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The Songs of Penelope #2
House of Odysseus
House of Odysseus is the follow up to award-winning author Claire North's Ithaca "a powerful, fresh, and unflinching" reimagining (Jennifer Saint) that breathes life into ancient myth and gives voice to the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men.
In the palace of Odysseus, a queen lies dreaming . . .
On the isle of Ithaca, queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband Odysseus sailed to war with Troy and never came home. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace—a peace that is shattered by the return of Orestes, King of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra.
Orestes' hands are stained with his mother's blood. Not so long ago, the son of Agamemnon took Queen Clytemnestra's life on Ithaca's sands. Now, wracked with guilt, he grows ever more unhinged. But a king cannot be seen to be weak, and Elektra has brought him to Ithaca to keep him safe from the ambitious men of Mycenae.
Penelope knows destruction will follow in his wake as surely as the furies circle him. His uncle Menelaus, the blood-soaked king of Sparta, hungers for Orestes' throne—and if he can seize it, no one will be safe from his violent whims.
Trapped between two mad kings, Penelope must find a way to keep her home from being crushed by the machinations of a battle that stretches from Mycenae and Sparta to the summit of Mount Olympus itself. Her only allies are Elektra, desperate to protect her brother, and Helen of Troy, Menelaus' wife. And watching over them all is the goddess Aphrodite, who has plans of her own.
Each woman has a secret, and their secrets will shape the world . . .
In the palace of Odysseus, a queen lies dreaming . . .
On the isle of Ithaca, queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband Odysseus sailed to war with Troy and never came home. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace—a peace that is shattered by the return of Orestes, King of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra.
Orestes' hands are stained with his mother's blood. Not so long ago, the son of Agamemnon took Queen Clytemnestra's life on Ithaca's sands. Now, wracked with guilt, he grows ever more unhinged. But a king cannot be seen to be weak, and Elektra has brought him to Ithaca to keep him safe from the ambitious men of Mycenae.
Penelope knows destruction will follow in his wake as surely as the furies circle him. His uncle Menelaus, the blood-soaked king of Sparta, hungers for Orestes' throne—and if he can seize it, no one will be safe from his violent whims.
Trapped between two mad kings, Penelope must find a way to keep her home from being crushed by the machinations of a battle that stretches from Mycenae and Sparta to the summit of Mount Olympus itself. Her only allies are Elektra, desperate to protect her brother, and Helen of Troy, Menelaus' wife. And watching over them all is the goddess Aphrodite, who has plans of her own.
Each woman has a secret, and their secrets will shape the world . . .
432 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 2023
345 people are currently reading
19926 people want to read
About the author
Claire North
27 books4,200 followersClaire North is actually Catherine Webb, a Carnegie Medal-nominated young-adult novel author whose first book, Mirror Dreams, was written when she was just 14 years old. She went on to write seven more successful YA novels.
Claire North is a pseudonym for adult fantasy books written by Catherine Webb, who also writes under the pseudonym Kate Griffin.
Claire North is a pseudonym for adult fantasy books written by Catherine Webb, who also writes under the pseudonym Kate Griffin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 735 reviews
October 30, 2023
im… indifferent towards this.
i enjoyed the first book because of its faithfullness to the story of penelope, a story i am familiar with. but this one? its something new that could have happened while odysseus was away on his odyssey. the plot isnt rooted in any ancient story, but rather the authors own imagination.
i do think the murder mystery and penelope playing detective was interesting enough to read about, but everything else failed to capture my attention. the writing isnt terrible and CNs creativity is obvious, but this was unfortunately just missing that “spark” for me.
thanks, redhook books, for the ARC.
↠ 2.5 stars
i enjoyed the first book because of its faithfullness to the story of penelope, a story i am familiar with. but this one? its something new that could have happened while odysseus was away on his odyssey. the plot isnt rooted in any ancient story, but rather the authors own imagination.
i do think the murder mystery and penelope playing detective was interesting enough to read about, but everything else failed to capture my attention. the writing isnt terrible and CNs creativity is obvious, but this was unfortunately just missing that “spark” for me.
thanks, redhook books, for the ARC.
↠ 2.5 stars
August 23, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Redhook books for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Fellow readers, aren't we just living in the best of times for book lovers? I mean, all these diverse reads checking in on some of our Ancient heroes and heroines. Although this was the second book in a series, I was familiar enough with all the major players( Penelope, Helen of Sparta, Menelaus, etc) that I never felt lost.
Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, has been waiting for her husband's return for over twenty years. But what she gets instead is a tense family standoff on the isle of Ithaca, it will be up to Penelope, Elektra, and Helen to use all that they have to outwit the ruthless men around them.
the
It took me a while to get used to the narrative, which is told to us by the goddess Aphrodite, watching all these events occur. However, by the 20% mark, I was hooked and a tornado could have happened outside my house and I would not have noticed. Originally, I was going to place my rating as a 3-star but after some careful consideration, I felt that it was more in the 4-star realm. I really loved Claire North's Penelope and Elecktra. I was iffy on her depiction of Helen for most of the novel but I was won over in the last series of chapters.
Expected Publication 22/08/23
Goodreads Review 21/07/23
Fellow readers, aren't we just living in the best of times for book lovers? I mean, all these diverse reads checking in on some of our Ancient heroes and heroines. Although this was the second book in a series, I was familiar enough with all the major players( Penelope, Helen of Sparta, Menelaus, etc) that I never felt lost.
Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, has been waiting for her husband's return for over twenty years. But what she gets instead is a tense family standoff on the isle of Ithaca, it will be up to Penelope, Elektra, and Helen to use all that they have to outwit the ruthless men around them.
the
It took me a while to get used to the narrative, which is told to us by the goddess Aphrodite, watching all these events occur. However, by the 20% mark, I was hooked and a tornado could have happened outside my house and I would not have noticed. Originally, I was going to place my rating as a 3-star but after some careful consideration, I felt that it was more in the 4-star realm. I really loved Claire North's Penelope and Elecktra. I was iffy on her depiction of Helen for most of the novel but I was won over in the last series of chapters.
Expected Publication 22/08/23
Goodreads Review 21/07/23
October 13, 2023
“What is love if it does not fight for love?”
With some leniency, this sequel really deserves 5 stars!
I know, I know, I also was among others who didn't enjoy the first book, as much as it deserved, but House of Odysseus filled all the previous weak points, I really liked this one!
This review may have some spoilers, especially for those who didn't read the first book, Ithaca.
I understood Claire North in The Songs of Penelope series, three women protected and loved by three goddesses as a narrator for each book.
"Three goddesses there were who bathed in the waters of Mount Ida as Paris leered upon us, Zeus at his side. Three Furies there are who spin above the tent of Orestes. Three queens there were in Greece – one beloved of Hera, who killed her husband and died. One who is wed to the beloved of Athena, whose husband even now sets forth in his little rough-hewn boat again. And one who is mine, and whose name will live for as long as there is love, for as long as hearts beat throughout eternity."
You might guess who they are, I'll tell you the goddess's name and you find the woman.
