Review | Elektra by Jennifer Saint

 

Elektra by Jennifer Saint

Author: Jennifer Saint
Release Date: 28/04/2022
Price: £14.99 at Waterstones.
Available in: Hardback, paperback and on audiobook
Rating: 5 stars!
Trigger Warnings: Violence, graphic scenes, war, murder, abuse, trauma, intergenerational trauma.

I will never ever get over Greek myth retellings told from a woman's perspective, I find they just add so much more to the story, especially when the original myths diminish women to nothing but a footnote. Thankfully Saint has worked her charm again and Elektra is a lyrical and astute retelling from three perspectives: Elektra, Clytemnestra and Cassandra. 

The House of Atreus is cursed. A bloodline tainted by a generational cycle of violence and vengeance. This is the story of three women, their fates inextricably tied to this curse, and the fickle nature of men and gods.

Clytemnestra

The sister of Helen, wife of Agamemnon - her hopes of averting the curse are dashed when her sister is taken to Troy by the feckless Paris. Her husband raises a great army against them, and determines to win, whatever the cost.

Cassandra

Princess of Troy, and cursed by Apollo to see the future but never to be believed when she speaks of it. She is powerless in her knowledge that the city will fall.

Elektra

The youngest daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, Elektra is horrified by the bloodletting of her kin. But, can she escape the curse, or is her own destiny also bound by violence?

I loved Elektra, it's brilliantly written and Saint really captures the emotions all three women deal without throughout this story in such a way that you can almost taste Clytemnestra's rage, Cassandra's frustration and Elektra's obsession with vengeance almost becomes your own.

The prose is outstanding and the three points of view blend together seamlessly, the themes throughout this book are dealt with carefully, Elektra is a really well written and thought provoking retelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this E-Arc! All opinions are my own. 

4 Stars! 

*Disclaimer - I received an E-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. *