Pankey's 'Epic' is just that. Chockful of brilliant, evocative writing that alights a different part of the ancient world and its myths than normally is touched on. Characters, environments, and the desperate weight of the events were all very well portrayed and fully realized. Since there is a menagerie of interesting people, it may behoove some to read very carefully, as it can be easy to lose track of exactly who is who without that. Personally, I actually would've preferred if 'Helinthia' remained with one perspective throughout. Swapping between points-of-view didn't necessarily lower the story's quality, but I did find certain people's situations more interesting than others, which trended a bit more repetitive. Not going to be more specific, because it is just a personal thing!

The real stopping point is caution. Myths are certainly not without their violence, pillaging, etc. But readers should be aware that there is no glossy mythical sheen over the actions in Pankey's work. Death, gore, devastation of whole residences (women, children), and sexual assault are forefront and unapologetically described in some areas.

It's not overwhelming or gratuitous (... okay, maybe some of the sex felt gratuitous) - it's a dark, unforgiving world of war and its warriors, and those who suffer most instead. Just don't expect any shining armored gods floating down from the skies to make everything okay again.

A Gripping Tale of Rebellion, Gods, and Sacrifice

In Epic of Helinthia, the island of Helinthia teeters on the brink of ruin. When a madman seizes the throne, the gods fall silent, crops wither, and hope fades. Author [Insert Author’s Name] masterfully weaves a tale of rebellion, divine intrigue, and the unyielding spirit of those who refuse to be broken.

At the heart of the story is Dargos, a determined rebel whose belief that the kingdom’s decay is tied to the gods’ silence sets him on a perilous quest. Alongside his loyal companions, Kelric and Gadnor, Dargos fights not just against a tyrant king but against the very forces of fate. The trio’s journey is fraught with danger, betrayal, and revelations that test the limits of their courage and loyalty.

One of the book’s standout elements is its rich world-building. Helinthia feels alive—its decaying landscapes mirror the despair of its people, while the looming presence of gods adds an ethereal layer of tension. The political intrigue is gripping, with the king’s spies lurking in the shadows, ensuring that rebellion comes at a steep price.

Gonivein, Dargos’ sister, adds an emotional anchor to the narrative. Her safety becomes both a motivation and a vulnerability, highlighting the personal costs of war. As the rebels push forward, they uncover a chilling truth: not all gods wish for Helinthia’s salvation. Some crave chaos, and their divine machinations raise the stakes beyond mortal comprehension.

The arrival of a mysterious figure harboring a dark secret adds a final twist that forces both characters and readers to grapple with a haunting question: what is the true cost of peace?

Pros:

Compelling Characters: Dargos, Kelric, and Gadnor are richly developed, each with distinct motivations and flaws.

Immersive World-Building: The lore of Helinthia, its gods, and political struggles are intricately crafted.

Moral Complexity: The story doesn’t shy away from gray areas, especially regarding the gods’ roles and the rebels' sacrifices.


Cons:

Pacing Issues: The middle section slows slightly as the characters gather allies, though it picks up with intense plot twists.

More from Gonivein’s POV: Given her importance, some readers might crave deeper insights into her thoughts and struggles.


Final Verdict:
Epic of Helinthia is a thrilling, thought-provoking fantasy that explores the blurred lines between heroism and treachery, faith and doubt, peace and sacrifice. It’s perfect for fans of epic tales where mortal defiance clashes with divine will.

Rating: ★★★

I'm really into mythology and was excited about a new story. Unfortunately, the text didn't grip me like I hoped it would. I found the characters uninteresting, and I had to force myself to skim through them to see how everything connected. It felt easier to look up the synopsis instead of reading the whole thing.

I never read Homer. I didn’t study The Iliad or The Odyssey. So, I am grateful to all authors who recently have written bits and pieces of these tales, enlightening me to a degree. I loved reading “The Song of Achilles” and “Circe” by Madeline Miller, “A Thousand Ships” and “Stone Blind” by Natalie Hayes, “Clytemnestra” by Costanza Casati, “House of Names”by Colm Tóibín, and “Ariadne” by Jennifer Saint. It’s no wonder, then, that I’ve jumped at every possible chance to read more of these tales. When offered a free, advanced readers copy of MJ Pankey’s “Epic of Helinthia” by Book Whisperer and NetGalley I grabbed it. I was not disappointed. My review is voluntary.

