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An action-filled retelling of the famous Greek myth, Jason and the Golden Fleece, brilliantly reimagined by Cambridge classicist, Mark Knowles.
He has come to take what is yours.
Kingdom of Iolkos, Thessaly. 1250 BC
Twenty years ago, the Kingdom of Iolkos was attacked and the young prince – Jason, son of King Aeson – was smuggled from the palace.
Now, Jason has become a fearless seafarer and explorer. He returns to Thessaly, bitterly determined to make his rightful claim to the throne. But King Pelias won't give up the rule of Thessaly easily. So he gives Jason an impossible challenge: to win back his throne he must steal the Golden Fleece from the distant kingdom of Colchis.
Jason assembles a band of Greece's best warriors for his crew aboard the Argo. But even with these mighty athletes by his side, Jason will have to overcome the brutal challenges hurled his way and quickly distinguish friend from foe. His mission and his life depends on his wits and skills with a blade...
'Knowles has combined historical realities with sure-footed imagination ... Brilliant' Cambridge University (on The Consul's Daughter)
He has come to take what is yours.
Kingdom of Iolkos, Thessaly. 1250 BC
Twenty years ago, the Kingdom of Iolkos was attacked and the young prince – Jason, son of King Aeson – was smuggled from the palace.
Now, Jason has become a fearless seafarer and explorer. He returns to Thessaly, bitterly determined to make his rightful claim to the throne. But King Pelias won't give up the rule of Thessaly easily. So he gives Jason an impossible challenge: to win back his throne he must steal the Golden Fleece from the distant kingdom of Colchis.
Jason assembles a band of Greece's best warriors for his crew aboard the Argo. But even with these mighty athletes by his side, Jason will have to overcome the brutal challenges hurled his way and quickly distinguish friend from foe. His mission and his life depends on his wits and skills with a blade...
'Knowles has combined historical realities with sure-footed imagination ... Brilliant' Cambridge University (on The Consul's Daughter)
629 pages, Paperback
First published November 11, 2021
109 people are currently reading
2107 people want to read
About the author
Mark Knowles
8 books65 followersI've loved ancient history ever since I sat down with my folks when I was a little boy and watched my first Ray Harryhausen movie. I read degrees in Classics and Management Studies at Downing College, Cambridge, and emerged not really having a clue about what to do for a wage. After various jobs and a decade working as a frontline officer and supervisor within the Metropolitan Police Service, I changed careers to run a Classics Dept at a school in Harrogate. I am a big fan of experimental archaeology and rowed on the reconstructed Ancient Athenian trireme ‘Olympias’ during her last sea trials in Greece in 1994. I hope somebody builds something similar in the next few years before I'm too decrepit to pull an oar!
The Night Watchmen (vigiles) represent an under-researched element of ancient Roman society that really fascinates me. We know so little about them from archaeological and literary evidence, and yet they were such a common, perhaps even comforting, sight for citizens going about their daily (and nightly) business. I hope that 'The Consul's Daughter' gives readers a flavour of what life might have been like for the forgotten multitudes as well as providing an entertaining story...
You can follow me on:
Twitter: @mark77knowles
Facebook: @mark77knowles
Website: markknowles.info
The Night Watchmen (vigiles) represent an under-researched element of ancient Roman society that really fascinates me. We know so little about them from archaeological and literary evidence, and yet they were such a common, perhaps even comforting, sight for citizens going about their daily (and nightly) business. I hope that 'The Consul's Daughter' gives readers a flavour of what life might have been like for the forgotten multitudes as well as providing an entertaining story...
You can follow me on:
Twitter: @mark77knowles
Facebook: @mark77knowles
Website: markknowles.info
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
March 7, 2022
Jason and the Golden Fleece is easily my least favorite Greek Hero myth—I’ve always found both the protagonist and the quest itself rather boring—but I tend to find new appreciation in well-done retellings, especially when they’re written by someone with a deep love for the source material. I’ve been on a Greek mythology kick for the better part of two years, and I really went into Argo with the hope of emerging having come to, if not love, at least like this story… but the cover that drew my eyes in the first place is the only good thing about it.
Knowles, a Cambridge classicist, claims to deeply love this myth, but it doesn’t translate into the finished product; if it hadn’t been an advance reader’s copy, I wouldn’t have bothered finishing it. Given that 500+ pages later he doesn’t even finish writing down the story he set out to tell, but ends on a cliffhanger setting up for a sequel (I'll be very surprised if there will indeed be one, given the at best lukewarm reception Argo is garnering so far), I wish I had followed my gut and read something else instead; I hated this.
I’m not sure who the target audience is, but it’s too light for adult fiction, yet also lacks the driving emotion one expects in a YA novel. One gets the sense that he wrote or edited his first draft with a thesaurus at hand; the prose is awkward, stilted, gives birth to some awful similes (a sex-sequence describing Jason grabbing a woman’s buttocks with “talons” springs to mind), and simply doesn’t read well. There are prolonged and much-too-detailed action-sequences that unnecessarily weigh the story down; I dare any reader’s eyes not to glaze over at the minute description of weapons, shields, and fighting strategy. That care should’ve been invested in characterization instead, which possibly could’ve been the novel’s saving grace, but Knowles unfortunately didn’t really bother letting us get to know the Argonauts beyond some very superficial traits and motivations, and this includes the protagonist whose success we’re supposed to root for.
It takes almost half the book to get the quest going (the part that plays out in Thessaly is actually the strongest), but once the voyage is underway, there’s an ill-placed eagerness about it that made me feel as if Knowles simply tried to get through a checklist of points on a map to get to the anti-climatic and unsatisfying ending in Colchis as quickly as possible. The author also made the baffling decision of stripping the myth of the mythology—there are no monsters or demigods interacting with our band of heroes. I find the original story pretty dull as it is, but the choice of turning it into a semblance of historical fiction by leaving out the few interesting elements truly had me bored to tears.
—————
Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Knowles, a Cambridge classicist, claims to deeply love this myth, but it doesn’t translate into the finished product; if it hadn’t been an advance reader’s copy, I wouldn’t have bothered finishing it. Given that 500+ pages later he doesn’t even finish writing down the story he set out to tell, but ends on a cliffhanger setting up for a sequel (I'll be very surprised if there will indeed be one, given the at best lukewarm reception Argo is garnering so far), I wish I had followed my gut and read something else instead; I hated this.
I’m not sure who the target audience is, but it’s too light for adult fiction, yet also lacks the driving emotion one expects in a YA novel. One gets the sense that he wrote or edited his first draft with a thesaurus at hand; the prose is awkward, stilted, gives birth to some awful similes (a sex-sequence describing Jason grabbing a woman’s buttocks with “talons” springs to mind), and simply doesn’t read well. There are prolonged and much-too-detailed action-sequences that unnecessarily weigh the story down; I dare any reader’s eyes not to glaze over at the minute description of weapons, shields, and fighting strategy. That care should’ve been invested in characterization instead, which possibly could’ve been the novel’s saving grace, but Knowles unfortunately didn’t really bother letting us get to know the Argonauts beyond some very superficial traits and motivations, and this includes the protagonist whose success we’re supposed to root for.
It takes almost half the book to get the quest going (the part that plays out in Thessaly is actually the strongest), but once the voyage is underway, there’s an ill-placed eagerness about it that made me feel as if Knowles simply tried to get through a checklist of points on a map to get to the anti-climatic and unsatisfying ending in Colchis as quickly as possible. The author also made the baffling decision of stripping the myth of the mythology—there are no monsters or demigods interacting with our band of heroes. I find the original story pretty dull as it is, but the choice of turning it into a semblance of historical fiction by leaving out the few interesting elements truly had me bored to tears.
—————
Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 24, 2021
An interesting idea but one marred by immature writing. Amateurs frequently try to do too much, losing themselves to the lure of the thesaurus. This is certainly the case here- the text is overloaded with imagery, each language device piled upon the others until any impact is crushed. It doesn't sound right and it doesn't read well. It wouldn't have been so bad if there was enough weight to either the plot or the characterisation to hold the surplus language, but there wasn't. This is lightly done, a novel with a YA feel, but one lacking the powerful emotion that usually drives the genre. Eager, but ultimately unsatisfying.
ARC via Netgalley
ARC via Netgalley
January 3, 2023
Argo is the first half of a retelling of the legend of Jason, his quest for the Golden Fleece and what happened upon his return. Arguably, the tale of the Argonauts is the prototypical quest tale in Western literature and there is a direct through-line from the Argo's mishmash of characters from a powerful berserker (Herakles) to a moody, doom-haunted bard (Orpheus), and a powerful priestess-sorceress (Medea). It's an ancient tale, with no single surviving narrative until about the 4th c BC, almost a millennium after the events are said to have taken place (a generation before the Trojan War, or c. 1300 - 1250 BC).
Reading a number of the negative reviews of this book, I think everything they hated is what I liked! But more to the point, condemning a book because it wasn't what you EXPECTED is just poor critique. So, before we talk about what "Argo" is, let's be clear what it is not: It isn't the sort of revisionist takes on Greek myth that are popular right now.
"Song of Achilles" was a major breakthrough in telling Greek hero-tales from a queer POV (although, newsflash -- that was being done 3000 years ago, really isn't new), and has been followed by a slew of feminist takes on the old myths: "Ithaca", "Medea", "Circe", "Medusa," etc. That's certainly a great idea, as let's face it, the women in these stories get one raw deal after another. But it is not the ONLY way to tell the story of Odysseus, the Argonauts, the Trojan War, etc., and it has become so prolific that it is becoming a cliche in its own right.
Ironically, the quest for inclusion in publishing has made straight (in both the sense of 'without a socio-political twist,' and in the sense of sexuality) adventure fiction written by...gasp.... a straight, white man, increasingly rare. Virtually a unicorn in modern fantasy, such works seem to only be surviving in his-fic published by UK publishers. So, if you wanted "Argo" to have a sociological slant, ie: a feminist or queer take on the tale of Jason, you will be sadly disappointed and should skip this book. Likewise, if you wanted a Ray Harryhausen fantasy replete with gods, dragons, etc., you also should look elsewhere.
"Argo" is a deeply researched historical take on what the underlying story behind the legendary quest for the Golden Fleece might have been. TO my knowledge, this is the first time this has been done since Henry Treece wrote "Jason" in the 1960s, and this is a very different work in tone and pacing -- with a decidedly less unlikable Jason.
Mark Knowles, the author, is a trained classicist, has rowed reconstructed Greek biremes and consulted with experts in Bronze Age weapons and warfare, studied recent thoughts on who was actually living in Colchis in 1200 BC and what their cities were like....even the Golden Fleece itself has a verified, archaeological take. But this is not a dry or dense historical novel, it is an action-adventure tale, and a big one, spanning about 600 pages and ending with the capture of the Fleece itself.
The story isn't perfect: Knowles decides not to address Jason's being raised by Cheiron the Centaur by just saying he was raised by 'shepherds,' which makes some of his skills -- such as his ability to pick up fighting skills on the journey somewhat contrived. Some of the Argonauts have little personality (often because history left us little to go on besides a name), and it takes Knowles time to really settle into a voice for Jason. The story of the Argonauts is itself very linear and episodic, and "Argo" is little different in this respect. Although we get snapshots of life in Colchis and Medea's plot to avoid unwanted marriage; these scenes are few and far between and the novel faithfully follows Jason and his crew as they make their way east.
