Quiver
Editor reviews
2 reviews
New life to an old myth
(Updated: July 18, 2026)
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Stephanie Spinner has breathed new life into the ancient myth of Atalanta. Atalanta's story was written down by both Ovid and Apollodorus, and passed down orally for many years before they ever bothered to write it down. One of the famous scenes depicted in Spinner's book also appears in the Iliad.
When Atalanta was born, her father was disappointed that she was not a male heir. He abandoned her in the woods and only the intervention of Artemis saved her. A she-bear took care of baby Atalanta until some hunters happened upon her.
Atalanta grew up to be a brave huntress, as well as swifter and stronger than any man. Her true rise to fame came during the Calydonian boar hunt.
It was also there that she met Meleager, the son of King Oeneus. He fell in love with her, even though she had pledged herself to Artemis. That proved to be his undoing, when family jealousy pops up and he is ultimately killed by his mother.
Soon after, Atalanta's father sends for her. He is dying and needs his only heir to wed to continue the family line. Atalanta agrees, but only on two conditions: that the man she marry beat her in a race and that any man who loses, dies.
Atalanta intended the conditions to keep suitors away, but soon they begin to arrive and subsequently die. It ultimately takes an arrow from Eros (Cupid) and three golden apples from his mother, Aphrodite, for a suitor to succeed.
Hippomenes weds Atalanta and they live happily ever after, even after Zeus curses them for defiling his sanctuary.
Interspersed throughout the story are brief conversations between the gods, as they consider Atalanta's fate and meddle in the affairs of mortals. They are some of the most charming parts of the book.
At the end of the book, you'll find some notes from the author about Atalanta and Greek Mythology in general.
This book would fit in well in any classroom studying mythology. I recommend it for general reading pleasure as well; told from Atalanta's view, the story has strength and bluntness. She was, after all, one of the strongest girls ever written about.
When Atalanta was born, her father was disappointed that she was not a male heir. He abandoned her in the woods and only the intervention of Artemis saved her. A she-bear took care of baby Atalanta until some hunters happened upon her.
Atalanta grew up to be a brave huntress, as well as swifter and stronger than any man. Her true rise to fame came during the Calydonian boar hunt.
It was also there that she met Meleager, the son of King Oeneus. He fell in love with her, even though she had pledged herself to Artemis. That proved to be his undoing, when family jealousy pops up and he is ultimately killed by his mother.
Soon after, Atalanta's father sends for her. He is dying and needs his only heir to wed to continue the family line. Atalanta agrees, but only on two conditions: that the man she marry beat her in a race and that any man who loses, dies.
Atalanta intended the conditions to keep suitors away, but soon they begin to arrive and subsequently die. It ultimately takes an arrow from Eros (Cupid) and three golden apples from his mother, Aphrodite, for a suitor to succeed.
Hippomenes weds Atalanta and they live happily ever after, even after Zeus curses them for defiling his sanctuary.
Interspersed throughout the story are brief conversations between the gods, as they consider Atalanta's fate and meddle in the affairs of mortals. They are some of the most charming parts of the book.
At the end of the book, you'll find some notes from the author about Atalanta and Greek Mythology in general.
This book would fit in well in any classroom studying mythology. I recommend it for general reading pleasure as well; told from Atalanta's view, the story has strength and bluntness. She was, after all, one of the strongest girls ever written about.
User reviews
4 reviews
Overall rating
4.3
Plot
4.3(4)
Characters
N/A(0)
Writing Style
N/A(0)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A(0)
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Not so good
(Updated: July 18, 2026)
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
3.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Severa Drabczyk
Ummm this book was ok, though Quicksliver was way way better. It's about greek mythology and I thought this book could have put more god and goddess interaction with the humans then it did. I loved Quicksliver because of all the god interaction and I was hoping it would be the same for this one, but alas, it was not. I rate it PG-13 and give it 3 out of 5 stars.
