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Sheila Deeth
, February 12, 2015
(view all comments by Sheila Deeth)
Helen of Troy is famous in history and legend, but Aria Cunningham’s Princess of Sparta turns her into a living breathing character, beautiful, conflicted, wounded, and easily mistaking duty for love. Many myths build together into the picture, gently referenced and cut down to cruel human size. Meanwhile nicely researched history provides an authentic cultural backdrop. If Helen’s looking for “sweet and kind. Best you hope for clean, child,” says a wise adviser when invited husbands-to-be battle it out for her favor. But the truth is women were tools of their men, leaving this beautiful woman dominated by others, despite her own intelligence and intent.
There’s a nice blend of mythology and history in this tale, with gentle touches of mysticism as Helen, beloved by a goddess, struggles to understand the meaning of true love. Is it familial affection or dutiful obedience? Or is there romance at the end of an unseen rainbow? Meanwhile the rejected prince of Troy is on a journey to destiny.
Convincing details of scenery, politics, and culture bring this novel to life, with conflicted protagonists, Helen and Paris, working their way toward a long-delayed, mythically intense love-scene. Sure there are some typos, awkward phrases, and odd word usages along the way. But the story carries you through, and it’s quite a tale!
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy during the author’s blog tour and I offer my honest review.
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