The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review it if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to listen and review it if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

Though I was really excited by the premise, I have not found myself wanting to pick up this audiobook and inevitably have had to DNF this one. I was pulled in but found a disconnection particular to the male voice reading this book. I felt his voice sounded older than how I viewed the character at first and didn't help me to imagine the characters. When doing female voices, I found this particular narrator sounded almost comedic and was very off putting. I would maybe revisit by reading the book in the future, as I was particular intrigued by the queer representation with this book which I was delightfully surprised by. I would very much still reccomend the story to readers, but have had to mark down the production of the audiobook unfortunately.

Thanks so much to HarperCollins UK Audio for letting me listen to this book!

At the beginning of this story I was really excited to read a book where a young queer woman comes back from the dead to take revenge on those who killed her, however that wasn’t even remotely the story we got. In all honesty I’m actually struggling to describe the plot because I feel like there isn’t much to describe. The breaking of the curse takes a constant backseat as the focus is shifted onto the character’s relationships which left me as confused as the internal logic of this novel. If you choose to read this book and have any questions about the way the curse or the island of Ithaca work, chances are you will either get a convoluted answer or no answer at all.

Our main character Leto is a deeply frustrating protagonist and the reason for this is very simple: Leto is an idiot. Throughout the book it felt like I was always several steps ahead of Leto, not due to any effort on my part but simply because Leto is being stupid for plot convenience. Speaking of plot convenience the moment that completely took me out of the book was Mathias’ reaction when he discovered Leto’s true identity because the way he jumped to the most baffling of conclusions in that moment could earn him an olympic medal. Him sending Leto away and flat out telling her he would let Melantho die did not make sense to me in the slightest and instead of even attempting to convince him of the truth Leto just takes this and somehow makes it to her home village on horseback, even though we know she is no good at riding and considering that she needed Mathias’ help to hold a dying Melantho together I do not understand how she was fine to just ride to a whole different location without bleeding to death.

There are a lot of grievances I have with this book and I don’t think I can be bothered to write them all down, which I would usually feel guilty about but considering that the author herself couldn’t be bothered to properly research this time period and the mythology she was writing about, I think I can give myself a pass.

The one element I do want to still talk about is the romance because it just felt icky to me. Towards the very end of the book Melantho asks if Leto would „still choose her“ and that one line just left me baffled because a book where Leto actually chose Melantho would have been nice but it was definitely not the one I just read. Yes, she has a romance with Melatho throughout the entire book but she also has one with Mathias and that relationship feels like the much higher priority. Leto constantly cheats on Melantho with Mathias and just before the scene on the beach we get a sex scene between Leto and him and I feel like the book wants me to just ignore that. I’m not saying that including something like this is inherently bad, if you want to write a protagonist that cheats on their partner, by all means, write that. If you want to write a story about polyamory, I would have definitely preferred that. But this isn’t a story about either of those things, this is a story where our protagonist is essentially dating two people at the same time, but the story refuses to address or even acknowledge that. I do want to tread a bit carefully here, because while I am queer myself I am not bisexual so take what follows with a grain of salt, but I couldn’t help but feel like this was not very good queer and especially bi representation because when you take another look at the beach scene in the end we literally get Leto kissing Matthias while Melantho stands off to the side and then later the book wants to claim the Leto „chose“ Melantho. Having your bi character string along two different people and pushing your sapphic relationship to the side once the male love interest is present just does not sit right with me at all.

I really wanted to enjoy this book and I looked for a reason to give this anything higher than one star but the more I thought about the book the more issues I noticed. If you do want to read this I highly recommend doing so in audiobook format, because the story may have been lacking but the narrators did a really good job with their performances.

1/5⭐️

As a Greek myth nerd, this was disappointing. As a fantasy aficionado, I loved it. So. If you can overlook the disrespect to the Odyssey, go ahead, if you get annoyed at minor changes, please stay far away from this.

There was a lot to like. I enjoyed the female characters and the narration in general. I also liked the added perspective of the prince, it gave the story more depth.

I did not end up finishing this book just because I felt I already knew what was going to happen. I made it about half way.

