Member Reviews
I have marked this as a want to read on Goodreads so I will not be posting an actual review yet but i got 37% through before the book deleted itself. It gave me 7 days to read it but i couldn’t finish it in 7 days and won’t let me redownload it. The point where I was at I felt like it could be a 4 star read. I really enjoyed the different POV’s specifically Rhea and Cassandra. There is quite a bit of suspense too which is really good to keep a person reading!
When I say that this is the first book I have read in a LONG time that has made me audibly gasp, it is the truth. I read the first book by the amazing writers known as AD Rhine and was hooked, so when I had the opportunity to get an early glimpse of the second, I jumped on it. This book FAR exceeded my expectations. The characters felt real, like I knew every single one of them and felt what they were feeling. AD Rhine does a brilliant job of bringing the myth behind the Iliad to light. And though it is obviously not full historical fact, I think it paints a beautiful picture. They do not shy away from the horrors of the war and it's aftermath, but also give a glimmer of hope along side that. Maybe it was because I just had my third baby (a boy), that I felt incredibly connected to Andromache. Her emotions surrounding her son and saving him made me feel heavy. I could understand her pain in a way I might not have before. I cried, I gasped, I laughed, this book is truly beautiful and I can't wait to buy a physical copy to display proudly on my bookshelf.
I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.
An intense and incredible sequel that works as a standalone. I especially enjoyed the depiction of the women of Troy as strong, brilliant women, fighting for their homes at their men’s sides and not as dolls without agency of their own.
For readers familiar with Homer's Iliad, 'Daughters of Bronze' is an emotionally-charged version of the story, brimming with intensity and drama, though we may know the essential plot and where the characters are headed, the authors masterfully re-imagine this ancient tale with great attention to detail, making it seem brand new. A true page-turner, 'Daughters of Bronze' is a great follow-up to 'Horses of Fire.' Highlighting the unheard voices of the female characters, both books offer a compelling look at the Trojan War, drawing the reader in from the very first page.
“Daughters of Bronze” is a heartrending retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of Andromache, Cassandra, Helen, and Rhea. I really appreciated the focus placed on Andromache’s past as an Amazon, the depth and care given to Cassandra’s visions, and Helen’s skills and motivations. Rhea is continually forced to make impossible choices, and I felt the authors did such a great job of really making the reader feel her sense of conflict. This duology also almost entirely neglects the gods as players in the war, reframing it as the outcome of human choices and actions. The story was beautifully written, full of rich characters (Ajax, Hector, Aeneas, Briseis, Creusa, and more). I highly recommend this retelling for anyone who is looking for a fresh take on Greek mythology, or anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
I had a hard time getting into the story but overall appreciated the POV of women in the war. Still worth the read but didn't love it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader's copy of the book. Even though I knew how this book was going to end, I still had some feels. This book was beautifully written and I loved it. This and its predecessor are definitely one of the better retellings I've read in a long time. I loved the personal perspectives from the women and I loved the slight change to the ending and when you read it, you'll know what I'm talking about. I really enjoyed the lack of deities being involved and that this was written to be more historical. Well done authors, well done and bravo.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin House for the early
ARC of Daughters of Bronze!
I was absolutely blown away by Daughters of Bronze, just as I was with Horses of Fire! The author's writing is truly remarkable, evoking strong emotions throughout the book.
Daughters of Bronze delves deeper into the retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of its key female characters. The author's interpretation of the events felt incredibly authentic, adding a new layer of depth to a familiar story. I don't want to give too much away to avoid spoilers, but the portrayal of the characters and their relationships was beautifully done.
The bond between the women and their willingness to sacrifice for each other was truly moving. I highly recommend this series especially for those who are into historical fiction.
Daughters of Bronze picks up after Horses of Fire with Andromache expecting her first child and Helen’s death being publicly mourned. Rhea is working with her cultivated female network in the Achaean camps to retrieve intel for the Trojans. The Achaeans are relentlessly battling the Trojans and Andromache’s allies as internal politics within Priam’s Council interferes with events. The end is near, but no one knows it. Almost no one.
