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mockingthebird's review against another edition
4.0
This book was the most amazing thing I have ever read! I loved the way the characters were portrayed and how even though the book was sad and gruesome you kept wanting to read. I don't usually like historical fiction type books but, this story opened up the genre for me.
caitcosentino's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Enjoyed this more than I expected to
The perfect length
The perfect length
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
thebisexualbooknerd's review against another edition
1.0
Ickkkkk. When I put this on my TBR some five years ago, I thought it was YA. I didn't realize it was elementary/middle grade until it showed up in the mail a few weeks ago. I have no problem reading well-written middle grade fic, but this is...not. And the worst part is, it would've been SO MUCH BETTER if it was aimed at a slightly higher age range.
It's just the story of the Trojan War. That's it. I was hoping the unique POV would add a more entertaining perspective, but it didn't. In fact, having the characters removed from the action and simply report back on the literally age-old plot developments made it boring as hell. Plus, none of the characters were developed enough for interesting things to happen to them.
And I could live with that just fine. It's not even 200 pages. I've stuck with boring books longer than that. It was a good idea, poorly executed. Except... that wasn't the awkward part. Oh no.
The awkward part was the constant PG13 sex talk.
I've never read anything like this in my life. It was simultaneously overt bedroom talk and veiled innuendos. I have no idea what the author was going for here. It was already uncomfortable enough marrying off a twelve-year-old to a man in his 30's (I know, I know, historical accuracy, but the beginning of my reading challenge is curiously riddled with pedophilia), why do you have to throw in all this "how to please your husband in bed" nonsense? It's got to raise questions with the 10-12 year olds this was aimed for, and it makes it painful for any adults who happen upon it.
Again, if this was YA, where the sexual and violent overtones could be properly explored, and the characters were old enough to actually HAVE sex, this would be a much better book. As it currently stands, it's embarrassing, messy, and unbelievably boring.
It's just the story of the Trojan War. That's it. I was hoping the unique POV would add a more entertaining perspective, but it didn't. In fact, having the characters removed from the action and simply report back on the literally age-old plot developments made it boring as hell. Plus, none of the characters were developed enough for interesting things to happen to them.
And I could live with that just fine. It's not even 200 pages. I've stuck with boring books longer than that. It was a good idea, poorly executed. Except... that wasn't the awkward part. Oh no.
The awkward part was the constant PG13 sex talk.
I've never read anything like this in my life. It was simultaneously overt bedroom talk and veiled innuendos. I have no idea what the author was going for here. It was already uncomfortable enough marrying off a twelve-year-old to a man in his 30's (I know, I know, historical accuracy, but the beginning of my reading challenge is curiously riddled with pedophilia), why do you have to throw in all this "how to please your husband in bed" nonsense? It's got to raise questions with the 10-12 year olds this was aimed for, and it makes it painful for any adults who happen upon it.
Again, if this was YA, where the sexual and violent overtones could be properly explored, and the characters were old enough to actually HAVE sex, this would be a much better book. As it currently stands, it's embarrassing, messy, and unbelievably boring.
luaucow's review against another edition
3.0
This book tells the story of the trojan horse from the perspective of the women. I read it after enjoying "Troy" by Adele Geras so much. It wasn't as engaging as that book, but it was good in it's own way.
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
2.0
Vomit. Unfortunately I have to teach this book to 7th graders this upcoming school year and I'm NOT a fan! I don't know if it's because I really don't appreciate Greek mythology and all that or if it really is the book but it was told from Helen and Cassandra's point of views (which I suppose is a nice change of pace from the usual Trojan war battle book) and the plot encompassed a decade or two which forced it to speed along so quickly (in just 190 pages) that it left no room for character development or any of the things that make most books worth reading. It really read as more of a summary, and not a very good one at that. Additionally, I'm now frightened of teaching this book to my male students because there was entirely too much 'lovey dovey' stuff (short tunics, muscular thighs, golden haired god-like men) and no 'boy stuff' until the last ten pages when someone finally gets dragged behind a chariot and by that point you're so bored by the book you practically cheer.
Why am I giving it two stars? In the hopes that in teaching it it will grow on me but somehow I doubt it.
Why am I giving it two stars? In the hopes that in teaching it it will grow on me but somehow I doubt it.
21stcenturyvole's review against another edition
5.0
100% one of the most influential books of my early childhood. I had an illustrated children's book of the Iliad as a wee child, but as might be expected, it glossed lightly over Helen and barely touched on Cassandra, much like my later Greek mythology book which did get a little into what happened Cassandra post-war. But this book gave me a Helen who was thoroughly understandable, a girl whose beauty turned her into an object instead of a person in the eyes of many, and it gave me a Cassandra who was angry but sympathetic and a friendship between them that is deeply important to me even now. It also gave me a way to hope for Cassandra's happy ending, and was definitely the book that kick-started my Cassandra-obsession.
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