After seeing the release of Sarah Underwood's newest book 'Gentlest of Wild Things', I was surprised to see this audio version of her debut novel 'Lies We Sing to The Sea' here on NetGalley, so naturally I jumped on the chance to read it as a big fan of feminist mythological retellings. However, I wouldn't say this book is really either of those. I didn't find the plot to be of a massively feminist nature nor was this a retelling as I believe it was previously branded as. The plot itself followed the story of Leto, a sacrificed girl hung for Poseidon as apart of the curse on Ithaca.

The Odyssey debate aside, I enjoyed the style of Sarah Underwood's writing- it reads nice and flowery and poetic. However, the story itself, I did find pretty slow. Particularly around the middle is where it hit a lull for me, I found myself more prone to zoning out and caring less about what was going on. Additionally, whilst I did like all three of the main characters, I'm never really a fan of the miscommunication trope and when cheating is involved which is how the love triangle between them fell. I also walked into this expecting a sapphic romance so personally felt a little robbed by the love triangle, which in my mind, was so confusing and not the best thought out. I did, however, enjoy the ending- I think that in particular was well-written.

I am glad I consumed this story as an audiobook as opposed to not as I did really enjoy the narration, particularly Leto's characterization. I found that the narration kind of made up for the lack of urgency in the writing by applying it in their tone instead.

I think I would still be interested in reading 'Gentlest of Wild Things' despite not loving this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for providing me with an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Spoiler: this book was going on. And on. And on.

Okay, I need to start off by saying that the way this book was marketed was completely wrong. And Odyssey retelling, but the author has not read the Odyssey? Yeah, no. It felt like just a way to sell the book, and frankly, it is embarrassing.

Moving onto the actual story, it started off as interesting. The curse, the prophecy, searching for a solution. But is just kept moving in circles. It went back and forth to the same issue. The relationship between the main characters was confusing. Was it supposed to be a love triangle? Leto kept saying she had feelings for Melantho, but kept making out with Matthias behind her back. She was changing her feelings within a couple of sentences, and it was giving me whiplash.

I think the ending was the best part. Probably a happy ending would have docked another star from the final rating.

It was not bad, per se, just unremarkable. Forgettable. In a month's time I probably won't remember anything apart from the amount of times the sea and Poseidon were mentioned.

I wanted to love this book so much, especially with its Greek mythology inspiration, which is always a draw for me, and the premise of Leto breaking free from her fate was so compelling.

The first part of the story really sucked me in, and I appreciated how the narrative set up this world of ancient curses and divine intervention. The mythology aspect is one of the strongest points, and I do think it’s been given an interesting twist with the way Sarah Underwood takes familiar elements and reimagines them in a fresh, new light.
That said, I struggled a bit with the pacing as the story went on. The love triangle, which I know some people will really connect with, just wasn’t something I personally enjoyed, and at times I found it more distracting than emotionally engaging. The shifts in Leto's focus between the two characters (Melantho and Matthias) left me feeling a little disconnected, and I didn’t fully buy into the romance as the driving force behind the plot.
Thee were aspects I liked, and aspects that didn't grab me so much, I still enjoyed the writing and the narration, though I did speed it up to get through it.

I really enjoyed listening to this new take on the myth of Odysseus's return to Ithaca. The immersive setting and characters were great - I found myself rooting for both sides, wanting Leta's mission to both succeed and fail! The narrators and audio pacing were excellent too and I've found myself thinking about this story a lot since finishing it. Would recommend.

I don’t know why I left it so long to read this amazing book! The roller coaster of emotions i experienced was unreal! It’s so captivating so well written I could picture it in my mind as if it was a movie. Sarah Underwood has a gift for bringing ancient history back to life

Leto is one of 12 girls sacrificed to Poseidon each year. Somehow she wakes from her death on an island with the beautiful Melantho, who tells her there's more to her destiny, there's a way she can end the curse and save all the future sacrifices.
I liked the mythology setting which is what drew me to this book in the first place, and the little twist regarding Melantho. However, I generally don't like love triangles and really didn't understand this one. The ending was a bit underwhelming too.
The narrators were mostly pleasant to listen to but one of them audibly breathes quite often which is a bit annoying.

