. Heartbroken, the new god leaves Crete, vowing to become better than the Olympians.
From the bloody labyrinth and the shadows of Hades to the halls of Olympus, Dionysus must find a way to defy Artemis and unite with his true love. Forced to betray her people, Ariadne discovers her own power to choose between the goddess she pledged herself to and the god she loves.
REVIEW
My first encounter with the Theseus/Minotaur/Ariadne/Knossos tale was way back in 1970. I was a Classical Civilization major in college, and the works of Edith Hamilton and Mary Renault were featured readings. In fact, it was The King Must Die by Mary Renault that was partially responsible for my lifelong love affair with the ancient world and the tales of it. In Ariadne Unraveled, the author has taken the myth of the Minotaur to a new level with the Dionysian part of the tale. As she explains in her notes, there is a lot of contradictory/confusing aspects to the myth, so the creation of this story is a fine example of taking advantage of those aspects and reworking them into a believable tale. I especially loved the capriciousness of the Olympians; Artemis, for example, her hatred of Dionysus; the lack of any kind of compassion for her priestess Ariadne... Yet despite the Olympian disdain for this upstart god, the love between Dionysus and Ariadne ( a highlight of the book) continues to thrive, even in Hades. Another aspect that I found interesting is the rather negative portrayal of Theseus....he's not the same heroic figure from The King Must Die...in fact he's a bit of a rogue - a nice alternate view of the upstart Athenian. So, my fellow readers, get ready for an enjoyably, imaginative tale. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ariadne, high priestess of Crete, grew up duty-bound to the goddess Artemis. If she takes a husband, she must sacrifice him to her goddess after no more than three years of marriage. For this reason, she refuses to love any man, until a mysterious stranger arrives on her island.
The stranger is Dionysus, the new god of wine who empowers women and breaks the rules of the old gods. He came to Crete seeking vengeance against Artemis. He never expected to fall in love.
Furious that Dionysus would dare meddle with her high priestess, Artemis threatens to kill Ariadne if Dionysus doesn’t abandon her. Heartbroken, the new god leaves Crete, vowing to become better than the Olympians.
From the bloody labyrinth and the shadows of Hades to the halls of Olympus, Dionysus must find a way to defy Artemis and unite with his true love. Forced to betray her people, Ariadne discovers her own power to choose between the goddess she pledged herself to and the god she loves.
REVIEW
My first encounter with the Theseus/Minotaur/Ariadne/Knossos tale was way back in 1970. I was a Classical Civilization major in college, and the works of Edith Hamilton and Mary Renault were featured readings. In fact, it was The King Must Die by Mary Renault that was partially responsible for my lifelong love affair with the ancient world and the tales of it. In Ariadne Unraveled, the author has taken the myth of the Minotaur to a new level with the Dionysian part of the tale. As she explains in her notes, there is a lot of contradictory/confusing aspects to the myth, so the creation of this story is a fine example of taking advantage of those aspects and reworking them into a believable tale. I especially loved the capriciousness of the Olympians; Artemis, for example, her hatred of Dionysus; the lack of any kind of compassion for her priestess Ariadne... Yet despite the Olympian disdain for this upstart god, the love between Dionysus and Ariadne ( a highlight of the book) continues to thrive, even in Hades. Another aspect that I found interesting is the rather negative portrayal of Theseus....he's not the same heroic figure from The King Must Die...in fact he's a bit of a rogue - a nice alternate view of the upstart Athenian. So, my fellow readers, get ready for an enjoyably, imaginative tale. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 21, 2021
If you enjoy books about the Olympian Gods geared towards teenagers then considered this a more adult book in that category.
I came to this book not knowing any of the base stories. I don't even remember basic details beyond there's a labyrinth with a minotaur, and the wine God from the Percy Jackson books.
This book brings the Minoan world to life. No previous knowledge required.
I loved it. At one point I expected the book to be over, checked page number and saw I still had 100ish pages left. Wow. I felt like I was going to get a second story. I was not disappointed. If you want some Minoan information then this book by Zenobia Neil is a nice introduction and a more humanistic view of the legends. The author includes some research information afterwards if you like those types of details too.
I got an advanced reading copy from the author because we are in a facebook group together. If there are typos and grammar issues they are extremely few and far between. I also didn't feel there were plot problems or style inconsistencies. So if you also find poorly edited books annoying you don't need to worry about those problems with this book.
There are already a few plot detailed reviews so this is a more general review of my feelings about this book. It will definitely get read again. And I will probably check out her other books next time I go book shopping.
I came to this book not knowing any of the base stories. I don't even remember basic details beyond there's a labyrinth with a minotaur, and the wine God from the Percy Jackson books.
This book brings the Minoan world to life. No previous knowledge required.
I loved it. At one point I expected the book to be over, checked page number and saw I still had 100ish pages left. Wow. I felt like I was going to get a second story. I was not disappointed. If you want some Minoan information then this book by Zenobia Neil is a nice introduction and a more humanistic view of the legends. The author includes some research information afterwards if you like those types of details too.
I got an advanced reading copy from the author because we are in a facebook group together. If there are typos and grammar issues they are extremely few and far between. I also didn't feel there were plot problems or style inconsistencies. So if you also find poorly edited books annoying you don't need to worry about those problems with this book.
There are already a few plot detailed reviews so this is a more general review of my feelings about this book. It will definitely get read again. And I will probably check out her other books next time I go book shopping.
January 23, 2022
A bold, imaginative retelling of the myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur that views titular character from the Minoan tradition rather than the Athenian one. Ariadne is given agency and a position within her family and on Crete as a priestess of the moon goddess Artemis rather than being just the girl who gives Theseus a ball of yarn. So too is the Minotaur himself skillfully reinterpreted as more so being Athenian propaganda than a literal case of a half-man, half-bull (although we do get a different half-human, half-animal character within the book).
