By Helen's Hand (Helen of Sparta #2) by Amalia Carosella
Publication Date: May 10, 2016
Lake Union Publishing
eBook & Paperback;
Genre: Historical Fiction
With divine beauty comes dangerous power.
Helen believed she could escape her destiny and save her people from utter destruction. After defying her family and betraying her intended husband, she found peace with her beloved Theseus, the king of Athens and son of Poseidon.
But peace did not last long. Cruelly separated from Theseus by the gods, and uncertain whether he will live or die, Helen is forced to return to Sparta. In order to avoid marriage to Menelaus, a powerful prince unhinged by desire, Helen assembles an array of suitors to compete for her hand. As the men circle like vultures, Helen dreams again of war—and of a strange prince, meant to steal her away. Every step she takes to protect herself and her people seems to bring destruction nearer. Without Theseus’s strength to support her, can Helen thwart the gods and stop her nightmare from coming to pass?
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About the Author
Amalia Carosella graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelors degree in Classical Studies and English. An avid reader and former bookseller, she writes about old heroes and older gods. She lives with her husband in upstate New York and dreams of the day she will own goats (and maybe even a horse, too). For more information, visit her blog at www.amaliacarosella.com. She also writes fantasy and paranormal romance as Amalia Dillin.You can also connect with Amalia on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter here and here.
Review
Helen of Sparta, also known as Helen of Troy, was the daughter of Zeus and Leda, and was a sister of Castor, Pollux, and Clytemnestra.
In Greek myths, she is said to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
Helen was captured by Theseus. a son of a god. They married and Helen was happy, even though she had betrayed her family to be with Theseus.
She was captured back by her brother's and brought home where there were many suitors for her hand in marriage, including, Ajax, Menelaus whom she despised and Odysseus to name only a few . She did marry Menelaus and was Queen of Laconia, a province within Homeric Greece. She was abducted yet again by Paris, Prince of Troy, which brought about the Trojan War. Imagine being so beautiful that you are the cause of a war!
This story has so many characters that it was hard to keep track of them. I did study ancient history in high school and did read the Iliad and the Odyssey and have always loved Greek Mythology so I was kind of familiar yet with the more well known gods and goddesses. Thank goodness for the listing of who's who in the back of the book. That helped tremendously.
I did not read the first book in the series so I may have missed some main parts to the story but I did enjoy reading this version of mythology. If you love historical fiction and the Bronze Age, you will love this story.
I received a copy of this book for review purposes.
Tour Kick Off at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, May 17
Review at The Reading Queen
Wednesday, May 18
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Thursday, May 19
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Monday, May 23
Review at Creating Herstory
Tuesday, May 24
Review at Book Nerd
Wednesday, May 25
Review at Let Them Read Books
Thursday, May 26
Review at Helen's Daughter
Wednesday, June 1
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective
Friday, June 3
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Monday, June 6
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Wednesday, June 8
Interview at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Thursday, June 16
Review at Impressions In Ink
Friday, June 17
Review at Layered Pages
Monday, June 20
Review at Just One More Chapter
Wednesday, June 22
Review at CelticLady's Reviews
Friday, June 24
Tour Wrap Up at Passages to the Past
Giveaway
To win a $40 Amazon Gift Card, sponsored by Amalia Carosella, please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below.Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on June 24th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
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By Helen's Hand
Thanks so much for reading and being part of my tour!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Amalia!
ReplyDelete