A thoroughly enjoyable book with good narrators. I had had this book sitting on my shelf for a while and though I knew that I wanted to read it based on the premise and the reviews of friends I had just never gotten round to it so when I saw that the audio book was available for review on netgalley I jumped at the chance. The narrators made this audio book so easy to listen to that before I knew it it was finished and I was left wanting more!

Sarah Underwood’s Lies We Sing to the Sea is a beautifully crafted novel that blends mythology, mystery, and romance into a compelling narrative.

Multi-narrator format is always a big plus in my book - I just love me good cast! And let's be honest: it makes the story feel more alive and multifaceted when you have different voices for different characters.

The pacing of this book is spot-on as the plot unfolds, with each twist and revelation perfectly timed to maintain intrigue. The mystery around the prophecy is well executed and it connecting to the secrets one of our main characters is keeping is really nice. I also like that there are multiple kinks in the prophecy that are discovered bit by bit, making things more complicated along the way.

The suspenseful elements are well balanced with an exploration mythological themes from ancient Greece, creating a world that feels incredibly vibrant. It's a somewhat refreshing take on the mythology with the Gods being more passive forces in the world and never showing up themselves (like the greek gods like to do...), and the author manages to incorporate these elements without overwhelming the plot.

The novel’s world-building feels authentic thanks to this really good mix of mythology and normal every day life. Sure, it's set in Ithaca from long ago but it still feels familiar enough to just get it. The author has taken the time to create a setting that is rich with history (Odysseus' doing echoing all the way to the present of the book for example), which adds depth to the characters’ struggles and choices, making their journeys more resonant. They are quite literally haunted by the past and have to pay for the sins of their fathers!

The romance,too, was well-executed, adding an emotional dimension to the story without ever taking away from the other plot elements. The relationships are developed with nuance and care, making them feel genuine and integral to the characters’ development. I was positively swooning in multiple directions!

And by the time you reach the conclusion of this story, you're rewarded with a powerful ending that ties together the various threads of the story. It’s a satisfying resolution that feels earned and leaves a lasting impact. I love me a book that doesn't shy away from the painful option. And this book did it three times in the span of only a couple of pages!

Overall, Lies We Sing to the Sea is a captivating audiobook experience, one that brings together mystery, mythology, and romance in a way that feels engaging. Sarah Underwood’s storytelling, combined with the skilled narration, makes this an audiobook that is both a pleasure to listen to and an easy recommendation for fans of myth-inspired fiction. If you’re looking for a story that will keep you hooked from start to finish, Lies We Sing to the Sea is well worth the listen.

Each spring, Ithaca condemns twelve maidens to the noose. This is the price vengeful Poseidon demands for the lives of Queen Penelope’s twelve maids, hanged and cast into the depths centuries ago.

But when that fate comes for Leto, death is not what she thought it would be. Instead, she wakes on a mysterious island and meets a girl with green eyes and the power to command the sea. A girl named Melantho, who says one more death can stop a thousand.

The prince of Ithaca must die—or the tides of fate will drown them all.


lies we sing to the sea is gorgeously written, richly imagined and threaded with intense emotion in its depictions of vengeful gods, angry girls and immense, unyielding sorrow. with utterly compelling characters, irresistible romances and the slow remembrance of a cruel fate lost to time, underwood has woven a tale of love, destiny and, above all, survival. lies we sing to the sea will break your heart even as it heals it.

I love anything inspired by Greek mythology and having previously read Lies We Sing to the Sea, I was looking forward to the audiobook bringing the story to life. Unfortunately, it didn't have the impact I was hoping it would - I liked the multiple narrators for multiple characters, however some of their voices were monotone and almost robotic which honestly made the story slow with no sense of urgency, and just boring.

To add: miscommunication tropes need to be put in the bin.

In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each summer brings the hanging of twelve maidens, a gift to the vengeful God of the sea, Poseidon. For seventeen years Leto has escaped the curse's mark. Until now......

A Greek mythology romantic fantasy tragedy which I had the pleasure of listening to on audio. The narrators were wonderful and Sebastian Humphreys portrayal of Prince Mathias was dreamy. Great creation of all the characters, easy to follow and understand.

This book is everything you want from a Greek mythology retelling or alternative interpretation. It has love, friendship, power, revenge and heartbreak. The story was captivating, the prose and language was beautiful throughout. The chapters were short and easy to absorb.

An enchanting listen which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, the author and narrators for this ARC.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio | Electric Monkey for providing access to the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating: 3.25.

This has been a surprisingly long journey, considering the relatively small size of the book.

I want to point out that I really enjoyed the first 20% of it, adoring Leto's rage and frustration. But as the story went on, she lost the spark that made her interesting, forcing me to put her in the same mental boat as Melantho - of characters I couldn't be bothered caring for anymore. So I was left with poor Matthias, who simply deserved better than this.

The story dragged on endlessly, feeding us more and more teenage drama of this messy love triangle that made me feel nothing but frustration. I did not care who would be chosen by Leto - if anything I was hoping that Melantho and Matthias would discard her completely after she kept switching from one to the other, curses and consequences be damned. Or that they'd turn into a polyamorous couple. The ending gave me some comfort but I can't say that I enjoyed anything related to the romantic plotline. Nor did I feel any grief in the end.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the Queen's reveal. Her hatred towards Leto made total sense, and she might be the most tragic character of the story (apart from Leto).

Despite everything I mentioned above, I still found myself giggling and smiling every now and then when bits of dialogue or action provided some proper entertainment. So the book gets some brownie points for that.

Regarding the 'Greek mythology retelling' debates, I'm not that mad by the way the legends have been twisted. The marketing strategy behind the novel must've been changed since its release, as it's currently labeled as 'inspired by Greek mythology', which is accurate. It might've been smarter to attack lesser-loved characters or, even better, create new figures entirely, but oh well.

The narration's been pretty decent as well. I enjoyed the edge in Leto's voice that appeared at the beginning. My main issue would be that Sebastian Humphreys' female voices were not great, so further work in that department might be necessary.

I picked up this book expecting a feminist retelling of a Greek myth or story but it’s not what it is. If I’d read a couple of the reviews I wouldn’t have even picked this up, I see the author admitted to not having read the odyssey before and as a historian it bothers me that you would set a book in a world without doing research. While I understand that authors take inspiration for their stories from many places, and could have been inspired by Percy Jackson or other retellings already in circulation I can’t fathom why you would write a book and market it as a retelling without having read the original. But while this is annoying it’s more poor advertising than anything else because it’s not a retelling.

When reading the likes of Circe, song of Achilles, and Ariadne I enjoyed recognising the story but seeing it from a different viewpoint, and the elements I didn’t recognise I could find with a quick google search. When I was trying to find elements of this story I was coming up empty, yes the 12 hanged maids was in the Odyssey but the rest seems to be an invention by the author. So what I read wasn’t so far a retelling but a fantasy set in Ancient Greece and inspired by a small section of the odyssey. It also doesn’t seem to be feminist, it’s told from the perspective of 2 of the hanged women and we find out that as punishment for killing the 12 maids ithica has to … kill more women? Like what? I don’t know whether the author came up with this herself or maybe she’s just not explained it well enough but it makes no sense to me

The writing was flowery and fitting with the style of book and the narration was great but it wasn’t enough to keep me invested

This didn't really work for me. Simply put, I didn't care. I liked the main character at first but she ended up being pretty two-dimensional and I couldn't find it in me to care about her romances. I couldn't stand the prince and the other one deserved better. The intrigue kind of lost me and I just let myself be carried through it. I kind of wanted it to end? I guess it wasn't terrible but I just didn't feel it. It just didn't work for me...

Oh. I had high hopes for this one. But I just couldn’t get into it.
I didn’t feel much sense of urgency - despite the looming threat of 12 more deaths. What was happening didn’t make me want to pick it back up when I put it down.
The characters were okay, but I don’t think the romance was developed. I also feel like a lot of the conflicts in this could have been prevented with a bit of communication.
It wasn’t a Greek myth retelling, it was a fantasy set in Ancient Greece with mentions of Greek myths to ground the story. Had you given the heroes and gods different names, it could have been set anywhere else.