One I realize this was inspired by Greek mythology and wasn't an actual retelling I was able to enjoy this book more. I was so confused for as bit lol. But overall this a really interesting and exciting story, definitely a winner for anyone who loves mythology!

I received a free copy of the book through Net Galley to read and review.
Sorry, but I tried three times to get into this novel, but I could not get interested. The opening chapter was good but brief. A young woman carrying a baby was trying to escape a burning city. They were rescued by an elderly stranger. Then the narrative abruptly switched to another place and scene where new characters were talking about a severe drought, political marriages , and possible war between kingdoms never before mentioned. The author sprinkled Greek- like spellings here and there for seasoning, but it did not help what was to me, a confusing and scattered narrative.
I tried to have patience, but the book just did not click for me.
I give one person’s opinion. “ Epic of Helinthia” might click with you.

Thank you NetGalley for approving me for this book. I am so glad I was able to read this book as I really enjoyed this and will read more by this author.

I am the author of this book, I requested it as a test to see how the process of requesting/downloading worked and how it would look on my end. It was very informative :).

After two months I made it through and finished it. I didn't like any of the characters, didn't hate them tho, just didn't care about them.

Greek mythology INSPIRED, not greek mythology retelling. Important distinction, cause I was going crazy on my lack of greek gods knowledge when I couldn't recognise Helinthia. Not sure I like the idea of a goddess for a single island, that in itself makes a distinction between the greeks gods and they were supposed to be the same on every region.

That "plot twist" I saw it coming 70 pages in.

This book suffers a lot from telling things that should be described instead of just adding dialogues every five minutes.

Greek mythology retellings seem to be the it thing these days. However, what first drew me to the Epic of Helinthia was a retelling of Greek mythology, but rather a unique take on it - an epic fantasy inspired by Greek mythology and given a life and a twist of its own. The synopsis seemed intriguing, so it was with some eagerness that I started reading this novel.

Alas, the more I read, the more my enthusiasm for the story of this novel seemed to vane. The story idea was intriguing, however, its realisation felt flat. All the characters felt one-dimensional and at times it was like each character had one or two character traits (e.g. Dragos pious and honourable, Keltric an asshole, Goniven a teenage girl in love... etc.) and never developed beyond that. The promise of an epic fantasy plot from the summary was never fully realised. There certainly was potential and dramatic scenes, however, since I failed to find any of the characters interesting or engaging enough those scenes (when I eventually arrived at them) had little emotional or any other impact. They felt flat and in the end, I read the book more out of obligation than enjoyment.

Shame because the idea was interesting and the prose was fine, allowing for a smooth reading experience. However, the execution of the idea needs work and better character development. 2.5 starts

❥ 2 star ☆

The book chapters alternates between Dargon, Forluna, Gadnor, Gonivein, and Kelric. The story takes place at the fictional Greek island Helinthia.

I was drawn to this book because of the Greek mythology and fantasy, I wanted to like the book but I really struggled getting into it and it just didn’t work for me.

Epic of Helinthia is a historical fantasy about an invented island in ancient Greece. I love fantasy and historical fiction books set in Ancient Greece and was excited to read this book!

This book just wasn't for me. I didn't connect with the characters or style of writing and DNFed at 25%. I think that I was just expecting it to be more historical fiction than fantasy, and I kept trying to interpret what was going on with what I know of Ancient Greece and mythology. I felt like I couldn't turn off that part of my brain and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was true historical/mythological references or fantasy. That mix just does not work for me, particularly since I'm already familiar with the setting.

If you don't mind those things, I'd definitely give this book a try! It just wasn't for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the advanced reader's copy of this book, my thoughts are my own!

I received a copy of Epic of Helinthia by M. J. Pankey from NetGalley. The book ties in elements of mythology and fantasy in the setting of Ancient Greece. The thing that fascinated me about the Epic of Helinthia was the combination of fantasy, and mythology in an alternate sort of Ancient Greece. It's something that is fresh for me as a reader.
The story begins with Dargos setting out to seek allies to join a rebellion against the King. Dargon believes that the island of Helinthia is going towards ruin because the Gods are unhappy with a madman on the throne. He feels that removing the current King will improve the situation for Helinthia and its people. But their journey is not as smooth as they hoped. The King’s spies have been watching them and not everyone on Olympus wants to see the island recover.
The setting of Ancient Greece adds to the mythology of the story. There are only a few blessed, who can see the Gods and Furies amongst them. The main protagonists of the story are two pairs of siblings – Dargon and his younger sister Gonivein and Kelric and his younger brother Gadnor. Gonivein is betrothed to Kelric. Dargon and Gonivein have their differences, but they stick together. Gadnor and Kelric, on the other hand have a difficult relationship. Gadnor is often belittled and mocked by his older brother. These four are the narrators of the story, and as they are on a quest to save the island, their distinctive personalities clash, making the atmosphere tense.
Epic of Helinthia by M. J. Pankey is the first book of the trilogy. It took me a while to understand the world and characters created, but once you get a hang of it, the tempo of the narrative increases too. The novel is an adventure fantasy, but the mythology mixed with fantasy is my favourite part of the novel. It is described and laid out beautifully, which makes it easy to imagine this world while reading. I enjoyed reading the Epic of Helinthia and can’t wait for the next books.

While I was unable to finish this book due to a medical emergency causing me to run out of time, I found the story really engaging!

I was expecting more of a mythology retelling than a high fantasy book, but the Greek mythology influences on this book kept my attention. The characters were interesting and were far from perfect, and the plot was certainly engaging.

"The people must follow him, out of love, not fear."

The island of Helinthia is parched – a drought has ravaged the land and people are dying of hunger and thirst. Dargon believes the cruel king who usurped the throne years before is to blame, having enraged the gods, thereby causing the island's patron goddess to abandon them. Dargon has a plan: find the true heir to the throne, and convince his allies to help him overthrow the king.

But, almost as soon as Dargon sets off on his quest, his plans go awry. He and his party are attacked. His sister, Gonivein, who was left in charge of his city, is betrayed and has to flee. She's been having visions of impending doom. Could she be the new oracle of the god, Apollo? And how would that help her nation?

This book is likened to the plethora of mythological fantasies that are currently on offer, like 'Ariadne' and 'Circe'. Perhaps that should have made me think twice. I didn't enjoy 'Ariadne' very much (I had very little respect for the main character) and I haven't read 'Circe' yet (though it is on my TBR). I loved 'Song of Achilles' though so I was looking for something equally moving and interesting.

I have multiple issues with this book. The characters are almost all really unlikeable (Gonivein in particular is insipid) and the ones who aren't, feel shallow, even when we get their point of view. Perhaps the multiple POVs are problematic because they force the author to make the action 'happen' continuously without expanding on her characters' motivations. For example, it feels like they change their minds too quickly when confronted with conflict. One moment, Godnar – Dargon's impending brother-in-law – is shy and reserved, the next he's confident enough to take charge.

The 'mystery' element i.e. who is the heir to the throne is so predictable I saw it coming from a third of the way into the book, meaning there is no jaw-dropping reveal makes the reader want to continue with this trilogy. I also feel like there isn't enough exploration of how the Greek gods and goddesses tie into this story. Maybe the author could have cut down on the POVs and, instead of spending time jumping between so many characters, given us some insight into the otherworldly beings.

One issue in particular that made me lower my rating was the author's repeated use of the word 'defilement' to describe rape. We know that women who are raped often describe feeling dirty and guilty about what happened to them. Using a term like 'defilement' makes it seem like a rape victim has been spoiled, or made dirty, which is offensive and derogatory. Even if this is the way rape would have been viewed in ancient times, I don't think it's acceptable to describe sexual violence in this way. I don't understand why no beta readers picked up on this.

The story has a lot of potential and I feel like a good editor could have resolved many of the things I found problematic.

This story ARC was sent to me by Net Galley & Victory Editing 🎉
I finally got around to treading this book in kindle format- I have to say it was some lovely light relief after a run of dark fantasy and the current horror/ thriller phase that I’m having, reading wise.

I enjoyed the fantasy world MJ Pankey has created in this book as it is heavily inspired by Greek mythology and I am quite the sucker for a little bit of Ancient Greece thrown into my stories.
If you also enjoy the lies of Madeline Miller & Natalie Haynes will most likely also enjoy this one.

It was a page turner for sure as I couldn’t wait each evening to settle down and find out what was happening - it was the pace of the story and the cliffhanger like chapter endings that kept me hooked and as someone with ADHD I can tell you that’s quite something these days with lots of things vying for my attention all day.

This book has mythical beings, magical powers , Greeks gods and some killing and pillaging thrown in there too. I actually thought I had this story worked out early on but stayed for the action and adventure but the slight twist in the story at the end was wonderful.

My only issue would be that there were quite a lot of characters to keep up with and if multiple POVs are not your thing then you might not enjoy this one as much as me but that trivial issue aside, I will definitely recommend this book and will avidly be waiting for the next instalment from MJ Pankey.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5

#epicofhelinthia #netgalley #thedeadrosesbookclub

In "Epic of Helinthia," MJ Pankey invites readers into a vivid world of myth and majesty, where the fate of an island teeters on the precipice of chaos and redemption. Drawing parallels to Homer's Iliad, this epic fantasy transports readers to a realm rife with gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines, each laden with their own complexities and flaws.

