A review by mirandaaaa
Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood

informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

The past couple of retellings I’ve read I have been very underwhelmed as it’s the same weak “feminist” retellings written by those who have little connection to study of the ancient world thus causing great inaccuracies which me (a Classics student and all round Ancient nerd) cannot deal with. This book however was a breath of fresh air. It stuck to the stories of old whilst being historically accurate and writing a new take on the whole shenanigans. Although I know Helen and Klytemnestras stories inside out I was still reading this book with pathos and trepidation at what was to come. This book also importantly accepts slaves as actual slaves and that it was the norm for girls to be married at 14 and at heart focussed on women as a commodity whilst also giving them a voice. But not too much power which lots of these retellings fail at. All characters were complex and human rather than the cliche the good the bad and the side character which so often occurs in these retellings. 

Historically authentic and accurate whilst also breathing fresh air into these women with cracking writing, what more could you want?? I would whole heartedly recommend this book.