Many of the same god’s and goddesses’s names surfaced that I’ve seen before, but “Epic of Helinthia” is not a story of the gods or goddesses but of the people they trifle with on the island of Helinthia. During the story, brief glimpses of the various gods and goddesses are seen, but it’s the island’s inhabitants and their evils and heroics that fill the pages. Helinthia the island is supposed to be under the protection of the goddess Helinthia; unwittingly, however, Helinthia’s hubris and naïveté has wreaked havoc on the island’s population, and a few, brave men and women set out to right the wrongs that have ensued. Their journey is twisted and full of surprises, but by the end of the story, the characters have imbedded themselves into my heart.

When I agreed to read this book I don’t remember knowing it was only the first in a series that would be written, but I’m glad it is. I look forward to continue reading about the fascinating characters I’ve come to love and how they’ll face new challenges ahead.

A perfect read for those who love any and all of the Greek myths. I am quite taken with all mythology but this one does seem to stand out for me. A wonderful addition on my shelves for sure.

I enjoyed this overall; at times I found the number of characters a lot to keep track of, and I couldn’t quite grasp the landscape of Helinthia, but I enjoyed the pacing of the story overall and the author has clearly put in the work on world building. I am intrigued by the story and curious to read the rest of the series.

This book is a refreshing take on Greek mythology. The story is told through multiple points of view and there are twists and turns everywhere. I am a big fan of Greek mythology, but sometimes the stories are the same thing repeated and they’re often boring. That was not the case with this story. I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of it.

There are trigger warnings at the beginning of this book. Please heed those if you are squeamish or really could do without the death of animals. There were a few scenes I had to skim over. Overall, this is a great read. I look forward to the sequel.

If you’re a history geek specially Ancient Greece you’ll love this one. The story is fast paced and I really liked the tone of the story and the complexity of it.

Wow! What a story. This book has everything; gods, oracles, temples. This was a fabulous story and it is just the first!
The writing is wonderful and so descriptive. You feel a part of the story for sure. There are so many plot twists and action on every page. This was hard to put down.

This was an immersive historical fantasy that blends Greek mythology with a fresh, original storyline. I loved the rich, vivid world-building and multi-POV narrative, which kept me engaged even though it was a bit tricky at first to keep track of all the characters. It's perfect for fans of Greek mythology and historical fantasy looking for something new, with twists and surprises that kept me hooked until the end.

Interested in Greek mythology? Then go read this book!
Pankey's writing style is stunning and engaging and I absolutely enjoyed myself reading "Epic of Helinthia".

I've read a few books in this genre recently with mixed results so had this title hold for a little while. I think I put it off a bit as I read a few recently but didn't enjoy their style of writing, but this book really is epic (as stated in the title) and I wished I'd started it sooner. I usually love a good thriller, but what a mistake to leave it - it was brilliant. You really are transported back in time to an ancient Greek island called Helinthia for a thrilling Greek fast paced adventure.

There are some great characters, my favourites being Gonivein and Gadnor and I really enjoyed reading from their perspectives. I really can see this book being made into a a movie or tv series as my imagination really ran away with the book. It's clear the author has a lot of knowledge in this area and brings the characters and location to life.

A big thanks to Book Whisperer Netgalley and MJ Pankey. I believe this is Pankey's first published book and what a gem. Definitely an author to look out for!!

I look forward to reading a lot more from this author in years to come.

This was a pretty brutal historical fantasy, I was expecting a typical greek mythology retelling but this was very different. It's inspired by the Ancient Greeks and there's overlap in the gods they worshipped but other than that Pankey has created her own fictional island with a unique governing body and citizens. This is a multi POV book and I had a bit of a hard time keeping up with who everyone was while also figuring out the world structure. I definitely think this will appeal to fantasy lovers more so then historical fiction or people looking for greek mythology retellings.

