Food for Thought

by Ariana Ferrante

Limos is the goddess of starvation. Whatever she touch withers and wastes, crumbling to dust. She aids those seeking destruction, plaguing fields with famine and waters with drought. When mortals see her, they yearn. Her opposite, harvest goddess Demeter, makes life flourish wherever she goes. She supplies mortals with fruits and vegetables, piling their tables with sustenance and satisfaction. When mortals see her, they are contented. Given their opposing natures, The Fates themselves have decreed Limos and Demeter are never to meet, promising only ruin and mutual destruction should they ever unite. But when Demeter arrives at her doorstep, begging for her assistance, Limos can't help but fall victim to the same yearning her mortal worshippers feel...

Genres: Fantasy, Horror, Mythology, Adult, Lesbian, Queer, Novella

52 pages, Paperback

Published November 7, 2023

About the author

Ariana Ferrante is an #actuallyautistic speculative fiction author, screenwriter, and playwright. Her main interests include reading and writing fantasy and horror of all kinds, featuring heroes big and small getting into all sorts of trouble. She has been published by Eerie River Publishing and Brigid's Gate Press, among others. On the playwriting side, her works have been featured in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and nominated for national awards. She currently lives in Florida, but travels often, usually to ride roller coasters. You may find her on Twitter at @ariana_ferrante, and on Instagram at @arianaferrantebooks.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small]

I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Zooloos Book Tours.

Food for Though is a quick but delicious retelling about Demeter and Limos who were fated never to meet for fear that a reunion would destroy one another and everything around them.
Limos is the goddess of starvation. Whatever she touches withers and wastes away, but she aids those
seeking destruction, plaguing fields with famine and waters with drought. When mortals see her, they yearn.
Her opposite, harvest goddess Demeter, makes life flourish wherever she goes. She supplies mortals with fruits and vegetables, piling their tables with sustenance and satisfaction. When mortals see her, they are contented.
When Demeter ond day arrives on Limos doorstep, Limos cannot turn her away and finds herself falling with the same fatal yearning that mortals themselves fall at her feet with. This is such a beautifully written book and I loved how the author brought each character and their settings to life so vividly that I felt I was there in the story.

[Sophie Narey (Bookreview- aholic)]

This was a very intriguing read , for a short book (46 pages) it certainly packed a lot into it! I loved the character of Limos the goddess of starvation, not a character or view you normally get to read about .

In the book we have two fates who have been separated, Limos and Demeter who is the harvest goddess , there are twists in this book that I didn't see coming. A really great read.

[Liis]

I liked this story. Yeah.

[Benjamin]

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a review.

Do you recall that famous tweet that goes something like 'the sluttiest thing a hero can do is show up at the villain's doorstep'? Well, that's precisely how I would describe this novelette. It's sweet, tragic, and romantic all at once, and it will leave you craving more.

[Tina]

I received this novella from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

I loved the idea behind the novella, how women are othered against one another for fear of their friendship being too powerful by those in control. This novella shows why the Greek myths are still fascinating to us, but mainly in how we can use the old stories to show truths about our own world. The rewriting of Greek myths is a way we keep them alive, which I find very fun.

While I loved the concept and overall plotline, the story itself could have been far longer, unfortunately. It’s so short it’s almost a short story. There could have been far more time and focus on building up Limos’ character, and especially the relationship between her and Demeter that is central to the story. In this way, while I loved the idea behind it and the little twist we get at the end, there was definitely space for more, so much so that the story feels a little too short.

Still, if you want something short, interesting, and well-written, Food for Thought is very good - I just wanted more. I’ll definitely check out more from this author!

[Bookworm86]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW



Review for 'Food For Thought' by Ariana Ferrante.



Read and reviewed for Ariana Ferrante, Brigids Gate Press and Zooloos Book Tours. 

 


Publication date 7th November 2023. 


This is the first book I have read by this author. 


