Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
4 stars
31(31%)
3 stars
35(35%)
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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I read this in high school and it completely captivated me. It was such a quick read, yet it was filled with so much charm and intrigue. It's an absolute delight for those who have a passion for mythology and enjoy exploring the minor or forgotten stories that often get overlooked. In this particular tale, we are introduced to Atalanta, a fascinating character. The author has done a wonderful job of retelling this story in a way that is both engaging and accessible for young adult readers. What I found especially interesting was the way the author plays with perspective. It adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the narrative, making it truly unique and memorable. Overall, it's a lovely YA retelling that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a captivating and enjoyable read.

July 15,2025
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This one was nominated for Abe and is quite short.

So, I made up my mind to read it during school yesterday. However, I had to complete it at home.

I don't think it qualifies as Abe material. Greek mythology is truly great.

But this isn't the finest novelization of a myth that I've ever come across.

Atalanta is abandoned to die in the forest by her father, the king.

Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, rescues her, and Atalanta is brought up by a group of hunters.

She is faster than men and a more proficient hunter.

Atalanta vows chastity to her goddess. But, of course, she ultimately falls in love.

Her father decides to claim her for himself. She has to marry, despite her vow.

So, she declares that she will marry the man who defeats her in a foot race. The losers must perish.

After several deaths, she spots a man whom she falls in love with because Eros shoots her with an invisible arrow of love.

Throughout the novel, Artemis, Eros, Apollo, and Aphrodite discuss the events and make alterations as they desire.

I loathed the ending of the novel. Atalanta and her new husband desecrate sacred ground and Zeus turns them into lions as punishment.

This short little book was just okay. I managed to finish it. But that simply isn't good enough for me.
July 15,2025
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This is yet another original work by Stephine Spinner. Her books predominantly focus on gods and goddesses. The title of this particular book is “Quiver.”

The story revolves around a girl named Atlanta. She was abandoned as a baby and was rescued by the goddess Artemis. Subsequently, she was raised by hunters and became the first woman to hunt in the woods, while the other women were filled with paranoia. She had to hunt and kill a boar, and she was the first to draw blood. After that, she embarked on a long journey to reach a palace so that the king would accept her gifts and bestow royalty upon her. However, on the way to the palace, she had to travel to a different land as her father had located her. Then, her father forced her to get married immediately. The remainder of the adventure is something that you simply must read to discover.

When I delved into this book, it felt like an exciting adventure. If I were to rate this book on a scale from 1 to 10, I would unhesitatingly give it a 10, owing to its captivating drama, thrilling action, and rich history regarding gods and goddesses. Her books are fictional tales centered around gods and goddesses. Personally, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has a penchant for fictional stories about gods and goddesses. Another book that I wholeheartedly recommend by Stephine Spinner is titled “Quick Silver.” I recommend it to all!
July 15,2025
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This was a laborious read for such a small book.

Despite its modest size, the content within proved to be quite challenging and demanding.

The language used was perhaps a bit too complex or convoluted, making it difficult to simply breeze through the pages.

Each sentence seemed to require careful consideration and analysis in order to fully understand the author's intended meaning.

It was as if the book was deliberately designed to make the reader work hard for the knowledge and insights it held.

However, upon closer inspection and with perseverance, there were indeed valuable gems of information to be discovered.

It just took a bit more effort and patience than one might have initially expected from a small book.

Perhaps this was a testament to the depth and substance of the subject matter, which couldn't be easily distilled into a more accessible format.

Nevertheless, for those willing to put in the time and energy, this laborious read could potentially yield great rewards in terms of expanded understanding and new perspectives.

July 15,2025
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Awesome book!


I have a great passion for Greek mythology, and this book was definitely one of the top ones on my list. I am extremely glad that I had the opportunity to read it!


The stories within the book are captivating and full of adventure. They bring to life the gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters of Greek mythology in a vivid and engaging way.


Each character has its own unique personality and characteristics, making them easy to relate to and root for. The author's writing style is流畅 and easy to follow, which makes the reading experience even more enjoyable.


Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Greek mythology or simply enjoys a good adventure story. It is truly a must-read!

July 15,2025
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I found the beginning of Quiver a bit of a struggle to engage with. However, as I delved into the middle of the book, my interest in Atalanta began to grow. Atalanta is an outstanding hunter, renowned as the swiftest mortal alive. As the story unfolds, her role as a strong female character becomes increasingly well-developed. She is physically powerful, independent, and although confused, she is willing to let her devotion to the goddess Artemis guide her. This evolving characterization is what propels the plot forward.

Regarding the plot, it started off rather weakly for the first 20 or so pages. But then, things picked up, and the story found a good rhythm. Her father was introduced, and the races for her hand in marriage commenced. With the conclusion of the book approaching, I was left wondering which direction the plot would take. However, all of this promising story was completely and utterly undone. Atalanta did a complete 180, transforming the story from what could have been a relatively satisfying ending to a "What just happened?" moment. The conclusion was extremely disappointing considering what the story had managed to build in such a short number of pages.

