Nobody's Princess (Nobody's Princess #1)

Reader reviewed by book_lover

This book describes the early life of Helen of Troy. Set in the beginning of her life in ancient Sparta, she tells her story. I didn't exaclty love the book, but it is really great. I did however like the jealously of her sister, and I did like the adventure with her brothers. This book is enjoyable, and the author written this well.

I recemond this book to people who love history, and adventure. There is a sequal called Nobody's Prize.

Reader reviewed by pestiny

hey, nobody princess is a great book for young adults, i like it a lot. the book is for people that are realy good at reading and for people that can say realy hard name of people in the book
                      well thats thinking about the book
                            bye pestiny

Reader reviewed by Mairi

Helen and Clytemnestra of Sparta share a birthdate, but beyond that, they couldn't be more different- Helen has the face of a goddess. She is the sister you would expect to be a picture of grace and poise. That honor goes to the arrogant Clytemnestra, however- Helen, the future queen of Sparta, is a rough- and- tumble warrior in training with dreams bigger than she is, and certainly nobody's princess.

I read the prototype for this book in the Young Warriors anthology, and because it was in the better half of the collecion, I made a mental note that if I ever stumbled across the novel I would read it and now, years later, I have. Though I bought it months ago, I only just read it because I had since heard negative reviews about how its disregard for myth gets in the way of enjoying the story. I am no mythology expert, but I know more than average and I actually thought it was fun how this book stretched the boundaries of canon without ever breaking them, much like, say, a good fanfic should.

For me, though, this book's saving grace was that it reminded me strongly of the Young Heroes quartet by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris, which I loved when I was younger- they share the same strengths and weaknesses, and those who enjoy one will surely enjoy the other.

Reader reviewed by EshInoBi

This book gave Helen a personality that was different
and unfamiliaar, but absolutely wonderful. Her flare and determination
is amusing and exciting as she goes to Mykenae, Calydon, and Delphi.
Her adventures are enjoyable to read about and she was awesome.
Nobody's Princess was thrilling and exciting.
^ Above is a book report written by me for a school report.
Since
this book was just so epic, I would like to elaborate: Nobody's
Princess was awesome. It really was. It was, but there was this one
problem. Helen really wouldn't have got with her brothers to Mykenae,
Calydon, and Delphi. So, it was interesting to see her train with her
brothers at the start of the book where she lived, but in ancient
Sparta, I don't know if she would've actually been allowed to go all
those places. But, really, despite that, this book was awesome... but
that same thing keeps nagging at me because it's weird. It doesn't even
have to be Helen, because for much, Helen doesn't do much in this book
except at the start and the beggining. The rest of the time, she's
narrating what happens to her brothers, Atalanta, and the events of
Ancient Greece mtyhs that are told. I actually thought that Helen was
an excuse once, until the ending came and I once again met Helen's epic
flame to go do something she felt she had the right to. You go, girl!

Reader reviewed by stephanie

Reader reviewed by www.trainspottingreads.blogspot.com

Nobody's Princess deals with a young Helena of Troy(or at this time Of Sparta). It follows her adventures with her brothers, Castor and Polydeuces and her twin sister Clytemnesta.

I liked this book. Didn't love it or anything but it was good. I prefered the first 1/2 of the story that delt with Helen's jealousy and her sister more than the whole adventure part- and I like adventure.

The book was well written and the character where relatable to. I look forward to reading more from Esther Friesner. There is a sequel to this out called Nobody's Prize. I don't know when I'll get around to reading it because I have 6 books to read in the next like 3 weeks so..........

Anyway, I reccomend this to all my Royalty and history buff readers- you will enjoy it :)

Reader reviewed by Marla Arbach, Foreign Correspondent

Helen of Troy: her name is synonymous with the fatal beauty, irresistible to mortals and immortals alike, that led to the downfall of one of the greatest classical civilizations. Everybody knows how the story ends, but how did it all begin?

In Nobodys Princess, Esther Friesner imagines what Helen must have been like as a girl, before the famous Golden Apple incident led her to Troy. Protagonist and narrator Princess Helen of Sparta is a down-to-earth, clever, gutsy girl who doesnt like being told what to do. When she realizes that the men (and perhaps even the gods) in her life are trying to control her destiny, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Her candid and perceptive first-person account of everything from the smallest learning experiences to the greatest exploits is what makes this novel especially fun to read. Esther Friesner has perfectly captured the character of a spirited young girl fighting for control of her own future and has made a one-dimensional historical figure into a heroine that readers of all ages will really get behind. Equally well drawn supporting characters and exciting adventures will make this a favourite for years to come. Hopefully its newly-released sequel, Nobodys Prize, will live up to the high standard it sets!