Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Ariadne
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
A mesmerizing debut novel for fans of Madeline Miller's Circe. Ariadne, Princess of Crete, grows up greeting the dawn from her beautiful dancing floor and listening to her nursemaid's stories of gods and heroes. But beneath her golden palace echo the ever-present hoofbeats of her brother, the Minotaur, a monster who demands blood sacrifice every year. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, arrives to vanquish the beast, Ariadne sees in his green eyes not a threat but an escape. Defying the gods, betraying her family and country, and risking everything for love, Ariadne helps Theseus kill the Minotaur. But will Ariadne's decision ensure her happy ending? And what of Phaedra, the beloved younger sister she leaves behind? Hypnotic, propulsive, and utterly transporting, Jennifer Saint's Ariadne forges a new epic, outside the traditional narratives of heroism and glory that leave no room for women.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
blurb
Karons1
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

“The need to ask Why mortals bloom like flowers and crumbled to nothing ? Why their absence left a gnawing ache , a hollow void that could never be filled ? And how everything they once were , that spark within them , could be extinguished so completely yet the world did not collapse under the weight of so much pain and grief . “

blurb
Karons1
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
33 likes2 stack adds
blurb
BookBelle84
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

My favorite read of March!
#March #12booksof2023 @Andrew65 #bestof2023

Andrew65 Good choice. 3mo
julieclair I want to read this! Actually, I want to read every book in this photo. 😉 3mo
28 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
majkia
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3mo
21 likes1 comment
review
ReadWithHannah
Ariadna | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

I usually find Greek myth retellings fairly slow and this wasn‘t any different but I was interested in the feminist aspect, referring to how women are punished for heroes and gods‘ actions. From other Greek myths I‘ve read before, she‘s not wrong.

For some reason I got Ariadne mixed up with Arachne so the whole book I was wondering when she was going to turn into a spider. Spoiler: she doesn‘t.

#fantasy #mythology #retelling #greekmyth

blurb
sisilia
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Saw this on instagram. I can‘t help thinking what‘s the point of underlining if it‘s for the whole page?

BarkingMadRead My heart can‘t handle this pic 🤣🤣🤣 6mo
AllDebooks Such desecration, I'm traumatised 🫣 6mo
dabbe That was one of the hardest things to teach kids: how to annotate without feeling the need to highlight the whole page! 😳🤩🤣 6mo
See All 7 Comments
Amiable This is giving me anxiety I didn‘t even know I had. 😖😀 6mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 Get this girl a reading journal, pronto!! 6mo
sisilia @BarkingMadRead @AllDebooks @dabbe @Amiable @JanuarieTimewalker13 Instagram is full of those who are focused on the aesthetics. I‘m happier here on Litsy with like-minded people like you 🥰 6mo
JanuarieTimewalker13 Yeah, Litsy is my safe place and homey. 6mo
48 likes7 comments
review
Pedrocamacho
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

Similar to “Circe” and “Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller, “Ariadne” elevates characters largely ignored by Greek mythology and tells their stories. I really loved this book and am excited to read more by Jennifer Saint (including “Electra”, which I need to get my hands on).

review
Havinghope10
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

I was definitely the kid obsessed with Greek Mythology in grade school! This was fine! Easy read! Had some good callbacks I didn‘t expect!

review
Crystal83
Ariadna | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

I have always been interested in Greek Mythology. It was an interesting book. It got a little boring in parts. I still enjoyed the book. I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

review
MegCaldwell
Ariadna | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

Jennifer Saint is so good. I‘m going to read all her books. I loved the way this book looked at sisterhood and time/eternity.

7 likes1 stack add
review
BookMaven9
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟beautiful, atmospheric, melancholy. Lyrical. I loved this wonderful retelling tragedy of Ariadne. Recommend!

review
Mrs_B
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

Saint does an excellent job of bringing this Greek myth to life. It‘s not a particularly happy tale, but told in a very engaging way.

LoverOfLearning This has been on my tbr too long! 11mo
60 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
BookBelle84
Ariadna | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

I loved this one! I've been hesitant about the Greek retellings as I didn't enjoy The Silence of the Girls or Ithaca. This one reminded me why I love them so much and characters I knew very little about going in. This author ranks up there with Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes for me.

