A review by ginalucia
Helen's Judgement by Susan C. Wilson

challenging dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 Helen's Judgement is the second installment in The House of Atreus series, but honestly, it could be read alone. Either way, it’s worth every page.

If you've been desperate for a more detailed and intimate experience of what it was like for Helen of Troy, this is it. As a bonus, you get Achilles' side of the story, which is as detailed as it is harrowing.

This book is harsh, so if you're looking for a romantic retelling, you're not going to get it. But that's exactly what makes it so good. It's unsettling and upsetting. Less fantasy and more gritty reality mixed with ancient myth.

It does get a little slow towards the middle, but the story requires it because the last quarter needs all that built-up to bring the drama to its peak.

If you want to feel a thousand things, give this a go.

Wondering if this mythology book is for you? Here’s some at-a-glance info:

* Spice levels: Open door scenes, some a little more detailed than others.
* Fantasy levels: None, gods are talked about but do not appear.
* Rep: Queer rep throughout, although it’s a bit more subtle.
* Trigger warnings: Sexual abuse, war, grief, death.
* The format I read it in: Physical.

Thank you Neem Tree Press, for my advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

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