"Sometimes, you see, we gods are not to blame for the things men do after all."
In the second book of The Songs of Penelope, Aphrodite, goddess of love, continues the tale of Penelope after Hera's watch over Clytemnestra.
"Men give women power, and women sacrifice the women around them to appease men. Not Clytemnestra..."
This time I find the characters most developed and fascinating, truth to be told, CN' Helen is the one that for so long I was looking forward to finding her in a retelling, Helen I always imagined in my mind, well down!
Oh, and don't forget clever Penelope, although I liked Clytemnestra, but I was waiting to see Penelope on, and look what she has to say:
"You may not be scared of my women with their bows, but the other women – the ones bringing you water, the ones cleaning your clothes, the ones you fuck, the ones you hit, the ones you don’t even notice standing in the corner of your eye – they are everywhere. We are everywhere. We can reach you no matter where you run."
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit) via NetGalley for giving me a chance to read House of Odysseus (The Songs of Penelope #2) by Claire North, I have given my honest review.
My fav Quest:
When a parent dies, when a mother dies, we never truly forget that grief. It stays within us, deep below, and on top of it we put more of our lives lived, more experiences, until it is so weighted down by the matter of our days that we are astonished to find that one unremarkable new moon we look inside, and there it is, bright and brilliant as the day it was born. This is the way with grief. With guilt. With regret. All we can do is honour the lessons this brings, look honestly upon who we were and what we have done, and try to do better when the next sun rises. Forgiveness does not change that. Especially the forgiveness of the dead.
With some leniency, this sequel really deserves 5 stars!
I know, I know, I also was among others who didn't enjoy the first book, as much as it deserved, but House of Odysseus filled all the previous weak points, I really liked this one!
This review may have some spoilers, especially for those who didn't read the first book, Ithaca.
I understood Claire North in The Songs of Penelope series, three women protected and loved by three goddesses as a narrator for each book.
"Three goddesses there were who bathed in the waters of Mount Ida as Paris leered upon us, Zeus at his side. Three Furies there are who spin above the tent of Orestes. Three queens there were in Greece – one beloved of Hera, who killed her husband and died. One who is wed to the beloved of Athena, whose husband even now sets forth in his little rough-hewn boat again. And one who is mine, and whose name will live for as long as there is love, for as long as hearts beat throughout eternity."
You might guess who they are, I'll tell you the goddess's name and you find the woman.
"Sometimes, you see, we gods are not to blame for the things men do after all."
In the second book of The Songs of Penelope, Aphrodite, goddess of love, continues the tale of Penelope after Hera's watch over Clytemnestra.
"Men give women power, and women sacrifice the women around them to appease men. Not Clytemnestra..."
This time I find the characters most developed and fascinating, truth to be told, CN' Helen is the one that for so long I was looking forward to finding her in a retelling, Helen I always imagined in my mind, well down!
Oh, and don't forget clever Penelope, although I liked Clytemnestra, but I was waiting to see Penelope on, and look what she has to say:
"You may not be scared of my women with their bows, but the other women – the ones bringing you water, the ones cleaning your clothes, the ones you fuck, the ones you hit, the ones you don’t even notice standing in the corner of your eye – they are everywhere. We are everywhere. We can reach you no matter where you run."
Many thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK (Orbit) via NetGalley for giving me a chance to read House of Odysseus (The Songs of Penelope #2) by Claire North, I have given my honest review.
My fav Quest:
When a parent dies, when a mother dies, we never truly forget that grief. It stays within us, deep below, and on top of it we put more of our lives lived, more experiences, until it is so weighted down by the matter of our days that we are astonished to find that one unremarkable new moon we look inside, and there it is, bright and brilliant as the day it was born. This is the way with grief. With guilt. With regret. All we can do is honour the lessons this brings, look honestly upon who we were and what we have done, and try to do better when the next sun rises. Forgiveness does not change that. Especially the forgiveness of the dead.
August 13, 2023
I have a smile on my face after reading this brilliant book. Claire North made me laugh my head off at this excellent re-telling of the Penelopiad.
This is the second part of the trilogy and, if anything much better than Ithaca, which bodes extremely well for the final part which I now can't wait to read.
It did admittedly start slow and I had to try yo get in gear and remember where we'd left Odysseus wife last time -- apart from knee deep in suitors eating her out of house and home while fighting off pirates.
In House of Odysseus we advance the story as Orestes (now driven to the point of utter insanity by the Furies) and Elektra try to fend off Menelaus, King of Sparta, who would quite like the title King of Kings for himself.
However, as usual, all these "heroes" forget about the women and also as usual the women take complete advantage of the fact that they are either being beaten, raped or ignored in order to do whatever the heck they wish.
I really can't praise this book enough. Its an absolute joy to read. Claire North has outdone herself. If only all retellings could be this good (she said wistfully). This will give you a completely different outlook on various goddesses, Spartans in general and Helen in particular. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit Books for the advance copy.
This is the second part of the trilogy and, if anything much better than Ithaca, which bodes extremely well for the final part which I now can't wait to read.
It did admittedly start slow and I had to try yo get in gear and remember where we'd left Odysseus wife last time -- apart from knee deep in suitors eating her out of house and home while fighting off pirates.
In House of Odysseus we advance the story as Orestes (now driven to the point of utter insanity by the Furies) and Elektra try to fend off Menelaus, King of Sparta, who would quite like the title King of Kings for himself.
However, as usual, all these "heroes" forget about the women and also as usual the women take complete advantage of the fact that they are either being beaten, raped or ignored in order to do whatever the heck they wish.
I really can't praise this book enough. Its an absolute joy to read. Claire North has outdone herself. If only all retellings could be this good (she said wistfully). This will give you a completely different outlook on various goddesses, Spartans in general and Helen in particular. Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit Books for the advance copy.
August 13, 2024
Je m’attendais exactement à ça.
Pour commencer, OUI je trouve ce tome largement meilleur que le premier, je m’y attendais un peu mais pas à ce point. Notez qu’il est beaucoup moins contemplatif, forcément, on entre dans l’action. Ménélas, il faut l’avouer, joue un grand rôle dans le côté addictif du récit. Il y a toujours de la tension, franchement j’ai rien à reprocher à ce roman. Malgré tout, j’ai eu une petite baisse d’intérêt entre les pages 250 et 350 d’où la demie étoile en moins. Ce creux dans le roman était nécessaire à l’action, cependant.
J’avais peur de découvrir Aphrodite en narratrice, et j’ai eu tort. C’est pour le moment ma favorite et je trouve qu’elle porte un message très réconfortant coté féminisme par rapport à Héra, forcément. La prochaine sera Athéna j’espère. Pour moi c’est la suite logique vis à vis d’Ulysse.
Pour moi c’est un grand “oui”. Je vais faire du tome 3 une priorité.
PS: la couverture est brodable !
