This review is coming from someone who did not know this was a second book in the series. It was slightly hard to follow at the beginning but I was quickly ripped into the story and the characters. I really enjoyed the character development and how this read like historical fiction. The drama and the fighting and love connections were amazing. It was hard to put down once fully immersed in it.

I do plan on read in the first book now to see what the backstory is on everyone but I really enjoyed this second book’.

I've mentioned before that I'm a sucker for a good Greek retelling since that's one of my focuses in school. The Trojan war I think is really interesting because there's a lot of back and forth about if it actually happened or not. I liked reading about the different takes of the character involved

Marvelous. Simply Marvelous. This novel is power, passion, anguish, tears, and a beautiful retelling of the downfall of Troy. There was so much heart displayed by the female character fighting for their place in the war. Andromache is a commanding presence that shows equal parts savvy and leadership. Rhea mixes compassion and loyalty, with love and determination. Cassandra is complex and broken, but not beaten. And Helen is a voice of reason and justice. They are the backbone of the city, and hold the line as the men of Troy fight desperately to keep the Achaeans from laying siege to their beloved home.

The author’s prose is magical and captivating-leaving you clinging to every word and story woven into this narrative. It’s gripping, tense, and leaves the reader itching to turn the page and uncover more secrets and plots. The many twists and turn in this epic war gives questions as fast as it provides answers, and keeps you guessing how the chips will fall.

I was engrossed in this novel from start to finish. It was so good, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Daughters of Bronze was the story of the end of the Trojan war told from the perspective of 4 women of Troy: Reah, Helen, Cassandra, and Andromache. As we know, the story of Troy was a sad one but reading these perspectives adds depth and hope to an otherwise devastating tale. These women are complicated and their choices have consequences for better or worse but their intentions and love for each other and their city is special to read about. It’s a long book but worth the read for lovers of books like Song of Achilles. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

Emotional pieces like this beg to tug at your heartstrings. A. D. Rhine takes a story we might know gives it the feminist spin we needed.
The pining btwn Ajax & Rhea.
The love btwn Andromache & Hector.
The injustice for Helen.
The frustration for Cassandra.
It’s all woven together so nicely.

It’s been a minute since I read, book 1, Horses of Fire* and I was nervous it would be a rough transition into book 2, but A. D Rhine did a lovely job easing us back into this world.

I started reading more of mythology because of Stephen Fry. Mythos feels is like a college course giving a massive overview into this category. Daughters of Bronze feels much more like a theatrical performance.

Because I’ve read many fair share in the category- there was a middle act where the pacing dragged, but it was worth it for that ending. 🤌👩‍🍳💋 Overall this is a solid retelling.

*Horses of Fire was a great debut- I listened to it & also gave it 4⭐️

This one had taken me a bit longer to read than the first.
I liked it. The details. The impact. It just fell a little flat for me.

I received this book as an ARC via NetGalley. Daughter of Bronze is a retelling of the story of Trojan War and the second book in a duology by A.D. Rhine. I did not read the first book and felt that the second could be read as a stand-alone.

This retelling focuses on the main women involved in the Trojan War and how they may have shaped the outcome. Despite knowing how the story ends, you can't help but root for the characters.

I do think that the pacing could have been a little more consistent in the book (the ending felt very fast) but overall I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys retellings. This one is unique and beautifully written with interesting and complex characters.

Marvelous! As to be expected, Daughters of Bronze is just a great as Horses of Fire! They are both beautifully written and filled with strong emotion.

Daughters of Bronze continues the retelling of the Trojan war through the eyes of its main female characters. I really like the author’s’ interpretation of events. I won’t elaborate due to potential spoilers. We all know the story but this version felt very real.

I loved the development of the relationships between the women and how they worked together. They each sacrificed their own safety to protect each other. I liked the way Helen was portrayed in this retelling. It made me understand her choices better. Andromache is ever the valiant warrior filled with a raging love. Rhea was my favorite character in first book but Andromache became my favorite in this one. Lots of tears were shed at the ending!

The war scenes were some of my favorite parts of the book. They are so well written that I could envision them in my mind as if on a movie screen!

Highly recommended!

