I enjoyed some of the themes that were being brought up – this cycle of revenge and wondering if we can truly change – which feels very Greek Mythology. The rest of the story could be more straightforward, but the amount of information is too much for a tiny novella-length story. It is forbidden to copy anything for publication elsewhere without written permission from the copyright holder. For some reason, you talk to people about food shortages, power outages, contaminated water, the government disappearing people—you might as well be speaking another language. I felt invested in the plot, I cared about what happened to Antigone and her sister, and I was never given the chance to be bored.

Arch-Conspirator - Macmillan

All three women were quite unique in their backstories, their current situations, and their view of their own futures which was a great start but that was it, a great start. Whether you are familiar with the story of “Antigone” or not, this novella will capture your attention. Not only does it bring a completely new spin to a familiar story, but it's also the kind of speedy read that will kick you out of a book slump. I love what she is doing, and for the most part I think she is doing it well and doing something really cool with the story, it just never quite came together well enough to fully land. She’s trying to tackle the patriarchy and the oppression/controlling women’s bodies but she’s not saying anything new about it.The dystopian world and the multiple points of view were fascinating and enjoyable additions to the original tale.

Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth By Strange Horizons - Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth By

I quite liked that we get to see conflicting opinions and perspectives that self-justify actions, though in Home Fire we spend much more time in these perspectives that allow them to be nuanced instead of such broad strokes as we have here. With their father gone, their uncle Kreon sits in the throne, wielding his power on his family as much as on his countrymen. Veronica Roth is the New York Times best-selling author of Arch-Conspirator, Poster Girl, Chosen Ones, the short story collection The End and Other Beginnings, the Carve the Mark duology, and the Divergent series. It felt different enough from the original ending of Antigone that it was somewhat hopeful, even though it is alluded to that it will end differently. Which isn’t really Roth’s fault as it would require an absolute master of literature to pull all this off in such a short space while also feeling polished and powerful.Honestly, it kind of makes sense—being Oedipus’ brother makes a more direct foil between those two, and Antigone’s relationship with her brother. If you’ve enjoyed the original tale of Antigone, then I think you’re going to enjoy Roth’s reimagining.