Pour commencer, OUI je trouve ce tome largement meilleur que le premier, je m’y attendais un peu mais pas à ce point. Notez qu’il est beaucoup moins contemplatif, forcément, on entre dans l’action. Ménélas, il faut l’avouer, joue un grand rôle dans le côté addictif du récit. Il y a toujours de la tension, franchement j’ai rien à reprocher à ce roman. Malgré tout, j’ai eu une petite baisse d’intérêt entre les pages 250 et 350 d’où la demie étoile en moins. Ce creux dans le roman était nécessaire à l’action, cependant.
J’avais peur de découvrir Aphrodite en narratrice, et j’ai eu tort. C’est pour le moment ma favorite et je trouve qu’elle porte un message très réconfortant coté féminisme par rapport à Héra, forcément. La prochaine sera Athéna j’espère. Pour moi c’est la suite logique vis à vis d’Ulysse.
Pour moi c’est un grand “oui”. Je vais faire du tome 3 une priorité.
PS: la couverture est brodable !
September 21, 2023
House Of Odysseus is the second book in The Songs Of Penelope series by award-winning, best-selling British author, Claire North. Perhaps a year after Orestes has slain his mother Clytemnestra on Ithaca’s shores, and Penelope’s son Telemachus has set out to search for his father, a ship quietly arrives from Mycenae into the burnt out harbour of Phenera. Elektra has brought her brother, the newly crowned king of kings, the greatest of the Greeks, seeking the refuge she hopes Penelope will provide.
As a raving, possibly poisoned Orestes is deposited with Laertes and before they have a chance to investigate the Mycenaean ship for potential agents that might have effected his malaise, another King demands to be welcomed. Menelaus has brought his beautiful wife, Helen, and quite a lot of Spartan soldiers to overrun Ithaca. He’s looking for a mad Orestes, hoping to kindly help out by taking over his role.
Throughout, as some of Penelope’s suitors hatch a nasty plot, as a young woman is murdered, as ships are set alight, as a daring escape is made, and as Spartan soldiers are defeated, those awful creatures, the Furies hang over Orestes, exacerbating the effects of whatever mortal poison ails him. Cranky old Laertes gets a decent role in this instalment, with some splendid dialogue, and Kenamon the Egyptian also shows his worth.
This time, North uses the goddess Aphrodite as her narrator who, with her emphasis on love, offers quite a different perspective from that of Hera. Again, her quick summary of the situation that many other poets describe is refreshingly frank, and quite delightful, at times almost tongue in cheek.
Aphrodite’s commentary on events and players, on the affairs of gods and mortals, is also irreverent, insightful and often darkly funny as this exchange between the chief of Peneleope’s warrior women, Priene, and her queen, demonstrates: “There’s a Mycenaean ship hidden in the smugglers’ cove at Phenera. Twenty-nine men, armed, ten women. This girl says she’s Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon, gives me this ring. Shall we kill them all?”
“Please tell me now if you killed any of them,” sighs Penelope. “I would rather not be embarrassed by the revelation later.”
“I was restrained,” grumbles Priene. “Though the night is dark and accidents happen when ships land in smugglers’ coves.”
If North at first paints Helen as vain and silly, she later proves to not be the fool she pretends, displaying an unexpected wisdom and expertise. Penelope, she unfailingly portrays as oh so clever. Of Menelaus, Aphrodite says “A man who was once considered really rather ugly, and became through power and might and force of arms one of the most handsome men in the world… Menelaus likes it when women cry at his feet while begging for protection. Their tears help fill the leaking hollows of his fractured soul.”
Even novices to the Greek myths and legends will be able to, with perhaps only a cursory check of Wikipedia, thoroughly enjoy North’s treatment of Penelope’s story. Rich in historical detail, this is Greek myth at its most palatable and entertaining, and the third instalment, The Last Song of Penelope, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK.
As a raving, possibly poisoned Orestes is deposited with Laertes and before they have a chance to investigate the Mycenaean ship for potential agents that might have effected his malaise, another King demands to be welcomed. Menelaus has brought his beautiful wife, Helen, and quite a lot of Spartan soldiers to overrun Ithaca. He’s looking for a mad Orestes, hoping to kindly help out by taking over his role.
Throughout, as some of Penelope’s suitors hatch a nasty plot, as a young woman is murdered, as ships are set alight, as a daring escape is made, and as Spartan soldiers are defeated, those awful creatures, the Furies hang over Orestes, exacerbating the effects of whatever mortal poison ails him. Cranky old Laertes gets a decent role in this instalment, with some splendid dialogue, and Kenamon the Egyptian also shows his worth.
This time, North uses the goddess Aphrodite as her narrator who, with her emphasis on love, offers quite a different perspective from that of Hera. Again, her quick summary of the situation that many other poets describe is refreshingly frank, and quite delightful, at times almost tongue in cheek.
Aphrodite’s commentary on events and players, on the affairs of gods and mortals, is also irreverent, insightful and often darkly funny as this exchange between the chief of Peneleope’s warrior women, Priene, and her queen, demonstrates: “There’s a Mycenaean ship hidden in the smugglers’ cove at Phenera. Twenty-nine men, armed, ten women. This girl says she’s Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon, gives me this ring. Shall we kill them all?”
“Please tell me now if you killed any of them,” sighs Penelope. “I would rather not be embarrassed by the revelation later.”
“I was restrained,” grumbles Priene. “Though the night is dark and accidents happen when ships land in smugglers’ coves.”
If North at first paints Helen as vain and silly, she later proves to not be the fool she pretends, displaying an unexpected wisdom and expertise. Penelope, she unfailingly portrays as oh so clever. Of Menelaus, Aphrodite says “A man who was once considered really rather ugly, and became through power and might and force of arms one of the most handsome men in the world… Menelaus likes it when women cry at his feet while begging for protection. Their tears help fill the leaking hollows of his fractured soul.”
Even novices to the Greek myths and legends will be able to, with perhaps only a cursory check of Wikipedia, thoroughly enjoy North’s treatment of Penelope’s story. Rich in historical detail, this is Greek myth at its most palatable and entertaining, and the third instalment, The Last Song of Penelope, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK.
May 9, 2024
3.0 Stars
This novel continues the story of Odysseus and Penelope that started in the first book. This trilogy is undoubtedly intended for readers who love the greek mythology. I like and appreciate the tales but I can't say it's a personal fascination. I mention this because other readers will likely love this one more than me.
I enjoyed the first book a fair bit so I was excited to continue on. However I didn't love this book as much as the first. The narrative felt more drawn out with plot pacing that often stood still. For other readers, they might just be happy to spend that time with the characters but I personally wanted more.
I still plan to continue on to the third and final book which I hope will work better for me. This one just suffered too much from "middle-book-syndrome". If you are interested in this series, I recommend going back to the beginning with Ithaca.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
This novel continues the story of Odysseus and Penelope that started in the first book. This trilogy is undoubtedly intended for readers who love the greek mythology. I like and appreciate the tales but I can't say it's a personal fascination. I mention this because other readers will likely love this one more than me.
I enjoyed the first book a fair bit so I was excited to continue on. However I didn't love this book as much as the first. The narrative felt more drawn out with plot pacing that often stood still. For other readers, they might just be happy to spend that time with the characters but I personally wanted more.
