Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett
Synopsis:
Fifteen-year-old Ariadne of Krete is the daughter of the high priestess of the moon. Isolated and lonely, she finds companionship only with her beloved handicapped brother, Asterion, who is held captive below the palace for his own safety. When a ship arrives from Athens, Ariadne meets Theseus, the handsome son of the king. Ariadne is drawn to him, and they form a friendship. But Theseus is doomed to die as an offering to the Minotaur, the monster beneath the palace—unless he can kill the beast first. That monster? Ariadne’s brother.
Review:
Ariadne is a sweet, caring girl who will soon be thrust into a position of power. Theseus has a good heart as well, but becomes trapped in a plot that he may come to regret. Krete is one of a few kingdoms that still worship the Goddess and practice animal and human sacrifice to appease their gods. Barrett’s twist on Greek mythology is vivid and fascinating. The legend of Theseus and the Minotaur is not as well-known as some, so my reading wasn’t jaded.
Dark of the Moon is a dark and dramatic coming-of-age story. Even knowing the end result didn’t lessen the experience. Barrett’s characters are rich and enchanting. And the adapted story is beautiful, dramatic, and captivating. This Greek tragedy will stick with me for a while.