Absolutely fabulous to see a modern retelling of Atalanta’s story. Not a figure you come across often in Ancient Greek fiction.

An evocative read that really takes you into the world of Ancient Greece and it’s mythology! Enjoyed reading about this strong, powerful woman and her journey from humble beginnings to a hero.

I love the current trend of feminist (or female-centred) myth retellings. I love walking into a bookshop and seeing the popular enthusiasm for novels featuring Medusa, Ariadne, Pandora, Circe and Elektra. I love the beautiful covers that take Greek vase motifs and make them sparkly (not that I’m superficial or anything…!).

What I don’t love about feminist myth retellings is the Gloom.

As a ProfessionalClassicist(TM), I do have to acknowledge that the Gloom has classical roots. Greek tragedy, of course, is pretty much non-stop gloom, punctuated by tension, betrayal, suicide, incest and/or maiming, before a bit more gloom to round things off; and female characters are often on the receiving end of the worst treatment tragedy has to offer. But that’s why I tend to avoid reading tragedy – personally, if not professionally.

Instead, I turn to myth for adventure: I like the improbably exotic lands, the fearsome monsters, the bold deeds of morally questionable heroes. I’m in it for the fun.

That’s why I was delighted when Jennifer Saint chose Atalanta as the subject for her next myth novel, following Ariadne and Elektra.


Atalanta has always been one of my favourite mythical women. She doesn’t need any rewriting to make her into a female role model: she’s always existed in ancient art and literature as a fearless woman famed for being faster, stronger and more adventurous than even the greatest male heroes. If anybody deserves their own novel, Atalanta does – and Saint’s treatment of her does not disappoint.

Saint’s Atalanta, abandoned on a mountainside because her father wanted a boy, cared for by bears and raised by Artemis and her nymphs, grows up with a unique view of the world. Despite her closeness to Artemis, she’s not foolish enough to rely upon the goddess as a protector: she has seen first-hand that the gods can be cold and capricious, and all she wants from Artemis is the chance to prove herself. She doesn’t rely upon men either; she regards most of them with suspicion, a few with interest, and one or two with passion, but she doesn’t see them as necessary to her happiness in the same way that her freedom is. In fact, that’s what marks the difference between Atalanta and the other strong female characters in the novel: the others look for men to dominate or manipulate so that they can live comfortable lives within a patriarchal society, while Atalanta exists completely outside that society.

As with many myth retellings, one of the joys of this novel is the well-known mythical characters who drift in and out, sometimes barely glimpsed but still familiar. We see Jason and Medea, Hercules and Hylas, Callisto, Peleus, Theseus and many others. Jason in particular is well drawn, showing early signs of his Euripidean social-climbing sliminess. I have to admit that I looked forward to the arrival of Medea, and thoroughly enjoyed the way events immediately started to revolve around her – much to Atalanta’s disgust!

This is a novel full of fun, with quests and contests, gods and giants, heroes and witches, and a woman fighting to make a name for herself. It’s a joyous adventure in a magical world where anything can happen – and frequently does. My only criticism is that it’s too short for me! The fight sequences are too brief, the epic quests go by too fast, characters vanish before the end of their story can be told, and the book’s conclusion (don’t worry – I won’t tell you anything about it!) seems to come almost out of nowhere. At more than 350 pages, it should have been quite sufficient – but in the end, I was left wanting more Atalanta!

4.5/5 stars. Jennifer Saint does an exceptional job of melding mythology with age-old concepts like parental disappointment and yearning to have your own identity. I also love that, per usual, Artemis is all "men are useless; marrying one will be your doom." I remember reading a small footnote in a story about Atalanta growing up, but had mostly forgotten about her. So much mythology just re-tells the accolades of men, so I really appreciated this story. It was gripping and it pulled me in. Can't wait to read more by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'Atalanta' by Jennifer Saint.

I love Jennifer Saint's retellings and I love to make everyone I know aware of that. So when I recieved the ARC for 'Atalanta' I was extremely excited. As always, I enjoyed Saint's writing style and the way she brings Greek mythology to life. Is this story my favourite from Saint? Of course not, but she definitely was consistent in making this story a perfect one.

How I love reading Jennifer Saint's work. Her retelling of Greek myths from the female perspective is exquisite. I knew little of Atalanta, other than a story about a running race. The characters were so well brought to life. We hear about and see the traditional male "heroes" of myth around us still, but it is through writers like Jennifer Saint, Natalie Haynes, Madeline Miller, Claire North and Pat Barker that the women of ancient history are being fleshed out and given voices. Bravo. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

Jennifer Saint has really hit her stride with ATALANTA. She cleverly weaves together the lengthy narrative of the Argonauts and the myth of Atalanta and the golden apples in a way that makes you forget its covering a huge distance and length of time. It was wonderful to dive into the life of a powerful and ambitious woman so often been overlooked in Greek myth in favour of her male counterparts. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the women of Greek myth.

The simplicity of Saint's writing together with the imagery really made this an enjoyable read. Of course my knowledge of Atalanta was limited to her role within the story of Jason and the Argonauts, so this was such a great read to learn more about her and give her the agency she deserves.

A more detailed description will be given to publication date with a link to bookstagram post.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic book.

I loved Ariadne and Elektra so it was a no brainier that I was going to love this too! Jennifer Saints writing style is one of my favourites; it’s simple enough to follow easily without being simplistic at all. I’ll continue to buy everything she writes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for giving me the opportunity of reading this!

So, I'm late to the Jennifer Saint train - though I do have a copy of Ariadne looking at me from my TBR right now, causing me a great amount of guilt - but I knew enough going into this to know that her writing would be for me. Greek mythology, strong female characters, and shining a light on the heroes often forgotten by the retelling of these stories? Sign. Me. Up.

