Told a story about Demitra, a young artist, living post-WWII in Greece who struggled with her widowed father’s emotional unavailability, Daughter of Ruins delivered such an intriguing storyline. It's not simply a historical fiction. It has the stories of the Greek gods intertwined beautifully. Demitra's story and those of two other women are both inspiring.

This book has a lot to say about feminism, as the three women's struggles in this story were mainly due to being women. What an unfair world, but it reminds us that such cruel things happen.

While the writing style is easy to follow and has a medium pace, I did not find the third-person perspective in this one to be enjoyable. The story often switches between Demitra's and Maria's years. There are scenes where many characters are involved, which makes me confused about which one of these 'his' and 'her' belongs to.

Demitra and Elena's character growth was my favorite. The cruel things they endured also break my heart. I want to hug them and cry with them. While reading, I found myself constantly offering words of support for them. Really, this book woke up all the emotions inside me.

In general, I was fond of the story and the characters. Demitra's drawings and the stories of Greek gods seem magnificent to me in my imagination.

Thanks to Yvette Manessis Corporon and Harper Muse, I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley, and I appreciate it. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This was a deep and emotional tale! The story is focused on three different women! A daughter who does not have a mother, a prostitute in italy, and a mail order bride! Historical fiction has always been one of my top favorite genres! It takes real skill and talent and a heart full of love for history to write a tale involving three women from three different backgrounds! 💗

The women's lives or choreographed like a dance in each chapter in and out throughout the years. We get to see the decisions made by these women or for them. 🫢

Fate threw the three of these women together at the highest and lowest moments. Demetria, Maria, and Elena are dancers for the universe! They play to the tune of other people's drums and then find a different harmony within each other and on their own! ☕

I don't want to spoil anything you definitely have to read this and take each move made by the characters and each thread of fate woven into their lives! 🍾

Bravo! 🎙️

Daughter of Ruins is a beautiful story about the intertwined lives of different women who belong to different generations and lifestyles. Each character had a rich and emotionally complex story to tell - even though the book was mostly focused on Demitra, the characters of Elena and Maria added more depth and complexity to the story.
Even though the characters were very different, the voice used for each one was not. There were no distinguishing characteristics to the narration for each character.
The writing makes the reader feel as if they have been transported to the coastline of Greece or the streets of New York City - the narration style was vibrant and brought the settings to life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the eARC!

This is a heartwarming story of women standing up for women. An emotionall journey that personally resonated with me. this book dives into the intricacies of female relationships in the society, self-discovery, and resilience. The characters are beautifully crafted, bringing warmth and authenticity to a story that starts with you long after reading. I enjoyed the plot, however I felt that the pace was quite slow. However, if you make it to the end of the story it is truly rewarding.

Daughter of Ruins

° Dual Timelines
° Multiple POV
° Greek History & Mythology

This historical fiction novel follows the lives of three resilient women—a motherless daughter, an Italian prostitute, and a mail-order bride—over several decades in Greece and America.

The story beautifully captures their courage, struggles and determination to rise above pain, blending inspiration with heartbreak. It explores powerful themes of parental love, friendship, loss and advocacy for others’ rights.  While listening to the audiobook on my way to work, I found myself wanting to pull over as I felt deeply connected to the main character's emotions.

The narrative is rich with Greek history, culture and mythology, vividly describing the beauty of Cephalonia and Corfu, making me long to visit Greece one day. The intertwining of the goddesses in Greek mythology, with the women’s stories is skillfully done.

I initially listened to the audiobook, but later switched to the ebook and Alex Sarrigeorgiou’s narration truly brought each character to life.

TW: Physical Abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Illegal Adoption, Human Trafficking

Favorite Quotes:
ᥫ᭡ "Let men think they hold all the power because we know the truth.  We are the ones who give life and bring life.  There is nothing more powerful or important."
"Men think they hold the power, but we are the power, Demitra.  And we bring the magic and the love."

ᥫ᭡  "I know what it is to have a passion in your heart but to be told repeatedly to tamp it down.  I know what it is to want to soar when others are holding you down.  I see this in you."

ᥫ᭡ ".. Show me someone who isn't damaged or haunted in some way.  The only difference is what we do with that pain.  Do we drown in it, allowing it to pull us down further until we disappear into it?  Or do we use that pain, that brokenness to inspire us?" 

