Please check trigger/content warnings for this book! I really enjoyed seeing Demeter's journey and growth as we follow her from birth to reuniting with her daughter. The author does a great job in making you feel Demeter's sadness, pain, rage, despair, and happiness throughout her life and journey. I loved seeing a new perspective on the events of Persephone's kidnapping, especially from her mother's perspective. I was torn because while I was right along side Demeter using her powers to drain nature to continue her resistance against Zeus, I was also disappointed how humans were just collateral damage. However, I know this was the only way Demeter could fight and I know that no matter who the god was, humans would have been collateral damage anyway.

This book focuses a lot on feminine rage, but I would not entirely call it a feminist retelling. Demeter always complains about how the other gods (usually the male ones) abuse humans (usually women) but does nothing to help other goddess or women and constantly belittles other female immortals and women. For example, with Kore's friends, she diminishes their worth because they are more feminine, only care about marriage (without acknowledging that in this world marriage is the only power they have), and are "lesser" immortal beings. She also goes against the human queen (I forgot her name) after the queen catches Demeter blessing her baby in the fire and panics, like any mother would if they saw their baby being held above a fire, obviously not knowing what Demeter was doing (and that she was actually Demeter). She also chooses the bastard prince to be her hero/prophet when she could have chosen one of the princesses. Demeter constantly complains about men being in power and abusing it, but does nothing to give women power, and also abuses her own power. I know she is not the goddess of women but that doesn't mean she can't help them. Demeter also constantly equates power to worth, believing that less powerful beings do not deserve respect, including other deities.

Overall, while I sympathized and rooted for Demeter during her battle to get her daughter back, I did not like her as much as I wanted. I gave this 3.75 stars but rounded it up here. I also feel that the beginning sections were a bit too long and maybe could be split.

Thank you to Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I finished this book in about three days and I haven’t stopped thinking about it throughout that time.

I really enjoyed that we got to see Demeter’s side of things. I couldn’t justify or approve of some things she has done but when reading the book we do get some insight in to why she did those things and even though we cannot relate we can understand her actions to a certain degree. I have always been fascinated by Greek mythology but I sometimes find these books hard to get into, something I didn’t struggle with at all when I read this book. I also loved that the book wasn’t divided in chapters but by seasons.
Overall thoughts after having read this book:

++ loved the writing style
++ loved the topic and how it has been told

- - There were some typos but I didn’t find them too “distracting”

I really hope to see more of this author in the future and will be pre-ordering the physical copy!

Thank you to Ghost Orchid Press and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC. All opinions are mine.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

I was really excited to read a retelling of Demeter’s story, but I did not enjoy this book. The different myths incorporated into the novel were not the issue, I really liked learning more about different aspects of Demeter and her legends that I had not already encountered. But the book was so focused on being feminist. It was a constant struggle in the book to portray Demeter as this strong, independent woman with the fact that she was not very independent and was constantly overcome. In fact, Demeter herself is so vociferously against recognizing what the status quo actually is (I’m not against fighting to change it, but she just tries to pretend it’s not real) that she misses out on how to actually protect people around her until the system has changed, not that she does anything to change the system. Demeter constantly wants to change every system she is embedded in, which can be great, but the next second falls back into the same pattern as her oppressors/opponents. After a bit of this attitude in the book, I hoped that she was just an unlikable or unreliable narrator, that would have been a good way to push her story and include all the attacks she perpetuates, but I read the book as if we are meant to constantly sympathize with her and support her actions. I could not. Also, and this may totally just be a me thing, but most of the book and Demeter’s inner dialogue is written in past tense, which really drained on me (“I dressed again”, “I hadn’t yet”). If you enjoy that, have at it, but it kept making me think we were about to take a pause in the action and have her actually reflect on her past and grow, but no. I also noticed a couple kind of throwaway moments or sections that did not seem to have been incorporated enough. The Seirenes could have been much more developed, I think, and Demeter’s odd temptation to Hermes was so intriguing, but so out of left field and then neglected, that I was upset with it. I was disappointed with the direction the book took with its proclaimed feminist angle. Demeter constantly hates on other women and hurts them, physically, emotionally, and verbally. Honestly, Hera’s moment near the end of the book was the best part as she actually said most of my critiques to Demeter and I got so hopeful that there would be progress, only to again have my hopes dashed for the resolution of the book. I would not describe this book as feminist, rather Demeter concentrated on sexual assaults perpetrated by men and there were a fair number of them graphically described in the book. The book did not wow, did not impress, and kept crushing my hopes for it throughout.

Winter Harvest is the story of Demeter, from her birth and entrapment in her father’s stomach to the loss of her daughter, Kore (Persephone), and her attempts to find her. Papadopoulou’s writing is compelling and I was immediately drawn into the story, mostly due to Demeter’s first person narration. The characterization of Demeter and how she navigates relationships, especially with Zeus and Hera captures the petty nature of the Greek Gods so well. Papadopoulou deftly navigates the distinction between god and human, and simultaneously had me rooting for Demeter and wondering why she doesn’t see that she’s being her own worst enemy. She’s so desperate to prove that she’s not like her brothers or their sons, and yet she often mirrors their behaviors.

What I focused on most while reading, was wondering why Demeter never considers what Kore (Persephone) wants. She treats Kore like an extension of herself, always referring to her as “my girl.” In a way, Demeter is like her father by keeping her child completely under her control. I found myself wondering if the story would have turned out differently had Demeter given Kore more autonomy. The way Papadopoulou treats this part of the story brings up so many interesting things to consider regarding parent/child relationships. Not to mention the treatment of women in general.

Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of retellings of Greek myths!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing a copy to review!

Actual rating: 3.5

So first off - props to the cover artist because damn did my neck almost snap when I first glanced at this cover and it is pretty much the majority of what made me hit the request button. IT. IS. STUNNING.

Now, onto the story: with the barrage of Hades and Persephone retellings we are currently seeing in fiction, Demeter is often a character that is overlooked. Papadopoulou makes Demeter her own, and takes us to Demeter’s very beginning. I did go in with the expectation that the majority of the story would be regarding Kore/Persephone’s abduction, but this only takes place in the second half of the novel. Papadopoulou ensures that we spend a good deal of time with Demeter and fleshes out her motives and the suffering she both undergoes and causes herself from her birth up to the point she is reunited with her daughter.

I really enjoyed Papadopoulou’s Demeter, but felt that her position with Kore/Persephone and Hades was just the slightest bit too removed from the actual location of the plot, that it felt we were taken to other conflicts with Demeter’s other children just to move the central plot forward.

Overall, I really appreciated the complexity of the characters and Papadopoulou’s approach to divinity and the Greek mythos. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of her stories - especially if they keep having covers like this one! Ahh it’s so pretty!

*I received an eARC from Ghost Orchid Press & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*

I had the pleasure of delving into "Winter Harvest" by Ioanna Papadopoulou, courtesy of a free NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review. As a fan of feminist retellings of ancient myths, like Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad," I was excited to explore Papadopoulou's take on the myth of Demeter. I had expected the story to focus on the kidnapping and return of Demeter’s daughter Kore/Persephone, but “Winter Harvest” was about Demeter’s whole life from birth until the famous Persephone story. I found the book enjoyable and engrossing.

The heart of the story lies in Demeter herself, and the exploration of her life and inner darkness is undeniably compelling. The early moments are set in the darkness of Kronos's belly. It was a testament to Papadopoulou's storytelling prowess that she could make such an unusual setting utterly engaging; I had never really thought about the time that the Olympians spent in the belly of Kronos in any sort of extended way, and although the setting could sound boring, she made it work.

The book had me hooked for the most part, at least up until Persephone’s return and first willingly descent into the underworld. The plot gains momentum and propels the story forward, keeping the reader eagerly turning the pages. However, my enthusiasm waned slightly around the 75% point.

There were also some minor issues that bugged me. Papadopoulou's writing style struck me as oddly modern, with contemporary phrases such as "OK" sticking out a bit. I did like her direct and unflinching narration, however. I wished for more resolution between Demeter and Hades, and I found the Minthe and Despoina side plots somewhat unnecessary. I know that Despona is important in the Eleusinian mysteries, but I wish her story had been handled differently.

Furthermore, the story introduced numerous side characters, some of whom felt like they made appearances without contributing significantly to the plot. This abundance of characters could have been streamlined for a more focused narrative rather than a “Who’s Who of Greek Mythology.”Additionally, there were plot holes that could have been easily explained, like how Demeter could suddenly sew and help Hera plan a wedding right after emerging from knowing only the darkness of Kronos's belly. The ending was abrupt as well.

As I perused other reviews, I noticed some readers suggested skipping the prologue, but I personally found it enjoyable. The division of chapters into seasons was a clever touch, adding depth and structure to the narrative. Moreover, the title, "Winter Harvest," is exceptionally evocative, setting the tone for the story beautifully.

It's important to note that the novel unflinchingly confronts the darker aspects of Greek mythology, including themes of rape and incest. While not overly graphic, these elements are present in the story, so readers should be prepared if these topics are sensitive for them.

Nonetheless, "Winter Harvest" offers an intriguing explanation of the founding of the Eleusinian mysteries and boasts strong character development for both Demeter and Persephone. Despite its minor imperfections, the novel captivated my attention and offered a fresh perspective on a classic myth. Ioanna Papadopoulou's modern approach to an ancient tale makes "Winter Harvest" a noteworthy addition to the world of feminist retellings. And it’s a DEBUT! So watch out world, I think there’s more to come from Ioanna Papadopoulou.

It is no secret that Greek Gods and Goddesses are a petty and chaotic bunch who don't shy away from acts of destruction and who act upon impulse, especially when angered. Apparently it is no different with Demeter, whom I've grown up to know as the goddess of fertility and harvest from Greek Mythology as told by men.

Winter Harvest by Ioanna Papadopoulou portrays the story of Demeter, of how she was born into life, to be devoured by Kronos, saved by her youngest brother Zeus and the abduction of her daughter, known as Persephone. These myths are commonly known but I have never before come across them as told from Demeters point of view.

The narration style felt a little distant, although we are getting a deep insight into Demeter's head. And while it was interesting to follow Demeter, who has been surpressed by men since birth, to struggle against the Greek Divine's patriarchy, I did not feel connected to her, though I have experienced many similar sentiments as a woman.

The writing style impressed me, though and I hope that Ioanna Papadopoulou will publish more novels and further develop this almost poetic style.

The plot follows the chronology of Demeter's life from birth to being reunited with her daughter. There were lots of myths along the way that I hadn't heard of before and I liked that a lot.
Demeter expressed a lot of rage towards the Olympians, especially the men (because FFS Zeus!)

What I did not like was how lightly the theme of rape was handled in this novel. While Demeter is a powerful goddess, she obviously still had to fear sexual assault by her male peers, and while it was expressed how it enraged her, it did not show just how devastating such an experience can be. Demeter's reaction to the assault (the rage, the revenge, the hatred) were believable (and all very valid!), but something about the execution felt off.

Overall this was an interesting story to read and seeing Greek Mythology through the eyes of Demeter was a good experience. I am looking forward to reading more books by Ioanna Papadopoulou in the future. Also look at that amazing cover, the contrast between the divine and nourishing side and then Demeter choosing darkness. So good!

I received an advance readers copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book is a retelling of some myths in Greek mythology, starting with the birth and re-birth of the to-be Olympians told from the perspective of Demeter. Ioanna Papadoupoulou present a story with lots of emotion and that is tricky to convey in text, but this book and its story was quite moving.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I am an avid reader of any Hades x Persephone's retelling, but I have always thought that Demeter's story needs to be delved into further. She usually receives a bad reputation, but historically, she is quite the tragic figure.

Winter Harvest granted my wish, with a retelling Demeter's story. It is a dark story and reads similar to the classics such as Homer's Odyssey/Iliad. I would caution that there are triggers, as this is a feminist story which highlights violence against women, including rape.

