The pacing of this novel was slow enough at parts that I'd definitely set it at a lower calibre of quality than something such as Circe or The Witch's Heart. But it was still an enjoyable story despite not keeping me on the edge of my seat.

This is the story of the Trojan war from Clytemnestra's PoV, leading up to Agamemnon setting sail for the war and then the aftermath from his return home ten years later. I feel as though it's the kind of story with a lot of waiting that we would end up with if anyone ever wrote a story based solely on Penelope, rather than interspersing it with other stories like we saw in A Thousand Ships.

The other structural issue I had was that we sort of half heartedly moved to Orestes' PoV in Part 2. Instead of decisively making this a PoV shift, there were still chapters from Clytemnestra's PoV that could easily have been covered from Orestes' PoV when, say, he saw Apollo's seer.

In any case. This is not a story that Agamemnon looks good in. Basically his first act, as anyone familiar with mythology will know, is to command Iphigenia to his side under the pretense of a wedding to Achilles. Clytemnestra is presented as a hands on mother, so she's determined to go with her daughter for her wedding, despite Agamemnon's orders otherwise. He's less than pleased when she arrives and claims he needs to pray with just his daughter, sending Clytemnestra away.

Stupid man never told Achilles of his lie though, did he? So of course as soon as Clytemnestra happens to see him, she asks about the upcoming nuptials and gets a blank enough stare for her trouble to alert her that something is deeply wrong. When she returns, it's in time to find her daughter dead at her husband's hands. But at least the Greeks now have wind to get them to Troy, right?

The story continues on to show that Agamemnon killed both Clytemnestra's first husband and son due to his determination to have her. Given he basically treats her as nothing more valuable than a horse, and not even a prized one at that, it's difficult to imagine why he did this other than conquest.

Now having two children of hers killed at Agamemnon's hands, she determines that she will train her remaining three children to know how to defend themselves. All the while, she protects them from the truth of who it was who killed Iphigenia. This doesn't work too well with her second eldest of the remaining children, Elektra.

The ten years of the war pass really slowly, despite the continued time jumps. All these guys do is train and lament, up till the point where an old rival of Agamemnon's comes to ostensibly ask for forgiveness. The romance between Clytemnestra and Aegisthus reads lacklustre at best, feeling more like a time waster before Agamemnon returns or, perhaps, as though the author didn't feel secure in expanding on their relationship given it's something that doesn't have a lot of original source material dedicated to it.

Part two is a lot more thorough and focuses on the death of Agamemnon and Orestes' response to that. Definitely a lot stronger than the first half, and hits in the feels multiple times, but I just didn't feel it made up for the shallow characterisation and pacing troubles of the first half.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hannah Lynn for providing me with a digital arc of this book!

*light spoilers*

I don't have very strong opinions of this book. Maybe it's because I have read multiple renditions of the story of Clytemnestra and her children, but this book didn't really do anything new for me. I did like that we got to see more of Orestes and his story this time around, but it didn't make me feel sympathy for him. I think if the scene where he murders his mom had been drawn out a bit more, I'd feel differently, but I didn't sense much hesitation from him. I was fully and completely on the mother's side, from the beginning to the end, which I don't think was the author's intention. The ending was incredible satisfying. All in all, it was an enjoyable read, just not my favorite. 3/5 stars.

I enjoyed this retelling of some of my favorite Greek mythology characters. The language was easy to read while still giving the story and flavor of the original tale. If you want a contemporary language retelling this is the way to go.

Review: Another wonderful book by the talented Hannah Lynn! I am not usually a fan of Greek mythology, but Lynn does such an amazing job, that I have been captivated by each of her books. This is the second in this genre she has written and you can definitely tell how much research she has done prior to writing these stories. This one was so good, I wanted to see how it would end! And I have to say that Athena redeemed herself in my eyes in this book. And then on top of the whole story, there was a trial involved?! That is how you get my attention lol! Would definitely recommend picking this book up when it comes out and I would recommend reading Athena’s Child as well. Thank you @netgalley and @sourcebooks for my advanced copy!!

I found this iteration of Clytemnestra’s story very compelling! I rather enjoyed how Lynn was able to spin a tale of war, family, and sacrifice into a book I could not put down. I found our leading lady to be very heartfelt and courageous amidst her own inner turmoil. The pacing was a bit chunky at times, overall I enjoyed the story!

This was devastating and utterly heartbreaking, and written just so beautifully.

I don’t read much Greek Mythology retellings, but I am familiar with a lot of the people and their stories. This was incredible.