TW: allusion to rape, physical abuse, killing, death and graphic violence.

Many thanks to A.D. Rhine and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC via NetGalley!!!

good book. This book was well written but didn’t really keep my interest. I do enjoy mythology but for some reason lost interest.

I absolutely love stories involving Greek mythology, I think it is such a fascinating genre but also a hard one to make your own. Many people know the legends of the more well known figures such as Achilles, Hector, Odysseus, Ajax and so on. A common theme with these stories is that the women are often hidden in the shadows.

This retelling of the Trojan war is from the perspectives of four women fighting to save their families and beloved city of Troy: Rhea, Andromache, Cassandra, and Helen. When dealing with multiple POV’s it sometimes is hard to enjoy each one you are given. However with this novel I was pleasantly surprised with enjoying each POV once I really got into this story.

It did take me a few chapters to really be invested in this story, and I found myself struggling with the pacing of this book at times. Once I was really intrigued by the character’s stories and the pacing evened itself out I was completely captivated by these four women. One other thing that kind of stood out to me was in a few places in the novel some of the descriptive language had a very masculine tone to it. Which struck me as odd since the authors are both female and writing about female characters.

In this novel you follow four women. Rhea is a young spy for the Trojans that slips between the Achaean army and the walls of Troy pretty much unnoticed by any passersby. Andromache is married to Prince Hector of Troy and is days away from giving birth at the beginning of the novel. She is a fierce Amazon warrior, who is also incredibly intelligent and cares deeply about those closest to her and the fate of all the citizens of Troy. Cassandra is a prophetess and Princess of Troy. She is overlooked by most due to being labeled as a “mad woman.” She uses the voices she hears to help her develop the courage to speak even when no one is listening, and to carry out the dangerous deeds she must in order to protect those she loves. Her inner strength was one of the many qualities I truly admired about this character. Helen, she was once the bane of Troy, the reason for their misery. Now she uses her healing gifts to help the people of Troy during this seemingly endless war. Her quick thinking and gentle demeanor are traits that can get overlooked despite how essential they are and useful they prove to be in this novel.

Overall I think the main message of this story is about our choices. We have the power to alter our stories. No matter how big or small a decision is, it can change the course of our lives. Nothing is set in stone. Sometimes when the going gets tough you have to rely on yourself, or take risks that you hope will work out in your favor.

I truly did enjoy this novel, I loved the authors’ interpretations of these legends. This story had me feeling a rollercoaster of emotions, it is full of heartache, strength, and hope. I was in awe of these amazing women, and thought this story was beautifully told.

Thank you NetGallery and Penguin Group Dutton Books for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy! Publication Date 11/26/2024
Genres: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Greek Mythology

This review will be posted onto NetGalley. Thank you!

Thank you to Dutton Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book 🫶

I’ll be the first to say I’m no expert in ancient Greek mythology (if you don’t count the normal childhood obsession with it around the age of 12). But even as someone with cursory knowledge on the topic this novel was so enjoyable.

I’m obsessed with a retelling of events from a woman’s perspective, especially such a prominent one as the battle of Troy, and by golly did this deliver. It was great to follow the story along with the 4 different women’s points of view.

My only reservation/recommendation is knowing how long this book is going into it. This is definitely a “me” problem but with e-books I never pay attention to how long a book is before I get it and then I see how long it is and get overwhelmed. This book took me close to 12 hours to read (and I’m a quick reader). So just be ready to lock in and enjoy this novel over a longer period of time.

First off, wow. What an amazing contribution to the genre. While I am already a huge fan of exploring the women throughout Greek mythology, retelling this particular story with a focus on the women behind the war was so intimate and full of emotional turmoil. My heart ached for every character and cheered with every small triumph. I think this story gives an honest look at the rawness of girlhood, womanhood, and motherhood under a patriarchy in a way that transcends time. Birth, life, death, joy, and anguish all meet here.

I didn't realize that this was a sequel until more than halfway through the book. Because I am familiar with the mythology, it felt like the story was meant to be read with an understanding of the events that had already happened. There are very few places where the story referenced events from the first book that I didn't understand, and I feel that this could easily be read as a standalone for those that know the Trojan War. The characters and their relationships are so well written that I loved them immensely without needing a whole other book to get to know them. I think having an entire first book's worth of story would have made the tragic ending even harder.

