Member Reviews
The Daughter of Sparta series comes to an end with Storm of Olympus. I loved the overall story and this ending left me with all the feels. I’m very sad to say goodbye to these characters and found this to be a worthy ending to their stories.
Storm of Olympus is definitely the best book in the Daughter of Sparta series by far. I love where Claire M. Andrews took Daphne’s story in this volume. Her take on Greek mythology twists the myths in interesting ways and just has me wanting to read more. This volume continues on right after the last, with Daphne on Circe’s island. I love how she takes events from The Odyssey and makes them her own here.
Daphne has gone on quite the journey since the first book in the series. Her character arc is an intriguing one and I enjoyed watching her come into her powers throughout this story. She is a dynamic character that has to work for what she wants, it doesn’t just come to her. I loved her interactions with the gods, goddesses, and the other characters.
Daphne and Apollo’s relationship is one I highly enjoy. I adore this iteration of Apollo so much and want more with him. Claire takes so many well-known characters from mythology and turns them on their head. I especially love her take on Helen, Circe, Hecate, Apollo, and Hermes. The bond between these characters and the found family elements are some of my favorites.
I recommend this series to Greek Mythology lovers, who love interesting twists in their retellings. The audiobooks are also very good. I read my ARC and listened to the audiobook. Brittany Pressley does a great job with these books.
Wow- I knew when I started reading this it would be good, but this book had me turning each page eagerly and had twists I never saw coming.
The character development since the first book has been an absolute blast to read. Daphne started off as a Spartan who enjoyed hunting, but later on, she ended up fighting for the gods themselves.
I would (and I actually have) recommend this series to a majority of my friends because the mythology was on point, the romance was sweet and tender but at the same time hot and heavy, the characters grew into the fighters they were in the finale, and each character had a backstory.
I have to say- I really haven’t found many books like this one, with the amazing development and character progression that I’ve read here. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to review this incredible story.
My emotions!!! I have loved following Daphne along her journey and was sad to say goodbye in this finale. I was also sad to find I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first two. I think it's a me problem. Also, no thank you to the love triangle vibes this was throwing out.
Storm of Olympus, by Claire Andrews, is the third and final installment in the authors Daughter of Sparta trilogy. This story follows Daphne Diodorus aka Shield of Helen, Savior of the Muses and Storm Incarnate. Since we last read about Daphne, Troy has fallen, the Titans have been released from their prison, Olympus has been taken over by Titans, and most of the Gods and Goddesses have fallen in battle and been sent to Tartarus including Zeus, Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, Persephone, Hades, and Apollo.
During the cliffhanger ending to Blood of Troy, Apollo found a dying Daphne who had just been stabbed by her brother. Thanks to the seed of Ambrosia, Daphne is now immortal with the powers of the Titan who is allegedly her father in her veins. But she is also stuck on Circe's Island along with Odysseus and his men who found her and brought her to the island. Here, Daphne needs to learn how to control her new found powers that are derived from her alleged father Oceanus.
As Daphne struggles to regain her will to fight as well as rein in the new abilities that have been thrust upon her, the gods call for her help once more. But it has been prophesied that she will bring about the ruin of Olympus and the downfall of Sparta, just as she caused the destruction of Troy which has caused her to face judgment by not only her own surviving brother but possible allies. Now, as she begins to witness her terrible destiny coming true, she must become a hero to rival those of myth and save the gods, her people, and the world. Or she will watch it all burn around her.
She also has to find a way to save Hermes who was poisoned while also being aware that the Titans are on the hunt for her, especially Oceanus. Hermes needs Daphne to free the Gods from Tartarus before it is too late. The Titans have not only taken Olympus, but they are leaving a trail of death and destruction behind them wherever they go. With the fear of the Serpent of the Deep rising before Daphne and her allies can stop the Titans, every moment is precious. Every moment brings Daphne closer to winning, or losing everything, including Apollo.
*Thoughts* Storm of Olympus also dips into Norse mythology, with special appearances by Thor, Loki, Odin, Frigg, Freyja, and Hercules. The most curious aspect of the Norse Gods showing up is Frigg's prophecy saying that Daphne will either bring about the end of the world, or a new beginning. She also hints that the Gods of Valhalla will fall in battle. In one God falls, they all fall. The classic character of Daphne is reinterpreted as a compellingly capable Spartan warrior able to hold her own in a fight against Olympian gods, mythological creatures, and some of the best fighters in Ancient Greece. The romantic tension between Daphne and Apollo continues in Storm of Olympus, woven into a fast-paced, action-heavy plot, and is a huge fan favorite, with the added bonus of even more Hermes and Daphne page time. Claire Andrews has crafted a sweeping story of war, heartbreak, romance, magic, and mythology that has left readers longing for this epic conclusion. You won't want to miss this epic conclusion that was anything but expected, or predictable.
Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to read this book. I loved Daughter of Sparta and Blood of Troy and I wanted to see how the story would end for Apollo and Daphne. This book was a little too long for me. I think there were too many events leading up to the climax that made it too long. Maybe if it had been told with different points of view, the length might have been warranted, but it took me several weeks to get through the book. I just wasn't invested in their journey. A few of the battles had me interested and I would devour those pages, but I didn't have a desire to devour the book in one sitting.
I also wasn't a fan of the relationship between Daphne and Hermes. I was happy with their friendship, but it almost seemed to border on romantic throughout the book (even though nothing romantic ever happened). Sometimes Daphne would comment on Hermes looks or make a comment about their relationship that felt beyond friendship. I wish the romance aspect of the story would have stayed focused on Daphne and Apollo, especially since I didn't feel like their was enough of it given the length of the book. I wished they'd had more conversations throughout the book. For how invested I was in their relationship in books 1 and 2, I wasn't as invested in this book. I didn't feel like their was growth in their relationship or a greater mutual understanding and appreciation for each other after everything they'd been through.
I enjoyed the addition of new myths and Greek characters. I did enjoy Daphne's relationships with Helen, Hippolyta, and Pyrrhus. We saw Daphne grow in those relationships and come to trust her friends and family. I think if the book was a little shorter, I might have enjoyed it more. I did enjoy how the story ended. If you read this review, I still think you should read the book because it's worth finding out how the story ends and what happens to the Gods and Daphne.
Storm of Olympus by Claire M. Andrews is the final book in the Daughter of Sparta series, and it does not disappoint. Filled with famous myths made real, battles, loss, twists and tricks, and rage, Storm of Olympus is epic in scope. I loved every minute of it and am a little sad that my time with Daphne is now over.
From the opening chapter of the first book in the series, I fell in love with Daphne of ancient Sparta. Each book shows Daphne a little more vulnerable, a little more sure of herself, and much angrier at the gods and goddesses who messed around with her fate. This all comes to a head in Storm of Olympus as Daphne struggles to end her personal war against the gods and prevent one against the Titans. It is a feat worthy of a goddess, and Daphne must find the strength and determination to accept her place among the lofty.
In the previous books, we've seen Daphne face loss and love. She develops into a fierce, extremely loyal warrior who only wants to protect her family, friends, and country. In Storm of Olympus, she faces love and loss once again, but now the stakes are higher, and the path to success is more in doubt. Daphne has to dig deep, and Ms. Andrews ensures the readers are there for her every struggle and flash of doubt. For as grandiose as most of the battle scenes are in this series finale, our point of view from Daphne's mind makes it a very intimate story also. I love that insight and subsequent intimacy.
Ms. Andrews holds nothing back in her series finale. Storm of Olympus has every major Greek god and goddess, every well-known Titan, and many more minor gods, goddesses, and Titans. Plus, she crosses mythologies as Daphne seeks help from wherever she can. Moreso than in the previous two novels, Daphne's search results in more female than male help, which emphasizes the theme of girl power. There is one scene towards the end of the book that embodies this theme so perfectly that I will never forget it. I might not know all of the women in the scene, but I know what they represent, and the idea that they all hang out together to watch over humankind fills me with glee.
From the beginning, we know that Daphne will achieve greatness in whatever she does. Storm of Olympus is the culmination of those early glimpses of her strength, determination, and stubbornness. The appearance of what seems like the entire pantheon of Greek gods, goddesses, and Titans is simply frosting on the cake. I loved Ms. Andrews' reimaging of those gods and goddesses, their interactions with humans, and humans' reactions to their actions. Any time the lowly find ways to overpower the highest levels is cause for celebration, and seeing Daphne get the best of the gods is food for the soul. Daphne is the epitome of girl power. In a world full of Heras, be a Daphne.
It's hard to review the third book in a trilogy without spoiling the entire series, but my advice is this: Treat this series like a standalone and stop after book one.
When your main character dies twice, the stakes shrink. It felt like there was always something bigger and badder for Daphne to fight, but it didn't really matter because I knew she and Apollo would be fine in the end. After all, she'd died twice already; no way she could die a third time, right?
I think the author was losing her own plot. The motivations of the Greek Gods were illogical and the Titans were bad just to be bad. It was all very surface-level, which was disappointing after such a fun first novel.
DNF. I loved the first two books and man, the plot here is just not my favorite. I don't love the Apollo romantic development. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.
A great ending to a great series. Maybe not a perfect ending, but it still ticked most of my boxes. If you're hoping to see Daphne still ready and willing to fight anyone at a moment's notice, you will not be disappointed. Her character has seen a lot of development since the first book, but her feistiness has only increased and I am here for it.
My biggest gripe is the lack of Daphne/Apollo scenes. There's a LOT of them looking at each other and thinking about each other (and I do love some good pining), but after two books of tension, I was hoping for a bit more of them together.
Ok, my second biggest gripe is the almost love triangle-y vibes with Hermes. I was ok with it in the second book because it felt like maybe Daphne was just going through some stuff, but I wish it hadn't been as prevalent in this one. Like, girl. Apollo is RIGHT THERE. what u doin.
Anyway, I just really love this series, and I think I will continually re-read it and also recommend it to anyone who enjoys Greek mythology.
Everything I have ever read by Claire Andrews is always a treat and of the highest quality, and this book was no different. What sets her apart is her breathtaking prose, her excellent characterization, and the quality of her historical accuracy. Combine that with romance, Greek gods, and ancient Troy and a kick-ass heroine, and you are swept away yet glued to your seat! Absolutely wonderful! I recommend all her books, but I believe this one is my favorite and her best yet! TEN STARS!
I received an ARC of this book for free. I am writing this review of my own volition and not at the request of the publisher or the author.
I first fell in love with Daphne's story back in 2020, when I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of Daughter of Sparta. What I loved about that book (and it's sequel, Blood of Troy) was how it took the traditional Greek myths I knew and loved growing up and made them unpredictable, fresh and with a focus on feminine power and agency which was sorely lacking in the old tales. I am beyond delighted to share that Storm of Olympus is another tremendous triumph. Full of engaging, strong female characters, this is a fitting, triumphant final chapter in Daphne's story, once she has been denied yet sorely deserved for a very, very long time.
Summary, no spoilers
Fresh from the fall of Troy, Daphne. finds herself cast up on a remote isle governed by a reclusive witch, fresh from the fall of Troy, Daphne struggles to understand and harness her powers and must race against the building threat of the titans and the gods alike to save those she loves....if they let her.
There is barely time to breath as Andrew's whisks the reader away from the first pages, thick with Daphne's frustration over her as yet untamed powers and transports us across Greece and maybe even, beyond (so hard not to give spoilers!). I could not put down this fast paced story, full of heart-stopping battles, tender moments and even a few gasp-worthy betrayals (!!!!). There are so many familiar names in this story, and I particularly love how Andrews uses their traditional names and tells their stories with her own voice. She surprised me on so many occasions and I love how she keeps me guessing and surprised the whole story through (I'm a notorious plot guesser).
This book is teeming with fantastic female energy, from the powerhouse that is Helen of Troy (yes, THAT Helen! She's now a badass!) to Hippolyta of the Amazons, Kassandra, Phaedra and Circe, to the Goddesses from lore we know well who, despite all their power, after eons of existence, have maybe forgotten what true fire and passion are. Of course we also have Daphne, but she is not infallible; she must go on her own journey as well, learning some very painful lessons along the way, accepting she cannot save everyone and while to have agency over one's own actions is important, letting others choose their own path is equally as necessary.
I'm absolutely thrilled with this story and was very relieved with the satisfying ending. I won't say I didn't cry at some point during the book, but I'll leave future readers questioning whether they were tears of grief or of joy or both.
The final book in the Daughter of Sparta trilogy is a beautiful story and a fitting tribute to one of the most maligned tragic heroines in all of Greek mythology. Andrews' writing has only gotten better over the three books and I am so excited to see what she comes up with next!