As a student of the classics I was so excited to read this book. However, as a lover of fantasy fiction, this one was not for me. The author did a great job weaving together various Greek myths, but did not give enough space in the story for her own adaptations. The main character felt flat to me, and her own story seemed rushed to make space for pieces of Greek stories. However, author did an great job of emulating the frustrations of the original Greek myths in that the reader can only watch as a deeply flawed main character is dragged through a tale with no control, making poor decision after poor decision until they are left alone and desperate. The romantic subplot with so much potential was given the Greek tragedy treatment and the second felt forced and unrealistic. I’d recommend this to someone who wants to get a taste of the Greek myths but I won’t be seeking out the inevitable sequel.

2.5 stars but I'm going to round down because the story fell a bit flat to me. I adore anything based on myth so always jump to read them but this one just wasn't it. I got bored. Which is weird because it does have exciting moments which are what let me finish it but not quite to a 3 star. I can for sure see others loving this and there is an interesting plot developed for the remainder of the series. I will have to check out the sequel and see if this is one of those authors I just need to give a bit more time to develop a series.

I received an advanced copy of Daughter of Chaos from Netgalley and the publisher and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Daughter of Chaos had so much potential. A retelling of Greek myths set in the time period when they were the most prevalent? Sign me up. However, a quarter of the way through, I knew this book wasn't for me.

The most glaring issue I had, and the reason I DNF'd, was that I was bored. The synopsis makes the story sound fast-paced and action-packed, but it forgets to mention that none of it happens in the book's first quarter. It's all exposition. None of the exciting bits featured in the synopsis are anywhere to be found for the first 25% of the book. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for good exposition, and it was good exposition, but I couldn't understand how it related to the plot. In fact, what plot? Was there a plot? I couldn't find it.

That's probably a bit harsh, but I spent the entire time wondering how any of this information we were getting moved the story along. We skipped a lot of time in the first quarter, to the point where I was asking why the scenes weren't flashbacks included later in the story as Danae's backstory. Ultimately, it made everything feel pointless, which is not a feeling I want to have while reading. I'm not saying every book needs to start in the middle of the action, but by the time I got to the action, I didn't care anymore. I wanted to, but it felt like I was dragging myself along, hoping to get to the juicy parts.

There is absolutely an audience for Daughter of Chaos, and many people will like it. Unfortunately, I had to DNF because I couldn't get into it.

DAUGHTER OF CHAOS by A.S. Webb takes place in ancient Greece, where the people live and die by the will and whims of the gods…and those who claim to speak for them.

The story follows Danae, who is forced to flee her home after gaining mysterious powers. Wanting answers about these strange abilities, she embarks on a dangerous adventure to find the titan, Prometheus.

This book was a good experience on audio because it is so plot forward. I enjoyed Danae’s adventure, especially once she joined up with Heracles, Jason, and the Argonauts.

I do wish there was a bit more character development, however. I enjoyed seeing Danae’s spunky side in the first chapters where she still lives with her family. Once the action started, she still had her impulsive moments, but I wanted to see more of her personality.

I’m not sure if The Dark Pantheon will be a duology or trilogy, but I am curious about book two. Daughter of Chaos had a great reveal at the end, so I’m interested to see where the author takes this story next. Given the choice, I would opt again for the audiobook.

I feel like I can't breathe cos I can't find a release date for book 2!!

This is the Greek mythology we've all been yearning for! A. S. Webb has created an entirely original character who lives in the ancient world of gods and heroes. So she's living among people who believe that the gods shape their lives, and interacting with the legends and tales we love, but with her own agency and autonomy. "Daughter of Chaos" proves that you don't have to bring magic into the modern world in order to bring new life to it.

Danae is the second daughter of humble fisherman. Her village's patron god is Demeter, so they made annual sacrifices to ensure good harvests. When her sister is abducted, everyone blames her family for the god's ill favor. But Danae knows the truth - there are monsters in these mountains! Danae is so loyal to her family and so enraged with the gods. I love how immersive this world felt as we follow Danae escaping her poor village (very Wrath of the Titans 2012), sneaking through the capitalist streets of Athens and setting on a ocean adventure to find the truth about her growing powers.

I have to spoil this for you now - but when HERCULES walked on the page in all his monster-fighting glory!!! *the biggest heart eyes ever* I SWOONED!! Danae finesses her way into his little squad ft. a cinnamon roll farm boy, a disgraced but boisterous prince, and THE female warrior ATALANTA! Their adventures together are recognizable in a very cool, cameo sort of way while introducing new threads that form a completely new tale. There's familial love, disastrous attraction and epic action. I am in pain wondering how long until I get my hands on the sequel.

