Book Recommendation: Daughter of Sparta

Sparta forged her into a deadly weapon. Now the gods need her to save the world.

Last year, my husband gifted me a copy of Storm of Olympus by Claire M. Andrews. He often includes a book in my presents whenever we exchange gifts. Typically the books he chooses are not ones I would pick out myself, but I almost always enjoy them.

I had never heard of Claire M. Andrews or her Daughter of Sparta series when I opened my gift. However, the blurb drew my interest, and I set off to track down the title book of the series.

While Storm of Olympus will have to wait a little while longer to be read, I am happy to report that I enjoyed Daughter of Sparta and look forward to returning to Andrew’s version of Ancient Greece in Blood of Troy.

The Blurb

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.

What I loved about Daughter of Sparta?

The Scenery

Andrew does a fantastic job of bringing to life many of the settings found in classic Greek mythology. From the Taygetus mountains to Crete, the Foloi Forest to Thebes, and the Underworld to Mr. Olympus, Daphne’s journey through Ancient Greece beautifully blends the mythical with the mundane.

From a pacing standpoint, I especially enjoyed how Andrew used the characters’ movements from location to location to deepen the story’s plot. You will find no sudden arrivals to new places within Daughter of Sparta.Yet despite the weeks and months of traveling on foot, horse, and boat the story does not feel dragged down by these scenes. The characters move with purpose through a richly imagined world.

The Slow Burn Romance

I’m a sucker for a slow burn, and Daughter of Sparta did not disappoint. From the stolen glances to lingering appraisals, Daphne’s feelings for Apollo emerge gradually throughout the book.

While some may classify this as an enemies-to-lovers, I personally do not feel that trope fits Daphne and Apollo’s relationship. The story begins with Daphne disdaining the gods of Olympus, especially Apollo, who she views as lazy and self obsessed. However she quickly accepts that her goals and those of the god of prophesy are aligned, even if it takes her the majority of the book to trust his motives.

From Apollo’s standpoint, there is no denying he has feelings for Daphne. From the very beginning, Andrew hints that he has a history with her. And while we do not get the full story by the end of book one, I have no doubt that we will know their full history by the end of book three.

The Connections with Secondary Characters

While Daughter of Sparta is written in first person with Daphne narrating the entire tale, the secondary characters are well written. Whether they are working with or against Daphne, we are not left guessing as to what motivates them. Their own wants and desires are clear from their actions.

Despite the majority of the story taking place outside of Sparta, Andrew gives us a clear picture of Daphne’s relationship with the family she has left behind. And it is not hard to image why Daphne feels so much pressure to prove her worth to them.

Who Should Read Daughter of Sparta?

Anyone who enjoys reimagined mythology and strong female characters will likely enjoy Daughter of Sparta.

While this book does involve some detailed fight scenes, many which end in death, I feel that it is suitable for young adult readers age 14 and up.