Scan barcode
icedlemonade's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, Slavery, War, and Death
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Sexual content
shonaningyo's review against another edition
4.0
I read this back in middle school, and I absolutely loved it. It had everything I needed. I don't even know what I need to like a book, but this book very quickly sucked me in.
I loved how Alaxandra was so naive that she didn't even know what a statue was. She believed that they were transfigured by a monster into stone; 10 times out of 10 she is referring to Medusa and Gorgon Co.
She is sold by her father who lives on some nameless island and is taken in by a king. Soon she somehow ends up caught in the middle of one of Greek literature's most famous epics: That being, the kidnapping of Helen by Paris of Troy. Alaxandra uses her cunning and common sense, along with her own personal goddess that she believes in--the goddess of yesterday--to help her through thick and thin, and all of the obstacles that plague her.
I liked how, though Greek (at least I think), she had her own goddess to worship. And I recall that one of her masters's wives was all, "Oh you have your own goddess? Cool. Worship her while we worship our own deities." Seriously? It's that easy for them to take in another idol or figure to worship? They had no problem with it? Cool. lol
An awesome blending of the Greek mythological "universe", so-to-speak, and a bright young girl as a main lead who is doing everything she can to survive pillaging, conniving elders, all the while hiding her own secret, lest she be found out and killed.
I loved how Alaxandra was so naive that she didn't even know what a statue was. She believed that they were transfigured by a monster into stone; 10 times out of 10 she is referring to Medusa and Gorgon Co.
She is sold by her father who lives on some nameless island and is taken in by a king. Soon she somehow ends up caught in the middle of one of Greek literature's most famous epics: That being, the kidnapping of Helen by Paris of Troy. Alaxandra uses her cunning and common sense, along with her own personal goddess that she believes in--the goddess of yesterday--to help her through thick and thin, and all of the obstacles that plague her.
I liked how, though Greek (at least I think), she had her own goddess to worship. And I recall that one of her masters's wives was all, "Oh you have your own goddess? Cool. Worship her while we worship our own deities." Seriously? It's that easy for them to take in another idol or figure to worship? They had no problem with it? Cool. lol
An awesome blending of the Greek mythological "universe", so-to-speak, and a bright young girl as a main lead who is doing everything she can to survive pillaging, conniving elders, all the while hiding her own secret, lest she be found out and killed.
thisbookishcat's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
cet828's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jordyn_alexx's review against another edition
4.0
Possibly a 4.5.
I did find it very enjoyable, and I see why I've kept it in my heart for the past 11 years. It has tons of great references to Greek mythology, and Anaxandra is a character that you're forever rooting for. I'm not sure how I feel about the depiction of Menelaus and Helen, but that's neither here nor there. I do wish you found out how things end for Anaxandra.
I did find it very enjoyable, and I see why I've kept it in my heart for the past 11 years. It has tons of great references to Greek mythology, and Anaxandra is a character that you're forever rooting for. I'm not sure how I feel about the depiction of Menelaus and Helen, but that's neither here nor there. I do wish you found out how things end for Anaxandra.
barnes_and_nobles_girl's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing characters, great perspective and a quick fun read for people with yearly goals of over 60 books.
iluvbooks13's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! Anyone who enjoys Greek mythology would like this retelling of the trojan war and how it was started. Luved it!
ecsun345's review against another edition
4.0
I Loved the twist on the classical story (exclamation point)
jlynnelseauthor's review against another edition
5.0
I was very impressed with this story and where it went. The author has beautiful descriptions. As a reworking of a traditional tale, this story comes alive with an original character and new perspectives.
The author laces historical beliefs and rules and creates a relatable tale. It’s a great time period to explore. The main character, Anaxandra, goes through a lot of growth. She learns about the different societies and takes the readers along in her observations. I really like the details the author included. For instance, the men of Sparta laugh at men of Troy because they ride on the back of a horse, finding it a pointless exercise. "Kings were not stable boys, to handle animals." I also love how the characters notice differences in Greek dialect between cities! I felt very immersed in the time period.
