Book: Atalanta
Authored by Jennifer Saint
Narrated by Beth Eyre

I received an ARC (advanced reader copy… or maybe I should call it an ALC for advanced listener copy?) of this book from Netgalley.

This is the book I didn’t know I desperately needed to listen to. It is as epic as The Odyssey and The Iliad. It’s more interesting than Gulliver’s Travels.

Atalanta is known for being the only woman that took part of the Jason and the Argonauts voyage… but she was so much more.

She was wild, true, brave, and tender all at once. Many tried to shape her life - but she forged her own path.

If you like stories of adventure, epics and stories - this book has it all.

I could easily listen to stories about every constellation in the sky, every God and Goddess written by Jennifer Saint and narrated by Beth Eyre. They are a powerhouse duo!

Before this book I’d never heard of Jennifer Saint, and for the life of me - I cannot imagine why.

Such a GOOD book! An absolute must read!

3 out of 5 Stars

It was good and scratched the Greek Mythology itch I'd been having the past few days.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this ARC. I love reading mythology stories, and since they are usually told from the male perspective, I knew this novel would be different. I think the story of Jason and Argonauts is also a story that less people are familiar with (in comparison to the Odyssey). I like how the female perspective seems very authentic (especially given the time), including her disgust for certain members of the crew. Atalanta says what other women were probably thinking. The story does also tug at the heart strings with how Atalanta is treated by Artemis (and later by Aphrodite), after all she has accomplished in the goddess’ name, I felt the permanent banishment was unfair (although other people suffered worse fates). The ending of the story is also heart breaking, although the author had to be true to the myth.

Atalanta, the protege of Artemis, sole female Argonaut, slayer of the Calydonian boar, fleet of foot, whose only loss in a foot race was due to throwing the race as she had chosen who her husband was to be. That's how you should know her. But unless you're a pretty knowledgeable fan of greek mythology you probably don't know her at all.

Once again, Jennifer Saint gifts us with a retelling of one of Greek mythology's greatest tales through the eyes of an often underappreciated female player. And I can honestly say, I think this is her best one yet. I believe this one reads head in shoulders above the other two in both writing and clearness of message. I still think Madeline Miller reigns supreme, but this has moved Saint firmly into my second-place spot for must-read Greek retellings. Our protagonist is strong, bold, open-minded, compassionate, and far wiser than her years would indicate. She sees both the human and godly realms more clearly than Saint's other protagonists. And her relations to both give the reader a clear point of view through which to experience the good and bad of each.

Once again women face the consequences for the actions of men. But in a surprise twist, we also get the chance to celebrate women's wrongs in addition to their rights. There's comradery, blind admiration, love, hate, and found family. Featuring cameos from Jason, Heracles, Circe, Medea, Callisto, and many more. How the argonauts obtain and return with the Golden Fleece is the primary chunk of the text. But it also features Atalanta's greatest hits, slaying centaurs, striking first blood of the boar, racing for her own hand in marriage, and consummating her marriage in the temple of Rhea...oops.

A definite must-read for fans of Greek retellings or strong female protagonists.

I found myself really enjoying this retelling of Jason and the golden flees, told from the pov of Atalanta, a pleasant surprise after several disappointing mythology retellings I've read lately.

Abandoned by her father to die as an infant, Atalanta is rescued by a mother bear, and eventually Artemis and her nymphs where she is raised strong and fearless in the forest of Arcadia. Grown into a champion, Artemis sends her to quest with the Argonauts, to retrieve the golden fleece.
I loved hearing how Atalanta earned her place on the ship, proving herself with her intelligence and her strength, and as she came into herself. The characters were well written and interesting, and despite being familiar with the story, it still felt new and fresh.

I'm excited to go back and read some of Saint's earlier works.


Thank you Netgalley and for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Greek mythological retellings. Having read mythos, stone blind and lore olympus, my obsession grew and I wanted to read em all out there. Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan audio for providing me with this review copy.

Overall, "Atlanta" is a stunning and unforgettable novel that will appeal to anyone who loves mythology, complex characters, and evocative writing.I look forward to seeing what she writes next. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally charged read.

Mythologies are so often told from a man’s perspective, and this feels fresh with a female voice and yet a classical twist. Mythology fiction has a flare of the unbelievable that I set aside when enjoying the stories (I mean, wrestling lions and racing gods seem a little much for a mere mortal).

Atalanta’s journey from youth, adolescence, and maturity demonstrates the stages of female life. What a great experience to see her grow in wisdom and self-assuredness. So often in fantasy and especially myths, the life lessons are violent, tragic even. The story does not disappoint.

The narration done by Beth Eyre really helped bring to life the story as I listened to Atalanta become a true heroine of the ages.

