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The Hymn to Dionysus

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The Hymn to Dionysus

By: Natasha Pulley
Narrated by: Sid Sagar
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About this listen

'Witty, bittersweet, surprising, and compellingly readable' Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

'A completely original and bewitching adventure' A. D. Rhine, author of Daughters of Bronze and Horses of Fire

'A dazzling labyrinth of a book that pulls you in with both hands' Luna McNamara, author of PSYCHE AND EROS

'This is more than a story of love and escape and broken chains. This is more than an exquisitely crafted tale. This book is a candle in a dark hour' Maya Deane, author of Wrath Goddess Sing

'Quirky, tender, and endlessly inventive, this is a Greek myth retelling unlike any other. Pulley's big brain and huge heart are deployed to godly effect in THE HYMN TO DIONYSUS' V. V. James, Sunday Times Bestselling author of Sanctuary

Raised in a Greek legion, Phaidros has been taught to follow his commander's orders at all costs. But when he rescues a baby from a fire at Thebes' palace, he defies those orders and keeps the blue-eyed boy's existence a secret.

Years later, after a strange encounter that led to the death of his battalion, Phaidros has become a training master for young soldiers. He struggles with panic attacks and flashbacks, and he is not alone: all around him, his fellow veterans are losing their minds.

Madness is not his only problem: Phaidros has become entangled with the search for Thebes' lost young crown prince-a search that leads him to a blue-eyed witch named Dionysus, whose guidance is as wise as the events that surround him are strange. In Dionysus's company, Phaidros witnesses sudden outbursts of riots and unrest, and everywhere Dionysus goes, rumors follow about a new god, one sired by Zeus but lost in a fire . . .

In The Hymn to Dionysus, bestselling author Natasha Pulley transports us to an ancient empire on the edge of ruin to tell an utterly captivating story about a man needing a god to remind him how to be a human.

'[Pulley] makes the ancient world feel close-by. I was enthralled from the first page to the last'
Elyse John, author of Orphia and Eurydicius

'[A] fresh and stylish reimagining . . . Fans of Greek myth retellings won't want to miss this' Publishers Weekly, Starred review

'This novel twists the ideas of duty and honour, exploring the depths of humanity and the power of connection in a world consumed by chaos. An absolute must-read' Crystal King, bestselling author of In the Garden of Monsters and Feast of Sorrow

©2025 Natasha Pulley (P)2025 Orion Publishing Group Limited
Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction Mythology Ancient Greece Greek Mythology Witty Royalty

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All stars
Most relevant  
As with all Natasha Pulley's books, this was even more brilliant and beautiful than I expected, and so wonderful written.

Exquisite

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I am always so immersed in the worlds Pulley creates. The weaving of research and the heartfelt fantastic is a balm. The narration of this tale brings it's truest form to life.

Natasha Pulley never disapoints

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Transformative and intricate story full of magic and wonderful chaos. The most visceral and playful Ancient Greek retelling brought to life with a fantastic performance.

Simply stunning.

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How do I begin? I don't necessarily want or enjoy being mean and I didn't desired to dislike this book. Quite the opposite. After seeing the reviews and reading the description I thought I stumbled upon a different and gorgeous version of The Song of Achilles. Well, my hopes dropped and shattered. The author knows so little about ancient Greece, I wonder why she took the pains to write this book in the first place. There were now knights in this period and place. Young officers and cleaning staff. Well, I just can presume her social status and lazy ignorance that times before us were quite very different. So many things could have been just googled! There's no love of subject in this, nor there is a deeper knowledge. Characters are as developed as in mediocre teenage show. Writing itself could be worse, I guess. I don't know. Probably it's not the worst, didn't want to be just negative about it...

I wish I could get my credit back!

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