Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine is a beautifully written retelling of a well known era. Everyone I know at least has a basic understanding of the Trojan War and this books casts the light on the conflict of the women surrounding the war. I have recently found an immense love for historical fiction/retellings and this is one of the best books so far. Upon getting this ARC I didn't realize it was part of a dulogy but I didn't have any issues reading and understanding what was going on.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for providing me the ARC ebook.

I adored this breath of fresh air into the world of classical retellings. A.D. Rhine together have painted a beautiful picture of the women in Troy at the very end of the war desperate for survival of their city and keenly aware of their fate if/when the city falls. Andromache is so much more than the wife of Hector and yet her love for him is part of what drives her, she is brilliant and trapped by the conventions of Trojan rules. Her upbringing in a different kingdom allowed for her to be more and with Hector she is able to use her knowledge to help. Helen, freed from the trappings of her Trojan husband uses her skills as a healer to aide the women in Troy and seeks a way to show her daughter back in Sparta her love. Cassandra, whispers secrets and prophecies but no one will believe her not when the priests say differently or when they lock her away. Rhea, spies on the Greeks for Hector and Andromache who saved her but she finds a peace in their camp and a love that makes her question her duty.

Together these women are all fighting in this war in a way so different than the men on the plains but equally as useful to their survival. I enjoyed the voice that this novel gave them all., in particular Helen's story as it is one of my biggest pet peeves to see her slut shamed in so many tales when she had not choice. I am excited to see where they go next in their writing.

This book is a beautiful retelling of the Trojan War, delicately re-woven through the lens of womanhood, motherhood, and sisterhood. The continuation of book one (Horses of Fire) Daughters of Bronze continues with characters we loved from book one and gives us a lot of character development and growth along with some additional POVs.

For me, the addition of having Cassandra’s perspective was great, and even more heartbreaking when you saw how tortured she was by her visions and how tragic it was to not be believed by those she loved. But really the main character that I think had such an incredible journey was the fiercely independent and stubborn Andromache going from Amazon soldier to mother. Every journey to motherhood is different, but Rhine somehow captured the life-changing, brain altering moment that a person becomes a mother. Her story, and showing her priorities intensify and shift was just really relatable.

I think fans of Song of Achilles and Circe will really love this fresh and unique take on the epic. Rhine’s writing and take on these characters is so compelling, and fun to read that as someone who loved the Iliad and knows the story, I still felt myself hoping for a happier ending for some of our heroines.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC.

Thank you so much netgalley for the arc! I loved horses Of Fire. It was an excellent debut. I was so excited to receive this arc and continue the story. The writing and World building were excellent the characters are unique. It's a time in history that not a lot of historical fiction books cover, so that was intriguing. I am a newfound fan of A. D. RHINE and can't wait to see what they write next! 🤗

I've read The Iliad. I've read A Song of Achilles. I know what happens at the end of the Trojan War but I still wanted to bawl constantly during this book. Probably because I got to know these women so well and love
them.

Though this was a seamless continuation of Horses of Fire, there was still some great character transformation/evolution.

There's much more of Cassandra and the strength she pulls from all aspects of herself.

Helen becomes more of the leader and caregiver that she's meant to be.

Andromache makes the transition from warrior to mother and that never seems to make her any less of either role. So much better than the hothead she was in the first book.

Rhea is no longer a mouse and I was rooting for her the whole time. Loved loved loved her relationship with Ajax.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Group for the advanced copy of this book.