This book was incredibly painful, but in such a beautiful way. I will absolutely be recommending this duology to anyone looking for an outstanding Greek tragedy.

I will be posting public reviews closer to publication date and will update links accordingly.

I enjoyed Horses of Fire, but Daughters of Bronze?! far exceeded my expectations.

I admire how Ashlee and Danielle wove myth, historical fact, and fiction to form a creative yet plausible narrative. With their seamless storytelling and beautiful prose, I was hanging onto every word.

It takes a lot for me to cry over a book, but I found myself quickly becoming emotionally invested in Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra. They truly ripped my heart out, and I’m not sure I’ll recover, lol.

For me, this story is a 6-star read of 2024 and one that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you, NetGalley, Dutton, and Ashlee and Danielle, for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Daughters of Bronze is a true testament to women and how they truly rule the world. Through sisterhood nothing is impossible. Thoughtful, suspenseful, engaging.

Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine is a captivating journey into the heart of the ancient mythology of Homer and the Iliad, weaving together rich historical detail with mesmerizing storytelling. As a lover of all things mythological and historical, I absolutely adored this book. This is the second book of an interconnected duology, but I did not have any trouble following the plot whatsoever.

Rhine's prose is enchanting, transporting readers to the vibrant world of ancient Greece. The narrative follows four women depicted during the time of the Iliad, immersing readers in a tale of love, betrayal, and the enduring power of family bonds. Each of the four women has their own stories to tell, but they are weaved so well together that they fit seamlessly together. Each character feels fully realized, with motivations and desires that resonate with modern readers despite the ancient setting.

I did struggle with the pacing of the book from the start, as the plot didn't particularly pique my interest until a little more than halfway through. And this is coming from someone who extensively knows Homer's Iliad and the Trojan War.

Overall, Daughters of Bronze is a mesmerizing read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and mythology alike. A.D. Rhine has crafted a captivating tale showcasing women's strength, even when history has tried to keep them shadowed.

The beginning is hard to follow at first, but that is due to me being unaware that this was a second installment to a duology (I do think the description needs to be a little more clear on this). I don’t think it was too difficult to grasp that I would’ve had to go back and read the first one before starting this, but I think it would have helped me connect more with the characters. Certain losses weren’t felt as hard because I didn’t know them well enough. There was also a lot of action happening off page that I found it hard to keep track of who was who and what side they were one. That being said, this was so beautiful. The prose was very moving. I cannot wait to read the first installment now.

Upon reflection, seeing as I just sobbed for an hour thinking of certain characters, I feel those losses very hard.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

This is a must read if you love Greek mythology. In a way, it’s kind of a retelling of The Odyssey, but with an emphasis on relationships and the women that nurture them. I remember first reading The Odyssey and loving the story but not really connecting to the characters. In Daughters of Bronze I cared less about the story (maybe because I already knew how it would end) and more about the characters. It was interesting to see the women have their own unique personalities, and in some instances you wouldn’t think they’d get along with each other, but the thing that unites them is the way they fiercely protect the people and things they hold dear. I would definitely say this is a character driven novel and it might be beneficial to suspend what you know of The Trojan Wars so you can really get lost in the beauty of this novel. The thread of romance woven throughout was also a nice touch. Knowing how the story goes, I was pleasantly surprised at the ending. It was great! I didn’t realize this was part of a duology, and I plan on reading Horses of Fire next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

First note - because I didn’t realize this when I started the book - this is the second book in a duology (maybe I fully missed this but it wasn’t immediately clear to me). That being said, it’s an easy book to pick up without having read the first, but I cannot wait to go back.

I absolutely loved this book. I’m all about historical fiction, and I definitely think about the Roman Empire. Daughters of Bronze follows four women of different political and social standings through the Trojan War. The authors (A D Rhine is two writers in one) took the Iliad and adapted the mythology to a more realistic historical retelling.

