Lies We Sing to the Sea
Author: Sarah Underwood
Published by: Penguin Classics
Pages: 488
Format: Hardback
My Rating: ★★★★
Published by: Penguin Classics
Pages: 488
Format: Hardback
My Rating: ★★★★
Her life to appease a god.
His life to save. A kingdom.
Her lies to destroy them all.
In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each summer brings the hanging of twelve maidens, a gift to the vengeful Poseidon. For seventeen years Leto has escaped the curse’s mark. Until now.
But death does not claim Leto. Instead, she wakes on a mysterious island, greeted by the immortal Melantho. She tells Leto that Ithaca’s sacrifices are the legacy of the great Odysseus: payment for the lives of Queen Penelope’s twelve maids, cast into the ocean centuries ago. Leto has the chance to break the curse. She just has to kill the prince of Ithaca.
But Prince Mathias also seeks to free his kingdom from the curse. Torn by her growing love for both Melantho and Mathias, Leto must choose a path to follow. By breaking the curse, they will save thousands of lives. But if they fail then the tides of fate will drown them all.
His life to save. A kingdom.
Her lies to destroy them all.
In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each summer brings the hanging of twelve maidens, a gift to the vengeful Poseidon. For seventeen years Leto has escaped the curse’s mark. Until now.
But death does not claim Leto. Instead, she wakes on a mysterious island, greeted by the immortal Melantho. She tells Leto that Ithaca’s sacrifices are the legacy of the great Odysseus: payment for the lives of Queen Penelope’s twelve maids, cast into the ocean centuries ago. Leto has the chance to break the curse. She just has to kill the prince of Ithaca.
But Prince Mathias also seeks to free his kingdom from the curse. Torn by her growing love for both Melantho and Mathias, Leto must choose a path to follow. By breaking the curse, they will save thousands of lives. But if they fail then the tides of fate will drown them all.
My thoughts:
Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood is a spellbinding reimagining of Greek mythology, brimming with intrigue, sacrifice and an undeniable thread of hope.
Set in a vividly imagined world inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, this novel dives into the lives of three unforgettable characters bound by fate: Leto, Mathias, and Melantho.
Underwood’s prose is lyrical and lush, weaving a tale that feels both timeless and fresh. Each page is a feast for the senses, from the crashing waves of Ithaca’s shores to the quiet, tender moments shared in secret. The story’s heart lies in its exploration of love, duty, and defiance. I particularly adored the way Underwood breathed life into her heroines, giving them agency and strength while acknowledging the weight of their burdens. The tension between destiny and free will kept me turning pages well into the night.
While the pacing sometimes faltered, the emotional resonance of the story more than made up for it. The twists were unexpected and satisfying, and the ending left me feeling thoughtful and contemplative - everything I hope for in a good myth-inspired read.
If you’re a fan of Madeline Miller or Natalie Haynes, Lies We Sing to the Sea deserves a spot on your shelf. It’s a book that sings with the power of the ancient myths but feels entirely its own.
Overall reaction:
Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood is a spellbinding reimagining of Greek mythology, brimming with intrigue, sacrifice and an undeniable thread of hope.
Set in a vividly imagined world inspired by Homer’s Odyssey, this novel dives into the lives of three unforgettable characters bound by fate: Leto, Mathias, and Melantho.
Underwood’s prose is lyrical and lush, weaving a tale that feels both timeless and fresh. Each page is a feast for the senses, from the crashing waves of Ithaca’s shores to the quiet, tender moments shared in secret. The story’s heart lies in its exploration of love, duty, and defiance. I particularly adored the way Underwood breathed life into her heroines, giving them agency and strength while acknowledging the weight of their burdens. The tension between destiny and free will kept me turning pages well into the night.
While the pacing sometimes faltered, the emotional resonance of the story more than made up for it. The twists were unexpected and satisfying, and the ending left me feeling thoughtful and contemplative - everything I hope for in a good myth-inspired read.
If you’re a fan of Madeline Miller or Natalie Haynes, Lies We Sing to the Sea deserves a spot on your shelf. It’s a book that sings with the power of the ancient myths but feels entirely its own.
Overall reaction:
