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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nice holiday love story
I have always loved the myth of Troy and Cassandra is my favourite mythological figure ever so to find out about this book gave me really high expectations, and I am delighted to say this book met every one of them.
STORY: This is a recounted of the fall of Troy but from the point of view of Cassandra, Trojan Princess who was gifted prophecy but cursed to never be believed. We delve much deeper into how this happened, and also get to explore Helen's POV as well. The two go from enemies to rivals to friends and so much more and the focus is on their relationship.
I will say you need a good working knowledge of the myth to fully appreciate the references- I studied the Aenied before and it was wonderful picking up on the clues seeded throughout. It was also thrilling to see which aspects of the 'core' myth (such as Achilles brooding, Hector's death, Paris killing Achilles with an arrow) would come to pass and which wouldn't, as well as how the gods interfered.
CHARACTERS: Since the plot is following a template of sorts, it's the characters that really make this story come alive. While I didn't like Cassandra's spoiled, entitled attitude at the beginning, her fall from grace was captivating to read and she really changes the more harrowing events she's put through. She's also portrayed as asexual (such a good explanation as to why she spurs Apollo) and this is done in a sensitive and thoughtful way.
Helen is the other side to this sparkling coin and she is also equally well developed. We see the threads of her past, her feelings about being a prize to be bartered for, the ways she has developed manipulation in order to survive and it's incredible seeing how Cassandra is able to tear down all her masks and allow her to be whole.
The chemistry between them was amazing and it was a beautifully paced slow burn seeing them develop feelings for each other.
The side characters also have a lot of personality, especially Andromache, Kreousa, Hector, Deiphobus, even Paris. I really enjoyed the sibling dynamics between the Trojan royal family and also how Helen ingratiates herself with the women of Troy.
SETTING/ PRESENTATION: The story is mostly set in the city of Troy and the character voices are immaculate. The descripted are detailed without being overdone and the writing style though it took a few chapters to get into can be wonderfully lyrical. The dialogue is more modern but I didn't feel this took away from the writing.
OVERALL: This book lived up to all my expectations and I now have a new rarepair to root for! I didn't think Cassandra and Helen would be a match made in heaven but everything really came together and the ending was wonderfully satisfying. A great book if you're looking for a sapphic romance with a Greek mythological backdrop with strong captivating characters.
STORY: This is a recounted of the fall of Troy but from the point of view of Cassandra, Trojan Princess who was gifted prophecy but cursed to never be believed. We delve much deeper into how this happened, and also get to explore Helen's POV as well. The two go from enemies to rivals to friends and so much more and the focus is on their relationship.
I will say you need a good working knowledge of the myth to fully appreciate the references- I studied the Aenied before and it was wonderful picking up on the clues seeded throughout. It was also thrilling to see which aspects of the 'core' myth (such as Achilles brooding, Hector's death, Paris killing Achilles with an arrow) would come to pass and which wouldn't, as well as how the gods interfered.
CHARACTERS: Since the plot is following a template of sorts, it's the characters that really make this story come alive. While I didn't like Cassandra's spoiled, entitled attitude at the beginning, her fall from grace was captivating to read and she really changes the more harrowing events she's put through. She's also portrayed as asexual (such a good explanation as to why she spurs Apollo) and this is done in a sensitive and thoughtful way.
Helen is the other side to this sparkling coin and she is also equally well developed. We see the threads of her past, her feelings about being a prize to be bartered for, the ways she has developed manipulation in order to survive and it's incredible seeing how Cassandra is able to tear down all her masks and allow her to be whole.
The chemistry between them was amazing and it was a beautifully paced slow burn seeing them develop feelings for each other.
The side characters also have a lot of personality, especially Andromache, Kreousa, Hector, Deiphobus, even Paris. I really enjoyed the sibling dynamics between the Trojan royal family and also how Helen ingratiates herself with the women of Troy.
SETTING/ PRESENTATION: The story is mostly set in the city of Troy and the character voices are immaculate. The descripted are detailed without being overdone and the writing style though it took a few chapters to get into can be wonderfully lyrical. The dialogue is more modern but I didn't feel this took away from the writing.
OVERALL: This book lived up to all my expectations and I now have a new rarepair to root for! I didn't think Cassandra and Helen would be a match made in heaven but everything really came together and the ending was wonderfully satisfying. A great book if you're looking for a sapphic romance with a Greek mythological backdrop with strong captivating characters.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Loved the asexual representation and overall characterization of everyone. Just wished for a little more at the end, possibly a short epilogue.
If you ignore that this is a reimagining of a greek myth, its actually rlly fun.
A slow-burning tapestry of love, myth, and resistance, The End Crowns All reimagines the legend of Helen not as a passive beauty, but as a woman of complexity. Bea Fitzgerald gives voice to those often silenced, especially the women who reshape the course of war from behind the front line.
The romance between Helen and Cassandra is soft and beautiful, a quiet defiance amid the noise of battle, and the asexual representation is tenderly written, with a message of quiet strength that lingers.
Though the pacing falters and some characters fade into the background, the story’s heart remains strong—an ode to the power of women’s voices and the love that holds them together.
Also, fuck Apollo.
The romance between Helen and Cassandra is soft and beautiful, a quiet defiance amid the noise of battle, and the asexual representation is tenderly written, with a message of quiet strength that lingers.
Though the pacing falters and some characters fade into the background, the story’s heart remains strong—an ode to the power of women’s voices and the love that holds them together.
Also, fuck Apollo.
slow-paced
Struggled with the book which I’m a bit gutted about as I really liked her other book. I really don’t know what it was as I did like the plot. It might have been as there was a lot of characters and tad bit slow maybe. I will try it again at some point and I’ll try her other books but have a bit of a break first.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated