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stephanie spinner

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It was Artemis, goddess of the hunt and mistress of the wild, who rescued the abandoned baby Atalanta, sending a she-bear to nurse her and a band of hunters to raise her in safety. Now sixteen, Atalanta, famous archer and swiftest mortal alive, has devoted her life to the goddess.

When strangers appear in Atalanta's village one day, they bring shattering news. The father who forsook her is a king. And he has summoned his daughter with a simple, chilling command: marry and produce an heir. Fleet-footed Atalanta, determined not to betray Artemis, counters with a grim proposal. She will marry the first man to outrun her in a footrace, and those she defeats must die. It is Atalanta's desperate hope that no man will be foolish enough to meet her challenge.

177 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 8,2002

This edition

Format
177 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
April 12, 2005 by Laurel-Leaf Books
ISBN
9780440238195
ASIN
0440238196
Language
English

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About the author

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stephanie spinner

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I was born in Davenport, Iowa, and grew up in Rockaway Beach, New York. I read straight through my childhood, with breaks for food, sleep, and the bathroom. I went to college in Bennington, Vermont, moved to New York City, and took a job in publishing so I could get paid for reading. I read so much bad fiction that I needed a break, so I moved to London, and from there I traveled to Morocco, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan India, Nepal, and Ceylon. I came back to America, wandered around some more -- to Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize -- and on returning to New York decided to study Tibetan Buddhist painting (called thangka painting) in Boulder, Colorado.

I painted thangkas for many years. Each one took anywhere from several weeks to a few months to complete, and at long last I understood that this was not the ideal way for me to make a living. Only a few hundred Americans collected thangkas, and they wanted old ones, painted by Tibetan monks. It was time to make a change.

So I took another publishing job, this time in children's books. I found that I liked children's books a lot, and before long, I became an editor.

Years passed. I was encouraged to write. I scoffed at the idea that I had anything to write about. I edited some wonderfully talented authors -- Virginia Hamilton, Philip Isaacson, Clyde Robert Bulla, Gloria Whelan, Robin McKinley, Joan Vinge, Garth Nix, and Chris Lynch, among others -- with great enjoyment. Writing seemed like torture by comparison.

Then, to my amazement, I found myself writing a book and having a good time -- simultaneously! The book was ALIENS FOR BREAKFAST, and I enjoyed writing it because my co-author was Jonathan Etra. Jon (who died of heart disease in 1990) was a close friend with a wild sense of humor, and collaborating with him changed my opinion of writing forever. After ALIENS FOR BREAKFAST, and ALIENS FOR LUNCH, which we also co-wrote, I began to think that writing could be interesting fun.

And now that I've been doing it full-time for more than ten years, I can tell you why I like it better than a job. First, I can work in my bathrobe. (To the FedEx man and the UPS man, I am "the woman in the plaid flannel robe.") Second, I can eat when I'm hungry, choose when to take phone calls, and walk my dogs any time. Third, the only meetings I have -- and they're short -- are with the dry cleaner and the post office ladies. Fourth, I can read whatever I please. I may tell people I'm doing research when I read about horse-trekking, or hunting in ancient Greece, or 16 ways to better compost, but the truth is, I'm not doing research, I'm having a good time. Which I think is still allowed.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
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31(31%)
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35(35%)
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100 reviews All reviews
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Freeze_Ray
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Another lighthearted treatment of a mythological subject is presented here.

This particular one delves into the story of Atalanta and the golden apples.

Spinner has the remarkable ability to bring the legendary characters to life in a highly likable and engaging manner.

The way the story is told makes it a captivating read for anyone with an interest in mythology.

It offers a fresh perspective on this well-known myth, making it accessible and enjoyable for both those who are already familiar with the subject and those who are new to it.

Recommended for mythology fans, it provides an entertaining and educational experience that will leave readers eager to explore more of the rich world of mythology.

Whether you're a seasoned mythology enthusiast or simply looking for a fun and engaging read, this treatment of the Atalanta and the golden apples myth is sure to delight.

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Lalachie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The article had its merits.

It was a pleasant and straightforward retelling of the Atalanta myth, incorporating elements from various sources. This aspect was quite nice as it presented a comprehensive view of the story.

However, it fell short in one significant area. It didn't explore the darker themes of the myth and Greek culture in the same depth as other well-known mythology retellings such as "Circe" and "Til We Have Faces".

As a result, the overall narrative felt somewhat lacking in substance and left the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction.

The omission of these darker themes meant that the story didn't fully capture the complexity and richness of the original myth and Greek culture.

To truly do justice to the Atalanta myth, a more in-depth exploration of these themes would have been beneficial.

This would have added more depth and nuance to the retelling, making it a more engaging and thought-provoking read.