Andromache is an Amazon Queen married to Prince Hector of Troy. Cassandra is a Trojan Princess with the gift of sight, feared by most and trusted by few. Helen is the Spartan Queen, living in Troy and providing healing services throughout the city. Rhea is a servant in Hector’s house, and a spy in the Spartan camps. The women work together to aid their homeland in defense of the Spartan attack immortalized in the Iliad.

The story is well written with action and emotion woven throughout. If you’re familiar with the Iliad you know the basic tale, but AD Rhine have managed to create a refreshing take without straying too far from the source material. For example, the Iliad does not spend much time on Andromache, but making her an Amazon queen not only fits historically, it also offers additional characterization for how the men of Troy react and respond to her.

This story may revolve around a war, but as AD Rhine puts it “neither war, nor sickness, nor enslavement can stop us from weaving our lives together. As mothers and daughters and wives. As friends. For that is what women do.” It’s a story of epic proportions, told only as women can tell it.

As someone who reads a lot of myth retellings, I've found the genre to be getting very bogged down and repetitive, especially when it comes to the Trojan War. However, I think Daughters of Bronze (and the duology in general) is really the breath of fresh air that this genre needed. Some of the retellings I've read tend to be pretty clinical and maybe too focused on being true to the myth while trying to add in their own spin. I'm not an expert of how the myths were really told, so I have really don't know if this is supposed to be a faithful retelling, but the differences I saw in this book compared to others were honestly my favorite parts.
This is probably the most emotionally charged retelling I've read and I absolutely loved it. It really felt like I was reading about real people with real lives and motivations, instead of just distant mythical characters. I felt so much more connected to these characters and even though I knew their fates, I was so hoping it would change and was so devastated when it didn't. Of course this is a tragedy and I expected to be heartbroken over Andromache's story, but Rhea's and Cassandra's hit me so much harder than I was expecting.
Rhea's emotional and mental journey from the first book to the second was so incredible to read. She started alone, scared, and so unsure of herself and her abilities. I loved how she grew into this confident and powerful girl who had the love and trust of so many people. Additionally, as a sucker for romance, her doomed love with Ajax was one of my favorite parts of the story and broke my heart into a million pieces.
I also really loved how there were major changes made to the myth without changing any major outcomes. Every change made didn't change how the story traditionally ended, but just added this interesting layer to the story that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. It was also so fascinating to see this overarching theme in the books about whether or not the gods were real. Of the course the characters did truly believe in them but all of the major plot points that are traditionally attributed to direct actions from the gods. The one I think I can talk about without spoiling anything is how Cassandra's "madness" is more than likely DID than a curse inflicted on her by Apollo. The way it is described throughout the story, from how it was brought about, to how it presents itself, and to how all these parts of Cassandra interact with one another, is so obviously DID that it honestly makes her story even more tragic. To learn that her struggles in life were the result of human action and callousness, instead of this all powerful god that anyone would be defenseless against, makes her story much more realistic and heart-breaking.
I do have a few issues with the book. For example, there were also a few gods and goddesses from other cultures that I didn't know anything about and a few terms that were used that I didn't understand. It could have been helpful to have had a glossary with just a quick explanation for these more obscure concepts. I also really wish we could've seen a little more about Helen. She was a major catalyst for a lot of things that happened in this story (the obvious ones along with some others), and I feel like this is one of the few retellings that really paints her as a true victim, but also not entirely helpless. What we got about her and her motivations were really well done, and while I do think it was pretty well rounded, I wish we could've seen a little more of her, specifically more of her relationships with other characters in the story besides Paris.
I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up and think that overall this was a very well-done duology. While it did seem slow at times, I don't think this story was dragged out by any means. It gave all of its main characters (and quite a few side characters) very interesting and well-rounded journeys. I think everyone's endings, whether it was exactly how the myth described it or not, made sense and was very satisfying to their character and their storyline.
*This review will be the same for both Horses of Fire and Daughters of Bronze, since I didn't realize DOB was a sequel, got it from NetGalley, started reading, was pretty confused, realized it was a sequel, had to go buy HOF because I was enjoying DOB so much, and read both back to back*

I loved this book. At first I was nervous that it would be hard to keep track of all the characters, but very quickly I became immersed in the story and couldn’t put it down. I loved that this retelling focused on the women of the Trojan War. I would definitely read more from this author and will be recommending this book!