Having said that, within these limitations, the story is fast-paced, with stirring, well-conceived action scenes, and if some of the Argonauts are little more than names, others, such as guilt-ridden Oileus; self-serving and pot-stirring Idras; and the "mad, bad. and-dangerous-to-know" Herakles are dominant figures with clear voices from the first time they appear. Medea is a cipher, stirring, intriguing but her motives unclear -- then again at this stage, perhaps that is fitting. While I hope that Jason and Medea develop further in volume 2, any 600-page novel you read in three sitting is doing something right. This is a delightful bit of historical fiction and action-adventure, and I look forward to finishing the tale in "Jason".
Reading a number of the negative reviews of this book, I think everything they hated is what I liked! But more to the point, condemning a book because it wasn't what you EXPECTED is just poor critique. So, before we talk about what "Argo" is, let's be clear what it is not: It isn't the sort of revisionist takes on Greek myth that are popular right now.
"Song of Achilles" was a major breakthrough in telling Greek hero-tales from a queer POV (although, newsflash -- that was being done 3000 years ago, really isn't new), and has been followed by a slew of feminist takes on the old myths: "Ithaca", "Medea", "Circe", "Medusa," etc. That's certainly a great idea, as let's face it, the women in these stories get one raw deal after another. But it is not the ONLY way to tell the story of Odysseus, the Argonauts, the Trojan War, etc., and it has become so prolific that it is becoming a cliche in its own right.
Ironically, the quest for inclusion in publishing has made straight (in both the sense of 'without a socio-political twist,' and in the sense of sexuality) adventure fiction written by...gasp.... a straight, white man, increasingly rare. Virtually a unicorn in modern fantasy, such works seem to only be surviving in his-fic published by UK publishers. So, if you wanted "Argo" to have a sociological slant, ie: a feminist or queer take on the tale of Jason, you will be sadly disappointed and should skip this book. Likewise, if you wanted a Ray Harryhausen fantasy replete with gods, dragons, etc., you also should look elsewhere.
"Argo" is a deeply researched historical take on what the underlying story behind the legendary quest for the Golden Fleece might have been. TO my knowledge, this is the first time this has been done since Henry Treece wrote "Jason" in the 1960s, and this is a very different work in tone and pacing -- with a decidedly less unlikable Jason.
Mark Knowles, the author, is a trained classicist, has rowed reconstructed Greek biremes and consulted with experts in Bronze Age weapons and warfare, studied recent thoughts on who was actually living in Colchis in 1200 BC and what their cities were like....even the Golden Fleece itself has a verified, archaeological take. But this is not a dry or dense historical novel, it is an action-adventure tale, and a big one, spanning about 600 pages and ending with the capture of the Fleece itself.
The story isn't perfect: Knowles decides not to address Jason's being raised by Cheiron the Centaur by just saying he was raised by 'shepherds,' which makes some of his skills -- such as his ability to pick up fighting skills on the journey somewhat contrived. Some of the Argonauts have little personality (often because history left us little to go on besides a name), and it takes Knowles time to really settle into a voice for Jason. The story of the Argonauts is itself very linear and episodic, and "Argo" is little different in this respect. Although we get snapshots of life in Colchis and Medea's plot to avoid unwanted marriage; these scenes are few and far between and the novel faithfully follows Jason and his crew as they make their way east.
Having said that, within these limitations, the story is fast-paced, with stirring, well-conceived action scenes, and if some of the Argonauts are little more than names, others, such as guilt-ridden Oileus; self-serving and pot-stirring Idras; and the "mad, bad. and-dangerous-to-know" Herakles are dominant figures with clear voices from the first time they appear. Medea is a cipher, stirring, intriguing but her motives unclear -- then again at this stage, perhaps that is fitting. While I hope that Jason and Medea develop further in volume 2, any 600-page novel you read in three sitting is doing something right. This is a delightful bit of historical fiction and action-adventure, and I look forward to finishing the tale in "Jason".
December 1, 2021
It pains me to say this, but I’ve finally found a book involving Greek myths that I do not like, and probably wouldn’t recommend to people who are well versed in Greek Mythology and Ancient Greece. I was very excited to read this, more so because the author is a Cambridge classicist, but boy oh boy did that excitement disappear within the first few chapters and by the time I got to the hallway mark it became a chore to pick this one up to finish it.
I’m more than aware of the story of Jason and the Argonauts and the adventures they had, but this book came across as just wanting to tick them off one by one. There was no storytelling or emotion in this book, and that’s what I found most disappointing. The author had such a great opportunity to create something wonderful with this book and he really missed the mark. If you’re looking for a great story about the Argo, this isn’t it. And the most infuriating part of this is that it’s clearly set up to have a follow on book with the “cliffhanger” that it ended on, because apparently the author couldn’t retell this myth in one book.
I won’t even go into the absolute atrocity that is Medea in this book, this is NOT Medea. Sadly I won’t be picking up book two. I couldn’t recommend this book to anyone, not a newbie to mythology or a classicist or anyone in between, I wish that I could say I would recommend it.
Two starts rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I’m more than aware of the story of Jason and the Argonauts and the adventures they had, but this book came across as just wanting to tick them off one by one. There was no storytelling or emotion in this book, and that’s what I found most disappointing. The author had such a great opportunity to create something wonderful with this book and he really missed the mark. If you’re looking for a great story about the Argo, this isn’t it. And the most infuriating part of this is that it’s clearly set up to have a follow on book with the “cliffhanger” that it ended on, because apparently the author couldn’t retell this myth in one book.
I won’t even go into the absolute atrocity that is Medea in this book, this is NOT Medea. Sadly I won’t be picking up book two. I couldn’t recommend this book to anyone, not a newbie to mythology or a classicist or anyone in between, I wish that I could say I would recommend it.
Two starts rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2023
2 stars.
I found the writing to be very disjointed, it felt like a tick box exercise of all the places Jason and the Argonauts went to reach the golden fleece. With little character work, they all read the same.
I found the writing to be very disjointed, it felt like a tick box exercise of all the places Jason and the Argonauts went to reach the golden fleece. With little character work, they all read the same.
July 2, 2023
this book was SO long, but im anticipating the second
BUT…
it was the most LONGED thing ever and it didn’t even cover the whole myth like HUH
BUT…
it was the most LONGED thing ever and it didn’t even cover the whole myth like HUH
July 11, 2023
Argo by Mark Knowles is the first in a trilogy, covering the story of Jason and the Argonauts / Golden Fleece. I received book two, Jason, to read and review, so wanted to first read Argo. And now I've finished it. Let me say first, it's not a bad book, it's okay to good in my eyes, hence the 3 star rating. It's thick, action packed, and a lot is happening, but there lies its problem as well.
Often with the first in a series, books and especially movies, I find the first book/film not satisfying enough for what I hoped. This comes often from overexplanation and Argo does that. This book could really do well with some good editing where it comes to kill your darlings, keep the pace up, and don't feel the need to explain everything. With that Argo became slow and dull.
Another thing that I noticed is that it's written from a storytellers point of view. Not within the book, but within the writing. I felt strongly that Knowles wanted to tell the story, but forgot to check what it would be like from a reader's point of view. The way you write is not the way one reads, and it will always help if you place yourself more into the reader to recognize the flaws in it.
That all said, I do feel it's a strong story and have higher expectations of Jason. The 3 stars are deserved!
Often with the first in a series, books and especially movies, I find the first book/film not satisfying enough for what I hoped. This comes often from overexplanation and Argo does that. This book could really do well with some good editing where it comes to kill your darlings, keep the pace up, and don't feel the need to explain everything. With that Argo became slow and dull.
Another thing that I noticed is that it's written from a storytellers point of view. Not within the book, but within the writing. I felt strongly that Knowles wanted to tell the story, but forgot to check what it would be like from a reader's point of view. The way you write is not the way one reads, and it will always help if you place yourself more into the reader to recognize the flaws in it.
That all said, I do feel it's a strong story and have higher expectations of Jason. The 3 stars are deserved!
September 26, 2023
I really enjoyed this!
Compared to the other gr reviews, i really enjoyed this and the writing for what was a random choice from my local library.
Definitely a series I plan to continue.
Compared to the other gr reviews, i really enjoyed this and the writing for what was a random choice from my local library.
Definitely a series I plan to continue.
March 31, 2025
I was expecting a LOT worse given the other reviews. the book was really good, some choices were made that I didn't quite enjoy and the lack of "myth" or "divinity" within the story was a tad disappointing but beyond that it was pretty damn good
May 31, 2022
Legend tells that one stormy night, in the Month of the Goddess 1250 BC, a son was born to Queen Alcimede and King Aeson of Iolkos - the same night the King's half-brother Pelias attacked the palace and stole the kingdom away. His mother named him Jason, and having tricked Pelias' men into thinking he was stillborn, ensured he was smuggled away under the cover of darkness to be raised in secrecy on Mount Pelion - hoping that one day he would return to claim his birthright.
Twenty years later, the usurper King Pelias is plagued by dreams that someone wearing a single shoe will appear and bring about his destruction, so when a young man arrives to compete in the Games of Poseidon having lost a sandal in the river, he is terrified that the prophecy is about to come true. Crafty Pelias realises that this young man is in fact his nephew Jason, apparently returned from the dead, and he comes up with a plan to get him out of the way by assuring him that he will consider his claim to the throne, if he first proves his worth by undertaking a quest to obtain the fabled Golden Fleece of Colchis.
Jason, newly in possession of his true identity and keen to avenge his parents, gathers a band of mighty warriors to help him in his quest. They set sail aboard a ship called the Argo, steadfast in their belief that they will prevail in their task and return to Iolkos triumphant. But this is a voyage steeped in danger, and not all of our brave Argonauts may survive the trials ahead.
Anyone lucky enough to grow up with the spectacular Ray Harryhausen film of heroes, gods and monsters, Jason and the Argonauts, will be familiar with the story of Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece, although in truth, there is no one definitive version of the myth to draw upon.
Intriguingly, rather that channelling the spirit of Ray Harryhausen in Argo, the first book of the brand new series Blades of Bronze, historian Mark Knowles takes a different approach with his retelling of the story of Jason and the Argonauts. Here we encounter a crew of entirely mortal adventurers, albeit with names we might recognise from legend, pitting their wits and physical strength against real world trials, which although unexpected, is every bit as compelling as a story spun from the pages of a Greek myth.
Cleverly, Knowles incorporates episodes from the myth of the Golden Fleece, as the Argonauts undergo their voyage into the Black Sea, with our heroes taking the stage as mortals motivated not by powerful magic, but by all too human emotions - with revenge, desire, and greed driving most of the action. It all works very well indeed, and I thoroughly enjoyed how Knowles bends the more fantastical elements of the story into realistic scenarios from the world of men, all the way up to the Golden Fleece itself - which our brave band track down at the end of the story, before making off with their treasure.
The Argonauts come across as a rag-tag collection of outsiders, often haunted by loss, and the need to make amends for their pasts, and curiously it is their vulnerabilities that form them into really engaging characters. I enjoyed how their relationships develop over the course of the voyage, and there is a lot of heart and humour in their interactions.
Equally there are some excellent villains in this nicely paced tale full of adventure to make your gall rise, and to create many heart-thumping moments of tension. And I take my hat off to Knowles for writing Medea as an interesting character with depth, and just the right amount of light and shade to bide well for what lies ahead in the story beyond this first book.
There is plenty of sweeping saga left to absorb, for now the Argonauts must make their way home, and I am looking forward to whatever Knowles has in store for them. Book two, Jason, awaits...