The tale begins with Dargon, a discerning protagonist, who perceives a pattern in the events unfolding around him. Convinced that fate is at play, he persuades Kelric and Gadnor to embark on a perilous rebellion against the king. Their mission, rooted in the desire to appease the gods and restore prosperity to their ravaged lands, sets the stage for a high-stakes adventure.

As they journey to rally support for their cause, leaving Dargon's sister Gonivein safely behind the walls of Shallinath, they unknowingly invite the wrath of the king's spies. Turmoil follows their every step, revealing a terrifying truth—the gods of Olympus hold conflicting interests in the island's fate. The intricate balance between divinity and the mortal realm becomes a battleground, shrouded in secrets and unexpected revelations.

Pankey skillfully weaves a narrative that enthralls readers, reminiscent of Madeline Miller's "Circe" and Jennifer Saint's "Ariadne." The suspenseful plot keeps readers on the edge of their seats, as they grapple with the price of peace and the sacrifices demanded by destiny. The story masterfully explores the duality of desires and consequences, both human and divine, painting a captivating portrait of struggle and perseverance.

In a world where nothing is as it seems, one character emerges with a dark secret that could hold the key to salvation. However, this potential peace comes at an unimaginable cost, forcing readers to question the morality of choices made in the face of impending doom.

Overall, "Epic of Helinthia" is a captivating read, immersing the audience in a world where gods and men collide, navigating a tumultuous journey towards redemption and resolution. MJ Pankey's adept storytelling and homage to classical epics make this novel a page-turner that will resonate with fantasy enthusiasts and lovers of timeless tales alike.

3.75/5 stars! I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I'm always on the fence about Greek mythology stories because they often struggle to be original. This book handled that really well. I did still think that the pacing was a bit off. Overall, I enjoyed it.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book follows the people who live in the aftermath of the gods that abandoned them. Then a madman took the throne. The characters of the book set out on a journey in Helinthia to over throw this madmen and it doesn't go well for them.

The book opening was everything for me. It opens up with everything on fire.

I would call this book a reimagining and not a retelling because it's a fictional place based on the Greek universe.

There are multiple points of view with a diverse set of characters. It was interesting to see the challenges these individuals go through and sometimes I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

The author did a fantastic job and I can't wait to see what's in store next.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF - I really wanted to get into this because I am generally a fan of greek mythology retelling. I couldn't get into it unfortunately. I might give reading this another go at another time, but at this point it's just not moving for me.

Though this book is marketed as mythology, this is a completely original story. And while a couple of well-known gods and goddesses show up, they are present only for a small amount of the book. This mainly focuses on the human characters and their story.

This started off pretty slow, but picked up the pace as the story moved along. I think the strongest point of this was the characterization. There was a lot put into each of the main characters. I enjoyed seeing Gadnor and Gonivein grow as characters, though I wanted to punch Gonivein for some of the dumb decisions she made. I really couldn’t stand Kelric until the end. I’m hoping with everything that happened that he’ll have grown as a person by the next book. Dargon was okay; I could see why he made the decisions he did and that he was doing what he thought best for his people. He just didn’t stand out to me. The story also didn’t go where I thought it would. While I figured out a couple of things, there were plenty of surprises, which I enjoyed. It’s nice having a book surprise you. The one downside for me was the world building. I would have liked a little more description on some of the towns and buildings - really the island in general - to help me picture it better. Other than that the writing was really quite amazing. I think this will be an excellent series and I’m looking forward to the next one.

Thank you Netgalley and Muse and Quill Press for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

"Epic of Helinthia" by Mj Pankey follows the people of Helinthia after the gods abandoned them when a madman took the throne.

I would give "Epic of Helinthia" by Mj Pankey a 3- star review because, the concept was interesting, I really liked the characters and plot and how real it felt for a retelling but for me I just didn't love this one.

A story of betrayal and heartache. A unique and fresh tail based on Greek mythology. With lots of suspense created and a wonderful mix of characters. Told from multiple perspectives with a cast of unlikely hero’s, this booked has me gripped from beginning to end!

I want to thank Netgalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book pretty soon after finishing another historical fiction/ fantasy novel and it kept the good vibes going honestly. The only thing that made me sad was that this book archived before I got to finish it!

What MJ Pankey did really well was craft a new world of fantasy and history that was so captivating I couldn’t put it down. The characters in the story have such rich stories and it set the mood for the rest of the events that happen.

This will be part of my next bookstore haul!