Ithaca (Penelope #1) by Claire North - A Review

 

Ithaca by Claire North is the first book in the Penelope series and it is a mythology retelling. The book was published on September 6th in the US and September 8th in the UK.

Disclaimer: I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book by Netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I love reading myth retellings and when I saw Ithaca on Netgalley, I couldn't resist. Thankfully I really liked it. It is well-written and the fact that I already know the premise and the original myth/story made it even better ,as I wanted to see how it would be interpreted by the author. 

In the book we are seeing the events through Hera's POV. She oversees what happens in Ithaca during Odysseus' absence and especially what is happening with the women and how they are managing certain situations. We witness how Penelope strives to hold the kingdom together. She has Hera on her side, who tries to help her without drawing any attention from the other gods. 

The book touches on serious issues about women and their role in ancient times. How they had no autonomy and how cruelly they were treated. 

The ending promises that a really exciting sequel is in the making and I am looking forward to it. 

Rating: 4 Stars

About the book:

Seventeen years ago, king Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the island of Ithaca. None of them have returned, and the women have been left behind to run the kingdom.

Penelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. Whilst he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that husband is dead, and suitors are starting to knock at her door . . .

But no one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus' empty throne - not yet. Between Penelope's many suitors, a cold war of dubious alliances and hidden knives reigns, as everyone waits for the balance of power to tip one way or another. If Penelope chooses one from amongst them, it will plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war. Only through cunning and her spy network of maids can she maintain the delicate balance of power needed for the kingdom to survive.

On Ithaca, everyone watches everyone else, and there is no corner of the palace where intrigue does not reign . . .

See you in the next post and don't forget to keep reading!!!

Athina