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[ [ [ Dark of the Moon [ DARK OF THE MOON ] By Barrett, Tracy ( Author )Nov-06-2012 Paperback
Ariadne is destined to become a goddess of the moon. She leads a lonely life, finding companionship only with her beloved, misshapen brother Asterion, who must be held captive below the palace for his own safety.
Then a ship arrives bearing a tribute of slaves from Athens, and Ariadne meets Theseus, the son of the king of Athens. Ariadne finds herself drawn to the newcomer, and soon they form a friendship—one that could perhaps become something more.
But Theseus is doomed to die as an offering to the minotaur, that monster beneath the palace—unless he can kill the beast first. And that "monster" is Ariadne’s brother . . .
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First published September 1, 2011
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About the author
Tracy Barrett
41 books142 followersTracy Barrett has written more than twenty books for children and young adults. She’s much too interested in too many things to stick to one genre, and has published nonfiction as well as historical fiction, mysteries, fantasy, time travel, myth and fairy-tale retellings, and contemporary realistic novels. She knows more about ancient Greece and Rome and the European Middle Ages than anyone really needs to know, can read lots of dead languages, and used to jump out of airplanes.
Tracy grew up near New York City, and went to college in New England and graduate school in California. She majored in Classics and earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Italian. She was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study medieval women writers and won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Work-in-Progress Grant in 2005. She taught Italian and other subjects at Vanderbilt University for almost thirty years. She lives in Tennessee with her 6’7” husband, a rescue cat, and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Tracy grew up near New York City, and went to college in New England and graduate school in California. She majored in Classics and earned a Ph.D. in Medieval Italian. She was awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study medieval women writers and won the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Work-in-Progress Grant in 2005. She taught Italian and other subjects at Vanderbilt University for almost thirty years. She lives in Tennessee with her 6’7” husband, a rescue cat, and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
August 5, 2011
If you expect Dark of the Moon to be just another Greek mythology-inspired paranormal YA romance, look elsewhere. If you are looking for a novel based on a familiar myth but that turns this myth on its head and re-imagines it in the most unexpected but realistic way, you might have hit a jackpot here.
Traditionally, the myth of the Minotaur is a pretty straight forward tale that is mostly known for Cretan Princess Ariadne's passionate love for Theseus. She helps her imprisoned enemy to defeat her brother, half-bull/half-human creature Minotaur, by giving Theseus a thread that would guide him out of the Minotaur's lair located in a center of a intricate labyrinth. In return, Theseus marries Ariadne and whisks her away from Crete just to abandon her on the way back to his home, Athens.
[image error]
Tracy Barrett, however, takes a different approach. Don't expect a romance-driven story here. In her interpretation, in mythologies, while some important events in history are remembered and retold, they are not always understood correctly. Every religion adds a certain magical flair to the events it builds its teachings upon. But at the core of them are true occurrences that have nothing to do with magic, miracles and divine interferences.
You search what could have been a source of the myth of the Minotaur, and a new vision emerges - the Minotaur is just a disfigured, deranged man; Theseus's heroic adventures are exaggerations of a young overactive imagination; and Ariadne's help is motivated not by her passion for Theseus, but by her position as a priestess and future Goddess-incarnate and her desire to serve her land.
I am impressed by this approach to religion and myth creation. What is even more exciting (again, for me) is how Barrett sets up the stage for her retelling in terms of political and religious intricacies. On Crete specifically Goddess worship is rampant. This religion is gory and sordid in its details, but it also vital to Crete's prosperity and integrity as a country. This short novel manages to show how and why religions may be born, how they serve their followers and what makes them fall out of grace. It reminded me a lot of one of my favorite Ursula K. Le Guin's short stories The Birthday of the World, and I use this comparison as a complement to Dark of the Moon.
To me, this historically realistic approach to retelling a myth is much more interesting than any other banking on forbidden love and betrayal.
I am not sure how many readers search for such themes in their YA fiction, but for me Dark of the Moon turned out to be a pleasant surprise that took me in a direction I never expected this Greek myth retelling to take me. The last few chapters are a little rushed and at times confusing, but otherwise this is a memorable, unconventional YA novel.
Traditionally, the myth of the Minotaur is a pretty straight forward tale that is mostly known for Cretan Princess Ariadne's passionate love for Theseus. She helps her imprisoned enemy to defeat her brother, half-bull/half-human creature Minotaur, by giving Theseus a thread that would guide him out of the Minotaur's lair located in a center of a intricate labyrinth. In return, Theseus marries Ariadne and whisks her away from Crete just to abandon her on the way back to his home, Athens.
[image error]
Tracy Barrett, however, takes a different approach. Don't expect a romance-driven story here. In her interpretation, in mythologies, while some important events in history are remembered and retold, they are not always understood correctly. Every religion adds a certain magical flair to the events it builds its teachings upon. But at the core of them are true occurrences that have nothing to do with magic, miracles and divine interferences.
You search what could have been a source of the myth of the Minotaur, and a new vision emerges - the Minotaur is just a disfigured, deranged man; Theseus's heroic adventures are exaggerations of a young overactive imagination; and Ariadne's help is motivated not by her passion for Theseus, but by her position as a priestess and future Goddess-incarnate and her desire to serve her land.
I am impressed by this approach to religion and myth creation. What is even more exciting (again, for me) is how Barrett sets up the stage for her retelling in terms of political and religious intricacies. On Crete specifically Goddess worship is rampant. This religion is gory and sordid in its details, but it also vital to Crete's prosperity and integrity as a country. This short novel manages to show how and why religions may be born, how they serve their followers and what makes them fall out of grace. It reminded me a lot of one of my favorite Ursula K. Le Guin's short stories The Birthday of the World, and I use this comparison as a complement to Dark of the Moon.
To me, this historically realistic approach to retelling a myth is much more interesting than any other banking on forbidden love and betrayal.
I am not sure how many readers search for such themes in their YA fiction, but for me Dark of the Moon turned out to be a pleasant surprise that took me in a direction I never expected this Greek myth retelling to take me. The last few chapters are a little rushed and at times confusing, but otherwise this is a memorable, unconventional YA novel.
October 10, 2011
Review originally posted on The Book Smugglers Here
Before I say anything else let me just get something off my chest: I loved this book. It is abso-freaking-lutely brilliant and smart and it really re-energised me with such book-excitement the way that only Totally Awesome Books can.
Dark of the Moon is a reimagining of the Greek myth of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur. In Greek mythology, Theseus is a founding-hero of Athens whose adventures before becoming King included the slaying of the infamous Minotaur of Crete. King Minos’ daughter, Ariadne, fell in love with Theseus at first sight and helped him defeating the Minotaur by giving Theseus a thread that guided him through the labyrinth where the Minotaur was entrapped. After escaping Crete together, Theseus (the bastard) proceeded to abandon Ariadne in the island of Naxos. Theseus (the bastard) goes on to marry Ariadne’s sister and become a beloved King and reformer of Athens. In some accounts Ariadne is the bride of the God Dionysus and Theseus only left her behind to not anger that God. Nevertheless, in most accounts, Theseus is the Hero and Ariadne is the fool who loved him.
Enter Dark of the Moon. In this reimagining, Ariadne is not the daughter of Minos but his niece and both are intrinsic part of the religious cult of the Goddess in Krete. Ariadne is She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess, training to become the future priestess of Krete and a Vessel to the Goddess, following up on the footsteps of her mother, She-Who-Is-Goddess. Theirs is the most important position on that matriarchal system, a position that is both political and religious. The infamous Minotaur of Krete is in fact her beloved half-brother Asterion, born with a facial deformity and mentally incapacitated. His screams and his unfortunate capacity for accidental violence have given room to the local myth of a monster-under-the-palace and he is kept away from prying eyes. Theseus is a young man who recently discovered that his father is the King of Athens and who is sent as an unwilling tribute to Minos. Theseus believes he is to be sacrificed to the monster and ends up getting involved in a plot to overthrow Minos.
The story is narrated by both Theseus and Ariadne in alternating chunks of chapters but Ariadne’s point of view is the more extensive and well developed out of the two. As She-Who-Will-Be Goddess she is both respected and feared and lives in isolation, in expectation of the role one day she will fulfil. Although Ariadne dreams about far-away places and misses interacting with her friends, she is completely dedicated to the Goddess and believes in the mysteries that surround her cult. When she meets Theseus, there are no flying sparks (in fact , there is no romantic storyline in this book at ALL) but merely an encounter with an outsider who treats her like a normal person. And although the arrival of Theseus on the island is only but the beginning of life-altering events, these are not, by any means, the direct result of any of his or her actions; instead, their actions are part of a chain of events resulting from internal struggles and external influences in a complex combination of the political, economical and religious spheres.
And this is what makes this book brilliant: its plot is a thought-provoking examination of religion, of belief and of cultural development of different places within the Greek empire. For example, Krete is under a matriarchal sphere of power whereas Athens is under patriarchal rule and this difference is part of the impetus for Theseus to join the plot to overthrow Minos. More than that though, there is also a great exploration of elements of faith and magic involved in a religion that believes that a Goddess is made human every year and what could that actually mean to those involved –the author excels in providing reasonable explanations for the “magical” aspects of the Goddess cult without removing any of the faith from those who believe in them.
The scope of this reimagining is such that it opens up a possible, realistic point of view of how real events become history to then become myth. How cool is that? Plus, bonus points for making Ariadne an awesome female character that is in charge of her own decisions and who has to take charge of her own life in the face of her world crumbling down. Another aspect that I loved was that even though this is a reimagining, the author never shies away from the darker, gorier aspects of Greek Myths and they are present on the religious depiction of the Goddess cult.
The only main quibble I have is with Theseus’ narrative – he is at first, presented as a somewhat naive boy who tells tall tales about his “adventures” and who is basically used as a tool in the scheme to overthrow Minos. But in his very final chapter, he has become the hero that the Athenians believe him to be. As his point of view is not as extensive or in-depth as Ariadne’s I found it hard to see how or when he went from Point A to Point C. But this is really my only real problem with the book and considering that Ariadne’s story was way more interesting in the first place and she is to me, the real star of this story, that didn’t diminish my reading experience at all.
To sum up, I found Dark of the Moon to be a surprisingly clever, insightful, engaging remaining of a well-known story. It is definitely one of my reading highlights of 2011 and it has put Tracy Barrett on my list of authors to watch.
Before I say anything else let me just get something off my chest: I loved this book. It is abso-freaking-lutely brilliant and smart and it really re-energised me with such book-excitement the way that only Totally Awesome Books can.
Dark of the Moon is a reimagining of the Greek myth of Theseus, Ariadne and the Minotaur. In Greek mythology, Theseus is a founding-hero of Athens whose adventures before becoming King included the slaying of the infamous Minotaur of Crete. King Minos’ daughter, Ariadne, fell in love with Theseus at first sight and helped him defeating the Minotaur by giving Theseus a thread that guided him through the labyrinth where the Minotaur was entrapped. After escaping Crete together, Theseus (the bastard) proceeded to abandon Ariadne in the island of Naxos. Theseus (the bastard) goes on to marry Ariadne’s sister and become a beloved King and reformer of Athens. In some accounts Ariadne is the bride of the God Dionysus and Theseus only left her behind to not anger that God. Nevertheless, in most accounts, Theseus is the Hero and Ariadne is the fool who loved him.
Enter Dark of the Moon. In this reimagining, Ariadne is not the daughter of Minos but his niece and both are intrinsic part of the religious cult of the Goddess in Krete. Ariadne is She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess, training to become the future priestess of Krete and a Vessel to the Goddess, following up on the footsteps of her mother, She-Who-Is-Goddess. Theirs is the most important position on that matriarchal system, a position that is both political and religious. The infamous Minotaur of Krete is in fact her beloved half-brother Asterion, born with a facial deformity and mentally incapacitated. His screams and his unfortunate capacity for accidental violence have given room to the local myth of a monster-under-the-palace and he is kept away from prying eyes. Theseus is a young man who recently discovered that his father is the King of Athens and who is sent as an unwilling tribute to Minos. Theseus believes he is to be sacrificed to the monster and ends up getting involved in a plot to overthrow Minos.
The story is narrated by both Theseus and Ariadne in alternating chunks of chapters but Ariadne’s point of view is the more extensive and well developed out of the two. As She-Who-Will-Be Goddess she is both respected and feared and lives in isolation, in expectation of the role one day she will fulfil. Although Ariadne dreams about far-away places and misses interacting with her friends, she is completely dedicated to the Goddess and believes in the mysteries that surround her cult. When she meets Theseus, there are no flying sparks (in fact , there is no romantic storyline in this book at ALL) but merely an encounter with an outsider who treats her like a normal person. And although the arrival of Theseus on the island is only but the beginning of life-altering events, these are not, by any means, the direct result of any of his or her actions; instead, their actions are part of a chain of events resulting from internal struggles and external influences in a complex combination of the political, economical and religious spheres.
And this is what makes this book brilliant: its plot is a thought-provoking examination of religion, of belief and of cultural development of different places within the Greek empire. For example, Krete is under a matriarchal sphere of power whereas Athens is under patriarchal rule and this difference is part of the impetus for Theseus to join the plot to overthrow Minos. More than that though, there is also a great exploration of elements of faith and magic involved in a religion that believes that a Goddess is made human every year and what could that actually mean to those involved –the author excels in providing reasonable explanations for the “magical” aspects of the Goddess cult without removing any of the faith from those who believe in them.
The scope of this reimagining is such that it opens up a possible, realistic point of view of how real events become history to then become myth. How cool is that? Plus, bonus points for making Ariadne an awesome female character that is in charge of her own decisions and who has to take charge of her own life in the face of her world crumbling down. Another aspect that I loved was that even though this is a reimagining, the author never shies away from the darker, gorier aspects of Greek Myths and they are present on the religious depiction of the Goddess cult.
The only main quibble I have is with Theseus’ narrative – he is at first, presented as a somewhat naive boy who tells tall tales about his “adventures” and who is basically used as a tool in the scheme to overthrow Minos. But in his very final chapter, he has become the hero that the Athenians believe him to be. As his point of view is not as extensive or in-depth as Ariadne’s I found it hard to see how or when he went from Point A to Point C. But this is really my only real problem with the book and considering that Ariadne’s story was way more interesting in the first place and she is to me, the real star of this story, that didn’t diminish my reading experience at all.
To sum up, I found Dark of the Moon to be a surprisingly clever, insightful, engaging remaining of a well-known story. It is definitely one of my reading highlights of 2011 and it has put Tracy Barrett on my list of authors to watch.
January 27, 2016
Received from: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Publisher)
Received Via: NetGalley.com
The Dark of the Moon asks the question,what if the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur was one big misinterpretation?
Ariadne is dealing with her loneliness of being one who is destined to become a goddess. Being a person people fear, she is left with only her mother and misshapen bother for company. That is until a ship arrives carrying the tributes from Athens. Including a prince, who doesn't seem to fear her and who could possibly become a friend or more;Though the princes life remains uncertain and her status as " She who will be goddess" is never without it's problems.
Theseus is desperate to have another life. After discovering some items under a rock.He takes off to seek out a father he never knew, who happens to be the King of Athens. Once he arrives though instead of finding a better life, he is sent to a foreign land as a tribute. Where he'll have to a face a different way of life, possibly a "monstrous creature" and a uncertain future
The best way I can describe The Dark of the Moon is, a less dark and somewhat more realistic version of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
I have conflicted feelings about this book. I did like it overall but I just felt almost underwhelmed. First off I had a problem connecting with some of the characters especially Ariadne; Maybe it's all the goddess stuff that I wasn't interested in? Anyway Theseus was way more interesting. I kinda wish it was all told in his POV. I couldn't wait to see what he would do next; Ariadne, not so much.
That wasn't my biggest problem though;the differences is what I wasn't sure about
I'm a huge fan of the original myth and I have to admit the differences left me confused at first. I also think the description is somewhat misleading so I got a way different story then I expected. Fortunately I soon realized I had to separate book from Myth and finally I enjoyed the book for what it was.
With that said while the premise is interesting. I think a retelling of such popular myth should at least have what made the original so exciting in the first place. Unfortunately The Dark of the Moon lacked that in my opinion. It seemed like all the exciting stuff was taken out and in it's place was a story of a non hero and goddess worship.
I know I sound like I didn't like it, but I did;just not as much as I thought I would. of course that could be the mythology geek in me talking. I also know alot of people (casual mythology fans) will love it.
Overall a good, fast paced read that I recommend to any casual mythology fan
Received Via: NetGalley.com
The Dark of the Moon asks the question,what if the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur was one big misinterpretation?
Ariadne is dealing with her loneliness of being one who is destined to become a goddess. Being a person people fear, she is left with only her mother and misshapen bother for company. That is until a ship arrives carrying the tributes from Athens. Including a prince, who doesn't seem to fear her and who could possibly become a friend or more;Though the princes life remains uncertain and her status as " She who will be goddess" is never without it's problems.
Theseus is desperate to have another life. After discovering some items under a rock.He takes off to seek out a father he never knew, who happens to be the King of Athens. Once he arrives though instead of finding a better life, he is sent to a foreign land as a tribute. Where he'll have to a face a different way of life, possibly a "monstrous creature" and a uncertain future
The best way I can describe The Dark of the Moon is, a less dark and somewhat more realistic version of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
I have conflicted feelings about this book. I did like it overall but I just felt almost underwhelmed. First off I had a problem connecting with some of the characters especially Ariadne; Maybe it's all the goddess stuff that I wasn't interested in? Anyway Theseus was way more interesting. I kinda wish it was all told in his POV. I couldn't wait to see what he would do next; Ariadne, not so much.
That wasn't my biggest problem though;the differences is what I wasn't sure about
I'm a huge fan of the original myth and I have to admit the differences left me confused at first. I also think the description is somewhat misleading so I got a way different story then I expected. Fortunately I soon realized I had to separate book from Myth and finally I enjoyed the book for what it was.
With that said while the premise is interesting. I think a retelling of such popular myth should at least have what made the original so exciting in the first place. Unfortunately The Dark of the Moon lacked that in my opinion. It seemed like all the exciting stuff was taken out and in it's place was a story of a non hero and goddess worship.
I know I sound like I didn't like it, but I did;just not as much as I thought I would. of course that could be the mythology geek in me talking. I also know alot of people (casual mythology fans) will love it.
Overall a good, fast paced read that I recommend to any casual mythology fan
September 30, 2019
This book offers an interesting take on the Ariadne, Theseus and Minotaur myth!
Instead of portraying Ariadne as a love torn princess who gives up everything to help Theseus fight the Minotaur, she is a high priestess devoted to the Goddess during the last days when the island of Crete was a matriarchal society. Theseus, instead of being the jerk who abandons Ariadne after she's helped him, is more complex. He's one of many of the Athenian king's illegitimate sons who is basically given to Minos of Crete to pay a debt. The Minotaur is not a monster, rather the disfigured brother of Ariadne.
There is no romance in this book whatsoever, rather the focus is on the stories of both the characters Ariadne and Theseus, as well as the society of Ancient Greece and Crete.
I would be interested to know how much is based on historical information and how much is the author's speculation, but in any case this book is worth reading for everyone who is interested in Greek Mythology and history!
Instead of portraying Ariadne as a love torn princess who gives up everything to help Theseus fight the Minotaur, she is a high priestess devoted to the Goddess during the last days when the island of Crete was a matriarchal society. Theseus, instead of being the jerk who abandons Ariadne after she's helped him, is more complex. He's one of many of the Athenian king's illegitimate sons who is basically given to Minos of Crete to pay a debt. The Minotaur is not a monster, rather the disfigured brother of Ariadne.
There is no romance in this book whatsoever, rather the focus is on the stories of both the characters Ariadne and Theseus, as well as the society of Ancient Greece and Crete.
I would be interested to know how much is based on historical information and how much is the author's speculation, but in any case this book is worth reading for everyone who is interested in Greek Mythology and history!
April 1, 2011
There’s nothing I love better than retelling old myths and fairy tales, guys. I think you know this by now. And there’s nothing I love MORE than when it’s done right.
The idea of Ariadne as the daughter of Minos and a priestess (also known here as “Goddess-to-be”) is a really fascinating spin on the old tale, along with Minotauros as her brother having to be kept underground because he’s developmentally delayed/a dangerous to others is controversial to be sure, but it all works really well. This version relies on Crete’s version of the tale for source material with Ariadne as the “first goddess of Crete”, which is refreshing. I didn’t know that there had been so many interpretations outside of Greece at the same time the original tale was being spun, so my hat is off to Barrett for doing her research on this one.
And then there’s this conflict between Ariadne’s love for her brother versus her romantically falling for Theseus, which also compromises her position as the next “Goddess-to-be”. The old tales never actually talk about how old Ariadne is when she leads Theseus with her thread through the labyrinth, so her being a teenage girl actually makes perfect sense. Her love for her brother competing with what could be called her lust for Theseus, along with the mystic white ball of yarn that should never be unwound as given to her mother’s line in the family is all tangled (pardon the pun) together but it’s woven together so masterfully, it left me in awe of this new author and her skills.
The main theme here is the age old debate of blood versus water in terms of love – who is more important? Who would you sacrifice everything for? It seems that Barrett’s interpretation’s answer is both – Ariadne risks everything loving her brother before Theseus comes into the picture, and she risks everything helping Theseus against her brother after he becomes a Tribute for her father. This interpretation makes the old tale very accessable to the modern reader, and more realistic and tangible as well. Reading this, I really did feel as if I were in Ariadne’s place, and the constant questioning of her loyalties to everyone (her mother, her brother, Theseus, and herself) is the essence of adolescence, so I think that YA readers will relate very well even with the magical reality elements to the story. I know I did. The agony she feels as she’s being pulled in all directions by her responsibilities and her own wishes will reminded me of my own teen years, even if my own responsibilities and wishes were completely different than hers.
If you want something that’s empowering to the YA-age girl in your life (or in yourself!), have them read this book. It’s reminds us that all girls are goddessess, and all goddesses, in the end, are girls.
(crossposted to librarything, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)
The idea of Ariadne as the daughter of Minos and a priestess (also known here as “Goddess-to-be”) is a really fascinating spin on the old tale, along with Minotauros as her brother having to be kept underground because he’s developmentally delayed/a dangerous to others is controversial to be sure, but it all works really well. This version relies on Crete’s version of the tale for source material with Ariadne as the “first goddess of Crete”, which is refreshing. I didn’t know that there had been so many interpretations outside of Greece at the same time the original tale was being spun, so my hat is off to Barrett for doing her research on this one.
And then there’s this conflict between Ariadne’s love for her brother versus her romantically falling for Theseus, which also compromises her position as the next “Goddess-to-be”. The old tales never actually talk about how old Ariadne is when she leads Theseus with her thread through the labyrinth, so her being a teenage girl actually makes perfect sense. Her love for her brother competing with what could be called her lust for Theseus, along with the mystic white ball of yarn that should never be unwound as given to her mother’s line in the family is all tangled (pardon the pun) together but it’s woven together so masterfully, it left me in awe of this new author and her skills.
The main theme here is the age old debate of blood versus water in terms of love – who is more important? Who would you sacrifice everything for? It seems that Barrett’s interpretation’s answer is both – Ariadne risks everything loving her brother before Theseus comes into the picture, and she risks everything helping Theseus against her brother after he becomes a Tribute for her father. This interpretation makes the old tale very accessable to the modern reader, and more realistic and tangible as well. Reading this, I really did feel as if I were in Ariadne’s place, and the constant questioning of her loyalties to everyone (her mother, her brother, Theseus, and herself) is the essence of adolescence, so I think that YA readers will relate very well even with the magical reality elements to the story. I know I did. The agony she feels as she’s being pulled in all directions by her responsibilities and her own wishes will reminded me of my own teen years, even if my own responsibilities and wishes were completely different than hers.
If you want something that’s empowering to the YA-age girl in your life (or in yourself!), have them read this book. It’s reminds us that all girls are goddessess, and all goddesses, in the end, are girls.
(crossposted to librarything, shelfari, and witchoftheatregoing.wordpress.com)
December 12, 2011
Creative re-telling lures readers back to ancient Greece
Tracy Barrett's Dark of the Moon lures readers back to the time of ancient Greece. On Krete, Ariadne has spent her whole life being trained to be she who will be Goddess. Her only true companions are her mother, the current Goddess, and her malformed brother, Asterion, who is imprisoned beneath the palace due to his unintentionally violent ways. When a tribute ship of slaves arrives from Athens and delivers Theseus, the son of a king, Ariadne's life becomes even more complicated as death, family, and duty intertwine.
DARK OF THE MOON delivered on its promise of providing a creative re-telling of the Theseus myth involving Ariadne and the Minotaur. Myth or not, the way in which the story was written made everything believable as having happened in history at some point. Barrett was able to place the tale within the historical context of the time by bringing in fascinating information about politics, religion, and culture, and she did so in a way that kept me intrigued. The author also used a very sympathetic and human approach that I appreciated to explain the characters, their actions, and how they developed into the people described in the original myths. The book's consistent pacing also kept me turning pages, especially as the plot picked up in the second half.
However, as with any re-telling, parts of the story were very predictable, even if the paths to certain outcomes were changed. Because of this, it was sometimes difficult to feel excited about reading forward because I felt like I knew what would happen next. The writing also came off as burdensome sometimes, especially the switch from Ariadne's chapters being told in past tense to Theseus's being told in the present tense. The related jumps in time throughout the story were off-putting as well. With much less romance than the original tale and some heavy violence and implied sexuality, this book will likely appeal to a smaller niche market of older teens who like mythology and who can handle the gory descriptions of violence.
Overall, Barrett provides a creative and very human twist on the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur, but it's likely not enough to appeal to a large audience. I'll be interested to see what Barrett writes next, though I won't necessarily be rushing out to pick it up.
Note: This review refers to an advance review copy.
Tracy Barrett's Dark of the Moon lures readers back to the time of ancient Greece. On Krete, Ariadne has spent her whole life being trained to be she who will be Goddess. Her only true companions are her mother, the current Goddess, and her malformed brother, Asterion, who is imprisoned beneath the palace due to his unintentionally violent ways. When a tribute ship of slaves arrives from Athens and delivers Theseus, the son of a king, Ariadne's life becomes even more complicated as death, family, and duty intertwine.
DARK OF THE MOON delivered on its promise of providing a creative re-telling of the Theseus myth involving Ariadne and the Minotaur. Myth or not, the way in which the story was written made everything believable as having happened in history at some point. Barrett was able to place the tale within the historical context of the time by bringing in fascinating information about politics, religion, and culture, and she did so in a way that kept me intrigued. The author also used a very sympathetic and human approach that I appreciated to explain the characters, their actions, and how they developed into the people described in the original myths. The book's consistent pacing also kept me turning pages, especially as the plot picked up in the second half.
However, as with any re-telling, parts of the story were very predictable, even if the paths to certain outcomes were changed. Because of this, it was sometimes difficult to feel excited about reading forward because I felt like I knew what would happen next. The writing also came off as burdensome sometimes, especially the switch from Ariadne's chapters being told in past tense to Theseus's being told in the present tense. The related jumps in time throughout the story were off-putting as well. With much less romance than the original tale and some heavy violence and implied sexuality, this book will likely appeal to a smaller niche market of older teens who like mythology and who can handle the gory descriptions of violence.
Overall, Barrett provides a creative and very human twist on the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur, but it's likely not enough to appeal to a large audience. I'll be interested to see what Barrett writes next, though I won't necessarily be rushing out to pick it up.
Note: This review refers to an advance review copy.
January 31, 2019
An interesting, yet slightly confusing take on this myth. I both enjoyed it and also got bogged down in trying to understand all of it. I would give it a try if you enjoy mythology retellings though and I do plan to read more by this author some day.
September 19, 2011
The myth of the minotaur has never been told like this. In fact, most of the mythological characters and creatures that show up in Dark of the Moon are turned on their head, their heroic deeds or misdeeds twisted into human feats and explained. Filled with vivid descriptions of the setting and a rich and thriving new culture, Dark of the Moon is equal parts horrifying and beautiful.
Switching narrators from Ariadne to Theseus, the reader gets to see how fate conspired to make their paths cross. Ariadne is a goddess in training, someone that is both revered and feared by her people. Mostly, she's just lonely, being tossed around from training and studying with no friend to confide in. Her love for her mother and brother, the minotaur, is both beautiful and endearing. Theseus's path is a little less than I was expecting. For some reason, I had it in my head that he'd be a noble prince and he really wasn't much more than a scorned boy looking to impress his father. While this was okay, he was a very inactive character--merely letting things happen to him and reacting instead of acting himself. I liked the contrast between him and Ariadne who tried to act on important issues before it was too late.
The culture of Dark of the Moon is rich, vivid and very gruesome. We're talking birthing scenes, human and animal sacrifice, drugs and violence. I have to admit that I was horrified half of the time at what these characters were going to face but I couldn't stop reading to find out more about what the society was going to do next. I liked the differences between Ariadne's land and Theseus' home. They both remark that the other is a barbarian more than once which is fascinating since they both have what we'd concern barbaric customs now. There is a really interesting point in the novel where Theseus talks about his stepmother, the queen, Medea and how hated she is for killing her children to which Ariadne remarks that she is revered in her him. I loved that contrast of views as it really marks the fundamental differences of their cultures.
