gilda_elise

She’s a sheltered princess dreaming of adventure. He’s an arrogant warrior eager to make a name for himself. Between them, lurks the Minotaur. When their paths come together, a legend is born.

For Ariadne, growing up a princess in ancient Crete means an endless circle of weaving, sewing and learning to rule, but she wants more than to be married off to a prince. Ariadne knows what’s expected of her, but she longs for a life of her own and to know what lies on the other side of the sea.
When Dionysus, the God of Wine arrives, she’s instantly drawn to his reckless good looks and mysterious power, but she knows it’s dangerous to mix with the gods. Still, she can’t deny the connection between them.

Crete maintains a shaky peace with Athens, which is enforced by the Minotaur imprisoned in the labyrinth. When Theseus arrives to challenge that peace, everything changes. Ariadne soon discovers that all is not what it seems on her beautiful island. Although she knows Theseus is the enemy, she starts to think he might be right. Even worse, underneath his tough exterior, she glimpses a softer side that makes her think it might not be so bad to marry a prince. Unfortunately, her sister sees it too.

To do what’s right, she’s faced with an impossible choice. Joining forces with Theseus could bring freedom and unite their countries, but it means betraying her father and losing everything she knows. What will she do when she’s torn between a god and a warrior?

Does Ariadne have the strength to carve out the life she wants?

The book is an interesting take on the Minotaur myth, and the life of Ariadne, one of the key players. But I got the impression that it was written for the younger set in mind, because Ariadne often comes across as a modern teenager. In thought as well as action. And many of the more horrendous aspects of the myth are either glossed over or changed to something more palatable.

Actually, in doing so with one particular part of the myth, I was left with a bad taste in my mouth. I had to wonder who exactly was the monster. What was something that needed to be done becomes a betrayal that’s almost unforgiveable.

Ironically, that’s the only part of the book that I felt had any depth, because there was a true tragedy being played out. Yet I am glad that Hora went with the myths more pleasant ending. After everything that goes on, I felt the readers deserved it.