3.75/5

I went into this knowing very little about Clytemnestra's story, and was surprised by how captivating I found it. Casati portrays her as a flawed character who is deeply understandable and sympathetic not despite her faults, but often because of them. Although the pacing was a little slow for me and I was never fully invested, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone wanting to hear from the perspective of a powerful woman in Greek mythology.

What creates a monster? What makes someone a hero? To most—even those who are familiar with Greek history and mythology—Clytemnestra usually comes across as neither. But in this imaginative reexamination of Agamemnon's wife, saintly Penelope's opposite, we can dive into the head of one of the most famous, yet most underrated women in historical literature and watch as she snatches up some well-earned power. Many thanks to Costanza Casati and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC copy.

A brief recap for those who have somehow forgotten (or who haven't at least rewatched a certain 2004 film in which Brad Pitt goes head-to-head with Eric Bana lately): Agamemnon was the king of Mycenae during the Trojan War. Most of the stories we hear from this period gloss over the ladies involved—unless of course it's to depict them as exemplary wives or comparable to the temptress that gave all those noble men an excuse to launch a thousand ships and kill each other. Or, they're Clytemnestra: dutiful wives and queens. That is, until her insufferably arrogant, tyrant of a husband sacrifices one of her children for the sake of placating gods he doesn't seem to believe in until he has a war to wage.

Suffice it to say that true heroines modern audiences can relate to are few and far between. So, when a story like Clytemnestra comes onto the scene, progressive readers and history buffs alike tend to sit up and take notice.

True to both the nature of the times and the life we know she would have been bred for, this version of Clytemnestra takes her husband's antics in stride with a quiet sort of grace. Readers soon discover, though, that the narrative tone of the novel is anything but soft-spoken. Merciless, passionate, bloodthirsty—these are words that describe a warrior, not a delicate secondary character destined to fade into the background of the bigger picture. Everything from the descriptions of the Grecian landscapes to the intricate, ruthless schemes woven into the plot and the character's inner musings skulks across the page; much like our heroine (anti-heroine?), the progression is menacing and beautiful all at once.

Fortunately for us, Clytemnestra isn't the only familiar face that makes an appearance, or that gets a slight makeover from the characterization we all studied once upon a time. Complex relationships humanize famous, formerly untouchable figures and add to the multi-layered approach that Casati takes in deconstructing a well-known story. In this way, the plot is both accessible and further immortalized in an untouchable trophy case of sorts. If it's at all possible, she's cast a host of legends in bronze and added them all to our personal photo albums.

For readers who enjoy historical fiction, badass femme fatales, and good old-fashioned revenge, Clytemnestra is a must-add for your TBR list.

4.25 ⭐️

“There is nothing more powerful than a strong-willed woman. That is what you have always been and must be no matter what others do to you. It is easier for a man to be strong, for we are encouraged to be so. But for a woman to be unbent, unbroken, that is admirable.”

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of Clytemnestra — this was a story full of love, hatred, vengeance and challenges that followed a lesser known (to me, at least!) queen of Ancient Greece. It took me a little bit to get into the full swing, but when this picked up, it really picked up for me! Having read Song of Achilles a few years ago, it was nice to revisit some character and perspectives from a different author’s lens, and I’d highly recommend this to anyone that enjoyed Song of Achilles.

This book was much different than what I usually pick up, and I was pleasantly surprised by how hooked I was after the first 20-ish%! It was adventurous, emotional, and I was wrinkling my own eyebrows in anger right along with the characters.

I hope Constanza Casati writes more!! I’d especially enjoy reading a book from her following Timandra 😉

A huge thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and of course, Costanza Casati for providing me with an eARC of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review, all opinions are my own.

This book was definitely slower-paced and right now, that's just not what I wanted. I was expecting a little more action and plot progression and didn't quite get what I wanted in that regards. But, I did enjoy learning about the history of this woman and what she did. This book just wasn't quite what I expected, and not for me at the moment, though I know others will enjoy it immensely.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great myth retelling and I loved this book so much.

Okay, wow. After sitting on this review overnight, I’m afraid I don’t have the words for this incredible debut novel from author Casati.

“Sometimes I fear I am becoming the person I am pretending to be.”

Beautifully written, this book will capture the reader from the very start, sitting them down in ancient Sparta. When people discuss mythology, you often hear more of her twin sister Helen than of Clytemnestra. In the grand scheme, she and her sisters were lucky to grow up in Sparta, as her father was one of the few who believed in training women to fight.

With every wrong done to her, Clytemnestra dug in, found her strength, and carried on. It made her a hard person to love, but pain makes us build near impregnable walls. She is the epitome of strength and resilience because it is through our hardships that we find our strength. This is definitely a favorite for this year and will be a difficult one to beat. Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy.