We have a multi-generational story here filled with sadness and loss. Clytemnestra, wife of Agamemnon, and sitting Queen in his absence due to the war he is fighting in, is no stranger to loss. Now, the Gods have taken her beloved eldest daughter from her. Doing only what she knows how, she vows to protect her remaining children at any cost, especially from their father.

As her children grow up, one, Elektra, comes to despise her mother in the face of adoration for her father. This begins a tumultuous path of betrayal and hatred, pulling others into the orbit of pain.

The ways in which this book made me sob, oh my lanta!! I stayed up late into the night (early into the wee morning hours) to finish this book in a single sitting. It was just that good. I wasn’t aware that this is the second in a trilogy, but I get the impression that these are separate stories in the same realm of Greek Mythological tales, so I cannot wait to read more. I am definitely a fan!

Mythology retellings are very hit or miss for me. I’ve read some that basically just tell the same story without adding anything new or a fresh perspective, but I’m happy to say I really enjoyed A Spartan’s Sorrow! One of my favorite retellings is Elektra by Jennifer Saint and I especially loved the parts with Clytemnestra, so I was really looking forward to a book all about her! Her story is so interesting and heartbreaking and I thought Hannah Lynn did a great job giving a new perspective and adding depth to the character while still staying true to the original story

This retelling of the life of Clytemnestra and later in the book her son, Orestes. The focus is on Queen Clytemnestra's life during the Trojan War. The King, Agamemnon, her husband is away with many of the men in the kingdom. Many await the return of their loved ones, and Clytemnestra hopes the King never returns. Agamemnon does the unthinkable and sacrifices their oldest daughter to a goddess. Clytemnestra is determined to keep her remaining children safe.

This is a story about a mother's love, revenge, and obligation. I am a fan of Hannah Lynn and this subgenre. This is a great retelling. There is depth and complexity to the characters.

I received this book from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this review. I was under no obligation to give a positive review. All opinions are on my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"A Spartan's Sorrow" by Hannah Lynn is a refreshing and powerful take on the age-old narrative of women, rage, and the extraordinary lengths they will go to protect their daughters. Lynn, an award-winning author, delivers a compelling story that stands out in the crowded field of ancient Greek mythology retellings, offering a unique perspective that resonates with readers of Madeleine Miller and Natalie Haynes.

The novel centers around Clytemnestra, a character whose depth and complexity shine through the pages. Lynn's portrayal of Clytemnestra's journey is both heart-wrenching and empowering. In a world where women's stories are often overshadowed, Lynn skillfully brings Clytemnestra to the forefront, allowing readers to witness the strength and determination of a mother faced with unimaginable challenges.

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a Greece mourning the consequences of war, and Clytemnestra's fear of her husband Agamemnon's return adds a layer of tension that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Lynn skillfully weaves together elements of mythology and feminism, creating a story that feels both timeless and timely.

What sets "A Spartan's Sorrow" apart is its exploration of the repercussions of Clytemnestra's choices. As she takes matters into her own hands to protect her remaining children, the novel delves into the complex dynamics of power, revenge, and the sacrifices women make in a society that often turns strong women into monsters.

Hannah Lynn's writing is evocative and immersive, bringing ancient Greece to life with vivid descriptions and well-crafted prose. The story's pacing keeps the reader engaged, and the characters, especially Clytemnestra, are developed with depth and nuance.

For readers who appreciate a fresh perspective on classical tales, "A Spartan's Sorrow" is a must-read. It offers a nuanced exploration of the lengths a mother will go to shield her family, even if it means risking her own reputation and becoming the most hated woman in Greece. Lynn's narrative prowess and her ability to breathe new life into familiar stories make this novel a captivating and thought-provoking addition to the world of mythological retellings.

Greek mythology retellings are some of my favorite stories to read! Here we have a different look at Clytemnestra’s story. I’m loving this series. The emotions that Hannah portrays feel so raw and real and the story really comes alive for me!

I loved this book so much, I devoured it. Loved the writing it was such a quick read for me definitely recommend

A Spartan’s Sorrow is a Trojan War retelling that follows Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon as she navigates her rage and, well, sorrow at the events that have impacted her children leading up to the war.

