I was a Greek Mythology special interest kid, and this book just hit a special spot for me. I do think it's a little bit of a marketing scheme to say the main character joins up with Heracles. Danae is on her own journey, and it runs tangentially to Heracles and several other larger Greek heroes.

The other nitpicky thing is a lot of the plot happens to Danae vs. her being an active participant in the story. So much is painted as luck or fate, it's a little frustrating to me. I hope she has more agency in the next book. Even with my qualms, I really liked this book. I thought it was a fresh take on popular Greek mythos. The author was also very good at making you care about the characters. There are a lot of secondary characters that really enrich the story. It doesn't feel like there are a slog of names and backstory, it all feels organic to me.

In a story about the Greek Pantheon and Titans, Danae feels human. She interacts with fantastical creatures, Gods/Goddesses, and other magical entities, but never uses her humanity. She is always thinking about her family and her losses. Again, I wish she had more agency or backbone, but I enjoyed following her as she searches for answers.

I definitely recommend this book for fans of mythology and fantasy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin MIRA for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Daughter of Chaos is an intriguing blend of mythology, mystery, magic, and self-discovery. The story follows Danae, a fisherman’s daughter, and her quest to learn the truth about herself. She is a strong-willed, funny, and relatable protagonist who navigates a world where ancient forces and her seemingly ordinary life collide. From the very beginning, Danae’s chaotic life unfolds before us, introducing many unanswered questions.

I really enjoyed Danae’s character development. She is resourceful and determined, but also carries the burdens of her past. She confronts her own fears with an added complex of bravery. The supporting characters are also well-developed (I love Atalanta so much), the book offers enough information to keep readers interested, but leaves some character’s backstories relatively untouched, setting a great foundation for further books.

The suspenseful moments and action scenes had me in a chokehold, however I did find the pacing to be interesting. The side quests were well planned and thought out, but at times I did feel like I would get wrapped up in them and forget about the main plot of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys twists on mythology, fantasy with magic systems, and strong female characters. All in all, this was a great book! I really look forward to reading more of Danae’s story, and learning more about her allies.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this review copy.

“Daughter of Chaos” was unlike any other Greco-Roman myth retelling I’ve read so far (and I’ve read a lot), and massively enjoyable. We meet Danae, the daughter of a fisherman on the isle of Naxos (not to be confused with Perseus’s mother). She loves her family, especially her sister, but when that beloved sister is impregnated against her will and shunned by the village, Danae tries to defend her family. A series of catastrophic events force her to leave Naxos and seek the oracle at Delphi, because she has been told she is under a curse that only the oracle can tell her how to break. We encounter many figures from mythology along her journey including Theseus, Phaedra, Ariadne, Atalanta, the rest of the Argonauts, and the Amazons. What quickly struck me as setting this book apart is that the gods are the enemy here: the Twelve Olympians are using mortals as pawns in their games, and Danae becomes involved with people who want to topple them. I really appreciated the care with which the narrative was elaborated, the heart wrenching passages describing Danae’s inner journey, and the complexity of the characters she meets along the way. This book was a stunning journey, I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys myth retellings, and I’ll be eager to read the sequel!

Thank you NetGalley and harlequin for the opportunity to read this e-arc

This book wasn't for me. It has an interesting story line with Greek heros and gods but getting to the point of the story was taking forever. The background of Danae is very well made but her personality did nothing for me and I didn't really want to continue reading. If you are q Greek mythology lover this story may be more for you but to me it was meh. I personally think I read this book at the wrong time and may retry in the future.

4.5/5 ⭐️
Daughter of Chaos by A.S. Webb
Release date: January 2025

Thanks Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing the ARC!

Daughter of Chaos is a fantasy adventure novel set in greek mythology. It is the first book in The Dark Pantheon series and authors debut novel!

This has to be one of my favorite books I've read this year! I want to say so much about this book, but I don't want to give out any spoilers lol. The characters are well written, and it been an absolute joy to read about characters that we know from greek myths, but with a twist to their story lines. I absolutely love our MFC, Danae. She is naive to the world at first, but strong, and she gets strongers the more she sees the world. I love her journey and I can't wait to read what happens next!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. This was an incredible read. I love the world building so much, this is such a fresh and interesting take on Greek Mythology. It took me a couple chapters to get into the story, but once I was invested, it was such a fast and action packed read. I really like the way it started, the set up really helped me connect with Danae's character, I also loved the journey she took, the different places she visited, and the fights she got into. I loved the references to familiar myths from Greek mythology. The stakes and tension were so high, I was constantly wondering whether Danae would get away with what she was doing. That ending was full of revelations and reveals, I love how little clues were scattered throughout the book and how it all tied together so well with the ending. I desperately need the next book. I can't wait to read the rest of this series, I so want to see the aftermath and impact from Danae's actions in book 1. I loved reading this. Also the cover is so pretty.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The main character was a lot of fun and the author clearly put a lot of time and research into all of the mythology that went into this book. I am really curious as to where this series will go and will definitely be keeping an eye out for book 2.

