{"title":"Series: The Songs of Penelope","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the captivating world of \u003cem\u003eThe Songs of Penelope\u003c\/em\u003e, a series that masterfully reimagines the rich tapestry of Greek mythology through a modern lens. Immerse yourself in stories where ancient legends intertwine with contemporary narrative styles to offer fresh perspectives on classic tales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the heart of this series lies \u003cem\u003eHouse of Odysseus\u003c\/em\u003e, an evocative story that captures the essence of adventure, loyalty, and the timeless struggle between fate and free will. These books beautifully explore the nuanced mythology that has inspired countless generations, inviting readers to discover the profound themes that resonate through the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe series is a perfect addition for lovers of general fiction, offering not just a retelling but an immersive journey into the emotions and experiences of iconic characters. It's a collection that will intrigue both those familiar with Greek myths and newcomers alike, providing insights into the enduring legacy of these ancient stories.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ithaca-by-claire-north-9780356516066","title":"Ithaca","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Claire North brings a powerful, fresh and unflinching voice to ancient myth - darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking' \u003c\/strong\u003eJennifer Saint, author of \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestseller \u003cem\u003eAriadne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eA \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e Historical Fiction Book of the Year\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the story of Penelope of \u003cem\u003eIthaca\u003c\/em\u003e, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before. Beyond Ithaca's shores, the whims of gods dictate the wars of men. But on the isle, it is the choices of the abandoned women - and their goddesses - that will change the course of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'The greatest power we women can own is that which we take in secret.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSeventeen years ago, King Odysseus sailed to war with Troy, taking with him every man of fighting age from the isle of Ithaca. None of them has returned, and the women of Ithaca have been left behind to run the kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePenelope was barely into womanhood when she wed Odysseus. While he lived, her position was secure. But now, years on, speculation is mounting that her husband is dead, and suitors are beginning to knock at her door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNo one man is strong enough to claim Odysseus's empty throne - not yet. But as everyone waits for the balance of power to tip, Penelope knows that any choice she makes could plunge Ithaca into bloody civil war . . .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the multi award-winning Claire North comes a daring, exquisite and moving tale that breathes life into ancient myth, and tells of the women who stand defiant in a world ruled by ruthless men. It's time for the women of Ithaca to tell their tale . . . \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Everything I've wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice - this is an absolute masterpiece' \u003c\/strong\u003eSarah Bonner, author of \u003cem\u003eHer Perfect Twin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Told in the arresting voice of the goddess Hera . . . \u003cem\u003eIthaca\u003c\/em\u003e conjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies'\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Richly poetic . . . This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history' \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBooklist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Claire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime' \u003c\/strong\u003eHannah Lynn, author of \u003cem\u003eAthena's Child\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Songs of Penelope series:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eIthaca\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHouse of Odysseus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Last Song of Penelope\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45897497936108,"sku":"9780356516066","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780356516066.jpg?v=1731462016"},{"product_id":"the-last-song-of-penelope-by-claire-north-9780356516141","title":"The Last Song of Penelope","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCLAIRE NORTH BRINGS A POWERFUL, FRESH AND UNFLINCHING VOICE TO ANCIENT MYTH\u003c\/b\u003e — Jennifer Saint, author of \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eAriadne\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the critically acclaimed \u003ci\u003eIthaca\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eHouse of Odysseus\u003c\/i\u003e comes the final novel in Claire North's Songs of Penelope trilogy — an exquisite, gripping tale that breathes life into ancient myth. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMany years ago, Odysseus sailed to war and never returned. For twenty years, his wife Penelope and the women of Ithaca have guarded the isle against suitors and rival kings. But peace cannot be kept forever, and the balance of power is about to break...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA beggar has arrived at the Palace. Salt-crusted and ocean-battered, he is scorned by the suitors — but Penelope recognises in him something terrible: her husband, Odysseus, returned at last. Yet this Odysseus is no hero. By returning to the island in disguise, he is not merely plotting his revenge against the suitors — vengeance that will spark a civil war — but he's testing the loyalty of his queen. Has she been faithful to him all these years? And how much blood is Odysseus willing to shed to be sure?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe song of Penelope is ending, and the song of Odysseus must ring through Ithaca's halls. But first, Penelope must use all her cunning to win a war for the fate of the island and keep her family alive, whatever the cost...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for the Songs of Penelope series:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDarkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking\u003c\/b\u003e — Jennifer Saint, author of \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eAriadne\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichly poetic... This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history\u003c\/b\u003e — \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEverything I've wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice — this is an absolute masterpiece\u003c\/b\u003e — Sarah Bonner, author of \u003ci\u003eHer Perfect Twin\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePenelope is proving to be an outstanding epic hero in her own right. The world building is sensational\u003c\/b\u003e — Elodie Harper, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Wolf Den\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eConjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies\u003c\/b\u003e — \u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eClaire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime\u003c\/b\u003e — Hannah Lynn, author of \u003ci\u003eAthena's Child\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Songs of Penelope series:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eIthaca\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHouse of Odysseus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Last Song of Penelope\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46267637072108,"sku":"9780356516141","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780356516141.jpg?v=1742163167"},{"product_id":"house-of-odysseus-by-claire-north-9780356516103","title":"House of Odysseus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCLAIRE NORTH BRINGS A POWERFUL, FRESH AND UNFLINCHING VOICE TO ANCIENT MYTH\u003c\/b\u003e - Jennifer Saint, author of \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eAriadne\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eFrom the author of the critically acclaimed \u003ci\u003eIthaca\u003c\/i\u003e - A \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e Historical Fiction Book of the Year - comes an exquisite and gripping new tale that breathes life into ancient myth. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\nOn the isle of Ithaca, Queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband, Odysseus, sailed to war with Troy and never came home. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace - but this is shattered by the arrival of Orestes, king of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra.\n\nOrestes's hands are stained with his mother's blood. Not so long ago, the son of Agamemnon took Queen Clytemnestra's life on Ithaca's sands. Now, racked with guilt, he is slowly losing his mind.\n\nPenelope knows destruction will follow in his wake as surely as the Furies circle him. His uncle, Menelaus, the battle-hungry king of Sparta, longs for Orestes's throne - and if he can seize it, no one will be safe from his violent whims.\n\nTrapped between two mad kings, Penelope fights to keep war from Ithaca's shores. Her only allies are Elektra and Helen of Troy, Menelaus's enigmatic wife. And watching over them all is the goddess Aphrodite, who has plans of her own.\n\n\u003cb\u003eEach woman has a secret. And their secrets will shape the world.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\nPraise for the Songs of Penelope series:\n\n\u003cb\u003eDarkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking\u003c\/b\u003e - Jennifer Saint, author of \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eAriadne\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eRichly poetic . . . This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003ePenelope is proving to be an outstanding epic hero in her own right. A sensational retelling\u003c\/b\u003e - Elodie Harper, \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Wolf Den\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eEverything I've wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice - this is an absolute masterpiece\u003c\/b\u003e - Sarah Bonner, author of \u003ci\u003eHer Perfect Twin\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eConjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eClaire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime\u003c\/b\u003e - Hannah Lynn, author of \u003ci\u003eAthena's Child\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003ci\u003eThe Songs of Penelope series:\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eIthaca\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eHouse of Odysseus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Last Song of Penelope\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46711871570156,"sku":"9780356516103","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780356516103.jpg?v=1754252855"},{"product_id":"house-of-odysseus-by-claire-north-9780356516097","title":"House of Odysseus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e'CLAIRE NORTH BRINGS A POWERFUL, FRESH AND UNFLINCHING VOICE TO ANCIENT MYTH' \u003c\/b\u003eJennifer Saint, author of \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eAriadne\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eFrom the author of the critically acclaimed \u003ci\u003eIthaca\u003c\/i\u003e - A \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e Historical Fiction Book of the Year - comes an exquisite and gripping new tale that breathes life into ancient myth. This is the story of Penelope of Ithaca, famed wife of Odysseus, as it has never been told before.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn the isle of Ithaca, Queen Penelope maintains a delicate balance of power. Many years ago, her husband, Odysseus, sailed to war with Troy and never came home. In his absence, Penelope uses all her cunning to keep the peace - but this is shattered by the arrival of Orestes, king of Mycenae, and his sister Elektra.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOrestes's hands are stained with his mother's blood. Not so long ago, the son of Agamemnon took Queen Clytemnestra's life on Ithaca's sands. Now, racked with guilt, he is slowly losing his mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePenelope knows destruction will follow in his wake as surely as the Furies circle him. His uncle, Menelaus, the battle-hungry king of Sparta, longs for Orestes's throne - and if he can seize it, no one will be safe from his violent whims.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTrapped between two mad kings, Penelope fights to keep war from Ithaca's shores. Her only allies are Elektra and Helen of Troy, Menelaus's enigmatic wife. And watching over them all is the goddess Aphrodite, who has plans of her own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003eEach woman has a secret. And their secrets will shape the world.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePraise for the Songs of Penelope series:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Darkly fascinating, raw and breathtaking' \u003c\/b\u003eJennifer Saint, author of \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eAriadne\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Richly poetic . . . This is an impassioned plea for the lost, disenfranchised queens of ancient Greece, a love letter to the silenced women of history' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Penelope is proving to be an outstanding epic hero in her own right. A sensational retelling' \u003c\/b\u003eElodie Harper, \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Wolf Den\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Everything I've wanted in a retelling: a vibrant cast, full of suspense, told with a phenomenal narrative voice - this is an absolute masterpiece' \u003c\/b\u003eSarah Bonner, author of \u003ci\u003eHer Perfect Twin\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Conjures up a world in which women, abandoned by their men, must weave their own destinies' \u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Times\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Claire North has set a new standard for Ancient Greek retellings. Absolutely sublime' \u003c\/b\u003eHannah Lynn, author of \u003ci\u003eAthena's Child\u003c\/i\u003e\n\n\u003ci\u003eThe Songs of Penelope series:\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eIthaca\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHouse of Odysseus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Last Song of Penelope\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46711871602924,"sku":"9780356516097","price":37.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/25442913482314.jpg?v=1754252907"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/series-the-songs-of-penelope.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}