The order in which Ariadne and Dionysus, the god of wine, meet follows a different version of Ariadne’s myth, thus seeing them together from the start until they're forced apart for some years by Artemis in her vengeance. Alongside the events of Ariadne and Theseus, we thus also follow Dionysus in his travels. He journeys far and wide to build his base of worshippers in a quest to have his godhood acknowledged by both humankind and the Olympian gods, who have rejected and at times continue to threaten him. Ariadne Unraveled is sexy, heartfelt, and smart, full of many other familiar myths and tales of gods and heroes from the Archaic Period of ancient Greece.
The order in which Ariadne and Dionysus, the god of wine, meet follows a different version of Ariadne’s myth, thus seeing them together from the start until they're forced apart for some years by Artemis in her vengeance. Alongside the events of Ariadne and Theseus, we thus also follow Dionysus in his travels. He journeys far and wide to build his base of worshippers in a quest to have his godhood acknowledged by both humankind and the Olympian gods, who have rejected and at times continue to threaten him. Ariadne Unraveled is sexy, heartfelt, and smart, full of many other familiar myths and tales of gods and heroes from the Archaic Period of ancient Greece.
June 4, 2021
This is the most complex of Neil's works so far. I loved learning about Ariadne, but it's more than just one retelling of classic myths. It's no easy feat weaving these narratives into - let's face it - an epic! I also like Dionysus's internal conflict that's essentially a struggle of free will about what kind of god he wants to be. That's refreshing. As always, I appreciate how Neil captures the openness of gender and sexual roles in these old tales. It really makes me think about how the rigidity of modern gender and sexual identities was a recent invention, and it is not universal. I hope Neil continues to unravel other myths. A perfect book for these times!
July 4, 2021
This is such a gorgeous book. The prose is what I need and want in the novels I love...clear, rich, and smart. The characters and the plot had me unable to put the book down; it's a true page-turner.
June 18, 2021
I think I had different expectations of this, which lead me to spend most of my reading time readjusting my mindset instead of fully enjoying the indeed extraordinary tale retold here.
Ariadne Unraveled is a retelling of the story of Ariadne, the high priestess of Crete, who is part of the Greek mythology canon. While she's an interesting character, she never gets to fully shine in the original saga, which made me excited for this book, hinting at focussing fully on her journey.
Usually, she's just a side character in the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur. Neil decided to rephrase her side character status for the sake of a love story centred around Ariadne and Dionysus, the God of Wine. This felt appropriate and she tied the knots together in a satisfying and plausible way, therefore offering a new reading of the oftentimes contradicting and abstract original myths.
My biggest problem with this was that the whole narration felt flat. It doesn't quite have the humour Stephen Fry's retellings have, and it lacks the emotion Madeline Miller brought to these tales. Instead it's a somewhat straightforward style she went for, which prevented the characters to truly come alive on these pages. Ariadne and Dionysus fall in love at first sight, which meant I as a reader was never able to fully get invested, as they were already tearing their clothes off within the first few pages. I think I was hoping for a bit more complexity and depth in that regard. I'm left believing that the only reason they're enjoying each other's company is that they are a good match in bed.
While this felt like a good blueprint, I just wished for more. More character development, more insight into how the characters are feeling and what they are thinking, more complexity in their behaviour and motivations. I would recommend this to people who don't know much about Ariadne's role in Greek mythology, as this is a very straight-forward retelling of the basic outlines, but if you care to dig deeper, there's not going to be that much to unravel here.
Ariadne Unraveled is a retelling of the story of Ariadne, the high priestess of Crete, who is part of the Greek mythology canon. While she's an interesting character, she never gets to fully shine in the original saga, which made me excited for this book, hinting at focussing fully on her journey.
Usually, she's just a side character in the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur. Neil decided to rephrase her side character status for the sake of a love story centred around Ariadne and Dionysus, the God of Wine. This felt appropriate and she tied the knots together in a satisfying and plausible way, therefore offering a new reading of the oftentimes contradicting and abstract original myths.
My biggest problem with this was that the whole narration felt flat. It doesn't quite have the humour Stephen Fry's retellings have, and it lacks the emotion Madeline Miller brought to these tales. Instead it's a somewhat straightforward style she went for, which prevented the characters to truly come alive on these pages. Ariadne and Dionysus fall in love at first sight, which meant I as a reader was never able to fully get invested, as they were already tearing their clothes off within the first few pages. I think I was hoping for a bit more complexity and depth in that regard. I'm left believing that the only reason they're enjoying each other's company is that they are a good match in bed.
While this felt like a good blueprint, I just wished for more. More character development, more insight into how the characters are feeling and what they are thinking, more complexity in their behaviour and motivations. I would recommend this to people who don't know much about Ariadne's role in Greek mythology, as this is a very straight-forward retelling of the basic outlines, but if you care to dig deeper, there's not going to be that much to unravel here.
June 16, 2021
This retelling is about Ariadne and how Dionysus came to be a god, it was entertaining and well written, it flowed very easily. I am glad it focused on Ariadne as much, and made her an interesting woman instead of a footnote in men's stories and gives her the spotlight. It gives an explanation of why she would betray her family when she had everything as the high priestess of Crete and how she got trapped in schemes with no way out.
I would have liked more insight from the characters to their thoughts and a bit more development on the page also I am not a fan of love at first sight, it ended up with a good dynamic but the beginning was a bit long for me, the good writing kept me reading and then I really loved how it went.
I would have liked more insight from the characters to their thoughts and a bit more development on the page also I am not a fan of love at first sight, it ended up with a good dynamic but the beginning was a bit long for me, the good writing kept me reading and then I really loved how it went.
June 8, 2021
The Book Maven’s Journal
Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
REVIEWER: J.Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling
By Zenobia Neil
Unfamiliar with the Ariadne story in Greek Mythology, except for some vague memories of Crete and the Minotaur’s labyrinth, I was excited to read this tale, Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling by Zenobia Neil—especially since Madeline Miller's recent hits with Circe and The Song of Achilles have had me hankering for more re-imaginings of Greek legends and lore.
Neil does an excellent job in this version of the story, visioning Ariadne as High Priestess of Artemis on Crete. She is a physically stunning, intelligent and passionate young woman.