Papadopoulou has done a wonderful job of creating flowing verse which reads easily, but does not shy away from the darker feminist issues. Demeter's multifaceted persona gives a deeper understanding on feminist issues, as well as the issues of an ancient civilization and their gods.

I would definitely recommend this book if you are a fan of the original greek tragedies or darker retellings.

[Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with this ARC]

A greek mythology retelling by a Greek author? Count me in.
I was so excited to receive the arc and then I read the prologue and got really nauseous. I could not continue reading for a while because even though the gods were misogynistic and had really disgusting family dynamics, that prologue was way too graphic for my taste.

After a week, though, I picked the book up again and I’m so so happy I did because once you get over that prologue (I would recommend to just skip it), it’s a really compelling story about the life of Demeter and how she’s caught in these evil, misogyny schemes of the gods.
As many Greek myths, this story is dark and gritty as it truly dives into the raw pain Demeter experiences as a woman in Greek mythology. It’s not romanticized and no god or goddess is put on a metaphorical pedestal. This made the story feel that much more complex. There wasn’t simply a good side and a bad side of the events. At some points it did, however, feel like they were all just monsters and I didn’t really know who to root for anymore.

The writing style was quite simple and while I know it’s different for everyone, I prefer beautiful and lyrical prose, especially in mythology retellings.

All in all, even if there were some things I was weary about, it’s still an impressively raw and heartfelt book about Demeter and her struggles as a woman in the setting of greek mythology.

Disclaimer: The ARC was provided to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The ARC category in no way impacts the rating of the book.

Greek mythology is one of my absolute favorite subjects to study, write, and read. It's my jam. "Winter Harvest" gives an interesting perspective into Demeter's relationship with Kore. The animalistic ferocity that Demeter exhibits when protecting her daughter, her unapologetic reckoning, and her unabashed rage speaks to those of us who have experienced tremendous loss.

This is a retelling of the Greek myth of Persephone, told through her mother Demeter's perspective.

I was excited to read this as I love Greek mythology, but it didn't really capture me like I was hoping it would. I didn't really care for any of the characters, and I felt the plot moved too slowly with not a lot happening. However, the story did pick up around the 50% mark, and I enjoyed it more as it came to an end.

Overall I'd still recommend this book, but it just wasn't for me.

Demeter is goddess of the harvest, of food and growing things. But when her beloved daughter Kore is taken from her, she finds she is also a goddess of famine and of lack.

This book has FLAWS, and we will get to that, but I loved so much about this book and will never again think of Demeter without thinking of this Demeter.

This Demeter is the goddess of divine feminine rage. The rage of being minimized, dismissed, abandoned, swallowed up, raped, confined, and controlled by men. The rage of living in a system of oppression that you did not sign up for or consent to, but that you cannot opt out of. The rage of having a body that is viewed as a receptacle, an object, a source of male pleasure and a site of male violence before it is viewed as a dwelling place. The rage of female relationships torn apart by men wedging themselves between, pitting women against each other, making it unsafe for women to commiserate or even warn one another, creating a world where women must rely on men to survive, never mind get anything done. The rage of women despising other women and themselves for the things they do and the ways they shrink themselves to survive the patriarchal world they cannot seem to change.

This book is a justification of that rage, but not of the harmful effects it can have on bystanders and innocent parties. Demeter is deeply unlikeable and, in some ways, deeply unsympathetic, but she’s fascinating to watch.

Okay, now for those flaws I promised. This book suffers from a lack of editing and, I suspect, a lack of practice in craft. Papadopoulou has written some short fiction, but this is her debut novel, and it shows. The plot isn’t just slow-moving and meandering—that alone will never get criticism from me—but it sometimes feels aimless, even random. Demeter’s actions don’t always align with her motivations, and there’s a lot of repetition in her arc—now there’s a monster in me, now it’s coming out, now I’m more the monster than I’ve ever been, even though I’ve said that seven times in this book…You get the picture. Much is told in narrative summary that absolutely should have been shown in scene, which takes away from the impact of those moments, and character feelings and motivations are always, always explained by our narrator. The prose is often awkward (which, if you regularly read my reviews, you know is important to me, so let it be a testament to how much I loved what I loved that this book is still rated so high) and is littered with typos. I really, really wish this book had been allowed to germinate longer, to really mature into what it could have been, and then been subjected to rigorous editing. This could easily have been a five-star new favorite if it had been.

All in all, I have to recommend this book if you’re interested in Greek mythology. This retelling gives such fresh, new perspectives on the gods and their mythos, and is cathartically full of rage. It’s poignant and harrowing, and the beginning—when the Olympians have been swallowed by their father and are living in his stomach—will stick with me. There’s much to love and a lot of skill and dedication here, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what Papadopoulou does next.

Papadopoulou's Winter Harvest is a fresh look in this new trend of recovering Greek myths and legends and bringing them to the general public through retellings. Instead of taking the skeleton of one of these myths and reshaping it, what she does is a profound approach to Persephone's rapture from a point of view that has rarely been explored.

Rather than a retelling of Persephone's rapture, the novel feels like a character study of her mother, Demeter, who I think tends to be misinterpreted in terrible ways. Rather than portraying Demeter as a mad, irascible goddess, it approaches her from an understanding of a grieving mother and a victim of abuse.

She is far from a perfect and flawless character, but she makes you see the goddess of the harvest from a very human and close point of view. Who wouldn't behave like this after all she has suffered? Who can't understand the contradictions of a mother who has lost her child and has such horrible brothers?

The work Papadopoulou does in unraveling the history and character of Demeter is detailed and so deep that it gives a whole new dimension to a goddess we all know.

The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because it sometimes gets too long and repetitive with certain aspects of her life, and I think it would work better as a shorter story.

Still, it is one of the books about Greek myths that I have connected with the most and I will be on the lookout for more from this author. I would recommend her without hesitation.

Demeter loses her childhood to her father's cruelty and her daughter to her brother's. Amidst her loss, she finds strength, rage, and the monster inside.

I really enjoyed the retelling of the classic Greek myth. My feelings towards Demeter evolved throughout this story in a way I didn't expect!

Winter Harvest is a beautiful and heartbreaking Greek mythology retelling focused on the goddess Demeter. Papadopoulou starts at the very beginning with Demeter's birth and the titanomachy, all the way through the loss of and eventual reunion with her daughter. There are well known myths, like the story of Hades and Persephone, and so many lesser known myths woven together in this debut novel.

This story does not shy away from the brutality and darkness of the original myths, including widespread abuse as well as incest. Ancient Greek mythology was not kind to its women.

Overall, I did thoroughly enjoy this novel and still find myself thinking about it a week after finishing. I love Greek mythology, and Papadopoulou's care for Demeter's story is evident in the writing. Other fans of Greek mythology and of Hades and Persephone's story will enjoy this. Though prior knowledge of Greek mythology definitely adds to the experience, other fans of mythology and retellings in general will also likely enjoy this.

Papadopoulou does not shy away from the challenge of writing an immortal goddess, someone entirely inhuman. The story is balanced between the external struggles Demeter faces and her internal struggle against the monster within. She goes through several periods of change as she attempts to find her place in the world, and especially when searching for her daughter. Papadopoulou captures the overwhelming grief and righteous fury of a mother and goddess in a way that both delights and horrifies, and shows us the chthonic and oft-forgotten side of the deity of agriculture, one that can take life as easily as give.

Some readers may find Papadopoulou's style simplistic or heavy-handed, but, personally, I found the voice to be an excellent match to this story. The style is different from what many readers might be used to, but does a good job of portraying an immortal being and makes the passage of time feel fluid - days could be passing, maybe years, decades, or centuries. Why would something as inconsequential as time matter to an immortal?

If I am going to offer criticism, I will say I did not enjoy the prologue. Despite being very short, it felt unnecessarily jarring and I do not feel that it added to the story. The topics in the prologue are covered again later in the book, and in a way that feels more fitting with the narrative. I do think the prologue can be skipped.

There were also times where the pacing could have been further refined. For the most part, the story progressed quickly and was easy to consume, but there were places where it lagged. Grief is not generally an active emotion, and can be very hard to get right in terms of pacing. There were a few places where I found myself feeling antsy and wondering when the story would move on.

Thank you to Ghost Orchid Press and NetGalley for making the DRC available to me. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ghost Orchid Press for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve read a lot of Greek Mythology retellings, and this is absolutely a standout. Demeter is a goddess that doesn’t often get as much attention as her brothers in fiction, and I adored reading this from her perspective. Demeter is a wonderfully complex protagonist, and I greatly enjoy the exploration of her darker side and her feminine rage. The pacing is wonderful, each scene flows into the next, even if the time between each episode is left purposefully ambiguous. The choice to divide by seasons instead of chapters was great, and serves a narrative purpose as well. Easily a five star read!

I was really excited for a book that finally gives Demeter the spotlight--a book written by a Greek author, no less! And especially with that gorgeous cover, I was eager to dive in.

"Winter Harvest" wasn't quite what I expected. I thought it would be mainly focusing on the Hades and Persephone/Kore myth from Demeter's perspective; instead the book chronicles Demeter's entire life, beginning at birth. With that in mind, "Winter Harvest" is a solid debut that should appeal to readers who love stories that cover a mythical woman's life story a la Circe and Kaikeyi--especially readers who love to nerd out about myth.

Definitely note the content warnings on this one as they are unrelenting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

Title: Winter Harvest
Author: Ioanna Papadopoulou
Date Reviewed: 9/26/2023
Length: 290 Pages
Genre: Reimagined Mythology
Rating: 4/5


Synopsis:
(include picture of the cover of the book)

When her beloved daughter Kore vanishes, Demeter is distraught. Suspecting betrayal and mistrusting of her family, she searches across the world, unable to come to terms with such a loss. But Demeter is one of the original goddesses of Mount Olympus, and a force not to be underestimated. She is determined that she will find her daughter, even if it means destroying humanity in the process.
Winter Harvest is a brand-new, dark reimagining of the tale of Demeter and Persephone by Greek author Ioanna Papadopoulou. Steeped in lore and with a deep understanding of the many different facets of Demeter’s personality, this retelling will change your perspective on one of the most well-known stories of Greek mythology.


Obligatory Arc Statement: I was provided an ARC copy of Winter Harvest by Ioanna Papadopoulou via Netgalley and Ghost Orchid Press in return for an honest review


Review:

Yall I have read many-a greek mythology retellings, but all of them pale in comparison to this one. It is so very rare that we get a book that isn’t about one of the more famous olympians so to have one that is not only about Demeter BUT ALSO AMAZING was a treat. I loved how this book really takes you from the very beginning of Demeter's journey from being born and then subsequently eaten by her father to the very end of Demeter finally reuniting with her daughter. Oftentimes when people do mythology retellings they just focus on one particular story so it was very cool to see the actual beginning of the olympians and their war with the titans.

The way the author works in not only the duality of Kore/Persephone but also Demeter is amazing. I feel like everyone talks about Persephone's good and evil sides but they never delve into Demeter who could quite literally kill all the humans if she wanted to. I also really love how the author portrayed that struggle within Demeter of wanting to be good but also getting tired of being trampled on. I also really enjoyed the way that the author didn’t make it a big point to try to humanize the gods in this story. I feel like in a lot of modern retellings they try to make the Gods not as bad but this book really does show just how awful they were.

I honestly learned so many new things from Winter Harvest, I was constantly doing google searches while reading the book. I don’t know why but it never really occurred to me that Demeter might have had more children.

My only real complaint about Winter Harvest is that I really had no sense of the timeline so sometimes I would read something and be confused, but other than that this book was amazing.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishing company for giving me an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you love Greek mythology and were a fan of the book Circe or the Song of Achilles then you will want to pick this book up. I truly liked the fact that it focused on her as a woman and the struggles she went through in being a Goddess. There were times were I cried because of her pain and grew to understand her more.