Pages: 354
Published: 9th May 2023
Genre: Mythological Fiction
Content warnings: Sexism, violence
Princess, Warrior, Lover, Hero
When Princess Atalanta is born, a daughter rather than the son her parents hoped for, she is left on a mountainside to die. But even then, she is a survivor. Raised by a mother bear under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis, Atalanta grows up wild and free, with just one condition: if she marries, Artemis warns, it will be her undoing.
Although she loves her beautiful forest home, Atalanta yearns for adventure. When Artemis offers her the chance to fight in her name alongside the Argonauts, the fiercest band of warriors the world has ever seen, Atalanta seizes it. The Argonauts’ quest for the Golden Fleece is filled with impossible challenges, but Atalanta proves herself equal to the men she fights alongside. As she is swept into a passionate affair, in defiance of Artemis’s warning, she begins to question the goddess’s true intentions. Can Atalanta carve out her own legendary place in a world of men, while staying true to her heart?
The story of Atalanta is one that deserves telling; after all she is the only female member of the famed Argonauts and a heroine who espouses many values of strong, independent womanhood. Few could relay it better either than Jennifer Saint, whose grasp of Greek mythology and ability to bring it life with such atmosphere and poetry is almost unique, something which she delivers again here with wonderful refinement.
In terms of the writing and character development, this is a delight. Atalanta is a complex protagonist but never once is her train of thought difficult to follow, such is the elegance with which the author captures her voice, and explores the choices she makes – which go on to define her very existence. Before, during, and after she sets sail with the Argonauts, the scene is set perfectly and the stakes are pretty high.
However, there is a crucial ingredient missing from the storytelling this time – it is not immersive enough. To be clear, the writing is extremely engaging and you feel very much connected to the book, but as the reader it is almost as though you are viewing all the events from a distance. A lot of action takes place throughout, but never are you thrown right into the thick of it and lessened the impact for me.
Still, the plot is gripping in other ways. It was fascinating to explore the relationship between Atalanta and her guardian Artemis before she goes away with the Argonauts vowing never to marry despite one of those pesky prophecies suggesting otherwise. Then as soon as she meets Meleager, it seemingly becomes easy to predict what will happen, but only to a certain extent. For those unfamiliar with the myth, it does not all go the way one might expect.
Even when the Argonauts’ quest is over, there is still about a third of the story remaining and this is actually where most of the main drama takes place. The things that occur once Atalanta follows Meleager to his kingdom are quite shocking, and then after she is left in solitude by Artemis, she claims freedom and liberation of some kind in a curious ending.
A lot is made of Atalanta’s superior abilities compared to mere mortals. The fact she is a woman means she is initially derided by most men who cross her path, before they are soon put in their place. The dynamic between her and the other Argonauts is fascinating, with some giving her a wide berth, others showing deference, and Peleus so obviously rattled by her presence that he tries to put her down at every opportunity.
It is hard to say if she was truly likeable or not, as she did not really evoke any strong feelings either way. The mistrust of men instilled into her by Artemis was never far from the surface and was well conveyed as her relationship with Meleager shone brightly before fading away to a wisp, only for the gallantry of Hippomenes to finally win her over.
If there was any tension to be found in this book, then it was the shadow of Artemis looming large as Atalanta threatens to renege on her promise. Early on we see some startling examples of the goddess’ ruthless, no second chances attitude towards her disciples, and you wonder if Atalanta could suffer a similar fate. Their reunion is a particularly powerful moment that shapes the events later on.
The fact that this story follows the Argonauts means that there is also a key portrayal of Jason and Medea. Here, Jason is shown as fairly relaxed towards his mission to claim the Golden Fleece, but also keen to assert his authority among the many egos travelling alongside him. As for Medea, she is shown to be crafty and holding a mysterious power over most of the men, but she is not shown as the temptress like in other versions of this tale. It is left to Atalanta to see right through her.
There is no faulting the atmosphere, as the mystical settings are beautifully realised. The place where Atalanta grows up under the watchful eye of Artemis feels like a kind of spiritual paradise, while the home she makes for herself as a young woman echoes her independence. It is the kingdoms that bring menace, as demonstrated by her father’s scheming.
Overall, this is a beguiling, character-driven novel that is told with immense subtlety and depth. It fails to put you right at the centre of the action and it lacks the intensity that made Jennifer Saint’s other books so riveting, but in terms of atmosphere and the due care and attention that is given to all aspects of Atalanta’s story, it is as comprehensive as you can get and so that easily counts as a win.
Not my favourite of Jennifer Saint’s retellings, but still gorgeously written and provides a very good account of the legend of Atalanta.
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5
Stephen Reads Books 