If you like books like Blood of Hercules and Song of Achilles, then you will probably like Daughterbof Chaos. It is inspired by Greek mythology. This book was action-packed, which I loved. You should definitely check the trigger warnings as some content is definitely not for everyone. The characters are likable and the plot is amazing. I don't want to spoil anything and highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for the eArc!

Daughter of Chaos is set in Ancient Greece and follows Danae, our FMC, as she leaves her home in Naxos. We get to watch as Danae joins up with Heracles for an epic journey that includes monster fighting and figuring out who she really is.

The world building is lovely and it’s fun to get to imagine the different places and monsters we see.
If you love Greek mythology I think you will really enjoy this one!

Thank you, Harlequin Trade and Netgalley, for the eARC!

Rating - 4.25/5 🌟

This is such a different take on the Greek gods and the lore of their story. I actually had a lot of fun with this book for it being a debut book!

I'll definitely be picking up book two cause this book leaves you wanting more, and the plot twist at the end is like, wait, what?!

What an epic start to a dark fantasy based on Greek mythology. Includes a unique twist on Jason and the argonauts, as well as the 12 gods of Olympus. I enjoyed this immensely! Highly recommend to anyone who loves mythology and epic quests.

I love stories with Greek mythology, so I knew I would enjoy this book. The story was new, while also mentioning many Greek mythology figures that I knew. I loved all of the action, which made me not be able to put the book down. Danae was a likable main character who despite her struggles pushed through. I'm looking forward to other books in the series.

Daughter of Chaos is an absolutely action-packed greek mythology retelling that was blurbed and recommended by Saara El-Arifi which was all I needed to know prior to reading this.

Daughter of Chaos takes place in a world where mortals suffer under the tyranny of the Greek gods. Danae, a fisherman's daughter with mysterious powers, embarks on a perilous journey to uncover her destiny and fulfill an ancient prophecy of liberation from those gods. Joined by mythical hero Heracles and his crew, she battles monsters and divine forces, uncovering a truth that could reshape the fate of humanity.

I must make a disclaimer here that I do not typically read mythology retellings ( greek or otherwise) so I can NOT speak to the integrity of the retelling so take that into consideration in my review. This book is true adventure fantasy that maintains a breakneck pace as Danae traverses the world to find the source of her power. The fast paced plot MAY have at times been at the detriment of the character development, but honestly, especially for a debut novel, I was impressed.

The beginning of the story is absolutely BRUTAL (please check your trigger warnings because they are significant) and these characters are just continually put through it and I was fascinated by how they overcame obstacles. There is minor queer rep (sapphic characters, mm yearning, and nonbinary rep), although not as significant as I was hoping. I do love me a good grumpy lesiban bow and arrow wielding warrior like the story’s Atalanta, however the potential for romance between her and the FMC was squandered.

Especially for a debut novel I found this to be a highly entertaining read and I will likely move forward in the series, but I do hope that if the gods play a more predominant role in book two that their characters are more fleshed out because in the little we did see them in the story, they almost seemed like caricatures rather than full formed characters (The last line with Zues was a bit cringe...)

Thank you to Harper Collins Publishing and The Hive Influencer program for the opportunity to read Daughter of Chaos as a digital arc.

This book hooked me right in from the beginning, and swept me away into the beauty that is Mythical retellings. I love Greek Mythology dearly, and this was really well executed and beautiful. I can hardly wait for book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley, and MIRA books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

This is a gripping and action-packed epic fantasy that will captivate readers who are drawn to the rich and immersive world of Greek mythology, mythical creatures, and heroic quests, making it a perfect fit for fans of fantasy and mythology enthusiasts who crave a story of adventure, self-discovery, and rebellion against the gods.

This was one of the best books I’ve read! I didn’t know I was craving a fantasy that read like historical fiction until I was in it. The world was so realistic and visceral, there was no veiling the violence of the times but also avoided being gratuitous.

Danae’s character was rich and in constant change allowing for a full and satisfying arc. Any romance was a plot point rather than a plot line, which is always appreciated in a non-romance genre fantasy where so often it takes the reader out of the story rather than adding to it.

As a first book in the series, I can’t wait to learn more about this world and keep peeling back the layers.

Thank you NetGalley and MIRA Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 3.5/5

“Before the earth and the sea and the all-encompassing heaven came into being, the whole of nature displayed but a single face, which men have called Chaos.” - Ovid, Metamorphoses

This book had a lot of great things going for it! I absolutely love all things Greek mythology (and have since the late 90s when I first watched Disney’s Hercules in the drive-in and then discovered the best show on TV at the time - Xena Warrior Princess). It was great seeing so many familiar names pop up, in stories that rang some bells but still felt fresh and new. Heracles, in particular, has never felt more real and raw as he does in this version, nor has he ever been sexier (sorry not sorry, Kevin Sorbo).

