Beautifully written Pandora retelling, which shows a different side to the Pandora we have probably heard of. She is likeable, a bit of a badass and I really enjoyed reading her story.
The gods were also shown in a different light. Petty, argumentative, and quite meddlesome.
For someone who doesn’t usually read this kind of story, I really did enjoy it, and it makes me want to discover more and read other Greek mythology retelling too.

Thanks so much for this arc. I tried to get into it but I unfortunately couldn’t finish it as it just wasn’t for me.

This modernised version of the Pandora myth is a great Greek mythological retelling - something that I always love!

Most of us know the story of Pandora, who is usually depicted as a woman too curious for her own good who ends up unleashing all manner of evils on mankind. However, this clever retelling flips that story on its head, instead showing Pandora as a pawn in the machinations of the gods of Olympus. She is a great character, and very relatable – I found myself really rooting for her even though I knew how the story would end.

Her relationships with other characters, particularly Epimetheus, are great, and I loved seeing Pandora in this much broader context, even if it does take a few liberties with the original story! All in all, a very satisfying addition to the genre.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

A Holder of Hope by Jane McGarry
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
First! I want to say thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!
Next, I am a SUCKER for Greek mythology retelling, and I will read anything I can find in that category. That being said, I didn't know much about Pandora other than the fact that she had a box, and it was important to keep it closed.
Pandoras' story was captivating! Her tendency to have a million questions, but keeping them at bay because no one wants to hear them gripped me from the start. I relate to that on a deeply personal level, so it endured me to the character a lot. And Epimetheus' willingness to answer all of said questions made me SWOON for him! Their relationship was amazing, fun, kind, innocent, sweet, loving, but also tragic, sad, and heartbreaking.
I loved that the timeline of the story flowed so smoothly. Years and years pass, but it isn't done in a way that makes it choppy or leaves us feeling like we're missing out. The development of all the characters, not even just the main ones, was so we'll done!
McGarry did an amazing job! It's smooth, heartwarming, intense, fun, cozy yet exciting, and full of love and growth!

A holder of Hope is a feminist Pandora retelling. Pandora has lived on the island of Lemnos her entire life, unhappily training to one day be a dutiful wife. When the opportunity comes for a woman to be chosen by the gods as a wife for the Titan Epimetheus, the last thing Pandora wants is to be selected. The gods however, have other plans. Pandora is quickly married to Epimetheus, and begins to build a life she never expected. However, will one woman’s resolve be enough to hold the will of the Gods at bay?

This book features:
- Strong and smart FMC
- Soft-hearted MMC
- Greek mythology
- Female friendships
- Multiple POV’s
- Pregnancy


I gave this book 4⭐️. I really loved this twist on the myth of Pandora. Changing the narrative and giving her more free will was a lot of fun to read. I did find that the first third of the book was slow going. The journey from Lemnos to the wedding took up a decent chunk of the book that didn’t further the plot as much as I felt it should have. Once the wedding occurs however, the book picks up and carries through right to the ending. While action packed in the majority, I did find that this book features several POV’s, which took me out of the story at some points. Overall I really enjoyed this retelling, and look am hopeful the author publishes more Greek retellings in the future.

Greek mythology retellings are my favourite thing to read and Jane McGarry's twist on Pandora was so unique, and thats high praise from someone who teads a lot of retellings! Many are not unique in the slightest.
I fell super easily into the plot and the writing just hooked me straight away and kept me interested throughout.
The dialogue was very well written, and the characterisations put a great spin on the story. McGarry created such a beautifully complex character, despite Pandora rarely being known as anything other than the girl with the box. That was so so refreshing to read, it told her story and I loved it.
In a similar vein though, but in the opposite way, some characters felt too far from what they are known as and that irked me a little but it doesn’t take any from such a good retelling!

Thank you to JM books and Netgalley for the arc

I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology or of retellings but this was such a comfortable book to read.

I really loved the way the characters were written and it really made me care about them. From the curious Pandora to the kind Epimetheus and everybody in the small town.
I don't think I can really put how this book made me feel but it was really immersive and it really made me feel like I was living right there with them. Of course, the ending was really bitter, but we all know de story of Pandora (or so I hope) and it was expected, but it ended better than it could have.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange of my honest opinion

I absolutely love Greek mythology retellings, and Jane McGarry's twist on Pandora was so unique. I struggled in the beginning with the dialog (suspended belief that children would say complex sentences), but the plot swept me up and kept me interested throughout. The dialog was beautifully written, and the character personalities put such an interesting spin on Pandora's story, and creating such a complex character out of someone who was only known as "the girl who held the box" was so refreshing. Pandora tends to get lost in her own myth, but A Holder of Hope put her at the forefront and told HER story. I loved it. On the other hand, I felt Prometheus's portrayal was too far off from the way I had always imagined him in the myths, and that made it difficult for me to connect with Epimetheus's chapters. This didn't take away from the plot and was more of a personal preference/viewpoint.

Pandora; the one Greek Mythology blames for the condemning of humanity with the ills of the world. But isn't she the victim of the Gods' quarrels? Jane McGarry allows Pandora's voice and tale to be told in this feminist retelling of Pandora's Box.

A Holder of Hope was an interesting rewriting of history's oldest "Curiosity Killed the Cat" story and I fell in love with it instantly. I always felt bad for liking the original myth: Pandora was taken advantage of by the Gods for their own pleasures, quarrels and revenge against the Titans, but McGarry had me falling in love with this tale all over again.

Pandora was such a great character that was opinionated, scared, naive, kindhearted, and so much more. Pandora is shown as a full, three-dimensional person with her virtues and faults on display, making me feel even more connected to her.

The ending was perfect and had me reaching for tissues. It was sad, it was hopeful, and it shows exactly how the story is and the myth's lasting legacy. A Holder of Hope was a gem to read and is a must-read for those who love a well-rounded female lead in a retelling that does her justice.

Thank you, NetGalley and JM Books for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I finished A Holder of Hope and I am in love with it. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone wanting a cute fuzzy feeling semi-HEA YA quick read (for most) It's a Pandora's Box retelling and I hadn't heard the myth so I kind of went in blind but it's still a myth that's not wrote about a lot and I just really loved it. I wish I could give it more than 5 Stars! In the beginning it was a little slow in the description of Pandora and Epimetheus' lives before they got married but once they met I couldn't stop smiling because their love and how it developed was so adorable and sweet. The way the author wrote that part is fantastic! I do feel like the ending could have had more creativity with it. I know there wasn't much the author could stray from but I just feel like it was missing something with how Prometheus tricked Pandora. But overall such a fantastic book! 10 Stars from me!

Actual rating: 3.5/5 stars

I thought this was very well written. Lovely storytelling and characterization. I could see this being a 5 star read for many people. I am just a person that needs a bit more impact for a book to really click with me. I need an exciting plot or stunningly lyrical prose or devastating emotion or consuming relationships (especially friendships) or dreamy atmospheres and worlds.

I received a digital arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I love any books based on Greek mythology and I was very excited to read this. This author is new to me and their work did not disappoint.

In this retelling of a classic tale, Pandora is given new life through independence, strength, autonomy, and an engaging personality. The author did very well with their portrayal of an old character, this did not feel "redone" or overused. This was a fresh take on the myth that highlighted previously unexplored aspects of this story. The characters were compelling and easy to connect with. They were realistic, yet complex. Their relationships and dynamics were interesting and moved the plot forward.

The only thing that took away from the book was the slow start. The beginning of the book was a bit tough to get past (though the rest was certainly worth it). The slow start did not highlight characters nor did the plot really move so it felt like the book was just in a holding position- waiting until it was time to actually begin the real story. I feel like much of this could've been reworked or removed to the benefit of the rest of the story.

As someone who loves Greek mythology, I really enjoyed this book! It's a Pandora's Box retelling, but it serves as its own story, introducing the characters and story as original. This could be helpful for someone that isn't familiar with the figures of mythology or the myths themselves, but if you have knowledge about them already, some of the descriptions can seem repetitive.
I appreciated the deeper dive into Epimethius and Pandora's relationship. The only part I didn't enjoy was the repetitive language around how small she is and how big he is. (That's not specific to this book, but it's a trope I dislike in romance.)
As in any retelling, there are differences from the original story, and I think they were done so well in this novel!
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone interested in Greek mythology.

Wow! I am so glad I got a chance to read this! It is a really good retelling of Pandora. I have been reading alot of Greek mythology books lately and this one I couldn't put down. I read it all at once. I didn't even want to put it down to go to the bathroom. Haha.
If you like reading various mythology stories, you should give this book a try.
I did recieve this as an ARC but these thoughts are my own.

~Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the free book in exchange for an honest review~
Summary- It's the story of Pandora who gets picked to marry the giant Epimetheus (arranged marriage). The gods give her the pithos filled with gifts but also curses. The book's about her story and say in all that happened to her and the world.
✨Pros- The book was very well written and I overall loved it, I think we really get to connect with Pandora, she's relatable and a well written character, I'm glad her curiosity wasn't overdone in anyway so she still has other personality traits to make her more relatable. This book made me feel so many emotions, happiness for her love for Epimetheus, sadness at the end but also hope that it would get better, and even anger and annoyance at the protagonist. It's also the perfect read for a cozy day, I just loved the overall vibe of the story. Also I loved seeing a depiction of the gods where they are meddlesome and also Athena's affection to Pandora was just👌💋, girls support girls! The cover was also amazing!!
🪻Cons- The beginning was rather slow and I personally thought the whole trip to meet the gods and receive the pithos was a bit pointless since the plot didn't evolve during the travels. I thought the time went by a little quickly since she apparently spent 2 years with Epimetheus before having a child? I might be mistaken though... I felt like the perspectives changed a lot it was Zeus, Athena, Epimetheus, Prometheus, Pandora's mom and a lot more people so that was a bit confusing...
🏺My overall review- I loved this book, even with all it's flaws it's still an amazing book, especially when it picks up the pace. I should give it a lower rating but I really just loved it with all the feeling I felt, and the story that it's a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me!