Atalanta may be my first read by Saint, but it most certainly won't be my last. I loved, loved, loved this book. The heroine, Atalanta, is admittedly one I knew very little about going into this, but by the end, I was so glad that Saint has chosen to retell her story! Strong, beautiful, and clever, Atalanta is tasked by the Goddess Artemis to go and join Jason and the rest of the Argonauts in their hunt for the Golden Fleece, and to bring honor to herself and the Goddess. Having been saved as a babe by Artemis, Atalanta has no qualms in going - she may be a woman, but she knows her worth, and how strong and powerful and fast she is. It doesn't take her long to prove that, either.

What follows is the story of Jason and the Argonauts as told through Atalanta's eyes; the travel across the seas to dangerous lands where so many treacherous paths and people and traps could befall them. One of the true heroes of the story, she still has to contend with her own womanhood and femininity, when surrounded by men who think less of her. Further, she has the Goddess Artemis to make proud - no easy feat, when the rules set out for her by the Goddess are as strenuous as those from any King.

I especially loved this for showing the flaws of the Gods and Goddesses. Artemis saved Atalanta and loved her too, but she was also an unforgiving caretaker, who forbade her followers from entanglements with men and punished them harshly when they failed to live up to her expectations. Atalanta is a character that the reader can really invest energy and time into; all women can see something of themselves in her, and I felt her pain and her joys as though I was the one experiencing them!

A really thoughtful adaptation, and brings up some impossible questions about what is right and what is wrong, and who is there to judge us at the end of it all. I loved this novel, and cannot wait to read more.

Faster-paced than Ariadne and Elektra, but with a similar scope. However, it did feel more simple than Jennifer Saint's earlier books, seeing as it follows just one POV and it's much more of an adventure novel, with action scenes and all.

I loved this book so much!
This is the third book I've read by Jennifer Saint and I can day without a doubt that this one was my favourite.
I really enjoyed the others but this one was just so good!
The writing was amazing and so was the story.
I highly recommend everyone read this!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like I'm falling more and more in love with Greek mythology retelling.

Jennifer has such a way with words and I'm immediately drawn in to everything she's written.

Amazing writing & an all around amazing book!

Previously I have only heard of Atalanta in small amounts. I knew Atalanta as part of the Argonauts, as being a follower of Artemis, for being someone who had things happen to her. A lot of things happen to women in Greek Mythology, so this book brought a breath of fresh air as we saw the tables turn and watched Atalanta happen to everyone else. As a character, she has so much agency over her life even when people try and dictate how she can live. Jennifer Saint has such a way of bringing heart and soul to these women and making them heroes in their own rights.

Following Atalanta from infancy to adulthood, this book allows us an insight into the expectations of women in mythology in a way that reflects on our world today, showing how women can slip into the background of a man's story no matter how strong they are. Seeing someone like Atalanta have so much physical and mental strength is vital to young women, proof that women can be the hero too, their stories don't end once the man is no longer around.

Jennifer Saint's writing stands out beautifully as always, each chapter flowing so well into the next and I am utterly in awe once more. She still has not failed me and I look forward to what she has planned in the future. The excitement I felt when I first saw the cover and read the blurb for Ariadne is still just as strong with Atalanta and I can't wait for the rest of the world to get their hands on it!

A fantastic read full of mythology, vivid descriptions and rich imagery. The writing is superb and I couldn't put this down. I loved it

I love Jennifer Saint's work and anyone who has read her previous novels, or is a fan of Greek myths or feminist retellings, is going to love this ode to strength. While the novel centers on Atalanta, it explores women's strength and struggle against sociocultural strictures and norms - sometimes quiet, sometimes loud - through various characters, asking at what price power comes and if they are willing to pay it.

This is a beautifully written and paced novel that is as epic as the stories of some of the heroes, like Jason and Heracles, that journey alongside Atalanta as she explores the world and discovers how powerful she truly is. In all of Saint's books I love her examination of the other side of gods and heroes, showing them to be greedy, self-righteous, their actions selfish and perilous, not always shining and glorious as the epics we've been given would have us believe. This book doesn't disappoint.

Okay so behind this absolutely stunningly beautiful cover is an epic of a book. I’d pick up this book purely on the strength of the design alone! As soon as I started this book, it completely enchanted me and I became an intrepid follower of Atalanta and her adventures.

I’d never really known much about her in Greek mythology before. She was a name I thought I’d heard of in passing and a book telling her story was spot on. She is such an interesting character to portray and coupled with the quite frankly amazing writing, had you fully ensconced into her life and exploits.

From being left on a mountain to die after her fathers disappointments that she wasn’t a boy, she goes from strength to strength until she find herself aboard the Argo, where she must prove herself to be worthy of being the only woman in a band of man.

I was rooting for her the whole way and man, I could not put this book down. It went in ways I couldn’t have imagined (as I wasn’t familiar with her story) and it was brilliant. It’s one of those books I’d liked to read again for the first time. It’s a must read for fans of the Greek myths.

Atalanta is Jennifer Saint’s third novel and another Greek mythology reimagining. The novel is told in first person from the perspective of Atalanta. Atalanta is born to the King of Arcadia but due to her being female she is left exposed on a mountainside. A mother bear comes along and protects the infant Atalanta. The goddess Artemis then looks after Atalanta and tells her to join Jason and the argonauts. She will be the only female Argonaut and will need to prove herself. This story was absolutely beautiful, and I am in awe of Saint’s writing. This is the third novel I’ve read by now and Saint is now an auto buy author for me. This story is five stars for me and one of my favourite books of the year. This book perfectly described subtle female power during a time where men were the rulers. Atalanta is a character to be inspired by and the ending was just perfect. I loved this book so much and I cannot stop thinking about it. The pacing was also done really well in this book and the cover is gorgeous.