I still plan to continue on to the third and final book which I hope will work better for me. This one just suffered too much from "middle-book-syndrome". If you are interested in this series, I recommend going back to the beginning with Ithaca.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
July 16, 2023
3.5 stars.
Another well-written retelling by Claire North. This story was more a war of words and sleight of hand than an epic story of heroic battles and dramatic romance, so it's more of a slow burn. I loved the feminist slant of this retelling and found Penelope to be a fantastic heroine, but Aphrodite's narrative sections were less compelling. The ending was very satisfying, but the middle was a bit too slow. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent.
Thanks to @libro.fm for the gifted audiobook.
Another well-written retelling by Claire North. This story was more a war of words and sleight of hand than an epic story of heroic battles and dramatic romance, so it's more of a slow burn. I loved the feminist slant of this retelling and found Penelope to be a fantastic heroine, but Aphrodite's narrative sections were less compelling. The ending was very satisfying, but the middle was a bit too slow. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was excellent.
Thanks to @libro.fm for the gifted audiobook.
February 6, 2024
While I adored Ithaca, House of Odysseus fell a bit short for me. I am continually impressed by Claire North's stunning writing, however this series feels slow when stretched into a trilogy. Overall, I enjoyed this, I just found issues with the pacing.
Thank you to NetGalley and RedHook books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and RedHook books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 31, 2024
2nd read, June 2024:
*standing ovation*
*wolf whistles*
*sobs*
---
*standing ovation*
*wolf whistles*
*sobs*
*standing ovation*
*wolf whistles*
*sobs*
---
*standing ovation*
*wolf whistles*
*sobs*
September 13, 2023
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher, Orbit Books, in exchange for an honest review.
Ithaca was one of my favorite books of 2022. However, I was thrown at the end of the book when I discovered that, unlike most Greek myth retellings, it was not a standalone novel but the first of a trilogy. I have been eagerly awaiting House of Odysseus since finishing those final pages of Ithaca, and am thrilled to announce that it lived up to its predecessor in every single way. This series follows the story of Penelope during the 20 year absence of her husband, King Odysseus of Ithaca. Ithaca presents this story from the perspective of Hera, Queen of Queens, as she observes what’s going on in Penelope’s life and how those happens overlap with the last days of Clytemnestra, Hera’s darling. House of Odysseus picks up where Ithaca left off, but now from the perspective of Aphrodite as her favorite, Helen, weaves her way back into Penelope’s story.
Aphrodite is generally portrayed as conniving and cruel, wielding love as a weapon. In House of Odysseus, she knows that she is viewed as such, but within her mind we see that she does truly find something to love about everyone. It’s sweet and lovely and more than a little sad, as she holds so much love inside herself so as not to make others feel more uncomfortable around her than they are already. I’ve never been a fan of Aphrodite, but this book softened my heart toward her in exactly the same way Ithaca softened me toward Hera. North has a gift here, of bringing dimension and sympathy to classical characters.
She also has a fabulous voice to here writing, including a knack for finding a balance between a classical feel and a slightly irreverent tone. I love her writing in this series so much. It is deft and clever and, again, impeccably balanced. It harkens back to its source material while also feeling fresh and vibrant and original. There’s a lot of depth here, and some truly inspiring speeches. There is a very compelling mystery and some serious tension to the plot and pacing. But the story never feels heavy, even though it quite easily could. The characters are compelling and multifaceted, and North did a wonderful job of making me care about them.
This is also hands down one of the most feminist works I’ve ever read. I’ve loved the recent trend of taking such classic, masculine myths and examining the women of those tales, giving them voice and agency for the first time in millennia. Works like Circe and Stone Blind and Clytemnestra have done this beautifully, with power and poignancy. But the Songs of Penelope series has done this with a broader scope, showing the vitality of an entire island of women instead of a select handful or a single woman. I love that it has also included the major goddesses, Hera and Aphrodite, Athena and Artemis, giving more dimension to these deities, as well. And our titular queen, Penelope, is more than a match for her wily husband. Reading about her cleverness has been a joy.
I loved everything about House of Odysseus, and will be counting down the days until the final installment is released. The Last Song of Penelope promises to be an absolutely fantastic finale, if it lives up to its two predecessors. And if it does, this will become my favorite historical trilogy of all time, and quite likely my favorite Greek myth retelling. Which is really saying something, as that’s one of my favorite subgenres. North has done something really special with this series, and I can’t wait to see how the story ends.
Ithaca was one of my favorite books of 2022. However, I was thrown at the end of the book when I discovered that, unlike most Greek myth retellings, it was not a standalone novel but the first of a trilogy. I have been eagerly awaiting House of Odysseus since finishing those final pages of Ithaca, and am thrilled to announce that it lived up to its predecessor in every single way. This series follows the story of Penelope during the 20 year absence of her husband, King Odysseus of Ithaca. Ithaca presents this story from the perspective of Hera, Queen of Queens, as she observes what’s going on in Penelope’s life and how those happens overlap with the last days of Clytemnestra, Hera’s darling. House of Odysseus picks up where Ithaca left off, but now from the perspective of Aphrodite as her favorite, Helen, weaves her way back into Penelope’s story.
Aphrodite is generally portrayed as conniving and cruel, wielding love as a weapon. In House of Odysseus, she knows that she is viewed as such, but within her mind we see that she does truly find something to love about everyone. It’s sweet and lovely and more than a little sad, as she holds so much love inside herself so as not to make others feel more uncomfortable around her than they are already. I’ve never been a fan of Aphrodite, but this book softened my heart toward her in exactly the same way Ithaca softened me toward Hera. North has a gift here, of bringing dimension and sympathy to classical characters.
She also has a fabulous voice to here writing, including a knack for finding a balance between a classical feel and a slightly irreverent tone. I love her writing in this series so much. It is deft and clever and, again, impeccably balanced. It harkens back to its source material while also feeling fresh and vibrant and original. There’s a lot of depth here, and some truly inspiring speeches. There is a very compelling mystery and some serious tension to the plot and pacing. But the story never feels heavy, even though it quite easily could. The characters are compelling and multifaceted, and North did a wonderful job of making me care about them.
This is also hands down one of the most feminist works I’ve ever read. I’ve loved the recent trend of taking such classic, masculine myths and examining the women of those tales, giving them voice and agency for the first time in millennia. Works like Circe and Stone Blind and Clytemnestra have done this beautifully, with power and poignancy. But the Songs of Penelope series has done this with a broader scope, showing the vitality of an entire island of women instead of a select handful or a single woman. I love that it has also included the major goddesses, Hera and Aphrodite, Athena and Artemis, giving more dimension to these deities, as well. And our titular queen, Penelope, is more than a match for her wily husband. Reading about her cleverness has been a joy.
I loved everything about House of Odysseus, and will be counting down the days until the final installment is released. The Last Song of Penelope promises to be an absolutely fantastic finale, if it lives up to its two predecessors. And if it does, this will become my favorite historical trilogy of all time, and quite likely my favorite Greek myth retelling. Which is really saying something, as that’s one of my favorite subgenres. North has done something really special with this series, and I can’t wait to see how the story ends.