Once again, I really wanted to like this since it’s a Greek mythology retelling, but some things just fell rather flat for me. 😕

As a Pandora retelling, I thought it was great getting a book focused on how she was a victim of the gods and not a vessel of evil doing. Her spunkiness and pragmatism felt right for a woman who is almost too curious for her own good. But the decision to make her a 16 year old felt rather odd to me as I thought she was too young for a story that is about a woman who unleashes evil on the world. 👹

Epimetheus was a kind soul and genuinely loved Pandora. I really enjoyed his portrayal here more so than that of his brother. As the creator and guardian of humanity, I found Prometheus to be boorish and downright rude to what we’re supposed to be his beloved creations. That and for a man whose name means foresight, he’s pretty thick when it comes to certain things in the plot. 🔥

As much as I love an Athena appearance in any case, there were some problems I had with her in this story. While I loved a softer approach to her characterization, like Prometheus, she was rather oblivious to certain situations and outcomes; this left a rather bad taste in my mouth because she’s the goddess of wisdom. . . . Isn’t she supposed to have contingency plans on top of contingency plans?? 🦉

In general, the story was slow to start with then picked up the pace way too quickly towards the end. The characters, while sometimes enjoyable, were just a bit too off for my liking, and the word choice here and there felt too modern for a Greek myth retelling. Also, it felt rather odd to make Pandora out to be an average girl who is born AFTER the likes of Odysseus, Perseus, and Theseus. . . A lot of eus-es if you know your Disney Greek mythology. 😆

Would recommend this to those who enjoy Greek mythology, but warning them to go in with a grain of salt. Thank you goes to NetGalley and the author for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review. 💛

Publication date: February 6! 🏺

Overall: 3/5 ⭐️

I received an advanced arc copy from the publisher, for an honest review. Despite the god conspiring against them, pandora and Epimetheus fall in love and make it through the treacherous plans of a family member and those who are supposed to protect humanity. The scene building and writing is beautiful in this book, but at times, it was a little slow for me. Overall, a beautiful story, and the title of this book fits the ending perfectly.

4.5 ⭐️

I’m a lover of all things Greek mythology, so of course I jumped at the chance to read A Holder of Hope, a retelling of the story of Pandora. I really enjoyed the writing in this book. It was fast paced while still maintaining a cozy element to it. I loved the relationship between Pandora and Epimetheus, though I wish we got to see just a little more interaction between the two just because I enjoyed their dynamic so much. I also really enjoyed the way Athena is written in this book. In most retellings I’ve read, Athena is cold and very much not a girl’s girl, and while this book doesn’t really imply differently, it was nice to see a softer side of Athena. She had a soft spot for Pandora, and I thought that was wonderful.

If you have liked retellings in the same vein as Circe and the Songs of Penelope trilogy, I think you’ll enjoy A Holder of Hope!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Jane McGarry for the ARC of A Holder of Hope. I’m leaving this review voluntarily, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

*I was lucky enough to receive an arc from Netgalley and Victory Editing in exchange for an honest review.*

A Holder of Hope gives Pandora a voice and personality after so many years of being made into a stereotype, one of the original femme fatales. The interactions between mortals and gods can often be difficult to capture in these books and I think it was done really well.

The love story between Pandora and Epimetheus was beautifully written and really unexpected but I loved it so much. It felt a little bit different from other Greek mythology retellings which I really enjoyed but still retained everything I love about the genre.

A Holder of Hope comes out 6th February 2024

Summary: Pandora finds herself wedded to Epimetheus, complete with a divine jar full of blessings. Spoiler alert: gods aren't known for generosity. As Pandora tries to live her best immortal life, she becomes the ultimate pawn in a game of chess between Titan and Olympian. Will her resolve outshine the will of the gods, or is she just a hapless pawn in a divine interference?

Pros:
🌟 Four stars for this mythological rollercoaster! "A Holder of Hope" delivers a wonderful story that's a fresh retelling of Pandora.

😄 Pandora is not just a disaster magnet; she's downright likeable. Move over, Odysseus; there's a new hero in town, and she's got a divine jar to prove it.

🌈 The deities, especially Zeus, are portrayed as petty and meddlesome – a revelation that's more entertaining than Olympus on a Saturday night.

Cons:
🕰️ The slow start might make you wonder if you accidentally picked up "The Slow Scroll of Sisyphus," but fear not – the pace picks up like a winged sandal-wearing messenger delivering your order from the gods.


🏺 In conclusion, "A Holder of Hope" is a mythological romp that'll make you rethink Pandora's bad rap. Kudos to Jane McGarry for serving up a divine blend of comedy, chaos, and a jar full of surprises! 🏛️📚

Disclaimer: A god-sized thank you to NetGalley and Jane McGarry for this ARC. All opinions are as uniquely mine as a Cyclops at a 3D movie. 🌌📚