4.5

A. D. Rhine made me cry more than once. The story was heartbreaking.

Rhine takes you on a journey through a retelling/reimagining of the Trojan War, a war often told in the favor of men. Instead, this retelling focuses on the women central to the story, a future Queen/mother, healer, spy, and oracle. Rhine beautifully crafts a story of loss, heartbreak, and love.

My only problem with the book was the pace. It took a while to get into.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the advanced copy of The Daughters of Bronze.

This story unfolds through the view of four women. Each one with their own important story to tell. They navigate their world together by leaning on each other for their individual strengths to endure a war that continues to take and take from them.

The story is written so you truly learn and understand each character and grow to care for each one of them deeply. The second half of the story kept me guessing and hoping for how the story would go, even when I knew what was destined to happen.

A. D. Rhine has written a beautiful story about the strength and determination of women who set their mind to a common goal, even when history is determined to keep them in the shadows.

Title: Daughters of Bronze
Author: A.D. Rhine
Stars: 5
Spice: none
Pros: This book is absolutely beautifully devastating. It will rip your heart out. Even knowing the story of the Illiad and the Odyssey, I was completely engaged in wanting to know what is next. The prose is beautiful, and story weaving is everything you could ask for.
Cons: there’s a lot to remember between names and stories in the beginning, so this is definitely a slow burn. It can be very confusing at first.
Favorite Quote: Still, in the hushed sanctuary of those early days with my son, I finally understood. Why we continue creating life, even when the world seems always on the verge of ending.
Format Commentary: Written in long chapters with a couple of poems.
Other Titles Similar: Reminds me somewhat of Madeline Miller’s recreations. This one felt more complex though.

Quick Synopsis: a retelling of the battle of Troy through the eyes of the women surrounding the battle. A realization that there is way more that can be done in a battle than what is

Characters-
The characters were well developed and interesting. They differed greatly which helped give the story depth. Their arcs were satisfying and each character got a decent wrap up.

Plot and theme-
The plot of this book was very engaging, as anyone familiar in The battle of Troy knows. The theme really hit home as the importance of the woman’s roles and just how much women were affected. Battle stories are usually about the male heroics in fighting. This book highlights the struggles, sacrifice and strength a woman’s role has in these epics.

Pacing-
I found that the story did drag in the beginning, learning all of the characters and their situations. Scott halfway through, the book flew.

Prose-
Beautifully written. Poetic and engaging. Full of emotion.

Primary emotion reading book-
Gut-wrenching empathy

5 Stars. This book is for the girls who read The Lightning Thief in elementary school and then hyper fixated on Ancient Greece, as well as anyone who enjoys reading beautiful writing and badass female characters.

Daughters of Bronze: A Novel of Troy is an alluring retelling of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the women who covertly lead and manipulated the conflict between Sparta and Troy. Told from four different perspectives the story is woven together piece by piece. The lives and relationships of the four main characters, Helen, Andromache, Rhea, and Cassandra, are englanged so tightly that they create an intricate dynamic that plays out beautifully by the end of the novel.

Although this is a sequel to A.D. Rhines novel Horses of Fire, I had no trouble grasping on the the storyline and characters. I am excited to now go and read the first installment of the duology.

Thank you o NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC.

Wanted to love but found it too hard to follow. The multiple POVs were so hard to keep straight. It was just too clunky
For me :(

Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine is a beautifully written retelling of a well known era. Everyone I know at least has a basic understanding of the Trojan War and this books casts the light on the conflict of the women surrounding the war. I have recently found an immense love for historical fiction/retellings and this is one of the best books so far. Upon getting this ARC I didn't realize it was part of a dulogy but I didn't have any issues reading and understanding what was going on.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for providing me the ARC ebook.

I adored this breath of fresh air into the world of classical retellings. A.D. Rhine together have painted a beautiful picture of the women in Troy at the very end of the war desperate for survival of their city and keenly aware of their fate if/when the city falls. Andromache is so much more than the wife of Hector and yet her love for him is part of what drives her, she is brilliant and trapped by the conventions of Trojan rules. Her upbringing in a different kingdom allowed for her to be more and with Hector she is able to use her knowledge to help. Helen, freed from the trappings of her Trojan husband uses her skills as a healer to aide the women in Troy and seeks a way to show her daughter back in Sparta her love. Cassandra, whispers secrets and prophecies but no one will believe her not when the priests say differently or when they lock her away. Rhea, spies on the Greeks for Hector and Andromache who saved her but she finds a peace in their camp and a love that makes her question her duty.

Together these women are all fighting in this war in a way so different than the men on the plains but equally as useful to their survival. I enjoyed the voice that this novel gave them all., in particular Helen's story as it is one of my biggest pet peeves to see her slut shamed in so many tales when she had not choice. I am excited to see where they go next in their writing.

