Quick Stats
Age Rating: 14+
Over All: 4.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4.5/5

There is a lot of controversy surrounding this book. In an interview, the author said she has never read “the whole thing” in reference to the Odyssey. I… don’t see the problem with this. This book is a retelling/reimagining of one specific story within the Odyssey. My takeaway from the interview, and the author’s note at the start of the book, was that she has read all the parts of the Odyssey that relate to Penelope and her maids in multiple translations, she has just never read the entire Odyssey.
Taken directly from the authors note at the start of the ARC: “I went back to the source material. In every translation I could get my hands on, the maids are vilified.”
This confirms that she did read the myth of Penelope’s maids in multiple translations. She studied the myth she’s retelling. I don’t see why it matters that she didn’t read the entire Odyssey.

On to the actual review.
I really enjoyed this book. Told in the alternating POVs of Leto, Melantho, and Mathias, this story answers the questions of what if there had been consequences to the murder of Penelope’s maids? And what if those consequences went way too far?
I am always hesitant of split-POV. Especially in debut novels. I feel as if it is very difficult to execute. The character’s voices are too similar, one of the characters is annoying or boring to read, or someone’s narrative is just… unnecessary to the story. I didn’t feel that way about this book. Leto, Mathias, and Melantho are all very distinct characters, with distinct motivations and personalities and stories. Seeing the story from all of their views added a lot.
I think the side characters could have used a little more development in terms of their motivations. I never really understood why the queen, Alexios, and Olympia did the things they did. I guess, in the end, sort of, but for most of the story it just fell flat because their motivations were lacking and didn’t make much sense. I also wish we’d gotten to learn a bit more about Selene. I found her really compelling, and I don’t think she was utilized nearly as much as she could have been.
The plot and pacing of this book were really impressive, especially for a debut. I never found myself bored or pulled out of the book. I was hooked all the way through. The idea of the curse, the magic, the way it tied into the plot, was executed incredibly well.
This is one of the strongest YA fantasies I’ve read in a really long time, and I look forward to what Sarah Underwood comes up with next.