Ummm this book was ok, though Quicksliver was way way better. It's about greek mythology and I thought this book could have put more god and goddess interaction with the humans then it did. I loved Quicksliver because of all the god interaction and I was hoping it would be the same for this one, but alas, it was not. I rate it PG-13 and give it 3 out of 5 stars.
G
Guest
A Touching Retelling
(Updated: July 18, 2026)
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Mairi
Atalanta is dedicated to Artemis, the goddess who preserved her in the forest when she was a baby. But the father who cast her out into the wild to die returns to claim her, demanding that she marry against all that she has ever promised to the chaste goddess of the hunt.
It took me a long time to pick this book up do to the rather unappealing cover (not to mention a lame title) and the fact that I found it at a time when the story of Atalanta meant nothing to me- though that changed. After reading it, I got my own copy and reread it often, savoring the smooth language and the snide jokes.
I would recommend this book to anyone who interested in Greek mythology or who likes a quick, moving read.
Atalanta is dedicated to Artemis, the goddess who preserved her in the forest when she was a baby. But the father who cast her out into the wild to die returns to claim her, demanding that she marry against all that she has ever promised to the chaste goddess of the hunt.
It took me a long time to pick this book up do to the rather unappealing cover (not to mention a lame title) and the fact that I found it at a time when the story of Atalanta meant nothing to me- though that changed. After reading it, I got my own copy and reread it often, savoring the smooth language and the snide jokes.
I would recommend this book to anyone who interested in Greek mythology or who likes a quick, moving read.
G
Guest
fabulous retelling
(Updated: July 18, 2026)
Overall rating
4.0
Plot
4.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by Dominique
This was a great retelling of the myth of Atalanta. When Atalanta was born, her father, the king, was upset that he now had a daughter and not a son. The king ordered Atalanta to be abandoned and left to die. However, the goddess Artemis takes pity on her and saved her. A bear took care of Artemis until some people came and found her. She grew up and was a great hunter and a fast runner.
But her father makes her come back home because he needs her to marry and produce a heir to take over when he dies. She agrees but will only marry a man that can outrun her. If the suitor cannot outrun her, then he must die. Many men try to outrun her, but they fail. Hippomenes, another suitor, falls deeply in love with her and asks Aphrodite for help. Aphrodite, who is the goddess of love and beauty gives him three apples and instructions on what to do. Upon winning the race, the two marry.
I really liked how the author put little conversation between the gods and goddess throughout the book--it made the book much more interesting.
This was a great retelling of the myth of Atalanta. When Atalanta was born, her father, the king, was upset that he now had a daughter and not a son. The king ordered Atalanta to be abandoned and left to die. However, the goddess Artemis takes pity on her and saved her. A bear took care of Artemis until some people came and found her. She grew up and was a great hunter and a fast runner.
But her father makes her come back home because he needs her to marry and produce a heir to take over when he dies. She agrees but will only marry a man that can outrun her. If the suitor cannot outrun her, then he must die. Many men try to outrun her, but they fail. Hippomenes, another suitor, falls deeply in love with her and asks Aphrodite for help. Aphrodite, who is the goddess of love and beauty gives him three apples and instructions on what to do. Upon winning the race, the two marry.
I really liked how the author put little conversation between the gods and goddess throughout the book--it made the book much more interesting.
G
Guest
Sweet like 3 Golden Apples
(Updated: July 18, 2026)
Overall rating
5.0
Plot
5.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by snailshot
I really enjoyed this book that I won, and was glad that I chose it. Greek mythology has been an object of intrigue and this novel not only satisfies it, but the story is wonderfully writtemn and fresh to keep anyones interest. And the funny dialogue between the gods great. I think anyone can enjoy this ancient story of a tomboy who comes of age by the aid of the gods.
I really enjoyed this book that I won, and was glad that I chose it. Greek mythology has been an object of intrigue and this novel not only satisfies it, but the story is wonderfully writtemn and fresh to keep anyones interest. And the funny dialogue between the gods great. I think anyone can enjoy this ancient story of a tomboy who comes of age by the aid of the gods.
G
Guest
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