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Daughters of Sparta
Daughters of Sparta: A tale of secrets, betrayal and revenge from mythology's most vilified women | Claire Heywood
Two sisters parted. Two women blamed. Two stories reclaimed. 'Required reading for fans of Circe . . . a remarkable, thrilling debut' - Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue For millennia, two women have been blamed for the fall of a mighty civilisation - but now it's time to hear their side of the story . . . As princesses of Sparta, Helen and Klytemnestra have known nothing but luxury and plenty. With their high birth and unrivalled beauty, they are the envy of all of Greece. Such privilege comes at a high price, though, and their destinies are not theirs to command. While still only girls they are separated and married off to legendary foreign kings Agamemnon and Menelaos, never to meet again. Their duty is now to give birth to the heirs society demands and be the meek, submissive queens their men expect. But when the weight of their husbands' neglect, cruelty and ambition becomes too heavy to bear, they must push against the constraints of their sex to carve new lives for themselves - and in doing so make waves that will ripple throughout the next three thousand years. Perfect for readers of Circe and Ariadne, Daughters of Sparta is a vivid and illuminating retelling of the Siege of Troy that tells the story of mythology's most vilified women from their own mouths at long last. Helen of Troy and her sister Klytemnestra are reimagined in this gorgeous retelling of the classic Greek myth - not as women defined by their husbands and lovers but as battle-weary survivors of a patriarchal society who take control of their own destiny. Absolutely riveting!' - Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist
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dabbe
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KateReadsYA I literally just bought this not too long ago 🤭🤦🏼‍♀️ darn 7mo
Soubhiville Yes 😊 7mo
julieclair Yes 7mo
Bookish_Gal Yes pleaze 7mo
32 likes4 comments
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KateReadsYA
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Picked these beauties up today while visiting my local Barnes & Noble! I can't wait to read them. The covers are absolutely gorgeous.

dabbe I loved DAUGHTERS OF SPARTA--can't wait to read what you think about it! 🤗 10mo
KateReadsYA @dabbe I hate that I have so many books lined up for the 14 week challenge that's keeping me from reading these haha! But this summer I will definitely be getting to it. I trust your judgment! ❤️ 10mo
dabbe @KateReadsYA Oh, the pressure! 🤣 I've been loving all of the novel rewrites of mythology; they bring such life to these characters! 🩵🤍🩵 10mo
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KateReadsYA @dabbe I agree! And Barnes had a whole table based on the retellings of mythology. I was very happy to see that! 10mo
reading_rainbow The wolf den was one of my favorites!! I just picked up the second one 10mo
KateReadsYA @reading_rainbow Can it be read like a stand alone? Like book 2 is a different story completely or does it continue from this one? 10mo
reading_rainbow It continues. I think it‘s going to be a trilogy @KateReadsYA (edited) 10mo
KateReadsYA @reading_rainbow Awesome. Thanks for letting me know :) 10mo
41 likes8 comments
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TheEllieMo
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

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Born.A.Reader
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My #BOTM came in with some #Thriftbooks bookmail! 📬 Now the hard part -figuring out what to read first! 📚

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emmaturi
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Definitely one of my favourites this year so far. I loved hearing about Helen and Klytemnestra. From their childhoods to their adult lives. It was gripping even though you know what happens to them.

dabbe I loved this one, too. I am truly thrilled to see all of these novels bringing back the ancient myths in new and exciting ways. You're right; you still know what happens, but the story sweeps you away all the same. 😊 13mo
35 likes1 comment
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dabbe
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Pickpick

I wish these mythological novels had been available when I was teaching THE ILIAD to my honors freshmen; they would have benefited from having the background but also in caring for the individuals in the story (except Agamemnon; he's horrific no matter what story or myth he is in). Heywood's modern yet personal style retells these women as their own forces wielding their own powers as best they can in the patriarchal hellhole they live in.

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Cinfhen
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Such an impressive debut! I literally couldn‘t put this book down even though I was already familiar with the story, I still kept turning the pages with anticipation. I love how Heywoood put her own spin on the story of sisters Helen and Klymestra. I‘m definitely a fan of Greek mythology re-tellings. I‘m excited to see what this author writes next!!

TrishB C has this on her long list! 2y
Cinfhen It was SO GOOD @TrishB I‘m going to send it to C when I send you out some bday goodies 🤫 2y
Daisey This sounds fascinating! Adding it to my never ending list 2y
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TrishB Awww thank you 😘😘 wonderful as always! 2y
5feet.of.fury You inadvertently reminded me that the sequel to this book by another Claire is out next week. 2y
Cinfhen Ohhhh, thanks for the recommendation @5feet.of.fury !!!! I‘m all about the re-tellings!!!!! 2y
Cinfhen I really enjoyed this one @Daisey I know….the never ending TBR 😅 2y
91 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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Katie.happens
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Klytemenesta‘s stories are so rarely told. Most people don‘t even know Helen of Troy had a sister in the famous myths. To see the humanity breathed into the so often overlooked characters of mythology is always a treat.

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Addison_Reads
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Perhaps not the strongest Greek retelling, but still a good story.

I loved how Heywood focused on the sisters and how each took a different path, while still longing for that connection they shared as kids. There's a lot of subtle commentary on feminism in the background as the sisters struggle with their roles of wives and mothers.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
44 likes1 comment
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AprilMae
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Part 1 of my birthday haul! I only spent part of my gift card but I have a coffee date with a friend Sunday so I plan to use the rest then!!

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Tamra
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Pickpick

Overall a thumbs up. 👍🏾 It took the story a bit to pick up steam, but by the end I wanted to know where exactly Haywood was going to take the characters. I wish it had included an adult relationship between Helen & Klytemnestra following the war because there would have been a reckoning at hand. Though I suppose Helen could claim she was a “silly little fool” whose head was turned by Paris.

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BoleyBooks
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35 likes1 stack add
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Tamra
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Up next!

50 likes2 stack adds
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BookBelle84
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Weekend reading plans!

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HettyG
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A pretty solid addition to the genre, I enjoyed the story of the two sisters (although I hate the cover of mine why do they look like they have mustaches?). It basically skips the war and the last third of the book is kind of rushed but I liked it well enough.

4 likes1 stack add