ᥫ᭡ "Don't shy away from what haunts you.   Embrace it. Just look around you, look at the magnificence of this place, look at what can happen when you face your pain, the very thing that broke your heart, instead of pretending it never existed."

ᥫ᭡  "..You spent your childhood searching for the magic in the myths, Demitra, when you were the magic all along.  Be the magic.  Create magic and live the life of an artist.."

ᥫ᭡ "She had, for a few brief moments, experienced a pure and perfect love.   And she was forever changed by it, understanding that it would never come again, because she was not who she was before."

ᥫ᭡ "..she knew that despite the pain she felt, it had been worth it.  It had all been worth it.  Because however brief it was, their love was true.  And she knew that together, they had created magic, and the world was a more beautiful place because of their love."

ᥫ᭡  "The tangle of tiny blue flowers woven into Aphrodite's hair would always be a testament of their bond and proof that sometimes only after experiencing pain, longing, and sorrow, can love exist in its truest and most beautiful form."

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Harper Muse and Harper Muse Audiobooks and the author Yvette Manessis Corporon for the complimentary copy of this book.  Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me! I ended up no finishing this one! I wanted to really like it though.

3.5 stars rounded up

The Daughter of Ruins is historical fiction spanning several decades of the 20th century set primarily in Greece and to a lesser extent in America. The novel is the story of Demitra who was born in America but returned to Greece with her father after the death of her mother when she was three years old. Demitra lives alone with her distant and unemotional father on the island of Cephalonia but dreams of her mother who she can't remember but who she believes watches over her like a goddess of Greek mythology.

The story follows Demitra, a would-be artist inspired by the mythological goddesses, as she's coming of age in the post-World War II era after her island had been occupied by the Italians and then the Germans. To avoid the unwanted marriage her father is arranging, Demitra leaves her home to stay with family on Corfu where she falls in love but she returns to Cephalonia a year later prior to a devastating earthquake that alters her life.

Demitra's story intertwines with the stories of two other women - Elena, a prostitute raised in a brothel in Italy who kept company with soldiers stationed on Cephalonia and stayed on the island after the war and Maria, a young Greek woman sent to the U.S. as a picture bride in the 1920s to marry a man she doesn't know.

Daughter of Ruins is an emotional story of love, loss and women finding their way in the world. I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of the islands of Cephalonia and Corfu and how Greek history and mythology are woven into the courageous journey of this resilient young woman facing obstacles and opression in order to live the life she wants. I wasn't very familiar with 20th century Greek history prior to reading Daughter of Ruins and I appreciated learning about the hardship of life in Greece in the 1920s, during WWII and during the years that followed and about the devastating earthquake that struck Cephalonia in 1953 destroying homes and killing hundreds of people. This is the second book that I have read by this author and both were enjoyable reads!


Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for sending a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Demitra, Elena, and Maria are the three women in this novel whose stories include a history of Greece from the 1920s to 1980. The novel includes events such as the migration of so many young Greek men to America in search of a better life, the young Greek women who were sent after them as brides, the Italian occupation of Greece during the war, followed by the Nazi invasion that was much more cruel, subsequent moves by Greeks to America, and much more.

The 20th century history of Greece, its small towns, and some of its people who left the country are laid out in this book, through the lives of the three women, in particular Demitra, whose mother had died in the USA when Demitra was only three. Her father had subsequently returned with Demitra to Greece.

This was a fascinating novel that was also the telling of the history of the island. Particularly moving was Demitra story as a child in Greece writing letters to her dead mother and then burning them before her disapproving papa could see.

Somehow the author's skipping around in the telling of her story works. For instance, the novel starts in 1940 and 1943, moves to 1948, back to 1921, forward to 1952, then back to 1921. The latter part of the book takes place in 1970 and 1975 and then ends in 1980 in the U.S. Demitra's entire life is covered, as well as the major events in Greece during most of this time.

I would recommend this book especially to Greek Americans and Southern Europe Americans such as the Italians, whose stories of small isolated home towns during a similar period of time, and immigration to the U.S., especially to the Bronx, might be similar.

A very worthwhile historical novel.