This novella may be under 50 pages but them pages are packed with fantasy, God's, sacrifice, myths, animal death (not in detail), horror, revenge, cannibalism, starvation, action, gore and so much more!! The storyline itself is a retelling of a tale although I haven't read it myself so am unsure which one. The first thing I must admit is that when it stated there was animal death I was concerned as I am a huge animal lover and this would normally put me off a book. I am pleased that it didn't as although it did include animal death it wasn't mentioned in detail or graphical so don't let that put you off. This is a unique storyline for me and tells the story of Limos who is the Goddess of starvation and want and Demeter who is the Goddess of harvest. The Fates do not want these two Goddesses, who are the complete opposites of each other, to meet but this storyline draws them together. If you want to know why or what happens then you'll have to grab your copy yourself. Due to this novella being so short I can't go into any more detail about the storyline without risking giving anything away. Due to the length it is a great book to read in your break or on a journey somewhere and Ariana's fantastic descriptions will whisk you off into the depths of the storyline where you come face to face with Limos and Demeter along with Zeus, Hermes, Apollo, Dionysus, Athena and Poseidon. Ariana brings the atmosphere and characters to life and I enjoyed seeing the contrasts in Limos and Demeter's personalities and appearances and watching their interactions. I will wrap this up by saying grab your copy of this fantastic novella today and enjoy an adventure with the Gods. You won't regret it!



Overall an intriguing and riveting novella that packed a punch! 


46 pages



This book is just £3.94 to purchase on kindle and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon at time of review.



Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook. 



Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews 


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[Rachel]

This is a short but sweet sapphic Greek mythology retelling about Limos and Demeter. She is the goddess of starvation, while Demeter is the goddess of growth.

According to the Fates the two goddesses are to never meet because they would destroy each other. But then one day Demeter shows up at Limos's home after her daughter Kore is kidnapped by Hades. Limos can't get Kore back, but she lets Demeter stay with her.

Reading the interaction between Limos and Demeter was a lot of fun. The sapphic element was nicely included. It was also extremely satisfying when Limos inflicts a gruesome punishment on a cruel and greedy king.

[Katie O’Reilly]

Beautifully written retelling of the Greek myth of Demeter & Limos. I wanted some more context for their romance, though, since I didn’t see what Demeter got out of it or why she was interested in Limos at all. But a very engaging/compelling read.

[Sonja Charters]

I absolutely love retellings of the myths and legends and this one was no exception!

Having said this, I'm pretty new to them and often don't recognise the myth or the gods and godesses.

This book tells the story of Limos and Demeter. Two opposites who are fated never to meet for fear that they will destroy each other.

Demeter, I'd heard a little of, goddess of the harvest. Providing for the humans and bringing growth and renewal.
Limos, in contrast, the goddess of starvation and want. Bringing famine and drought in her wake and leaving the humans yearning.

The contrast in both their appearances and settings were also brilliantly portrayed within the story.

It was really good to hear some of Limos' story and how it related to the humans. But also discovering that she herself was also left wanting. The one thing she was never allowed - to see/meet Demeter.

When circumstances create an opportunity for the two to meet, we see it's effects on the earth, surprising everyone.

This was a super quick read but was so beautifully written.
I loved the descriptive passages of both the settings and the godesses appearances - this really gave us a clear view of each and really highlighted their differences.

An enjoyable one to slot in-between my bulkier novels - really enjoyed this one!

[M.J. Pankey]

A spectacular rendition of a classic tale we only thought we knew. Ferrante's Food for Thought weaves a riveting narrative of love and loyalty, grief and hunger, and adds new dimension to the goddesses and gods of Ancient Greece. This is a retelling you won't want to put down!

This little novelette is an excellent dose of Greek mythology, infused with a touch of horror, romance, and a delicious taste of righteous spite. Food for thought is a courageous and thought-provoking narrative showcasing the power women have when they combine their forces rather than tear each other down.

I highly recommend this story for lovers of Greek mythology, especially if you are looking for a quick read to satisfy an itch. I don't often see horror and romance fused together but Ferrante pulls it off masterfully. This is a genre that, now that I have a taste, I would LOVE to read more of.

