Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. I typically really love retellings of Greek myths, but this book just didn’t work for me.

I liked some of the changes they made to the classic myth, but the overall pace of the book was painfully slow and there were way too many named characters to keep them all straight.

I didn't realize until starting that "Daughters of Bronze" is actually the second novel in a series - so while reading the first likely would have made for a more comprehensive experience, I wouldn't say it's necessary, especially for those who are familiar with Greek mythology (or, if you're like me and Greek mythology retellings are your cup of tea). This is, nonetheless, one of most detailed and complex retellings I've yet to read, and from the first few pages was an amazing adventure.

Set during the onslaught of the Battle of Troy, the novel rotates among four women's perspectives: Andromache, wife of Hector; Rhea, a Trojan spy sent across enemy lines to collect information; Helen, whom many blame for instigating the war; and Cassandra, sister of Hector and Paris, who's cursed with visions of the future. Their storylines merge and split, but each woman's perspective highlights a different perspective and aspect of the war. Andromache bears the duties of wife, mother, and ruler, and frequently finds herself clashing with the Council, scorned by the men who overlook her simply because of her gender. Rhea bears of the scars of losing her family as a young child, and her fierce loyalty to Hector and Andromache conflicts with her growing feelings for Ajax, one of the strongest warriors from the Achaeans' side. In Helen, we see not a vain or selfish individual, but one forced against her will into an abusive relationship, using her skills in healing to make the best of her situation. Cassandra's storyline was given the least focus and time, but I also came to empathize with the visions she never asked to see, and how little control she had over them.

I loved the writing and pacing of the novel, and appreciated not only how well-written and developed the characters were, but the detail placed in some of battle scenes; there were so many times my heart started racing while reading through the chapters! The authors did an incredible job taking what is typically accepted or known in these stories and spinning events on their head; without giving too many spoilers, I loved how they reimagined Astyanax's storyline and added so many layers to Ajax and Hector as characters. There are a number of other side and supporting characters introduced throughout the novel as well; I imagine reading the first novel (Horses of Fire) may have made these less confusing, but this didn't detract from the storyline at all.

Very much a recommended read when "Daughters of Bronze" is published in November 2024!

After loving the first in the duology so much, I was nervous to open the first page and start reading. But, shame on me because this book took my breath away. The authors have woven an epic tale that is as old as time, but reworked it and gave us different voices from within the known tale. Because of their writing choices and research, I was entranced the entire time I read it.
You don't know to know anything about this Greek saga to enjoy this because the characters are so multi-dimensional and the setting is to die for. If you are familiar, it doesn't feel old and just rewritten. It is new and fresh and really dives into what it would be like actually living the terror. My senses were emersed in the setting and my heart was tied to the main characters of this novel. I can't wait to read what they come up with next ! No pressure!

I love every novel I've ever read about the Trojan War, and this book is no different. "Daughters of Bronze" is everything I love in a story from this time period - beautiful tragedy, a showcase of women's strength, and multiple love stories sewn together. The prose of this work lulled me to an ethereal place while reading.

I was sad by the ending, or lack thereof, of the story of Rhea and Ajax specifically. I also found a few aspects of the book to be confusing; Cassandra's point of view did not make sense to me at all, and the inclusion of unexplained magical elements (like Atesh, the horse of fire) seemed strange. This book was also just really long, which is not a bad thing, but it did tire me out by the end of all the sadness.

Overall, I though this was a beautiful execution of women's stories from the Trojan War. Huge thanks to A.D. Rhine, Dutton, and NetGalley for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trojan stories are top tier Greek Mythology books, and A.D Rhine did a fabulous job. I'm obsessed with the females of this book, the way the author creates each scenes with intricate care, and the times I was shocked despite knowing how the Trojan War ends. Particularly, I liked the way Helen was portrayed in this retelling because made me understand her choices better.

This new trend of greek mythology retellings (well, maybe it's not a new trend but there have been some fabulous ones lately) absolutely delivers in this new AD Rhine novel. I wish I had a hard copy of this, as I've been making videos on the best Greek retellings and this novel of Troy would absolutely be included! If you like mythology and Homer, you have got to check this one out.

Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read this book without knowing about Horses of Fire, but found my reading experience did not suffer for it. (Although now I need to go back and read the first in the series!)

In this Daughters of Bronze, we read from the perspectives of Helen, Andromache (a warrior and new mother), Cassandra, and Rhea, who uniquely connected to the Achaeans and plays such a crucial role that the story wouldn't unfold the same without her.

I also appreciated the context the authors provided for Hector's duel with Achilles. Without giving too much away, their interpretation adds significant depth to Hector's character, transforming a somewhat perplexing moment in the myth into one of love and sacrifice.

The thing about mythology retellings is that these tales are millennia old, and you know the ending before you even begin. Yet, the authors managed to craft an ending that stays true to The Iliad while still surprising me. It’s a beautifully heartbreaking conclusion, and I valued the author's note that explained the changes made. I loved every moment of this book!

Thank you to Net Galley for providing the copy of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I adore how woman-focused this retelling is! Especially with such strong, amazing women. It broke my heart knowing where the story was going to end up, I definitely cried at least two times while reading this amazing book. Anyone that is a fan of "Circe" is going to love this book, I can't recommend it highly enough!