I knew going into this book that it would be a nice, easy read that I could breeze through while taking my exams and then forget about later. It is on the younger side of YA and may be found in the children or middle-grade section of most libraries. However, these facts do not excuse the ending. I wasn't expecting to be amazed, and I understand that some of the main plot points, including the ending, are based on the actual mythos surrounding Atalanta. But really? This is how the author chose to end her book? There is this great female character who defies so many social norms, sets up this competition, and then I'm supposed to view that conclusion as worthwhile? She gets a rushed ending that strips her of all her previous character development. That's what disappointed me the most. I could handle the absurdity of Greek legend, but I really felt insulted by how she went from a developing character to a mere prop piece. Overall, I was surprisingly let down. Quiver initially won me over but then left me regretting that I had bothered to start it and wishing I had just read something else instead.
July 15,2025
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This is a captivating story about the Greek Myth Atalanta and the Golden Apples. I have a deep affection for the way Spinner crafted this novel. The manner in which the gods play a significant role in the story of Atalanta and Hippomenes is truly remarkable. It's simply awesome.


Loved this story to bits! It completely immersed me in the world of Greek mythology. Although I had an interest in it before, this story took my fascination to a whole new level.


The adventures and challenges that Atalanta and Hippomenes face, with the interference of the gods, make for a thrilling and engaging narrative. It's a story that showcases the power and influence of the gods in the lives of mortals, as well as the courage and determination of the human spirit.


Overall, I highly recommend this story to anyone who has an interest in Greek mythology or enjoys a good adventure tale. It's a wonderful piece of literature that will leave you spellbound.

July 15,2025
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Excellent! This is really well-written.

It is a retelling of the story of Atalanta, the daughter of the King of Arcadia. She was abandoned at birth due to a prophecy. However, she was saved by a she-bear directed by Artemis and raised by hunters. As a result, she became the most skilled huntress of her time.

When her father reclaimed her and demanded that she produce an heir, Atalanta set the rules. She would marry the first man to beat her in a race, and any who tried and failed would be put to death. In this version, she was appalled that there were men willing to take such a risk.

But then, Aphrodite stepped in. With the aid of her son, Eros, and three golden apples, Atalanta found herself with a husband.

Atalanta is a heroine because of her level-headedness, skill, and strength. She was able to hold her ground and set her own terms, even in the face of great pressure. Her story is an inspiration to us all.
July 15,2025
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I read it for school, because I had to, otherwise probably I wouldn't have read it.

It's not bad, but it's not good either. It's a rather basic novel that narrates a Greek myth. Everything is basic (narrative, characters, rhythm).

It's one of those books that perhaps you regret reading because it didn't mark you at all.

Maybe it's because I'm not really interested in Greek myths, or maybe it's because the way it was written didn't capture my attention.

The story was simple and straightforward, without many twists or turns.

The characters were not very developed, and I didn't really feel any connection to them.

The rhythm of the book was also a bit slow, and at times I found myself getting bored.

Overall, it was an okay read, but not something that I would recommend to others.
July 15,2025
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I can clearly understand why the myth of Atalanta holds great potential for contemporary retelling.

The heroine, Atalanta, has achieved remarkable feats in domains typically associated with men. She acts independently, following her own will.

Spinner's short novel, which is narrated in Atalanta's own voice, covers all the essential elements of her story. We learn about her friendship with Jason, her involvement in the Calydonian boar hunt, her races against suitors, and her ultimate transformation into a lion.

However, I am somewhat skeptical whether Spinner has truly captured the essence of this vibrant woman.

Moreover, there are certain difficulties in rehabilitating Atalanta as a female role model. Her opposition to marriage directly results in the deaths of several men, and her unrestrained sexual desire leads to her transformation.

Spinner attempts to mitigate Atalanta's responsibility for the suitors' deaths by depicting her father as a more villainous character. Additionally, Spinner presents the lion-Atalanta as having her own dignity and destiny.

Nevertheless, I remain unsure if these efforts at reinterpreting the story are entirely successful.

July 15,2025
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It was truly a great time, and I found myself deeply enamored with the simplicity of it all. I have always held a special affection for Atalanta as a figure. There is something about her that has always intrigued me. In this book, the interpretation of her myth was simply captivating. It brought a new perspective to her story, one that I had not seen before. The author's ability to breathe new life into this ancient tale was remarkable. I was completely immersed in the world that was created, and I found myself rooting for Atalanta every step of the way. This book has definitely given me a new appreciation for the myth of Atalanta, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Greek mythology or just a good story.

July 15,2025
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I feel so bad.

But I really don't know if I liked this one or not. I read it? Huh.

Definitely this is not the type of re-telling that puts a positive spin on the story.

This is just like a straight-up re-telling of Atalanta's story.

And Greek heroes, you know, were more often than not stuck with decidedly unhappy endings.

Atalanta was a remarkable figure in Greek mythology. She was known for her extraordinary speed and hunting skills.

However, her story didn't always have a happy outcome.

Despite her many achievements, she faced numerous challenges and obstacles along the way.

Maybe that's why this re-telling left me with such a mixed feeling.

On one hand, it was interesting to read about Atalanta's adventures and her heroic deeds.

On the other hand, the knowledge of her ultimately unhappy ending kind of dampened my enthusiasm.

I guess that's the nature of Greek mythology - it's full of both beauty and tragedy.
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