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A review by ryner
The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Kassandra is known from Greek mythology as the woman cursed with having foresight about fateful events but never believed, and she is therefore powerless to thwart disaster. In this retelling of the classic version of events surrounding the Trojan War, Bradley breathes life into Kassandra, daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba, fleshing out her story and giving her a vibrant and purposeful life of her own.
From her youth spent with the Amazons to her service as a priestess of Apollo and her supporting role in the Trojan War, Kassandra's story is well-developed, inspiring, disturbing and mostly satisfying. A story in which a woman, otherwise relegated to the background of history, is depicted in sharp focus — is welcome. I've read a number of retellings from the Classical World in recent years. While this title is less well-known, I'd rank it on par with or nearly as good as Circe and The Song of Achilles.
From her youth spent with the Amazons to her service as a priestess of Apollo and her supporting role in the Trojan War, Kassandra's story is well-developed, inspiring, disturbing and mostly satisfying. A story in which a woman, otherwise relegated to the background of history, is depicted in sharp focus — is welcome. I've read a number of retellings from the Classical World in recent years. While this title is less well-known, I'd rank it on par with or nearly as good as Circe and The Song of Achilles.