Ariadne is dedicated in her position to the goddess—a role that she was born to fulfill, as well as loyal to her family and country. Ariadne’s entire world until adulthood was based on Crete. This is where she grew and matured under the rule of her vengeful father, Minos, and her witch mother, Pasiphae, in their sprawling maze-like palace.
She was raised to witness Minos’ blood-thirsty retribution for the death of one of her brothers by requiring Greek children to be periodically offered as sacrifices to the Minotaur in their home labyrinth lair.
This made Ariadne strong because she knew that she also had to weld a blade and kill. If she was ever forced to take a husband, after three years of marriage, she had to slit the man's throat as a sacrifice to Artemis.
Therefore, Ariadne's heart had to be hardened to true love and emotional devotion of another person. Sure, she had affection for her handmaidens, but genuine love; well, she was, after all, the high priestess of Artemis.
Ariadne had to remain pure and totally committed to the goddess.
However, unexpectedly, as life has a way of happening, on a sunny day of bees swilling nectar among fragrant blossoms while enjoying a picnic with her attendants, Ariadne’s life started unraveling.
Her little party was startled by an enchanting wander, Dionysus, bearing the gift of an intoxicating new drink, wine. Breathtakingly handsome stranger assured the women that he came in peace. His only goal was to serve Ariadne and to fulfill her desires because he found her the most alluring and tantalizing of women.
Soon the Ariadne and Dionysus were alone in the meadow enjoying wine and kisses. What started as unplanned moments of ecstatic pleasure set the stage for inevitable and irreversible changes in Ariadne's life.
Had the The High Priestess overstepped her boundaries by tasting sensual pleasures with the new god of the vine, Dionysus?
Unknown to Ariadne, her delights with Dionysus set off rumblings of impulsive jealousy and vengeful anger on Mount Olympus. Artemis was insulted. Her high priestess on Crete had allowed herself to be seduced by a man—a male godling at that!
Don't miss Ariadne's Unraveling to see how her fate unfolds. What role does Dionysus continue to play in her life, if any? How does Artemis seek revenge? And on whom? Ariadne’s Unraveling is a page-turning adventure story filled with love, romance, spice and angry Greek gods. For several things are certain in Greek Mythology: the gods are vengeful; vanity and greed come at a heavy price; even hero's have weaknesses; and you just can't overcome your fate/destiny.
ARIADNE UNRAVELED: A Mythic Retelling by Zenobia Neil is a work of General Fiction (Adult) / Historical Fiction / Romance. This Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) was provided for review by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op. Publication date is scheduled for 07 July 2021 by Hypatia Books. The Kindle ePub Reader Copy is 345-pages in length.
https://www.goodreads.com/joyreadergirl1
(Check-out some of my other favorite Books and their Reviews that I've posted on Goodreads at the above link--over 300+ book reviews with an average of 3.98 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating Average.)
Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
REVIEWER: J.Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling
By Zenobia Neil
Unfamiliar with the Ariadne story in Greek Mythology, except for some vague memories of Crete and the Minotaur’s labyrinth, I was excited to read this tale, Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling by Zenobia Neil—especially since Madeline Miller's recent hits with Circe and The Song of Achilles have had me hankering for more re-imaginings of Greek legends and lore.
Neil does an excellent job in this version of the story, visioning Ariadne as High Priestess of Artemis on Crete. She is a physically stunning, intelligent and passionate young woman.
Ariadne is dedicated in her position to the goddess—a role that she was born to fulfill, as well as loyal to her family and country. Ariadne’s entire world until adulthood was based on Crete. This is where she grew and matured under the rule of her vengeful father, Minos, and her witch mother, Pasiphae, in their sprawling maze-like palace.
She was raised to witness Minos’ blood-thirsty retribution for the death of one of her brothers by requiring Greek children to be periodically offered as sacrifices to the Minotaur in their home labyrinth lair.
This made Ariadne strong because she knew that she also had to weld a blade and kill. If she was ever forced to take a husband, after three years of marriage, she had to slit the man's throat as a sacrifice to Artemis.
Therefore, Ariadne's heart had to be hardened to true love and emotional devotion of another person. Sure, she had affection for her handmaidens, but genuine love; well, she was, after all, the high priestess of Artemis.
Ariadne had to remain pure and totally committed to the goddess.
However, unexpectedly, as life has a way of happening, on a sunny day of bees swilling nectar among fragrant blossoms while enjoying a picnic with her attendants, Ariadne’s life started unraveling.
Her little party was startled by an enchanting wander, Dionysus, bearing the gift of an intoxicating new drink, wine. Breathtakingly handsome stranger assured the women that he came in peace. His only goal was to serve Ariadne and to fulfill her desires because he found her the most alluring and tantalizing of women.
Soon the Ariadne and Dionysus were alone in the meadow enjoying wine and kisses. What started as unplanned moments of ecstatic pleasure set the stage for inevitable and irreversible changes in Ariadne's life.
Had the The High Priestess overstepped her boundaries by tasting sensual pleasures with the new god of the vine, Dionysus?
Unknown to Ariadne, her delights with Dionysus set off rumblings of impulsive jealousy and vengeful anger on Mount Olympus. Artemis was insulted. Her high priestess on Crete had allowed herself to be seduced by a man—a male godling at that!
Don't miss Ariadne's Unraveling to see how her fate unfolds. What role does Dionysus continue to play in her life, if any? How does Artemis seek revenge? And on whom? Ariadne’s Unraveling is a page-turning adventure story filled with love, romance, spice and angry Greek gods. For several things are certain in Greek Mythology: the gods are vengeful; vanity and greed come at a heavy price; even hero's have weaknesses; and you just can't overcome your fate/destiny.
ARIADNE UNRAVELED: A Mythic Retelling by Zenobia Neil is a work of General Fiction (Adult) / Historical Fiction / Romance. This Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) was provided for review by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op. Publication date is scheduled for 07 July 2021 by Hypatia Books. The Kindle ePub Reader Copy is 345-pages in length.
https://www.goodreads.com/joyreadergirl1
(Check-out some of my other favorite Books and their Reviews that I've posted on Goodreads at the above link--over 300+ book reviews with an average of 3.98 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star Rating Average.)
