Helen of Sparta by Amalia Carosella

Final Rating: 4.4/5

Of Gods, Kings, the Age of Heroes and the love of one woman

   Mythology, History and Romance collide in this memorable epic that sends the reader into a world of Kings, Heroes and Immortals. Where mere mortals share tables with demigods, legends are true and blood is spilt to appease fickle and jealous Gods and Goddesses. Here Helen of Sparta speaks and leads her listeners from megarons, to painted halls, sacrificial altars and even to the bowels of the Underworld. Another view is presented to the reader by following the famed hero and demigod Theseus, who now battles his personal demons and past tragedies opposed to the mythical beasts and monsters that the bards sing of. Together Helen and Theseus create another kind of tale for the ages that ripples with feats of will and strength, perilous journeys, drama, loyalty and determination to control one's destiny that may have already been written in the stars above.

   In the end, this novel may have just rekindled my forgotten love of Greek Mythology and I hope there is a sequel. If anything else it was entertaining and brilliant how it combined myth with history and a good dose of romance to create an alternate beginning to a well known heroic poem. I will be completely honest and say I had my doubts especially in the beginning. I understood it was labeled under Historical fiction so I expected to find more history but once a few chapters soared by, I realized Helen of Sparta was more of a historical fantasy type novel; so a few details, tone of dialogue and narration could be slightly bent and forgiven. Ms. Carosella certainly does have a way with words and she doesn't blunt scenes, using dramatic imagery of the dark side of human nature and ancient beliefs of conquest in her tale. So any curious readers take this as a friendly warning: a few entertainment boundaries may be stepped over for some. A few slight alterations to the stories and myths we all know also greet the reader but it ultimately brings new chapters to the saga of Helen of Troy. I would recommend Helen of Sparta to those who love a good old fashioned story, when scenes dance on the walls of imaginations or those brave to explore alternate beginnings with a rich blend of Gods, Kings, the Age of Heroes and the love of one woman that binds them all.

-read and purchased on kindle