Let me start by saying the love story was cute, especially during the second half of this book. Also, you might really enjoy this more than me if you know nothing or barely anything about greek mythology and history because one of my main problem was with this. The writing style was easy and pretty also, I really think many people could enjoy this book. Unfortunately it didn't work for me.

I'm a mythology and greek history nerd and I could see a lot of problems... If you are like me it might irritate you as well. It looked like the author did some research... But barely scratched the surface. Like, she used the word "polis" instead of city all the time (without ever explaining what the word meant) and she used the word Chiton for the women's clothes, so that was good. However, one of the character have to learn proper etiquette and how to DANCE and by dance I mean she, I quote, "swirled under the chandelier" and there's so many wrongs with this sentence (The greeks didn't waltz ? Also, candles didn't exists... chandelier either. but that's I guess only a detail). If you do ancient Greece, don't make it sound like Renaissance or XIX century ! Please...
The religion was handled weirdly too but that's just me being a nerd.

The characters... I couldn't tell you who was who. It's 2 POV characters with 1st person narrative and they sound exactly the same. Plus, for the first half of the book they think of each others the same way (They both think of the other girl is fierce and strong, and of themselves as scared and lost...). It was really hard to tell them apart. If I was picking up the book in the middle of a chapter I could only tell at some point in the narrative you can tell because the POV character is talking to the other girl so you can guess but that's it.

Also some description didn't make sense, like the first time Atalanta sees Phelix she says he is 1 or 2 inches taller, and a couple chapters later she says he has an impressive height...

The world building was non existent, the plot was a mess and going in way too many directions without them making sense or sounding realistic (like the hunter who found Atalanta in the forest suddenly being one of the richest prince in Greece...ok ? convenient for the plot I guess)

And don't even let me start with the love story. Well actually, the love story was very cute (and the only thing that made this book a 2 stars and not a 1 star) but that's thanks to the second part. During the first part there was a sort of hate-to-love... but the reason for the hate was so far fetched it was just impossible to believe it. Kahina saves Atalanta's life...so she hates her because there's consequences. But Atalanta doesn't even know she exists and didn't ask for anything.... hm, ok sure. (not a spoiler, this is chapter 1)

It was just all overall messy and lazy. It could have been much more, but the weird temple side story and family side story and idk what was that last battle.... It just didn't work together... It's too bad, I really wanted to like this.

When I read the synopsis for this book I just knew I had to read it and I’m so glad I did!
The pace was fast but, didn’t feel rushed. This was a nice quick read for me and it held my attention right to the end. I only wish that some things had been fleshed out a little more. For example, the backstory of the main characters was pretty vague and I feel like if those had been explored or shown more I would have understood some aspects a little better but, either way this was a fantastic story!
I loved the main characters and thought that they had great chemistry (and yay for lbgtq rep!). I really enjoyed watching their relationship develop throughout the story. I thought both girls were badasses and loved how they both looked out for one another and protected each other.
The battle scene at the end was great as well. I usually don’t like battle scenes because they tend to be drawn out but, this one was done perfectly.
I really didn’t have any issues with this book other than that I wish there was more. It was a great debut for Elizabeth Tammi and I look forward to reading future works from her.

*~~*ARC kindly provided to me for an honest review *~~*

- Review to come

Review originally posted on my blog with added content on Mikku-chan / A world full of words

This book had badass girls and also lesbians and I don't think I need to say more, but I will, for purpose of review.

Atalanta is a archer who has been chosen by the Prince to help fight a beast terrorizing the kingdom. The other men on the hunt don't have faith in her tiny girl body, or whatever excuse they give. Atalanta takes credit for the kill in order to prove herself to these men, but it wasn't her kill.

Enter Kahina, the true slayer of the beast, who is one of Artemis' hunters. She is not supposed to kill the beast, but she can't seem to let the beast take Atalanta. She is also not supposed to fall in love, buuuuuut things get a little complicated.

I don't want to spoil anyone, but I really did enjoy the romance in this book, the overall badassery, and the female power. The male characters are very appropriate for their time and world this feels set in, especially some of the men both Kahina and Atalanta know. It was very appropriately frustrating. However, the girls know their worth, and fight for it, and I loved that about them. Two very rounded out female characters who are emotional, vulnerable, and loving- what more could a girl ask for? The amount of girl power in this book is freaking fantastic, and I very much enjoyed it.

Also the characterization of Artemis was really interesting and I enjoyed the dynamic between her hunters. She made sure to do her mythology research, and I loved the way she bent the myths to her story while still keeping them true. I will say however, that I have never read the myth of the Calydonian Boar (and also thought it said bear for like five pages) so I would've liked maybe a little more explanation of that. Also apparently Atalanta is a figure in greek mythology too, so I liked learning about her.

This book took me a little to read, because I was really busy, but also because I was very confused at the beginning because I didn't know the backstory or context for this specific part of Artemis' myth. I think if I hadn't been given this book specifically to review, I might not have kept going. That being said, I'm glad I did.


Also P.S- I say this all the time, but I LOVE this cover. Gorgeous.

When I saw it was a Greek mythology retelling I really wanted to read it, however, I feel there could have been more to do with that side of things as it only really features a couple of the Greek gods. The start was impressive and really drew me in but for me, I found it lost it part way through, I don't think it helped that I struggled to differentiate between which girls point of view I was reading from. For me I was just expecting something more.

While the prose in this novel was at times uninspiring, and the plotting a bit sloppy, fans in search of a queer re-telling of Greek mythology will find lots to swoon over.

I have an innate fascination when it comes to mythology, but, this comes hand in hand with a critical view of anything that uses mythology for the purpose of a storyline.

That being said, I found Outrun the Wind intriguing. It has a certain feel to it, that I cannot name, but, it’s something I’ve felt before.

When I started reading, I was immediately grasped by a character with which I could relate. Atalanta, was STRONG, and as a female that strength is paramount to the construction of many characters. Her strength was literal, but also constructed through subtle character aspects which weaved, and flowed her character into being. She wants freedom, but open opportunity. She wants family, but she doesn’t want things that tie her down. She wants love, and she loses that, time and time again. She is an enigma, and I wanted more.

Premise wise, I didn’t know what I was expecting but I know what I was not expecting, and I think this is it. Usually, with mythology you get the lovely coming-of-age novella about a child of the gods realising their potential and going on a quest etc. etc. Yet, what Tammi has created is just, more. Yes, it has that expected concept of gods, and the children - but our main character was not one, and that is probably what drew me into continuing (combined with Atalanta saying no to Artemis - like?????)

All in all, and to not give away too many spoilers, I’d suggest this novel with 4/5 starts. What prevents it from hitting 5 you may ask, was simply the struggle to read - while it flowed and there was so much reason to WANT to read it, there was a choppiness that I didn’t like (and I’m not a game of mixed POV).

We loved this book and loved the plot and character development within it. With a mix of mythology, a touch of romance and trials, this book is sure to touch all your happy points at once.

I had high expectation for this book, but I was a little disappointed. It felt more like a generic fantasy than a retelling of Greek mythology. Further, the plot was kind of boring and didn't capture me at all.

I requested this book because it included Greek mythology and I have always enjoyed that. Artemis and Apollo are, as always, in opposition with each other and their antics are a very small part of this story so I wouldn't really say this is about mythology. This story stresses the strength of feminine nature and the oppressive nature of the male psyche. The underlying theme is twofold. One theme stresses the overbearing nature of men and their expectations of women back in mythological times as an allegory for present day. The second is the friendship, love and caring relationship of two females who are opposed to the expectations of them in a patriarchal society. The writing is superb, however the very strong feminist message to refute traditional female roles was a little overpowering for me. I'm a feminist but I don't need to be smashed over the head with this message. I think this story is good but probably has a limited audience and is not really what I like to read. I received and ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this book, I can see it becoming one of the next big YA hits. The story centres around the mythological character Atalanta and features a variety of Greek gods. If you liked 'Circe' or 'A Song of Achilles' you will enjoy this book. The story flows really well, the characters are developed well and I commend the author on including a same-sex relationship. Overall, would definitely recommend!

*ARC received from NetGalley in return for an honest review*

This was initially a hard book to get into. Maybe because I wasn't expecting the first narrator. From the blurb, it sounds like the focus will mainly be on Kahina. Instead, the reader is thrown into Atalanta's mind. While this was a shock to the system I powered through and am so happy I did. This is a book that was so unexpectedly good. While I love a good book with a romance at the front and center this is one where the love was more subtle. It isn't until the middle that even the characters understand what they might be feeling. While the ending was a bit rushed I think it was what was needed. If it was drawn out much longer I think it would have lost its path. This is a book I will totally recommend to those who love retellings of Greek mythology.

What luck!

I received this as a NetGalley ebook, but I found out about it months and months ago from a Twitter thread by @readingpeaches/lesbianna in January quite by happy accident. I'd been looking for LGBT+ novels with mythology in them for quite some time, although m/m is quite popular likely because of The Song of Achilles and historical novels by Mary Renault, f/f is a rarer find - but not impossible as The Dark Wife and Alcestis prove.

Now you can count Outrun the Wind among them!

First as this is a proof, I feel compelled to tell of the errors I took note of here:
typo gievn location 1847, ch 13
typo turs location 2612, ch 18
chapter 20 events are very confusing and need to be adjusted, paragraphs skip and are repeated.

I like names so I took note of Kahina's right away, it's not in any naming list of Artemis' nymph or mortal maids, but it is the name of a intriguing and powerful woman who is also called Dihya (but she's not related to the Kahina of the book, so if you'd like to know more of her, look up her history!), it's meaning is something of a hint to Outrun the Wind's Kahina too, meaning "priestess seer/soothsayer". I think the 'Wind' part of Outrun the Wind is a hint to her race with Hippomenes (hippo=horse, menes=vigor/age/power) as the wind gods of Greek myth became the horses of Zeus' chariot and also fathered horses.

Atalanta is one of the few women in Greek mythology who went on to have adventures, it's hinted that she traveled on the Argo with Jason (and possibly Medea), but the more popular start is the Calydonian Boar hunt and the odd love stories with Meleager and Melanion/Hippomenes that surround her. Elizabeth Tammi does not stick to purely classical knowledge, this is a fantasy like take of the mythology, which both takes and gives, making something new of the old stories.

Kahina and Atalanta do not take a quick liking to one another, but fates (or rather Artemis and Apollo) pull them closer together, and the attraction grows from every meeting between the two. I was confused at why Artemis and Apollo were antagonizing each other over temples and power, they did tit-for-tat in myths but usually this was due to lovers of Apollo or Artemis' hunters, exploring that would have helped the story along, possibly helped Kahina with her task - we're left with questions on why Meleager's father forgot Artemis (did it have something to do with Hippomenes/Apollo?) or if Apollo taking of oracle maidens was a attack against Artemis that began things.

I enjoyed Kahina's huntress friends Isidora and Nikoleta, as well as Atalanta's brother Phelix and the explanation of her history with Zosimos ...although I think it rather flimsy that Atalanta's race was to determine a marriage as a legitimate heir.

Iasus of myth had three brothers, two of whom went through the Calydonian Boar hunt in fact in myth Melanion/Hippomenes - supposed cousin of Kahina, is the son of Amphidamas, brother of Iasus the Tammi doesn't make clear if she knows of that, but neither does she name the parents of Kahina or Hippomenes that I recall, only tells about her father and his father being brothers who have a shipping business and her mother from Ethiopia.

While this book does wrap up things between Atlanta in Arkadia and with the hunters of Artemis, I do hope her adventure with Kahina is just beginning.

I'd like to see in a sequel Atlanta meet Kahina's family and sail to Ethiopia, or go together on the Argo after the golden fleece.

Outrun the Wind was my most anticipated YA release of the year. I'm a complete and utter Greek mythology fangirl and the idea of a book that featured both the Hunters of Artemis and Atalanta, one of my favourite heroes, was always a massive draw for me.

Unlike most people (it seems), enemies-to-lovers isn’t usually one of my favourite tropes. However, I really liked it in this story. Kahina and Atalanta are both wonderful characters. I liked how strong each girl was, determined not to be forced down a path she didn’t want. They’re both complex and had complicated emotions toward each other. I really liked seeing how the distrust and wariness between them very slowly developed into a solid, dependable friendship and then a romance. I really appreciated how Tammi took the time to really build it up gradually. The supporting characters were well written too: Hippomenes is suitably slimy, Phelix is a sugar-pie and it was wonderful to see how supportive the Huntresses were of each other. Both the gods featured -- Apollo and Artemis -- felt suitably ‘other’: distant, powerful and arrogant.

I thought the plot was interesting, and that Tammi managed to work the more unbelievable elements of the original story (because, mythology, right?) into the more historical feel of the overarching plotline - for example, the golden apple distraction. I also thought that the elements of the various Atalanta stories (the boar hunt, the race etc.) into something that felt fluid. The moments were tied together with nice original scenes and well-rounded original characters.

The one complaint I had was that the world building felt a little lacking in terms of description. I think if you've already read a lot of mythology or history you’ll fill in the gaps just fine yourself, but things like dress, food and architecture etc. are very glossed over. It would have been nice to have a more solid picture of the world.

This review will go up on my blog, Foxes and Fairy Tales on 29 October 2018
https://foxesfairytale.wordpress.com/2018/10/29/arc-review-outrun-the-wind

What a great story, I was so excited and intrigued about it!There are a lot of things I enjoyed in this story.Outrun the Wind is a fantasy inspired by Greek Mythology, one of the main characters Kahina being a huntress of Artemis and the other main character Atalanta being accused of killing Artemis's boar, and wanting to be recruited by her. I love Greek Mythology and I find the story unique!

I’ve been exceptionally kind to this book, as I’m fully here to support all my writer friends on Tumblr who make it this far. I’ve recommended it a handful of times to people looking for Greek mythology adaptations, which I think doesn’t see nearly enough action, especially in the YA market. So I will say, this book undoubtedly has a place out there in the world, and as a wlw story, I’m glad it exists. But the writing itself only feels halfway there. This may be because I took a few months’ break halfway through to read other things, but I found it hard to remember the plot points that happened along the way. Even when I did get back to reading it, I often found myself confused as to what had happened even ten pages before. Which is to say, this story is unfortunately, forgettable. There was nothing spectacular that wowed me, like I kind of come to expect from mythological epics. I also happened to be reading Circe around the same time, so I could have been facing Greek mythology burn out.

I feel like this book could be someone else’s favourite, and make a huge difference to fans of Percy Jackson and sapphic girls who rarely see themselves in the books they read. It just doesn’t have that effect on me. But I absolutely wish it all the best and will continue to support and recommend it because it’s what the author deserves.

*Spoiler free, 3.75 stars*

This book sounded queer and I wanted to read it. Two huntresses falling in love? Yeah, I wanted to read the heck out of that. And on top of that, the rest of the story sounded really good; one of strength and perseverance.

To some extent, this book assumes you know the story of Atalanta. The story doesn’t waste a word jumping into the plot and it caught me off balance. This off kilter feeling followed me into the rest of the story and left me confused for a lot of it. There wasn’t enough buildup or background information at the start. It is sprinkled throughout the story, but I felt that even that wasn’t enough. I think the story would have been a lot more well rounded and fleshed out if the beginning slowed down a bit.

There was also a lot of character relationships that I found confusing and kind of unrealistic. I was honestly left kind of baffled at some points when some of them were interacting. There was no development and some instances felt downright unrealistic.

While there is a f/f, a very solid one, I can’t help thinking that it could be gayer haha. The relationship progressed solidly, but I felt it could have been front and center just a tad more. Also, fleshed out a little more. I had a lot of development problems with this book.

I’m not sure if this is because I didn’t know this was a Greek Mythology retelling or because of the writing, but it didn’t feel like a Greek Mythology retelling. It just felt like that those were the gods that these people worshiped and that was that. It caught me by surprise when I realized that it was actually a retelling.

Despite all the things I saw to be downfalls, I really, really enjoyed this book. The plot kept me thoroughly entertained and made me want to keep reading. I loved Atalanta and Kahina and their relationship. It was so complex and how everything unfolded and progressed was really well done.

The writing was also fantastic. There were lines that stayed with me throughout the book and even after I finished. It was just really good, the whole book, all of it.

An artfully crafted retelling of the Atalanta legend. Atalanta must learn to outrun the wind in order to remain free. But she is sought by both cruel warriors and gods.


Although this is based on the Atalanta legend Elizabeth Tammi brings her own voice to the tale and fleshes out the characters while keeping much of the legend intact.

It took a bit to get into because Greek Mythology is not something that I know very well. There are still a few things that I’m a bit confused on but I didn’t mind. Most of the things I’m confused about are things I would need to do my own research on.

The switching perspectives was a little confusing at times. I had to flip back several times because I didn’t know who’s perspective I was reading. This especially happened when the perspective switched in the middle of chapters.

The LGBQT+ representation was great. I knew from the beginning who was going to fall in love with who. The story for how they came together was great. I liked that they had their own things going on and helped each other vs only one of them helping the other. Kahina and Atalanta also took their time getting to know each other and working on their relationship and I like that.

Kahina was my favorite character. She was like the girl next door with a fierce side. She was so relatable and I loved her. Atalanta was the girl I loved to hate. She was so good at everything and you wanted to hate her but then she would do something nice and you just couldn’t hate her anymore. Kahina and Atalanta together are great. They balance each other out and it just works beautifully.

More background information on most characters I think would have been helpful especially Artemis and Apollo. Even Kahina and Atalanta need a little more background information but without the background information it does make me want to read more and draws me with the mystery of it all.

I would definitely pick up another book by Elizabeth Tammi.

You had me at Greek myths, cool women and warriors. Because I’m a total nerd for all of these things. And I was not disappointed.
First off, the characters. The story is told from the POVs of the two protagonists, Kahina and Atalanta. They have quite similar voices, with only a few differences, so sometimes I got confused from which character the story was told at some points. I’ll start with Kahina who is basically the incarnation of the pure, sweet cinnamon roll. I don’t know how else to describe her. She is just so cute and amazing. She acts cool, trying to save herself and not letting anybody too close because of all the losses and shit in life she had to go through. But when she really takes a liking to someone and comes closer to them, she would not stop for anything in the world to help them.
And Atalanta! She is just a force of nature. The complete opposite of Kahina. Where the latter is thoughtful and calm, Atalanta seems to be always angry at everyone and everything. But same as Kahina, she changes towards someone she likes, being really sensitive and cute.
The other characters were either friend or foe. Most of them being foes though and basically all of them men who use their positions of power to do bad things.

The relationships between the characters are quite compley in some situations, because almost every character went through a lot and still has to deal with much stuff, it seems to be hard for all of them to really commit to anything, some are turning in complete egoists, some are driven by fear from or for somebody else, some out of love. But especially the relationship between Kahina and Atalanta is highlighted, the two being the main characters. Hello hello, favourite trope. Hate to friendship to lovers. Because yup, this book was the Ancient Greek lesbian story I’ve been waiting for. And their bantering and just generally the process of them starting to like each other….yes. Loved it.

The plot was also pretty cool as well. It’s basically those two girls against the world and especially against the villain who was… aan unconventional one? I really did not expect it and I still have some problems wrapping my mind around it, though on the other hand it makes sense and fits really well into the story.

My major points of critique are, as I mentioned before, the similarly told POVs, and that Kahina’s plot wasn’t developed enough. Atalanta and the thing with finding a husband is very detailed where as Kahina solving the task for Artemis really only gets a few pages. I wish that would have been a bit more elaborated.

But apart from those things, I totally enjoyed this book!