Ariadne is an epic fantasy novel by Sophia Kouidou-Giles. Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos and the renowned sorceress Pasiphae, arrives in Athens as an ambassador from Crete. She is about to be betrothed to Prince Theseus of Athens. However, tragedy strikes when Ariadne's brother, Androgeus, who had shown his valor in the Panathenaic Games, is brutally assassinated. King Minos suffers from grief and anger and seeks vengeance. Meanwhile, Ares, the god of war, instructs his children to sow discord between Crete and Athens. After the war breaks out, Ariadne seeks help from her aunt, Circe, to convene the Council of Peace. Now, Circe must embark on a quest to free Odysseus from the clutches of Calypso. Can Adriane and Theseus end the war?

Author Sophia Kouidou-Giles spins a riveting, fantastical yarn inspired by Greek mythology. Ariadne: A Greek Tale of Labyrinths and Legends is captivating from start to finish, packed with action, mystery, romance, and mythological lore. The author keeps the plot moving at a brisk pace with wild twists and turns that have you wondering what's going to happen next. There are shocking reveals, betrayals, gods inserting themselves in human affairs, and everything else you want from a fantasy novel based on Greek mythology. I loved how the author has crafted her characters in this book. Every important character has to deal with inner or external conflict. It has ramifications that they must face one way or the other. Ariadne evolves from a young, naive princess in the beginning to someone who sacrifices her own desires for the greater good. Her storyline was one of the many highlights of the book for me. Highly recommended.

Ariadne: A Greek Tale of Labyrinths and Legends by Sophia Kouidou-Giles is a journey back to ancient Greece, the land of gods, sorcerers, mythical beasts, and constant wars between Mediterranean rivals. Ariadne is a Cretan princess who has been sent to Athens, along with her brother Androgeus. King Minos of Crete had in mind for his daughter to marry the heir to the Athenian throne, Theseus, and cement the current peace between Crete and Athens. Androgeus, meanwhile, was in Athens to display his athletic prowess at the famous Panathenaic Games, fully intending to win the highest accolade of all: to win the five-event pentathlon for the honor of Crete. In ancient Greece, however, the plans of men are often usurped by the whims of the gods residing on Mount Olympus, and peace, however secure it may seem, is a fragile and delicate flower. When tragic events overtake the pair, Crete and Athens will again find themselves on opposite sides, but Ariadne and Theseus have already formed a bond that could supersede their parents’ desire for vengeance and war.

Ariadne is a marvelous exposition of Greek legend, myth, and folklore. Sophia Kouidou-Giles has beautifully captured the atmosphere and mystery of the time in the manner of the great Homeric authors. Readers will be drawn into the life of the courts of both Athens and Crete, as well as the whimsical and often mischievous world of the gods. I particularly appreciated the appearance of the Minotaur, the legendary mythical beast that was the shame of the Cretan royal family and yet also revered and feared. The romance between Ariadne and Theseus appeared to be the crux of the novel, and yet the author had another twist in the tale, which surprised me. The character development is wonderful, and the descriptive prose allows readers to get right inside Ariadne's and the other characters’ thought processes, all whilst enmeshing the reader in the culture and daily life of ancient Greece and Crete. What I particularly appreciated was the strength, resilience, and overall wisdom of the female characters. From gods, demigods, and mortals, the feminine traits, emotions, and wisdom were more powerful and sensible than those of the male characters. Nothing changes really in thousands of years. This is a wonderful, twisting tale with a satisfying conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend it.