✨ 3/5

What is Helena's story for The Iliad? Shadows of Sparta is a fantasy romance retelling of Iliad by C.R. Jane, but this time the focus is on Helena.

Honestly, while reading I realized that she was the trigger or rather excuse used by the kings to have this massive battle to get Troy and massage their egos, but no where is it clearly mentioned that whether she was kidnapped, she ran away or was under a spell. Homer says she ran away, but Homer has never been good at representing women in the story. But anyways, not digressing, Helena's story is not well known.

C.R Jane has taken her character and woven an interesting tale which has elements of magic, power, betrayals, love and passion in it. I liked how the beauty of Helena is used as a weapon. Or even using lust as a weapon. Menelaus as a character is also well-written - as you read the book you begin to hope for his death.
But this is the first book in a trilogy, that's why the book feels more like an introduction than a complete story. There are many elements unexplained as I believe they will be revealed in future books. Achilles as a character too feels promising but early. There is not much about him revealed. I also did not understand the whole arc of Achilles and Helena in the book. She says "he sees her", but nothing substantial has happened between them for him to say that.
Tbh, I loved Paris more ;)

I think book 2 will be a more exciting read as secrets will be revealed, there will be more action. I hope to see Helena as a powerful fmc, than the helplessness she has in book 1.

Thank you so much @podiumentertainment for this copy.

Author - @crjaneauthor

#bookreview #bookrecommendation #shadowsofsparta