[Clever]

Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this story in exchange for an honest review. It's too short and I want more! I love this story. I loved the play on a classic tale. I loved the star-crossed lovers type trope. I loved the characters. This was a quick but great read, and honestly, I just want more of it. I want to see how the relationship blooms with time. I want to watch these two goddesses develop more.

[Rachael]

This Ancient Greek mythology mashup retelling novella was well written. I enjoyed the spin Ariana Ferrante took and that she was masterful in getting all three tales (Persephone becoming Hades’s bride, Demeter seeking help from Limos about Erysichthon cutting down the dryad’s tree, and Limos and Demeter are never to meet per the fates as they are each others opposites and would cause destruction) across in such a straightforward and beautifully woven together way in Food For Thought. I do wish the relationship between Limos and Demeter was expanded on a bit more. I personally felt this novella could have been longer. I enjoyed that Limos and Demeter spited the fates and knew that by working together they were stronger and could achieve their objective.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ariana Ferrante, and Brigid’s Gate Press for the complimentary arc. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Claire]

3.5*

Limos is a goddess in demand. For destruction, for punishment. But when another goddess asks for assistance, will Limos’ payment be met? Its level shocked the messenger nymph… I’ll admit, I was intrigued why!!

Demeter is heartbroken and forces winter on the mortal world. These two goddesses decreed never to meet have caused mass suffering the human race.

Food For Thought is a short pacey short story that really packs a punch. In taking me to the world of the gods (something I’d never really considered outside the classic Clash Of The Titans) really pushed my imagination and made me imagine the netherworld and the lengths and impact of the deity’s pain could have. Ferrante has created what could be viewed as a simple story but elevated it to a complexity by transporting me to the world of Greek mythology.

[Mabel]

This was a great introduction to Limos, a Greek Goddess who I had not previously heard of. I really loved the beginning of the story where a mortal man calls on her for aid and we get to see her power at work. I loved the description of Limos' unsettling appearance and it felt like the beginning of a creepy horror novella.
In the second half, when Demeter becomes involved, I felt that the pace started moving too fast, with the development in the relationship between the two goddesses happening quite abruptly. I also thought that the resolution to the plot sort of happened with no real actions by either of these characters.
Overall I really enjoyed it, but I think it should have been longer to allow for a slower build-up in the character development.

Thank you to Brigids Gate Press, Ariana Ferrante, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Anne (eggcatsreads)]

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Brigids Gate Press for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun novella focusing on Limos - the Greek goddess of starvation, and her thoughts and relationship with Demeter - the Greek goddess of the harvest. The two are destined to never meet, as told by the Fates, but Limos has always been intrigued by her “opposite half.”

When Kore/Persephone is captured and kept in the underworld by Hades, Demeter decides to ignore the Fates’ prophecies and meets Limos directly, during her grief. Limos during this time almost becomes Demeter’s protector, as only she can understand the hunger Demeter has for her daughter to return and her refusal to allow anything to grow until she is returned to her.

I liked Limos’ personality, and how she almost stands up for Demeter and Kore/Persephone, refusing to back down on Demeter’s negotiations or caring what other gods or goddesses she annoyed. I also liked how hunger and devastation are almost shown to be things that need to exist in some capacity, and Limos’ refusal to see any condemnation for what someone does when they are starving.

This was a very quick read, and an interesting perspective on the “lives” of the gods and goddesses - and their experiences. I also really thought it was interesting to see the creation of the seasons happening through Demeter’s grief from someone not involved in the situation, allowing for other perspectives.

[Siobhain]

While Food For Thought is a short novella it is incredibly beautiful and poignant. I have no doubt it will stay with all who read it long after they finish. I know it has with me. Ferrante’s writing is full of emotion and yearning. I adored seeing how Limos and Demeter’s relationship grew and transformed. It was so refreshing to have a mythology themed novel that deals with Demeter being about her and her darker counterpart, Limos, rather than just her daughter. Now do not get me wrong I love retellings of Kore/Persephone but often times Demeter is shown to be calculating, overbearing and often the ‘villain’. Here she is rather a mother who cares and worries for her child and finds solace in the one person the fates have warned her against. Add to this Limos who was so beautifully brought to life, even in her malnourished immortal state and it was hard to not fall in love instantly with her as a character.