Twenty years later, the usurper King Pelias is plagued by dreams that someone wearing a single shoe will appear and bring about his destruction, so when a young man arrives to compete in the Games of Poseidon having lost a sandal in the river, he is terrified that the prophecy is about to come true. Crafty Pelias realises that this young man is in fact his nephew Jason, apparently returned from the dead, and he comes up with a plan to get him out of the way by assuring him that he will consider his claim to the throne, if he first proves his worth by undertaking a quest to obtain the fabled Golden Fleece of Colchis.
Jason, newly in possession of his true identity and keen to avenge his parents, gathers a band of mighty warriors to help him in his quest. They set sail aboard a ship called the Argo, steadfast in their belief that they will prevail in their task and return to Iolkos triumphant. But this is a voyage steeped in danger, and not all of our brave Argonauts may survive the trials ahead.
Anyone lucky enough to grow up with the spectacular Ray Harryhausen film of heroes, gods and monsters, Jason and the Argonauts, will be familiar with the story of Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece, although in truth, there is no one definitive version of the myth to draw upon.
Intriguingly, rather that channelling the spirit of Ray Harryhausen in Argo, the first book of the brand new series Blades of Bronze, historian Mark Knowles takes a different approach with his retelling of the story of Jason and the Argonauts. Here we encounter a crew of entirely mortal adventurers, albeit with names we might recognise from legend, pitting their wits and physical strength against real world trials, which although unexpected, is every bit as compelling as a story spun from the pages of a Greek myth.
Cleverly, Knowles incorporates episodes from the myth of the Golden Fleece, as the Argonauts undergo their voyage into the Black Sea, with our heroes taking the stage as mortals motivated not by powerful magic, but by all too human emotions - with revenge, desire, and greed driving most of the action. It all works very well indeed, and I thoroughly enjoyed how Knowles bends the more fantastical elements of the story into realistic scenarios from the world of men, all the way up to the Golden Fleece itself - which our brave band track down at the end of the story, before making off with their treasure.
The Argonauts come across as a rag-tag collection of outsiders, often haunted by loss, and the need to make amends for their pasts, and curiously it is their vulnerabilities that form them into really engaging characters. I enjoyed how their relationships develop over the course of the voyage, and there is a lot of heart and humour in their interactions.
Equally there are some excellent villains in this nicely paced tale full of adventure to make your gall rise, and to create many heart-thumping moments of tension. And I take my hat off to Knowles for writing Medea as an interesting character with depth, and just the right amount of light and shade to bide well for what lies ahead in the story beyond this first book.
There is plenty of sweeping saga left to absorb, for now the Argonauts must make their way home, and I am looking forward to whatever Knowles has in store for them. Book two, Jason, awaits...
November 7, 2021
Thank you, NetGalley, Mark Knowles, and Aria and Aries Books for the opportunity to read this book! It releases on November 11th, 2021.
Argo by Mark Knowles had so much potential. While Jason and the Argonauts isn’t my favorite myth, a retelling could have really been exciting. In fact, the first chapter really caught my attention. Aeson is the King of Iolcus and his wife is getting ready to deliver a child. But they are attacked by his half-brother, Pelias. Aeson’s wife sends the boy away to save him. Twenty years later, the boy named Jason is all grown up and he comes to Iolcus to compete in the games, he discovers his real identity. Pelias tells him that if he can bring back the Golden Fleece, he can retake his throne. So a ship called the Argo is built and Jason and his crew go on a quest to find the fleece. Well, that was the first 10% of the book.
As I said, the potential is there. But it, unfortunately, went downhill from there. The book ends pretty much in the middle of a scene and it isn’t even close to the end of the myth. This book is 528 pages. So that means roughly 400 pages contain just filler. This book needs to be cleaned up. There is SO much unnecessary information. Yes, we know they are on a ship. We don’t need the repetitive descriptions of the oars or what food they ate. I’m not against details that help the story but unnecessary details just slow down the pace. But there is no characterization! With all the details, one would think the characters would be well-developed, nope.
But that’s not all. The dialogue is so stilted. The language is also so unrealistic. I am sorry, but when a character says, “I dunno,” in a Greek myth…it really takes the reader out of the story. Not to mention Jason talks with too many pauses. For example, “Then…this is all just…a lie.” He talks like that ALL the time. It is beyond frustrating. And don’t get me started on the female descriptions: “Shorter than most. Generous hips flaring from a slim waist. A flash of creamy thigh-not too skinny-beneath the slit of her skirts.” Just no.
I don’t say these things to rip apart this book. I am disappointed but if there are some edits, it really has potential. I rate it 2 out of 5 stars.
Argo by Mark Knowles had so much potential. While Jason and the Argonauts isn’t my favorite myth, a retelling could have really been exciting. In fact, the first chapter really caught my attention. Aeson is the King of Iolcus and his wife is getting ready to deliver a child. But they are attacked by his half-brother, Pelias. Aeson’s wife sends the boy away to save him. Twenty years later, the boy named Jason is all grown up and he comes to Iolcus to compete in the games, he discovers his real identity. Pelias tells him that if he can bring back the Golden Fleece, he can retake his throne. So a ship called the Argo is built and Jason and his crew go on a quest to find the fleece. Well, that was the first 10% of the book.
As I said, the potential is there. But it, unfortunately, went downhill from there. The book ends pretty much in the middle of a scene and it isn’t even close to the end of the myth. This book is 528 pages. So that means roughly 400 pages contain just filler. This book needs to be cleaned up. There is SO much unnecessary information. Yes, we know they are on a ship. We don’t need the repetitive descriptions of the oars or what food they ate. I’m not against details that help the story but unnecessary details just slow down the pace. But there is no characterization! With all the details, one would think the characters would be well-developed, nope.
But that’s not all. The dialogue is so stilted. The language is also so unrealistic. I am sorry, but when a character says, “I dunno,” in a Greek myth…it really takes the reader out of the story. Not to mention Jason talks with too many pauses. For example, “Then…this is all just…a lie.” He talks like that ALL the time. It is beyond frustrating. And don’t get me started on the female descriptions: “Shorter than most. Generous hips flaring from a slim waist. A flash of creamy thigh-not too skinny-beneath the slit of her skirts.” Just no.
I don’t say these things to rip apart this book. I am disappointed but if there are some edits, it really has potential. I rate it 2 out of 5 stars.
October 20, 2023
I really enjoy Greek mythology and, while there are certain stories I've heard over and over again, there are others that I know nothing about at all. Jason is one of the latter so I was excited to pick up Argo by Mark Knowles, which is the first of a trilogy telling the story of Jason and the Argonauts.
📚
Knowles starts Argo with Jason's birth during an attack on the Kingdom of Iolkos, following which Jason is smuggled from the castle and sent to grow up in safety but obscurity and relative poverty. On discovering his true identity twenty years later, the current ruler of Iolkos, King Pelias, sets Jason an impossible challenge - to steal the Golden Fleece of Colchis. Jason assembles a band of men, the Argonauts, to sail with him in fulfilment of his mission, but there are dangerous times ahead for the men.
📚
Argo is quite different to most of the mythical retellings I've read over the last few years. The characterisation comes second to the action and there's none of the feminist slant you might expect to see if you're familiar with, for example, the retellings of Madeline Miller or Rosie Hewlett. Instead, Knowles has written something of an adventure novel that reads closer to historical fiction than myth. At first, I wasn't sure if it was going to be my cup of tea but I have to admit that there was something quite interesting about seeing characters such as Medea, Orpheus and Herakles portrayed as being just ordinary people, with there being very little of the magical or fantastical elements I have come to associate with mythology.
📚
I chose to listen to Argo as an audiobook because this year has been so busy that my reading has slowed down substantially and, if I'm being honest, stopped completely at some points. I think an audiobook was the right choice - this is quite a plot-heavy book full of different adventures that was a good accompaniment to my neverending housework. By the end of Argo, I was curious to find out Jason's fate, and I'm looking forward to the second instalment, Jason, which was kindly gifted to me by the author.
📚
📚
Knowles starts Argo with Jason's birth during an attack on the Kingdom of Iolkos, following which Jason is smuggled from the castle and sent to grow up in safety but obscurity and relative poverty. On discovering his true identity twenty years later, the current ruler of Iolkos, King Pelias, sets Jason an impossible challenge - to steal the Golden Fleece of Colchis. Jason assembles a band of men, the Argonauts, to sail with him in fulfilment of his mission, but there are dangerous times ahead for the men.
📚
Argo is quite different to most of the mythical retellings I've read over the last few years. The characterisation comes second to the action and there's none of the feminist slant you might expect to see if you're familiar with, for example, the retellings of Madeline Miller or Rosie Hewlett. Instead, Knowles has written something of an adventure novel that reads closer to historical fiction than myth. At first, I wasn't sure if it was going to be my cup of tea but I have to admit that there was something quite interesting about seeing characters such as Medea, Orpheus and Herakles portrayed as being just ordinary people, with there being very little of the magical or fantastical elements I have come to associate with mythology.
📚
I chose to listen to Argo as an audiobook because this year has been so busy that my reading has slowed down substantially and, if I'm being honest, stopped completely at some points. I think an audiobook was the right choice - this is quite a plot-heavy book full of different adventures that was a good accompaniment to my neverending housework. By the end of Argo, I was curious to find out Jason's fate, and I'm looking forward to the second instalment, Jason, which was kindly gifted to me by the author.
📚
November 12, 2021
ARC from NetGalley
DNF @63%
I just couldn't get into this book. I found myself avoiding it. When I finally decided that I should probably get back to it, this feeling of dread came over me, and I was like nope. I can't.
It isn't a bad book. I'm sure it's a great book for the right reader, but that reader isn't me. It felt very much like reading a textbook but with a little more pizzazz, only still not enough pizzazz that you get to know any of the characters well enough to GAF about whether they die.
DNF @63%
I just couldn't get into this book. I found myself avoiding it. When I finally decided that I should probably get back to it, this feeling of dread came over me, and I was like nope. I can't.
It isn't a bad book. I'm sure it's a great book for the right reader, but that reader isn't me. It felt very much like reading a textbook but with a little more pizzazz, only still not enough pizzazz that you get to know any of the characters well enough to GAF about whether they die.
April 15, 2025
Well written compelling take on Jason and the Argonauts. About a quarter of the way through I realised this was a grounded take on the myth. What actually may have happened that ends up being conflated into the myth. Because I was looking for a more fantastical version, I will admit my interest waned. I may return to read the future instalments, but for now I’ll look for something more sword and sorcery. Any suggestions?
November 28, 2021
Find this review and more on my blog at
Worlds Unlike Our Own
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Thank you to the publisher, Head of Zeus, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The kingdom of Iolkos is ruled by King Aeson. When they are attacked by the king’s half-brother, Pelias, Aeson’s wife sends away their newborn son, Jason, to keep him safe. Twenty years later, a grown Jason arrives in Iolkos to compete in the games and discovers his true identity. But Pelias sets an impossible challenge for him to complete in order to reclaim his throne: to travel to the distant kingdom of Colchis and steal the mythical Golden Fleece. A great ship called the Argo is built for the quest as Jason assembles a crew of great warriors from across Greece. But this will be a journey fraught with dangers and an inexperienced Jason must quickly find his footing amidst this crew to complete the monumental task in time.
