Genre Fiction
- Publisher : Flatiron Books
- Published : 09 May 2023
- Pages : 304
- ISBN-10 : 1250855578
- ISBN-13 : 9781250855572
- Language : English
Atalanta
From the beloved, bestselling author of Elektra and Ariadne, a reimagining of the myth of Atalanta, a fierce huntress raised by bears and the only woman in the world's most famous band of heroes, the Argonauts
Princess, Warrior, Lover, Hero
When Princess Atalanta is born, a daughter rather than the son her parents hoped for, she is left on a mountainside to die. But even then, she is a survivor. Raised by a mother bear under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis, Atalanta grows up wild and free, with just one condition: if she marries, Artemis warns, it will be her undoing.
Although she loves her beautiful forest home, Atalanta yearns for adventure. When Artemis offers her the chance to fight in her name alongside the Argonauts, the fiercest band of warriors the world has ever seen, Atalanta seizes it. The Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece is filled with impossible challenges, but Atalanta proves herself equal to the men she fights alongside. As she is swept into a passionate affair, in defiance of Artemis's warning, she begins to question the goddess's true intentions. Can Atalanta carve out her own legendary place in a world of men, while staying true to her heart?
Full of joy, passion, and adventure, Atalanta is the story of a woman who refuses to be contained. Jennifer Saint places Atalanta in the pantheon of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, where she belongs.
Princess, Warrior, Lover, Hero
When Princess Atalanta is born, a daughter rather than the son her parents hoped for, she is left on a mountainside to die. But even then, she is a survivor. Raised by a mother bear under the protective eye of the goddess Artemis, Atalanta grows up wild and free, with just one condition: if she marries, Artemis warns, it will be her undoing.
Although she loves her beautiful forest home, Atalanta yearns for adventure. When Artemis offers her the chance to fight in her name alongside the Argonauts, the fiercest band of warriors the world has ever seen, Atalanta seizes it. The Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece is filled with impossible challenges, but Atalanta proves herself equal to the men she fights alongside. As she is swept into a passionate affair, in defiance of Artemis's warning, she begins to question the goddess's true intentions. Can Atalanta carve out her own legendary place in a world of men, while staying true to her heart?
Full of joy, passion, and adventure, Atalanta is the story of a woman who refuses to be contained. Jennifer Saint places Atalanta in the pantheon of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, where she belongs.
Editorial Reviews
Praise for Atalanta:
"Captivating…The ending is so beautiful it makes every moment leading up to it worth the wait. In her acknowledgements, Saint says she hopes the novel will make readers fall as in love with Atalanta as she did―and her quest has been fulfilled."
―Kirkus
"Bold…A compelling story about a powerful, observant warrior who loves a good, honorable fight."
―Booklist
"A stunning retelling filled with breathtaking adventure, Atalanta brings to life a heroine who stands tall among the ancient gods and heroes of legend."
―Sue Lynn Tan, author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess
"Saint deftly draws the reader into the legends of Atalanta, bringing the world of ancient Greece alive. The detail and description is lush: you can hear the rustle of the green leaves and taste the salty spray of the sea as the Argo rides forth on its quest. A story of adventure and love against all odds, this is an ancient tale limned with gold."
―Luna McNamara, author of Psyche and Eros
"Absolutely beautiful. This is a retelling that fully inhabits the magical realm of myth while losing none of its human heart. Atalanta is a lyrical, exciting and deeply poignant tale of one woman's remarkable life―and I cannot wait to read it again."
―Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den and The House with the Golden Door
Praise for Jennifer Saint's Novels:
"A powerful glimpse of ancient Greece." ―Washington Post
"A vivid reimagining." ―Harper's Bazaar
"Engrossing...A page-turner." ―Glamour
"Wildly compelling." ―BuzzFeed
"Spellbinding." ―Book Riot
"Poignant and necessary." ―Paste Magazine
"Circe fans would do well to take note." ―Bustle
"Enchanting." ―Publishers Weekly
"Complex―and bold." ―Booklist
"Fascinating and unpredictable." ―Chicago Review of Books
"Captivating…The ending is so beautiful it makes every moment leading up to it worth the wait. In her acknowledgements, Saint says she hopes the novel will make readers fall as in love with Atalanta as she did―and her quest has been fulfilled."
―Kirkus
"Bold…A compelling story about a powerful, observant warrior who loves a good, honorable fight."
―Booklist
"A stunning retelling filled with breathtaking adventure, Atalanta brings to life a heroine who stands tall among the ancient gods and heroes of legend."
―Sue Lynn Tan, author of Daughter of the Moon Goddess
"Saint deftly draws the reader into the legends of Atalanta, bringing the world of ancient Greece alive. The detail and description is lush: you can hear the rustle of the green leaves and taste the salty spray of the sea as the Argo rides forth on its quest. A story of adventure and love against all odds, this is an ancient tale limned with gold."
―Luna McNamara, author of Psyche and Eros
"Absolutely beautiful. This is a retelling that fully inhabits the magical realm of myth while losing none of its human heart. Atalanta is a lyrical, exciting and deeply poignant tale of one woman's remarkable life―and I cannot wait to read it again."
―Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den and The House with the Golden Door
Praise for Jennifer Saint's Novels:
"A powerful glimpse of ancient Greece." ―Washington Post
"A vivid reimagining." ―Harper's Bazaar
"Engrossing...A page-turner." ―Glamour
"Wildly compelling." ―BuzzFeed
"Spellbinding." ―Book Riot
"Poignant and necessary." ―Paste Magazine
"Circe fans would do well to take note." ―Bustle
"Enchanting." ―Publishers Weekly
"Complex―and bold." ―Booklist
"Fascinating and unpredictable." ―Chicago Review of Books
Readers Top Reviews
I am a huge fan of Jennifer Saint and after reading Ariadne and Elektra I couldn’t wait for Atalanta. I bought the hardcover and the kindle version too. I really enjoyed reading this. Greek mythology is my favourite genre but I find it hard to find well written ones and sometimes I can become a bit bored or distracted and want to get to the end of it. Atalanta kept my attention the whole time. I liked how little information was available on the book because I didn’t know what to expect and there were a lot of references to previous main characters which I found really nostalgic. The story of Atalanta’s life is interesting and full of the usual Greek tragedy and adventure but I love how there’s such a huge focus on what women could be like in that time. You get to read different perspectives on women other than the usual wife, daughter, possession stereotypes that most books focus on, in this book they’re powerful and heroic. My only issue with Jennifer Saint books is the pacing. I feel sometimes the main parts happen so randomly and rushed that it discombobulates me and I have to read it again so I’m left feeling a bit disappointed. I loved the characters and the story, the hardcover looks lovely and matches the other two books I own by Jennifer Saint. Overall, I rate the book 4.5 and I was annoyed at myself for finishing it so quick. I’d recommend it to anyone!
Grace Barton
After reading Ariadne and Elektra, I was super eager to start reading Atalanta. It is no disappointment. Like her other books, Jennifer Saint has crafted an amazing telling of the story of Atalanta. I never even knew there was a woman amongst the Argonauts; I'm pretty sure the version I saw on TV as a child only showed men. So it was great to see that a woman was amongst them, and how much she achieved. Atalanta is an inspirational woman of vitality, courage, and determination. If you enjoy stories about greek myth, then Atalanta, and indeed Ariadne and Elektra, are books for you!