3.5
I will read anything Natalie Haynes writes but even so I was a little hesitant about this novel. I am familiar with the story from Greek mythology but its maybe my least favorite of the Greek myths. I also haven't read the play by Sophocles so maybe I am the wrong person to be reviewing this - however I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed this novel.

The Children of Jocasta is told from two different pov's and in two different times. In alternating chapters the readers learn about Jocasta as a young bride to her eventual rise as queen and in the other chapters we learn about Ismene, Jocasta and Oedipus's daughter navigating life in the years after her parents deaths.

Haynes really fleshes out these two (minor in the source work) characters making them both realistic, occasionally annoying, and sympathetic.

My one issue (and vaguely spoilers) is I felt like Ismene didn't get a chance to grieve for her brothers because she was too worried about her sister and about Thebes. Ismene is very strong and independent throughout the book so I think giving her that chance to not be strong would have been interesting. This is a very minor issue and didn't take away from my enjoyment at all.

There is also a twist in the final climax that I didn't see coming until the very end.

Overall I enjoyed this book and will definitely be scouring NetGalley for the next arc by Natalie Haynes.

I was provided a free copy of this book through NetGalley.

Natalie Haynes is an auto read/ auto buy author for me. I LOVE everything they write. I was gripped from start to finish, Natalie Hayes’ characters are always so fully formed and exciting to read. I’m a big fan.

I'm a sucker for anything ancient Greece related so this book pulled me in right away. I liked it a lot and thought it was a good book.