While the tale of Jason and the Argonauts is not really my favorite Greek myth compared to some of the others, I was eager to read this book, because a retelling of this tale has so much potential. It started out pretty strong as the first few chapters really drew me in, but from the moment the quest actually began – which should have been the most exciting parts of the book – it just went downhill. The writing was decent enough, but I felt that the narrative lacked emotion. Greek myths are often tragic in nature, and Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece has its share. So it’s very telling when an important character died on page and I barely felt moved by it. Consequently, this also made it hard to connect to any of the characters, much less sympathize with them.
It more or less follows the familiar story, but I felt like the book was going through a list of adventures that the Argonauts get into, just checking them off one after the other until they finally get to Colchis, where the real point of the quest is. This made Argo a painfully long read, and it really should have been trimmed down by a lot.
But the real sticking point of this book for me was how nearly every mythological aspect has been stripped out. It’s a fascinating approach to be certain, but this story is such a classic that removing these elements leaves a void in the narrative that wasn’t quite filled in. It did not have the fantastical feel that I’ve found in most Greek mythology retellings, which was very disappointing. There was also a modern touch to the dialogue at times that I did not like – it was bad enough there were barely any mythological or magical aspects left, which made it hard enough to really immerse myself into the story, and jarringly out of place dialogue made it even worse.
Despite this review mostly being negative, I did enjoy reading this book and following Jason’s adventures. This is the first time I’ve seen this sort of approach to the genre, and it makes the events seem so much more realistic. But quite honestly, the drama of the gods and monsters and everything in between is the best part of Greek myths, and to have that completely removed, leaving a work with a feel closer to historical fiction just did not work for me. However, this is purely a personal preference and if this approach to retelling Greek myths sounds interesting to you, I would definitely recommend it.
Thank you to the publisher, Head of Zeus, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The kingdom of Iolkos is ruled by King Aeson. When they are attacked by the king’s half-brother, Pelias, Aeson’s wife sends away their newborn son, Jason, to keep him safe. Twenty years later, a grown Jason arrives in Iolkos to compete in the games and discovers his true identity. But Pelias sets an impossible challenge for him to complete in order to reclaim his throne: to travel to the distant kingdom of Colchis and steal the mythical Golden Fleece. A great ship called the Argo is built for the quest as Jason assembles a crew of great warriors from across Greece. But this will be a journey fraught with dangers and an inexperienced Jason must quickly find his footing amidst this crew to complete the monumental task in time.
While the tale of Jason and the Argonauts is not really my favorite Greek myth compared to some of the others, I was eager to read this book, because a retelling of this tale has so much potential. It started out pretty strong as the first few chapters really drew me in, but from the moment the quest actually began – which should have been the most exciting parts of the book – it just went downhill. The writing was decent enough, but I felt that the narrative lacked emotion. Greek myths are often tragic in nature, and Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece has its share. So it’s very telling when an important character died on page and I barely felt moved by it. Consequently, this also made it hard to connect to any of the characters, much less sympathize with them.
It more or less follows the familiar story, but I felt like the book was going through a list of adventures that the Argonauts get into, just checking them off one after the other until they finally get to Colchis, where the real point of the quest is. This made Argo a painfully long read, and it really should have been trimmed down by a lot.
But the real sticking point of this book for me was how nearly every mythological aspect has been stripped out. It’s a fascinating approach to be certain, but this story is such a classic that removing these elements leaves a void in the narrative that wasn’t quite filled in. It did not have the fantastical feel that I’ve found in most Greek mythology retellings, which was very disappointing. There was also a modern touch to the dialogue at times that I did not like – it was bad enough there were barely any mythological or magical aspects left, which made it hard enough to really immerse myself into the story, and jarringly out of place dialogue made it even worse.
Despite this review mostly being negative, I did enjoy reading this book and following Jason’s adventures. This is the first time I’ve seen this sort of approach to the genre, and it makes the events seem so much more realistic. But quite honestly, the drama of the gods and monsters and everything in between is the best part of Greek myths, and to have that completely removed, leaving a work with a feel closer to historical fiction just did not work for me. However, this is purely a personal preference and if this approach to retelling Greek myths sounds interesting to you, I would definitely recommend it.
February 2, 2023
Argo is a retelling of the Jason and the Argonauts myth. I was excited to read it because I have never seen a longer retelling of that myth and the cover design is super cool. Written by a Cambridge classicist, too? Amazing! Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I hoped.
I found this book really boring. I have spent a lot of time thinking about why I found it so boring because a lot happens, there are a lot of quest details, a lot of new characters, and a lot of new places. I think it's because I didn't care about the characters at all. I had a hard time remembering which Argonaut was which and had no idea how they were different. I understand that we probably don't get a lot of differentiating information about the Argonauts in the original story besides their epithets, but I would have liked that in a narrative retelling.
I also did not think that Jason was very compelling. At the end of the book, I still have no idea what he really liked, felt, hoped, hated, loved, and what made him a person people would follow. I understand that part of the story was Jason's growing pains in that area, but I didn't feel like there was a strong resolution. Jason and the rest of the characters felt like chess pieces moving the story along but without any depth. This book is over 500 pages and it really feels it. I really lost interest around 40% in and after that all I wanted was for them to hurry up and find the stupid fleece.
I really didn't like the way that women were portrayed in this book. Even worse than the Argonauts, they were mostly limited to physical descriptions and how attractive they were. That didn't exactly make me feel connected to or compelled by any of them. I was hoping to get more with Medea, but again I just felt like she was a chess piece inching the story along. I have no idea why Jason would feel connected to her or she to him. I really hope this is explored in future books.
The writing style of this book was a combination of formal and simple writing. I think I would have preferred it if the writing was consistently one or the other. It would also switch perspectives once in a while when it was convenient for the plot and it was honestly a little weird whenever that happened. We follow Jason for 95% of the book and then sometimes it was randomly someone else narrating. Again, I would have liked one perspective or more consistently other perspectives.
I am glad that I got to learn a little more about the Jason and the Argonauts story. Before, I really only knew the bare bones of the story, like the one sandal, the golden fleece, and that Medea was involved. Now I have a better idea of some of who was on the journey with Jason (Peleus, Hercules, Orpheus). I feel like those were the most fleshed out characters, along with the two sets of twins, but I still can't identify any of the other Argonauts.
Overall, I found this book hard to get through. If you are interested in a Greek mythology epic of a lesser known story, I'd recommend the King Must Die by Mary Renault about Theseus or Ariadne by Jennifer Saint. Or just read the Song of Achilles again instead, I won't judge. 2.35 stars rounded down to 2. Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book!
I found this book really boring. I have spent a lot of time thinking about why I found it so boring because a lot happens, there are a lot of quest details, a lot of new characters, and a lot of new places. I think it's because I didn't care about the characters at all. I had a hard time remembering which Argonaut was which and had no idea how they were different. I understand that we probably don't get a lot of differentiating information about the Argonauts in the original story besides their epithets, but I would have liked that in a narrative retelling.
I also did not think that Jason was very compelling. At the end of the book, I still have no idea what he really liked, felt, hoped, hated, loved, and what made him a person people would follow. I understand that part of the story was Jason's growing pains in that area, but I didn't feel like there was a strong resolution. Jason and the rest of the characters felt like chess pieces moving the story along but without any depth. This book is over 500 pages and it really feels it. I really lost interest around 40% in and after that all I wanted was for them to hurry up and find the stupid fleece.
I really didn't like the way that women were portrayed in this book. Even worse than the Argonauts, they were mostly limited to physical descriptions and how attractive they were. That didn't exactly make me feel connected to or compelled by any of them. I was hoping to get more with Medea, but again I just felt like she was a chess piece inching the story along. I have no idea why Jason would feel connected to her or she to him. I really hope this is explored in future books.
The writing style of this book was a combination of formal and simple writing. I think I would have preferred it if the writing was consistently one or the other. It would also switch perspectives once in a while when it was convenient for the plot and it was honestly a little weird whenever that happened. We follow Jason for 95% of the book and then sometimes it was randomly someone else narrating. Again, I would have liked one perspective or more consistently other perspectives.
I am glad that I got to learn a little more about the Jason and the Argonauts story. Before, I really only knew the bare bones of the story, like the one sandal, the golden fleece, and that Medea was involved. Now I have a better idea of some of who was on the journey with Jason (Peleus, Hercules, Orpheus). I feel like those were the most fleshed out characters, along with the two sets of twins, but I still can't identify any of the other Argonauts.
Overall, I found this book hard to get through. If you are interested in a Greek mythology epic of a lesser known story, I'd recommend the King Must Die by Mary Renault about Theseus or Ariadne by Jennifer Saint. Or just read the Song of Achilles again instead, I won't judge. 2.35 stars rounded down to 2. Thank you to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for the electronic advanced reader's copy of this book!
December 29, 2021
In Argo, Mark Knowles has taken the legend of Jason and the golden fleece, and stripped it down to its bare bones. There are no gods, no monsters, no magical creatures of myth. What is left is a deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue.
The book brings an element of Band of Brothers, as a crew are formed to sail Argo to the far reaches of the known world, to barter with a king for a fleece of gold. There is also an element of 'lads on tour' which I rather immaturely enjoyed (our hearty crew devour a lot of wine, and have a keen eye for the local women) for me this helped bring the characters to life, their personalities, their pasts and their flaws are etched out of them as the crew swap stories around a night time fire.
There's no real fixed POV in the book, meaning we get to see into the minds of many of the men in the crew. By journey's end we are at one with them, ready to fight at their side as faced with betrayal, they are left at earths end to fight for their very survival.
For a first instalment in a trilogy this really does have everything. Epic battles, well rounded characters sailing through a brilliantly described world.
The book brings an element of Band of Brothers, as a crew are formed to sail Argo to the far reaches of the known world, to barter with a king for a fleece of gold. There is also an element of 'lads on tour' which I rather immaturely enjoyed (our hearty crew devour a lot of wine, and have a keen eye for the local women) for me this helped bring the characters to life, their personalities, their pasts and their flaws are etched out of them as the crew swap stories around a night time fire.
There's no real fixed POV in the book, meaning we get to see into the minds of many of the men in the crew. By journey's end we are at one with them, ready to fight at their side as faced with betrayal, they are left at earths end to fight for their very survival.
For a first instalment in a trilogy this really does have everything. Epic battles, well rounded characters sailing through a brilliantly described world.
March 5, 2023
Argo by Mark Knowles
I have about three or four genres that I just can't get enough of, and this is one of them. Greek mythology reimagined is trending at the moment, so there is no shortage, thankfully.
Mark Knowles has taken the story of Jason and the Argonauts and made it into a real-life adventure. No Gods, monsters, or magic in this one, and it honestly doesn't suffer for the lack. It is a page-turner that is packed from cover to cover with action, adventure, and adversaries. Fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell will appreciate this one.
This is a 600 page book and is only part one. Part two is due out in the autumn and I can't wait. It's already pre- ordered.
I have about three or four genres that I just can't get enough of, and this is one of them. Greek mythology reimagined is trending at the moment, so there is no shortage, thankfully.
Mark Knowles has taken the story of Jason and the Argonauts and made it into a real-life adventure. No Gods, monsters, or magic in this one, and it honestly doesn't suffer for the lack. It is a page-turner that is packed from cover to cover with action, adventure, and adversaries. Fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell will appreciate this one.
This is a 600 page book and is only part one. Part two is due out in the autumn and I can't wait. It's already pre- ordered.
January 24, 2024
Workmanlike retelling of Jason. Stripping out the fantastical elements means the characters really need to be well drawn but they’re not engaging enough for me. Plainspoken is all well and good but the whole point of Greek myths is the fantastical elements.
July 19, 2023
With ‘Argo’, Mark Knowles has accomplished a feat that, before having cracked the spine of this volume, I hardly believed to be possible—breathing dazzling and vivid life into the mytho-historical world of the LH IIIB Aegean, Knowles has convinced me that I actually like Jason.
I’ve been on an ancient historical fiction/fantasy kick recently (having only recently finished grad school, following my time with the inconceivably dense and cruelly innumerous volumes that comprised the reading list for my comprehensive exams, I’ve considered these as purely fun, light beach reads for the summer—and I have so far come across a number of such epic/mythological retellings that didn’t at all suit my tastes), and picked up a copy of ‘Argo’ on a whim from a local bookstore. Having very little context for the reception and reviews of ‘Argo’ (I must admit, I expected a far higher Goodreads score! Major warning for this trilogy—the journeys to and from Colchis are separated by volume. ‘Argo’, the first entry, ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but I appreciated this choice, as I was ravenously hungry for more of Knowles’ work and glad to know a second volume had already been published), I had no serious expectations for this book, but felt that, had I any personal quibbles against the characterization of mythical personages, Jason would be the very last figure about whose portrayal I would have concerns. I do not subscribe to the Nietzschean distaste for Euripides, and have always been 100% team Medea.
I was, therefore, quite delightfully surprised by how riveted I was by Knowles’ narrative, how effectively his knowledge of Aegean Bronze Age material culture, seamlessly interwoven, was transmitted through his descriptions of costuming, customs, architecture, etc., and, most of all, how sympathetically and carefully he crafted his version of Jason.
I absolutely could not put this book down, and find it interesting how dichotomous the ‘Argo’ reviews left by my fellow readers are. I suppose this comes down to what readers are hoping for with books of this genre—I can imagine that the omission of the gods must have been a turn-off for some. I read Jennifer Saint's 'Ariadne’, to name a contrasting example, a few days ago, and, while I was glad I finished it (I did find some value in that read, I think), my experience with her novel bordered very closely on ‘hate reading’ (okay, silly point towards which to have such a vehemently ill reaction, but TWO coin metaphors?? In the Late Bronze Age? Please, why couldn't the moon and Cinyras' face shine like gold, like signet rings, like saffron?? Or like nearly anything besides a coin? I have no doubt in my mind that our earliest extant Lydian coin, dating to ca. 610—600, was not the first ever minted, but, even though Saint’s narrative is ripe with divine presence and intervention, this utterly transported me from her narrative... and such an easy fix!).
Saint's 'Ariadne', perplexingly, has a much higher average Goodreads score than does 'Argo', and I know that this largely is a matter of personal taste. In any event, with each chapter of ‘Argo’, I felt more intimately tied to the theatergoers of a Greece long past, as I, like them, though I know well the plot and cast of characters of the Argonautika, anxiously awaited the emergence of each new obstacle set against the motley crew on their voyage towards the Black Sea.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about Knowles’ attempt to vaguely ‘historicize’ his retelling of Jason’s epic, having omitted from the manuscript tradition much of the divine aspect of the Argo narrative. I was strangely taken aback, almost offended, by the assertion that both of the Dioskouroi were wholly mortal. Still, this choice won me over quickly, and I found myself more intrigued by Knowles’ semi-realism, excited to read how he reviewed the archaeological record to illustrate plausible BA scenarios that might have led to later Archaic sympotic myth-making, than I might have been to read demigod heroes.
Here are just a few of my favorite details of BA ‘realism’ that permeate Knowles’ narrative (though there are far too many to name in this review, and I’ve probably forgotten a bunch already!!):
- The Prologue (!!): the introduction to Pelias and, with it, to the administrative function of BA tablets, to the working system of tribute (and of the tribute record), and to the ‘palatial complex’ at Iolkos (really sets the stage!)
- Throughout: the many descriptions of sailing (Knowles’ Argo may not look exactly like the ships seen in the ‘Flotilla fresco’ from Room V of the West House at Akrotiri, but it feels authentically BA, and the discomfort of the crew at the oars is palpable throughout), of architecture (these are lovely—not overly technical, but descriptions of cyclopean masonry, lintels, and light wells draw the reader into a satisfyingly prehistoric age), and of clothing (beautifully varied by region, and developed with much care as to the costuming of figures rendered in Helladic, Cycladic, and Minoan fresco)
- Throughout: the depiction of xenia, and of Aethalides’ diplomatic role on the Argo’s voyage (issues of language, translation, and cultural communication/miscommunication are dealt with believably, compel forward the plot, and drive home the significance of guest friendship in this historical setting)
- Part III, Ch. XI: Dascylius’ Herodotean description of the customs of the Tibareni (feels like a loose quote of Hdt. 2.35-36, describing Egyptian mores as directly antithetical to those of Greece)
I’ve been on an ancient historical fiction/fantasy kick recently (having only recently finished grad school, following my time with the inconceivably dense and cruelly innumerous volumes that comprised the reading list for my comprehensive exams, I’ve considered these as purely fun, light beach reads for the summer—and I have so far come across a number of such epic/mythological retellings that didn’t at all suit my tastes), and picked up a copy of ‘Argo’ on a whim from a local bookstore. Having very little context for the reception and reviews of ‘Argo’ (I must admit, I expected a far higher Goodreads score! Major warning for this trilogy—the journeys to and from Colchis are separated by volume. ‘Argo’, the first entry, ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but I appreciated this choice, as I was ravenously hungry for more of Knowles’ work and glad to know a second volume had already been published), I had no serious expectations for this book, but felt that, had I any personal quibbles against the characterization of mythical personages, Jason would be the very last figure about whose portrayal I would have concerns. I do not subscribe to the Nietzschean distaste for Euripides, and have always been 100% team Medea.
I was, therefore, quite delightfully surprised by how riveted I was by Knowles’ narrative, how effectively his knowledge of Aegean Bronze Age material culture, seamlessly interwoven, was transmitted through his descriptions of costuming, customs, architecture, etc., and, most of all, how sympathetically and carefully he crafted his version of Jason.
I absolutely could not put this book down, and find it interesting how dichotomous the ‘Argo’ reviews left by my fellow readers are. I suppose this comes down to what readers are hoping for with books of this genre—I can imagine that the omission of the gods must have been a turn-off for some. I read Jennifer Saint's 'Ariadne’, to name a contrasting example, a few days ago, and, while I was glad I finished it (I did find some value in that read, I think), my experience with her novel bordered very closely on ‘hate reading’ (okay, silly point towards which to have such a vehemently ill reaction, but TWO coin metaphors?? In the Late Bronze Age? Please, why couldn't the moon and Cinyras' face shine like gold, like signet rings, like saffron?? Or like nearly anything besides a coin? I have no doubt in my mind that our earliest extant Lydian coin, dating to ca. 610—600, was not the first ever minted, but, even though Saint’s narrative is ripe with divine presence and intervention, this utterly transported me from her narrative... and such an easy fix!).
Saint's 'Ariadne', perplexingly, has a much higher average Goodreads score than does 'Argo', and I know that this largely is a matter of personal taste. In any event, with each chapter of ‘Argo’, I felt more intimately tied to the theatergoers of a Greece long past, as I, like them, though I know well the plot and cast of characters of the Argonautika, anxiously awaited the emergence of each new obstacle set against the motley crew on their voyage towards the Black Sea.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about Knowles’ attempt to vaguely ‘historicize’ his retelling of Jason’s epic, having omitted from the manuscript tradition much of the divine aspect of the Argo narrative. I was strangely taken aback, almost offended, by the assertion that both of the Dioskouroi were wholly mortal. Still, this choice won me over quickly, and I found myself more intrigued by Knowles’ semi-realism, excited to read how he reviewed the archaeological record to illustrate plausible BA scenarios that might have led to later Archaic sympotic myth-making, than I might have been to read demigod heroes.
Here are just a few of my favorite details of BA ‘realism’ that permeate Knowles’ narrative (though there are far too many to name in this review, and I’ve probably forgotten a bunch already!!):
- The Prologue (!!): the introduction to Pelias and, with it, to the administrative function of BA tablets, to the working system of tribute (and of the tribute record), and to the ‘palatial complex’ at Iolkos (really sets the stage!)
- Throughout: the many descriptions of sailing (Knowles’ Argo may not look exactly like the ships seen in the ‘Flotilla fresco’ from Room V of the West House at Akrotiri, but it feels authentically BA, and the discomfort of the crew at the oars is palpable throughout), of architecture (these are lovely—not overly technical, but descriptions of cyclopean masonry, lintels, and light wells draw the reader into a satisfyingly prehistoric age), and of clothing (beautifully varied by region, and developed with much care as to the costuming of figures rendered in Helladic, Cycladic, and Minoan fresco)
- Throughout: the depiction of xenia, and of Aethalides’ diplomatic role on the Argo’s voyage (issues of language, translation, and cultural communication/miscommunication are dealt with believably, compel forward the plot, and drive home the significance of guest friendship in this historical setting)
- Part III, Ch. XI: Dascylius’ Herodotean description of the customs of the Tibareni (feels like a loose quote of Hdt. 2.35-36, describing Egyptian mores as directly antithetical to those of Greece)
November 11, 2021
Look, I know I don't like every Greek mythology retelling book, but I still seek them out with the sense of hope akin to a spider rebuilding a web between a car and a parking lot ceiling. Like, this one is going to stick. Definitely this one. And once again, I am proven wrong.
"Argo" is certainly not good, nor is it laugh-out-loud bad (or my other favorite, frisbee-across-the-room bad). But despite its inherently adventure-packed subject matter, "Argo" is dreadfully, dreadfully boring.
If you're not familiar with the myth of Jason, the Argonauts, and the quest for the Golden Fleece, "Argo" is an... acceptable introduction? Except it's really not because, as I said, it takes a sea quest adventure and sucks all the life out of it. It tells the story of Jason of Iolchos, whose royal father was deposed by Jason's evil half-uncle. Not only do we spend the first 10% of the book with the evil uncle (who is passably entertaining as a paranoid villain in the vein of the king sitting under the Sword of Damocles), but when we switch to Jason the story has all the swiftness of molasses. Everything from this point on is a trudge, waist-high, through plot that is always explained and never truly lived. The characters are indistinguishable and invisible except as needed for a few lines of dialogue here and there. And that brings me to another feature of the book.
What is the point of a novelization of the Argonautica if you are not, for some reason, going to make the most of its ensemble cast? Why include Herakles and Hylas and do nothing with them? Why include Orpheus if all he's going to do is sing once and then decry the fact that if only his wife had worn sandals, she wouldn't have died of a snake bite? (With a reaction from the crew about as emotional as, "That's rough, buddy.") Worse, Peleus the father of Achilles is here, but does that matter? Could he have been replaced by another bland character named Steve? Yes, yes he could have. And so could the two other stand-out heroes, Castor and Pollux, who are fresh into exile after a spat concerning the Atreides and their sister Helen of Sparta (soon to be Helen of Troy, but if you're new to the weird timeline of mythology, Helen's still a kid here, probably between 10 and 13 years old if we assume Theseus hasn't headed over to fight the Minotaur yet because his father hasn't met Medea yet... and neither does Jason until the end of this book).