September 22, 2021
DNFed at 60%
Ariadne Unraveled is ... what the title says it is, to be honest, it's a retelling of the story of Ariadne which is a tale I'm not too familiar with and was looking forward to learn about; however, all through the 60% of the book that I read, I couldn't help but feel like I would learn more through reading a cliffnotes version of the story and, ultimately, I decided I'd rather keep myself "unspoiled" for this story so that I could come across it in another more enjoyable format.
The book is certainly not bad, it's just not the type of story or genre that I enjoy. It seems like a typical insta-love romance/smut book dressed up as a Greek myth and, unfortunately, it manages to fall a bit flat on all the different aspects of its theme. As I understood, the story is a tragedy detailing the separation of Ariadne and Dionysus but there is absolutely no emotion connected to this separation because there is no emotion depicted in their entire relationship. They meet at the very beginning of the book and their whole introduction is centered around how irresistible Ariadne finds Dionysus and how much she wants to sleep with him, a fact that's initially shown to be more tied to Dionysus' "magic" and power instead of a bond between the two.
The second time Ariadne and Dionysus meet is when he's managed to convince her father to marry her off to him and from then on, we're supposed to believe these two are meant to be together despite the fact that all we're ever shown is them having sex or talking about having sex, there's no build up and there's no character development. I have nothing against romance novels or smut-heavy books as long as they're done well and they actually make you feel something for the characters and their relationship. For me, this came with no feelings attached.
Another aspect that fell flat for me was the writing style. Everything seemed too simplified, there was no beautiful prose, no lyricism in the style, none of the things one would normally find associated with mythology or gods and goddesses. Everything was too straight forward here, events were described as "this happened and then this happened and then 2 years passed and then this happened" and I found it hard to engage with the writing because I felt it was missing a little something extra. It felt like the outlines of a story rather than the finished product and maybe with a bit more time and more depth to the characters/writing, it could have been a much better book for me.
Overall, while I couldn't finish this book, I wouldn't say it's necessarily a 1 star book or that it's bad or anything like that. It might just be the kind of book you're looking for and it might be a good story to pick up if you're in the mood for a classic retelling. It does have a lot of information regarding the tale and does provide some nice imagery regarding the setting the characters are in. If you're a fan of the Ariadne story (or familiar with Greek mythology in general) it might be a nice book for you to read and own (love the cover btw). But, as your first encounter with the myth of Ariadne, maybe it's best to go for something else, which is what I'm hoping to do.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.
The promise of a man was worthless
Ariadne Unraveled is ... what the title says it is, to be honest, it's a retelling of the story of Ariadne which is a tale I'm not too familiar with and was looking forward to learn about; however, all through the 60% of the book that I read, I couldn't help but feel like I would learn more through reading a cliffnotes version of the story and, ultimately, I decided I'd rather keep myself "unspoiled" for this story so that I could come across it in another more enjoyable format.
The book is certainly not bad, it's just not the type of story or genre that I enjoy. It seems like a typical insta-love romance/smut book dressed up as a Greek myth and, unfortunately, it manages to fall a bit flat on all the different aspects of its theme. As I understood, the story is a tragedy detailing the separation of Ariadne and Dionysus but there is absolutely no emotion connected to this separation because there is no emotion depicted in their entire relationship. They meet at the very beginning of the book and their whole introduction is centered around how irresistible Ariadne finds Dionysus and how much she wants to sleep with him, a fact that's initially shown to be more tied to Dionysus' "magic" and power instead of a bond between the two.
The second time Ariadne and Dionysus meet is when he's managed to convince her father to marry her off to him and from then on, we're supposed to believe these two are meant to be together despite the fact that all we're ever shown is them having sex or talking about having sex, there's no build up and there's no character development. I have nothing against romance novels or smut-heavy books as long as they're done well and they actually make you feel something for the characters and their relationship. For me, this came with no feelings attached.
Another aspect that fell flat for me was the writing style. Everything seemed too simplified, there was no beautiful prose, no lyricism in the style, none of the things one would normally find associated with mythology or gods and goddesses. Everything was too straight forward here, events were described as "this happened and then this happened and then 2 years passed and then this happened" and I found it hard to engage with the writing because I felt it was missing a little something extra. It felt like the outlines of a story rather than the finished product and maybe with a bit more time and more depth to the characters/writing, it could have been a much better book for me.
Overall, while I couldn't finish this book, I wouldn't say it's necessarily a 1 star book or that it's bad or anything like that. It might just be the kind of book you're looking for and it might be a good story to pick up if you're in the mood for a classic retelling. It does have a lot of information regarding the tale and does provide some nice imagery regarding the setting the characters are in. If you're a fan of the Ariadne story (or familiar with Greek mythology in general) it might be a nice book for you to read and own (love the cover btw). But, as your first encounter with the myth of Ariadne, maybe it's best to go for something else, which is what I'm hoping to do.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.
August 13, 2022
Considering the quality of the prologue, I had high hopes for this book. A romance between Ariadne and Dionysus? Betrayals? Yearning? I was all for it!
Unfortunately, the romance wasn't what I expected. Too carnal for my tastes. Ariadne and Dionysus meet rather quickly (a good thing as we don't have to wait too long to see them together), and they are instantly attracted to each other. Actually, they have sex right on the spot. It felt insta-love-y and underwhelming as I wanted more build-up and complexity. Plus, I never bought their love for each other: sex is all they are sharing. I'm not kidding you when I say that each time they saw each other they had to go at it again... Where were the emotions, the angst, the tension? Nowhere to be seen.
So yeah, there is a lot of smut in here, which is something I don't personally like. However, what made me uncomfortable is the essence of Ariadne's relationship with Dionysus and Thalia. Dionysus has the power to arouse the people around him: it's not his fault as he doesn't know how to control his gifts. However, he knows what his powers do but still chooses to have sex with these people. My problem is: are they consenting to this? Is Ariadne really *in love* with him or are his powers influencing her? I wish there had been a substantial discussion on this.
