This is a strange way to read a mythology tale, but compelling. Told in verse, a different type for each character, this story tells you about the background that you don't get in the traditional story. A quick, easy read.

Will be recommending for high school reluctant readers. Love the novel in verse telling of this myth.

Fun, modern read for high school mythology class. Will be recommending this title to reluctant readers.

Well, I was happy to see a reference to Hamilton in the description because Bull definitely reminded me of the play. Not that I’ve seen it, but I’ve listened to the soundtrack and I know about it. (Who doesn’t, though?) The poetry had great rhythm and I loved that the author used different forms for different voices. It definitely made the book a work of art, and I hope to do a library program with it! While it wasn’t my personal favorite book in verse, it was well done.

I got caught up in the hype for this book. The line about it being like Hamilton for Greek mythology got me.

It's a lie. Hamilton is brilliant, educational, overloaded with talent, and progressive, both in scope and practice. Bull is like an older white dad trying to be cool and "hip". It brings nothing new to the tale or genre. It's verses are rhythmically simple with basic rhymes.

Poseidon is bro, A horrible, disgusting, annoying frat bro. Everyone is terrible. Everything is terrible. And just when Poseidon does his maniacal laugher bit, he blames it all on human nature. Puh-lease.

Save yourself. Avoid this book

What a wickedly delicious version of the Minotaur. Many points of view in varying poetic styles, give a rather sympathetic portrayal of Asterion, ruler of the stars, as our minotaur is named.

I'd not recommend this one for middle grade, as there is language and discussions of just how the minotaur came to be, rather crudely. But I do think that those who love mythology will find it quite fascinating.

I just couldn't get into this book. Sorry. It's not my cup of tea.

Definitely one of the most surprising books I’ve read lately is Bull by David Elliott, a mythology retelling of Theseus and the Minotaur in verse. It was really different than the many other novels in verse I’ve read–I just love the format–and reminded me more of spoken word poetry. It was interesting because at the end of the book, Elliott explains the different poetic formats used for each character’s voice, and his style worked so well I didn’t even notice it until he explained it.

Even though Bull is described as a retelling, it’s actually more like a regular telling in verse with contemporary language, and more details/backstories not in the original myth. The story itself is dark, comical, and sad, and a bit graphic at times. I saw a comparison to Deadpool, and I think that’s quite accurate (although I didn’t actually like Deadpool). Bull is quite short and with the verse format, it’s an extra quick read, but the pacing was great, the writing was a lot of fun, and overall I just really enjoyed this book.

Unfortunately, this pdf expired from my adobe reader, therefore I can't read or review it. I was really intrigued/excited to read this book of poetry. I apologize and I wish the book all the success!

Told in the style of an epic poem, Bull provides a humorous retelling of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Elliott switches perspectives between the key players in the myth, giving each one a distinct poetic style. While this book could be a great way to introduce middle school students to the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, the coarse language and sexual innuendos make it more suited to older teenagers.

I voluntarily read and reviewed Bull by David Elliott. Thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the opportunity to read and review this book! Bull is a retelling of the myth, "Theseus and the Minotaur". The author makes the characters as real and relevant as possible and broadens the story to explain more of Asterion's life from birth to childhood to the complete transformation of his character and sanity and all of this is written in poetic form and in modern language that makes it easily understandable. 4.5 stars!

This book is written in verse and is very short. It only took me 1.5 hours to read it from cover to cover! Each character was portrayed by a different poetry style which only made the story better. This would be very good for a readathon or just a quick read in general. I especially loved Poseidon and Asterion.

Finally got a hard copy! This book of the myth of the minotaur, in verse, was so original. It was a quick, easy read that high school on up will enjoy reading. Fans of Greek myths and poetry may want to have a peek! Worth a read.

It is the story of the non-winners in a mythological tale. This is what makes the story extraordinary.
Minotaur here is given a chance to narrate his side of the story. The book begins with the pride of Poseidon and anger of Minos. Poseidon, when disrespected, casts a spell of Pasiphae as a result of which she fornicates with a bull. This unusual copulation gives birth to Asterion. Pasiphae is advised to throw the child off the cliff or into the ocean, but the mother's affection does not allow her. Asterion lives but his life is a living hell. He does not make friends. Hell, he cannot even talk because of his thick lips. He grows up to modified nursery rhymes and self-loathing.
Mommy had a little calf.
Little calf.
Little calf.
Mommy has a little calf.
His nose is black as tar.
The entire book reveals the depressing side of Asterion's story, even though the myth remains the same.

The way the story is written is the highlight of the book. The book originally meant for teenage reading is sure to become a sensation among other age groups too. The bluntness and pride of Poseidon, the anger of Minos, the helplessness of Pasiphae and the self-hatred of Asterion is aptly described.
The poetic narration is catchy. It keeps the story rolling and helps you understand the temperament of each character. There is a mix of literary tools used, which convey the skill possessed by the author.
Adriane, Minotaur's sister promises the Bull that there is a plan. The thrill is revealed in one word in each page. The spaces are used in narration with panache. The thrill and the sorrow are aptly expressed with the spacing amongst each word and sentence.
This is definitely the best-narrated books I have read in a while.

Bull is a poem retelling of the myth about Theseus and the Minotaur. In this retelling the setting is the original one (no change in the setting or in the characters), the author chooses to focus also in moments that the original story does not deal with: Asterion's young adulthood and relationships between characters.

The story's pace is given by Poseidon's comments, cynical, ironical and deeply funny. The god of the sea chooses which voice to listen to, and by doing so he shows us the characters involved in the story (Minos, Pasiphae, Asterion, Ariadne, Daedalus).

The book is made of poetry monologues - the characters does not interact with dialogues - and the verses structure is specific for the single characters, the only one that is not bound by a scheme is, obviously, Poseidon.

I liked Bull because it's funny and engaging, the fact that it is a poem does not impede the reading, on the contrary it allows the reader to insert some captivating sentences.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me the copy necessary to write this review.

Bull is a very accessible novel in verse based on the Greek myth of the Minotaur featuring free form and measured verse in the alternating voices of the god Poseidon, King Minos, Daedalus, Queen Pasiphae, the princess Ariadne, Theseus, and the minotaur Asterion. Style, format, and language are a mixture of modern and traditional dialect, and some mature language and allusions make this YA book appropriate for older teens, who will enjoy this fresh, frank, and bold retelling of the classical myth.

It took a while for me to get to and I'm disappointed I took so long to get to it.

Really enjoyable. Love the concept a lot! I love retellings and retellings of ancient greek mythology is something that there needs to be more of!

Unexpected and completely entertaining.
The myth of the Minotaur told in Hamilton-esque verse. At least while I was reading it, I definitely heard Lin Manuel Miranda rapping Poseidon's lines.
This book was very cleverly crafted. Each narrator speaks in a format unique to their personality and when the plot progresses and the characters react to their troubling situations so do the formats adjusted to reflect their mental state. Asterion's descent into madness is reflected by his pages getting darker and darker. Just perfect for a teen that might not catch it otherwise.
It might be a hard sell, but the popularity of myths ensures following.

A different, unexpected read for sure. I had misunderstood the format/style of the book before downloading it. However it is engaging. I think it could be used for younger readers who might be struggling to get into books. I would shelve it in YA or adults due to language and content. However, if you're looking for a different take on a classic Greek tale this is the book for you.