This book is a beautiful retelling of the Trojan War, delicately re-woven through the lens of womanhood, motherhood, and sisterhood. The continuation of book one (Horses of Fire) Daughters of Bronze continues with characters we loved from book one and gives us a lot of character development and growth along with some additional POVs.

For me, the addition of having Cassandra’s perspective was great, and even more heartbreaking when you saw how tortured she was by her visions and how tragic it was to not be believed by those she loved. But really the main character that I think had such an incredible journey was the fiercely independent and stubborn Andromache going from Amazon soldier to mother. Every journey to motherhood is different, but Rhine somehow captured the life-changing, brain altering moment that a person becomes a mother. Her story, and showing her priorities intensify and shift was just really relatable.

I think fans of Song of Achilles and Circe will really love this fresh and unique take on the epic. Rhine’s writing and take on these characters is so compelling, and fun to read that as someone who loved the Iliad and knows the story, I still felt myself hoping for a happier ending for some of our heroines.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for this ARC.

Thank you so much netgalley for the arc! I loved horses Of Fire. It was an excellent debut. I was so excited to receive this arc and continue the story. The writing and World building were excellent the characters are unique. It's a time in history that not a lot of historical fiction books cover, so that was intriguing. I am a newfound fan of A. D. RHINE and can't wait to see what they write next! 🤗

I've read The Iliad. I've read A Song of Achilles. I know what happens at the end of the Trojan War but I still wanted to bawl constantly during this book. Probably because I got to know these women so well and love
them.

Though this was a seamless continuation of Horses of Fire, there was still some great character transformation/evolution.

There's much more of Cassandra and the strength she pulls from all aspects of herself.

Helen becomes more of the leader and caregiver that she's meant to be.

Andromache makes the transition from warrior to mother and that never seems to make her any less of either role. So much better than the hothead she was in the first book.

Rhea is no longer a mouse and I was rooting for her the whole time. Loved loved loved her relationship with Ajax.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Group for the advanced copy of this book.

Daughters of Bronze is the second book in their duology of the Trojan War. You do not have to read Horse of Fire first, but it will give you even more depth to their characters if you do. The author’s military brat upbringing comes out in their understanding of military values and relationships among those who are serving. In line with their goal they have retold the story along lines that can be understood as historically plausible. Being able to appreciate a book for its story, a movie for how it is told in that way allows for an even greater appreciation for their craft.
As a Veteran I appreciated how they explored friendship, duty, hardship, glory and injury, both physical and moral. We get this story from a female viewpoint, alternating between Rhea, Andromache, Cassandra and Helen in 43 Chapters covering 4 Books. It is written as an Epic, and there is a depth and twists to what a reader of the Iliad expects the story to be as it unfolds that add color and truth that can be understood by the modern reader that they may not connect with in a traditional telling / reading of the story. This is much more than just the” Wrath of Achilles” and the God’s taking interest in what is happening with the Greeks and the Trojans.
While the story is given to us from the eyes and words of the daughters, the men, Menelaus, Agamemnon, Achilles, Patroclus, Ajax grow into descriptions that show us what was motivating them to be there on the plain before the walls of Troy. In this story Paris plays a new role, but has an age old motivation. We see the politics behind the leadership and defense of Troy and come to know Priam, Hector, Aeneas and a host of other characters. Traveling between the two cams Rhea works as a spy among the women who are captured and serving the Greeks and her trial becomes a twisted course through trust and love. I look forward to what these authors will tackle to retool, place in a “it could have been like this” pattern next.

Wow!! I loved everything about this! These women were so strong and fierce!! I love a good retelling of Troy and I loved that this story focused more on the women. I just can't say enough good things about this book! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy when it's released!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Peguin Group for my digital ARC!!!!

What an achingly beautiful continuation of Horses of Fire. I loved the growth the characters go through and the continued focus on the Trojan women during the infamous Trojan war. 🗡️

I’d first like to say that the addition of Cassandra’s POV was not only a wonderful addition to the original three, but also provided a deeper look into her mind. I found her the most fascinating of the bunch because she holds so many personas inside herself. Her backstory is tragic and really shines a light on why women find it so hard to speak out about their violation and how their abuser goes untouched. 😔

Helen continues to astound me with her compassion and determination to stay strong and positive. I’ve been fully converted over to being a Helen fan, and I loved the ending she got in this tale. 🪴

Andromache got such an incredible glow up to motherhood and a more compassionate woman that I just found myself really falling for her character. She’s still proud and strong, but now she understands the world and even women better than before, but I loved that she never lost herself to motherhood like some people expect women to do. Her relationship with Hector just shined in this book, and you could feel the cold grip of grief when the expected fight between Hector and Achilles happens. 🏹

And Rhea. I honestly loved how she came to see the Achaeans in a different light thanks to her growing love for Ajax. My heart will never be the same now that I know a potential loving, teddy bear like personality could exist for such a formidable warrior. And their ending? . . . I’m ruined. 🥲

Despite some moments where I thought the ending felt a little sped up, I have found the book beautifully done and providing an incredible perspective from the “enemy” side of the Trojan War. 💔

Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review, and a special thank you to the authors, A. D. Rhine, for making me fall in love with these formidable women. 🥹

Publication date: November 26!!

