Book Review: "Blood of Troy" by Claire M. Andrews

*Spoiler alert!*

4/5 stars

This is what happens when I get really into a new book series: I finish the first two books in quick succession and then have to wait for the third book that isn't coming out until later this year! (And of course there was quite the cliffhanger after the latest one, and I have to sit here and stew about what might happen next in the concluding volume.) Why am I like this?!

I found Blood of Troy, the second entry in Claire M. Andrews' "Daughter of Sparta" series, to be better than the first (and I thought the first book was good).

In Daughter of Sparta, we see Daphne go on a quest to save Olympus itself and narrowly succeed. A year later, she continues to build a hero's reputation for herself (despite being a non-Spartan-born citizen, a mothakes) through her fighting prowess, overcoming opponents twice her size on a regular basis.

Although, Daphne remains haunted by the trauma of her quest a year ago, so she's a bit off, and the people who care about her are concerned and try to help in their own ways.

Of course, we know that the gods aren't done with Daphne. Early on in Blood of Troy, they command her to become personal guard to Queen Helen of Sparta, a seemingly innocuous errand. (Yes, that Helen, "the face that launches a thousand ships," etc. We'll get to her in a bit.)

(Anyone who knows Greek mythology knows the gods are fickle and cagey when it comes to their secrets, so the reader and Daphne both know there's something more to Daphne's new mission. People like myself (a huge mythology nerd) who are familiar with stories of the Trojan War may have better-educated guesses. Hint, hint!)

Before I get ahead of myself, Daphne must prove herself worthy in a contest of athleticism and wits, retrieving a prize before anyone else in order to gain herself the job of Shield of Helen. (Spoiler alert, she does!) 

That title secured, to the detriment of her brothers' pride, she finds that things aren't what they seem between King Menelaus and Queen Helen from day one. (Fun fact, King Menelaus is a foreign-born king. Helen is the one that's a born Spartan.) Another side note, I was very annoyed with Daphne's brothers in this book, as it seemed like a woman being ambitious, even if it was their (obviously) skilled sister, was this truly awful thing and reflected poorly on their honor. * Frustrated screaming *

Andrews is very sympathetic to the character of Helen (rightly so), who seems to be remembered primarily as a pretty prize to be fought over and won by men. I have this bone to pick not only with the story about Helen, but most other classical Greek mythology as well in how girls and women are frequently treated.

So, in Blood of Troy, we see a very unhappy, abusive marriage, with Helen on the receiving end of verbal and physical abuse. Daphne herself gets whipped as punishment at one point when the two sneak away from the palace on an unplanned excursion. 

Spoiler alert: Menelaus is an awful person, not treating Helen with the respect she deserves. I think Helen might've left the marriage if not for the daughter they have together, Hermione. As a result, Helen frequently finds ways to assert herself and enjoy life when she feels that the palace she lives in is her prison.

I loved the friendship that develops between Queen Helen and Daphne, both strong women in their own right. Daphne becomes very protective of Helen, both inside and outside her capacity as Shield.

Anyways, a big meeting between King Menelaus and other Grecian monarchs goes predictably sour, and Daphne finds herself fleeing with Queen Helen and the Trojan envoy after one faction tries to kill them.

So, the city of Troy becomes Helen's and Daphne's new home, just as the war drums start to beat. Ostensibly, it's about punishing troy for "kidnapping" Helen, but there are various dark forces at work here. (See book one for more details.)

As war comes to Troy, Daphne is recast as "Traitor of Sparta" as she fights to protect her queen in the midst of a war that is more than it seems. The gods are always playing games, and there's a price to be paid.

I won't say anymore, because I don't want to ruin the cinematic reading experience that is Blood of Troy, and its predecessor, Daughter of Sparta!

Greek mythology nerds and general readers alike will enjoy this series. Just give it a try!

Happy reading!

--BookOwl