Publication Date: June 8, 2021
Edition: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook; 400 pgs
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Books
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Buy: Amazon - Kindle - Audible -
iBooks - Kobo - The Book Depository -
Bookshop.org - Barnes & Noble
Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Tour Schedule
Week One
6/7/2021 - YABooksCentral - Excerpt
6/8/2021 - A Court of Coffee and Books - Review
6/9/2021 - History from a Woman’s Perspective - Review
6/10/2021 - The Momma Spot - Review
6/11/2021 - Momfluenster - Review
Week Two
6/14/2021 - Books and Zebras @jypsylynn - Review
6/15/2021 - The Bookwyrm's Den - Review
6/16/2021 - Eli to the nth - Review
6/17/2021 - @fictitious.fox - Review
6/18/2021 - Book Briefs - Review
The Summary
Sparta forged her into a deadly weapon. Now the Gods need her to save the world!
Seventeen-year-old Daphne has spent her entire life honing her body and mind into that of a warrior, hoping to be accepted by the unyielding people of ancient Sparta. But an unexpected encounter with the goddess Artemis—who holds Daphne's brother's fate in her hands—upends the life she's worked so hard to build. Nine mysterious items have been stolen from Mount Olympus and if Daphne cannot find them, the gods' waning powers will fade away, the mortal world will descend into chaos, and her brother's life will be forfeit.
Guided by Artemis's twin-the handsome and entirely-too-self-assured god Apollo-Daphne's journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to the riddle-spinning Sphinx of Thebes, team her up with mythological legends such as Theseus and Hippolyta of the Amazons, and pit her against the gods themselves.
A reinterpretation of the classic Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo, Daughter of Sparta by debut author Claire Andrews turns the traditionally male-dominated mythology we know into a heart-pounding and empowering female-led adventure.
Praise for DAUGHTER OF SPARTA:
"A fresh, original spin on classic Greek mythology. Andrews is a debut to watch; Daughter of Sparta is an action-packed adventure with phenomenal writing and empowering female characters that are sure to pack a punch. I was absolutely enamored by this book!"—Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of the All the Stars and Teeth series
"Daughter of Sparta deftly weaves classic Greek myth into a spellbinding adventure led by a fierce and complex heroine. An utterly transportive and breathtaking debut."—Katy Rose Pool, author of There Will Come a Darkness
"Claire Andrews' Daughter of Sparta is an epic story about female empowerment, packed with romance, adventure and mystery. This fast-paced and well-researched novel was truly difficult to put down!"—June Hur, author of The Forest of Stolen Girls
"Nonstop action, drama, and an unforgettable female warrior will keep readers turning pages.... Awe-inspiring."—SLJ
"A strong female-led adventure story with an underlying romance."—SLC
"Daphne, a Mothakes (stranger) to the people of Sparta, is a well-trained fighter determined to prove to King Menelaus and Queen Helen that she is as good or better than any other.... The Daphne of myth was a naiad stalked by an ensorcelled Apollo, who transformed into a tree to escape him. This twist on the narrative is great for readers aging out of Rick Riordan’s books."—Booklist
Excerpt
Click the image to hear an excerpt from the audiobook of Daughter of Sparta!
My Review
When I was in elementary school I had a book titled, The Traveler's Guide to Ancient Greece by Fiona MacDonald. I got it at the Scholastic Book Fair, and I was obsessed. I read that book 100s of times, along with any ancient Greece book I could lay my grubby mitts on.
The idea of a civilization so diverse and full of mythology as Greece, was fascinating to me. Multiple Gods instead of one; cities of knowledge or cities of war; monsters slayed by heroes; it all captivated my imagination. Claire M. Andrews has captured my imagination just as much, if not more, with her beautiful and fierce heroine, Daphne, in Daughter of Sparta.
Daphne is based on the naiad of Greek myth, who catches the unwanted advances of Apollo, and subsequently turns herself into a tree to escape him. Luckily, this Daphne is no naiad, nor a damsel in distress but a warrior, strong as any Spartan man, even if she is considered a Mothakes by the native Spartans. This outsider status hangs over Daphne's, and her family's, head, making Daphne want to prove herself despite the restrictions she faces. She gets the ultimate opportunity to prove her worth when the Goddess Artemis forces Daphne to work with Apollo, Artemis' twin brother, to save the Gods of Mount Olympus. But up against real Gods and supernatural forces, can a mortal like Daphne prevail?
From the beginning, Daphne's story captivates the reader. Claire M. Andrews has managed to make such a dynamic character out of this minor figure in Greek mythology, and turn her into a strong-willed young woman who proves herself even in the face of adversity. Daphne was an amazing heroine because you immediately root for her, and even when you think she is being pig-headed or making the wrong decision, you still root for her to survive and win.
Claire does an amazing job crafting the cast of characters, many whom the reader knows from myth already, and making them fully come to life in slightly (or sometimes not so slightly) ways then what people are used to, and that is the genius of this book. Such rich characters, even for the ones barely seen. I love a great character-driven book, and Claire doesn't skimp on that.
But this book isn't just character-driven, no Claire crafts an epic journey for Daphne, an action-pack, nerve-riddled, all-consuming journey. Life hangs in the balance, and not just the life of Daphne, but the entire world as she knows it. No pressure though. The action is non-stop, and a lot of the journey is pulled from mythology, which lends a sense of familiarity to each scene. But this is wholly original.
Wholly original is the perfect two words to sum up the start to such an amazing series, whether that be a duology or more. Claire really captures the essence of the book herself in the Author's Note, stating "[b]ut that is the beauty of myths, stories that are ever changing---we can take from them what is most relevant to us personally, and revel in fantasy" (Andrews, pg. 369, 2021). Fantasy lovers, mythology lovers, and action lovers are all going to need to add Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews as soon as possible. It is knock-out by a debut author, and no one will be disappointed.
Final Rating
About the Author
Claire Andrews was raised in both Alaska and Scotland, but currently lives in Vermont; when not writing, she can usually be found outside swimming, skiing or hiking across the state's famous green mountains. Daughter of Sparta is her debut novel.
Giveaway
3 winners will receive a finished copy of DAUGHTER OF SPARTA, US Only.
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