There are now four POVs with Cassandra having her own chapters and a driving force in the plot. The book explores the emotional depth of the women’s bond and how they worked together to preserve Troy. They sacrificed their own safety to protect each other as they unravel the root causes of the war in hopes of ending it. The love and solidarity woven throughout the book underscores the inevitable tragedy. Reading this book will hurt because you are observing the steps that lead up to the fall of Troy. The book’s ending was comforting to read and showed their heroic efforts weren’t in vain.
This isn’t the ideal book for someone who is looking for a retelling drawn from critical analysis of classical texts. A.D Rhines adeptly used creative license where they could without retconning the Iliad. It could function as a standalone for anyone looking to read about the last year of the Trojan War. There are parts where the pacing was inconsistent and it is presumed the reader has prior knowledge of Greek Mythology. This is the story of war and the realities of that situation aren’t glossed over. I would give it a 4.5 as it is an overall solid book and a unique take on retelling the Iliad from a strictly historical angle.
TW: SA, abuse, killing, death, violence.
After reading and loving Horses of Fire last year, I was THRILLED to get an eARC of this one. And while I think Horses of Fire might be the better one, this was still such a pleasure to read. Strong characters, good pacing (except for a bit of a slump in the middle section), and surprisingly emotional writing.
The fate of Troy hangs in the balance but will be greatly influenced by the actions of those who tend to be overlooked but hold immense power in A.D. Rhine’s Daughters of Bronze.
In the years-long war between Achaean and Trojan forces, it seems the battle may never end; however, the actions set into motion by the plans and pivotal insights of four women will irrevocably change the tide of the war. Crossing enemy lines to spy, Rhea is part of a network of women who often go unnoticed so she’s able to bring back valuable intel to the Trojan camp and Andromache, but Rhea would never have anticipated the affectionate connection she would form with one of the enemy soldiers, which will eventually test where her loyalties lie. Having proved herself a capable leader, Andromache is now mother to Troy’s heir, and while adjusting to her new role she has the dual responsibility to protect both her son and the city as the enemy’s threat is greater than ever. Freed from her captivity, Helen employs her skills as a healer to help bring Troy’s hope into the world, aid those suffering as the battle wages on, and embraces this second chance at life now that there’s some hope of being free of Paris. With a head filled with visions of Troy’s fate, Cassandra is feared by most and believed by few, but in telling the truth to those who need to hear it she seals the fate of Troy’s future.
Weaving together the perspectives of four women with unique roles to play in the Trojan war, the story unfolds as the stakes are high and reach their fateful peak for all the figures involved. Breathing life into the mythological figures, the prolonged war and the complications that the characters faced in the wake of each decision made were compelling and captivating as political intrigue and compassion, both a surplus and lack thereof, were driving forces that propelled the story forward while showcasing the complexities of each character. While the many battles and treks between locations were a touch repetitive and slowed the pace, they provided time and space for the women to contemplate, further demonstrating their character, and to interact with or observe the men around them, providing a deeper perspective of just how much of an impact one seemingly insignificant action could have on altering the course of the future. As the conclusion to a duology, this narrative stands well enough on its own, though there were fleeting moments where it felt as if knowledge was assumed, but as a Greek mythology retelling it’s easy to pass off as rusty memory on some finer points, and there would likely be even greater investment in characters if the first installment were read first.
Overall, I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This part mythology, part historical fiction, tour-de-force retelling of the Trojan War epic beautifully illustrates how the women of Troy also fought the war—with skills other than brute force. It is the second book in a duology, the first of which, Horses of Fire, I have not yet read.
