- Mass Market Paperback: 468 pages
- Publisher: Baen Books; First THUS edition (May 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0671578685
- ISBN-13: 978-0671578688
- Product Dimensions: 17.2 x 10.4 x 2.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,625,585 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
." . . rich tapestry of detail, well-drawn characters, suspenseful story line. . . ." -- Publishers Weekly
Product Description
MOMMA DOESN'T TALK ABOUT THAT PARTY...
When gods still walked the Earth, a king could pray for a sign and have a white bull rise from the sea to confirm his claim to the throne. But a god's price was high, and when Minos did not keep his promise to the god Poseidon, the god meddled with Minos' wife...and the Minotaur, a child with the head of a bull, was born. The question is, did Poseidon intend his son to be worshiped as a new god, or is he the god's curse on Knossos, a monster that will destroy it?
Ariadne was the Minotaur's half-sister, the only one who would touch him and care for him when he was born. She was also high priestess of Dionysus, sworn to interpret his Visions, but one Vision destroys her peace. Dionysus Sees that the bull-head must die or bring disaster upon the realm. Can Ariadne agree to the slaughter of the deformed half-brother who clings to her as the only one who cares for him? Can she protect the Minotaur in defiance of Dionysus' vision and dare the god's wrath? Should she?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Roberta Gellis returns to her 'take' on the Greek myths, and brings us a story of love and devotion which will keep you reading long past bedtime.
Although the story is familiar, still it is never quite predicatable. Her characters may have dealings with real magic, but they are well-rounded and all too human. As Ariadne becomes more and more enmeshed in a heartbreaking tragedy for which even a 'god' has no simple solution, you will keep turning pages, possibly right into the next book (luckily I had a second new Gellis to go on too).
If you're looking for cheap paperback romance, with cardboard cut-out characters and barely disguised pornographic sex-scenes, look elsewhere. Otherwise prepare to become a devoted fan.
Although the story is familiar, still it is never quite predicatable. Her characters may have dealings with real magic, but they are well-rounded and all too human. As Ariadne becomes more and more enmeshed in a heartbreaking tragedy for which even a 'god' has no simple solution, you will keep turning pages, possibly right into the next book (luckily I had a second new Gellis to go on too).
If you're looking for cheap paperback romance, with cardboard cut-out characters and barely disguised pornographic sex-scenes, look elsewhere. Otherwise prepare to become a devoted fan.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
12 reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
The Minotaur's story from Ariadne's viewpoint
27 May 2000
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Having just taught the story of the minotaur this month, I was fascinated by Ms Gellis's twist on the story. Ariadne is the daughter of King Minos of Crete in the age of heros (almost 4000 years ago). She is picked to be the acolyte of Dionysus after her grandmother Europa dies. Much to the amazement of everyone and the jealousy of her mother, Dionysus actually answers her call. But King Minos has angered Poseidon, resulting in the birth of a monster -- the Minotaur. Gellis goes beyond the myths we studied in high school and ferrets out the details of the original stories, spinning them into a rich tapestry. All of the legend plays out for her readers: the labyrinth, Theseus (as a smooth-spoken jerk), the arrogant King Minos and the tormented Dionysus. Great fun, but don't expect a typical romance.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Gellis strikes gold again!
6 May 2000
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Gellis weaves the lives of Dionysus, Ariadne and the Minotaur together and creates her magic once more. We meet Ariadne, daughter of the King of Crete, as a young girl who is being consecrated priestess to Dionysus. The God has not responded to any of their priestesses for generations to bless the vineyards. On the day of consecration Dionysus does appear and thus begins the story of Ariadne's love for him. He is a tormented God due to the fact that his emotions are transmitted to others and he is often enraged which leads to one disaster after another. Over the years Ariadne and Dionysus develop a deep and loving relationship of God/priestess and due to their blessing of the vineyards Crete flourishs once more. The Minotaur, a result of the coupling of Queen Pasiphae of Crete and the God Poseidon, is born and Ariadne is the only one who sees the Bull God as anything but her little brother. All in all this is a marvelous read. Ms. Gellis is renowned for her ability to give depth to her characters and her touch remains true. While reading this book I experienced the entire gauntlet of emotions. From tears of laughter over Dionysus' grumblings when Ariadne calls him too early and wakes him up after a bout of carousing to disgust and contempt at the machinations Queen Pasiphae is willing to do to get her own way. From gentle enjoyment watching Dionysus, first acknowledge his growing love for Ariadne and his resulting confusion as to how to deal with it to sorrow, despair and heartbreaking pathos over the poor Minotaur who is truly the most innocent and pathetic character in this tale. This book will join A Dazzling Brightness, A Shimmering Splendor, Enchanted Fire and The Roselynde Chronicals forever on my keeper shelf. As always Ms. Gellis' characters won't leave you alone; you get to know them and they affect you as would any other person you meet in life. Some of my best friends come from Ms. Gellis' books and this holds true for this one....I will visit Ariadne and Dionysus again. Thank you Ms. Gellis for once more giving me pleasure.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
More than the Minotaur
24 Aug 2000
Format:Mass Market Paperback
"Bull God" is a wonderful tale, intriguing and full of compassion. It is the story of the Greek gods of Olympus, humans on the island of Crete and the power of the Earth Mother, with a few Roman and Egyptian deities and stray Athenians thrown in. Truly evil characters meet merely selfish ones and still others are simply misunderstood. Of course, some are purely good and devout, but the essence of each character is surprising. This makes for an unusual story. Even the Minotaur, the false Bull God had a name at birth and for a time was capable of human speech. It is hard not to feel Ariadne's horror when she finds her mal-formed brother enjoying his first taste of human flesh! This is not a grisly book, but is mostly a love story showing the taming of the god of fertility, ecstasy and wine. Dionysus teaches Ariadne the true nature of the Olympian 'gods' and she grows into a courageous heroine whose dreams are fulfilled. I really like this book, but, as yet, will only buy future works of Roberta Gellis in paperback, hence the 4 stars.
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