44 likes1 stack add
blurb
laurieluna
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

I stumbled into The Works and accidently left with 6 books. 🤦🏻‍♀️👀

ravenlee Oh, look what followed you home! 14mo
laurieluna @ravenlee it's dreadful, I many complain. Maybe they'll offer me some free ones 👀 14mo
squirrelbrain Such a shame when that happens! 14mo
41 likes3 comments
blurb
wordslinger42
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Here are some of the books I currently have listed on Pango Books! I mostly have vintage romance novels from my aunt's huge collection, but there are also some newer reads 📚 My aunt had every book but one in the Golden Harlequin Library hardcover set, and I'm slowly getting all of those listed!

I also have an original, unopened boxed set of the Dune trilogy, for any collectors out there!

https://pangobooks.com/bookstore/wordslinger42

blurb
RobES
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Still rereading this! Fave quote from this book: 'I would not let a man who knew the value of nothing make me doubt the value of myself.' Also, the cover was the inspiration behind these nails ✨️💙

KathyWheeler Those nails are beautiful! I need to read this book. 1y
Kimberlone Love your nails!! 1y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 💙 1y
See All 6 Comments
RobES @KathyWheeler awww thank you hun 💙 1y
RobES @Kimberlone thank you hun 💙💙 1y
RobES @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks xxxx💙💙💙💙 1y
40 likes1 stack add6 comments
blurb
RobES
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

My daughter is doing her second AQE this morning (in N Ireland it is the transfer test that kids do between primary school and secondary school- it is a cruel system). I am having a coffee and a read to try and distract myself .... 😭 x

review
RobES
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

Curled up with a hot water bottle and this absolute stunner ✨️ this is a reread as I am doing it with the Senior Book Club in school. It is so gorgeously crafted and has prompted some super discussions around the place of women in Greek mythology.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love this cover 💛💙 1y
RobES @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks it's such a beautiful cover... this terrible pic doesn't do it justice lol 💛 1y
41 likes2 comments
review
Martta
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

I really liked this book! First I thought that it was kind of heavy and difficult to read because the book starts by telling a lot of mythological details about the main characters and their family. But when the book got going the athmosphere changes totally and it is very nice ro read and the story is compelling.

blurb
Martta
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Cup of tea, snack and some reading before heading home. Just came from the book conference and made some awesome new finds. Looking ahead to all tea&reading tonight! That bread was sooo good! I don't know what they did to it. 😂😍📚

blurb
Martta
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Came to hotel bar to have a pot of tea and read a bit. It is very difficult here to get tea that is well brewed. They put always too much tea leafs in and this time it was so undrinkable that I had to ask more water to put in to make it drinkable even though I just let it brew for like a minute. It was still too strong. 😅🍵

blurb
Martta
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Here we go again. This time to Tallinn. 😁⛴️

blurb
Martta
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Birthday Poke bowl & book 😋📚

LiteraryinLawrence Happy birthday! Enjoy the book! 1y
Martta @LiteraryinLawrence Thanks! 😊 1y
LeeRHarry Happy birthday 🥳 1y
Martta @LeeRHarry Thank you! 😊 1y
27 likes4 comments
review
rmaclean4
Ariadna | Jennifer Saint
post image
Mehso-so

Feminist telling of greek mythology. I wish this had a stronger editor. There is a good novel in here, but the writing was clunky and repetitive. This was too heavy handed for my taste.

blurb
Martta
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

If you ever visit Estonia remember to try honey cake in some cafeteria. It's sooo good! 😋

I'm a bit surprised how heavy the start of this book is. There are so many small stories about the ancient gods that it is difficult to remember who everyone is and how they relate to the main character. 🤔

Sparklemn I would buy that book just for the cover. 💙 2y
Martta @Sparklemn I know! It's such a gorgeous one! 😍 2y
20 likes2 comments
blurb
Martta
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Travelling again for work and this time I stoped for a lunch in a bookstore's cafeteria. The salad was amazing! That's a pouched egg on top by the way. 😋

Simona Njami 🤤😋 2y
19 likes1 comment
blurb
Kbrose18
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Book outlet haul ☺️