Absolutely beautifully written. This is my first read by the author and I was very impressed by her writing style. I felt as if I was peeking into the character's lives as it is so realistic. As you read you will be completely absorbed by the Greek flavor. culturally, historically from the myths and legends and the amazing foods it's all there waiting for you.
This is about women, yes, we have our lovely main character but there are many important women who when faced with hardships and tragedies they forge on and show such resilience. Though their world is falling apart around them they are there for each other. and will go to great lengths to show it. I love that the author has lived in the area she writes about which makes this historical book all the more realistic.
This book has taken me on an emotional roller coaster, and I loved every bit of the ride. Full of family and discoveries, a journey worth taking with the light shining at the end of the tunnel.
Highly recommended!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to @tlcbooktours and @harpermusebooks for the chance to read Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon @yvettecorporon

I had eight billion loads of laundry to fold and put away so I grabbed an audio copy of Daughter of Ruins and I listened from morning to night, not wanting to stop. This is a story that follows three Greek women: A motherless daughter. An Italian prostitute. A mail-order bride. And shows how each woman in her own way overcame serious hardships.

This 400 page work of historical fiction, traveling throughout history truly is a sweeping tale that is steeped in the rich history, culture, and myths of Greece. I found myself going through all the emotions the three women experienced – my heart both soaring and breaking – and admiring them for who they were and who they became.

I also found the various settings throughout history, especially settings and scenes in Greece, were fascinating as that is not an area or history I know a lot about.

Fans of historical fiction focused on generations of families should rush to get a copy in their hands. This is the kind of book you can settle into.

This compelling dual-time novel intricately weaves the stories of three strong Greek women: Demitra, an orphaned daughter raised by her Baba; Elena, a beautiful Italian prostitute navigating wartime challenges; and Maria, a poor mountain girl sent to America as a mail-order bride in search of a better life.

Set against the backdrop of Greek mythology, the narrative unfolds in both the 1930s and 1943, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience. Demitra grapples with her mother’s death and her father’s absence, while Elena faces the harsh realities of war, and Maria seeks her place in a foreign land.

The author sensitively portrays each woman’s struggles, highlighting their courage and determination to discover their true selves amidst societal expectations. With a rich cast of supporting characters and a deep appreciation for Greece's history and myths, this emotional read resonates deeply. A beautifully crafted story that deserves a five-star rating!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

"In all those years of yearning and praying, Demitra had been so focused on mourning the mother she had lost that she had not taken the time to recognize the beauty and magnitude of the mothers who had been found"

Where to even start on this epic of a life story? Daughter of Ruins tells the life story of Demitra. Originally born in America, we get to know Demitra as a young girl living on Cephalonia with her father as the island faces occupation first from the Italians and then the Germans. We learn how Demitra wants to make a life for herself as an artist and break from the traditional expectations of becoming a wife and mother. We see her blossom as she moves away to Corfu to be with family and has the hope of finding love. We follow along as Demitra moves back to Cephalonia, only to have everything taken away by a devastating earthquake. Finally, we once again she Demitra pick up the pieces and truly blossom, as she moves to the United States and finds her stride. Alongside Demitra's story, Daughter of Ruins includes the stories of two more powerful women: Maria, who is sent to the US as one of the Greek picture brides, and has to battle loneliness and a completely new culture to adjust too, and Elena, whose reputation is blemished at the hand of a domineering man and has to learn to live with all the many consequences of their encounter.

As I was reading Daughter of Ruins, I was mostly taken in by the lush descriptions of various Greek islands, making me want to jump on a plane immediately, as well as the abundance of wonderful Greek cuisine, occasionally making my mouth water. Initially, I wasn't so taken in with the story, not Demitra's, and not any of the others. Yet, as I neared the conclusion of the book, I was so, so glad I had persisted reading, as the story comes together so beautifully. and I am just sitting here in awe. What arises is a novel that not only manages to weave together an interesting and real story with the magic of Greek mythology, not only taught me a lot about the history of Cephalonia, the reality of Greek picture brides and the difficulties faced by first-generation Greek-Americans, but shows the burden of family and cultural expectations and the grit required to break away, highlights the pure strength of female power in a variety of ways, and underlines the importance of found family.

“Daughter of Ruins” is the epic story of Demitra that is coming of age post WW2 in Greece. She is being raised by her emotionally unavailable father who will not talk about her mother who died when she was young. As an artist she faces her past and forges a new path across decades and continents.

