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!

This had a frustratingly slow pace for me. The writing was solid, and it is an interesting feminist retelling of ancient myth (we love!) but it took a while for things, at least for me, to get going. Still an absolutely compelling narrative and fun though frustrating and heartbreaking to read. I am not sure that I would reach for this as a reread in a sea of mythological retellings, but that's a me issue!

Thank you to Net Galley and Dutton books for an ARC of this book!
I must say this novel was quite a dissatisfying myth reimagining. As a Classical civilizations student I felt that if the authors revisited the ancient texts a few more times, they would have been able to craft a more compelling narrative that expands and critiques the ancient canon.
“Daughters of Bronze” is a multi POV narrative that follows the famous female characters of the Trojan War: Andromache, Cassandra, and Helen and one character created by the authors: Rhea. This fictional character, Rhea was the most frustrating to read. In some ways the character of Rhea could have been tied to the character, Tecmessa from the ancient tradition. If the authors visited the tragic tradition in addition to the epic tradition, this character could have been given more depth. Tecmessa is a strong character in Sophocles’s “Ajax” and rarely gets the retelling treatment. This simple character name change and adjustment would have provided a layer of nuance that no prior retelling of this story has achieved.
The more recognizable characters were also frustrating. Although the authors do an interesting job centering Andromaches military tactics (which Andromache uses in book 6 of the “Iliad”) the character in this novel feels cold. Her relationships seem transactional. This choice did not allow me to empathize or understand all of her choices in the book.
I would have loved more time spent with Helen. The few glimpses we get of her POV are fascinating and feel fresh. Cassandra on the other had felt tired and overdone.
One thing that also struck me as a little off was the lack of interference or discussion of the gods. There are many scenes in the “Iliad” where the women pray to the gods, or the gods directly interfere with their lives. Their absence ultimately made the world of the novel feel underdeveloped. The gods are essential to understanding the society which the characters function in. Without their presence there is a lacking logic to the actions of the characters.
Overall I think this book had a lot of excellent ideas but poor execution. Rather than cramming all these complex themes and characters in one book I think this book would have benefited from a scaling back of ideas. By trying to achieve all these ideas, too many deviations are made from the plot of the Epic which inspired the book, leaving the reader discombobulated within the story.

Really Enjoyed! This book is for anyone who enjoys a little historical fiction specifically stories in the vein of Madeline Millers works. A.D. Rhine takes the story of the Trojan War and reimagines it from the perspectives of the women at the heart of the story. I thought this was super well done, emotional, captivating, and fresh. This story has be covered a million times but Rhine manages to bring something new and exciting to a beloved classic. There were quite a few POVs to contend with so its a bit of a slow start as each storyline takes off, but its never dull or pedantic. Thanks for the advanced copy!!

"Daughters of Bronze" is an exquisite masterpiece that breathes life into the legendary figures of Helen, Andromache, Rhea, Cassandra, and Queen Hecuba in a way that's both captivating and deeply moving. As you journey through the pages of this remarkable novel, you find yourself emotionally entwined with these iconic women, sharing in their joys, sorrows, and triumphs.

Through the skilled pen of the author, you cry tears of empathy, feel their wounds as if they were your own, and experience the profound depths of love that define their existence. Each character is brought to life with such vividness and authenticity that it's impossible not to become fully immersed in their world.

While "Daughters of Bronze" undeniably tugs at your heartstrings and leaves you grappling with a myriad of emotions, it does so with a sense of reverence and pride for the strength and resilience of these remarkable women. Their stories may break your heart in many ways, but it's a heartbreak that is tempered with admiration for their courage and unwavering spirit.

One caveat for readers is to ensure familiarity with the Battle of Troy and its major players, as this knowledge enriches the reading experience and facilitates a deeper understanding of the narrative. However, even for those less acquainted with the intricacies of this ancient tale, "Daughters of Bronze" remains an extraordinary work of literature that is both accessible and profoundly impactful.

In my own journey through its pages, I was so deeply moved by the power and beauty of this novel that I've made the decision to own both the audiobook and print versions, eager to revisit its splendor time and time again. "Daughters of Bronze" is truly a masterpiece that deserves a place of honor on every bookshelf.

4.5

A. D. Rhine made me cry more than once. The story was heartbreaking.

Rhine takes you on a journey through a retelling/reimagining of the Trojan War, a war often told in the favor of men. Instead, this retelling focuses on the women central to the story, a future Queen/mother, healer, spy, and oracle. Rhine beautifully crafts a story of loss, heartbreak, and love.

My only problem with the book was the pace. It took a while to get into.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the advanced copy of The Daughters of Bronze.

This story unfolds through the view of four women. Each one with their own important story to tell. They navigate their world together by leaning on each other for their individual strengths to endure a war that continues to take and take from them.

The story is written so you truly learn and understand each character and grow to care for each one of them deeply. The second half of the story kept me guessing and hoping for how the story would go, even when I knew what was destined to happen.

A. D. Rhine has written a beautiful story about the strength and determination of women who set their mind to a common goal, even when history is determined to keep them in the shadows.

Title: Daughters of Bronze
Author: A.D. Rhine
Stars: 5
Spice: none
Pros: This book is absolutely beautifully devastating. It will rip your heart out. Even knowing the story of the Illiad and the Odyssey, I was completely engaged in wanting to know what is next. The prose is beautiful, and story weaving is everything you could ask for.
Cons: there’s a lot to remember between names and stories in the beginning, so this is definitely a slow burn. It can be very confusing at first.
Favorite Quote: Still, in the hushed sanctuary of those early days with my son, I finally understood. Why we continue creating life, even when the world seems always on the verge of ending.
Format Commentary: Written in long chapters with a couple of poems.
Other Titles Similar: Reminds me somewhat of Madeline Miller’s recreations. This one felt more complex though.

Quick Synopsis: a retelling of the battle of Troy through the eyes of the women surrounding the battle. A realization that there is way more that can be done in a battle than what is

Characters-
The characters were well developed and interesting. They differed greatly which helped give the story depth. Their arcs were satisfying and each character got a decent wrap up.

Plot and theme-
The plot of this book was very engaging, as anyone familiar in The battle of Troy knows. The theme really hit home as the importance of the woman’s roles and just how much women were affected. Battle stories are usually about the male heroics in fighting. This book highlights the struggles, sacrifice and strength a woman’s role has in these epics.

Pacing-
I found that the story did drag in the beginning, learning all of the characters and their situations. Scott halfway through, the book flew.

Prose-
Beautifully written. Poetic and engaging. Full of emotion.

Primary emotion reading book-
Gut-wrenching empathy

5 Stars. This book is for the girls who read The Lightning Thief in elementary school and then hyper fixated on Ancient Greece, as well as anyone who enjoys reading beautiful writing and badass female characters.

Daughters of Bronze: A Novel of Troy is an alluring retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the women who covertly lead and manipulated the conflict between Sparta and Troy. Told from four different perspectives the story is woven together piece by piece. The lives and relationships of the four main characters, Helen, Andromache, Rhea, and Cassandra, are englanged so tightly that they create an intricate dynamic that plays out beautifully by the end of the novel.

Although this is a sequel to A.D. Rhines novel Horses of Fire, I had no trouble grasping on the the storyline and characters. I am excited to now go and read the first installment of the duology.

Thank you o NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC.