#BookReview: Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood @s_e_c_underwood

Synopsis: Each spring, Ithaca condemns twelve maidens to the noose. This is the price vengeful Poseidon demands for the lives of Queen Penelope’s twelve maids, hanged and cast into the depths centuries ago.

But when that fate comes for Leto, death is not what she thought it would be. Instead, she wakes on a mysterious island and meets a girl with green eyes and the power to command the sea. A girl named Melantho, who says one more death can stop a thousand.

The prince of Ithaca must die—or the tides of fate will drown them all.

Sarah Underwood weaves an epic tapestry of lies, love, and tragedy, perfect for fans of Madeline Miller, Alexandra Bracken, and Renée Ahdieh.


Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: The different POVs those were great.  The story was wonderful in all aspects.  I do wish that it would have gone deeper but as it sits it was worth the read.  I enjoyed the characters and the story. 

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-This novel expands on the story from the Odyssey in which Odysseus and Telemachus kill Queen Penelope's 12 maids. Centuries later, Ithaca must sacrifice 12 girls every spring to Poseidon or be destroyed-a curse placed on Ithaca for the actions against the maids. When Leto, daughter of a royal oracle, is sent to be hanged with the other 11, she wakes up very much alive in a mysterious place called Pandou. There she meets Melantho, another girl like her, who was brought back by Poseidon with the chance of breaking the curse. Those who are saved come back changed, with the ability to transform into sea creatures. There have been others, but only Melantho remains-and Leto is the last. In order to break the curse, they must kill Mathias, the Prince of Ithaca. Mathias has lost a sister to Poseidon and wants nothing more than to break the curse himself. The novel alternates among Leto's, Melantho's, and Mathias's points of view. While not a full retelling of the Odyssey itself, Underwood's novel gives a new voice to the 12 maids and their legacy in her debut. There are clear romantic feelings between Leto and Melantho that build through the novel, as well as hints of romance between Leto and Mathias. Themes of love, betrayal, hope, and loss permeate the pages. VERDICT As expected with a tragedy, love does not always ensure a happy ending, but readers will be invested in the story and characters regardless. Recommended for most teen collections, especially where Greek mythology-inspired fiction is popular.-Marissa Liebermanα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.  --This text refers to the hardcover edition.

Review

“Gorgeous, tragic, and timeless, Lies We Sing to the Sea makes an age-old story feel new again. This is Greek tragedy at its best: sweeping in scope yet deeply intimate in characterization. This book will break your heart and you’ll be grateful for it.” — Grace D. Li, New York Times bestselling author of Portrait of a Thief

“Lies We Sing to the Sea is a lyrical, elegant debut bursting with imagination and heart. Underwood expertly weaves a tale about the inevitability of fate—and the love that makes us rail against it anyway. Bittersweet and wholly cathartic.”  — Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic

“Overflowing with emotion and full of magic.” — Jennifer Saint, internationally bestselling author of Ariadne

“A wondrous tale of love, death, and sacrifice. The vivid characters give depth and adventure to a story with roots in classic Greek mythology.” — Natasha Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of Skin of the Sea

“Sarah Underwood’s classical reimagining is woven with pure magic: salt-laced myths, a plot that slowly unravels like a tapestry, and vivid characters who are destined to steal your heart. A scintillating, beautiful debut.”  — Rebecca Ross, internationally bestselling author of A River Enchanted and Sisters of Sword & Song

"Sarah Underwood gives a brave, ferocious voice to a character who richly deserves one. Filled with knife-sharp banter, smoldering romance, and twists that will tear your heart to pieces, this is the story about one of Penelope's doomed maids that was always waiting to be told. "  — Heather Walter, author of the Malice duology

“Prepare to be utterly wrecked by this brilliant, lyrical, queer, feminist af book. Lies We Sing to the Sea grabbed my heart from the first pages and I couldn't put it down. Utterly breathtaking. I loved it.” — Jamie Pacton, author of The Vermillion Emporium

“Rich, immersive and utterly compelling. A stunning achievement from Gen Z’s answer to Madeline Miller” — Laura Steven, author of The Society for Soulless Girls

--This text refers to the paperback edition.

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Posted in: 4 Stars, Edelweiss, HarperTeen, Review, Young Adult