4/5

For fans of: Percy Jackson, Xena: Warrior Princes, Troy, Trojan War, Greek mythology, strong female characters, ancient Greece, hero’s journey, gods, adventure, romance, retellings, slow-burn romance

The Big Questions:

• What genre is this in? YA Fantasy, fantasy, mythological retelling

• Are there any swoon-worthy characters? Apollo and Hermes, those gods are sultry

• Is it spicy? Fade to black

• Is it violent or gory? War violence

• Should I buy, borrow, or pass on this book? Borrow it!

Synopsis (Spoilers for Daughter of Sparta): A year after saving the powers of Olympus by defeating Nyx, the Goddess of darkness, Daphne is haunted by still-looming threats, her complicated feelings for the god Apollo, and the promise she made to the Olympian gods that she would help them again when they called upon her. When their command comes, it is deceptively simple: secure herself a spot as one of Queen Helen’s guards.

A war is coming, and all of Sparta must be prepared. 

In the midst of a treaty summit among the monarchs of Greece, Daphne and Helen uncover a plot of betrayal—and soon, a battle begins. As the kingdoms of Greece clash on the shores of Troy and the gods choose sides, Daphne must use her wits, her training, and her precarious relationship with Apollo to find a way to keep her queen safe, stop the war, and uncover the true reason the gods led her to Troy. But the gods are keeping more than one secret, and Daphne will be forced to decide how far she is willing to go to save those she loves—and whose side she's on in a war that is prophesized to be the downfall of her people.

Review: I didn’t realize how much I missed the cutthroat world of ancient Greece with its archaic politics, meddling fates, and fickle gods. Our fearless daughter of Sparta is on a new adventure as the Shield of Helen. I wasn’t sure how I was going to enjoy this retelling of the Trojan War since I found the majority of the book bored out of my mind, but it was actually more enjoyable than expected with a focus on the Trojan side and Helen exclusively. I loved the twists and changes in the story along with the Amazons and Helen being front and center throughout the war. The inclusion of the origin of the gods was a great addition to the story and placed the Trojan War in greater context. The relationship between Daphne and the gods, especially Apollo, finally moves forward from the last book. Their relationship was great, but her relationship with family was far more interesting and tragic. Her struggle between her loyalty to Sparta, Helen, her family, Troy, and the gods was exhausting. Poor girl, she was going through it. I truly am excited to see what happens to Daphne, the gods, and ancient Greek next.