I am enjoying this trend of taking women from Greek mythology and showing them in a new light. I did think this one was a little slow in the beginning and the lapses of time seemed to not develop growth in the characters, but overall I found this an enjoyable story. Clytemnestra was Spartan trained to fight from a young age and hardened into the tough woman that Sparta needed to continue to remain strong. Unfortunately the rest of the world saw women as property and Clytemnestra was betrayed over and over again. It was nice to see some familiar names in this story and also some I didn’t already know. It was also nice to read about Greek mythology without appearances by the gods. This story is about betrayal, revenge, power, and whether it is better to be forgotten or remembered for how much you were feared,

“All the things I have done, I did to protect the ones I loved. Wouldn’t you have done the same?”

If it’s a myth retelling, I’m gonna read it.

Clytemnestra is known as the “cruel queen and unfaithful wife” in mythology. But, in Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati, we get a front row seat to the strength, heartache, resilience, and vengeance it took to get into the history books. I have always been compelled by Clytemnestra’s story- the less loved sister of beautiful Helen. The wife of lord of men Agamemnon. Mother of a sacrifice to the Trojan War. I have read about her in A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes and Jennifer Saint’s Elektra. I am so happy she has her own book.

Casati’s writing is cinematic- I could picture it all. This would make an excellent mini-series someday! I was sucked into the story every time I sat down to read. There were no dull moments, no dull characters. The reader has feelings about every action, every person. Helen and Clytemnestra’s friendship is sweet. Clytemnestra’s upbringing in Sparta is tough and foreshadows her strength and ability to rule and control ANYONE. Themes of family, loyalty, and revenge are strong throughout the novel, because there are so many ways that we can relate even in present day.

This would make an excellent book club pick. Clytemnestra’s character arc is ripe for discussing. We have family issues, marriage issues, feminine topics, motherhood, and strength to explore. My allegiance to Clytemnestra changed a few times as I was reading. And also, the best book club question ever— what would you have done in her place?

Please please please go get this book if you love mythology, strong character development, cinematic writing, Game of Thrones, etc etc…. You won’t regret it!!

Clytemnestra releases in March 7. Thank you to @netgalley and @bookmarked @costanzacasati for the advance reading copy.

Captivating, well written, and I loved this book! It was a treat to read about Clytemnestra’s early days and her first husband. A must read for any fan of Greek mythology!

Was I the only one that pictured the beginning of WW with all of the warrior women training?


Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the beautiful gifted ARC!

Wow! I just finished reading Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati. If this is her debut novel, watch out! It is so good. It comes out on 3.7.23 and I can’t wait to share my full review then. If you are a mythology geek like me, you need to pre-order this one. It’s perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and even fans of Game of Thrones. Clytemnestra is a fierce huntress, warrior, mother, murderess, and Queen.

Clytemnestra is the daughter of the king of Sparta, the sister of the infamous Helen. When her husband Agamemnon sacrifices their daughter to the gods in return for fair winds, she begins to plot against him - for this is by far not the first ill he's dealt her.

While this was rather slow-moving and the pacing didn't work for me, it was interesting learning about her history, especially her relationship with Helen and her siblings. Clytemnestra's story is told unapologetically, in her own words and doesn't hold back in exposing both her own suffering and that which she bought upon others. Exploring motherhood, betrayal, power imbalance, the patriarchy and so much more, Clytemnestra and the women in her story are given a voice within the pages of this book and they don't shy away from using it.

As another retelling of a story in Greek mythology, Costanza Casati’s “Clytemnestra” will take a former villainess, remove her from her sister Helen of Troy’s shadow, and feature a strong, complicated woman, rightfully filled with passion, fury, and the need for righteous revenge. Kill my child and expect the worst.

The author wisely adds a genealogy chart and the extensive cast of characters at the beginning of this long (489 page) novel, that you’ll find yourself returning to time and again. This is being marketed with an appropriate tagline:” As for queens, they are either hated or forgotten. She already knows what option suits her best.” And, of course, this character has been reviled — after all, the storytellers have been men.

Clytemnestra was raised as a Spartan woman, and therefore also a warrior. This book changes the depiction of her as a weak avenger and gives her her due as a powerful woman who has been wronged by her father and husband, and allows her to take delicious revenge. It’s emotional and multilayered. Perfect for the fans of “Circe.” 4 stars. Kudos to Andrew Davis for his beautiful cover design.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Although improbable in ancient Sparta or Troy, Clytemnestra and her daughters, Phoebe and Philonoe, all have green eyes.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The book does describe the mythological origin of windflowers/anemones, sprung from the blood of the slain Adonis.

