I read this to see what my 9th grade daughter was reading for high school. I thought it was a very unique way to explain the Trojan war and greek mythology in way that wouldn't bore a teen, or someone who didn't already know. For me, the book started out interesting as the teen characters were introduced. But by the middle of the book, the story became dull and repetitive. It was difficult to finish. But I do think my daughter got something out of it.
Helpful Score: 2
my expectations for this book were terribly off! It wasn't a retelling of the Illiad as I had assumed. It was a novel of several servants (teenagers I suppose, their ages are never given just that they were very small when the war began) who experience the war, seige and sacking of their city along with all the principal characters. I was very impressed with the way the gods and goddesses are portrayed it gives a good understanding of the nature of the greek gods of that age, how arbitrary they were, how human and immoral they were. How they meddled in human lives (or such was the perception of the age). I would be very hesitant to allow a younger student to read this, definately high school age, not very difficult to read, but often tragic, and at times graffic. The illiad wasn't a story of triumph over evil by any means, so in that sense no surprise here, but I was expecting a little more. Definately different. I don't know if I would say good, but not a bad read. 2 1/2 stars.
Helpful Score: 1
an ALA best book for young adults and Hornbook honor book. this is a novel about love and war set in the final days of the siege of Troy.
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful book about the life of the Trojans & Greeks during the War. I loved how Ms. Geras breathed life into characters and developed them further than just the myths we have all read. Definitely worth reading.