ICantImReading This is a fun stack - I‘ve read all but the Melinda Gates book! The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany was my favorite 😍 💫 2y
Caroline2 Good haul! 😃 I loved Bernadette. 👍 2y
Kbrose18 @ICantImReading good to know!! I‘m excited to read that one ☺️ 2y
Kbrose18 @Caroline2 thank you! I haven‘t seen the movie so I‘m excited to read the book first as always 2y
BookwormAHN Welcome back to Litsy 😺 2y
14 likes5 comments
review
Super_Jane
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

9 likes1 stack add
blurb
SconsinBookyBadger
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

All eyes on the calendar to see today is Happy National Book Lovers Day!

Bookwormjillk What a pretty cat! 2y
BiblioLitten 😻 2y
33 likes2 comments
review
Robotswithpersonality
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
Mehso-so

Perhaps a little TOO faithful a retelling. Certainly a feminist slant, but I prefer a Madeline Miller spin that means there's a slightly less depressing end for all those involved. Jennifer Saint managed to couch all this madness in empathy which means I can't be angry at these characters for attempting to make the best of a bad situation which somehow repeatedly ended up making things worse. To recap: ancient Greek gods suck, most men did too.

review
Pash
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Mehso-so

This was really slow to get going & there was lots of droning on descriptions of the indecision of the characters said 3 different ways in a single paragraph which was annoying; the book could be half as long without this. Then suddenly right before the end it stops being boring & starts being harrowing. Not my most cherished read & I doubt I'd read it again but as it is the debut novel for the author some leniency is due. Love the artwork though.

review
CynDC
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

Currently reading this one.
Sun Sea & a good book. Love the combo 🔥

review
Itchyfeetreader
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

I do love a myth retelling and this one was … fine I guess. The story was well told, characters nicely fleshed out but if felt somehow lacking compared to BArker, Miller etc in some ways it felt a little YA in the thinness of the story. A pick but maybe just about

youneverarrived Gorgeous cover 😍 2y
43 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
j9brown
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

Enjoyed it!
The story itself wasn't my favorite of the Greek retellings, but the writing was good, I would absolutely read another by this author.

57 likes2 stack adds
blurb
LatrelWhite
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

THIS JUST IN…library 🎧 borrow. AirPods in👂🏽

18 likes2 stack adds
review
jenniferw88
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick
Cinfhen Woohoo!!!! I just got the new ARC from the same author 2y
TrishB Glad you enjoyed 👍🏻 2y
squirrelbrain 😁👍 2y
Cathythoughts That‘s great you enjoyed it 👍🏻♥️ 2y
81 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
jenniferw88
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Cinfhen Hope you enjoy 2y
53 likes1 comment
blurb
Susanita
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

I‘m very late to #wrapup #AwesomeApril for no reason other than I kept forgetting! Anyway, I wanted to finish Ariadne and maybe whatever else came off the hold list or caught my fancy, as well as make progress on the other books I have going.

I finished Ariadne and thought it was fine. Certain parts I liked a lot, but overall it kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Circe is better! Just sayin‘

I also finished a mystery and read some other chapters.

squirrelbrain Circe was definitely better! 2y
31 likes1 comment
review
julesG
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Bailedbailed
squirrelbrain Oh dear! We‘re not doing very well with this one, are we?! 2y
rockpools 🎶Badaboom… boom… boom… And another one bites the dust 🎶 This one‘s taking a lot of people out, isn‘t it? I‘m on p70, and I suspect there are other retellings I‘d rather be reading. Getting ‘too many words‘ twitchy about it. We‘ll see. 2y
TrishB I‘m not getting any inspiration to read this! 2y
See All 11 Comments
julesG @TrishB It's a retelling that's very very close to the original source. There's absolutely nothing new here. Ariadne is a wet blanket, and I am still wondering whether the "feminist debut" part of the book actually just refers to the sex of the author. 2y
julesG @rockpools @squirrelbrain I don't understand why so many people gave this 4 or 5 star reviews. 2y
squirrelbrain @rockpools 🤣 Love your comment! (And the singing of course!) 2y
rockpools @squirrelbrain Bet you‘re glad the singing‘s text-based! And no, @julesG, I‘m really not getting 5star or particularly feminist vibes from this. Ho hum. 2y
Leniverse Starting to wonder if I should even bother. 😕 2y
Caroline2 Yeah, the sexism really wound me up in the end! 🤬 2y
Oryx Well I'm glad it wasn't just me. It seemed to have good reviews elsewhere, but it was pretty terrible... I think jumping on the Circe bandwagon, but without any nuance. 2y
julesG @Oryx That's what I thought, too. Circe was miles better 2y
73 likes11 comments
review
Cathythoughts
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