You know that giddy feeling you get when you are reading a book and can rather instantly notice the improvements the author has made in their writings in regard to previous works?! That was me with Atalanta! It gave me everything I wanted & more - AND - the narrator was phenomenal. The prologue does a spectacular job at hooking you into the story right away, and the pace is perfectly set for the rest of the story. No notes, five stars, I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy!!!

4.75/5

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book had me enraptured from the very beginning. I adored Atalanta and her strength. This was such an enjoyable rework of the Greek myth.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The newest Greek mythology retelling from a female point of view is out three weeks from today. This one is about Atalanta, who was raised by bears and trained by Artemis. She joined Jason and the Argonauts on their voyage to get the Golden Fleece.

Loved hearing the female perspective of the men/heroes/myths we’ve always heard about and loved how it ended.

Put this on your TBR, I think you’ll really like it!

Special thanks to @netgalley @macmillan.audio for the advanced audio version of this book in exchange for my honest feedback

#netgalley
#atalantabook

Atalanta by Jennifer Saint is a thrilling retelling of the Greek myth of Atalanta, a fierce huntress raised by a mother bear and the only woman in the world's most famous band of heroes, the Argonauts. Born a daughter instead of the son her parents hoped for, Atalanta is left to die on a mountainside, but she proves herself a survivor by growing up wild and free under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis.

Atalanta yearns for adventure and seizes the opportunity when Artemis offers her a chance to fight alongside the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece. As she is swept into a passionate affair, she begins to question the goddess's true intentions and must balance her desire for adventure with her loyalty to her heart.

Jennifer Saint's prose is vivid and captivating, drawing readers into Atalanta's world and immersing them in a tale of love, passion, and adventure. Atalanta is a fierce and compelling heroine who refuses to be contained by the expectations placed upon her by society and the gods.

Overall, Atalanta is a thrilling and engaging read that places Atalanta in the pantheon of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, where she rightfully belongs. Fans of Greek mythology and strong female protagonists will not be disappointed with this reimagining of the classic tale.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio book in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Enjoyable retelling of the the warrior Atalanta. I was not familiar with Atalanta who was left on a mountain as a baby because she was a girl and raised by a bear and then by the goddess Artemis. Atalanta is a champion archer, hunter, and runner. She is sent by Artemis to join Jason and the Argonauts on their search for the golden fleece.

I liked Atalanta a lot and loved her strength and confidence. Not that it is news but listening to the retelling of Greek mythology it just hit me how there is so much rape there is in the stories. Women have so little power. Even Artemis, who is the goddess of chastity and childbirth (which don't logically go together) turns one of her followers into an animal because she was raped. C'mon Artemis, shouldn't you have protected her not blamed her?

Beth Eyre did an excellent job narrating.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this advanced copy of "Atalanta" by Jennifer Saint.

As someone who has greatly enjoyed the recent resurgence of Greek mythology/retellings that focus on female characters, I found "Atalanta" to be a fantastic story! It was refreshing to see a heroine that was unapologetically confident in her abilities and who, for the most part, didn't shrink herself down to be more palatable. Atalanta is unique in her voice, because she had ambition so often attributed to men or male characters, and to be unabashedly unconcerned with how she was perceived as far as her femininity was intriguing to listen to. Many of the stories of late that retell Greek myths from a female character's perspective focus on how unfair and difficult it was to be a woman in their circumstances, and while this book did shed a light on that, I felt it was met with Atalanta's determination to buck against it, rather than adopt a "woe is me" attitude. Even though the will of the gods was imposed on her in several instances, she fiercely clung to her freedom and her life belonging to her, which kept me rooting for her.

I also enjoyed the narration by Beth Eyre, whose voice was both soothing and captivating at the same time. I enjoyed this book!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

There are a lot of Greek mythological retellings flooding the market in the last few years, but I am really enjoying this trend of giving voice to the women of Greek mythology that were rarely front and center in the stories.

While there is talk of sexual assault and other oppressions that women experienced in this era, ATALANTA is a much happier tale than Saint's ELEKTRA and ARIADNE since Atalanta was able to spend a part of her life under the protection of Artemis which shielded her from the terrors of being a woman with men around.

I felt that the plot dragged a bit at times, but overall this was an interesting retelling - especially of Atalanta's time as a member of the Argonauts. And unlike with ELEKTRA, I'm glad that this time around Saint told the story only from one perspective.

Beth Eyre does a good job with the audiobook narration.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the copy of this audiobook.

Beth Eyre did a fantastic job narrating this book! I've loved Jennifer Saint's previous books and really enjoyed the start of this one. However, it dragged for me a bit in the middle and end - and may just be due to a reading slump I'm having this month because I know Jennifer Saint is a talented author and Atalanta's story is intriguing! I'll still come back for more of her books.

Such a wonderful retelling (as always) from Jennifer Saint. Atalanta was so beautifully flawed, running towards her destiny when she thought she was running away from me. Her desire to be free and untethered was raw and easily felt as I read. I can't wait for Saint's next book!