Greetings, fellow creatures who never sleep! I’m here with another book review, this time a Book based in an amalgamation of various mythologies the likes of which I’ve never read before. Of course, as is the case with many such amazing books, this one is mostly based in Greek mythology as a way to tie together several mythologies from around the world. The book reviewed in this post is Hubris (The Siren Tragedies Book 1) by Sarah V. Hines.
Mnemosyne created humanity. It was a science project for her, really, that grew into so much more. She had their best interests at heart, even to the point of choosing her husband based on his intentions–or lack thereof–with humans. Unfortunately, it was the wrong choice for Mnemosyne, one which left her and her daughters in an endless cycle of physical and psychological abuse. When pregnant with her final daughter, Mnemosyne is at her wife’s end. What if this child got the worst of her husband’s abuse? What if she couldn’t survive it? The best which Mnemosyne can do for her is to turn to Zherneboh–her husband’s brother with ages-long infatuation with her, for one last desperate attempt at protection.
Image retrieved from Amazon
Fast-forward to the present day. Earth is in chaos from all the pacts which humans have entered with the Dark One and his minions, the Dark Lords. Alexandros, in charge of the Light World, Earth, and all who inhabit both, plans to cleanse the human race and start anew. Yet he has gained a powerful enemy: Telese, his youngest and most rebellious daughter. She wants to save the human race and gain her own freedom from her father’s abuse, and she’s desperate enough to do whatever will take to accomplish these goals–and foolish enough to involve humans and Dark Lords. Will her plan succeed? Will she suffer more than ever at her father’s hand after he quashes the rebellion? Or, like fire, will she rise from the burning embers of her pain more powerful than before?
Hines has created a complex and layered world of magic and mythology which admittedly envy some. She has taken tidbits from mythology and legends from multiple parts of the world and created one comprehensive universe in which these all have a foundation which is based not in the human mind but in something very real and very threatening to human existence. From Greek mythology to Arthurian legends, Hines at least makes nods to several major European tales. I admire her ability to find the similarities among these cultures and use them to reverse-energy an imagined source to use in her fantastical world.
Of course, all of this dazzling world development did leave me a little dizzy at points. I found myself distracted for most of the book trying to make sense of the origin story used in this novel–and if, in fact, the one told by Telese is all the truth, especially when compared to the prologue. I also grew distracted by trying to figure out who might be who in different mythologies which I have a basic understanding of, but that might more be my own wandering mind looking for patterns as it always does rather than any flaw in the book’s part.
The characters, I think, are my favorite part of this book. I especially have an affinity for Telese and Eric, as well as a twisted and amused fascination with Mortimer. Telese is so powerful and independent, how could I not love her? She’s a bit antisocial, but I’m sure anyone would be if they endured what she has to. Similarly, Eric is withdrawn and bookish, a linguist major with a master for translation. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t automatically bind with him over him being a linguist. I saw so much of myself in his fascinations and pursuits that a bond was inevitable. Mortimer,on the other hand, is cocky, arrogant, and very self-assured. I would have smacked him given how he was in the beginning, but by the end he fleshes out into an almost sympathetic character–as much as a butt-kissing troublemaker can be–and I grew to kind of like the SOB. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him, but I have a little affection for him.
The plot is also strong and intriguing. It wasn’t the main appeal of the book for me, but it certainly caught my attention and made me think. What if you had the fate of the world in your hands but also risk your own life in doing so? Would you walk away or do what you’re asked? I also wanted to see who would join Telese and who would side with Alexandria out of fear…not to mention who would live and who would die. There might be such a thing as a bloodless coup in politics, but not among family members, and this is the biggest family you will ever see.
I think that my classes in comparative literature gave me an edge in reading this book which others would not have, allowing me to relish in some references that might go over another reader’s head. Then again, I might just be underestimating the audience! Yes, some of the references will initially go over some readers’ heads, but Hines resolves most issues involving that as the book goes on. Whatever she doesn’t clear up, well, there’s always Google for that.
I was able to predict one character’s downfall early on, but it was the mechanics of the situation which I did not know, nor did I know exactly how it would affect the other characters. Needless to say, there are no damsels-in-distress here, and not one of them will stay extinguished for long.
Overall, I think Hubris by Sarah V. Hines is a great book. Anyone interested in mythology and diverse cultures will definitely not want to miss this story. Not only does she try and cover several mythologies, Hines also depicts several races and ethnicities through the Sirens, who reflect that people of whatever region they are assigned to. The reveal of much of the information about this world is a bit jumbled, but that accurately reflects the state of chaos the Earth is in this book. I highly recommend this book to fantasy fans, mythology fans, and anyone interested in not-so-subtle political and social commentary. I can’t wait to see where Telese’s hubris takes us next!
You can buy Hubris by Sarah V. Hines on Amazon.
Do you know of any books I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!
Designed by Stephanie Hoogstad circa 2011