Thank you Netgalley for gifting me this copy.

I did not read the first book, which I think is why I wasn't interested in it and didn't continue past the first chapter. The writing style is rather special and I don't think it's for me.

The latest in an increasing number of re-tellings of mythology - imagined from the perspective of women, whether Goddesses or mortals - Claire North's House of Odysseus brings quite a lot to the table. Though not the iconic character of the title, Odysseus himself. Not that we miss him!

Instead, we hear of his wife Penelope, and how she runs the Kingdom of Ithaca in his absence. That too,whilst fending off all the suitors who want to get their greedy hands on Odysseus's palace and his power by marrying his far-from-willing wife, who they prefer to think of as his widow.

In an already tense situation, where Penelope's son Telemachus has stolen away from Ithaca without taking his leave of her (with the aim of finding Odysseus or determining his father's passing), she is taken by surprise by the arrival of Orestes, the King of Mycenae, and his sister Electra, who come seeking refuge with Penelope.

The duo, the children of the once-mighty King Agamemnon and his wife Clytemnestra, are in dire straits. After killing his mother Clytemnestra (who had earlier killed their father, Agamemnon), Orestes appears to be descending into madness, and Electra is fearful of what will happen if the power-hungry leaders of other kingdoms discover this weakness of her brother's.

In particular, Electra fears the bloodthirsty King of Sparta, Menelaus, their uncle. He is the brother of Agamemnon and husband of the legendary Helen of Troy.

Penelope, meanwhile, fears what this unanticipated and unwelcome arrival portends for her. Odysseus's long absence has already put her in a very precarious position, and she does not need the enmity of powerful men like Menelaus to make things even worse.

But this story is all about the strength and cleverness of women, and it is told in the voice of Aphrodite, who has her own power and priorities. How Helen, Penelope, Electra and the others handle the complexities of their times alongside the complications created by the men in their lives makes for very interesting reading.

The one thing I did not like was the use of slang by Aphrodite. It seemed oddly jarring to hear contemporary phrases - especially, at times, quite silly comments about the hunkiness of various men - emerging in the voice of a goddess.

But overall, this is an engrossing book that tells a fascinating story. And it does far more justice to Penelope's ingenuity and agency than her traditional portrayal, consisting of the trope of a waiting woman and her wandering man.

A celebration of women!

Truly does justice to the women of Ancient Greece, particularly the Ithacans. Helen was a far more complex character than I imagined she would be.

The plot was 10/10. The choice of narration by Aphrodite is an interesting one but it worked very well and felt very sentimental and emotionally involved.

The gods are shown to be flawed, the women are shown to be stronger than the men, and Odysseus continues to be absent, as he always is.

Thank you to NetGalley for proving me with a digital ARC to review.

I praised Ithaca for it’s unique narration from the outside perspective of Hera watching the story unravel, and House of Odysseus continued this with Aphrodite’s complex insight of love in its many forms.

Claire North continues to impress me with her take on Greek Mythology and the untold tale of Penelope. I have enjoyed reading of her life while her husband was away, giving agency to a woman who has previously been depicted as simply waiting for Odysseus to return and now has her own story.

This book shows the intricate relationships between women, the trust between a queen and her people, and how men underestimate the ubiquitous yet ignored wives, daughters and servants who hold more power than they can imagine.

The last few chapters had me gripped even though I should be asleep, hanging on to the conversations between Helen and Penelope and watching Menelaus realise Troy’s war has long passed, and so has his hold on Greece.

Description:
Penelope's at home with a house full of greedy suitors, waiting for her husband Odysseus to come back from Troy. The (somewhat shaky) king Orestes and his sister Elektra turn up, pursued by a scheming Menelaus. Then someone gets murdered. Penelope tries to keep her allies alive against great odds.

Liked:
It's a well-told and pacey murder mystery and nuanced tale of political intrigue. It's got a lot to say about women, and how they hold on to control even in societies which are set up to wrest it from them. Nicely balances astute observation with engaging plot.

Disliked:
The tone annoyed me so much I nearly DNF'd. Aphrodite is our narrator and framing device, and some of her more 'modern' comments really grate. Very similarly to No Season But The Summer, little asides like "But he's such a dish, isn't he?" and frequent observations on the hunkiness of male characters just set my teeth on edge. It's not clever or funny to use the language of Bridget Jones in this context... it's just dated.

