Ariadne

A Novel

By: Jennifer Saint

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik

"An elegant performance by narrator Barrie Kreinik recounts the life of Ariadne...This production, with its outstanding narration, makes the classic story new again. Kreinik is the perfect voice for Ariadne, a noble young woman who bravely stands up for her values." (AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner)

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.

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, one that puts the forgotten women of Greek mythology back at the heart of the story, as they strive for a better world.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books

"Jennifer Saint's Ariadne is a shimmering tapestry of two sisters bound by deceit and the shadows of family history...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 best-selling author of The Night Tiger)

©2021 Jennifer Saint (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Only one disappointment...

I thoroughly enjoyed this book with one exception...it ended too abruptly for me. The story held my attention very well, even difficult to stop listening to at times, in part because of the excellent reading by Barrie Kreinik. Highly recommend this book!

No happiness in Greece

All the greek tragedies coming out are amazing! this one has so much more spirit that others Ive read, you really feel for the characters and understand their choices! Jennifer Saint did a much better job than most authors here!

No Spoilers… Even if it is Actual Ancient History

I was familiar with the initial part of the story set on Crete and the initial part on Naxos, so it took me until chapter 8 to really get into the story. I was also familiar with “The Bacchae” by Euripides (405 BC), which tells of Dionysus and his maenads. But prior to book I has never known, or at least remember, the god of wine’s connection to Ariadne.

I would consider this a lovely story of female empowerment (despite the end fit for any traditional Greek Tragedy), weaving different tales of other women of Greek mythology seamlessly into Ariadne’s. Ariadne is a strong, independent thinker, who is underestimated by several characters throughout the book. But she never ceases to rise to the occasion.

Very enjoyable

I felt like the narration was a little incongruous with the descriptions that they were followed up with, but otherwise very well read. The story was not as strong at the beginning, and I thought the device of jumping back and forth between the sisters, while effective, created a sense that this book wasn't really about the titular sister. But, overall I enjoyed it.

Beautiful!

What a wonderful way to get away from your stress for a while. The book is read so beautifully, the story has so many twists and turns but flows nicely.

Triggers: death, violence towards women/animals/children

first book by Jennifer Saint

Great take on the story enjoy very much to hear this. We get to hear some from Pheadra perspective that was a nice addition. can't wait to hear another work of Jennifer Saint onto next one

A really well put together story

walking through Ariadne's shoes was thought provoking and constantly interesting to listen to. Definitely a good read

Worth a read

It felt a bit slow in the first few chapters but, once it gets moving it’s completely engrossing.

Lackluster

I wanted to like this. Honest but the flaws as re too visual to ignore. let's start with the good: I liked to perspective of Phaedra quite a bit and it does make me wonder if the real title should have been "Sisters of Crete". I liked learning her mythology as it is not in the popular conscious as much as Ariadne. However that is the most interesting in the book. it falls victim to exposition dumps so often rather than letting the characters be and grow on there own. Even when the characters are talking it's about what they've done- a lot more telling than showing. I know this is done to make it more digestible to people new to Greek mythology but there had to be a better way around it. some of the mythology given itself is questionable seeming to only fallow whatever versions the author preferred regardless of source. I kept trying to look up things to find the source because I became more skeptical of the author than invested in the story. which is a major flaw. the last I have is more of a personal gripe but these are obviously contemporary characters being shoved into antiquity skins which I don't think blended well. I never felt the power imbalance whether it was between men and women or mortal and God. I was told of the embalance but never once was I scared for our main leads. I think of the unnerve I always got in Madeline Miller's books when a god shows up knowing they could kill our main lead just because. take this review for what it's worth. I'm glad I read it but will never again.

Seriously so good

I really enjoyed this book. Great adaptation of the myth and really does a great job of making an ancient story relatable and poignant even in modern times. Definitely of one the best books I’ve read this year. Great audio performance too!