This is a long book that crosses many decades. I tend to struggle with these types of books unless the main plot line is really pulling me through the book, so keep that in mind. Unfortunately, I struggled finding the underlying theme as the books meandered quite a bit. The two points of view and times lines were not woven together well and the past timeline was inconsistently interspersed throughout making the book feel somewhat jumpy with inconsistent pacing. I did enjoy the atmospheric feel of being on a Greek island and the historical facts that were sprinkled throughout. The writing itself was good, but the story did not work for me.

Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon is a book I will not soon forget. This dual timeline novel was a fast read for me, as Corporon immersed my mind in a story of loss, heartache, hope, and strength. Set amid the lush beauty of mid 1900’s Greece, Daughter of Ruins centers on three women, each of whom have endured their own form of betrayal, yet came away from that pain with a strength to be admired. This is a book of harsh reality, but also of love. And this love shines through in the most unexpected of ways.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

This was a DNF because I honestly just couldn’t care enough about the characters or story to finish. It’s supposed to be about 3 different women but we really only get Demitra’s POV for most of what I’ve read. The other two aren’t fleshed out/ one dimensional, and I wished we had gotten to know them better/see them more! By part 2 I still wasn’t engaged and kept putting it down to read other books so I ended up DNFing after not feeling excited to get back to it. I’m sure many others will enjoy it more than me!

Daughter of Ruins is a dual timeline novel that follows three women whose fates mirror those of the women in ancient Greek myth—out of their control.

Demetria is coming of age in a post WWII Greece after Italian and German occupation, struggling to connect with her father who gets more and more closed off from her emotionally with each passing day. When a forbidden love changes her perspective, and she refuses an arranged marriage, Demetria returns home to make peace with her father and instead faces an earthquake that changes not only her future, but that of her beloved Cephalonia.

Maria is a mail order bride who is essentially sold by her father to a new life in America after WWI when his funds to support his family run low. Alone in a country where she has no family, no friends, and does not know the language life is cruel. It is only her daughter who keeps her sane, until her husband threatens her fragile balance, and her life is never the same again.

Elena’s mother is an Italian prostitute, and she has hopes of a better future for herself but finds no one wants to hire anyone with her family history to do anything other than follow in “the business”. Alone in Greece, she reluctantly befriends a young Demetria and her stepmother Stella, who try to help Elena find a better path forward, despite a cruel man who robs her of her most prized possession.

Though the majority of the book follows Demetria, all three women work to find out who they are in a world where men rule their lives, leaving them with little personal freedom. Each woman faces unimaginable heartbreak and comes out stronger despite their suffering. Like most historical fiction, this novel takes a bit of time to “get into” but knowledge gained is worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, and author Yvette Manessis Corporon for the advanced copy of the book. Daughter of Ruins is out on October 8th! All opinions are my own.

Corporon skillfully weaves mythology into this tale of three Greek women. It's the rare dual time line novel where both threads work with rather than against one another. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Good characters and storytelling make this a good read.

This was a sweeping story primarily following Demitra, who was left motherless when her mother died when Demitra was 3. It started out a bit slow, but once things picked up, it was unputdownable. The beauty, traditions and customs of Greece were beautifully written and I loved reading about Demitra's life, which had it's ups and downs. This was a beautiful book! Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for a chance to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

This was a beautiful novel that went back and forth between three different women’s stories from Greece to the United States in the mid twentieth century. It was emotional and captivating and I was invested in each one of their stories. Their strength through the challenges they faced was incredible.

I learned so much about history in Greece and Greek mythology. Every part of this story was important and the author weaved it all together in the most moving way. I was partial to the influence art had on the story! The descriptions of the settings were rich and beautiful and this would be a lovely bookclub pick.

+ family secrets
+ Greek history & mythology
+ grief
+ coming-of-age

This author is my go-to when learning about Greece’s history, and her latest is a wonderful example of an emotional and heartfelt tale of secrets, love, and friendship. I learned so much about unknown to me history like the Greek picture brides and the Great Kefalonia earthquake of 1953. I love how Corporon weaves together the timelines and characters to uncover a thread that ties them all through history. And I especially love learning about the Greek culture, traditions, and food through her descriptive writing. Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.