Daughters of Bronze is the second book in their duology of the Trojan War. You do not have to read Horse of Fire first, but it will give you even more depth to their characters if you do. The author’s military brat upbringing comes out in their understanding of military values and relationships among those who are serving. In line with their goal they have retold the story along lines that can be understood as historically plausible. Being able to appreciate a book for its story, a movie for how it is told in that way allows for an even greater appreciation for their craft.
As a Veteran I appreciated how they explored friendship, duty, hardship, glory and injury, both physical and moral. We get this story from a female viewpoint, alternating between Rhea, Andromache, Cassandra and Helen in 43 Chapters covering 4 Books. It is written as an Epic, and there is a depth and twists to what a reader of the Iliad expects the story to be as it unfolds that add color and truth that can be understood by the modern reader that they may not connect with in a traditional telling / reading of the story. This is much more than just the” Wrath of Achilles” and the God’s taking interest in what is happening with the Greeks and the Trojans.
While the story is given to us from the eyes and words of the daughters, the men, Menelaus, Agamemnon, Achilles, Patroclus, Ajax grow into descriptions that show us what was motivating them to be there on the plain before the walls of Troy. In this story Paris plays a new role, but has an age old motivation. We see the politics behind the leadership and defense of Troy and come to know Priam, Hector, Aeneas and a host of other characters. Traveling between the two cams Rhea works as a spy among the women who are captured and serving the Greeks and her trial becomes a twisted course through trust and love. I look forward to what these authors will tackle to retool, place in a “it could have been like this” pattern next.

Wow!! I loved everything about this! These women were so strong and fierce!! I love a good retelling of Troy and I loved that this story focused more on the women. I just can't say enough good things about this book! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy when it's released!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Peguin Group for my digital ARC!!!!

What an achingly beautiful continuation of Horses of Fire. I loved the growth the characters go through and the continued focus on the Trojan women during the infamous Trojan war. 🗡️

I’d first like to say that the addition of Cassandra’s POV was not only a wonderful addition to the original three, but also provided a deeper look into her mind. I found her the most fascinating of the bunch because she holds so many personas inside herself. Her backstory is tragic and really shines a light on why women find it so hard to speak out about their violation and how their abuser goes untouched. 😔

Helen continues to astound me with her compassion and determination to stay strong and positive. I’ve been fully converted over to being a Helen fan, and I loved the ending she got in this tale. 🪴

Andromache got such an incredible glow up to motherhood and a more compassionate woman that I just found myself really falling for her character. She’s still proud and strong, but now she understands the world and even women better than before, but I loved that she never lost herself to motherhood like some people expect women to do. Her relationship with Hector just shined in this book, and you could feel the cold grip of grief when the expected fight between Hector and Achilles happens. 🏹

And Rhea. I honestly loved how she came to see the Achaeans in a different light thanks to her growing love for Ajax. My heart will never be the same now that I know a potential loving, teddy bear like personality could exist for such a formidable warrior. And their ending? . . . I’m ruined. 🥲

Despite some moments where I thought the ending felt a little sped up, I have found the book beautifully done and providing an incredible perspective from the “enemy” side of the Trojan War. 💔

Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review, and a special thank you to the authors, A. D. Rhine, for making me fall in love with these formidable women. 🥹

Publication date: November 26!!

Overall book: 4.75/5 ⭐️
Overall series: 4.6/5 ⭐️ (or whatever the mean is)

∞
INFINITY STARS

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC and A.D. Rhine for this masterpiece.

Daughters of Bronze finishes the duology started in Horses of Fire. A beautiful retelling of the Trojan War through the eyes of the women in the center of it all - Andromache - wife of Prince Hector, Helen of Sparta - wife of a Greek king who is said to have started the war by fleeing to Troy with Prince Paris, Rhea - a refugee turned Trojan spy, and Cassandra - princess of Troy.

A.D. Rhine puts a new spin on a classic story and tugs on all your heartstrings with-developed and complex characters. Action, drama, joy, heartbreak, suspense, love - this book has it all.

It is a story that I couldn’t stop reading, and despite the satisfying ending, I was so sad that it was over. I want this duology made into a movie so I can watch it over and over. I LOVED this book.

If you love Greek historical/mythological retelling, don’t miss this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

“Because he is suffering. And suffering makes men cruel.”
“So what does it make us?”
“Women.”