Another shining aspect of this novel was the beautiful descriptive writing. I'm not much in to loads and loads of scenery description but the passages about the palace where absolutely amazing. I could close my eyes and see it all from the detailed murals on the wall to the dank cellar where Ariadne's brother was locked up for his own good. The minotaur mythology was also unique--that is to say that the minotaur is really a misshapen man-child who doesn't know his own strength.
While there was a lot of really good things about this story, it did feel a bit long in the middle, particularly in Theseus's beginning chapters. I felt myself wishing that the plot would show itself a lot early than it did. I also felt a bit let down about how the story ended, mostly because I was expecting something a little bigger. The book just felt easy to put down for me and was missing that spark. Maybe it was just a bit quieter than I was expecting.
Dark of the Moon utilizes it's rich world building and barbarically fascinating culture to the fullest to craft a new take on the minotaur myth. While the novel drags a bit in the middle, the re-telling and humanizing of the mythological creatures and characters is definitely creative. I might not venture through a maze for this one but if you happen to see it and are in to historical/fantastical re-tellings, go for it!
Switching narrators from Ariadne to Theseus, the reader gets to see how fate conspired to make their paths cross. Ariadne is a goddess in training, someone that is both revered and feared by her people. Mostly, she's just lonely, being tossed around from training and studying with no friend to confide in. Her love for her mother and brother, the minotaur, is both beautiful and endearing. Theseus's path is a little less than I was expecting. For some reason, I had it in my head that he'd be a noble prince and he really wasn't much more than a scorned boy looking to impress his father. While this was okay, he was a very inactive character--merely letting things happen to him and reacting instead of acting himself. I liked the contrast between him and Ariadne who tried to act on important issues before it was too late.
The culture of Dark of the Moon is rich, vivid and very gruesome. We're talking birthing scenes, human and animal sacrifice, drugs and violence. I have to admit that I was horrified half of the time at what these characters were going to face but I couldn't stop reading to find out more about what the society was going to do next. I liked the differences between Ariadne's land and Theseus' home. They both remark that the other is a barbarian more than once which is fascinating since they both have what we'd concern barbaric customs now. There is a really interesting point in the novel where Theseus talks about his stepmother, the queen, Medea and how hated she is for killing her children to which Ariadne remarks that she is revered in her him. I loved that contrast of views as it really marks the fundamental differences of their cultures.
Another shining aspect of this novel was the beautiful descriptive writing. I'm not much in to loads and loads of scenery description but the passages about the palace where absolutely amazing. I could close my eyes and see it all from the detailed murals on the wall to the dank cellar where Ariadne's brother was locked up for his own good. The minotaur mythology was also unique--that is to say that the minotaur is really a misshapen man-child who doesn't know his own strength.
While there was a lot of really good things about this story, it did feel a bit long in the middle, particularly in Theseus's beginning chapters. I felt myself wishing that the plot would show itself a lot early than it did. I also felt a bit let down about how the story ended, mostly because I was expecting something a little bigger. The book just felt easy to put down for me and was missing that spark. Maybe it was just a bit quieter than I was expecting.
Dark of the Moon utilizes it's rich world building and barbarically fascinating culture to the fullest to craft a new take on the minotaur myth. While the novel drags a bit in the middle, the re-telling and humanizing of the mythological creatures and characters is definitely creative. I might not venture through a maze for this one but if you happen to see it and are in to historical/fantastical re-tellings, go for it!
May 25, 2012
Ariadne is She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess. Because of this, she can't talk to other girls her age or ever lead a normal life. Her day is filled with memorizing various rituals and constant lessons on how to be a priestess. Her only true friend is Asterion, her brother, who lives underneath the palace away from everyone else. That is, until Theseus arrives. Theseus is the son of the king of Athens, and he's different from anyone Ariadne's ever met. They soon become friends, and could maybe even turn into more, but there's one small problem: Theseus has been sent to kill the legendary Minotaur, the monster that lies at the center of a twisted labyrinth.
The Minotaurus is Ariadne's brother.
I was SO disappointed by this book. It had the most perfect set-up, the PERFECT plot, the most epic romance/adventure idea...and then the author absolutely ruined it. :( Sigh.
SIIIIIIIIIIIGH.
The good:
1) The idea behind it. I read a LOT of paranormal romance. I read a LOT of fairy tales and folk tales and legends and myths and I love them all. But I'd never read anything about the Minotaur before. I was SO excited about it- and the romantic twist! Ahhhh!!! AMAZING!!! Surely this would turn into an epic stand-alone novel that I would have to run and purchase in hardcover after I was done? But alas, it was not to be. :(
2)The main character's name. Ariadne. I think that's the prettiest name in the world. Second to Evana. :)
3) Theseus' POV. Ariadne's POV is written in tiresome "old english", but Theseus talked like today's typical teenager. While this was slightly odd, I thought it was absolutely hilarious. He had a very witty voice and I enjoyed reading his parts. I also enjoyed the author's take on Theseus. He's not an amazing hero, but really, just a kid who's gotten lucky and lied a lot hahaha!
And now, for the bad:
1) Way too much backstory. The vast majority of the book was spent explaining things and talking about what had taken place in the past. I didn't really care to know but I had to read through it to get ahead.
2) The focus on religion/rituals. While the "Moon Goddess" was surely important (since Ariadne is one of her priestesses) the excessive detail that went into talking about each step of the ritual was downright boring. :/ I wondered why we were spending SO much time on it and not any time on the actual fight between Theseus and the Minotaur and WHERE WAS THE ROMANCE.
3) Not enough romance. Actually, there was basically no romance whatsoever. :(
4) Being misled. I hate how books are advertised as one thing but then turn out to be another thing entirely. Rather than being the tale of the Minotaur with a twist, this book was 80% Moon Goddess, 10% what-happened-in-the-past and 10% hurriedly-slapped-together-ending-because-we-have-to-cut-it-off-somewhere. It disappointed me on several levels and introduced numerous secrets at the beginning that I was anticipating would reveal something mind-blowing. Each of the secrets turned out to be horribly anti-climatic.
Glad I didn't buy it!
The Minotaurus is Ariadne's brother.
I was SO disappointed by this book. It had the most perfect set-up, the PERFECT plot, the most epic romance/adventure idea...and then the author absolutely ruined it. :( Sigh.
SIIIIIIIIIIIGH.
The good:
1) The idea behind it. I read a LOT of paranormal romance. I read a LOT of fairy tales and folk tales and legends and myths and I love them all. But I'd never read anything about the Minotaur before. I was SO excited about it- and the romantic twist! Ahhhh!!! AMAZING!!! Surely this would turn into an epic stand-alone novel that I would have to run and purchase in hardcover after I was done? But alas, it was not to be. :(
2)The main character's name. Ariadne. I think that's the prettiest name in the world. Second to Evana. :)
3) Theseus' POV. Ariadne's POV is written in tiresome "old english", but Theseus talked like today's typical teenager. While this was slightly odd, I thought it was absolutely hilarious. He had a very witty voice and I enjoyed reading his parts. I also enjoyed the author's take on Theseus. He's not an amazing hero, but really, just a kid who's gotten lucky and lied a lot hahaha!
And now, for the bad:
1) Way too much backstory. The vast majority of the book was spent explaining things and talking about what had taken place in the past. I didn't really care to know but I had to read through it to get ahead.
2) The focus on religion/rituals. While the "Moon Goddess" was surely important (since Ariadne is one of her priestesses) the excessive detail that went into talking about each step of the ritual was downright boring. :/ I wondered why we were spending SO much time on it and not any time on the actual fight between Theseus and the Minotaur and WHERE WAS THE ROMANCE.
3) Not enough romance. Actually, there was basically no romance whatsoever. :(
4) Being misled. I hate how books are advertised as one thing but then turn out to be another thing entirely. Rather than being the tale of the Minotaur with a twist, this book was 80% Moon Goddess, 10% what-happened-in-the-past and 10% hurriedly-slapped-together-ending-because-we-have-to-cut-it-off-somewhere. It disappointed me on several levels and introduced numerous secrets at the beginning that I was anticipating would reveal something mind-blowing. Each of the secrets turned out to be horribly anti-climatic.
Glad I didn't buy it!
September 11, 2011
After reading the above summary, I couldn’t wait to read this book. The potential for twists and turns bubbles on the surface of the story, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s rife with conflict from beginning to end, the pacing is spot on, and the characters so absorbing that I could not put this book down.
This is the perfect example of taking a well-known tale and turning it into something new, while still remaining true to the original roots. It’s clear the author knew the myth inside and out, as well as the religious practices at that time. She took the time period surrounding that myth and turned it into a plausible ‘what if it actually happened like this’ scenario. Brilliant.
I really liked the characters, too. Ariadne is both an historical figure and a typical teen trying to figure out who she really is. She doesn’t completely fit it, the way most teens feel, and finds solace where she can. Theseus isn’t quite as compelling, but he’s still interesting and sympathetic nonetheless. His reactions to Krete’s religious practices are believable and fitting. The explanation of the minotaur also fit, especially when you take the time period and ancient customs into account. I was completely caught up in their stories.
The only thing that gave me pause was the way in which it was told. We hear from both Ariadne and Theseus, which is fine, but the timelines don’t match. I would have preferred to see their stories unfold closer together. For example, we first get several chapters of Ariadne and how she meets Theseus, and then we jump back to months before Theseus is sent to Krete. That jarred me a bit, but I was able to get over and it read on with little impact on my enjoyment of the story.
Even though I knew the way the story would end, it still kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially liked how the author addressed the poetic vs. realistic slant on the way the story was passed down through the generations. It gives us lots of interesting things to think about.
If you want to read a myth that has been turned completely on its side, this is the story for you. If you’re looking for an exact rehash of Theseus and the Minotaur, then you should look elsewhere.
This is the perfect example of taking a well-known tale and turning it into something new, while still remaining true to the original roots. It’s clear the author knew the myth inside and out, as well as the religious practices at that time. She took the time period surrounding that myth and turned it into a plausible ‘what if it actually happened like this’ scenario. Brilliant.