It is hard to comment on the novella’s tale further without spoilers but I will say that the writing is enchanting. It is both dark and beautiful at the same time. Some of the imagery is truly horrific but Ferrante’s skill means you can see the beauty in it and ultimately in Limos too. If you are looking for a short but beautifully dark read with a undertone of sapphic romance this is it. But do be sure to check the trigger warnings.

[Cami Golub (Bookmilla)]

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Este es un libro muy corto que sigue a Limos, una diosa griega que yo desconocía. Limos es la diosa de la hambruna y vive sola en una casa aislada del mundo, a donde, a veces, la gente se le acerca para pedir favores.
Tiene mucha curiosidad por Demeter, su contraparte y diosa de la abundancia, pero la regla básica de su existencia es que ellas nunca deben conocerse. Todo cambia cuando llega una enviada de Demeter a pedirle un favor.

Me gustó muchísimo. Queria más.
Se lee muy rápido, no sólo por su longitud, sino porque la escritura es muy llevadera. No está dividido en capítulos, pero si en distintos apartados con divisores por lo que, si estas leyendo y necesitas parar, solo necesitas terminar el apartado, que también son muy cortos.

Me gustó que no personificó a Limos como alguien horrible. Muchas veces, los libros personifican a deidades que generan malestar como villanxs. Acá nos da otra perspectiva.

Se publica el 7 de Noviembre de 2023.

[Carla]

3.7 stars (just because it was a bit short).
A short read. That to me is a story of the perception of destiny, or fate and found friendship.

[Sue Wallace]

Food for thought by Ariana Ferrante.
Limos is the goddess of starvation. Whatever she touch withers and wastes, crumbling to dust. She aids those seeking destruction, plaguing fields with famine and waters with drought. When mortals see her, they yearn.
Her opposite, harvest goddess Demeter, makes life flourish wherever she goes. She supplies mortals with fruits and vegetables, piling their tables with sustenance and satisfaction. When mortals see her, they are contented. Given their opposing natures, The Fates themselves have decreed Limos and Demeter are never to meet, promising only ruin and mutual destruction should they ever unite. But when Demeter arrives at her doorstep, begging for her assistance, Limos can't help but fall victim to the same yearning her mortal worshippers feel...
I really enjoyed this book. It was the cover that drew me. I did like Limos and Demeter. I read this in one go. A good short quick read. I did like the scene where the god ate himself and was reduced to a pile of bones. I did like the end and I really hope there is more to come. 5*.

[Niké]

Such a cool story! I liked it very much!

[Vix]

3.5 stars rounded to 3 for Goodreads.

This was a beautiful retelling of Ovid's Metamorphoses which added more emotion and depth to the characters.

The writing paints a lovely picture, highlighting both the beauty and bleak sides of things. I enjoyed the added relationship - it was a great way to look at things.

It was very short - I knew this going in, but given there was a lot going on, I felt it needed to be longer to fully explore certain aspects.

Overall, a great re-imagining of a Greek myth with extra embellishments.

*I received a complementary copy of the e-book from Zooloo's Book Tours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Donna Morfett]

I read all sorts of books across all sorts of genres and I have to say this is one of the strangest things I've ever read. That is by no means a criticism. It's actually a great little read. Quite a lot packed into so few pages.
It tells the story of how the seasons were created, via God's and goddesses, recognisable names too. It shows the effect of greed and hunger on humanity, and how higher powers are scared of forces joining together and becoming stronger as one.
My slightly harsh star rating is purely because of the length. I'd actually have loved for it to be longer and some of the characters explored more.

[Lauren Griffiths]

This was a good, fast paced short story which can be read in one sitting! Being under 50 pages and very intriguing I was not long with this one. This story explores animal death, body horror, cannibalism, sacrifice, gore, kidnapping and starvation… yes all within this short novel! A forbidden romance is explored as two opposing goddesses come together against fate and team up against Hades, the god of the Underworld. We then come to understand how issues raised in the story have shaped and moulded the world we know now. A great short story to add to your TBR.

