Other than the main characters Aphrodite and Ares, which emerged as your favorites? Were there any that you despised?
Honestly I really enjoyed the sculptor, what little we got to know of him. And I loved the friendship between Aphrodite and Apollo. I thought it was great how they supported each other through difficult times.
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I heartedly agree with your favorites in the book. Apollo was a good friend for life unlike some others
Aphrodite, Apollo, and the Graces were interesting characters but Ares’s dog (I can’t remember his name!) was my favorite. All the other gods were so selfish it’s hard to see any redeeming qualities in them. But to be fair I guess, all the gods were selfish and mean including Aphrodite and Ares. I really couldn’t stand Hera for so many reasons so she’s probably the worst along with Athena.
I’m with Linda - Alexandros (the sculptor) was so sweet and wonderful to Aphrodite. I also loved Apollo and thought the author did a nice job with the friendship between him and Aphrodite.
I despised so many of them at different points, especially Hephestus, Hermes and Zeus. But the worst for me were Hera and Athena. Their behavior in this books tracks with other tales I’ve read of them but I continue to be surprised and disappointed. In a book that celebrates women, it’s such a shame that two of the main antagonists also were women.
I enjoyed the Graces, Apollo, and Eros. I have always had a soft spot for Persephone but when she turned against Aphrodite I was disappointed in her. Didn’t like Hephaestus at all.
I agree, it is a shame that that two of the main antagonists were women and yet that is true to life. Sadly, our society has continually pitted women against each other instead of encouraging alliances. Bear has done a good job reflecting current society but hopefully her focus on women against women will help change that.
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It seems I’m on track with many of you. I really enjoyed the sculptor and how Bear very cleverly revealed his identity to us. Apollo was a good friend to Aphrodite, and the women, who could have been supportive of one another, were anything but! I suppose my least favorite (and perhaps always was from the myths) was Zeus. Ugh. With a leader like that, no enemies needed.
There were few likable characters in this book. As others have noted, the sculptor and Apollo come the closest to be likable. As in most of mythology stories, the gods and goddesses come across as petty, self-centered, and unlikable. I don’t think the author had any other choice but to be true to how these gods and goddesses are portrayed in mythology.
Like many others, I liked Apollo and Alexandros. Apollo was very kind to Aphrodite. I very much disliked Hera. I could find very little to redeem her.
I loved the sculptor Alexandros and Apollo. They were both true to Aphrodite. I adored Ares’ dog. I did not like Hera, Zeus, Hephaestus, Athena, or Hermes.
I liked Apollo and Dionisius. They were good friend to Aphrodite. I also like her first lover. I forget his name
Jacqueline_B
I agree that I liked how Bear revealed more about the sculptor. It reminded me of the process of sculpting; you don’t see it all at once. Instead, it is slowly revealed and then can truly be appreciated.
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For me, I really liked the Aphrodite and Apollo relationship. On the other side, just pick one of the gods at random and they are unlikability. But I do believe their personalities were what has been portrayed in the mythology, so I think they need to be described the way they were by Barr. Besides, it really helps the story telling, you just know that things are not going to go well for Aphrodite.
It was easy to like Apollo for obvious reasons. Eros and his mischievous ways made me smile several times and I understood how Aphrodite did not want to discipline him as she felt the loss of parenting another child made her cautious and fearful of losing another.