Book Review: Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett

Title:  Dark of the Moon

Author:  Tracy Barrett

Publisher:  Harcourt Children's Books

Publish Date:  September 19, 2011

Source:  Around the World ARC Tours

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

Ariadne is destined to become a goddess of the moon. She leads a lonely life, filled with hours of rigorous training by stern priestesses. Her former friends no longer dare to look at her, much less speak to her. All that she has left are her mother and her beloved, misshapen brother Asterion, who must be held captive below the palace for his own safety.

So when a ship arrives one spring day, bearing a tribute of slaves from Athens, Ariadne sneaks out to meet it. These newcomers don’t know the ways of Krete; perhaps they won’t be afraid of a girl who will someday be a powerful goddess. And indeed she meets Theseus, the son of the king of Athens. Ariadne finds herself drawn to the newcomer, and soon they form a friendship—one that could perhaps become something more.

Yet Theseus is doomed to die as an offering to the Minotaur, that monster beneath the palace—unless he can kill the beast first. And that "monster" is Ariadne’s brother . . .

My Thoughts:  Barrett does a great job on this retelling of the Greek mytho of the Minotaur.  It is interesting and has some new twists that are fun.  It was a fast and easy read so perfect for the summer!

Ariadne is a soon-to-be goddess.  She is very isolated on Crete until a ship from Athens shows up led by Theseus.  Theseus is not there to deliver a sacrifice however.  He is there to kill the Minotaur.  In this story, the Minotaur is a disfigured and very crazy man that is only saved by who his parents are (he also happens to be Ariadne's brother). 

I really liked Ariadne.  She wants people to treat her the same as everyone else.  She wants to travel.  She knows however that she is going to be a Goddess and doesn't try to deny it.  I enjoyed her love for her brother and family. 

The fact that Asterion (the Minotaur) was a man with a child's mind instead of some horrible, scary monster was refreshing.  He is very sweet and totally harmless despite his strength.  He was a very refreshing and interesting twist to the original myth.  I really liked his character.

I liked how the story switched between Ariadne's and Theseus' point of views.  I always think it makes it a little more interesting and you don't really have a chance to get bored with one POV.  I also loved how there was very little romance.  It's a very nice change from other books. 

If you like Greek mythology and would like a new and interesting twist on the Minotaur, this is a book you will enjoy!