Overall, while the article was a good start, it could have been improved by delving deeper into the darker aspects of the myth and Greek culture.

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eksratu
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I truly appreciated the manner in which Stephanie Spinner elected to introduce the Greek Myth of Atalanta the hunter. Atalanta, abandoned at birth by her parents and later discovered by hunters, is a fascinating figure. However, within the story, there were numerous characters, yet we never truly got to know any of them in great depth. It was mostly just on the surface, and this was even the case for Atalanta herself.

It would have been extremely interesting to have seen more of her thoughts and to understand what she had to endure in order to accomplish what she did. The events of the story unfolded at a rapid pace, without dwelling too extensively on any single event. It was more like a retelling or a quick run-through of the myth, rather than a truly in-depth story that expanded upon the aforementioned mythological tale.

I found that it felt more like a rehash of the myth from Atalanta's perspective, simply a quick means of retelling the story without really delving into the psychology or other aspects of the characters. I never truly got to know any of the characters or develop a caring attitude towards them, not even for Atalanta. I firmly believe that this could have been the perfect opportunity to really delve deeper into her character and motivations.

Regarding the prose, I found it to be quite simple. In fact, children could likely understand the majority of the story, as it does not utilize very many difficult words at all. There were moments of evocative and graphic imagery, but unfortunately, they were few and far between. I am of the opinion that this book had the potential to be a great deal more satisfying and intriguing than it ultimately presented itself to be.
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SushiRoll7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Atalanta is a well-known figure in Greek mythology, and this retelling offers a fresh and engaging perspective.

Quick and short, it manages to capture the essence of the tale with remarkable clarity and beauty. The author's honesty shines through, making the story all the more captivating.

I particularly enjoyed the quirky comments of the gods, which added an element of humor and lightheartedness to the narrative. Spinner's decision to continue Atalanta's story beyond what is typically considered the end was a bold and creative choice.

It allows readers to explore the consequences of her actions and the further adventures that await her. Overall, this retelling of the Atalanta myth is a must-read for anyone interested in Greek mythology or simply a good story.
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Alice_TR
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is an absolutely brilliant tale that delves deep into the Greek myth of Atalanta, Greece's most renowned and captivating heroine.

It begins with some truly witty banter between the gods, which adds a touch of lightheartedness and charm to the story. However, despite this playfulness, the tale remains completely true to the original myth, staying faithful to its essence and details.

As you read through this narrative, it becomes an incredibly riveting and engaging tale that will draw you in and keep you hooked from start to finish. It offers a whole new perspective on the classic characters, making you fall in love with them all over again.

Moreover, it gives the famous names a personal touch, making them seem more real and relatable. You'll find yourself empathizing with Atalanta's struggles and triumphs, and being completely enthralled by the actions and decisions of the gods.

This tale is a true gem that combines the magic of Greek mythology with a modern and engaging writing style, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the subject.
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Ghyffiano
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I can vividly recall that I used to have a profound affection for this book when I was younger.

However, upon this recent reread, it left a great deal to be desired. The plot seems to hurtle along at an alarmingly rapid pace, almost as if it is in a desperate rush to reach the conclusion.

Nonetheless, I still derived a significant amount of enjoyment from the story itself.

Surprisingly, I had completely forgotten the ending, and upon this new encounter, it too gave the impression of being somewhat haphazardly thrown together and rushed.

It's quite a contrast to the way I remembered it in my youth, and it makes me wonder how my perception has changed over the years.
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Noir_Alchemist
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I finally found it! It took me literally hours of googling.

I had read this book ages ago, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember the name.

It was so frustrating because I really wanted to revisit that story.

I would type in various keywords related to the plot and characters that I could recall, but nothing seemed to match.

I was on the verge of giving up when, suddenly, I came across a mention that jogged my memory.

It was like a lightbulb went off in my head.

I quickly clicked on the link and there it was - the book I had been searching for all this time.

I was overjoyed and couldn't wait to start reading it again.
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MangaOtakuMai
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Maybe I'm easy to please these days when I read for fun.

However, I truly relished this retelling of the ancient myth of Atalanta.

To be honest, I wasn't overly familiar with this story initially.

But as I delved into it, I found myself completely engrossed.

I especially adored Atalanta as the narrator.

Her perspective added a unique charm to the tale.

The way the gods and mythical creatures were portrayed as a tangible reality for the people of that era was simply captivating.

It made me feel as if I had been transported back in time and was witnessing these extraordinary events unfold before my eyes.

The author's vivid descriptions and engaging storytelling made this retelling a real delight to read.

I'm so glad I came across this version of the Atalanta myth.

It has opened my eyes to a whole new world of ancient mythology and has left me eager to explore more.
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