Hannah Lynn

Mothers. Daughters. Warriors. Women.

When she first married at fourteen, Otrera imagined a relationship full of love. A partnership. Years later, living in destitution with her abusive husband, she knows that no such thing exists with a man. It is simply a woman's lot in life to accept the treatment of her husband.

Until it's not.

Rallying the women around her, Otrera fights back, taking no prisoners. Because it's clear to her: when men are in power, freedom isn't granted. It's bought with blood. It's a price she is more than willing to pay, if it means building a new life with other women far from the reaches of their abusers.

But a community of women – an army of women – is bound to make enemies of gods and men alike.

This is the story of Otrera and the first Amazons.

The Women of Artemis

I am a huge lover of mythology, I've read myths and legends from all around the world and revel in how similar stories/concepts arose in far flung places around the globe.  However, Greek mythology has always been my favourite.  It's full of flawed heroes/heroines, tragedy, war and not a little humour.  But as with most things in the world, the female perspective has always been lacking.

Women were ones needing rescuing or killing.  They were the victim or the big bad.  But now we have the origin story of Ortera and the Amazons.  Warriors, leaders, healers and with a strong sense of justice.

Orters was married off when she was still a child to a drunken gambler.  He was an abusive lout and did little to endear himself to Ortera.  When he manages to get them run out of town, they end up in Ninniya.  Ortera and her servant/friend Melitta settle in their new community but are soon caught up in the subtle and not so subtle revolution that is taking place.  Women are fed up with being the punching bags, victims and chattel of their male relatives and husbands.  They're going to throw off the yoke of oppression and do things for themselves.  No longer will they be beholden to a man.

Phile was a strong protagonist and source of strength for Otrera.  Their friendship was a light in Ortera's life and something she desperately needed. 

The rebellion against abusive men and the patriarchy in general was a great illustration of female rage. Self sufficiency became their new goal, relying only on themselves and each other. Otrera's goals and personal desires sometimes conflict with her need to protect her fellow females.  She wars with loss and grief through their struggles for independence.  

Ortera is a complex, flawed MC and as we see things from only her perspective she could be seen as a bit of an unreliable narrator - only her line of thinking is being explored and not what others may have wanted. A fabulously evocative read, that brings equal amounts of rage, tears and pride.

Nicola Sarah Brooks

I am a huge lover of mythology, I've read myths and legends from all around the world and revel in how similar stories/concepts arose in far flung places around the globe.  However, Greek mythology has always been my favourite.  It's full of flawed heroes/heroines, tragedy, war and not a little humour.  But as with most things in the world, the female perspective has always been lacking.

Women were ones needing rescuing or killing.  They were the victim or the big bad.  But now we have the origin story of Ortera and the Amazons.  Warriors, leaders, healers and with a strong sense of justice.

Orters was married off when she was still a child to a drunken gambler.  He was an abusive lout and did little to endear himself to Ortera.  When he manages to get them run out of town, they end up in Ninniya.  Ortera and her servant/friend Melitta settle in their new community but are soon caught up in the subtle and not so subtle revolution that is taking place.  Women are fed up with being the punching bags, victims and chattel of their male relatives and husbands.  They're going to throw off the yoke of oppression and do things for themselves.  No longer will they be beholden to a man.

Phile was a strong protagonist and source of strength for Otrera.  Their friendship was a light in Ortera's life and something she desperately needed. 

The rebellion against abusive men and the patriarchy in general was a great illustration of female rage. Self sufficiency became their new goal, relying only on themselves and each other. Otrera's goals and personal desires sometimes conflict with her need to protect her fellow females.  She wars with loss and grief through their struggles for independence.  

Ortera is a complex, flawed MC and as we see things from only her perspective she could be seen as a bit of an unreliable narrator - only her line of thinking is being explored and not what others may have wanted. A fabulously evocative read, that brings equal amounts of rage, tears and pride.

The Women of Artemis

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