Now, the friendship with Thalia was baffling. Sure, we're talking about cruel gods but as a retelling I would have appreciated more feminism. Ariadne tells us multiple times that Thalia is her friend and lover but there clearly was a slave/master dynamic that didn't sit well with me. Thalia was a submissive slave through and through: she was the one giving pleasure to Ariadne while the latter didn't give much back (except touching her breast, eh?). As soon as Thalia was in the same room, she had to please Ariadne. Plus, Ariadne was always using the words "my slave" instead of "my friend". Are we supposed to believe in this friendship?
Because of that, I didn't like any of these characters. Ariadne was selfish, one-dimensional and naive. Dionysus was nothing more than a good-looking god. Thalia was a slave to them.
The story itself was boring honestly, I never was invested. The ending was also cheesy. Ariadne hasn't grown much as a character:
The men had too much power over the women.
Unfortunately, the romance wasn't what I expected. Too carnal for my tastes. Ariadne and Dionysus meet rather quickly (a good thing as we don't have to wait too long to see them together), and they are instantly attracted to each other. Actually, they have sex right on the spot. It felt insta-love-y and underwhelming as I wanted more build-up and complexity. Plus, I never bought their love for each other: sex is all they are sharing. I'm not kidding you when I say that each time they saw each other they had to go at it again... Where were the emotions, the angst, the tension? Nowhere to be seen.
So yeah, there is a lot of smut in here, which is something I don't personally like. However, what made me uncomfortable is the essence of Ariadne's relationship with Dionysus and Thalia. Dionysus has the power to arouse the people around him: it's not his fault as he doesn't know how to control his gifts. However, he knows what his powers do but still chooses to have sex with these people. My problem is: are they consenting to this? Is Ariadne really *in love* with him or are his powers influencing her? I wish there had been a substantial discussion on this.
Now, the friendship with Thalia was baffling. Sure, we're talking about cruel gods but as a retelling I would have appreciated more feminism. Ariadne tells us multiple times that Thalia is her friend and lover but there clearly was a slave/master dynamic that didn't sit well with me. Thalia was a submissive slave through and through: she was the one giving pleasure to Ariadne while the latter didn't give much back (except touching her breast, eh?). As soon as Thalia was in the same room, she had to please Ariadne. Plus, Ariadne was always using the words "my slave" instead of "my friend". Are we supposed to believe in this friendship?
Because of that, I didn't like any of these characters. Ariadne was selfish, one-dimensional and naive. Dionysus was nothing more than a good-looking god. Thalia was a slave to them.
The story itself was boring honestly, I never was invested. The ending was also cheesy. Ariadne hasn't grown much as a character:
The men had too much power over the women.
July 7, 2021
Author Zenobia Neil retells the epic tale about a High Priestess of Artemis in Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling by weaving various Greek myths and lore together into a compelling story. The daughter of the vengeful king, Minos, and the sorceress mother, Pasiphae, Ariadne grows up in a maze-like palace in Crete. Every year, Midas sacrifices young Greek men and women to her brother, the Minotaur, in retribution for the death of another brother. The story begins with the prologue in which Theseus has abandoned the pregnant Ariadne to die. Then in Part One, we find out what previously happened to her.
Ariadne devotes all her loyalty and love to the goddess Artemis. If she marries a man, she must slit the man's throat to sacrifice to Artemis. She meets the new god, Dionysus, bearing the gift of an intoxicating new drink, wine, in a meadow. His only goal is to serve Ariadne and fulfill her desires. However, Ariadne's life unravels after she tastes erotic pleasure with the new god of the vine. Unbeknownst to Ariadne, her liaison with Dionysus incites Artemis' jealousy and vengeful anger because she has allowed herself to be seduced by a godling of no consequence. The ramifications of Artemis' revenge propel Ariadne and Dionysus into an epic adventure across the Mediterranean region and into the Underworld as they both struggle to understand their new roles in a changing world.
Author Neil has masterfully re-imagined the Greek myths about Ariadne. Readers who enjoyed Madeline Miller's recent novel, Circe, should also enjoy reading Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling. The author captures the female-centered religion and culture of the Minoans in Ancient Crete, where women openly display their breasts with pride of their womanly attributes. The Greek paternalistic society is slowly displacing the Minoan civilization with its pantheon of lusty and vengeful gods. The primary characters, Ariadne and Dionysus, are engaging and spice-up scenes with their sensual lovemaking. The tale is also an epic adventure in which both Ariadne and Dionysus struggle to find their roles in a changing world. It is a multi-layered, mythic story that explores deeper themes of unconditional love, vengeance, coming-of-age, redemption, and spiritual resurrection.
I highly recommend Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling for readers who enjoy reading Greek myths and learning more about ancient civilizations.
Ariadne devotes all her loyalty and love to the goddess Artemis. If she marries a man, she must slit the man's throat to sacrifice to Artemis. She meets the new god, Dionysus, bearing the gift of an intoxicating new drink, wine, in a meadow. His only goal is to serve Ariadne and fulfill her desires. However, Ariadne's life unravels after she tastes erotic pleasure with the new god of the vine. Unbeknownst to Ariadne, her liaison with Dionysus incites Artemis' jealousy and vengeful anger because she has allowed herself to be seduced by a godling of no consequence. The ramifications of Artemis' revenge propel Ariadne and Dionysus into an epic adventure across the Mediterranean region and into the Underworld as they both struggle to understand their new roles in a changing world.
Author Neil has masterfully re-imagined the Greek myths about Ariadne. Readers who enjoyed Madeline Miller's recent novel, Circe, should also enjoy reading Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling. The author captures the female-centered religion and culture of the Minoans in Ancient Crete, where women openly display their breasts with pride of their womanly attributes. The Greek paternalistic society is slowly displacing the Minoan civilization with its pantheon of lusty and vengeful gods. The primary characters, Ariadne and Dionysus, are engaging and spice-up scenes with their sensual lovemaking. The tale is also an epic adventure in which both Ariadne and Dionysus struggle to find their roles in a changing world. It is a multi-layered, mythic story that explores deeper themes of unconditional love, vengeance, coming-of-age, redemption, and spiritual resurrection.