I enjoyed this retelling of the Trojan War, especially its focus on what the famous women of Troy were up to while the men got all the glory. It was a refreshing perspective on how Troy's leading ladies may have felt while their city was under siege, and the lengths they may have gone to to protect their loved ones and the city of Troy itself. I will admit that because it has been a while since I read the story of Troy, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters in the book, and it took a while for me to remember the characters' places in the story (not to mention their relation to each other). That said, I would recommend this book to those who want to re-read the story of the last days of the Trojan War from a new perspective.

An absolutely beautiful retelling of the end of the Trojan War. I loved this book and I highly recommend it to lovers of mythology, historical fiction, or war novels.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

Mythology has always been an interest of mine, and I'm so happy that these books have grown in popularity. Stories about the women of Troy is intriguing!

I appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.

Thank you for this ARC!

I didn’t realize this was the second book in a duology until after I had started reading. I think I may have had a better reading experience if I had read the first book, but, I was still able to enjoy the second book on its own. I love anything to do with Greek mythology

Brilliant! I loved how this made the saga of Troy so human. I now need to read Horses of Fire and hope there's another book. Excellent job.

Today I’m reviewing Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine. In this historical fiction, we follow four woman, Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra of Troy. Each of these courageous women will change the immense and bulky fabric of the legend and myth of the Trojan War.

I loved this reimagining of The Trojan War. Though, there was one character who truly stood out. Helen. It was so refreshing to see how human Rhine made Helen. Showing she isn’t the mask she wears of a haughty goddess-like beauty, that she is firstly and always a mother. Her reason she left, or rather was taken, from her home and her beloved daughter Hermione, was to keep her daughter safe. It paints Helen in a new and more humanistic light, which I completely enjoyed.

Weaving each of the main character’s experiences, as they navigate a war they did not ask for, it breathes new life into a very old story. Where women fill the forefront of every page, shaping a story that paints them not as helpless victims, but women who instinctively know how to survive.

Giving the story of the Trojan War the feminist version the world needs, A.D. Rhine has created a masterful retelling of how four women of Troy come together to give witness to the war made and waged by foolish men.

If you’ve read Madeline Miller, Pat Barker, or Claire North, you will definitely need to per-order this one.

I didn’t realize this was the second book in a duology until after I had started reading. I think I may have had a better reading experience if I had read the first book, but, I was still able to enjoy the second book on its own. Overall, I thought the writing was beautiful and each sentence felt carefully crafted. It took me a while to get into the story but once I did I found it compelling. I especially liked the POVs of Rhea and Andromache.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC.

I never considered myself a mythology enthusiast during my school years, unlike many of my peers. It wasn’t until my twenties that I discovered feminist retellings of mythological tales and became captivated, devouring as many books as I could find on the subject. While I had a solid learning curve, I gradually began to recognize familiar characters across different narratives.

When I picked up Daughters of Bronze, however, I found myself initially overwhelmed by the plethora of characters introduced. I struggled to distinguish between them and grasp their relevance to the overarching story. Perhaps my delayed interest in mythology contributed to this confusion, but I also realized that other retellings I had read adeptly managed character introductions, focusing only on those crucial to the narrative and omitting less pivotal figures to maintain clarity.

Halfway through Daughters of Bronze, it dawned on me that I had missed out on reading A.D. Rhine’s previous book and its essential prologue. Despite this, by the time I finished the novel, I concluded that prior familiarity with Rhine’s earlier work wasn’t necessary for understanding this standalone sequel. However, as a novice to mythology, I believe it would have enriched my experience.

Despite my initial confusion, I ultimately rated Daughters of Bronze four stars. As I persisted through the story, the supporting characters gradually faded into the background, allowing me to focus on the intertwined lives of the three main characters—Rhea, Helen, and Andromache (not forgetting Cassandra’s significant storyline). Emotionally invested, I found myself moved to tears by their struggles during the fall of Troy. Despite knowing the outcome of the Trojan War, A.D. Rhine’s portrayal made these characters incredibly real, and I felt their anguish as their world crumbled.

What began as a challenging read for me transformed into a favorite summer novel. Daughters of Bronze, with its poignant portrayal of its central characters, resonated deeply despite my initial difficulties, cementing its place as a memorable and emotional journey.

Daughters of Bronze was an amazing retelling of the story of Troy. I felt such a connection with the strong women of this book. Rhea, Helen, Cassandra, and Andromache were so unique and portrayed strength and loyalty in their own ways. I loved how they came together. While the ending was still sad as it was true to the fate of so many women of Troy, I did very much enjoy the alternate ending of Hector's son.

I wish I knew that this was a second book in a duology. I still felt connected to the story, however felt like the first book would have naturally set up more backstory and feelings towards the characters than just reading this second one. I'm hoping one day to revisit this series and read it entirely!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for an advanced copy of Daughters of Bronze. A well written novel from the perspective of the women women of Troy. The book, however, just was not for me.

Thank you, @duttonbooks and @netgalley, for allowing me to read this book. When it comes to history, I love the insights into how life was lived at a specific time, and A.D. Rhine did such an excellent job with it. This book has love, history, action, and sorrow, and this story is told with insights from our main characters, Andromache, Rhea, and Helen. From what I understand, it is about the Trojan War, and our four main characters- a wife, a mother, a fulfilling prophet, and making a name for themselves- made me love this book more. It's genuinely great. All thoughts are of my own,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

I enjoyed some of the perspectives and understand what the author was trying to do, but I just came off reading some books from Madeline Miller and I just thought this didn’t live up to what Greek myth retellings can be. Would love to be able to give it 3.5/5 but since I’m limited by goodreads it’s a bit closer to 3 than 4 stars.

I would still read more from this author and I most enjoyed the sections focused on Rhea and Andromache.