HOWEVER. The book IS making the interesting and quite explicit point that being seen as silly, frivolous or weak is often a cloak women can use to fool others into thinking they're less of a threat than they actually are, and hence be left alone to pursue their own ends. I'd argue that there are much less irritating ways to make this point, but it does serve a purpose, and the rest of the book is so well crafted I'd advise pushing through anyhow.

Would recommend; this book has a surprising amount to say.

This is my first Claire North book and it was enjoyable! I’m not big up with Greek retelling so it did take me awhile to read to absorb the information. It was a great read 👍🏼

Claire North has another smash on her hands. With such lyrical writing, it is hard not to fall in love with this story, even if there are quite a few characters to keep up with

House of Odysseus by Claire North is an exceptional addition to the Songs of Penelope trilogy, surpassing its predecessor Ithaca with its enthralling narrative and vivid portrayal of ancient myth. This masterfully crafted novel delves into the untold story of Penelope of Ithaca, the renowned wife of Odysseus, weaving a tale of power, intrigue, and resilience.

Set on the captivating island of Ithaca, Penelope expertly maintains a delicate balance of power in the absence of her husband, who sailed off to the Trojan War and never returned. With her cunning wit, she ensures peace reigns over her realm. However, this peace is shattered when Orestes, the tormented King of Mycenae and son of Agamemnon, arrives on Ithaca.

Orestes, burdened by guilt from his past actions, spirals further into madness. Aware that a king cannot be perceived as weak, his sister Elektra brings him to Ithaca seeking Penelope's protection. Yet, their sanctuary is short-lived as Menelaus, the blood-soaked King of Sparta and Orestes' uncle, relentlessly pursues him. Menelaus harbors a ruthless hunger for Orestes' throne, and if he succeeds, no one will be safe from his unpredictable and violent whims.

Caught between the clashing forces of Sparta and Mycenae, Penelope finds herself tasked with safeguarding Ithaca from two deranged kings teetering on the brink of war. Her only allies are Elektra, fiercely determined to shield her brother, and Helen of Troy, Menelaus' enigmatic wife. Each woman harbors a secret that holds the power to shape the world they inhabit.

Claire North's storytelling prowess shines in House of Odysseus, as she masterfully brings these iconic characters to life while infusing the narrative with her unique and imaginative twists. The author seamlessly blends elements of ancient mythology with a fresh perspective, creating a tapestry of emotions, intrigue, and high-stakes drama.

What sets this novel apart is North's ability to delve deep into the psyches of her characters, unraveling their complexities and vulnerabilities. Penelope emerges as a formidable and captivating protagonist, showcasing her resilience, intelligence, and unwavering determination in the face of overwhelming challenges. The intricate dynamics between Elektra and Orestes, as well as the enigmatic presence of Helen of Troy, add layers of depth and intrigue to an already gripping tale.

North's descriptive prose transports readers to the ancient world, immersing them in the lush landscapes of Ithaca and the political machinations of power-hungry rulers. The pacing is impeccable, with tension building steadily throughout the narrative, culminating in a breathtaking climax that leaves readers yearning for more.

House of Odysseus is a triumph of storytelling, breathing new life into ancient myth and delivering a thoroughly engrossing reading experience. Claire North's talent for crafting richly layered characters and her ability to seamlessly blend historical elements with her own creative flair make this novel an absolute delight for fans of historical fiction, mythology, and captivating storytelling.

Following the critically acclaimed Ithaca comes House of Odysseus, the second novel in Claire North's Songs of Penelope trilogy - an exquisite, gripping tale that breathes life into ancient myth. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.
On the island of Ithaca, queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband Odysseus sailed to war with Troy and never returned. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace - but this is shattered with the arrival of Orestes, King of Mycenae.

I love all these mythology retellings that puts women at the forefront of the story and gives them a voice and this one was no different. I recently read Ithaca which I enjoyed and this book follows on from that. The authors writing is beautiful and descriptive and I can really imagine myself there when reading
The only problem I had was keeping up with all the characters as there is a lot!
This was a beautiful, immersive read and I will definitely be reading the last in the trilogy when it comes out

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC