The novel Minoan Wings V01 Dragonfly Song is a contemporary toned story set in the Bronze Age. The historical facts were well researched by the author, Wendy Orr. And what is presented is not just the factual information, but also there is an arc about mythology and religion (such as the goddess worship vs the bull/masculine, the representation of the animals and nature), and one that feels like it has more modern ideas of equality and gender (the goddess, the mother, the priestess, daughters). Though maternal ruled villages were not unheard of at the time, the way it is written has a more modern tone to the language and the “girl power” aspect. There is also the mythology of the Minotaur and the labyrinth story done in a realistic manner is unique and clever. These two story arcs are presented in a “part one” and “part two” but both are one story.Overall, I enjoyed this book but some parts were strong while others had a few bumps for me. There was a “flow” that never completely came to be for me. This is partly because of the fact there is poetic prose then simultaneously, prose poetry. This shows the shifts in points of view, or information that is needed. But it could be awkward, yet, it also is one of the things I liked as it made the novel unique and not just another historic fiction book.
As an adult reader I found things the 10 and up reader might not think of/see (thoughts of slavery in a less obvious manner with the bull dancers is one). This is “adventure action” (people are gored by the bull, other deaths), what we consider animal cruelty, and the abuse of the main character, No-Name are shown that might not be appropriate for young or sensitive readers. There are two other stories by Orr that are set in this world, and I am curious if they are companions or sequels, therefore, Swallow’s Dance and Cuckoo’s Flight have been added to my TBR.