August 19, 2024
This did not disappoint,it hold up to the first book well and dare I say was even better.
Sure there were some things that i didn't really like that much (like the fact that Zeus apparently tried to rape Athena when in actual mythology she was his favorite daughter and while he is the lowest of the low I did not think it was necessary to invent that or how the gods apparently think like humans and have patriarchy which is just stupid,it is shown time and time again in mythology and in the Iliad and the Odyssey that the goddesses are the same as the gods,there is none of the patriarchy that exists between humans)but the good outweighs the bad.
Aphrodite is the one who narrates this time and while it didn't bother me that much,I couldn't really connect with her voice as much as I did with Hera.
Artemis in this one has a much larger role and I devoured the pages every time she was in a scene.
Helen,what can I say about her ? She was hilarious and at the same time I felt so much pain for her.
The author wrote her exactly to my liking and I couldn't ask for anything else,she was just magnificent.
I loved,adored that in this one Penelope showed more of who she truly is,she took a more assertive role and showed the people that she was the one in control all the time,she was fierce,powerful and smart,exactly a perfect Queen.
I honestly loved the little scenes that we got between Penelope and Kenamon.
I'm so excited for the next book and I can't wait to see who the author portrays the relationship between Penelope,Odysseus and Telemachus .
Sure there were some things that i didn't really like that much (like the fact that Zeus apparently tried to rape Athena when in actual mythology she was his favorite daughter and while he is the lowest of the low I did not think it was necessary to invent that or how the gods apparently think like humans and have patriarchy which is just stupid,it is shown time and time again in mythology and in the Iliad and the Odyssey that the goddesses are the same as the gods,there is none of the patriarchy that exists between humans)but the good outweighs the bad.
Aphrodite is the one who narrates this time and while it didn't bother me that much,I couldn't really connect with her voice as much as I did with Hera.
Artemis in this one has a much larger role and I devoured the pages every time she was in a scene.
Helen,what can I say about her ? She was hilarious and at the same time I felt so much pain for her.
The author wrote her exactly to my liking and I couldn't ask for anything else,she was just magnificent.
I loved,adored that in this one Penelope showed more of who she truly is,she took a more assertive role and showed the people that she was the one in control all the time,she was fierce,powerful and smart,exactly a perfect Queen.
I honestly loved the little scenes that we got between Penelope and Kenamon.
I'm so excited for the next book and I can't wait to see who the author portrays the relationship between Penelope,Odysseus and Telemachus .
February 5, 2025
Penelope has taken care of the raiders, but her troubles are far from over. Odysseus has still not returned. Telemachus, her son, has set sail in search of him. The suitors are still scattered throughout the city just waiting for Penelope to finish weaving and to pick one of them to rule as king of Ithaca.
More importantly Orestes and Elektra show up. Orestes is slowly losing his mind. His hands bloody, the murder of his mother has shattered his sanity, and the Furies are always circling, spiraling overhead. Snarling, hissing and laughing maniacally as they wait for inevitable madness. Elektra knows that if Menelaus finds out he will quickly move to take the Mycenaean crown giving him a stranglehold on the entire Greek world.
So once again, Penelope finds herself in a dire situation that threatens herself and Ithaca.
This time the story is narrated by Aphrodite not Hera, and she tells the tale in an entirely different voice.
When Menelaus arrives at Ithaca, he conquers with words and gifts rather than force. Penelope realizes that this battle will be fought with wit and strategy but eventually, sword and shield, which are in very short supply, will be needed too.
One of the great points of Greek Mythology and the ancient poems is interpretation. Characters such as Helen for example can take on completely different personas with each different retelling.
A great second book in the trilogy.
More importantly Orestes and Elektra show up. Orestes is slowly losing his mind. His hands bloody, the murder of his mother has shattered his sanity, and the Furies are always circling, spiraling overhead. Snarling, hissing and laughing maniacally as they wait for inevitable madness. Elektra knows that if Menelaus finds out he will quickly move to take the Mycenaean crown giving him a stranglehold on the entire Greek world.
So once again, Penelope finds herself in a dire situation that threatens herself and Ithaca.
This time the story is narrated by Aphrodite not Hera, and she tells the tale in an entirely different voice.
When Menelaus arrives at Ithaca, he conquers with words and gifts rather than force. Penelope realizes that this battle will be fought with wit and strategy but eventually, sword and shield, which are in very short supply, will be needed too.
One of the great points of Greek Mythology and the ancient poems is interpretation. Characters such as Helen for example can take on completely different personas with each different retelling.
A great second book in the trilogy.
August 22, 2023
Claire North, queen of feminist tales is back once again with the much anticipated sequel to Ithaca, House of Odysseus.
Penelope, Queen of Ithaca, wife to Odysseus, is still struggling to hold on to her power in her husband’s absence and things only become more complicated when Elektra and her brother Orestes arrive upon her shores and threaten to shatter the peace. With his mother’s blood on his hands, Orestes has grown unhinged and is rather unwell. In his weakened state his uncle Menelaus, King of Sparta, sees the opportunity to dispose of his nephew, seize his brother’s kingdom and become king of kings. Menelaus will stop at nothing to find Orestes and so in desperation Elektra has brought her brother to Penelope’s lands seeking shelter, but she also suspects Orestes is being poisoned. Menelaus is a cruel, cunning brute, and to see him seize even more power would have dire consequences for all including Penelope. She must uncover the truth before it’s too late, before all that she has worked for is crushed beneath a tyrant king. Yet the Furies circle Orestes, the gods have their own plans, and Menelaus along with his Spartan army and his wife Helen are sailing directly her way.
This time around our narrator is Aphrodite, goddess of desire, and she brings a different perspective to these well known characters, these three great queens of Greece. Penelope is as sharp minded as ever and again uses her brilliance to hold power, Elektra shows some vulnerability, and we are introduced to the infamous Helen of Troy who for me personally, was the most interesting and emotionally engaging character of the three. North refreshingly depicts their tale of survival as the King of Sparta plots his next move.
Although this sequel is slightly slower in pace, I did really appreciate it when the narrative picked up and we were given two mysteries to solve. I also found a new favourite character, Laertes, Penelope’s father-in-law. He is a minor character in the first book but in this book he really shines. It’s easy to overlook an old man, to see them as dithering and feeble, but no, Aphrodite shows us the clever king, the powerful Argonaut Laertes once was.
Yet, when reaching the end of the novel we see that it is more than it seems, it’s an exploration of desire and how it shapes each character, for good or bad, it’s a reflection on beauty, love, grief and forgiveness. North is an author who gives her readers thought-provoking tales with a wonderful feminist twist, and House of Odysseus is no exception.
“For a woman to contemplate her own beauty is vanity, superficial pride, shallow beyond contempt, the sign of a mindless slut. Of course for a woman to be anything less than beautiful is for her to be ugly, or in the best case invisible and without merit, and that is also unacceptable, but still, but still. The most a woman born without socially acceptable perfection can do is worry about these things in secret, rather than be caught trying.”
ARC provided by Nazia at Orbit Books. Thank you for the copy! House of Odysseus is out now!
Penelope, Queen of Ithaca, wife to Odysseus, is still struggling to hold on to her power in her husband’s absence and things only become more complicated when Elektra and her brother Orestes arrive upon her shores and threaten to shatter the peace. With his mother’s blood on his hands, Orestes has grown unhinged and is rather unwell. In his weakened state his uncle Menelaus, King of Sparta, sees the opportunity to dispose of his nephew, seize his brother’s kingdom and become king of kings. Menelaus will stop at nothing to find Orestes and so in desperation Elektra has brought her brother to Penelope’s lands seeking shelter, but she also suspects Orestes is being poisoned. Menelaus is a cruel, cunning brute, and to see him seize even more power would have dire consequences for all including Penelope. She must uncover the truth before it’s too late, before all that she has worked for is crushed beneath a tyrant king. Yet the Furies circle Orestes, the gods have their own plans, and Menelaus along with his Spartan army and his wife Helen are sailing directly her way.
This time around our narrator is Aphrodite, goddess of desire, and she brings a different perspective to these well known characters, these three great queens of Greece. Penelope is as sharp minded as ever and again uses her brilliance to hold power, Elektra shows some vulnerability, and we are introduced to the infamous Helen of Troy who for me personally, was the most interesting and emotionally engaging character of the three. North refreshingly depicts their tale of survival as the King of Sparta plots his next move.
Although this sequel is slightly slower in pace, I did really appreciate it when the narrative picked up and we were given two mysteries to solve. I also found a new favourite character, Laertes, Penelope’s father-in-law. He is a minor character in the first book but in this book he really shines. It’s easy to overlook an old man, to see them as dithering and feeble, but no, Aphrodite shows us the clever king, the powerful Argonaut Laertes once was.
Yet, when reaching the end of the novel we see that it is more than it seems, it’s an exploration of desire and how it shapes each character, for good or bad, it’s a reflection on beauty, love, grief and forgiveness. North is an author who gives her readers thought-provoking tales with a wonderful feminist twist, and House of Odysseus is no exception.
“For a woman to contemplate her own beauty is vanity, superficial pride, shallow beyond contempt, the sign of a mindless slut. Of course for a woman to be anything less than beautiful is for her to be ugly, or in the best case invisible and without merit, and that is also unacceptable, but still, but still. The most a woman born without socially acceptable perfection can do is worry about these things in secret, rather than be caught trying.”
ARC provided by Nazia at Orbit Books. Thank you for the copy! House of Odysseus is out now!
August 19, 2023
House of Odysseus is the brilliant continuation of the story of Penelope that began with the first novel, Ithaca.
It’s been almost 20 years since Odysseus left Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War. Odysseus’ wife Penelope is left holding back suitors encamped at the palace wishing to marry her and take over Odysseus’ throne.
Now Penelope faces a new threat. After providing a place of refuge for Elektra and her brother, Orestes, both children of the now dead Agamemnon killed by his wife Clytemnestra, Menelaus, Agamemnon’s brother, catches wind that his niece and nephew may be hiding out in Ithaca.
Haunted by the Furies, Orestes seems to be going mad, giving Menelaus an easy excuse for dethroning him and taking over as king of kings. Penelope must find a way to keep Orestes and Menelaus apart to avoid a war and also keep Ithaca safe at the same time.
I love how each book is narrated from the perspective of a different goddess. Ithaca, told from Hera’s perspective, focused on Penelope as a mother and a queen. In House of Odysseus, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, lets us see Penelope as a woman, someone with passions and desires.
There’s a tone and flavor to the writing style that is so smart and clever and witty. It both left me laughing out loud and also slowing down to reread passages that were emotionally beautiful.
I loved the whole book, but the last third kept me flipping the pages it was that suspenseful! Even though I’m very familiar with Greek mythology, I was so connected to Penelope and her maids and the goddess that it was easy to feel their fear and dread and danger.
I enjoyed The House of Odysseus even more than Ithaca, so of course I’m eagerly anticipating the final book in this amazing trilogy.
*Thanks so much to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.
It’s been almost 20 years since Odysseus left Ithaca to fight in the Trojan War. Odysseus’ wife Penelope is left holding back suitors encamped at the palace wishing to marry her and take over Odysseus’ throne.
Now Penelope faces a new threat. After providing a place of refuge for Elektra and her brother, Orestes, both children of the now dead Agamemnon killed by his wife Clytemnestra, Menelaus, Agamemnon’s brother, catches wind that his niece and nephew may be hiding out in Ithaca.
Haunted by the Furies, Orestes seems to be going mad, giving Menelaus an easy excuse for dethroning him and taking over as king of kings. Penelope must find a way to keep Orestes and Menelaus apart to avoid a war and also keep Ithaca safe at the same time.
I love how each book is narrated from the perspective of a different goddess. Ithaca, told from Hera’s perspective, focused on Penelope as a mother and a queen. In House of Odysseus, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, lets us see Penelope as a woman, someone with passions and desires.
There’s a tone and flavor to the writing style that is so smart and clever and witty. It both left me laughing out loud and also slowing down to reread passages that were emotionally beautiful.
I loved the whole book, but the last third kept me flipping the pages it was that suspenseful! Even though I’m very familiar with Greek mythology, I was so connected to Penelope and her maids and the goddess that it was easy to feel their fear and dread and danger.
I enjoyed The House of Odysseus even more than Ithaca, so of course I’m eagerly anticipating the final book in this amazing trilogy.
*Thanks so much to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the digital arc. All opinions are my own.
November 17, 2023
This second volume of Claire North's Song of Penelope is at least as good as the first. I've been a fan since The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, but here her writing has matured to something extraordinary; poetic, earthy, profound, funny.
While the first part, Ithaca, was narrated by Hera, this is from the POV of Aphrodite. Penelope is still defending Odysseus' kingdom in his absence, but the story moves on from the machinations of the suitors to the more direct threat of King Menelaus of Sparta, seeking too wrest the Mycenaean crown from his nephew Orestes - ailing with sickness, either cursed by the Furies for having killed his mother Clytemnestra or, perhaps, less supernatural reasons.
Having defeated the "pirates" in the earlier book, with her army of women, Penelope is growing in confidence and needs every iota of wisdom and subtlety and diplomacy, and all her allies to match the cunning, brutish king of Sparta.
It's a while since I finished a book feeling so satisfied with the whole, and I cannot wait for the conclusion to the trilogy.
While the first part, Ithaca, was narrated by Hera, this is from the POV of Aphrodite. Penelope is still defending Odysseus' kingdom in his absence, but the story moves on from the machinations of the suitors to the more direct threat of King Menelaus of Sparta, seeking too wrest the Mycenaean crown from his nephew Orestes - ailing with sickness, either cursed by the Furies for having killed his mother Clytemnestra or, perhaps, less supernatural reasons.
Having defeated the "pirates" in the earlier book, with her army of women, Penelope is growing in confidence and needs every iota of wisdom and subtlety and diplomacy, and all her allies to match the cunning, brutish king of Sparta.