I really liked the characters, too. Ariadne is both an historical figure and a typical teen trying to figure out who she really is. She doesn’t completely fit it, the way most teens feel, and finds solace where she can. Theseus isn’t quite as compelling, but he’s still interesting and sympathetic nonetheless. His reactions to Krete’s religious practices are believable and fitting. The explanation of the minotaur also fit, especially when you take the time period and ancient customs into account. I was completely caught up in their stories.
The only thing that gave me pause was the way in which it was told. We hear from both Ariadne and Theseus, which is fine, but the timelines don’t match. I would have preferred to see their stories unfold closer together. For example, we first get several chapters of Ariadne and how she meets Theseus, and then we jump back to months before Theseus is sent to Krete. That jarred me a bit, but I was able to get over and it read on with little impact on my enjoyment of the story.
Even though I knew the way the story would end, it still kept me on the edge of my seat. I especially liked how the author addressed the poetic vs. realistic slant on the way the story was passed down through the generations. It gives us lots of interesting things to think about.
If you want to read a myth that has been turned completely on its side, this is the story for you. If you’re looking for an exact rehash of Theseus and the Minotaur, then you should look elsewhere.
August 4, 2011
Everything thinks they've heard the Greek myth of Theseus, Ariadne, the Minotaur and the labyrinth. At least, until you've read Dark of the Moon. In this unique historical novel, author Tracy Barrett explores an alternative take on the myth, centered on a young Ariadne who's trying to accept her destiny as the future physical presence of the Goddess her people worships.
As She-Who-Would-Be-Goddess, Ariadne has led an isolated life on the island of Krete, training much of her life as a priestess, future leader of the island and one-day goddess. It's a life she's never wanted, and even with her mother and brother around, it's not quite right. Then one day, a ship from Athens appears led by a man named Theseus, but instead of handing over the traditional sacrifice of Athenian youths, Theseus has come to slay the fable Minotaur. Not only is Theseus fascinating to Ariadne, but he offers the one thing she wants most: a way out.
For me, it's hard to go wrong with something like this. I mean, Greek mythology re-telling with a twist, especially exploring Ariadne, a young woman who has depicted as a somewhat bitter victim of Theseus' selfishness and with little else in her but revenge. Author Tracy Barrett takes a completely different approach, painting Ariadne as something of a prisoner in her own home, and not much a love interest of Theseus, but a friend.
Though Dark of the Moon is a quick, easy read, it's compelling and fast-paced. Barrett is a lovely writer, and does an excellent job of evoking the mysticism of the time and the mystery of the era. And a completely fresh take on Ariadne and how Theseus never wronged her.
As She-Who-Would-Be-Goddess, Ariadne has led an isolated life on the island of Krete, training much of her life as a priestess, future leader of the island and one-day goddess. It's a life she's never wanted, and even with her mother and brother around, it's not quite right. Then one day, a ship from Athens appears led by a man named Theseus, but instead of handing over the traditional sacrifice of Athenian youths, Theseus has come to slay the fable Minotaur. Not only is Theseus fascinating to Ariadne, but he offers the one thing she wants most: a way out.
For me, it's hard to go wrong with something like this. I mean, Greek mythology re-telling with a twist, especially exploring Ariadne, a young woman who has depicted as a somewhat bitter victim of Theseus' selfishness and with little else in her but revenge. Author Tracy Barrett takes a completely different approach, painting Ariadne as something of a prisoner in her own home, and not much a love interest of Theseus, but a friend.
Though Dark of the Moon is a quick, easy read, it's compelling and fast-paced. Barrett is a lovely writer, and does an excellent job of evoking the mysticism of the time and the mystery of the era. And a completely fresh take on Ariadne and how Theseus never wronged her.
November 2, 2020
A well written and interesting retelling of the Minotaur myth. Barrett's writing makes you get invested in the characters and you get swept up in the drama that unfolds.
I did like the story, and I appreciate how she took the legend and made it different, while still pulling elements from the original story.
However, the ending felt a little anti-climatic. The character arcs wrap up very quickly, and I wish that there would've been more time for that. The "antagonists" also doesn't appear to get their comeuppances, unless I overlooked a detail while reading it.
With that said, that's just my opinion, and it's still a good story. I recommend giving Dark of the Moon a read.
I did like the story, and I appreciate how she took the legend and made it different, while still pulling elements from the original story.
However, the ending felt a little anti-climatic. The character arcs wrap up very quickly, and I wish that there would've been more time for that. The "antagonists" also doesn't appear to get their comeuppances, unless I overlooked a detail while reading it.
With that said, that's just my opinion, and it's still a good story. I recommend giving Dark of the Moon a read.
February 16, 2012
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: Good story for people who like mythology! This novel retells Theseus’s myth in a way that’s historically plausible, and brings the ancient world of Krete alive to do it.
Opening Sentence: It isn’t true what they say about my brother–that he ate those children.
Excerpt: No
The Review:
Barrett’s novel weaves a more realistic, historically plausible tale of the Minotaur, she wrote it well and grounded everything in an ancient context. As an obsessive mythology nerd, I appreciate the accuracy. Through the book, though mostly concentrated toward the end she took the time to explain how these characters developed into those found in classical mythology. Despite this, and the interest I had when picking up the book, I was a little underwhelmed in the end.
Theseus and the Minotaur is one of the most well know classics. But things have changed rather drastically in Barrett’s version. For example, the reason Theseus is sent to Krete as a tribute is not for his heroism, but because the Minos (King of Krete) said if the Athenians included the son of their king he would not ask them for more tributes. Ariadne is She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess, who’s only true friend is her mother, the current Goddess. The book is divided between Theseus and Ariadne’s perspectives, but I thought Theseus’s was way more interesting. I really didn’t find myself very invested in the Goddess subplot, so Ariadne wasn’t intriguing to me. The only other person in the palace who isn’t afraid to touch her is her half-brother–poor, deformed Asterion, who’s trapped beneath the palace because of his unintentionally violent tendencies.
That being said, it means the majority of people who want to read this book will be able to tell what happens next, even if some of the end results are different. I didn’t necessarily think of this predictability as a problem because I spent most of the book wondering how she was going to spin it. However, I do have a hard time reading a story where I know what’s going to happen, and so it took me a while to read–but someone who hasn’t studied mythology might not find this as much of a problem. The plot picks up significantly in the second half of the story–as does the violence. Unfortunately, the violence doesn’t really get any suspenseful build up, so when it occurred I didn’t really think much of it. Barrett works hard to turn Theseus into an non-hero, a regular guy (well, a prince, but otherwise a normal guy) and while that made him a more complicated character I think it robbed him of some serious potential.
My biggest peeve about this book was how confusing the perspective switches were. Barrett switches from Ariadne to Theseus every chapter–but where as Theseus is telling his myth-creation story in present tense, Ariadne is in past tense. When I did get into the story and didn’t notice the chapter break, it completely pulled me out of the action. It was a fast-paced read though, and when I could get into it I was really into the story and 50 pages flew by. I know it sounds like I don’t like Dark of the Moon, but I did. I just didn’t like it as much as I expected I would.
Notable Scene:
“You are very noble.” She leans her head against my chest.
The guilt becomes even more painful. “Perhaps not as noble as you think.”
“Oh yes. To give your life for the Kretan people, when you are an outsider, that is a noble thing.”
I try to laugh, but my throat has closed. “I don’t plan to give my life for anybody.”
She pulls back and stares at me. “But that’s what you’re here for. That’s why there’s a Chosen One at the Planting Festival. He has to die for the people.”
It’s like she’s speaking a foreign language, one where I understand only one word in three. “What do you mean, ‘Die for the people’?” It must be some way of talking that they have here, some ritual where the king’s bloodletting is seen as a kind of death.
Ariadne looks down. “The Minos will open the pathway of your blood. Your blood will go on the fields, and the harvest will be good.”
“How much of my blood?”
“All of it.”
FTC Advisory: Harcourt Children’s Books provided me with a copy of Dark of the Moon. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: Good story for people who like mythology! This novel retells Theseus’s myth in a way that’s historically plausible, and brings the ancient world of Krete alive to do it.
Opening Sentence: It isn’t true what they say about my brother–that he ate those children.
Excerpt: No
The Review:
Barrett’s novel weaves a more realistic, historically plausible tale of the Minotaur, she wrote it well and grounded everything in an ancient context. As an obsessive mythology nerd, I appreciate the accuracy. Through the book, though mostly concentrated toward the end she took the time to explain how these characters developed into those found in classical mythology. Despite this, and the interest I had when picking up the book, I was a little underwhelmed in the end.
Theseus and the Minotaur is one of the most well know classics. But things have changed rather drastically in Barrett’s version. For example, the reason Theseus is sent to Krete as a tribute is not for his heroism, but because the Minos (King of Krete) said if the Athenians included the son of their king he would not ask them for more tributes. Ariadne is She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess, who’s only true friend is her mother, the current Goddess. The book is divided between Theseus and Ariadne’s perspectives, but I thought Theseus’s was way more interesting. I really didn’t find myself very invested in the Goddess subplot, so Ariadne wasn’t intriguing to me. The only other person in the palace who isn’t afraid to touch her is her half-brother–poor, deformed Asterion, who’s trapped beneath the palace because of his unintentionally violent tendencies.
That being said, it means the majority of people who want to read this book will be able to tell what happens next, even if some of the end results are different. I didn’t necessarily think of this predictability as a problem because I spent most of the book wondering how she was going to spin it. However, I do have a hard time reading a story where I know what’s going to happen, and so it took me a while to read–but someone who hasn’t studied mythology might not find this as much of a problem. The plot picks up significantly in the second half of the story–as does the violence. Unfortunately, the violence doesn’t really get any suspenseful build up, so when it occurred I didn’t really think much of it. Barrett works hard to turn Theseus into an non-hero, a regular guy (well, a prince, but otherwise a normal guy) and while that made him a more complicated character I think it robbed him of some serious potential.
