House of Names

In House of Names, we are drawn back to a time when gods were revered and sought for advice. Agamemnon is about to head into battle with Troy when he consults the gods. They tell him he must sacrifice his eldest daughter so that the winds will be favorable. He stands aside while his soldiers sacrifice Iphegenia, and at that moment he seals his own fate. His wife, Clytemnestra, decides that she will not rest until he is dead to avenge her daughter, so she begins to plot and plan his murder with her lover, Aegisthus. But murder begets murder, and so her other children, Orestes and Electra, begin their own schemes to get rid of their mother for all the murder she has committed.

Greek mythology is one of my favorite subjects, and so I was immediately drawn to this book. The author truly brings this classic saga to life, making it feel more like history than mythology. Greek mythology is rife with tragedies, and this one is no different. As you read it, you know that it won’t end well for anyone, but it is still enjoyable to read. The author’s take on these characters and the emotions they feel as tragedy surrounds them was enthralling. You could feel Clytemnestra’s rage, and you start to think maybe her murderous plans are justified. Then you watch as it tears their family apart further and sends people into paranoia. I liked that the story was told from Clytemnestra, Orestes, and Electra’s points of view. It gave insight into how each character handled the situation. The only part that I found a bit disappointing was the ending, which didn’t really feel like an ending. Overall, a fantastic book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys digging deeper into Greek mythology.