Between a pick and a so-so. I wanted to see what happened, so I persevered and learned some mythology along the way. I‘m glad I read it, and I‘m glad it‘s finished. I‘m exhausted from all the drama !
#Gladstonerds
@Leniverse @TrishB @julesG @scripturient @jenniferw88 @RaeLovesToRead @jhod @rockpools @Susanita @squirrelbrain @Oryx @Caroline2 @CGainor3 ( I hope I‘ve tagged everyone)

squirrelbrain It‘s not getting rave reviews from any of us, is it?! 2y
Cathythoughts @squirrelbrain I‘m afraid not 😬 2y
julesG This will be my Easter Sunday 'treat' 2y
See All 9 Comments
LeahBergen I haven‘t been hearing super glowing reviews for this one but … what is that lovely stucco backdrop?? 2y
TrishB Well you did finish ❤️ 2y
Cathythoughts @julesG You can have Easter eggs today too 👍🏻😁 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Stucco background was here when we got this house , a previous owner decorated the walls in the hall herself. She did a lovely job too 👍🏻 2y
Cathythoughts @TrishB I did ! I got caught up in the story. ❤️ 2y
LeahBergen @Cathythoughts It‘s beautiful! 2y
76 likes9 comments
blurb
RaeLovesToRead
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

It's a gorgeous day for reading outside with gateau!

Haven't actually started the bookclub pick yet, but I may take it on holiday with me 💙

jenniferw88 I haven't started it yet either! 2y
Branwen I'm not sure which is more lovely- that blue sky or the cake! 😍 Are you going anywhere special on your holiday? Or just hanging out and relaxing? 📚 2y
RaeLovesToRead @jenniferw88 Glad I'm not alone! 🙂 2y
See All 8 Comments
RaeLovesToRead @Branwen The cake was chocolate bischoff (takeaway from the garden centre because no one else I went for brunch with wanted dessert!!!) I'm off to Italy next week as long as I don't catch COVID 🇮🇪 2y
Branwen @RaeLovesToRead That's so exciting! I hope you have so much fun and take lots of pictures! What books will you be bringing with you? 😁📚 2y
RaeLovesToRead @Branwen Aww thanks! I haven't decided on the books yet... Will probably bring my kindle and a couple of light, cheerful reads 😊😁 Don't think I'll be taking the Robin Hobb... don't want to spend the whole time reading, haha! 2y
Cathythoughts Lovely sunny pics. Have a nice trip ! 2y
RaeLovesToRead @Cathythoughts Thank you! 😊 The weather has been gorgeous these last couple of days 2y
48 likes8 comments
review
Oryx
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Bailedbailed

It's the morning for Ariadne reviews @squirrelbrain @Caroline2
I decided last night for an 'active' bail on this one (normally my bails are passive, i.e. me not being bothered to go back). I didn't like this one - it felt overwritten, overwrought, melodramatic. I feel mean to the author, because I've never written a book so who am I to judge, but it felt quite high school... 😬 Definitely YA vibes. And I really enjoy Greek myths, so disappointed.