My biggest peeve about this book was how confusing the perspective switches were. Barrett switches from Ariadne to Theseus every chapter–but where as Theseus is telling his myth-creation story in present tense, Ariadne is in past tense. When I did get into the story and didn’t notice the chapter break, it completely pulled me out of the action. It was a fast-paced read though, and when I could get into it I was really into the story and 50 pages flew by. I know it sounds like I don’t like Dark of the Moon, but I did. I just didn’t like it as much as I expected I would.
Notable Scene:
“You are very noble.” She leans her head against my chest.
The guilt becomes even more painful. “Perhaps not as noble as you think.”
“Oh yes. To give your life for the Kretan people, when you are an outsider, that is a noble thing.”
I try to laugh, but my throat has closed. “I don’t plan to give my life for anybody.”
She pulls back and stares at me. “But that’s what you’re here for. That’s why there’s a Chosen One at the Planting Festival. He has to die for the people.”
It’s like she’s speaking a foreign language, one where I understand only one word in three. “What do you mean, ‘Die for the people’?” It must be some way of talking that they have here, some ritual where the king’s bloodletting is seen as a kind of death.
Ariadne looks down. “The Minos will open the pathway of your blood. Your blood will go on the fields, and the harvest will be good.”
“How much of my blood?”
“All of it.”
FTC Advisory: Harcourt Children’s Books provided me with a copy of Dark of the Moon. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
August 18, 2014
"It isn't true what they say about my brother - that he ate those children. He never did; he didn't even meant to hurt them. He wept as he held out their broken bodies, his soft brown eyes pleading with me to fix them, the way I always fixed his dolls and toys.
Tonight is the new moon and I dance."
With these words opens Dark of The Moon by Tracy Barrett, a wonderfully realistic and emotionally riveting retelling of the Minotaur myth. Those with inquiring minds, interested in discovering what actual real-life events could have inspired the gruesome myth, will delight in reading it.
Romance is not the focus of this book, despite the fact that in the original story it's love and passion that fueled the actions of Ariadne when she betrayed her family and helped Theseus kill the beastly Minotaur. In Dark of The Moon, Minotaur is Ariadne's brother, Asterion, and she loves him dearly.
Ariadne is "She Who Will Be Goddess", a priestess who is seen as someone more than human, someone powerful and capable of wielding magic, even though in truth she's just an average girl who happened to be born into priesthood and destined to become the vessel for the Goddess. She's lonely, feared and isolated by the society, friendless and really quite unhappy. She's loving and caring, she knows what's expected of her but she's also intelligent enough to see the changes coming to her word. Theseus himself is brave and oozing confidence, but he's not this embellished, unbeatable hero in shining armor. Him being sent to Crete has little to do with a noble desire to slay the evil monster and stop the bloody sacrifices. In fact, all he really wanted was to meet his real father. Little did he know, his father did not care about him at all and just saw his arrival as opportunity to help himself.
Barrett's Minotaur is a truly tragic character, and one that we grow to pity as we learn more about him and his condition. He's not some powerful supernatural being, definitely not a huge half-human, half-bull creature. He's really just a mentally disabled, physically disfigured young man, who can't control his actions and hurts people without intending to. In modern times, a person like that would be diagnosed with mental illness and treated in some sort of medical facility, back then - he was feared, hated and isolated. He did not inspire fear in me. To be honest, my heart ached for him.
Told in alternating points of view of Ariadne (in past tense) and Theseus (in present tense), Dark Of The Moon is a beautifully imagined, well written tale of bravery and sacrifice, duty and fate, family bonds and friendship. The world building is really meticulous, rich and amazing, the characters - realistically drawn and authentic in every aspect. I loved what Barrett did here - how she took a vague, highly improbable mythical tale and turned it into something that could really be the true story of Ariadne and Theseus. I though it was a convincing and absorbing version of the myth, and I really enjoyed reading it.
Tonight is the new moon and I dance."
With these words opens Dark of The Moon by Tracy Barrett, a wonderfully realistic and emotionally riveting retelling of the Minotaur myth. Those with inquiring minds, interested in discovering what actual real-life events could have inspired the gruesome myth, will delight in reading it.
Romance is not the focus of this book, despite the fact that in the original story it's love and passion that fueled the actions of Ariadne when she betrayed her family and helped Theseus kill the beastly Minotaur. In Dark of The Moon, Minotaur is Ariadne's brother, Asterion, and she loves him dearly.
Ariadne is "She Who Will Be Goddess", a priestess who is seen as someone more than human, someone powerful and capable of wielding magic, even though in truth she's just an average girl who happened to be born into priesthood and destined to become the vessel for the Goddess. She's lonely, feared and isolated by the society, friendless and really quite unhappy. She's loving and caring, she knows what's expected of her but she's also intelligent enough to see the changes coming to her word. Theseus himself is brave and oozing confidence, but he's not this embellished, unbeatable hero in shining armor. Him being sent to Crete has little to do with a noble desire to slay the evil monster and stop the bloody sacrifices. In fact, all he really wanted was to meet his real father. Little did he know, his father did not care about him at all and just saw his arrival as opportunity to help himself.
Barrett's Minotaur is a truly tragic character, and one that we grow to pity as we learn more about him and his condition. He's not some powerful supernatural being, definitely not a huge half-human, half-bull creature. He's really just a mentally disabled, physically disfigured young man, who can't control his actions and hurts people without intending to. In modern times, a person like that would be diagnosed with mental illness and treated in some sort of medical facility, back then - he was feared, hated and isolated. He did not inspire fear in me. To be honest, my heart ached for him.
Told in alternating points of view of Ariadne (in past tense) and Theseus (in present tense), Dark Of The Moon is a beautifully imagined, well written tale of bravery and sacrifice, duty and fate, family bonds and friendship. The world building is really meticulous, rich and amazing, the characters - realistically drawn and authentic in every aspect. I loved what Barrett did here - how she took a vague, highly improbable mythical tale and turned it into something that could really be the true story of Ariadne and Theseus. I though it was a convincing and absorbing version of the myth, and I really enjoyed reading it.
May 8, 2012
Originally posted here.
The myth of the labyrinth and the minotaur has always been a favorite of mine, which is why it is embarrassing to admit that I have never read The King Must Die by Mary Renault. It is, after all, supposed to be the quintessential novelization of Theseus. I think I have built my expectations of it so high I'm afraid to read it in case it doesn't live up. I did intend to read it before I read Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett., but then I saw Dark of the Moon sitting so enticingly on the new arrival shelf at my library and I couldn't resist it.
This is an excellent novelization of the minotaur myth. I loved how Barrett took the familiar and changed it just enough to give it depth and believability. For those who are familiar with the myth, you will find all the essential elements of the original story: the tribute, the yarn, the maze, the "monster", Minos. Daedalus and Icarus are both mentioned. I enjoyed the glimpses we had of Medea as well. All readers will find in Barrett's Krete a world fully realized and developed. A very intricate religious system governs the lives of Krete's inhabitants ruled by She-Who-Is-Goddess, the human manifestation of the moon goddess. This system involves yearly human sacrifice to ensure the harvest. Ariadne is She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess, daughter of the current goddess and one of the yearly sacrifices.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints between Theseus and Ariadne. This is all Ariadne's story though. Theseus, while starting off interesting, is not well developed and seemed to only serve to further Ariadne's character. Ariadne is realistically torn about her role in Krete. She is confused and lonely. Through her interactions with Asterion we see her as loving and strong. Her loneliness makes her an easy target for those who want the ways of Krete to change and she leaves herself vulnerable in ways that cause her much distress. In this version her actions take on new meaning and understanding. She has what the Ariadne from the myth was lacking, power to determine her own actions and end. She is not the girl who has her head turned by a charming hero and betrays her people only to be abandoned by said hero to fend for herself. This Ariadne grows in strength, power and knowledge of who she is. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel for what it did with her character.
If you are a fan of mythological retellings this is definitely a must read.
The myth of the labyrinth and the minotaur has always been a favorite of mine, which is why it is embarrassing to admit that I have never read The King Must Die by Mary Renault. It is, after all, supposed to be the quintessential novelization of Theseus. I think I have built my expectations of it so high I'm afraid to read it in case it doesn't live up. I did intend to read it before I read Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett., but then I saw Dark of the Moon sitting so enticingly on the new arrival shelf at my library and I couldn't resist it.
This is an excellent novelization of the minotaur myth. I loved how Barrett took the familiar and changed it just enough to give it depth and believability. For those who are familiar with the myth, you will find all the essential elements of the original story: the tribute, the yarn, the maze, the "monster", Minos. Daedalus and Icarus are both mentioned. I enjoyed the glimpses we had of Medea as well. All readers will find in Barrett's Krete a world fully realized and developed. A very intricate religious system governs the lives of Krete's inhabitants ruled by She-Who-Is-Goddess, the human manifestation of the moon goddess. This system involves yearly human sacrifice to ensure the harvest. Ariadne is She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess, daughter of the current goddess and one of the yearly sacrifices.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints between Theseus and Ariadne. This is all Ariadne's story though. Theseus, while starting off interesting, is not well developed and seemed to only serve to further Ariadne's character. Ariadne is realistically torn about her role in Krete. She is confused and lonely. Through her interactions with Asterion we see her as loving and strong. Her loneliness makes her an easy target for those who want the ways of Krete to change and she leaves herself vulnerable in ways that cause her much distress. In this version her actions take on new meaning and understanding. She has what the Ariadne from the myth was lacking, power to determine her own actions and end. She is not the girl who has her head turned by a charming hero and betrays her people only to be abandoned by said hero to fend for herself. This Ariadne grows in strength, power and knowledge of who she is. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel for what it did with her character.
If you are a fan of mythological retellings this is definitely a must read.
September 3, 2011
I didn't know much about this book before starting other than that it was sort of a retelling of the Greek myth about Theseus and the Minotaur's Labyrinth. Thus I struggled in the beginning when I read this boring girl's whiny monologue about her difficulties as She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess and her fears about the time when she takes her mother's place as She-Who-Is-Goddess. Who was this girl? (Ariadne) Why did I have to learn about her confusing religion? Did the religious figures govern the country with no king? Where was Theseus?
Soon though he appeared and I relaxed a bit. Was he whiny too? Yes a bit, but he was familiar and his narration really helped me get into the narrative. Once it switched back to the first narrator Ariadne, I was engrossed in the world of the story and I was able to sympathize more with her as the story switched back and forth between the two perspectives to shine new light on the myth of Theseus.
And while I was more settled, I wasn't entirely comfortable. Remember this is the world of Greek myth, a bloody, bloody place with regular human sacrifice. And those ugly aspects are discussed. Although routine for Ariadne and her people, they are new to Theseus. The hardest part for me to read about was a bullfighting sequence, which I think is an absolutely disgusting activity. My mom told me about a time on a school-trip to Mexico where they attended a bullfight and it just sounded horrifying, so caution to sensitive stomachs.
One big theme I noted was the treatment of religion. Although the Goddess has been revered for generations, there are suspicions about Ariadne's suitability to follow her mother as well as rumblings about putting a male king in the high priestess' place. So there's also gender politics and examination of the prominence of religion and how it can fall.
And of course there's family! Ariadne's family and their entanglement with the Goddess are intrinsic to understanding their religion and system of governance. I did find it all a little confusing (and more than a little appalling with the whole system of human sacrifice) but I think I understood enough especially as Theseus understood more.
Overall: Good twist; I'm definitely pleased with the spate of YA books dealing with Greek myths although I highly recommend that you read the original myth first. I think it's preferable to see what the author was dealing with and it helps you to pick out what was consciously changed and to ponder why.
Soon though he appeared and I relaxed a bit. Was he whiny too? Yes a bit, but he was familiar and his narration really helped me get into the narrative. Once it switched back to the first narrator Ariadne, I was engrossed in the world of the story and I was able to sympathize more with her as the story switched back and forth between the two perspectives to shine new light on the myth of Theseus.
And while I was more settled, I wasn't entirely comfortable. Remember this is the world of Greek myth, a bloody, bloody place with regular human sacrifice. And those ugly aspects are discussed. Although routine for Ariadne and her people, they are new to Theseus. The hardest part for me to read about was a bullfighting sequence, which I think is an absolutely disgusting activity. My mom told me about a time on a school-trip to Mexico where they attended a bullfight and it just sounded horrifying, so caution to sensitive stomachs.
One big theme I noted was the treatment of religion. Although the Goddess has been revered for generations, there are suspicions about Ariadne's suitability to follow her mother as well as rumblings about putting a male king in the high priestess' place. So there's also gender politics and examination of the prominence of religion and how it can fall.
And of course there's family! Ariadne's family and their entanglement with the Goddess are intrinsic to understanding their religion and system of governance. I did find it all a little confusing (and more than a little appalling with the whole system of human sacrifice) but I think I understood enough especially as Theseus understood more.
Overall: Good twist; I'm definitely pleased with the spate of YA books dealing with Greek myths although I highly recommend that you read the original myth first. I think it's preferable to see what the author was dealing with and it helps you to pick out what was consciously changed and to ponder why.
August 24, 2011
Barrett does a great job on this retelling of the Greek mytho of the Minotaur. It is interesting and has some new twists that are fun. It was a fast and easy read so perfect for the summer!
Ariadne is a soon-to-be goddess. She is very isolated on Crete until a ship from Athens shows up led by Theseus. Theseus is not there to deliver a sacrifice however. He is there to kill the Minotaur. In this story, the Minotaur is a disfigured and very crazy man that is only saved by who his parents are (he also happens to be Ariadne's brother).
I really liked Ariadne. She wants people to treat her the same as everyone else. She wants to travel. She knows however that she is going to be a Goddess and doesn't try to deny it. I enjoyed her love for her brother and family.
The fact that Asterion (the Minotaur) was a man with a child's mind instead of some horrible, scary monster was refreshing. He is very sweet and totally harmless despite his strength. He was a very refreshing and interesting twist to the original myth. I really liked his character.
I liked how the story switched between Ariadne's and Theseus' point of views. I always think it makes it a little more interesting and you don't really have a chance to get bored with one POV. I also loved how there was very little romance. It's a very nice change from other books.
If you like Greek mythology and would like a new and interesting twist on the Minotaur, this is a book you will enjoy!
Ariadne is a soon-to-be goddess. She is very isolated on Crete until a ship from Athens shows up led by Theseus. Theseus is not there to deliver a sacrifice however. He is there to kill the Minotaur. In this story, the Minotaur is a disfigured and very crazy man that is only saved by who his parents are (he also happens to be Ariadne's brother).
I really liked Ariadne. She wants people to treat her the same as everyone else. She wants to travel. She knows however that she is going to be a Goddess and doesn't try to deny it. I enjoyed her love for her brother and family.
The fact that Asterion (the Minotaur) was a man with a child's mind instead of some horrible, scary monster was refreshing. He is very sweet and totally harmless despite his strength. He was a very refreshing and interesting twist to the original myth. I really liked his character.
I liked how the story switched between Ariadne's and Theseus' point of views. I always think it makes it a little more interesting and you don't really have a chance to get bored with one POV. I also loved how there was very little romance. It's a very nice change from other books.
If you like Greek mythology and would like a new and interesting twist on the Minotaur, this is a book you will enjoy!
October 4, 2011
Since I never really paid any attention in school when they were discussing Greek mythology, I wasn't too sure what to expect in Dark of the Moon. It is based on the Greek myth of Theseus, Ariadne, the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Now since none of the myth was familiar to me, I knew this would be something fresh for me to read.
I really had a hard time getting into this book. It begins rather slowly and had an overabundance of narrative dialogue that was a little repetitive at times. It didn't really start getting interesting until the characters started their dialogue and started interacting. Although the dialogue picked up the pace of the book, it still wasn't as interesting as I was hoping it would be. I wasn't a fan of the characters like I should have been. Maybe if I had known about the legendary myth at little more, it would have had me engrossed in the revelations a little more.
While the story wasn't as great as I was expecting, the author did execute the story with a twist nicely. She has you thinking how tales can be twisted throughout the ages and how some things might have been different from a different point of view. If you are a fan of Greek mythology then I would say to give this book a chance. You might just find out more about the legend than you already know.
I really had a hard time getting into this book. It begins rather slowly and had an overabundance of narrative dialogue that was a little repetitive at times. It didn't really start getting interesting until the characters started their dialogue and started interacting. Although the dialogue picked up the pace of the book, it still wasn't as interesting as I was hoping it would be. I wasn't a fan of the characters like I should have been. Maybe if I had known about the legendary myth at little more, it would have had me engrossed in the revelations a little more.
While the story wasn't as great as I was expecting, the author did execute the story with a twist nicely. She has you thinking how tales can be twisted throughout the ages and how some things might have been different from a different point of view. If you are a fan of Greek mythology then I would say to give this book a chance. You might just find out more about the legend than you already know.
September 22, 2011
Last year I read and fell in love with KING OF ITHAKA (read my review here) which was so much different than a retelling of a myth. And this is what I loved about it. There's something about taking the myths and twisting them up that hits the right note for me. Like this newest one from Tracy Barrett...
It's funny because not too long ago I read a fabulous article theorizing about the myth of the minotaur and what it really might have been. I mean, sure, you can hold onto the belief that there really was a scary monster eating teens. Or you can open your mind and try to come up with a rational explanation, which is what Tracy did in DARK OF THE MOON.
So what did I love about this book? Let's start with the mythology. Yes, there was still death and crazy god rituals. It was sprinkled in enough to keep me hooked. Next, there was the character of Theseus. I kind of loved that he was so not perfect. From his motivation to his mistakes, he's totally deserving of the hero status he achieves. And the last thing I'll point out is the monster. Because yes, there is a monster. But he's not all that bad (even though he might kill people).
I definitely recommend DARK OF THE MOON for fans of mythology, girls or boys alike.
Source of book: From publisher by request
It's funny because not too long ago I read a fabulous article theorizing about the myth of the minotaur and what it really might have been. I mean, sure, you can hold onto the belief that there really was a scary monster eating teens. Or you can open your mind and try to come up with a rational explanation, which is what Tracy did in DARK OF THE MOON.
So what did I love about this book? Let's start with the mythology. Yes, there was still death and crazy god rituals. It was sprinkled in enough to keep me hooked. Next, there was the character of Theseus. I kind of loved that he was so not perfect. From his motivation to his mistakes, he's totally deserving of the hero status he achieves. And the last thing I'll point out is the monster. Because yes, there is a monster. But he's not all that bad (even though he might kill people).
I definitely recommend DARK OF THE MOON for fans of mythology, girls or boys alike.
Source of book: From publisher by request
July 22, 2016
Dark of the Moon had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. Barrett is a good writer (I mean, look at the prologue; that was amazing), yet this story felt hollow. This book is like a really good draft that needs to be fleshed out.
While this is the myth of the minotaur retold, it barely featured him at all. There was little development of his character, while I would've liked to see more interaction between him and Ariadne. The story didn't excite me, which is what I look for in books (whether that is through action or intrigue). The characters didn't even have enough depth to make up for the bland plot.
I was really excited about this book after reading the prologue. After that page, though, the story lost my interest. I was hoping for a dark story mixed with the innocence of the minotaur; instead, I got a light read that didn't move me and barely dove into the minotaur's story at all.
This might be a good book for younger readers. Dark of the Moon just did not work for me.
While this is the myth of the minotaur retold, it barely featured him at all. There was little development of his character, while I would've liked to see more interaction between him and Ariadne. The story didn't excite me, which is what I look for in books (whether that is through action or intrigue). The characters didn't even have enough depth to make up for the bland plot.
I was really excited about this book after reading the prologue. After that page, though, the story lost my interest. I was hoping for a dark story mixed with the innocence of the minotaur; instead, I got a light read that didn't move me and barely dove into the minotaur's story at all.
This might be a good book for younger readers. Dark of the Moon just did not work for me.
January 24, 2013
Dark of the Moon was a brilliantly written book. It was a retelling of Theseus and the Minotaur. The characters had depth and I could actually relate to them and had genuine interest in their well being. It felt a little bit more like it should have been the story of the Minotaur’s sister, since that’s really who was high lighted, but the way the author merged her new ideas with old mythology was done very well.
This book had no love story, no insta love no love triangle. It was really very refreshing to see. The villains were not true evil villains, but normal people doing what people do.
You could tell the author did her research with Krete customs, clothing, mythology and history, which is what truly separates a book like this from one simply trying to re tell the story.
I gobbled up the pages quickly, interested in seeing what would happen next.
This was TOTALLY a five star book.
This book had no love story, no insta love no love triangle. It was really very refreshing to see. The villains were not true evil villains, but normal people doing what people do.
You could tell the author did her research with Krete customs, clothing, mythology and history, which is what truly separates a book like this from one simply trying to re tell the story.
I gobbled up the pages quickly, interested in seeing what would happen next.
This was TOTALLY a five star book.
September 1, 2011
I didn't really enjoy this book. I think what caught me off guard is the point of view switching. It wasn't smooth and I confused very quickly. I did how ever enjoy the characters. All of them are very strong and very aggressive. They all have a destiny that they follow and are determined to make it through till the very end.
I also like how the book is based get culture such a Greece. There were awesome names of many people, even the story line is filled with lots of drama, action, fighting, etc. I hope that I can pick up this book again and really get into it. This book is just not for me. :(
I also like how the book is based get culture such a Greece. There were awesome names of many people, even the story line is filled with lots of drama, action, fighting, etc. I hope that I can pick up this book again and really get into it. This book is just not for me. :(
January 28, 2021
I found so much interesting in the approach to the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur as reimagined by Tracy Barrett in this "young adult" title. She has taken the fundamental elements of the myth and upturned them all - Theseus's heroic exploits on route to Athens, his welcoming as beloved son by King Aegeus, the nature of the Minotaur as beast and the love story with Ariadne. The story has made me think more deeply about the pliability of myths and how fluid interpretation can result in a deeper understanding of their meaning.
Further, Barret shed light for me on the matriarchal nature of governance in archaic Greek politics. In an exchange between Ariadne - cast as a priestess of the moon goddess -and Theseus (the quintessential rational Athenian archetype), she discloses her acceptance and understanding of Medea's horrific infanticide. Ariadne finds affinity in Medea's role as the matriarchal ruler of Colchis and frames her actions as an attempt to defend her societal position. Note that this incident is not part of the plot of "Dark of the Moon" but the context of the story of Jason and Medea is helpful here. This is an example of how digger deeper into the myth and exploding some of its conventions gives this book power.
After reading this I plan to re-read Euripides play Medea and Other Plays: Medea / Alcestis / The Children of Heracles / Hippolytus with a new eye: that these myths are really insights into the last stance of women's near-equality in "modern" culture before it was snuffed out by a long patriarchal arc of behavior.
Further, Barret shed light for me on the matriarchal nature of governance in archaic Greek politics. In an exchange between Ariadne - cast as a priestess of the moon goddess -and Theseus (the quintessential rational Athenian archetype), she discloses her acceptance and understanding of Medea's horrific infanticide. Ariadne finds affinity in Medea's role as the matriarchal ruler of Colchis and frames her actions as an attempt to defend her societal position. Note that this incident is not part of the plot of "Dark of the Moon" but the context of the story of Jason and Medea is helpful here. This is an example of how digger deeper into the myth and exploding some of its conventions gives this book power.
After reading this I plan to re-read Euripides play Medea and Other Plays: Medea / Alcestis / The Children of Heracles / Hippolytus with a new eye: that these myths are really insights into the last stance of women's near-equality in "modern" culture before it was snuffed out by a long patriarchal arc of behavior.
December 29, 2017
"Dark of the Moon" is about a girl named Ariadne who is “she-who-will-be-goddess” of Krete. She has a dreary life filled with activities and classes that she has no interest in. She is not even sure she wants to be goddess. Ariadne loves one thing more than all others and that is her brother. Her brother is also the Minotaur who is known for eating his playmates. Then Theseus comes and changes everything. He ends up killing the Minotaur at the end of the novel out of pity and he takes Ariadne away from Krete. He becomes a great ruler and she finds her true calling.
I actually really liked this book. I am not very interested in mythology so it completely surprised me that I liked this. I loved the twist on an old myth. I also loved her use of a powerful woman as the main character. Barrett made the Minotaur lovable and sort of pathetic in a cute way. You felt sorry for her characters rather than feelings of anger and confusion that the original myth provokes. I do wish, however, that she had made Theseus more appealing. I was aching for a love story that never came but she really explained the reasoning at the end which made me feel better. My only complaint is that it became confusing at the end as to what was happening. It is a book with a slow start but one that captures your heart and your mind. I would recommend this book to pretty much all teens. It has some violence but no sexual references or bad language. I would especially recommend to those with an interest in Greek mythology.
I actually really liked this book. I am not very interested in mythology so it completely surprised me that I liked this. I loved the twist on an old myth. I also loved her use of a powerful woman as the main character. Barrett made the Minotaur lovable and sort of pathetic in a cute way. You felt sorry for her characters rather than feelings of anger and confusion that the original myth provokes. I do wish, however, that she had made Theseus more appealing. I was aching for a love story that never came but she really explained the reasoning at the end which made me feel better. My only complaint is that it became confusing at the end as to what was happening. It is a book with a slow start but one that captures your heart and your mind. I would recommend this book to pretty much all teens. It has some violence but no sexual references or bad language. I would especially recommend to those with an interest in Greek mythology.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2019
I loved this book. It doesn't take much for anything involved with ancient Greece, or Greek mythology for me to like it, but this one stood out as something different. I was expecting a telling of the love story between Theseus and Ariadne.
This is not that at all. And honestly, I loved that. Instead it was two characters that shared a bond. They certainly care for each other, but its not love. And it was totally believable.
I rooted for both characters. For Ariadne, who struggled to prove herself as She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess in the shadow of her mother. And for Theseus, who wanted to find out who he truly was and to fit in somewhere.
This book brought fresh twists and turns to an ancient myth, and shows how things can get twisted over time and various retellings.
The only complaint I have was the transition into Theseus' POV, and going into a flashback of how he arrived in Krete, after Ariadne and Theseus meet. Being thrown from the present into the recent past was jarring, so I think the chapters in that sense could have been arranged better.
Will definitely be reading more of Barrett's works.
This is not that at all. And honestly, I loved that. Instead it was two characters that shared a bond. They certainly care for each other, but its not love. And it was totally believable.
I rooted for both characters. For Ariadne, who struggled to prove herself as She-Who-Will-Be-Goddess in the shadow of her mother. And for Theseus, who wanted to find out who he truly was and to fit in somewhere.
This book brought fresh twists and turns to an ancient myth, and shows how things can get twisted over time and various retellings.
The only complaint I have was the transition into Theseus' POV, and going into a flashback of how he arrived in Krete, after Ariadne and Theseus meet. Being thrown from the present into the recent past was jarring, so I think the chapters in that sense could have been arranged better.
Will definitely be reading more of Barrett's works.
June 4, 2021
2.5 stars. This was a reread for me. I remember loving it the first time, but I didn’t really remember it. I was shocked to see how low it was rated on goodreads, but after revisiting this book, I’m no longer surprised. The premise of this book is completely based on the moon goddess —> sun god theory, most famously promoted by Marija Gimbutas. For anyone familiar with it, the ending is a foregone conclusion. There was a lot of infodumping, which the history nerd in me loved, because this seems like a relatively plausible interpretation of Cretan culture for those who subscribe to Gimbutas’ theory. However, it didn’t make for the most interesting read. Plus, I totally forgot that Theseus had a POV. He did, and it sucked. He has absolutely no redeeming qualities, imo, and Ariadne trusts him too much. Also he was sexist, which is historically accurate in general but like,,,not everyone held those views and any crumb would’ve helped make Theseus more likeable. It was super easy for me to figure out how what actually happened got translated into the mythology.
May 16, 2018
Exactly what I needed
So I read Anna of Byzantium in middle school and remember really loving it. But Dark of the Moon is so much more complex than that—-it seriously takes a look at known rituals and culture and shows how the myth of the Minotaur really came to be.
This writing is wonderful and truly what historical fiction should be. It’s a well researched, inventive examination of stories we already know from school. It’s deeply expressive and cinematic and just really enjoyable. Plus it got me out of the worst book slump ever.
A+! Can’t wait to read more
So I read Anna of Byzantium in middle school and remember really loving it. But Dark of the Moon is so much more complex than that—-it seriously takes a look at known rituals and culture and shows how the myth of the Minotaur really came to be.
This writing is wonderful and truly what historical fiction should be. It’s a well researched, inventive examination of stories we already know from school. It’s deeply expressive and cinematic and just really enjoyable. Plus it got me out of the worst book slump ever.
A+! Can’t wait to read more
January 10, 2024
This has nothing to do with Greco-Roman myth, not really. It's a historical fiction story set in Crete using some names and that's it.
Though, why are they using Greek names if they're not? Honestly, the book confuses me in that regard.
The prose didn't click with me much, and the ending was lackluster and wasn't built up to enough.
Though, why are they using Greek names if they're not? Honestly, the book confuses me in that regard.
The prose didn't click with me much, and the ending was lackluster and wasn't built up to enough.
April 24, 2019
This book was not my favorite- it was slow and I didn’t really feel connected to the characters. I know it’s a retelling of a Greek mythology story, but it was pretty morbid. I don’t think I would have finished it if it wasn’t the only book I had on a longer car ride.
October 8, 2023
Theseus is probably my favorite Greek hero. The premise of this book sounded really good but I was definitely disappointed in the retelling of the story as well as the choppy way in which it was written.
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