The plot was action-packed and really put its own spin on Greek mythology - seriously, really unique twists that I never saw coming. So like I said, the book had a lot of great things going for it and overall I did enjoy reading it. But for some reason, it just didn’t totally suck me in. And while I’d like to see what happens next in Danae’s story, I’m also not sitting here absolutely desperate to read the next book. I’m sure I’ll get around to it eventually, but it just doesn’t feel terribly urgent to me.

At the end of the day, I do think fellow fans of Greek mythology, action-packed fantasy, and heroes vs monsters should definitely give this book a try!

(This review was posted on my bookstagram account @sgagensimplewords on January 18, 2025. It was also posted on Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Fable.)

I loved Danae and her persistence despite being a fisherman's daughter. Her struggles and success are such an important lesson to never give up.

look at me, already breaking my resolution to dnf books i don’t enjoy. i am nothing if not consistent 🫶

meet danae. she is Not Like Other Girls even before she develops mysterious powers and learns that she is the object of an ancient prophecy. forced to leave her island home on naxos, she travels first to the oracle at delphi and then joins the argonauts on a quest to the end of the world in search of answers.

i picked up daughter of chaos knowing i was either going to love it or hate it. “for mortals to be free, the gods must fall” sounded like either a fresh, intriguing take on greek mythology or a cheap fanfic with the author’s super special OC running about and generally wreaking havoc, and unfortunately it fell into the latter category for me. the beginning was okay, i guess, but everything went downhill as soon as webb started introducing familiar faces.

this book is action-packed, and yet most of the time it felt like nothing was happening. the characters rush from event to event until the big reveal at the end—a twist that i found more stupid than shocking. webb’s writing style was not for me, but my larger issue was how poorly informed her storytelling seemed to be. i’m no greek mythology scholar, but some of the changes she made were just baffling or outright annoying to the extent that they pulled me right out of the story. i’m not opposed to changes, but here they often felt more like sloppy plot conveniences than intentional changes made by someone who did their research.

i also found the bi rep underwhelming. danae’s attraction to women is only vaguely hinted at in a couple of scenes, while she has explicitly romantic subplots with two male characters.

…so no, i will not be picking up the sequel, thanks for asking! i’m sure this series has an audience, but it is not for me.

A.S. Webb’s *Daughter of Chaos* is a spellbinding fantasy that combines gripping action, vivid world-building, and deeply emotional storytelling into an unforgettable adventure. From the opening scene to the last page, Webb takes readers on a journey filled with danger, magic, and the unyielding strength of the human spirit.

The pacing is expertly crafted, with moments of heart-pounding intensity balanced by quieter, reflective scenes that give the characters room to grow and breathe. Each twist and revelation is perfectly timed, keeping readers hooked while building toward a breathtaking finale.

The protagonist is a force to be reckoned with—her resilience, complexity, and determination make her a character you can’t help but root for. Webb excels at creating characters who feel authentic and multidimensional, each with their own flaws, motivations, and arcs. The relationships, whether forged in loyalty, love, or rivalry, add emotional depth and make the stakes feel all the more real.

Webb’s world-building is nothing short of extraordinary. The richly detailed setting brims with dark magic, political intrigue, and ancient secrets, immersing readers in a universe that feels both fantastical and grounded. The intricate lore and mythology woven throughout the story add layers of depth, creating a world that feels fully alive.

*Daughter of Chaos* is a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and tales of defiance and destiny. A.S. Webb delivers a powerful story that lingers long after the final page, solidifying her place as a rising star in the genre. Highly recommended for anyone who loves stories where chaos births greatness.

A stunning adventure, based in Greek mythology, that feels simultaneously familiar and entirely unexpected. We follow main character Danae in what starts as a small town coming of age story, and morphs into an epic heroes journey. We meet notorious heroes like Heracles, Jason & the Argonauts, and the gods themselves - but they have all been reimagined. Secrets & lies unfold as Danae sets out to fulfill her destiny.

This book was fast paced, immersive, and beautifully written. An excellent debut.

In Daughter of Chaos by A.S. Webb, the first book in The Pantheon series, Danae, a fisherman’s daughter, embarks on a high-stakes quest to uncover her destiny. Set against the backdrop of a Greek island where the Gods are feared, the story takes a dramatic turn when a ceremonial offering to a Goddess goes terribly wrong, forever altering Danae’s life and that of her family.

This debut blends Greek mythology with a fresh, unique narrative, evoking the adventurous spirit of Percy Jackson but with heightened stakes and more mature undertones. While Danae's story isn’t tied directly to any specific myth, readers familiar with Greek tales will recognize some familiar characters woven into the plot.

I loved the imaginative retelling and the compelling twists, though I did find the pacing inconsistent. The middle of the novel slows down, which disrupts the otherwise engaging flow. Despite this, I’m eager to continue following Danae’s journey as she forges her own path.

Thank you, Mira, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and The Hive for the opportunity to read this book.