It's a while since I finished a book feeling so satisfied with the whole, and I cannot wait for the conclusion to the trilogy.
July 8, 2023
Thanks Claire North, Redhook & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review!
When I requested this I didn't know it was book 2 in a series, so I read Ithaca before diving into this ARC. I was worried about House of Odysseus because Ithaca was a slow, slow read for me, but I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed House of Odysseus! Because the characters and story is already set up, it was easy to follow.
First off, I liked Aphrodite as the narrator and her comments regarding some of the men, like Menelaus. I disliked Menelaus this entire book and loved how Penelope was able to handle herself throughout Menelaus taking over the palace and everything else that was happening. Her character really shown, and I love how it was repeated that the women of Ithaca ran the island while all the men were gone at war, so why shouldn't they still be badass after the war?
When I read Elektra, I was eh on her character, but North really brought Elektra's story to life in House of Odysseus with her love for Orestes and her general upbringing. It's so sad how she views love and relationships because of her father.
I recommend reading other Greek mythology retellings before diving into this series, so you have a better understanding of the 10-year war and specifically Clytemnstra's story as it plays a huge role in these books. Highly look forward to book 3 with that ending - whew!!
When I requested this I didn't know it was book 2 in a series, so I read Ithaca before diving into this ARC. I was worried about House of Odysseus because Ithaca was a slow, slow read for me, but I am pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed House of Odysseus! Because the characters and story is already set up, it was easy to follow.
First off, I liked Aphrodite as the narrator and her comments regarding some of the men, like Menelaus. I disliked Menelaus this entire book and loved how Penelope was able to handle herself throughout Menelaus taking over the palace and everything else that was happening. Her character really shown, and I love how it was repeated that the women of Ithaca ran the island while all the men were gone at war, so why shouldn't they still be badass after the war?
When I read Elektra, I was eh on her character, but North really brought Elektra's story to life in House of Odysseus with her love for Orestes and her general upbringing. It's so sad how she views love and relationships because of her father.
I recommend reading other Greek mythology retellings before diving into this series, so you have a better understanding of the 10-year war and specifically Clytemnstra's story as it plays a huge role in these books. Highly look forward to book 3 with that ending - whew!!
September 29, 2023
As a fan of Geek Mythologies and a fan of Claire North, I had a feeling I was going to like her new endeavors. The first book in the series, Ithaca starts the retelling of the story of Queen Penelope. House of Odysseus continues the retelling. The neighbors come calling, the king of Mycenae Orestes, fresh off killing his mother and her lover, who in turn had killed his father, Agamemnon. Orestes arrives at Ithaca in a state of delirium, with the help of his sister, Elektra. Fresh on their heels is King of Sparta Menelaus and his wife infamous wife Helen, looking for the pair, while hoping to add Mycenae and Ithaca to his domain. The tale has multiple POVs, one of the most prominente POV is Aphrodite. The audiobook was performed by Catrin Walker-Booth, which was fantastic.
February 7, 2024
Definitely better than book 1, but still not for me. It’s so different from the original myths you hardly recognise who the story is supposed to be about. If you take an ancient myth as inspiration for an imaginative retelling, the least you can do is try and make it ancient. The use of modern language and slang is off putting to say the least. A couple examples which I found especially jarring:
“…and though it can lead to some socially toxic long-term consequences, right now I am here for it.”
“Look out for that one, Penelope, (…) Always more trouble than they’re worth, your sexy exotic foreigner.”
“Then your little gaggle of girlies won’t mean shit.”
Also, ‘drinky’, ‘kiddos’, ‘a teensy bit’, really?
“…and though it can lead to some socially toxic long-term consequences, right now I am here for it.”
“Look out for that one, Penelope, (…) Always more trouble than they’re worth, your sexy exotic foreigner.”
“Then your little gaggle of girlies won’t mean shit.”
Also, ‘drinky’, ‘kiddos’, ‘a teensy bit’, really?
December 8, 2025
House of Odysseus by Claire North is about the ordeal of Penelope of Ithaca as she struggles to protect her home, her people, and her legacy in her husband’s prolonged absence, while kings from Mycenae and Sparta arrive on her shores bringing madness, murder, secrets, and the ruthless ambitions of men.
From the very first chapter I felt the tension pulsing through the walls of Ithaca: Penelope must hold a fragile peace in a palace simmering with desperation and fear. The arrival of Orestes and his sister Elektra, traumatized, hunted, and haunted by the blood on Orestes’s hands upends everything. The narration by Aphrodite adds a strangely sharp, modern voice to the mythic world, reminding me that gods can be as flawed, petty, and conflicted as mortals. I was moved by how even characters often dismissed in myth, the women, slaves, servants are given weight and agency. Their alliances, fears, secrets feel raw and urgent, and I found myself rooting for their resilience in the face of power hungry kings and divine schemes.
What struck me most is how the book balances epic stakes and intimate emotions: the political intrigue, threats of war, and plots for power ripple outward while inside the palace, grief, guilt, loyalty, distrust, and survival play out in hushed rooms and whispered decisions. The pacing shifts, sometimes slow as alliances form, sometimes sharp when violence or betrayal erupts, which makes each turn feel unpredictable and alive. Scenes involving trauma can feel heavy and unsettling, but the author does not shy away from showing the vulnerability behind mythic grandeur.
I give this book 4 out of 5. It captured my imagination and heart with its reimagined mythic voices and layered conflicts, and gave forgotten perspectives a chance to breathe. It is not an easy comfort read, but it is powerful and haunting, and worth revisiting for anyone drawn to stories where survival and identity are fought in both palace halls and the quiet spaces between.
From the very first chapter I felt the tension pulsing through the walls of Ithaca: Penelope must hold a fragile peace in a palace simmering with desperation and fear. The arrival of Orestes and his sister Elektra, traumatized, hunted, and haunted by the blood on Orestes’s hands upends everything. The narration by Aphrodite adds a strangely sharp, modern voice to the mythic world, reminding me that gods can be as flawed, petty, and conflicted as mortals. I was moved by how even characters often dismissed in myth, the women, slaves, servants are given weight and agency. Their alliances, fears, secrets feel raw and urgent, and I found myself rooting for their resilience in the face of power hungry kings and divine schemes.
What struck me most is how the book balances epic stakes and intimate emotions: the political intrigue, threats of war, and plots for power ripple outward while inside the palace, grief, guilt, loyalty, distrust, and survival play out in hushed rooms and whispered decisions. The pacing shifts, sometimes slow as alliances form, sometimes sharp when violence or betrayal erupts, which makes each turn feel unpredictable and alive. Scenes involving trauma can feel heavy and unsettling, but the author does not shy away from showing the vulnerability behind mythic grandeur.
I give this book 4 out of 5. It captured my imagination and heart with its reimagined mythic voices and layered conflicts, and gave forgotten perspectives a chance to breathe. It is not an easy comfort read, but it is powerful and haunting, and worth revisiting for anyone drawn to stories where survival and identity are fought in both palace halls and the quiet spaces between.