I highly recommend Ariadne Unraveled: A Mythic Retelling for readers who enjoy reading Greek myths and learning more about ancient civilizations.
July 20, 2021
4.5 stars
This has been a very complex and dense read.
As, I guess, it is with any Greek myth. Now imagine a re-telling.
There are a lot of characters, a lot of scenes, a lot of moments that are important and that bring the hero and heroine to their destiny.
I did find this book a bit hard to read but I guess it's only natural to be written in a specific tone, in a certain vibe that resembles those ancient times.
It's greatness and what I liked the most was what the author intended, to give Ariadne agency. This is a story for our times. For despite how many stories we know about the Greek goddess, here the hero is faithful, their love undying and their connection and family life what we would crave in these modern times. It's an extraordinary hero's journey of how Dionysus is accepted as a god, and Ariadne's own heroine's journey that, despite her agency, is still the hard journey of a mortal woman in any time, a bit at the favor of gods.
I loved the feminist passages and questions that rose about the women's place and duties, and I found it interesting how the goddess perception changed for Ariadne. I felt in the end a meeting between Ariadne and her past goddess would have added more of a closure, but it may have made this book into something else.
Along with this thought provoking ideas, the writing shone wonderfully especially in moments where the powerful ones demonstrated their gifts, when what we call magic would unleash into the pages. Especially Ariadne's descent, her powers and Dionysus transformations were a work of beauty and imagination.
All in all, a powerful, dense read, meant for our times. A book worth reading for anyone passionate about the goddess, the Greek Myths but searching for a bit of feminist infusions.
I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.
This has been a very complex and dense read.
As, I guess, it is with any Greek myth. Now imagine a re-telling.
There are a lot of characters, a lot of scenes, a lot of moments that are important and that bring the hero and heroine to their destiny.
I did find this book a bit hard to read but I guess it's only natural to be written in a specific tone, in a certain vibe that resembles those ancient times.
It's greatness and what I liked the most was what the author intended, to give Ariadne agency. This is a story for our times. For despite how many stories we know about the Greek goddess, here the hero is faithful, their love undying and their connection and family life what we would crave in these modern times. It's an extraordinary hero's journey of how Dionysus is accepted as a god, and Ariadne's own heroine's journey that, despite her agency, is still the hard journey of a mortal woman in any time, a bit at the favor of gods.
I loved the feminist passages and questions that rose about the women's place and duties, and I found it interesting how the goddess perception changed for Ariadne. I felt in the end a meeting between Ariadne and her past goddess would have added more of a closure, but it may have made this book into something else.
Along with this thought provoking ideas, the writing shone wonderfully especially in moments where the powerful ones demonstrated their gifts, when what we call magic would unleash into the pages. Especially Ariadne's descent, her powers and Dionysus transformations were a work of beauty and imagination.
All in all, a powerful, dense read, meant for our times. A book worth reading for anyone passionate about the goddess, the Greek Myths but searching for a bit of feminist infusions.
I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 17, 2023
ARIADNE UNRAVELED is a retelling that involves Ariadne (obviously), plus Dionysus, Theseus, Artemis, and so many more.
The story takes various myths and legends and weaves them into one epic story that features betrayal, transformation, friendship, loyalty, and love. Instead of the usual Athenian telling of the Minotaur, we hear from the Minoans themselves. We learn how their women knew things about their own bodies that others didn't. We see how the Minoans were a magical, intelligent race that made mistakes just like any other. And woven through is Dionysus as he feels his way and figures out just who he is.
Wow! Just... wow! What a story. So intricate and rich in detail, I was totally immersed in Ariadne's story. I loved hearing about her - both the big picture and also the small, intimate details that made her life. And, yes, I know this is myth, but with how it has been written, I could see myself there and it all seemed real. There were even tears shed at some points, it was that good! The pacing is perfect and the writing style is smooth.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but I can guarantee you it won't be the last. Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 6, 2021
The story takes various myths and legends and weaves them into one epic story that features betrayal, transformation, friendship, loyalty, and love. Instead of the usual Athenian telling of the Minotaur, we hear from the Minoans themselves. We learn how their women knew things about their own bodies that others didn't. We see how the Minoans were a magical, intelligent race that made mistakes just like any other. And woven through is Dionysus as he feels his way and figures out just who he is.
Wow! Just... wow! What a story. So intricate and rich in detail, I was totally immersed in Ariadne's story. I loved hearing about her - both the big picture and also the small, intimate details that made her life. And, yes, I know this is myth, but with how it has been written, I could see myself there and it all seemed real. There were even tears shed at some points, it was that good! The pacing is perfect and the writing style is smooth.
This is the first book by this author I have read, but I can guarantee you it won't be the last. Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jul 6, 2021
March 27, 2023
I have to confess, I still have a third of this novel to go... Because I don't want to finish it! Such a beautifully crafted and epic tale. I'm no expert on mythology, but this novel transports me to what feels like a very real and tangible world & time. I just get lost in it all! I fell hard for the love story and there's some very steamy sex, but the reason I adore this mythical tale is its humanity. The gods can be cruel, and trust, there is some cruelty in this story. But I appreciated the core characters' self-awareness and efforts to better themselves and question the "norms" around them. (Lessons we can all take today!) I can't wait to see what's to come for these god-crossed lovers and their cohorts... but I'm making myself wait.
* I forgot to come back after I finished this one. My initial review stands! Fantastic read.
* I forgot to come back after I finished this one. My initial review stands! Fantastic read.
