Lies We Sing to the Sea

Leto is chosen as a sacrifice by the vengeful god Poseidon, along with 11 others, in order to protect the ancient Greek Kingdom of Ithaca from destruction. Her death is not what she expected though. Leto wakes up on a strange island and meets a mysterious girl called Melantho, and together they set out to break Poseidon’s curse and stop the yearly sacrifices – by killing the prince of Ithaca.

Lies We Sing to the Sea is a gorgeous debut. The story manages to combine the sweeping grandeur of an ancient myth while also keeping it contemporary in its retelling, complete with a wonderful sapphic romance. The love story between Leto and Melantho was sweet and fun to watch unfold as they dealt with both their growing feelings towards each other and the rising tide of trouble happening around them. I found both Leto and Melantho compelling to read. They didn’t feel out of place or time in ancient Greece, despite being relatable to a modern audience. Both were complex and had motivation and backstory that drove the plot forward in interesting ways. Mathias, the prince of Ithaca, was also interesting to follow; seeing his point of view and overall character complicated the story, and Leto and Melantho’s plan. I particularly enjoyed the magical ocean powers the main characters had! In all, it’s a great read, and fans of The Song of Achilles may enjoy this one. Suitable for readers 15+.