Go give this one a read if you have an hour or so to spare!

[Staceywh_17]

Greek mythology is always a winner with me, so obviously I jumped at the chance to review this, I didn't realise how short it was going to be...I wanted more!

Food for Thought is a well written novella sized read featuring the renowned Greek myths that we've grown to love over time.

I was particularly drawn to the authors descriptive writing and found it so easy to picture the scenes depicted.

I'm already looking forward to reading more from Ferrante on the basis of this one book.

[Bookworm86]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW


Review for 'Food For Thought' by Ariana Ferrante.


Read and reviewed for Ariana Ferrante, Brigids Gate Press and Zooloos Book Tours.


Publication date 7th November 2023.

This is the first book I have read by this author.

This novella may be under 50 pages but them pages are packed with fantasy, God's, sacrifice, myths, animal death (not in detail), horror, revenge, cannibalism, starvation, action, gore and so much more!! The storyline itself is a retelling of a tale although I haven't read it myself so am unsure which one. The first thing I must admit is that when it stated there was animal death I was concerned as I am a huge animal lover and this would normally put me off a book. I am pleased that it didn't as although it did include animal death it wasn't mentioned in detail or graphical so don't let that put you off. This is a unique storyline for me and tells the story of Limos who is the Goddess of starvation and want and Demeter who is the Goddess of harvest. The Fates do not want these two Goddesses, who are the complete opposites of each other, to meet but this storyline draws them together. If you want to know why or what happens then you'll have to grab your copy yourself. Due to this novella being so short I can't go into any more detail about the storyline without risking giving anything away. Due to the length it is a great book to read in your break or on a journey somewhere and Ariana's fantastic descriptions will whisk you off into the depths of the storyline where you come face to face with Limos and Demeter along with Zeus, Hermes, Apollo, Dionysus, Athena and Poseidon. Ariana brings the atmosphere and characters to life and I enjoyed seeing the contrasts in Limos and Demeter's personalities and appearances and watching their interactions. I will wrap this up by saying grab your copy of this fantastic novella today and enjoy an adventure with the Gods. You won't regret it!


Overall an intriguing and riveting novella that packed a punch!

46 pages


This book is just £3.94 to purchase on kindle and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon at time of review.


Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.


Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews

#FoodForThought #ArianaFerrante #ArianaFerranteBooks #ElizabethLeggett #MJPankey #BrigidsGatePress #ZooLoosBookTours #ZooLoosBT #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger

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[Kay West]

A stunning Sapphic Greek mythology retelling with horror vibes.

“Destruction. Destruction, I can do.”

We follow Limos, the goddess of starvation, hunger and famine. The fates have said that if she ever met Demeter, goddess of harvest, the exact opposite of Limos, they would destroy one another.

When Demeter's daughter is kidnapped, guess who knocks on Limos' door?

This is a gorgeous, horrifying, meditation on the destructive force of love. I read this in one sitting and loved every moment of it! This is so beautifully written, I highlighted so much of this book.

Read this if you love
🌾💀 Mythology retellings
🌾💀 Sapphic love
🌾💀 Opposites attract
🌾💀 Quick reads
🌾💀 Body horror vibes

Thank you to @brigidsgatepress for this review copy. I love this #indiepublisher. Check them out!!

[Diana Wright]

This was an intriguing little novella! I enjoyed getting to know Limos and would enjoy reading a full length novel version of this story. Thanks to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Cat Treadwell]

Most of you have probably heard of Demeter, the Classical Greek Goddess of the Harvest. Also Zeus, Hermes, Apollo and Athena, yes?

How about Limos, Goddess of Famine?

For every ‘heroic’ deity, there are those who oversee the darker aspects of life. They may be revered with fear or politely ignored until they must be faced.

Here we have Limos, alone in her cave, awaiting supplicants who wish to bargain for her services.