WOW. An epic if there ever was one. Probably one of the best retellings of the Trojan war told by the perspective of 4 women who were key to the outcome. This was written so well and had me feeling all sorts of emotions. I wish i had known this was the second book in the duology so that i could’ve read the first one and gotten more background on these women and this story. The book is very long and dragged at times, but my god was it beautiful.

Daughters of the Bronze: A Fresh Lens on an Ancient Epic

A.D. Rhine's "Daughters of the Bronze," transports us back to ancient Troy, but with a twist: the saga is seen through the eyes of its formidable women. This novel stands as a bold reimagining of the Trojan War, exploring the impactful yet often uncelebrated roles women played in shaping its course.

The authors masterfully recreate the ancient world of Troy with vivid descriptions of the dusty plains, the bustling camps, and the tense atmosphere of a city on the brink. The political divisions within the enemy ranks, the detailed accounts of the Trojan and Achaean strategies, and the personal dramas unfolding within the city walls all contribute to a richly textured backdrop.

As we navigate through the intricate espionage and political machinations from the perspectives of Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra, the authors bring us into the intimate corners of a city under siege, both physically and emotionally.

The central theme of "Daughters of the Bronze" is the significant impact of individual actions, especially those taken from the shadows. This theme is brilliantly embodied in Rhea's role as a spy. Despite her subtle presence, her actions and those of her network of female spies are pivotal. Through their covert operations, they manage to keep the Trojans one step ahead, demonstrating that the quietest voices can sometimes echo the loudest in history.

Cassandra’s visions add a mystical element to the narrative, blending prophecy with the harsh realities of war. Her struggle to be heard and believed adds a poignant layer to her character, reflecting the broader theme of underappreciated influences.

"Daughters of the Bronze" is not just a novel; it's an experience. It invites the reader to look beyond the grand narratives of history to the quiet, often unseen forces that shape events. The novel’s focus on the women of Troy— their struggles, their strategies, and their undeniable impact— offers a fresh and captivating perspective on a well-trodden story. This reimagined epic not only entertains but also enriches our understanding of what might have been, illuminating the unseen warriors of a legendary conflict.

I enjoyed the second book in this duology about the women of Troy. Andromache, fighter of men, becomes a mother in this book and her priorities now include protecting her son as well as her city. Cassandra, disregarded prophetess, leaves her tower, asserts herself over some of the personalities that she has developed to protect herself, and becomes more of an influence over the other women. Helen uses her gentle and compassionate strength to support her friends and leave Paris's shadow. Finally, Rhea (the only character not in the Iliad as far as I know), continues her dangerous spy work in the Greek camps and further develops her relationship with Ajax.

All of these women are very different characters- this was done extremely well. I think that each woman had sort of a tragic blind spot that led them into a bad decision or two. The book felt comfortable to come back to after reading the first book in the series. I found myself dreading the end of this book because I knew how it turned out for most of these women- none of them had a happy ending.

There were some difficulties too. Emotion was at such a fever pitch through the whole book that it sometimes felt exhausting. Every decision and action was so important and affected so many. Every dramatic emotion was earned but it was sort of like shouting all the time. On the other hand, being in a city more or less besieged would indeed feel that way.

There was a plot about getting Scamandrius out of the city and then back in that felt like a lot of wheel-spinning to me. It led to some character development but I felt like a lot of time was wasted on a decision that was immediately rescinded. The end of the war wasn't dwelled upon, which was rather merciful to the reader, but shorted the end of these womens' striving and stories.

I did very much admire this book. The authors have written the best ancient Greek story retelling that I've read since The Song of Achilles. There are a lot of myth retellings out there but I've found most of them wanting. I'd love to see if these authors collaborate together again.

This is, hands down, one of the best Trojan War retellings out there (and I consider myself an expert source, because I'm almost positive I've read all of them and always do thorough research before/during/after my reading). I know that some people are concerned that the market has been oversaturated with mythological retellings, but if you're giving up on the genre, read this duology first.