September 18, 2023
I was a huge fan of Claire North’s first book in the The Songs of Penelope Series. This is my bag, retelling of the ancient Greek epics. North is keeping this to a trilogy, which I think is perfect, long enough to really dig into the details, yet not so long and dragged out that the reader will lose interest.
The best part of Ithaca was the narration. North hit the nail on the head with Hera narrating Penelope’s story. Could she maintain that rock-star start? You know she did! With House of Odysseus, we have a new narrator, the one and only, Aphrodite. North did something magical here: book two in a series, same characters, continuation of the same storyline and a complete 360 in style and attitude. Aphrodite has sass coming out of her ying-yang (if Aphrodite had a ying-yang). This is stuff that would be completely out of character for Hera, she could not pull it off and it made for an incredibly fun read.
North brought in a few old friends from the Iliad and Odyssey. Menelaus and Helen were perfect characters to move this story forward. The face that launched a thousand ships and the buffoon. I never really like Menelaus or his blow-hard brother. Homer never really painted them in a good light, the Iliad and Odyssey had other heroes, and like Tina Turner, we don’t need another one.
The worst part of finishing House of Odysseus is waiting until June 18, 2024, to find out how North wraps up this trilogy. There are a lot of questions to be answered: Will Odysseus really kill them all? Will Telemachus be there when it happens? But most importantly, who is North recruiting to do the narration? My money is on Athena, but she seems a little too no-nonsense to tell an interesting story; she is more of a how-to kind of narrator. I would kind of like to see Artemis, she is the kind of girl to put an arrow through your eye just for looking at her the wrong way or any way at all for that matter. She would tell a fun story.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
The best part of Ithaca was the narration. North hit the nail on the head with Hera narrating Penelope’s story. Could she maintain that rock-star start? You know she did! With House of Odysseus, we have a new narrator, the one and only, Aphrodite. North did something magical here: book two in a series, same characters, continuation of the same storyline and a complete 360 in style and attitude. Aphrodite has sass coming out of her ying-yang (if Aphrodite had a ying-yang). This is stuff that would be completely out of character for Hera, she could not pull it off and it made for an incredibly fun read.
North brought in a few old friends from the Iliad and Odyssey. Menelaus and Helen were perfect characters to move this story forward. The face that launched a thousand ships and the buffoon. I never really like Menelaus or his blow-hard brother. Homer never really painted them in a good light, the Iliad and Odyssey had other heroes, and like Tina Turner, we don’t need another one.
The worst part of finishing House of Odysseus is waiting until June 18, 2024, to find out how North wraps up this trilogy. There are a lot of questions to be answered: Will Odysseus really kill them all? Will Telemachus be there when it happens? But most importantly, who is North recruiting to do the narration? My money is on Athena, but she seems a little too no-nonsense to tell an interesting story; she is more of a how-to kind of narrator. I would kind of like to see Artemis, she is the kind of girl to put an arrow through your eye just for looking at her the wrong way or any way at all for that matter. She would tell a fun story.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley).
August 10, 2024
I’m obsessed with the women of Ithaca; I would literally take a spear for any of them. This book is, like the first one, such a beautiful story. I was already mesmerized by the first one, and then this second book topped it even more. One of the women of Ithaca is Penelope. She has my heart and will forever be an icon. The plotting, acting, and loving- just everything about her makes me want to follow her blindly. I found amusement in Laertes’ snides about what happened to his house. I’m not sure if this would be a spoiler, so I’ll talk about the person anonymously. When the person first arrived, I had high hopes, only to be reminded, in a rather annoying way, that they are still very true to their nature. Helen, however, took me by surprise. I had doubts, but she proved me very wrong, and now I’m obsessed with her too. I love how the story is told by Aphrodite. I never really knew much about her except for the basics, but this book showed me her characteristics, and I now love her so much. The goddesses; Hera, Athena, Aphrodite, and Artemis are a fantastic addition to the story. Their presence and aspects really added something special. I can’t wait to read book three next year in Greece!
October 9, 2023
Why was this SO BLAND when it had the potential to be great?
Boring, bland and not the retelling i wanted.
Boring, bland and not the retelling i wanted.
April 30, 2024
Nieuwe favoriete boek
August 7, 2025
I absolutely love this series. This one was just as good if not better than the first. We have tons of drama and even a little murder mystery plot in this one! And I love that the first was told by Hera as the narrator and then this one was told by Aphrodite as the narrator - and both narrated the story for a specif reason/because one of their favorite humans happened to be visiting Ithaca during each story which I think is such a cool little detail that adds more depth to these stories!
I look forward to reading the next/final book in this series and really wish Claire North would write more books based on Ancient Greece!
I look forward to reading the next/final book in this series and really wish Claire North would write more books based on Ancient Greece!
August 3, 2025
Fantastisk bok. Morsom, spennende, og feministisk. Den forteller historien til de man ikke hører så mye om, men fra gudenes perspektiv (selv om jeg ikke vet hvor korrekt alt er i forhold til mytologien)
January 3, 2024
Milf mommy Helen 😍😍
May 21, 2025
I am in love with these books. I'll write a proper review soon.
Now that I've slept on it, I just LOVE the way Claire North writes. Aphrodite's POV was both so amusing and heartbreaking in an entirely different way than Hera's. I'm excited and scared to see Athena's POV since we've seen her grow between Ithaca and House of Odysseus, which took place a year after book 1. Penelope and the Crew just can't catch a break but man, I am excited to see how this series wraps up.
According to my husband, I made a football level touch down 'YES' at one point while reading. I 100% know it was at the end during Penelope & Menelaus final conversation. Also? Helen? Sassy, amazing, truly love how these books are going.
Now that I've slept on it, I just LOVE the way Claire North writes. Aphrodite's POV was both so amusing and heartbreaking in an entirely different way than Hera's. I'm excited and scared to see Athena's POV since we've seen her grow between Ithaca and House of Odysseus, which took place a year after book 1. Penelope and the Crew just can't catch a break but man, I am excited to see how this series wraps up.
According to my husband, I made a football level touch down 'YES' at one point while reading. I 100% know it was at the end during Penelope & Menelaus final conversation. Also? Helen? Sassy, amazing, truly love how these books are going.
September 11, 2024
Meno bello del primo, ho sentito molto meno la voce di Afrodite qui (per quanto bisessuale!Afrodite >>>>) e anche il modo di impostare il suo rapporto con Elena ed Elena stessa. Con Era e Clitennnestra secondo me l'avevamo percepito di più.
Resta comunque un buonissimo libro, divertente e riflessivo quanto basta. Ho particolarmente amato Laerte, mi è piaciuto che Penelope si sia mostrata di più e anche tutte le riflessioni sulle diverse tipologie di amore.
Resta comunque un buonissimo libro, divertente e riflessivo quanto basta. Ho particolarmente amato Laerte, mi è piaciuto che Penelope si sia mostrata di più e anche tutte le riflessioni sulle diverse tipologie di amore.
August 3, 2025
Toujours aussi incroyable
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