"Epic of Helinthia" is an enchanting historical fantasy filled with Greek mythology expertly intertwined within an exciting adventure. Review - Immersed in Books On the fictional island of Helinthia, the story follows Dargos, Kelric, and Gadnor as they go on a quest to dethrone a tyrant king and get back the favor of the gods.

MJ Pankey writes with evocative, atmospheric language that whisks readers away into a world both vivid and alive with gods, heroes, and supernatural creatures. The plot has many facets and hurls along, twisting and turning as it deftly weaves depth into the story. The characters are three-dimensional and relatable; all have their own battles to fight and desires to be attained.

Rich in historical details, the novel perfectly merges with a very catching mystery. It's a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant read replete with elements of rebellion, betrayal, and redemption. With a lush prose and engaging storytelling, the "Epic of Helinthia" a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and Greek mythology.

I think this book was a fascinating take on Greek mythology based fantasy. Rather than base it on retelling a specific myth, the author created a brand new story in a style so similar to Greek mythological retellings that I at one point had to go back and make sure I didn’t forget about a real myth relating to Helinthia.

Epic of Helinthia by MJ Pankey is a thrilling tale set in a world of gods and mortals. The author has put in lots of work creating a world within Ancient Greek that does not rely on Greek retellings. The plot is well-crafted and keeps the reader engaged until the very end. Overall, this is a perfect read for those who have read Circe, Percy, Jackson, and other Greek retellings that would like a new and interesting take on Ancient Greece.

I truly enjoyed this book! It’s a multi-POV story set in an Ancient Greek-inspired world, depicting the rise of a rebellion. Each character had their own personality and development and felt very real—not the shallow characters you sometimes find in books. (Though I did find Dargos a bit boring. Since we start the story with him, I thought he’d have a more engaging development, but some of his motives are still a bit confusing to me.) They weren’t all the most lovable characters, but I at least understood them.

As a fan of Ancient Greek stories, the setting was perfect, and I could vividly imagine the world while reading. However, since I’ve read books with other mythological settings that left me a bit lost, I can’t say if the explanations in this book will be enough for readers who aren’t already familiar with Greek mythology.

Most of the plot twists genuinely surprised me. I thought I’d guessed where the story was going, only to find out I was wrong. I won’t go into spoilers, but let’s just say I got played as much as Gonivein did on that one.

I should mention that this book contains some violent scenes. While I appreciate a darker tone sometimes, sensitive readers should be aware that a few scenes may be shocking. It’s not a lighthearted tale, nor is it overly graphic (or maybe I’m just a bit desensitized by what I’ve read and watched recently).

In conclusion, I’ll definitely be reading the next book, and I’m already looking forward to buying a physical copy to support this series! Many thanks for the ARC—without it, I probably wouldn’t have discovered this gem!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book!
I was really surprised by this book, in a good way. It started off strong and immediately hooked me with the plot. The characters were all fully formed and I felt a connection to most of them when they were introduced, I appreciate how the book started and how it went back to show you exactly how we ended up there.

At times the writing felt a bit clunky, but as I continued to read everything smoothed out and I found that I was really enjoying myself.

Overall, I’m glad I picked up this book! I’ll gladly read the others in the series

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy

This was another novel on the theme of Georgian mythology, and I'm picky about these topics, so it's important for me to have a golden mean between myths, history and author's fiction, but it doesn't happen often.
In this book, I wanted more special moments between the characters, but it was not enough.
Overall, not bad, but a one-time read.

This book follows the trend of the current years and offers a Greek retelling. Unfortunately for me, I do not know the myth or even the setting this was based on. However, I thought to myself, if well written, i can still follow the story without knowing the reference. Which did work out quite well.

Opposed to other books in this genre, we follow a bunch of different POVs which for me had a negative impact on my reading flow, as I did not like all the perspectives the same.

This book depicts a rather harsh reality, but is non the less beautifully written. Try it out if you like Greek mythology.