Overall book: 4.75/5 ⭐️
Overall series: 4.6/5 ⭐️ (or whatever the mean is)

∞
INFINITY STARS

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC and A.D. Rhine for this masterpiece.

Daughters of Bronze finishes the duology started in Horses of Fire. A beautiful retelling of the Trojan War through the eyes of the women in the center of it all - Andromache - wife of Prince Hector, Helen of Sparta - wife of a Greek king who is said to have started the war by fleeing to Troy with Prince Paris, Rhea - a refugee turned Trojan spy, and Cassandra - princess of Troy.

A.D. Rhine puts a new spin on a classic story and tugs on all your heartstrings with-developed and complex characters. Action, drama, joy, heartbreak, suspense, love - this book has it all.

It is a story that I couldn’t stop reading, and despite the satisfying ending, I was so sad that it was over. I want this duology made into a movie so I can watch it over and over. I LOVED this book.

If you love Greek historical/mythological retelling, don’t miss this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dutton, and the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

“Because he is suffering. And suffering makes men cruel.”
“So what does it make us?”
“Women.”

WOW. An epic if there ever was one. Probably one of the best retellings of the Trojan war told by the perspective of 4 women who were key to the outcome. This was written so well and had me feeling all sorts of emotions. I wish i had known this was the second book in the duology so that i could’ve read the first one and gotten more background on these women and this story. The book is very long and dragged at times, but my god was it beautiful.

Daughters of the Bronze: A Fresh Lens on an Ancient Epic

A.D. Rhine's "Daughters of the Bronze," transports us back to ancient Troy, but with a twist: the saga is seen through the eyes of its formidable women. This novel stands as a bold reimagining of the Trojan War, exploring the impactful yet often uncelebrated roles women played in shaping its course.

The authors masterfully recreate the ancient world of Troy with vivid descriptions of the dusty plains, the bustling camps, and the tense atmosphere of a city on the brink. The political divisions within the enemy ranks, the detailed accounts of the Trojan and Achaean strategies, and the personal dramas unfolding within the city walls all contribute to a richly textured backdrop.

As we navigate through the intricate espionage and political machinations from the perspectives of Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra, the authors bring us into the intimate corners of a city under siege, both physically and emotionally.

The central theme of "Daughters of the Bronze" is the significant impact of individual actions, especially those taken from the shadows. This theme is brilliantly embodied in Rhea's role as a spy. Despite her subtle presence, her actions and those of her network of female spies are pivotal. Through their covert operations, they manage to keep the Trojans one step ahead, demonstrating that the quietest voices can sometimes echo the loudest in history.

Cassandra’s visions add a mystical element to the narrative, blending prophecy with the harsh realities of war. Her struggle to be heard and believed adds a poignant layer to her character, reflecting the broader theme of underappreciated influences.

"Daughters of the Bronze" is not just a novel; it's an experience. It invites the reader to look beyond the grand narratives of history to the quiet, often unseen forces that shape events. The novel’s focus on the women of Troy— their struggles, their strategies, and their undeniable impact— offers a fresh and captivating perspective on a well-trodden story. This reimagined epic not only entertains but also enriches our understanding of what might have been, illuminating the unseen warriors of a legendary conflict.

I enjoyed the second book in this duology about the women of Troy. Andromache, fighter of men, becomes a mother in this book and her priorities now include protecting her son as well as her city. Cassandra, disregarded prophetess, leaves her tower, asserts herself over some of the personalities that she has developed to protect herself, and becomes more of an influence over the other women. Helen uses her gentle and compassionate strength to support her friends and leave Paris's shadow. Finally, Rhea (the only character not in the Iliad as far as I know), continues her dangerous spy work in the Greek camps and further develops her relationship with Ajax.

All of these women are very different characters- this was done extremely well. I think that each woman had sort of a tragic blind spot that led them into a bad decision or two. The book felt comfortable to come back to after reading the first book in the series. I found myself dreading the end of this book because I knew how it turned out for most of these women- none of them had a happy ending.

There were some difficulties too. Emotion was at such a fever pitch through the whole book that it sometimes felt exhausting. Every decision and action was so important and affected so many. Every dramatic emotion was earned but it was sort of like shouting all the time. On the other hand, being in a city more or less besieged would indeed feel that way.