To bring this all together, this is my review for Horses of Fire:
"I have been dying for an Andromache book and this one delivered!! It took me a second to really become invested, but once the story picked up, I couldn't put it down. I almost wish that I didn't know what's bound to happen in the second book, though, because I'm already depressed about it 🙃"

And boy, this delivered. The second installment held back no punches, and perfectly encapsulated how women can fight wars using skills men can't utilize. There was never a POV that wasn't relevant or captivating (which is always a risk with multi-POV books), but Andromache's and Rhea's were especially incredible. I loved their stories, and even though I knew of Hector's and Ajax's fates, I found myself still dying to read what happened next. I thought their stories were beautiful, and even though they were filled with grief that I could feel tangibly, the hope and strength they were able to find was incredibly impactful.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC. I'm so, so happy to have read this duology.

I am still in a state of emotion turmoil after finishing this book earlier today. I sobbed a billion times while reading, bawled my eyes out when I finished the book, and am currently a little misty eyed thinking about the book right now trying to write this.

The historical accuracy is on point, the characters feel so honest and true to life. I felt every single thing that happened to these women as they were going through it. The writing is exceptional and some of those lines about the ferocity of love mixed with anguish.....*chef's kiss* I am totally willing to be destroyed by this book again, but not any time soon.

This was a masterpiece. A beautiful story of womanhood, sisterhood and friendship. This was a beautifully woven retelling and reminded me of Madeline Miller, Natalie Hayes and Jennifer Saint

I finished this book a few days ago and had to sit with my feelings for a bit before I could put them into words. This series is so special and different from many other Trojan War retellings I’ve read over the years. It adds humanity to this story and these characters in a way I haven’t felt since I read Song of Achilles.

In this book, Helen becomes more than the woman who takes the blame for the war and takes her destiny into her own hands. Andromache grows into a warrior and mother who balances softness and strength in heartbreaking and inspiring ways. Had Troy not fallen, she would have been a queen for the ages. Cassandra is finally (finally!) believed, even when the outcome is devastating. And Rhea, who I think is a character wholly unique to this series, plays such a pivotal role that nothing in this book would have happened without her. Her character broke me a bit, especially with her relationship with Ajax and the women slaves who helped her. I also loved the context the authors gave to Hector’s fight with Achilles at the end. I can’t say much without spoiling the ending, but what they did adds so much depth to his character and takes a somewhat confusing moment in the myth and turns it into a moment of love and sacrifice.

The thing about mythology retellings is that these stories are thousands of years old. You know how the story ends before you even start the book. But the authors wrote an ending that remains true to The Iliad while still surprising me. It’s such a beautifully heartbreaking ending, and I appreciated the author’s note where they give context to the changes they made. I loved every second of this book! These women have my heart, and I will revisit this series in the future.

Another historical/mythological retelling, with the focus once again on the women of the conflict. This is a well-written and intriguing book, with much of the historical accuracy unknown as so few historical sources survive, and those that do are often blended with myth.

I love mythology retellings and stories, and this book did not disappoint. I love this book so much. I love when mythology stories and retellings give voices to women who have been silenced in a lot of mythological stories

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I was very excited to read this as I have been on quite the mythology/history retelling kick and specifically one related to these stories- about Helen, Cassandra, etc, having read books like Jennifer Saint’s Elektra and Claire North’s Ithaca recently. None of those works managed to make me care much for Helen, so I was pretty astounded when this author did! It was definitely a fresh take on an old tale and I appreciated that.

A.D. Rhine is the queen of ancient mythological fiction - and this one is her best yet! Here we finally - (in my opinion) - have a likeable Helen, who finds her inner strength. We have Andromache and Cassandra, two women whom fate dealt a cruel blow, and whose stories are finally told the way they were meant to be. And we have Rhea, an interesting character in her own right. All these women are given a voice in what was once a man's story. I loved every second of it and am so grateful I was granted an ARC. Anyone who loves historical fiction, women's fiction, mythology, or just plain good storytelling will find something to love in this book. I highly recommend it, but be forewarned - once you read it you will want to read everything else Ms. Rhine has ever written. Ten stars for this one!!!