For anyone that enjoys mythology or the novels of Madeline Miller, WAKE, SIREN: OVID RESUNG is perfect for you! It provides a bold, new twist on the classics! The book is a retelling of the famous myths of Ovid’s Metamorphoses from the perspectives of the nymphs, demi-goddesses, seductresses, and she-monsters! Whereas Ovid’s women are passive objects, in WAKE, SIREN the women are the narrators of their own experiences: the story of the chase comes from the woman fleeing not the God pursuing her and the tale of a transformation into a tree or constellation comes directly from the transformed. Such a simple twist breaths new life into classic myths such as Medusa, Scylla, Callisto, Daphne, Echo and many more.

Like a compilation of short stories, each chapter is a separate myth focusing on a different female character. The writing is poetic but often uniquely modern which I really enjoyed. Like any collection of stories, some were stronger than others but overall I was entertained throughout! Though I read Ovid in undergrad and have some familiarity with the stories, you definitely don’t need any background to enjoy the book.

WAKE, SIREN shows the inherent male chauvinism of Greek mythology (honestly the God’s are often just horny, vengeful, conceited creeps!) and the sexist tradition of oral histories. Theses stories have been told and retold by countless men throughout history and it’s amazing to finally have a female author take control and give the female characters an actual voice!

*** FSG Originals provided the book for honest review

• Title: Wake, Siren: Ovid Resung
• Author: Nina MacLaughlin
• Published: November 19, 2019 (FSG Originals)
• Genre: Retelling, Fiction, Fantasy
• Booky Nooky Rating: * * * *