I have always been a huge fan of Greek Mythology and their stories. When given the opportunity to ARC this novel, I was absolutely thrilled.

Danae is a multifaceted and relatable protagonist, navigating self-discovery and self-acceptance throughout the novel. The supporting characters are equally well-developed and intriguing. The romantic elements introduced later in the book add depth, and I am eager to see their progression throughout the series. The author skillfully addresses weighty themes, including SA, shame culture, and grief, with sensitivity and integrity. My engagement was sustained throughout, and I anticipate the remainder of the trilogy with interest.

I wholeheartedly believe this is a truly epic start to a phenomenal series.

Thank you so much for my e-ARC!

Unfortunately, I couldn't connect to the writing in this book as it felt too "telly". I had to DNF.

DNF’d before finishing the first chapter. Can’t remember anything about this book other than I wasn’t interested in reading it. Hopefully others enjoy it more than I did.

3.75 Stars

"Daughter of Chaos" is my first foray into A.S. Webb's writing, and I must say, it certainly won’t be my last! As a lover of mythology, I was captivated by how seamlessly Greek mythology and fantasy intertwine throughout the story. Webb’s ability to weave these elements together creates a rich tapestry that feels both familiar and fresh.

The characters are well-developed and their journeys are engaging, drawing me deeper into the world with each page. I was particularly intrigued by the magic system, which felt innovative and integral to the plot. It added depth and complexity, making the stakes feel real and the challenges formidable.
I look forward to exploring more of Webb’s work in the future and cannot wait for book 2 in the trilogy!

I love anything that's a Greek myth retelling, or even adjacent to that! This was very fun, and I enjoyed all the plot twists thrown in. Our female main character goes through a lot, and I can't wait to see where the next step in her journey takes her!

Daughter of Chaos is the first book in The Dark Pantheon Trilogy and it’s basically a fantasy set during Greek mythology. I honestly loved it so much! The book begins with a flash forward that reveals several plot points and alludes to a major event in our main character, Danae’s, past. Chapter 1 begins 3 years before the flash forward and I was almost certain I knew what was going to happen but I had no idea how or when. So the first part of the book was like watching a train wreck in slow motion I kept thinking “this is it” but it wasn’t “it” yet. Things go from ok to bad to worse to even worse and the “event” still hadn’t happened. When it finally did it was more terrible than I imagined and I found myself wondering when Danae was going to catch a break. She did not, in fact, catch a break for quite some time and even when she did it was a complicated victory.

Her progress is pretty realistic and although I found the beginning a bit slow, once things started happening they didn’t stop. There were a number of plot twists, several I was shocked by and some that were foreshadowed. When we finally reached the end I wasn’t shocked by the “reveal” but I was shocked by almost everything else that took place during the scene.

This is one of those books that I finished and immediately (literally immediately) wanted to read it again so that I could interpret it with my new knowledge. I can’t wait to read book 2 in this trilogy!

"The Daughter of Chaos" by A.S. Webb is a compelling blend of fantasy, mystery, and adventure that captivates readers from the first page. The novel introduces us to a richly crafted world filled with complex characters, ancient secrets, and a plot that is as unpredictable as it is thrilling.

The narrative is fast-paced, filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on edge. Webb's writing style is both poetic and precise, effectively painting vivid scenes that pull you deeper into the story's universe. The world-building is detailed without being overwhelming, and the author balances action with moments of introspection and growth, allowing readers to connect emotionally with the characters.

Okay, okay. This was gooooooodd. The pacing was great and the characters were memorable. How do I get the chance to stay in this book forever??

Loved it and I couldn’t put it down.. it got me out of my reading slump. It immediately grabbed me. I was fascinated with the world building and loved the characters. Thanks for letting me read an early copy.

I think this book has a lot going for it, as it's premise is extremely intriguing. Though, I found that it simply was not for me!

"Daughter of Chaos" by A.S. Webb is a spellbinding masterpiece that breathes new life into Greek mythology, intertwining it with epic fantasy in a way that is both familiar and refreshingly original. Danae, a fisherman's daughter, becomes an unforgettable heroine whose journey from a simple life to god-hunter is both believable and inspiring. Webb's vivid world-building, intricate character development, and expertly balanced pacing create an immersive narrative that captivates from start to finish. The interactions between Danae and legendary figures like Heracles are written with depth and authenticity, making this novel a must-read for fans of mythology and fantasy alike. This is a powerful and thought-provoking tale that sets a new standard for retellings, earning a well-deserved five stars.

Full review posted to socials, retailers, and my website.

5 stars! Thank you for allowing me to read your book!

Thank you netgalley and publishers for the opportunity to read!

This was a great read. The characters were well developed, the world building, the execution, the magic system and writing all added up to amazing. I always love to read anything based off of mythology and this read was no exception. Everything had me wanting to know more!