Review Detail

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.