ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- If you want an enjoyably light and fresh retelling of Greek myths, then this is a bright and lively choice, placing women in the centre of the story. In a world of bloodshed and male domination, Ariadne must play the role of dutiful daughter, one whose only value to her father Minos, the king of Crete, is as a pawn in his political ambitions. Her mother is a daughter of Helios the sun god, but immortal parentage is no protection from the demands of mortal man - or the ire of other immortals. Ariadne's half-brother is the fearsome Minotaur, and he is fed each year on tribute exacted by Minos on his enemy city-state Athens - seven young maidens and seven youths. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, offers himself in sacrifice, Ariadne, besotted from the first glance, helps him - but she knows the price that betraying her father will cost her… In a world where women bear the blame and suffer the greatest punishments, Ariadne finds she will never escape the consequences of being female - but she will also learn the power of being her true self. Lindy
Due to a lifelong fascination with Ancient Greek mythology, Jennifer Saint read Classical Studies at King's College, London. She spent the next thirteen years as an English teacher, sharing a love of literature and creative writing with her students. ARIADNE is her first novel and she is working on another retelling of ancient myth for her second.
Saint's immersive novel thrusts the reader straight into the heart of Greek mythology with this wonderful reimagining of the story of Ariadne. * iPaper * With her wonderfully executed debut that reimagines the classic tale of Theseus, Adriane and the Minotaur, Jennifer Saint joins the likes of Madeline Miller and Pat Barker in forging mesmerising retellings of ancient Greek myths from a female -perspective. * Waterstones.com * What happens after the monster is defeated and the princess leaves with the hero? Jennifer Saint's Ariadne is a shimmering tapestry of two sisters bound by deceit and the shadows of family history. One marries a hero, the other a god. As their lives criss-cross through girlhood and womanhood, the secrets that their husbands keep become a monstrous backdrop to their relationship. With a fresh voice and keen insight, Saint adds flesh and bone to an ancient myth, drawing the reader into an uneasy world of ever-afters. * Yangsze Choo, New York Times bestselling author of THE NIGHT TIGER * ARIADNE gives voice to the misused Princess of Crete who betrayed her father to save Theseus from the Minotaur. Relevant and revelatory. * Stylist *