Daughters of Bronze is a sequel to Horses of Fire, both of them a female view of the Iliad. This follows the same characters, including Andromache, wife of Hector and a warrior in her own right, Helen, more than just a pretty face, Rhea, a horsewoman, and Cassandra, the seer. The men have a very different perspective than in the original story too, some better, some worse. I especially enjoyed Hector and Ajax. These are enjoyable books if you like ancient Greek history and are a fresh take. They are a little long.

I think I'm over this type of books for now. I enjoyed the first book but the second one felt more like a hassle to me, which makes me very sad because it's as well written as the first one and I'm sure it will be great for a lot of readers, it's just not my personal cup of tea anymore.

Daughters of Bronze is the second book in A Novel of Troy Duology. The narrative follows the story of four women Andromache, Rhea, Helen and Cassandra during the ending of the Trojan War. Andromache explores the divide between her roles as a warrior, wife the heir of the Trojan throne and a new mother. Rhea a young woman who has lost her family in the way experiences her roles as a trojan spy, her place in her newfound family and her emerging identity as a young woman during a time of intense unrest, war, uncertainty and impending death. Helen reflects on her history as a Achaean queen, role as a mother and journey to her life and servitude in Troy and consistently at war with her multiple roles as healer, mother and now captive. Cassandra demonstrates the challenge of knowing, the complication of holding so much and the challenge with others perception. Each of these incredible, complex and challenging women unpack their own individual identities, role in the Trojan war as well as their relationships with the male dominated society. This was an incredibly written novel encompassing so much emotional nuance, growth and sacrifice within it's pages. As a reader I loved being able to read this age old tale through a fresh lens especially a female one. I think what is captured so perfectly through this book is the multiple behind the scenes roles that women stood to play during this time, the depth of their sacrifice and the complicated power dynamics they had and also did not. I appreciated the unique perspective on a story I have already read through multiple lenses. This is by far my most favorite. Overall loved this book, not only did it tell a tale that I believe needed to be written but reinforced the necessary roles of women through history whether fantasy or reality.
Thank you to A.D. Rhine and Penguin Group Dutton Publishing for allowing me an opportunity to read this ARC.

I've been on a Greek mythology kick recently, and this was a beautiful addition to the reading spree. I don't even know that I have accurate words to describe it, but I'm an absolute sucker for strong female characters who shine in the face of patriarchal bs, and I LOVED that the authors allowed Helen to regain at least a little bit of her own agency, and gave her the chance to be Helen in her own right rather than just Helen as pawn and property. The depiction of Andromache as a true partner to Hector, an Amazon through and through, was also beautiful. Cassandra is, as ever, utterly tragic, but the sisterhood that is built among her, Andromache, Helen, and Rhea, was perfection. I just...I loved this book, so much, and I can't wait to recommend it to folks.

Let me just say this upfront: if Homer had let the women of Troy speak, plot, and absolutely dominate, we’d have gotten something a lot more like Daughters of Bronze. A.D. Rhine said, “What if we took all the Trojan War drama and handed the mic to the women who’ve been sidelined for 3,000 years?” And my gods, it works.

This is the kind of book that makes you want to put on a flowing robe, dramatically stare into the distance, and whisper, “Fate has always been a woman’s work.”

Every chapter feels like it’s carved in stone but burns like wildfire. The stakes are high, the heartbreak is real, and yet somehow, there’s still hope tucked between the bloodstained pages.

I love this series. Like, shout-it-from-the-city-walls love it. These characters are layered, powerful, and endlessly compelling. A.D. Rhine doesn’t just write women—she honors them, gives them space to rage, to heal, to outmaneuver gods and men alike.

Final word? If you like your historical fiction with the soul of a myth and the heart of a revolution, Daughters of Bronze delivers. Long live Cassandra’s truth and Helen’s second chances. Brava.

So atmospheric and beautifully written. This does not fall short at ALL in comparison to Horses of Fire. I love this perspective on a tale as old as time.

Review: Daughters of Bronze by AD Rhine
1st Book: Horses of Fire
I started the second book but felt lost so I read the first one—I’m glad I did. This is an epic saga retold from the women’s point of view—Helen, Andromache, and Rhea the horse girl. Each of these characters tells their story in first person, which can sometimes be confusing but in this case, each voice stood out on its own. The characterizations are so well done I had to stop before Troy actually falls because I knew, from the old stories, what was about to happen, as I’d become very attached to the characters. But for all the violence, the authors handled the endings well and gave this reader hope. There is a spiritual/metaphysical thread running through the story which culminates in the ending, too.
I highly recommend this epic historical fiction, the re-telling of the fall of Troy. 10 stars.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I managed to get the first book in this duology from the library before I read this one which helped with characterization and being prepared for changes from the traditional mythology. I did like that this felt more historically accurate to the era and location rather than being wholly Greco-Roman and that each character had agency. It is a very heavy book with a lot of dialogue and inner thoughts and happenings in a short amount of time. If you are deep into wanting to know more about the Trojan War and how it actually could have happened, this is a great book and series for you. If you are looking for gods fighting and more traditional retellings of this war, this is not for you. 3 stars.

"Daughters of Bronze" is a sweeping and emotionally charged retelling of the fall of Troy, giving long-overdue attention to the women whose lives were forever altered. The author crafts a vivid narrative that highlights the resilience, intelligence, and heartbreak of Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra—each navigating their own personal struggles and challenges. For readers who love mythology retellings with strong character depth and historical richness, this is a must-read.

This was a great second novel in the series. I love greek mythology and really enjoyed following the sisters in this novel as they go to war. A great addition to the greek mythology retellings that have been coming out.

Heartwrenching, heartwarming, and heartbreaking all at once this is a beautiful retelling of the Illiad. Andromache takes center stage as a smart, powerful, and strong warrior determined to keep her people safe. I loved how women-centric this book was, and how the "ordeals" of women hood, healing, pregnancy, birth, and distrust take center stage.
At times I found this book incredibly hard to read, knowing what was coming while rooting for the losing side was painful. But the beautiful time we spent with our characters made up for it.

Daughters of Bronze: A Novel of Troy by A.D. Rhine
A.D. Rhine breathes new life into the legendary women of Troy in Daughters of Bronze, a powerful reimagining of one of history’s most enduring myths. Through vivid prose and rich historical detail, this novel explores the strength, sacrifice, and resilience of the often-overlooked figures behind the fall of a great city. Perfect for fans of Circe and The Silence of the Girls, this is a must-read for lovers of mythological retellings.

Wow! This novel isn’t getting as much attention as it should. What a wonderful story! I loved how the women in this story were so powerful, and how they supported each other! The writing was evocative, and the tale captivating!

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and am leaving my review voluntarily.

When I requested this book, I did NOT realize that it was part of a series. I need to do much better research when requesting. This meant that I really had to read two books instead of one because I needed to read the first before this one because they definitely go together. You cannot read this one on its own and fully comprehend what is going on.

I truly could not finish this book because of that. I didn’t read the first book and maybe it’s unfair of me to give a review since I didn’t read the first and I didn’t finish this book, but I do still want to share my opinions.

Even though I didn’t finish it, I am giving it 3 stars because the parts that I did read were super good. Each character had their own complex story which is sometimes hard to do with multiple narrators. The part where I personally fell short was that I couldn’t quite grasp each character because I hadn’t read the first book.

I would not be opposed to starting at the beginning of the current duology and getting a sense of the characters and the writing since both of the books do have a fairly high rating.

*This comment only pertains to a few, but if a book is part of a series, I think that NetGalley should state that when requesting books. It is nowhere on the request page and it gets me into a lot of hot water.*

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

4.25 stars

This might just be my favorite retelling of the Trojan War I've ever read! I really appreciate how the authors wrote it to be more historically accurate instead of leaning so hard into the mythology. It makes it truly feel like a war that could've happened. The character development and dynamics are absolutely amazing. There are so many emotional beats that hit hard. I can't recommend this more if you are a fan of Homer's Iliad or Greek Mythology!

Wow. Heartbreakingly beautiful. A woven bond of women that fight for those they love in all the ways they know how.

My Quick Takes:
- 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 brief moderate
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 closed-door
- Content Considerations 🤔 violence, death, war, stillborn, past sexual assault

If you love the Iliad, the odyssey, or Greek mythology in general, I urge you to pick up this duology. This is the second book and they must be read in order. The audio is amazing, different narrators for each point of view.

The plot is heart wrenching and beautiful in only the way that tragic mythology can be. Even in the heartache, I appreciated the thread of hope woven through the narrative. I especially loved the authors not to gain insight how the authors approached this storyline, it’s a plausible and successful take on Greek mythology.

Troy has had a chokehold on me since I was in seventh grade and I'm afraid it'll never let go, but I love it.

I love Greek mythology in books, any kind of mythology in anything, really, but there was a period where I had had enough of Troy. I mean, you can only read the same story so many times I guess. However, something about it just always pulls me back, (maybe due in part to references in Taylor Swift's song lyrics) and this book really delivered on bringing new light to the story.

In Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine, we see the beginning of the end of the Trojan War through the perspectives of four women. I did not realize when I started this one that it is the second book in a duology, with Horses of Fire covering the first part of the war. I think that made it a little difficult to get into at the beginning, but it didn't take long for things to fall into place. Being familiar with the story and the battle probably helped though. Rhea is a new character, and I loved her. I actually adored the way all the main characters were written. These women aren't just weaving songs of sadness, pulling their hair and tearing their garments in the throes of insanity and desperation. They take on active roles to ensure the survival of themselves, their loved ones, and the entire city of Troy, even when faced with inevitable doom. Daughters of Bronze reveals sides to the women of Troy that I don't think I've seen before. I even liked the romance (not too swoony or spicy).

I really appreciated the additional information in the author's notes as they explain that they wanted to tell a more historically accurate version of the Battle of Troy (would men really fall for a giant wooden horse? I dunno, maybe MEN would) that presented strong female characters in a way that didn't feel forced. The plot did take a few turns that I could not make sense of, but overall, I found Daughters of Bronze to be a beautifully rendered tale of female friendship and love, woven with the unfairness of war, plenty of action, and a thread of mystery, as well as, a reminder that behind every great man, there is an even greater (and smarter) woman.

Thank you Dutton for the copy to read and review.

A.D. Rhine delivers a breathtaking and deeply moving conclusion to the Horses of Fire duology with Daughters of Bronze, a novel that reclaims the voices of Troy’s forgotten women. This is not just a retelling of The Iliad—it is a reimagining that places Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra at the heart of the legendary city’s fate.

Each woman’s story unfolds with urgency and emotional depth: Andromache fights to protect her son and her people, Rhea grapples with love and betrayal, Helen steps into a new role as a healer, and Cassandra—long dismissed—finally demands to be heard. Their struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices paint a vivid picture of a city on the brink of destruction, making this novel as heartbreaking as it is empowering.

Rhine’s prose is lyrical yet raw, capturing both the grandeur of epic history and the intimate battles fought in its shadows. With a perfect blend of myth, history, and imagination, Daughters of Bronze is a powerful and unforgettable tribute to the women of Troy—those who stood, fought, and loved in the face of inevitable doom. Fans of feminist mythology and historical fiction will find this a worthy and satisfying conclusion.