In terms of writing style, I think the author used "but" too many times before clauses. I've found a few cases where "and" would have made the sentence flow better. While I think this largely relates to the author mimicking the literary styles of ancient Greek authors & playwrights, a few sentences did not fully make sense the way they were structured.
Gods and goddesses are portrayed as being an intrinsic part of everyday life, including peoples’ belief that their fates were completely in their gods’ hands, and this strongly ties the story to the Illiad’s style. I liked this aspect and felt it was very believable for the culture. The author is never graphic, yet issues are laid out clearly about the life of islanders and pirates. Societies and their points of view came alive as I read.
The author is honest about what is taken from historical records and what is fiction. Anaxandra is a creation of this author, but I liked the minor role she comes to play in the Trojan War. It helped bring her redemption of her guilt. It also gave her meaning to a life otherwise dictated by the kindness or cruelty of strangers. Women at this time had few if any rights and thus were not always an active participant in where their life went. This is portrayed gently in the story and came to a satisfying conclusion at the end. Anaxandra persevered through all the boulders thrown in her path.
There are small plot threads that come back later in Anaxandra’s life, like the idea of men riding on the backs of horses and how actually experiencing this changed her outlook. In addition, her hair is a constant bit of conversation. When Helen orders it shaved a second time, Anaxandra believes she is being punished by the gods and that it will never grow back (hair being considered a glory of a woman’s life). Yet the author gives us hope again after she return Plies to Menelaus. The author is great at resolving not only major events but also the subtle occurrences that affect the characters. There is a beauty illuminated when things great and small wrap themselves together. The author gave us that. Would it have been nice to have a bit more pages about when Anaxandra landed on King Euneas’s island?... Yes. But I was left satisfied with the ending nonetheless. I would enjoy reading more from the author.
The author laces historical beliefs and rules and creates a relatable tale. It’s a great time period to explore. The main character, Anaxandra, goes through a lot of growth. She learns about the different societies and takes the readers along in her observations. I really like the details the author included. For instance, the men of Sparta laugh at men of Troy because they ride on the back of a horse, finding it a pointless exercise. "Kings were not stable boys, to handle animals." I also love how the characters notice differences in Greek dialect between cities! I felt very immersed in the time period.
In terms of writing style, I think the author used "but" too many times before clauses. I've found a few cases where "and" would have made the sentence flow better. While I think this largely relates to the author mimicking the literary styles of ancient Greek authors & playwrights, a few sentences did not fully make sense the way they were structured.
Gods and goddesses are portrayed as being an intrinsic part of everyday life, including peoples’ belief that their fates were completely in their gods’ hands, and this strongly ties the story to the Illiad’s style. I liked this aspect and felt it was very believable for the culture. The author is never graphic, yet issues are laid out clearly about the life of islanders and pirates. Societies and their points of view came alive as I read.
The author is honest about what is taken from historical records and what is fiction. Anaxandra is a creation of this author, but I liked the minor role she comes to play in the Trojan War. It helped bring her redemption of her guilt. It also gave her meaning to a life otherwise dictated by the kindness or cruelty of strangers. Women at this time had few if any rights and thus were not always an active participant in where their life went. This is portrayed gently in the story and came to a satisfying conclusion at the end. Anaxandra persevered through all the boulders thrown in her path.
There are small plot threads that come back later in Anaxandra’s life, like the idea of men riding on the backs of horses and how actually experiencing this changed her outlook. In addition, her hair is a constant bit of conversation. When Helen orders it shaved a second time, Anaxandra believes she is being punished by the gods and that it will never grow back (hair being considered a glory of a woman’s life). Yet the author gives us hope again after she return Plies to Menelaus. The author is great at resolving not only major events but also the subtle occurrences that affect the characters. There is a beauty illuminated when things great and small wrap themselves together. The author gave us that. Would it have been nice to have a bit more pages about when Anaxandra landed on King Euneas’s island?... Yes. But I was left satisfied with the ending nonetheless. I would enjoy reading more from the author.