Greek mythology is usually fascinating, and this novel lives up to that expectation. I did not remember much of the Greek mythology I’d read, and certainly did not know who Clytemnestra was until reading Costanza Casati’s work.

Born in Sparta to a ruthless Spartan King, Tyndareus, and Leda, the intelligent, shrewd queen, Clytemnestra is brought up to be the same. She is trained to fight and to value power and dominance. Unfortunately, Tyndareus’s daughters would all find what is was to be their father’s pawns, traumatic for women who were trained to be strong.

Clytemnestra’s character is imagined with nuanced complexity. She rages with hatred, wanting vengeance for those she has lost, but is also capable of intense love. Clytemnestra is one well-written, solid protagonist.

Her royal family is also depicted in detail, especially Helen, who I’d incorrectly associated with Troy instead of Sparta. There is more than one version of Helen’s story, but now I will forever think of her as married off to a brute, used by her father for a power alliance. This story did not depict Helen as a demigod, though she was rumored to be the daughter of Zeus.

Ancient Greece is shown to be a harsh world, where Clytemnestra suffers unimaginable losses and indignities, but eventually rises to the top, to be a ruler like no other woman. While reading this novel, I had to remind myself that this is mythology, not history. This chronicle feels real.

I enjoyed this immensely, Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this opportunity.

I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in mythology who hasn't read a TON of the modern retellings. The writing is good, the story flows well, but if you've been a bit too heavily immersed in mythology in recent years, this might feel repetitive to you.

I did appreciate a story from Clytemnestra's perspective, since she's a bit more of a background character in similar retellings.

This was a fascinating story about Clytemnestra, the half sister of Helen of Troy. I wasn't familr with her so this has been a real treat. She's a complex and interesting woman, one who is often painted as a villian but this tells things from her persepective and is a real eye opener based on things I looked up after I read the book. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes mythological retellings.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book!

I have always had a deep and abiding fondness for the character Clytemnestra. I enjoyed this perspective on her character. I love that she's just a human woman here (even though my favorite part of the Illiad was the bickering of the gods). Spartan, powerful, vengeful and full of wrath she was one of my favorite characters from the Oresteia trilogy. Her desire for vengeance and murder of her husband because of his murder of their daughter was absolutely my favorite in the operas about this family.

“Kings are brilliant, mighty, godlike. Queens are deadly, shameless, accursed.”

Clytemnestra is a badass. That’s the simplest way I can put it. I could seriously go on and on about this character and the mark she left on me through Costanza Casati’s depiction of her in her debut novel.

Although I love retellings of Greek mythology, Clytemnestra’s name didn’t ring a bell for me when I first requested an early copy of this book. After reading, her name is one I will never forget.

This story beautifully explores grief, feminine rage, loyalty, betrayal, gender roles & double standards, justice, family and so much more. I wanted to read quickly to find out what would happen next, but I also wanted to savor it to keep it from ending. I feel like I know Clytemnestra now - that’s how real Casati made her for me. She is unbelievably strong, confident, outspoken and caring, and I just love her.

Casati’s writing was wonderful and beautiful. In a way, it is similar to Madeline Miller’s, but it is definitely not the same. Casati is a master at evoking the emotions of the characters and making the reader feel for them. There are so many soul crushing moments throughout the book, and each one was like a dagger to the chest.

I think I’ll end my raving there. But I will remember this book and Clytemnestra for a long time. I am so excited to see what Casati writes next, and I can’t wait for everyone to meet Clytemnestra on March 7!

Wow. This was an absolutely beautiful retelling of Greek mythology, focusing on Clytemnestra's story.

This one will stick with me for a long time. The writing was so polished and you could tell how well researched everything was. The imagery was wonderful and had me fully immersed in the story. Clytemnestra's internal monologue was rich and complex. There were times that it was like I could feel her rage dripping off of the pages.

Truly a must read for anyone who enjoys a good Greek retelling. If this is Costanza Casati's debut, I cannot wait to see where she goes from here.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A brilliantly written book that leaves you empathizing and understanding why Clytemnestra felt she had to take the actions her mythology credits her with. One of my favorite types of reads are books with no good people, everyone is morally grey, and this book delivered on all accounts. Many times I found myself thinking that if I was in the same position as Clytemnestra, free of punishment for my actions, that I would do the same if forced to be in Clytemnestra's position.



***Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. ***

Clytemnestra is a powerful figure in Greek mythology, intelligent and capable and strong. This retelling of her story is vibrant, a perspective of a girl who grows into a woman that shapes her own destiny with cunning, patience, and perseverance despite tragic and horrific experiences. The most inspiring and empowering tale of vengeance I've read!

Language: High
Violence: High (rape, war violence, murder of adults and infants)
Sex: High (consensual intercourse, homosexuality)
Drugs: Mild (alcohol use and abuse)