The Book Slump

Tag: Orpheus

  • Heroes

    Heroes

    By Stephen Fry

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 2018, 415 pages.

    There are Heroes – and then there are Greek Heroes.

    Few mere mortals have ever embarked on such bold and heart-stirring adventures, overcome myriad monstrous perils, or outwitted scheming vengeful gods, quite as stylishly and triumphantly as Greek heroes.

    In this companion to his bestselling Mythos, Stephen Fry brilliantly retells these dramatic, funny, tragic and timeless tales. Join Jason aboard the Argo as he quests for the Golden Fleece. See Atalanta – who was raised by bears – outrun any man before being tricked with golden apples. Witness wily Oedipus solve the riddle of the Sphinx and discover how Bellerophon captures the winged horse Pegasus to help him slay the monster Chimera.

    Filled with white-knuckle chases and battles, impossible puzzles and riddles, acts of base cowardice and real bravery, not to mention murders and selfless sacrifices, Heroes is the story of what we mortals are truly capable of – at our worst and our very best.

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: INFORMATIVE, HUMOROUS, HISTORICAL, MEDIUM-PACED.

    Heroes is book 2 of Stephen Fry’s 4 book instalment of the Greek Myth retellings. Heroes, unsurprisingly, focuses on the heroes of Greek Mythology; Jason, Theseus, Oedipus, Bellerophon etc.

    This is my least favourite of the 4.

    Now, that is not because I did not find it interesting. Every story is interesting, and I like them all individually. However, [stop reading if you do not want anything remotely spoiled] I can’t get past that everything that happened to these supposed ‘heroes’, only happened because the Gods willed it. I know all these stories are fictional in the first place, but it was like children playing with their dolls.

    Apart from that, I again, was surprised by how often these stories are referenced in contemporary media and literature. I also feel a whole lot smarter, because now, I actually understand them.

    Fry’s writing was clear, interesting and easy to read. I am amazed by his ability to translate so much information into a 400-page book. His comedic take on conversations made the stories all the more enjoyable.

    Like Mythos, I would recommend to beginners, but it could be too broad for someone more knowledgeable on the area.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE

  • Katabasis

    Katabasis

    By R.F Kuang

    SPOILER-FREE

    Released 2025, 541 pages.

    Alice Law has only ever had one goal: to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick. She has sacrificed everything to make that a reality: her pride, her health, her love life, and most definitely her sanity. All to work with Professor Jacob Grimes at Cambridge, the greatest magician in the world.

    That is, until he dies in a magical accident that could possibly be her fault. Grimes is now in Hell, and she’s going in after him. Because his recommendation could hold her very future in his now incorporeal hands and even death is not going to stop the pursuit of her dreams…. 

    Nor will the fact that her rival, Peter Murdoch, has come to the very same conclusion. 

    But Hell is not like the storybooks say, Magick isn’t always the answer, and there’s something in Alice and Peter’s past that could forge them into the perfect allies…or lead to their doom. 

    Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

    REVIEW

    THEMES: FANTASY, HISTORICAL, HUMOROUS, TENSE, MEDIUM-PACED.

    Alice Law and Peter Murdoch, academic rivals – must journey to hell to retrieve their professor’s soul – after his unfortunate death caused by a ‘freak’ accident. Though, shockingly, it is not a walk in the park – the two must overcome their past and learn to work together, otherwise everything will go to…

    This is my fifth book written by R.F Kuang (only Yellowface to go), and she surprises me every time. Last year I was really into mythology after reading The Song of Achilles and listening to Hozier, so to find out she would be writing a Dantes Inferno-esque book, I was ecstatic.

    I love this book, it is interesting, well-written and funny. Surprisingly, I have not read one review that mentions her quiet, humorous remarks – which adds a light-hearted aspect to an otherwise intense novel.

    The plot itself is immersive, detailed and chaotic – yet somehow structured. In typical Kuang fashion, it is methodically researched, with considerable depth to the magic system – and the math and science behind it. Not to mention the elaborate descriptions of the paradoxes and pentagrams.

    I love Kuang’s unique approach to hell, it is definitely a concept that has been done to death (pun intended), so it was interesting reading her take on it. (In saying that, I have not read that many ‘hell’ books.)

    As per usual, Kuang does not write her characters to be liked but to be humanised. I went through periods where I would hate Alice because of her contradictory, self-righteous disposition – but then I would realise she is hateable because she is relatable. Her complex relationship with Grimes is suffocating – the rage and exasperation I felt whilst reading was constant.

    Kuang masterfully depicts the struggles a Chinese woman would face in a (white) male dominated institution. I also like how she touches on internalised misogyny, which can be tricky to portray as realistic, whilst remaining tasteful.

    My disappointment is that the setting did not feel overly specific to hell, I would have enjoyed more of an incorporation of hell’s lore.

    I would recommend anyone try this book, especially fantasy readers. I think Katabasis definitely showcases Kuang’s range and is a really good stepping stone into her weightier reads.

    Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.

    LINK TO STORYGRAPH PROFILE