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mjporterauthor's review
5.0
Daughters of Sparta is that most wonderful of books - one that draws you in from the very first pages and won't let go of you until the end. I read it in just over a day. I didn't want to put it down.
The storytelling is engaging, the characters of Helen and her sister, beautifully sketched while everyone around them, apart from their mother, stays very much in the background. This is their story.
At times the reader will hate either or both of the sisters, at other times, the reader will understand their pain, their desire to be more than their birthright.
A beautifully evocative story that speaks of the loneliness of royal marriage, of the heavy, and life-threatening expectations placed on young women to become mothers, and you will be swept along by a tale you think you know but might not.
5 stars from me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
The storytelling is engaging, the characters of Helen and her sister, beautifully sketched while everyone around them, apart from their mother, stays very much in the background. This is their story.
At times the reader will hate either or both of the sisters, at other times, the reader will understand their pain, their desire to be more than their birthright.
A beautifully evocative story that speaks of the loneliness of royal marriage, of the heavy, and life-threatening expectations placed on young women to become mothers, and you will be swept along by a tale you think you know but might not.
5 stars from me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
mjporterauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Daughters of Sparta is that most wonderful of books - one that draws you in from the very first pages and won't let go of you until the end. I read it in just over a day. I didn't want to put it down.
The storytelling is engaging, the characters of Helen and her sister, beautifully sketched while everyone around them, apart from their mother, stays very much in the background. This is their story.
At times the reader will hate either or both of the sisters, at other times, the reader will understand their pain, their desire to be more than their birthright.
A beautifully evocative story that speaks of the loneliness of royal marriage, of the heavy, and life-threatening expectations placed on young women to become mothers, and you will be swept along by a tale you think you know but might not.
5 stars from me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
The storytelling is engaging, the characters of Helen and her sister, beautifully sketched while everyone around them, apart from their mother, stays very much in the background. This is their story.
At times the reader will hate either or both of the sisters, at other times, the reader will understand their pain, their desire to be more than their birthright.
A beautifully evocative story that speaks of the loneliness of royal marriage, of the heavy, and life-threatening expectations placed on young women to become mothers, and you will be swept along by a tale you think you know but might not.
5 stars from me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my review copy.
jamiedarcyb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
qnawal97's review against another edition
3.0
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
—-
Full disclosure, I thought I was re-reading this book till I realized it was similar to The Memoirs of Helen of Troy by Amanda Elyot and a completely different novel. Overall, it was a short, interesting read. I really enjoy historical fiction mixed with Greek Mythology especially after reading the Illiad and Odyssey recently which was just way too dense for me and lacking emotion. I like how this novel humanized not only Helen of Troy but Klytemnestra considering some portrayals of her are just as a jealous and overbearing sister and queen who ends up killing her husband with her lover’s help. I particularly liked how the author was able to follow their story from childhood to adulthood. I do think at times, it was toooo humanized; for example, Iphigenia’s story and how Klytemnestra just kind of dealt with it I mean obviously traumatized but it didnt make her into this cold-hearted killer she just seemed upset? Like it almost felt at times very trivial and too contemporary the way the characters reacted which I guess was in an effort to make them more real. But the events of the Trojan War were definitely more theatrical and dramatized so that juxtaposed with the modernity of the characters at times through me off. Besides this, the novel was still interesting to read and pretty close to the mythology which I liked. Would recommend for Greek mythology lovers who like a modern touch of drama.
—-
Full disclosure, I thought I was re-reading this book till I realized it was similar to The Memoirs of Helen of Troy by Amanda Elyot and a completely different novel. Overall, it was a short, interesting read. I really enjoy historical fiction mixed with Greek Mythology especially after reading the Illiad and Odyssey recently which was just way too dense for me and lacking emotion. I like how this novel humanized not only Helen of Troy but Klytemnestra considering some portrayals of her are just as a jealous and overbearing sister and queen who ends up killing her husband with her lover’s help. I particularly liked how the author was able to follow their story from childhood to adulthood. I do think at times, it was toooo humanized; for example, Iphigenia’s story and how Klytemnestra just kind of dealt with it I mean obviously traumatized but it didnt make her into this cold-hearted killer she just seemed upset? Like it almost felt at times very trivial and too contemporary the way the characters reacted which I guess was in an effort to make them more real. But the events of the Trojan War were definitely more theatrical and dramatized so that juxtaposed with the modernity of the characters at times through me off. Besides this, the novel was still interesting to read and pretty close to the mythology which I liked. Would recommend for Greek mythology lovers who like a modern touch of drama.
suzanusboyle_00_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
cristella's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
wolslaur's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.25
peeweereads's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
starrysea98's review against another edition
3.0
i read this very quickly as it was easy to read and the writing was simple but did fine describing the events and setting of this novel.
although the novel is told from helen and klymnestra’s point of views, both are so similar that i sometimes get a little mixed up. unfortunately, they are both so passive and, in helen’s case, wishy-washy and boring.
some of the key events in the trojan war (hektor killing patroclus, the trojan horse, etc) are glossed over/not even included. the ending was also weirdly abrupt and i really sat there thinking, that’s it?
it’s okay i guess. i will definitely pick up the next book this author writes just to see if they improve.
although the novel is told from helen and klymnestra’s point of views, both are so similar that i sometimes get a little mixed up. unfortunately, they are both so passive and, in helen’s case, wishy-washy and boring.
some of the key events in the trojan war (hektor killing patroclus, the trojan horse, etc) are glossed over/not even included. the ending was also weirdly abrupt and i really sat there thinking, that’s it?
it’s okay i guess. i will definitely pick up the next book this author writes just to see if they improve.