Review: No Friend to This House by Natalie Haynes
3 September 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Greek Mythology, Mythology, Natalie Haynes, No Friend to This House, Review
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Retelling of Jason and Medea
I am really enjoying the books that retell Greek mythology, usually from a lesser known perspective and No Friend to This House was a very enjoyable and cleverly told story that uses many threads that weave together in an intriguing and satisfactory fashion.
This is a story that is founded on the very well known story of Jason and his Argonauts but told from a lesser known character (or at least one that doesn’t usually have much voice), Medea who brings us a whole new perspective on Jason and his heroics.
I will say from the outset that although I had a slowish start with this, once I became used to the style, I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling. It brings to the reader multiple characters who sometimes appear very briefly simply to interject a quick burst of illumination and then retire not to be seen again. It has interfering Greek Gods – something you really can’t avoid in these stories and why should you because they are entertaining – and other characters who at first may seem insignificant but play a small part in either shaping or directing the narrative.
Medea, as you may be aware was a sorceress and the daughter of a God and although her tale is dark she keeps the favour of the Gods (in spite of some dire acts) signalling just how much Jason eventually fell from grace. Medea was herself used by the Gods in their little games, being smitten by Jason upon first sight (having been shot with one of Eros’ love arrows how could she possibly resist?). So, of course she betrays her king and country and helps Jason to win the Golden Fleece. Jason comes across as charming and gifted at winning people over but ultimately, he betrays Medea and, as her story has shown along the way, she has something of a vengeful streak. Theirs is definitely a Greek Tragedy but this retelling manages to inject humour and a sense of fun and it is captivating. I was hooked.
I don’t want to say too much about the story, it takes the path that you would expect but it shines a different light on Medea making her more sympathetic (even in the face of atrocities). I mean, I couldn’t help really feeling for her and wanting very much to slap Jason.
The writing is really good, it’s clever the way the smallest incidents play into the story and become much more relevant and in fact just writing about my thoughts and feelings makes me realise that I would really love to read this again just to see what I missed.
In conclusion, although I needed a little time to warm up initially, this book really did sink its teeth in and grip me. I think I had reservations, having read a couple of retellings fairly recently I wondered if this might tread the same path but it was such an entertaining read that although the path is familiar the events were given a unique slant and for me it revealed things that I was completely unaware of – for example the golden fleece – well, it has a story of it’s own that I had no idea about.
This is my first book by this author but it certainly won’t be my last.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
Hera by Jennifer Saint
30 May 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Review, Books, Greek Myth, Greek Mythology, Hera, Jennifer Saint, Retellings, zeus
My FIve Word TL:DR Review : Hera: Misunderstood or Jealously Vicious
I’ve loved all the Greek mythology retellings by Jennifer Saint and Hera is no exception, although ultimately, my overall feelings reading this book were frustration, anger and ultimately sadness. Hera’s tale is such a complicated one and the story portrayed here covers vast swathes of time. There’s a lot to take on board starting with the fall of the TItans, Zeus and Hera united in their battle to overthrow the monsters, then ranging to the Trojan war and beyond. And, throughout we have Hera, well known for her jealous rages and venting her fury on those that Zeus has thrust his passions upon, but here perhaps given a little more context.
Okay, I’m not in love with Hera, so there is that. She’s one of those women who takes out her anger on the other women that Zeus uses and abuses and being a powerful God her punishments are harsh. You can’t help thinking why not take her vengeance out on Zeus? Basically, in a nutshell, this story demonstrates that she didn’t have the power to confront Zeus. He thwarted her at every turn. He used her to help defeat the Titans, then he took the power of Olympus for himself. Hera he forced into an unwanted wedlock, trying to sweeten the deal by saying she would be his Queen, then he made her the Goddess of marriage, a role she didn’t seek out but one that held her within the constraints of her own wedlock whilst he roved the world, raping and having children with countless other women. Yeah, I pretty much wanted to punch him in the face almost every waking minute of the day. I’m not sure that level of anger is healthy but I have to hand it to Saint – she can inspire such passions!
Herein lies the conundrum. I would say that Hera is still not my favourite, but this story at least gives a little more context to her rage, her sadness, the way she was trapped, misunderstood by her sisters and rejected by her own children (although she was very frosty herself so didn’t really encourage loving embraces). It’s an intriguing tale and one that frequently makes you want to slap your head.
I loved the writing. Saint is brilliant at setting the scene. Everything flows so easily. No info dumps or over wieldy descriptions. You’re totally sucked into the place and the era but in such an easily accessible way and Hera is a good storyteller, unflinchingly honest.
Ultimately, my overall feelings reading this were sadness. Here we have an immortal, powerful and beautiful woman who is trapped by the machinations of an abusive and controlling male and unable to escape her gilded cage becomes petty and cruel. Yet, even with this feeling of sadness I would say this is a very good read and I would recommend all the retellings by this author.
A powerful look at the Greek Gods and their ultimate demise that ends with a slightly more hopeful note.
I would say that this book almost feels like the finale to the series, particularly given the ending, but I shall keep my feelers out in case there are more books planned.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
The Fates by Rosie Garland
9 April 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Atalanta, Greek Mythology, Rosie Garland, The Fates
My Five Word TL/DR Review: The Fates vs Greek Gods
I’m loving the current trend of Greek myths being retold from different angles and The Fates is no exception. In fact I really enjoyed reading a story involving The Fates and this is such an interesting take.
I must confess that having read Jennifer Saint’s Atalanta not too long ago at first I thought that my timing in requesting this one was perhaps not good. As it happens I think that my previous reading fed into this story really well, right down to the conclusion which provides reasoning for the ways that various characters have been portrayed.
Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself. This is a story that takes a look at the Gods, meddling, petty and to be honest supremely vain and self serving. The Fates, immortals that are older than the Gods, who are also fascinated with humans and their passion for life, and characters of Greek myth, Atalanta, rejected by her parents as a new born because she was a girl, left to die on a mountainside and actually raised by a bear, and Meleager, a warrior whose death was foretold at birth and has since lived on a knife edge.
To be honest, I’m not going to discuss the plot other than to very briefly say this is a book of ultimate meddling. The Fates themselves have plotted, they’ve spun their threads and now must sit and wait for the outcome. Well, they may need to meddle just a little bit more.
We have various povs. Zeus, for example, has a number of chapters, let me just say he doesn’t come across too well, I loved the way he was portrayed to be honest, just because he’s a God doesn’t mean he’s going to be decent – and he really isn’t – he’s an egotistical horror to be frank. We have the Fates, who for the purpose of this story are given a makeover into three small girls, who can’t remember who they are but gradually start to believe that they’re not like other people. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story with the slow realisation as the girls begin to question everything. Then we have Atalanta and Meleager – and, again, I enjoyed their tales. The author takes us back to their early stories which really helps to set the scene and give us a chance to buy into both characters and increase the tension as their lives start to experience turmoil.
What I particularly enjoyed with this story can be boiled down as follows:
I enjoyed reading about the Fates. I don’t think I’ve read a story where they play such a fundamental role before and they were different than I had expected. I think I expected three crones.
I liked that the author uses material already available so that when you’re reading this it feels familiar but then not familiar at the same time. It adds that sense of plausibility, stories are all about perspective after all and, for example, three people involved in the same event will often tell a slightly different version of events.
This really does lay out the hardships that women suffered but at the same time it gives you some hope as we have females here taking matters into their own hands and changing fate.
The writing was good. It gives the right amount of detail to set the scene, it gives you characters that you can become invested in and it really succeeds in having that ‘Greek myth’ feel. I don’t know how else to describe it. I just recall reading Greek myths and the one thing that really stayed with me was how fantastical they can be, this story definitely has elements of that.
Overall I had a good time with The Fates, it makes a good addition to the other retellings I’ve read of late and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
I receive a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
Envy by Elizabeth Miles
30 September 2012
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Elizabeth Miles, Envy, Greek Mythology, The Furies
Just finished reading Envy by Elizabeth Miles which is the second in the series the first book being Fury. Set in Ascension we again follow the story through Em with the alternating voice being taken up by a new girl to the school and neighbourhood – Skylar. If you haven’t read the first book and intend on doing so then you should probably avoid the rest of this review for fear of spoilers.
Skylar has secrets in her past. Secrets that she doesn’t want to reveal. She’s been taken under the wing of the most popular girl at school – Gabby (Em’s best friend) and she has her mind set on becoming very popular. Nothing is going to stand in her way – but her past mustn’t come out!
Em meanwhile has a number of things going on in her life – she’s changing, although she can’t quite pinpoint how. JD – her next door neighbour and the boy that she discovered she has strong feelings for – is not speaking to her and she is desperate to restore their friendship although this is made difficult by the pact of secrecy she made with the Furies at the end of book No.1 – a pact which means she must not talk of or reveal anything about them. She’s still best friends with Gaby but now also hangs with a different crowd, mainly Drea who helped her figure things out about the Fury’s in the first instalment and provides the same sort of role in this book, and Crow – a drop out from school who plays and writes his own music and is strangely attracted to Em. I must admit I liked Crow and thought he was a good addition.
As with the first book, I enjoyed Envy – but this doesn’t mean that I don’t have niggles!
I like the writing style of the author. She does a good job of conjuring up the place and of course being the second in the series we’re already familiar with some of the people and their motivations. I like the way she manages to build the suspense. You know that something simply awful is going to take place and you’re cringing with anticipation. I also think, as with the first book there are a number of points where the author manages to make you feel a bit ‘creeped out’. She has a way of making you feel that somebody is watching you, out of sight. It’s a bit of a freaky feeling really.
In terms of criticisms. Well, fairly similar to book number one. Again, it’s difficult to like the characters. Skylar is quite frankly a horrible and deceitful person with no redeeming features. I just really didn’t like her – and again, I don’t think you’re supposed to otherwise it would be difficult to accept any kind of punishment that the Furies will eventually mete out. Em also is difficult to like. She’s not a particularly good friend to either of the two girls who she claims to be friends with. She only really bothers with Drea because she needs her help and Gaby she barely sees. She seems to spend a lot of time thinking about JD or running around looking for the Furies but never really properly engaging with anyone. I think I also found it difficult to believe that Gaby would be so forgiving of her and still claim to be her best friend. At the end of the day I would be very hard pressed to still think of someone as my best friend if they slept with my boyfriend – and perhaps that makes me a bad person but I just don’t see how you would still have the same level of trust?
Criticisms aside – and it does look as though I have a few. I did enjoy the book. This series is very readable due to the writing style. The content is also fairly original – well, being set in high school and having all sorts of love triangles going on is not necessarily original. But, if you’re reading YA you have to expect that. What is original is the tale of the Furies. I like the use of Greek Mythology in the story and the Furies really don’t come across as the type of avenging goddesses who will be easily appeased. To be frank I think that the presence of the Furies in these books is underplayed and they should have more exposure. They definitely bring the horror element out a little more and manage to conjure a ‘Carrie-esque’ style ending to Envy.
I will definitely read No.3 – I need to know how this all ends now.
Greek myth/goddesses, horror and creepiness – I’m submitting this for my R.I.P. event. Check out the details here.
Books and travelling with Lynn 