There was a plot about getting Scamandrius out of the city and then back in that felt like a lot of wheel-spinning to me. It led to some character development but I felt like a lot of time was wasted on a decision that was immediately rescinded. The end of the war wasn't dwelled upon, which was rather merciful to the reader, but shorted the end of these womens' striving and stories.

I did very much admire this book. The authors have written the best ancient Greek story retelling that I've read since The Song of Achilles. There are a lot of myth retellings out there but I've found most of them wanting. I'd love to see if these authors collaborate together again.

Historical fiction novels, specifically those which retell the infamous Greek myths from a modern lens, are my favorite novels to read. This is especially true for retellings which give voice to historically marginalized perspectives or highlight social injustice and inequality. This book, which is the second publication of a duology, does just that.

Although this book is part of a duology, it can be read as a standalone Novel. Prior to reading this book, I had not read the first publication, Horses of Fire. I faced no difficulties jumping into the timeless story. I do recommend that readers have a familiarity with The Iliad by Homer prior to starting this novel simply because of the number of characters, perspectives, and plots which are encompassed within the story. I am very familiar with the epic which inspires this retelling, and I feel as though this level of familiarity is somewhat expected of the reader.

*NOTE: Please do not let this opinion deter you from this novel as my perspective is biased and I do not know what it is like to read this book without a prior understanding. If you wish to read The Iliad, I highly recommend reading the version translated by W. H. D. Rouse.

This story is told from multiple, first-person POVs which alternate throughout the chapters. Personally, I found Rhea’s perspective the most intriguing and unique to this ancient epic. I often found myself wishing for more chapters from her perspective and truthfully would have appreciated a novel that was solely her own story. Personally, I felt most connected to this character and both times I was brought to tears, it was her storyline which was responsible. The complexity to this character story is astounding and I believe it would benefit from having its own moment. That is not to say I did not enjoy the other perspectives, as every character develops the story in a way which is critical to the duology as a whole. With that said, I do feel a slightly shorter novel narrated from an expanded experience exclusive to Rhea may engage a wider audience.

I think that the authors biggest strength in this novel is their depiction of motherhood. This theme is discussed in depth and with an elegance which I have not previously encountered. As someone who has no desire to have children, and never has, it speaks volumes that I found myself empathetically longing for the experience of motherhood portrayed in this novel. Also notable of the authors was their decision to highlight Anatolian culture, especially in Andromache’s character. The authors recognize that the Greek lens through which this epic has historically been narrated likely overshadows the culture of the ancient people by whom the Trojans are inspired. I greatly appreciate the authors awareness of this bias and their effort to give voice to those whose stories are often left untold.

Although my reading experience was overal very positive, I did find the beginning/middle of the book to be slightly slow. With that said it is important to acknowledge that I read this book on my kindle as an EPUB and consequently, I do not think I was fully aware of the length of this novel while reading it. Therefore, it is likely that this perception of slow is construed by its intangible length. On a more positive note, I love how this retelling answered many questions which the Iliad left unanswered. Not only does this novel breathe fresh life into an ancient story but it provides an ending which is more satisfactory than the original. This is an incredibly thoughtful and well researched approach.

Overall, I would rate this read 3.75/5 stars.
If I considered Rhea’s chapters independently, I would rate this read 5/5 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton, for the opportunity to access an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This is, hands down, one of the best Trojan War retellings out there (and I consider myself an expert source, because I'm almost positive I've read all of them and always do thorough research before/during/after my reading). I know that some people are concerned that the market has been oversaturated with mythological retellings, but if you're giving up on the genre, read this duology first.

To bring this all together, this is my review for Horses of Fire:
"I have been dying for an Andromache book and this one delivered!! It took me a second to really become invested, but once the story picked up, I couldn't put it down. I almost wish that I didn't know what's bound to happen in the second book, though, because I'm already depressed about it 🙃"

And boy, this delivered. The second installment held back no punches, and perfectly encapsulated how women can fight wars using skills men can't utilize. There was never a POV that wasn't relevant or captivating (which is always a risk with multi-POV books), but Andromache's and Rhea's were especially incredible. I loved their stories, and even though I knew of Hector's and Ajax's fates, I found myself still dying to read what happened next. I thought their stories were beautiful, and even though they were filled with grief that I could feel tangibly, the hope and strength they were able to find was incredibly impactful.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Penguin Group for the ARC. I'm so, so happy to have read this duology.

I am still in a state of emotion turmoil after finishing this book earlier today. I sobbed a billion times while reading, bawled my eyes out when I finished the book, and am currently a little misty eyed thinking about the book right now trying to write this.

The historical accuracy is on point, the characters feel so honest and true to life. I felt every single thing that happened to these women as they were going through it. The writing is exceptional and some of those lines about the ferocity of love mixed with anguish.....*chef's kiss* I am totally willing to be destroyed by this book again, but not any time soon.