rockpools Oh goodness! I feel like we don‘t often see bails from you, Emma. YAish might just be what I can cope with right now though. (Obviously I haven‘t started it yet!) 2y
Caroline2 Yep, this was one of those occasions where I wanted to bail at 40% and I wish I had!! 😆 2y
See All 14 Comments
Oryx @rockpools I do lots of secret bails 😁 2y
Oryx @Caroline2 I got to 28% and that was quite enough 😁 2y
rockpools @Oryx @Caroline2 I almost want to start it right away!! (And I‘m all for secret bails….) 2y
Caroline2 @rockpools Go for it. If you‘re in the right mood then it‘s prob a good read. I‘m too grumpy for angst and crazy Greek myths stuff right now! 😆 🤦‍♀️ 2y
RaeLovesToRead Secret bails 🤣🤣 2y
julesG Wow, you're really selling it to me, Emma, @squirrelbrain, @Caroline2 2y
TrishB @julesG yeah, me too! This may be another I never pick up. 2y
Cathythoughts I‘m all for the bail ! Oh dear 😬.. I‘m about halfway.. I think it‘s ok , but it‘s a bit of a trudge, I‘ll keep going for now. 2y
squirrelbrain @TrishB @julesG @rockpools - I bet you‘re all feeling *really* enthused about reading it now! 🤣 2y
julesG @squirrelbrain Yeah, can't wait to pick it up. 🥴 Lets see how far I get. 2y
TrishB @squirrelbrain I‘m not yet rushing to the piles! 2y
66 likes14 comments
review
squirrelbrain
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

This is a soft pick for me; I liked it but it didn‘t wow me. Like you Caroline, I think there have been a few too many mythology retellings recently and this one does suffer from (my) comparisons with Madeline Miller and Pat Barker.

This one tells the women‘s perspective on the more famous stories of the Minotaur, Icarus (in passing) and Dionysus. It just felt a little bit simplistic and almost YA.

#booked2022 #mythologyretelling

jhod Oh when are we supposed to be discussing it?! 2y
Oryx Agree Madeline Miller is leagues ahead in this game. 2y
rockpools …but it‘s SUCH a pretty cover! 2y
See All 12 Comments
Caroline2 Funny we finished at the same time. Yes, strong YA vibes which doesn‘t always bother me but I have to be in the mood and I‘m way too grumpy at the mo!! 😆 2y
julesG @jhod Thursday next week. 2y
Cathythoughts It is a lovely cover 💙 2y
squirrelbrain It is pretty isn‘t it?! @rockpools @cathythoughts 2y
squirrelbrain It doesn‘t sound like you‘re the only grumpy one though, with regard to this book! 🤣 @Caroline2 2y
squirrelbrain Sorry @RaeLovesToRead - missed you off my tag list! 🙁😬 2y
Tamra So-so for me. I had really looked forward to this novel. I can‘t even remember why it was so-so, guess that says something! 2y
RaeLovesToRead Don't worry! 😊 2y
squirrelbrain It does say something doesn‘t it?! @Tamra I‘ve kind-of forgotten it already! 🤷‍♀️ 2y
69 likes12 comments
blurb
hes7
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

1️⃣2️⃣ Artemis ➡️ 1️⃣3️⃣ Ariadne

#ThingsInCommon: single-name, mythological titles starting with A, #botm

#awesomeapril

Clwojick Woohooooo 🌟💖 2y
Andrew65 Great 👏👏👏 2y
64 likes2 comments
blurb
Oryx
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
julesG Enjoy! And thanks for the reminder, I need to get a copy. 2y
Cathythoughts Enjoy. I‘ve started it 👍❤️ 2y
TrishB I think I‘ll probably start this week too 👍🏻 2y
See All 7 Comments
squirrelbrain Happy hairdo! I started the book last night… 2y
Caroline2 I‘m starting next week. Looking forward to hearing what you make of it. 👍 2y
Susanita I‘m liking it so far. 2y
65 likes7 comments
review
lumbricuslibri
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image
Pickpick

Strong start, the prologue hooked me. The rest of the book was not as strong but still captivating. I liked how Ariadne and Phaedra have distinct voices.

Unlike some retellings, this was very readable and I actually wouldn't mind if it's longer.

Looking forward to reading Elektra.

quote
lumbricuslibri
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

Ericalambbrown This book is so good! 2y
lumbricuslibri @Ericalambbrown it is! I'm almost done and really liking it. 2y
Ericalambbrown @lumbricuslibri if you like this you may like 2y
lumbricuslibri @Ericalambbrown ooh, added to stack! Don't think I've ever read anything on Norse myth yet, sounds really interesting. Thank you! 2y
41 likes4 comments
quote
lumbricuslibri
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

quote
lumbricuslibri
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image

quote
lumbricuslibri
Ariadne | Jennifer Saint
post image