Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Horses of Fire: A Novel of Troy by A.D. Rhine

1 review

actual_hobbit's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy!

This book is a must-read for any mythology lover. I was a bit daunted by the length at first, but it is truly worth every page. 

The two authors give us a glimpse behind the walls of Troy - right in the middle of the Trojan War - and create extraordinary portraits of three underestimated women who will do anything to save their city. 

A.D. Rhone's portrayals of Andromache and Helen are more nuanced than any I've ever seen before. Both characters are complicated, and they don't always making the right choices, but you can't help but root for both on every page. I already loved the character of Hector going into this, but after reading this book, I'm an Andromache-and-Hector girl forever. 

I didn't realize Rhea, the other main character, was an original creation at first, but to me, this was a bold, smart choice. Through Rhea's eyes, we see legendary characters as real humans, full of emotion and turmoil, struggling to reconcile their dreams with the unfair positions fate has put them in. And we see the harsh realities of war: slavery, massacres, and the treatment of refugees. (And you can't help but cheer her on too!)

For anyone picking up this book, go into it knowing that you won't get an ending with full closure. The authors end this book in the middle of war, and as much as I would have read more, I'm grateful that they spared us from seeing these characters go theough the sacking of Troy. I think it was a compassionate, smart choice. My heart would have been broken to a million pieces if I had to read that after falling in love with these characters. 

Listen to the full review on Books Are Magical Podcast: https://linktr.ee/booksaremagical?fbclid=PAAaYj50y6-loQnMQ1GX56l2bC039o9NgiEqCbf7nwODzzj8NBxNJaZ0vcHwg

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