Told from the perspective of the very-well drawn main characters—Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra—as the decade-long war comes to its horrific conclusion, this very human story explores duty, friendship, glory, suffering (both physical and emotional) and ingenuity. We also see the men of The Iliad in a different light: Hector, Aeneas, Priam, Ajax, Patroclus, Menelaus, and Agamemnon. Cassandra, in particular, was portrayed beautifully in all her complexities and struggles since she was locked in a tower by her parents, considered “mad.” The only of the four women who perhaps got short shrift was Helen, although given how many other works focus on her (as object, not subject), the smaller attention let the other characters shine on their own. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys retellings of the classic Greek works.
Thanks to NetGalley, Dutton Publishing, and the dynamic duo that is A.D. Rhine for an ARC of this book.
Greek mythology! Yes. Such a cool experience reading this. However, I did not realize upon requesting it came AFTER Horses of Fire. I will have to read that one as well! My kids and I love the podcast Greeking Out, and have learned a lot from it, so it was very cool to experience some of the stories we heard there within this book.
DNF at ~25%
I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series until I had already started reading, which made it a little harder to fully grasp the story. I think reading the first book would have helped, but I still enjoyed the beautiful writing and compelling characters. It took a bit of time to get into, but once I did, the narrative was engaging. The perspectives of Rhea and Andromache were especially interesting and well-developed. Overall, it’s a solid book, and fans of Greek mythology will likely appreciate it even more. I will be revisiting this after reading the first book.
Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Daughters of Bronze by A. D. Rhine is a rich and immersive retelling of the Trojan war.
A magical book filled with unforgettable characters. I could not put this one down.
I was absolutely amazed and enamored with these characters.
This book is a must-read for any mythology lover!
Daughters of Bronze was a captivating journey filled with fierce warriors, political intrigue, and a touch of magic. I loved the strong female characters and the way Rhine breathed life into this ancient world. The action scenes were thrilling, and the descriptions of the landscapes and battles were vivid and immersive.
While I enjoyed the overall plot, I felt that the pacing was a bit slow at times, and some of the subplots felt a bit underdeveloped. However, the ending was satisfying, and I was left wanting to know more about this fascinating world and its inhabitants.
Overall, Daughters of Bronze is a well-crafted historical fantasy novel that transports readers to a bygone era. If you're looking for a story with strong female characters, epic battles, and a touch of magic, this book is worth checking out.
Daughters of Bronze is the final book in a duology, which examines the downfall of Troy. A masterful re-telling of an epic tale, A.D. Rhine puts the reader right in the streets of Troy and the camps of the Greek and their allies. Following the stories of the women specifically, and capturing the unique role women have served in wartime, Daughters of Bronze explores themes of sisterhood, womanhood, love, loss, and legendary heroism. Famous figures such as Andromache, Cassandra, and Helen of Troy come to life. I highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and Greek legends. 5/5. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It has been said that all’s fair in love and war. Get ready to be immersed in the push and pull of determined women doing whatever it takes to achieve their goals; within and behind the scenes of battle. This novel is a reimagining of the epic conflicts of the Trojan War, an amalgamation of historical fiction and mythology; events that feature the many impactful roles women may have played. For those interested in stories of this era and ancient civilizations, this narrative offers some compelling and plausible insights that could resonate well with modern readers. This is the second book of a duology, so you may wish to read both titles together to get the full impact of the journey. I also suggest reading all author notes as they are rich with thoughts, history, and inspiration.
I'd like to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of Daughters of Bronze for my unbiased evaluation. 3.5 stars
I stayed up late last night to finish this book. And once I hit the end, I checked the time in the top left corner of my kindle: it was 1:30 in the morning. That's the kind of book it is. Every time I hit a chapter end, I would say to myself, "Oh just one more." The ladies of A. D. Rhine have crafted a compelling, heartrending rendition of the tale of The Trojan War and I would highly recommend it. I could see every character like it was a movie and felt their anguish, their struggles, their honorable choices, their anger, and above all, their sacrificial love. I barely prevented myself from sobbing so take that into consideration; I'm doing that "this book broke me, you should totally read it" thing.