Ah, Medea. The only interesting character of the Jason myth, because let me assure you, Jason is a very boring man until he is allowed to get into some morally muddy waters in Medea's hometown. Medea in Mark Knowles's universe is adept at magic, which is really just pharmacology, and she worships Hekate instead of all those patriarchal gods that her father prefers. Ok, sure, why not? But what drives Medea, here? What makes a princess betray and abandon her family to marry a stranger and travel to foreign lands with no one but her new husband and her wits for support? Well, Knowles does try to give her agency. As in the myth, Medea's knowledge and skills are crucial to Jason stealing the Golden Fleece. But as for personality and motivation, she's about as empty as the other characters. I don't need Medea to be good or bad, I don't even mind if she's petty or earnest or naive or cunning. I just want her to be interesting. This Medea misses the mark.
Overall, I can't recommend this book, especially to someone who is new to the source material and risks being put off the Jason myth altogether. I respect the attempt, and it clearly took a lot of work by virtue of the LENGTH of the book. But considering the page count reaches a staggering 528 pages and stops right after Jason steals the Fleece (while apparently planning to cover Jason & Medea's Mediterranean honeymoon & crime cruise in a future sequel), the book is too long and too bloated to justify the length.
Recommended only if, like me, you simply must read another Greek mythology retelling. Otherwise I think readers would be better served by the d'Aulaires, Edith Hamilton, or even Stephen Fry's recent mythology books.
Thank you to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for sending me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"Argo" is certainly not good, nor is it laugh-out-loud bad (or my other favorite, frisbee-across-the-room bad). But despite its inherently adventure-packed subject matter, "Argo" is dreadfully, dreadfully boring.
If you're not familiar with the myth of Jason, the Argonauts, and the quest for the Golden Fleece, "Argo" is an... acceptable introduction? Except it's really not because, as I said, it takes a sea quest adventure and sucks all the life out of it. It tells the story of Jason of Iolchos, whose royal father was deposed by Jason's evil half-uncle. Not only do we spend the first 10% of the book with the evil uncle (who is passably entertaining as a paranoid villain in the vein of the king sitting under the Sword of Damocles), but when we switch to Jason the story has all the swiftness of molasses. Everything from this point on is a trudge, waist-high, through plot that is always explained and never truly lived. The characters are indistinguishable and invisible except as needed for a few lines of dialogue here and there. And that brings me to another feature of the book.
What is the point of a novelization of the Argonautica if you are not, for some reason, going to make the most of its ensemble cast? Why include Herakles and Hylas and do nothing with them? Why include Orpheus if all he's going to do is sing once and then decry the fact that if only his wife had worn sandals, she wouldn't have died of a snake bite? (With a reaction from the crew about as emotional as, "That's rough, buddy.") Worse, Peleus the father of Achilles is here, but does that matter? Could he have been replaced by another bland character named Steve? Yes, yes he could have. And so could the two other stand-out heroes, Castor and Pollux, who are fresh into exile after a spat concerning the Atreides and their sister Helen of Sparta (soon to be Helen of Troy, but if you're new to the weird timeline of mythology, Helen's still a kid here, probably between 10 and 13 years old if we assume Theseus hasn't headed over to fight the Minotaur yet because his father hasn't met Medea yet... and neither does Jason until the end of this book).
Ah, Medea. The only interesting character of the Jason myth, because let me assure you, Jason is a very boring man until he is allowed to get into some morally muddy waters in Medea's hometown. Medea in Mark Knowles's universe is adept at magic, which is really just pharmacology, and she worships Hekate instead of all those patriarchal gods that her father prefers. Ok, sure, why not? But what drives Medea, here? What makes a princess betray and abandon her family to marry a stranger and travel to foreign lands with no one but her new husband and her wits for support? Well, Knowles does try to give her agency. As in the myth, Medea's knowledge and skills are crucial to Jason stealing the Golden Fleece. But as for personality and motivation, she's about as empty as the other characters. I don't need Medea to be good or bad, I don't even mind if she's petty or earnest or naive or cunning. I just want her to be interesting. This Medea misses the mark.
Overall, I can't recommend this book, especially to someone who is new to the source material and risks being put off the Jason myth altogether. I respect the attempt, and it clearly took a lot of work by virtue of the LENGTH of the book. But considering the page count reaches a staggering 528 pages and stops right after Jason steals the Fleece (while apparently planning to cover Jason & Medea's Mediterranean honeymoon & crime cruise in a future sequel), the book is too long and too bloated to justify the length.
Recommended only if, like me, you simply must read another Greek mythology retelling. Otherwise I think readers would be better served by the d'Aulaires, Edith Hamilton, or even Stephen Fry's recent mythology books.
Thank you to Netgalley and Aria & Aries for sending me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2023
I am going to assume this is Knowles' first book, and as such I am going to rate it higher than I would otherwise. First books are invariably more rough around the edges.
'Argo' sees a modern retelling of the voyage of the Argonauts, following the general trend of Greek mythological retellings that seem to have began with Miller's excellent 'Song of Achilles'.
Unfortunately, like most of the Miller copycats, 'Argo' suffers from a series of issues. First and foremost comes the length of the book. This book is large, especially given it does not bring the voyage of the Argonauts to an end. Instead, 600 pages into it, and the reader realises that there is at the very least one more book before Jason returns to Iolkos with the golden fleece.
Knowles chooses a curious approach for his retelling. While ultimately it is going to be up to the reader to choose whether they appreciate it or not, I shall lay out some of the issues here.
While the Argonauts' story is clearly in the realm of myth, not being placed in any specific date or timeline, save for taking place 'before' the golden age of Athens in the 5th century BCE, Knowles has decided to give it a very specific date in the mid 13th century BCE, in Bronze Age Greece. In doing so, Knowles is forced to use a lot of conjecture, and knowledge he clearly does not have, given he is no Bronze Age archaeologist, to create a full world.
Where Jason lives in a world filled by magical creatures and where the gods exist, in 'Argo' everyone is a mortal and the gods seem to be an idea more than a fact. As such, the Dioskouroi are called that way (for some unexplained reason sarcastically) despite not being the sons of Zeus. Medea and her father, Aeëtes are not related to Helios, the Sun, and so on and so forth.
This is fine, though there is a detachment between the myth and this 'realistic' tale that makes the latter lose a lot of its excitement. Furthermore, the more historical retelling requires a more realistic and studied exploration of the surroundings, languages, geography, that is clearly not possessed by the author, which means we come up with mixed spellings for some name (some following a Latinised form, some following a Greek one, and some, hilariously, being of Slavic origin).
All this is interspersed with a plethora of italicised Greek words, some modern, some Classical, some Homeric, and some from Linear B. So what was it that they spoke? Was it Linear B? Was it Classical Greek? What is the point in adding all these words throughout the text other than Knowles flexing his muscles regarding the fact that he god a Bachelor's degree in Classics?
Despite all this, I would give this book three stars, in that I can see that Knowles tried hard to research the myth and create a world for it, despite stubbornly choosing to place it in a time in which we know far too little.
'Argo' sees a modern retelling of the voyage of the Argonauts, following the general trend of Greek mythological retellings that seem to have began with Miller's excellent 'Song of Achilles'.
Unfortunately, like most of the Miller copycats, 'Argo' suffers from a series of issues. First and foremost comes the length of the book. This book is large, especially given it does not bring the voyage of the Argonauts to an end. Instead, 600 pages into it, and the reader realises that there is at the very least one more book before Jason returns to Iolkos with the golden fleece.
Knowles chooses a curious approach for his retelling. While ultimately it is going to be up to the reader to choose whether they appreciate it or not, I shall lay out some of the issues here.
While the Argonauts' story is clearly in the realm of myth, not being placed in any specific date or timeline, save for taking place 'before' the golden age of Athens in the 5th century BCE, Knowles has decided to give it a very specific date in the mid 13th century BCE, in Bronze Age Greece. In doing so, Knowles is forced to use a lot of conjecture, and knowledge he clearly does not have, given he is no Bronze Age archaeologist, to create a full world.
Where Jason lives in a world filled by magical creatures and where the gods exist, in 'Argo' everyone is a mortal and the gods seem to be an idea more than a fact. As such, the Dioskouroi are called that way (for some unexplained reason sarcastically) despite not being the sons of Zeus. Medea and her father, Aeëtes are not related to Helios, the Sun, and so on and so forth.
This is fine, though there is a detachment between the myth and this 'realistic' tale that makes the latter lose a lot of its excitement. Furthermore, the more historical retelling requires a more realistic and studied exploration of the surroundings, languages, geography, that is clearly not possessed by the author, which means we come up with mixed spellings for some name (some following a Latinised form, some following a Greek one, and some, hilariously, being of Slavic origin).
All this is interspersed with a plethora of italicised Greek words, some modern, some Classical, some Homeric, and some from Linear B. So what was it that they spoke? Was it Linear B? Was it Classical Greek? What is the point in adding all these words throughout the text other than Knowles flexing his muscles regarding the fact that he god a Bachelor's degree in Classics?
Despite all this, I would give this book three stars, in that I can see that Knowles tried hard to research the myth and create a world for it, despite stubbornly choosing to place it in a time in which we know far too little.
January 15, 2022
Upfront, I want to note that I read and am reviewing this as a specialist in classical reception! A retelling of the myth of Jason and the Argonauts following the plot of (most of) Apollonius Rhodius' 3rd century BD epic the Argonautica, I really wanted to love this book, and found it surprisingly compelling for the first third of the novel. Knowles builds the environment very effectively with lots of well-researched contextual details, which I enjoyed.
However. As soon as we get into the actual building and crewing of Argo, things start to slow down rather a lot, and I found it becoming a bit of a slog. The writing, which begins well, loses quality around the midway mark, with some questionable metaphors noted by other reviewers. The character development also slows down to a virtual stop - where we begin to get to know Jason and his crew, we learn nothing new about them throughout the journey. Side characters like Butes and Idas were particularly frustrating, and their characters are never satisfyingly resolved, despite the considerable length of the novel. It also feels truncated towards the end, which leaves us at a cliffhanger at a similar point to the 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts.
While I did like that the plot took in several episodes not well treated elsewhere in retellings, I was not expecting the rationalised narrative that removed all traces of magic and the gods. Although this is inventively explained, unfortunately many of the rationalisations fall down by invoking misogynistic explanations for the episode . There is no positive depiction of any woman (even the Argonautica manages to do better, and ancient Greek literature is not known for its positive portrayals of women). Queer narratives (which are present in the ancient literature) are written out entirely. I found myself waiting for any indication of the relationship (or even a strong friendship!) between Heracles and Hylas, but the opportunity is completely skipped over.
The search for historicity also leads to some questionable, bordering on racist, depictions of the tribes the crew encounter. If nothing else, the stilted language used for the othered non-Greek tribes reinscribes false equivalences between "the West" and ancient Greece, and reminded me strongly of the problem trope of the "Queen's Latin", especially as of course the book is in English!
I awarded this book two stars rounded up, for its enjoyable opening. Although I read as a classicist, I probably would have DNF'd if I was reading this for leisure. Worth a go if you are more interested in historical reads, I would not for lovers of myth retellings and especially not feminist ones!
(Thank you to Aries Books and Net Galley who provided me with a free ARC in return for an honest review).
However. As soon as we get into the actual building and crewing of Argo, things start to slow down rather a lot, and I found it becoming a bit of a slog. The writing, which begins well, loses quality around the midway mark, with some questionable metaphors noted by other reviewers. The character development also slows down to a virtual stop - where we begin to get to know Jason and his crew, we learn nothing new about them throughout the journey. Side characters like Butes and Idas were particularly frustrating, and their characters are never satisfyingly resolved, despite the considerable length of the novel. It also feels truncated towards the end, which leaves us at a cliffhanger at a similar point to the 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts.