Hannah Lynn is a brilliant writer and the story is immersive, Clytemnestra’s background as a Spartan Princess is woven into the fabric of her character and I appreciated the fact that she was adept in defending herself and worked the fact that she was physically fit and exercised into the story. Those who know anything about the Spartans will know that girls were expected to participate in athletics like boys were and that they were not sheltered away like girls in other Greek cities, this attention to detail is a great example of how well researched and historically authentic this story was. It is relatively fast paced and makes for a quick and entertaining read, perfect for fans of Greek Mythology or feminine voiced stories.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

I liked this retelling of Clytemnestra but didn't fall in love. I thought the author did a good job of telling the story but did think it started abruptly and could have used some background information in the beginning. I read a retelling of Clytemnestra earlier this year and I think I might have been lost if I hadn't had that additional background information. I would recommend for people who like Greek mythology retellings.

“A Spartan’s Sorrow,” by Hannah Lynn, is the second book in the Grecian Women Trilogy. This book can be read as a stand-alone. This book follows the Greek myth of Clytemnestra (most of the book) and her son, Orestes (last part). As Ms. Lynn notes in the preface, there are so many versions of these Greek myths that they become tangled - and this book took a few side trips into different stories of Clytemnestra, Electra, and Orestes. I think that if you ignore the last bit (a trial) the book is well done from a myth retelling. If you’re a person who knows your myths (or historical facts of the time), you may be a bit disappointed But, overall, I found this to be an engaging read and I like that Clytemnestra had a voice (finally) during the Trojan War time period. Four solid stars.

A Spartan’s Sorrow is a Trojan War retelling that follows Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon as she navigates her rage and, well, sorrow at the events that have impacted her children leading up to the war.

Hannah Lynn is a brilliant writer and the story is immersive, Clytemnestra’s background as a Spartan Princess is woven into the fabric of her character and I appreciated the fact that she was adept in defending herself and worked the fact that she was physically fit and exercised into the story. Those who know anything about the Spartans will know that girls were expected to participate in athletics like boys were and that they were not sheltered away like girls in other Greek cities, this attention to detail is a great example of how well researched and historically authentic this story was. It is relatively fast paced and makes for a quick and entertaining read, perfect for fans of Greek Mythology or feminine voiced stories.

This is probably the fourth Clytemnestra retelling I’ve read this year, so I found myself disengaging slightly with some of the background and contextual information (like who Aegisthus is and the background of the violent history of the House of Atreus), however, readers less familiar with the stories or new to Greek Mythology retellings will likely really appreciate this background.

Thank you to NetGalley, and the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark, for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

I love mythology and retellings. It’s one of my favorite types of sub-genres. Earlier this year, I read another book that centered around Clytemnestra, and I think that contributed to my lack of enjoyment with this one. I’m not that knowledgeable when it comes to these tales, but because I had already read another book about this character, I already knew much about her life and the big events. So there wasn’t really anything new or fresh about the story. I didn’t find this one to be quite as emotional or full of depth. We didn’t really get to see all the events of her childhood that led to her development into the character she is as an adult. So there wasn’t really any backstory to justify her beliefs and actions. I also didn’t particularly like the way that Clytemnestra was portrayed in this book. I felt like she was unnecessarily cruel to her children and others. Especially in the scene where she is whipping her horse while throwing a tantrum because a guy didn’t like her. It just didn’t make me feel any sense of empathy towards her character. It didn’t make me see her in any other light than the shadowy dark one that previous versions of this tale always portrayed her to be. This just really wasn’t the most enjoyable Clytemnestra retelling for me personally, but I am still interested in reading this author’s other retellings with characters I’m not quite as familiar with.

I loved this book! I am a big fan of mythology and this focus on a different female character was done perfectly!I would definitely recommend this book!

This modern retelling of Greek mythology is very en vogue right now but I found the writing genuinely accessible and engaging. I felt for the characters in their way and the pain of domestic abuse was dealt with sensitively. Curious to read more of this series!

"A Spartan's Sorrow" by Hannah Lynn appears to be a novel that draws inspiration from Greek mythology, particularly the story of Clytemnestra, the wife of Agamemnon. The narrative seems to center around Clytemnestra's perspective and her struggles during the Trojan War and its aftermath.

Clytemnestra's fear of Agamemnon's return, the sacrifice of their eldest daughter to appease the gods, and her vow to protect her remaining children suggest a tale of maternal resilience and sacrifice in the face of tragedy. The description hints at themes of revenge and the transformative effects of history on strong women, exploring how their actions can lead them to be perceived as monsters.

The reference to readers of Madeleine Miller and Natalie Haynes suggests that fans of modern retellings of classical myths and historical fiction may find this book intriguing. If you've read the book, I'd love to hear your thoughts or specific aspects you're interested in!

A beautifully written book about Clytemnesta and Orestes from Greek Mythology. It had me drawn in from the start. I will definitely be on the look out for future books by this author. This is a first read for me by this author and will not be the last!