August 9, 2021
This was incredibly charming and I loved every sentence! I fell in love with Zenobia's prose when I picked up Psyche Unbound. When I found out she was doing another ancient myth retelling (involving my favorite God, Dyonsis even!) I snatched this up on preorder and wasn't disappointed. I loved how she portrayed Dyonsis and gave Ariadne so much agency. Also, Thalia was a wonderful additional character who I fell in love with! And as usual, her prose is lovely, sensual, and elegant. I could not put this sucker down for a second.
July 1, 2021
This is the retelling from Greek Mythology of Ariadne, the High Priestess of Crete.
There are several different recorded versions of the story of Ariadne, and as the author states in her notes she did take some creative liberties to piece together a cohesive narrative.
I loved this, was brilliantly executed and the writing is beautiful.
I highly recommend this book to any fans of Greek Mythology or the authors Madeline Miller & Pat Barker.
There are several different recorded versions of the story of Ariadne, and as the author states in her notes she did take some creative liberties to piece together a cohesive narrative.
I loved this, was brilliantly executed and the writing is beautiful.
I highly recommend this book to any fans of Greek Mythology or the authors Madeline Miller & Pat Barker.
June 6, 2021
You can always expect exquisite details of time place and engrossing character development from Zenobia Neil, and she lives up to those expectations with Ariadne Unraveled! What a fascinating story about gods and goddesses that I had vaguely heard about but didn't know much about. Neil brings them to life with her beautiful writing. I highly recommend Ariadne Unraveled!
May 15, 2022
No one else has done a retelling as syncretic of the myths that surround the story of Dionysus and Ariadne. It feels like an actual Greek myth with added excitement.
The character development of Dionysus and his leopard was original and imaginative, which I appreciate most.
Five stars for the average deserves more than four.
The character development of Dionysus and his leopard was original and imaginative, which I appreciate most.
Five stars for the average deserves more than four.
June 17, 2021
Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this story. The authors voice just didn’t resonate with me. I felt like I was just reading words. I encourage others to give it a chance. Maybe I have just read too much Greek fiction recently.
August 14, 2025
Perfect for fans of Jennifer Saint and Madeline Miller, Ariadne Unraveled is a seductive, sharply written exploration of the mythical love story between Ariadne and Dionysus.
Zenobia Neil's mythic retellings are so beautifully done, with layers of nuance and heart. Written from a Minoan perspective, we're introduced to an Ariadne who is anything but a passive princess. As the powerful high priestess of Crete, Ariadne is satisfied with her life of service to the goddess Artemis. Cloistered with her handmaidens (who are also her sometime lovers) as she ministers to the people of Crete, Ariadne has vowed to never fall in love with a man, as to do so would demand his eventual sacrifice to the goddess she serves. And then, she encounters Dionysus, the newly-made god of wine and revelry, who has the kind of undeniable charisma that sweeps women--and men--off their feet.
Dionysus arrives in Crete seeking vengeance against his half-sister Artemis. He isn't expecting to fall in love. Inexorably drawn to Ariadne, the only woman to ever resist his charms, he attracts the ire of Artemis, who threatens to kill Ariadne if he does not cease pursuing her. With the forces of Olympus conspiring against them, Ariadne and Dionysus must stand in their own power to claim the love they both deserve.
Neil's encyclopedic knowledge of the ancient world shines in this gorgeous historical romance. I especially love how she humanizes the so-called monsters, like the Minotaur--named Asterion in the novel--and gives serious side-eye to Theseus, one of the most selfish, emotionally unavailable men in mythology. And Thalia is one of the most endearing characters I've ever read. I always learn something new with Neil's books, while being entertained and swept up in the rich, colorful worlds she creates.
Treat yourself to Ariadne Unraveled. You'll be glad you did!
Zenobia Neil's mythic retellings are so beautifully done, with layers of nuance and heart. Written from a Minoan perspective, we're introduced to an Ariadne who is anything but a passive princess. As the powerful high priestess of Crete, Ariadne is satisfied with her life of service to the goddess Artemis. Cloistered with her handmaidens (who are also her sometime lovers) as she ministers to the people of Crete, Ariadne has vowed to never fall in love with a man, as to do so would demand his eventual sacrifice to the goddess she serves. And then, she encounters Dionysus, the newly-made god of wine and revelry, who has the kind of undeniable charisma that sweeps women--and men--off their feet.
Dionysus arrives in Crete seeking vengeance against his half-sister Artemis. He isn't expecting to fall in love. Inexorably drawn to Ariadne, the only woman to ever resist his charms, he attracts the ire of Artemis, who threatens to kill Ariadne if he does not cease pursuing her. With the forces of Olympus conspiring against them, Ariadne and Dionysus must stand in their own power to claim the love they both deserve.
Neil's encyclopedic knowledge of the ancient world shines in this gorgeous historical romance. I especially love how she humanizes the so-called monsters, like the Minotaur--named Asterion in the novel--and gives serious side-eye to Theseus, one of the most selfish, emotionally unavailable men in mythology. And Thalia is one of the most endearing characters I've ever read. I always learn something new with Neil's books, while being entertained and swept up in the rich, colorful worlds she creates.
Treat yourself to Ariadne Unraveled. You'll be glad you did!
January 24, 2025
Completely contrary to Jennifer Saint's flimsy retelling of Ariadne, Neil gives the main character a spine, a backstory, and a real chance at happiness. Loved reading this point of view for Dionysus and Ariadne, and I definitely recommend to anyone who was disappointed by the more popular version!
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July 27, 2021Ariadne Unraveled is a retelling of the myth of Ariadne and Dionysus. The novel opens with Ariadne waking up on the shores of Naxos realizing that Theseus has abandoned her, then goes back in time to tell the story of what brought here there and follows her forward through the aftermath of Theseus’ flight back to Athens without her.
Things I liked about the novel:
It invited me think about how connected the ancients were to the natural world, to the cycles and rhythms of the seasons. This is fairly rare among novel retellings that I’ve read this year and generally.
The way Neil reimagines relationships is interesting to think about, not only Ariadne and Dionysus’ but also Pasiphae and the bull’s, Minos and Poseidon’s, Ariadne and Theseus’. Neil draws on Cretan prehistory and ancient myth in a thought-provoking way.
The novel does not try to force linearity and rationality into the at times very different narratives that have come down to us. Dionysus’ portrait across ancient sources can vary wildly (pun intended). Neil draws on a range of source materials, but she lets the contradictions sit rather than tidying them up into a coherent narrative.
A few observations:
Neil doesn’t always seem in control of the story. This is especially the case with the characterization of Dionysus. Reading this novel made me appreciate, once again, how difficult it is to create a coherent narrative around such different versions of the same figures and stories. I appreciate that Neil didn’t force it; at the same time, it can feel like random versions of Dionysus are plopped into the story without comment, leaving me wondering why it’s there and what, if anything, we’re meant to make of Dionysus’ various guises.
There’s a fair amount of generalizing out of the specific, an example being sentences like, “The promise of a man was worthless.” I dare say many of us make these kinds of generalizations often enough; I’m sure I do, anyway. Perhaps it’s because this kind of rhetorical move is so rampant these days that it feels past time for a gentle reminder (to myself as well): Anecdotes are not evidence of a pattern. And while I’m here: Correlation is not causation.
There is quite a bit of very explicit sexual content. I won’t say it had no purpose, because I’m sure it contributed to item one under things I appreciated about the novel, but that part was not for me. If it is for you, though, I recommend this novel for readers who enjoy retellings.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
Things I liked about the novel:
It invited me think about how connected the ancients were to the natural world, to the cycles and rhythms of the seasons. This is fairly rare among novel retellings that I’ve read this year and generally.
The way Neil reimagines relationships is interesting to think about, not only Ariadne and Dionysus’ but also Pasiphae and the bull’s, Minos and Poseidon’s, Ariadne and Theseus’. Neil draws on Cretan prehistory and ancient myth in a thought-provoking way.
The novel does not try to force linearity and rationality into the at times very different narratives that have come down to us. Dionysus’ portrait across ancient sources can vary wildly (pun intended). Neil draws on a range of source materials, but she lets the contradictions sit rather than tidying them up into a coherent narrative.
A few observations:
Neil doesn’t always seem in control of the story. This is especially the case with the characterization of Dionysus. Reading this novel made me appreciate, once again, how difficult it is to create a coherent narrative around such different versions of the same figures and stories. I appreciate that Neil didn’t force it; at the same time, it can feel like random versions of Dionysus are plopped into the story without comment, leaving me wondering why it’s there and what, if anything, we’re meant to make of Dionysus’ various guises.
There’s a fair amount of generalizing out of the specific, an example being sentences like, “The promise of a man was worthless.” I dare say many of us make these kinds of generalizations often enough; I’m sure I do, anyway. Perhaps it’s because this kind of rhetorical move is so rampant these days that it feels past time for a gentle reminder (to myself as well): Anecdotes are not evidence of a pattern. And while I’m here: Correlation is not causation.
There is quite a bit of very explicit sexual content. I won’t say it had no purpose, because I’m sure it contributed to item one under things I appreciated about the novel, but that part was not for me. If it is for you, though, I recommend this novel for readers who enjoy retellings.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
July 6, 2021
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ariadne Unraveled is a retelling of the myths of Ariadne and Dionysus. I was excited to check it out because I love these two mythological figures, but unfortunately it didn't work for me.
It was quite heavy on the romance, which wouldn't necessarily have been a problem for me, but the relationship between Dionysus and Ariadne never really grabbed me. They fell in love at first sight, although it seemed more lust at first sight, because apart from a strong sexual connection, it wasn't clear what they saw in each other. Even moments where I expected more pathos, like when they were reunited and Ariadne, who had forgotten Dionysus, remembered him, was resolved in the blink of an eye and wasn't satisfying at all.
There were also too many sex scenes for my tastes, and they were quite over the top. I get it, Dionysus is a god, but come on...
I did like how the author reinvented certain facts, for example how she explained Ariadne's betrayal of her people, or how she portrayed the character of Thalia, but they weren't enough to save the book for me.
Ariadne Unraveled is a retelling of the myths of Ariadne and Dionysus. I was excited to check it out because I love these two mythological figures, but unfortunately it didn't work for me.
It was quite heavy on the romance, which wouldn't necessarily have been a problem for me, but the relationship between Dionysus and Ariadne never really grabbed me. They fell in love at first sight, although it seemed more lust at first sight, because apart from a strong sexual connection, it wasn't clear what they saw in each other. Even moments where I expected more pathos, like when they were reunited and Ariadne, who had forgotten Dionysus, remembered him, was resolved in the blink of an eye and wasn't satisfying at all.
There were also too many sex scenes for my tastes, and they were quite over the top. I get it, Dionysus is a god, but come on...
I did like how the author reinvented certain facts, for example how she explained Ariadne's betrayal of her people, or how she portrayed the character of Thalia, but they weren't enough to save the book for me.
July 4, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for the eArc of this book in exchange for a honest review.
Dionysus was not one of my favourite gods but after reading this book he is one of my book husbands.
And Artemis, as I did not have any feelings towards her she moved to my black list. Goddess what was your problem. To cause so much heartbreak. Smh
Hermes is always the good guy in every story (at least the ones I have read) so keep going my God.
Okay so now as for the book itself. I enjoyed it but it bored me so many times that I kept checking my phone. I was thinking about dnfing but I thought that I'll push through which I usually don't do. But I liked this story being told from the female's perspective as we usually get from male's perspective and in her case she would be mentioned twice or thrice.
Dionysus was not one of my favourite gods but after reading this book he is one of my book husbands.
And Artemis, as I did not have any feelings towards her she moved to my black list. Goddess what was your problem. To cause so much heartbreak. Smh
Hermes is always the good guy in every story (at least the ones I have read) so keep going my God.
Okay so now as for the book itself. I enjoyed it but it bored me so many times that I kept checking my phone. I was thinking about dnfing but I thought that I'll push through which I usually don't do. But I liked this story being told from the female's perspective as we usually get from male's perspective and in her case she would be mentioned twice or thrice.
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