While I did like that the plot took in several episodes not well treated elsewhere in retellings, I was not expecting the rationalised narrative that removed all traces of magic and the gods. Although this is inventively explained, unfortunately many of the rationalisations fall down by invoking misogynistic explanations for the episode . There is no positive depiction of any woman (even the Argonautica manages to do better, and ancient Greek literature is not known for its positive portrayals of women). Queer narratives (which are present in the ancient literature) are written out entirely. I found myself waiting for any indication of the relationship (or even a strong friendship!) between Heracles and Hylas, but the opportunity is completely skipped over.
The search for historicity also leads to some questionable, bordering on racist, depictions of the tribes the crew encounter. If nothing else, the stilted language used for the othered non-Greek tribes reinscribes false equivalences between "the West" and ancient Greece, and reminded me strongly of the problem trope of the "Queen's Latin", especially as of course the book is in English!
I awarded this book two stars rounded up, for its enjoyable opening. Although I read as a classicist, I probably would have DNF'd if I was reading this for leisure. Worth a go if you are more interested in historical reads, I would not for lovers of myth retellings and especially not feminist ones!
(Thank you to Aries Books and Net Galley who provided me with a free ARC in return for an honest review).
June 30, 2022
I used to devour sagas of the Icelandic variety so was intrigued to see how this retelling of a different type of fabled voyage would grab me. As with any epic tale with a large cast of characters, it takes a bit of time to manoeuvre all the pieces into position – something the author handles well with scenes giving little glimpses into the would-be Argonauts’ attributes (alongside the main challenge laid down to Jason by King Pelias). But it is from the moment Jason and his crew are first tested in battle that this book truly hits its straps, at once turning a bunch of strangers into a band of brothers and forging a far stronger bond between this reader and the characters.
Since the battles come along with satisfying regularity from that point, it’s a good thing the author has a particular skill – and obvious relish – for portraying the huge set pieces. I doubt as much blood has been spilled on beaches since the opening to Saving Private Ryan. Cleverly, the violent encounters invariably bring out loyalties, rivalries, debts of gratitude (and ingratitude) that linger in the crew’s interactions during the quieter moments. I thought that was nicely done.
The sense of this being a voyage into the unknown is well maintained throughout, neither reader nor Argonauts ever sure if the next shoreline will bring a tribe offering food, sex, death, or any combination of the above. What is known, however, is that the level of research contained within this story must have been epic in itself, and there is no fudging the details – for example, the degree to which increasingly distant languages are understood, and who among the crew has the wherewithal to communicate (no Star Trek “universal translator” on this voyage).
To its credit, the book manages to wear all the research lightly when it could easily have been burdened by a weightier, academic feel. Indeed, alongside this fresh take on the various historic accounts of Jason’s voyage (the author explains in the notes there is no single, overarching version) it is fun to spot the moments where Knowles has created Earthly explanations for previously supernatural elements of the story.
Could there be some nuggets of historical truth in this “realistic” retelling from which the more fantastical versions grew? Given the nature of how oral storytelling works, and how myths are born, it is tempting to think so. I look forward to the next in the trilogy.
Since the battles come along with satisfying regularity from that point, it’s a good thing the author has a particular skill – and obvious relish – for portraying the huge set pieces. I doubt as much blood has been spilled on beaches since the opening to Saving Private Ryan. Cleverly, the violent encounters invariably bring out loyalties, rivalries, debts of gratitude (and ingratitude) that linger in the crew’s interactions during the quieter moments. I thought that was nicely done.
The sense of this being a voyage into the unknown is well maintained throughout, neither reader nor Argonauts ever sure if the next shoreline will bring a tribe offering food, sex, death, or any combination of the above. What is known, however, is that the level of research contained within this story must have been epic in itself, and there is no fudging the details – for example, the degree to which increasingly distant languages are understood, and who among the crew has the wherewithal to communicate (no Star Trek “universal translator” on this voyage).
To its credit, the book manages to wear all the research lightly when it could easily have been burdened by a weightier, academic feel. Indeed, alongside this fresh take on the various historic accounts of Jason’s voyage (the author explains in the notes there is no single, overarching version) it is fun to spot the moments where Knowles has created Earthly explanations for previously supernatural elements of the story.
Could there be some nuggets of historical truth in this “realistic” retelling from which the more fantastical versions grew? Given the nature of how oral storytelling works, and how myths are born, it is tempting to think so. I look forward to the next in the trilogy.
November 18, 2022
Right. Jason myth is a hard one to write as a long novel. It's a lot of incidents with a big cast. It's a lot "We went here...then we went here...then we went here and this happened" etc. I wanted so much more from certain parts of the story. It has a huge cast of people on the boat. Certain important people who turn up in other myths. So it's very easy to let a lot of characters fade to the background and that is what happened here. It's such a big cast of characters and that's without the people they meet on their way. And Jason...he has always been the most boring part of his myths. Or at least the ones I've read or seen. And that is sadly what has happened with this book, Jason is very blah. I was always more interested in the people around him, rather than Jason himself. (For some reason, I couldn't get Jason Grace from my head. And because Jason Grace looks like a blonde Superman, I imagined this Jason as the same.) A lot of people on the ship don't feel fleshed out. Even the characters who have a lot of dialogue with Jason and thus feature quite a bit feel like blank slates. Their characters didn't seem like real people. And I get tired of personal description, after personal description.
I know the author wanted to write the whole story as "realistic" as possible. Everything magical has a realistic explanation. But I wish he didn't. If I wanted realistic, I'd read greek history, not greek myths. The magic in the myths is what makes them come alive and I think this book suffered for that. I didn't want realistic. I never do when I read myths. How do you want realistic when it involves gods causing a lot of trouble for humans.
While book is a bit iffy, I am going to read the sequel when audio is released. Mostly for Medea as I'm interested in what the author does with my favourite "nasty gal". Though I haven't got too high hopes, due to the relying on realistic. Medea is a science gal. Which is...interesting. And there was no chemistry or love between the two characters at any point. I don't understand why Medea would drop her life and does what she does in the future. No magic between them. No love. No reason you drop your life and run away.
So yeah. Not the best I've read, but it is somewhat enjoyable and I will continue with the sequel.
I know the author wanted to write the whole story as "realistic" as possible. Everything magical has a realistic explanation. But I wish he didn't. If I wanted realistic, I'd read greek history, not greek myths. The magic in the myths is what makes them come alive and I think this book suffered for that. I didn't want realistic. I never do when I read myths. How do you want realistic when it involves gods causing a lot of trouble for humans.
While book is a bit iffy, I am going to read the sequel when audio is released. Mostly for Medea as I'm interested in what the author does with my favourite "nasty gal". Though I haven't got too high hopes, due to the relying on realistic. Medea is a science gal. Which is...interesting. And there was no chemistry or love between the two characters at any point. I don't understand why Medea would drop her life and does what she does in the future. No magic between them. No love. No reason you drop your life and run away.
So yeah. Not the best I've read, but it is somewhat enjoyable and I will continue with the sequel.
November 13, 2021
Jason discovers his parents were overthrown by his uncle Pelias who now occupies the throne. In order to reclaim his rightful position as prince, he sets out on a quest to steal the Golden Fleece from king Aeetes of Colchis. Together with a bunch of so-called Argonauts, he travels by sea and faces some serious life threatening challenges before he will arrive at Colchis.
Jason and the golden fleece is one of those Greek myths not so familiar to me. I was expecting a nice retelling of this adventure and in some ways, this is exactly what you get. We follow Jason and his Argonauts on their sea voyage to Colchis. Stopping on beaches and in forgotten places where the local tribes are a threat. There is no focus on the Godly perspective, although there is a seer on board and Jason seems to hear voices.
There is a whole bunch of Argonauts, which means a lot of names. And I just couldn’t get a hold on who was who. Except those names I knew from other myths such as Herakles, Castor and Pollux of Sparta and Peleus (the father of Achilles). Another thing that bothered me was that every stop formed a challenge. Some tribe that was friendly at first but then becomes hostile. Therefore the story felt repetitive.
I believe I missed a strong female character, as I’m used to in Greek feministic retellings. Such as in ‘A thousand ships‘, ‘Daughters of Sparta‘, ‘The silence of the girls’… Of course, there is Medea. I do find her one of the most fascinating characters in Greek mythology. But she is just a side character in this book. Although I believe she will get more prominent role in the sequel. Yes, there will be a sequel. After more than 500 pages, the story stops abruptly and I am not sure if I want to read another whopper of a book like this. Maybe I do, if I know there will be a focus on Medea.
This doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy ‘Argo‘ at all. There were a lot of likable scenes and it’s a great adventure. I just didn’t have any emotional connection with Jason and all the fights were too similar.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
Jason ontdekt hij dat de zoon is van koning Aeson, die door zijn neef Pelias onterecht van de troon is gestoten. Om zijn rechtmatige positie als prins opnieuw te claimen vertrekt hij in opdracht van Pelias op queeste om het gulden vlies te stelen uit het verre Colchis. Samen met zijn argonauten beleeft hij heel wat avonturen voor hij daar zou aankomen.
De mythe Jason en het gulden vlies was me niet zo bekend. Ik hoopte opnieuw op een spannende hervertelling. En er zijn zeker scènes waar ik ontzettend van heb genoten. Maar het was niet altijd makkelijk om te volgen. Er zijn een hele hoop Argonauten en ik kon de namen niet altijd meer uit elkaar houden. Dat lukt alleen met karakters die ik al kende uit andere mythen zoals Herakles, Castyor en Pollux, Peleus.... Ook alle belevenissen op de tussenstops waarbij ze regelmatig met stammen moesten vechten begonnen op elkaar te lijken.
Ik denk dat ik een sterke vrouw miste ofzo. Er is wel Medea maar zij heeft nog geen grote rol in dit boek. Ik was emotioneel niet echt betrokken bij Jason ofzo. En toch vond ik dit boek zeker niet zo slecht als andere reviews lieten uitschijnen. Knowles schrijft zeker ok, maar gedetailleerd. Ik weet daardoor niet of ik het vervolg wel wil lezen, nog eens 500 pagina's over de terugweg zie ik niet echt zitten.
Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
Jason and the golden fleece is one of those Greek myths not so familiar to me. I was expecting a nice retelling of this adventure and in some ways, this is exactly what you get. We follow Jason and his Argonauts on their sea voyage to Colchis. Stopping on beaches and in forgotten places where the local tribes are a threat. There is no focus on the Godly perspective, although there is a seer on board and Jason seems to hear voices.
There is a whole bunch of Argonauts, which means a lot of names. And I just couldn’t get a hold on who was who. Except those names I knew from other myths such as Herakles, Castor and Pollux of Sparta and Peleus (the father of Achilles). Another thing that bothered me was that every stop formed a challenge. Some tribe that was friendly at first but then becomes hostile. Therefore the story felt repetitive.
I believe I missed a strong female character, as I’m used to in Greek feministic retellings. Such as in ‘A thousand ships‘, ‘Daughters of Sparta‘, ‘The silence of the girls’… Of course, there is Medea. I do find her one of the most fascinating characters in Greek mythology. But she is just a side character in this book. Although I believe she will get more prominent role in the sequel. Yes, there will be a sequel. After more than 500 pages, the story stops abruptly and I am not sure if I want to read another whopper of a book like this. Maybe I do, if I know there will be a focus on Medea.
This doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy ‘Argo‘ at all. There were a lot of likable scenes and it’s a great adventure. I just didn’t have any emotional connection with Jason and all the fights were too similar.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
Dutch review:
Jason ontdekt hij dat de zoon is van koning Aeson, die door zijn neef Pelias onterecht van de troon is gestoten. Om zijn rechtmatige positie als prins opnieuw te claimen vertrekt hij in opdracht van Pelias op queeste om het gulden vlies te stelen uit het verre Colchis. Samen met zijn argonauten beleeft hij heel wat avonturen voor hij daar zou aankomen.
De mythe Jason en het gulden vlies was me niet zo bekend. Ik hoopte opnieuw op een spannende hervertelling. En er zijn zeker scènes waar ik ontzettend van heb genoten. Maar het was niet altijd makkelijk om te volgen. Er zijn een hele hoop Argonauten en ik kon de namen niet altijd meer uit elkaar houden. Dat lukt alleen met karakters die ik al kende uit andere mythen zoals Herakles, Castyor en Pollux, Peleus.... Ook alle belevenissen op de tussenstops waarbij ze regelmatig met stammen moesten vechten begonnen op elkaar te lijken.
Ik denk dat ik een sterke vrouw miste ofzo. Er is wel Medea maar zij heeft nog geen grote rol in dit boek. Ik was emotioneel niet echt betrokken bij Jason ofzo. En toch vond ik dit boek zeker niet zo slecht als andere reviews lieten uitschijnen. Knowles schrijft zeker ok, maar gedetailleerd. Ik weet daardoor niet of ik het vervolg wel wil lezen, nog eens 500 pagina's over de terugweg zie ik niet echt zitten.
Bedankt aan Netgalley en de uitgever voor een exemplaar in ruil voor mijn eerlijke mening.
October 14, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
DNFd this at 65%.
I'd like to start my review saying that this is a well-written book and that I truly believe others will enjoy it. I was very excited when I got approved to read it. This is the first time I see a novelization of the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, and though I'm no fan of Jason I'm a sucker for all things mythology so I really could pass on this one.
Argo is packed with adventure but doesn't neglect lyricism, including the right measure of poignant descriptions of the landscape. As I read, I was truly curious to see where the story was going, but every time I went to pick up the book I had to convince myself to do it. At first I wasn't sure where my hesitation was coming from, but when I reached the 60% mark I realised that this book simply holds no emotion. The events taking place are tragic, as a reader I would've expected to be in tears several times but instead I felt nothing towards what I was reading. Jason experiences traumatic situations that you forget about a few pages after they take place, until he recalls them later with, again, very little emotion.
Another issue I had was with the way the characters spoke. It felt anachronistic and it completely took me away from the story. At certain points the characters seemed to recall they were living in Ancient Greece and spoke accordingly, but otherwise the dialogues felt too present-day-like.
Finally, I did not appreciate how women were written in this story. They are treated poorly and most of them are mean or forgettable. Perhaps it's because lately I've mostly read books written by women, but I simply could tell that the story had been written by a man with every page.
These are my personal reasons for dropping Argo. Again, it is well-written and I'm certain others will enjoy it, I hope readers will give it a chance! With that gorgeous cover, I'm sure it will attract people's attention.
DNFd this at 65%.
I'd like to start my review saying that this is a well-written book and that I truly believe others will enjoy it. I was very excited when I got approved to read it. This is the first time I see a novelization of the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, and though I'm no fan of Jason I'm a sucker for all things mythology so I really could pass on this one.
Argo is packed with adventure but doesn't neglect lyricism, including the right measure of poignant descriptions of the landscape. As I read, I was truly curious to see where the story was going, but every time I went to pick up the book I had to convince myself to do it. At first I wasn't sure where my hesitation was coming from, but when I reached the 60% mark I realised that this book simply holds no emotion. The events taking place are tragic, as a reader I would've expected to be in tears several times but instead I felt nothing towards what I was reading. Jason experiences traumatic situations that you forget about a few pages after they take place, until he recalls them later with, again, very little emotion.
Another issue I had was with the way the characters spoke. It felt anachronistic and it completely took me away from the story. At certain points the characters seemed to recall they were living in Ancient Greece and spoke accordingly, but otherwise the dialogues felt too present-day-like.
Finally, I did not appreciate how women were written in this story. They are treated poorly and most of them are mean or forgettable. Perhaps it's because lately I've mostly read books written by women, but I simply could tell that the story had been written by a man with every page.
These are my personal reasons for dropping Argo. Again, it is well-written and I'm certain others will enjoy it, I hope readers will give it a chance! With that gorgeous cover, I'm sure it will attract people's attention.
October 21, 2021
𝐸𝑁/𝐹𝑅
| WARNING: This digital A.R.C was kindly sent to me by the publisher via NetGalley after I requested it in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. |
To be perfectly honest with the writer and publisher, I did not finish this A.R.C.
I read 30% of it and decided It wasn't for me. So don't take my review too seriously if you consider buying Argo by Mark Knowles.
I'm not a specialist in the Jason and the Argonauts myth but I'm well versed in Greek Mythology, I studied Latin which means I've read the Iliad and the Odysseus and a lot of work by Ovide, Seneque, Platon but also contemporary works in the trending popularity Greek Mythology has got lately.
I think the main issue with Mark Knowles work is that he wrote it as a classic while erasing every "magical" aspect of the myth, in a pale imitation of Homer. I would have advised finding a more creative take on the subject with maybe a better representation of women?
| WARNING : Cet A.R.C digital m’a été envoyé par l'éditeur via NetGalley suite à ma demande sur le site en échange d’une honnête revue. Toutes les opinions exprimées sont miennes. |
Pour être parfaite honnête avec l'auteur et l'éditeur, je n'ai pas terminé cet A.R.C.
J'en ai lu 30% avant de décider que ce n'était pas une lecture pour moi. Donc ne prenez pas mon avis top sérieusement si vous envisagez d'acheter Argo par Mark Knowles.
Je ne suis pas une spécialiste du mythe de Jason et les Argonautes mais je m'y connais un peu en mythologies grecque, j'ai étudié le latin ce qui signifier que j'ai lu l'Iliade et l'Odyssée et ma part d'écrits d'Ovide, Sénèque et Platon mais aussi des oeuvres plus récentes vu la vague de popularité que connait dernièrement la mythologie.
Je pense que le problème principal avec l'oeuvre de Mark Knowles est qu'il l'a écrit comme un classique, en enlevant tous les éléments "magiques" du mythe, dans une pâle comparaison d'Homère. J'aurai recommancé une approche plus créative du sujet avec une meilleure représentation des femmes ?
| WARNING: This digital A.R.C was kindly sent to me by the publisher via NetGalley after I requested it in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. |
To be perfectly honest with the writer and publisher, I did not finish this A.R.C.
I read 30% of it and decided It wasn't for me. So don't take my review too seriously if you consider buying Argo by Mark Knowles.
I'm not a specialist in the Jason and the Argonauts myth but I'm well versed in Greek Mythology, I studied Latin which means I've read the Iliad and the Odysseus and a lot of work by Ovide, Seneque, Platon but also contemporary works in the trending popularity Greek Mythology has got lately.
I think the main issue with Mark Knowles work is that he wrote it as a classic while erasing every "magical" aspect of the myth, in a pale imitation of Homer. I would have advised finding a more creative take on the subject with maybe a better representation of women?
| WARNING : Cet A.R.C digital m’a été envoyé par l'éditeur via NetGalley suite à ma demande sur le site en échange d’une honnête revue. Toutes les opinions exprimées sont miennes. |
Pour être parfaite honnête avec l'auteur et l'éditeur, je n'ai pas terminé cet A.R.C.
J'en ai lu 30% avant de décider que ce n'était pas une lecture pour moi. Donc ne prenez pas mon avis top sérieusement si vous envisagez d'acheter Argo par Mark Knowles.
Je ne suis pas une spécialiste du mythe de Jason et les Argonautes mais je m'y connais un peu en mythologies grecque, j'ai étudié le latin ce qui signifier que j'ai lu l'Iliade et l'Odyssée et ma part d'écrits d'Ovide, Sénèque et Platon mais aussi des oeuvres plus récentes vu la vague de popularité que connait dernièrement la mythologie.
Je pense que le problème principal avec l'oeuvre de Mark Knowles est qu'il l'a écrit comme un classique, en enlevant tous les éléments "magiques" du mythe, dans une pâle comparaison d'Homère. J'aurai recommancé une approche plus créative du sujet avec une meilleure représentation des femmes ?
June 15, 2022
My thanks to Head of Zeus for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Argo’ by Mark Knowles in exchange for an honest review.
‘Argo’ is the first book in classicist Mark Knowles’ Blades of Bronze series and is a retelling of the tale of Jason and the Argonauts though with a difference.
Knowles clearly wished to erase the fantastical elements from Jason’s story and making it more of a Bronze Age historical adventure. It is quite a long novel and while there was a fair amount of boys’ own action and adventure, the pace often slowed down to a crawl.
‘Argo’ was somewhat redeemed for me by Knowles’ Historical Note in which he wrote: “When I began to write Argo, I resisted the temptation to take on Ray Harryhausen by conjuring monsters, mythical beasts and demigods from the blank page: there is only ever going to be one winner in that particular contest.” Fair point though plenty of others have managed to write powerful retellings of myths and legends without stripping out the magic.
He went on: “I was more interested in creating a realistic world populated by relatable characters acting upon plausible motives, whilst still preserving the wonder and liminality of the distant myth.“
I feel that I would have preferred if Knowles had provided this intention as an opening Note to Readers. As for preserving the wonder, I didn’t feel any wonder. It was an okay adventure but I felt that it lacked depth or sense of the numinous apart from a few scenes of Medea.
I am intending to read the next book ‘Jason’ though with the awareness going in that while its characters will often be saying ‘by the gods’ that the gods are unlikely to have any agency. I am curious in seeing how Medea’s story plays out given that she does seem to have a genuine devotion to Hecate.
I do feel ‘Argo’ will appeal to readers who are seeking a retelling of myth in this realistic style. However, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
‘Argo’ is the first book in classicist Mark Knowles’ Blades of Bronze series and is a retelling of the tale of Jason and the Argonauts though with a difference.
Knowles clearly wished to erase the fantastical elements from Jason’s story and making it more of a Bronze Age historical adventure. It is quite a long novel and while there was a fair amount of boys’ own action and adventure, the pace often slowed down to a crawl.
‘Argo’ was somewhat redeemed for me by Knowles’ Historical Note in which he wrote: “When I began to write Argo, I resisted the temptation to take on Ray Harryhausen by conjuring monsters, mythical beasts and demigods from the blank page: there is only ever going to be one winner in that particular contest.” Fair point though plenty of others have managed to write powerful retellings of myths and legends without stripping out the magic.
He went on: “I was more interested in creating a realistic world populated by relatable characters acting upon plausible motives, whilst still preserving the wonder and liminality of the distant myth.“
I feel that I would have preferred if Knowles had provided this intention as an opening Note to Readers. As for preserving the wonder, I didn’t feel any wonder. It was an okay adventure but I felt that it lacked depth or sense of the numinous apart from a few scenes of Medea.
I am intending to read the next book ‘Jason’ though with the awareness going in that while its characters will often be saying ‘by the gods’ that the gods are unlikely to have any agency. I am curious in seeing how Medea’s story plays out given that she does seem to have a genuine devotion to Hecate.
I do feel ‘Argo’ will appeal to readers who are seeking a retelling of myth in this realistic style. However, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
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