This beautiful short story shows us the power of a Goddess, even if she is neither sexy nor famous. Famine isn’t just about food, after all, but about lack - something that we have all felt but prefer to brush under the carpet.

What does Limos seek? How does she relate to her opposite, Demeter? How does she live when not granting requests or making deals?

When I saw the synopsis of this tale, I was wary; not because of the content, but because I’m a Pagan Priest(ess) by profession. Check my bibliography if you’d like. I work in the community as any other minister or chaplain does, and have led ritual, both privately and in public (my record is 300 people!).

I’ve seen the gods of many pantheons trivialised and Disneyfied, adapted and sanitised until their original song is lost.

And I’m so happy to say that this little book is a song, perfectly-struck notes that describe the relationship between goddess and worshipper, as well as the deeper power of that deity as force. Yes, humans have always personified Nature’s archetypes so as to better understand them, but Limos delves into the broad meaning of what fuels us, what gives us life and what gives that life meaning: connection and love.

We cannot ignore something unpleasant when it’s intrinsic to what keeps us alive. So Limos is as essential as Demeter, with power over both other gods and humans - almost as inexorable as Death. This story allows us a moment to truly see Her, to perhaps understand a little what this means.

To see our connection to Nature in all her beauty and hardship, and to relate to that, just a touch.

As I closed the final page, I cheered for Limos, and I think you might too.

This book was kindly provided for my stop as part of Zooloo’s Book Tours, and I’m very grateful to share what proved to be a tiny treasure.

[Kate]

Sometimes short stories hit just right, and this was definitely one of them. I generally don't enjoy Greek mythology but this seemed to have a lot of emotionally driven aspects to it, which I always love and this one I particularly greatly related to.

Thank you, NetGalley for approving me. I needed a quick pick me up and reminder things wi be already. After the holidays end, sometimes everything feels dark and this short story can be a reminder that brighter days are to come.

Food for Thought is a short story apprising of the Greek myth surrounding how spring came to be. Following Limos, the deity of famine and starvation, is the antithesis of the revered and beautiful goddess Demeter,. Squandering away time by fulfilling the petty wills of humans, Limos and Demeter are opposing and therefore never to meet when an unexpected visitor leads Limos into a complex situation in which she and Demeter find themselves in a scenario where they begin to bond and mutually gain from one another. This feels a bit like a story about loneliness, although these specific emotions are never explicitly stated. It could almost be an analogy for depressive episodes and it felt heartwarming to read as the characters begin to see and appreciate their opposing gifts. It began a bit gritty, but as short stories often grow exponentially in a short time, this story felt gentle to my heart and a bit relatable as someone who often finds myself withering away due to episodes of poor mental health. I think people who love mythology will enjoy the new perspective, and a variety of other audiences will also appreciate the emotion and allegory for other, perhaps more painful episodes of life. My friends, despite the hardships, spring will come.

[Swoti Wise]

This novella is about Limos, the Greek goddess of starvation. What she touches withers and dies. Those who seek her aid, desire destruction. But one day, Demeter, the goddess of harvest and fertility, shows up on Limos' doorstep begging for help from her opposite. Their meeting was forbidden by the Fates, who fear catastrophic ruin should they ever come face to face. But these goddesses brake the rules anyway and discover it was not ruin the other gods feared, it was female empowerment.

This novella is a wonderful retelling of the myth of Demeter, mixed with modern issues. So often women see other women as a threat or competition, which keeps a relationship toxic or at arms length. When women embrace each other instead of hating each other, good things can occur.

This is exemplified by the dynamic between the two goddesses. When apart, Earth's balance struggled, starved, and craved due to Limos' power, overworking and burning out Demeter. When her daughter is taken, something has to give in order for her to grieve without the fall of mankind. So she leans on Limos.

When the goddesses unite, supply and demand between harvest and hunger evens out, and the world thrives again because their friendship and love thrives. Together they are better, stronger, and kinder. A message more young people need exposure to.

I loved the way this story unfolds, but wish it lasted a bit longer. I devoured it in one sitting and craved more, which is extremely on theme for this wonderful novella.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy.