I love a feminist book, add in a matriarchal society and greek mythology - enough said! The novel moves back and forth between contemporary and ancient Crete as Cressida discovers the history of the Minoans - one of Europe's most advanced Bronze Age civilizations and a people we hear startingly little of. The concept was refreshing and unique, very well done.

This story sounded interesting because it focused on Minoan culture and Greek mythology. However, the book was slow moving and hard to get into. I also didn’t like the main character. Still, I recommend this for fans of Lucinda Riley, Anne Fortier, and Beatriz Williams.

I picked up this book as a fan of Greek mythology I was drawn in by the blurb. I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately I have to concede defeat. I tried several times to finish but I found the story very slow paced and I struggled to get through it. There were things I enjoyed, the character of Cressida, the Greek island setting, and the almost lyrical prose. I liked the contemporary modern parts but struggled with the past chapters. I don't often read historical fiction but the subject matter of this one appealed to me, particularly the idea of a matriarchal society. While ultimately not for me, I can see how this book would appeal to those who love ancient history or feminist literature. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting book and I understand why it would appeal to someone who likes Ancient Greek history. Following Cressida who falls pregnant, she escapes to the Greek Islands as she fears that she will pass on her father's violent tendencies. This was an incredibly beautiful book and super interesting. I had a lot of fun reading it and the connection to Minoans was super cool.

What would Matriarchal life be like today if it had survived? In this book the author tells us that in Minoan culture a Woman was God (Goddess) and women and the Earth were connected. Women were celebrated for their power and intuition, prophesies, and ability to give birth and celebrate all the mysteries of their culture.

I wanted to like this book, but I had difficulty following the unexplored histories of the two modern day characters through whom we experience this Minoan culture. The writing is disjointed and confusing, and frankly tedious.

Characters appear suddenly as an important part of the story but were not mentioned before. The two women strike up an unlikely friendship, which just comes on quickly and is not fleshed out. One of them is pregnant, which seems to fade into the background for the central part of the stories and comes back as an ‘oh yes, that pesky pregnancy’ at the end. Dreams, visions, speaking as if controlled by ancient deities seem to affect both characters, not just the one who found the cave with ancient cave art and artifacts. I struggled to finish the book, and don’t recommend it.

This book has left with so much!
It is hard and honoring to review a book with such a big charge.

This is the story of Cressida, a young girl who moves for a summer on a Greek island, to escape the memories of her violent father and her never protective mother. Her journey starts just as she finds out she is pregnant, however, by no means is her journey than linear. Her path intertwines with an experience she has, the woman she befriends, and the visions she has of the last women to protect the cult of the Great Mother.

I was attracted to this book because of the labyrinth, I imagined there would be some sort of Ariadne connection but this was so much more. A great gamble of shading light on the cult of Great Mother, the last days of the matriarchy and how patriarchy emerged to take its place and how all reverberated to this day.

Like Angela's ways, it is all pictured in deep brushes, the visions are felt very powerfully by Cressida and their magnitude is the same. Strong, earthshattering moments well balanced with mundane scenes where our modern heroines try to make sense of them. There is an economy of details and the scenes are almost theatrical, the authors experience in this domain is obvious in the structure constructed.

While you can read this book as simply a narration (and there may be some rituals and ideas that can be triggering, so be advised), I believe its power dwells in the past world it portrays and the bridge between the worlds it builds. On many accounts the story hit close home, and I believe Cressida and Angela's lives are very relatable. Also, I loved finding pieces of mysteries, Maria Gimbutas and ho'oponopono embodied in these pages. They just warmed my heart like meeting old friends. I cannot wait to see how the next story will take form!

I thinks this is the kind of book that finds you where y0u're at. So it if finds you, answer its call.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Excellent story! Totally engrossing!. Looking forward to reading more by this author! Could not put this down!