I really enjoyed Songs of Achilles and Circe, so when I was at my bookstore and saw Ariadne I had no hesitation getting it.
In the first few pages I was constantly comparing the writing style to SOA, despite the fact that they were written by different authors. It took me a while but I was pretty immersed once I reached a certain point in the book.
One thing I liked a lot was the POV switch between Ariadne and Phaedra. The two sisters could not be more different in their approaches and thought process. I did think their kinship was a bit overly exaggerated though.
For example, Phaedra, who should be considered a rival in Theseus’s affection, never blamed Ariadne for leaving alone with Theseus. Later, when she was to be betrothed to Theseus, did not react in a positive way, and adopted a rather distrustful and cynical view of Theseus (which she rightfully had, but seemed inconsistent to her earlier infatuation).
The book focuses on Ariadne and Phaedra, but also fills in the details of the people in their lives; Minos and his house, his captive Daedalus, Theseus, Dionysus and his followers, the Maenads, Hippolytus, and at the ending with Perseus.
All in all, it was a pretty good read. The main takeaway seemed to emanate a female struggle in a male orchestrated society. The trails of despair left on these women by the men, god or mortal, is equally destructive.
by Wishie_Chan