Before The Trojan War

Okay, I just really want to review books and after almost 24 hours, I couldn't wait any longer. So here we go.

~*~Nobody's Princess~*~

(summary thanks to B&N)

She is beautiful, she is a princess, and Aphrodite is her favorite goddess, but something in Helen of Sparta just itches for more out of life. Not one to count on the gods—or her looks—to take care of her, Helen sets out to get what she wants with steely determination and a sassy attitude. That same attitude makes Helen a few enemies—such as the self-proclaimed "son of Zeus" Theseus—but it also intrigues, charms, and amuses those who become her friends, from the famed huntress Atalanta to the young priestess who is the Oracle of Delphi.

I'm in Mythology at school, so it was pretty much inevitable that I would absolutely love this book. And it's true, I did fall for it. It gives me a completely new look at Helen of Sparta--soon to be Helen of Troy. I love how Helen is so independent and so unlike her sister, Clytemnestra. Where Clytemnestra loves sewing and embroidery, Helen is determined to become strong and learn how to fight. She relates more to her brothers Castor and Polydeuces more than her sister. Helen is a innocent and naive child in the beginning, and you still see that innocence as she grows up. She is a good judge of character and gives people trust, even if they do not deserve it. I liked seeing her make friends with Atalanta and the Oracle of Delphi, a.k.a. Eunike the Pythia. While this story was slightly childish, it dealt with situations such as love, death, and proving yourself. Helen is a truly nice person and she shows this when she frees the slave Milo and takes him with her just as a friend. I really do want that to turn into something but that's just because I'm used to teenage angst books and this is centuries upon centuries ago where there weren't many situations like that. But it's nice to see her be nice to Milo although it is so obvious he likes her. Anywho, the only thing I could say that I didn't like was that the story was slightly inconsistent and became a little boring at the end. Overall, even with that tiny fault, I loved this book. It was cool to see Helen in a new light before Paris, Menelaus, and Troy, and I recommend it completely to those who love a good story. Especially if you love mythology, like I do.

This book get's four out of five piles of bacon. Mmm, bacon.

I can't wait to read the sequal, Nobody's Prize, which I'll be reading right after Ghostgirl. Look forward to it!

Hearts&Circles,

Tay-Toe