The Wolf-Girl, the Greeks and the Gods: a Tale of the Persian Wars

by Tom Holland

Myth meets history in a blockbuster retelling of the Persian Wars from multi-award-winning author of Rubicon and Persian Fire Tom Holland, lavishly illustrated by Jason Cockcroft.“The Persians are coming…” Hearing these words, Gorgo of Sparta is plunged into a dangerous world of vengeful gods and invincible heroes. For a mighty empire threatens Athens, Sparta and all who stand in its path... Calling on the ancient power to transform into a wolf and the blood of Zeus that runs through her veins, Gorgo must lead her nation in one of history's greatest wars. Multi-award-winning author Tom Holland and acclaimed illustrator Jason Cockcroft boldly weave myth and history in this dramatic tale of Greeks and Gods.Gripping and powerful, this extraordinary illustrated novel will be treasured by readers young and old. Ideal for fans of Percy Jackson, Neil Gaiman and Kevin Crossley-Holland, and the mythical retellings of Madeline Miller, Pat Barker and Stephen Fry, this is a book to be read again and again."BREATHTAKING adventure on every page, and just the kind of detail, colour and vitality that young readers adore." STEPHEN FRY"A spectacularly illustrated account of the Persian Wars ... A MUST-HAVE for any child who loves Greek myths." THE SUNDAY TIMES“A RIP-ROARING, ADRENALINE-FILLED recounting of the infamous Persian wars [...] a gripping and educational volume. […] Gorgeously illustrated.” DAILY MAIL"SPECTACULAR... A tour de force for mythology and military history fans.” GUARDIAN"A GLORIOUS WHITE-KNUCKLE RIDE through classical history ... a book that any child is likely to remember well into their later years." DAILY TELEGRAPH"A GLORIOUS mixture – of history, fiction and thrilling legend, with pictures to swim the Hellespont for." SEBASTIAN FAULKS"A clear contender for one of those totemic books whose memory you carry into adulthood. A TRIUMPH.” THE TIMES, CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK "AS BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT AS IT IS ENTRANCING TO READ. Jason Cockcroft's illustrations are jaw-dropping, and Tom Holland's prose took me back to my own childhood introductions to these extraordinary mythological worlds in Roger Lancelyn Green's Tales of the Greek Heroes and Leon Garfield's and Charles Keeping's The God Beneath the Sea." FRANK COTTRELL-BOYCE"A BEAUTIFUL, immersive work of narrative history to treasure forever." WATERSTONES“This TRULY EPIC adventure includes elements of ancient Greek myth and legend, and it is full of magic, mystery, danger, excitement and wonder. Strirking illustrations by Jason Cockcroft bring its ancient landscapes and heroic characters to life.” THE WEEK JUNIOR, BOOK OF THE WEEK"TERRIFIC ... has the feel of a contemporary classic." TONY BRADMAN, BOOKS FOR KEEPS"Tom Holland's masterly interweaving of myth, imagination and deep classical learning makes this an EXTRAOARDINARY

Genres: Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Fantasy, Fiction, Middle Grade, Mythology, War

208 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

Tom Holland is an English historian and author. He has written many books, both fiction and non-fiction, on many subjects from vampires to history.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Holland was born near Oxford and brought up in the village of Broadchalke near Salisbury, England. He obtained a double first in English and Latin at Queens' College, Cambridge, and afterwards studied shortly for a PhD at Oxford, taking Lord Byron as his subject, before interrupting the post graduate studies and moving to London.

He has adapted Herodotus, Homer, Thucydides and Virgil for BBC Radio 4. His novels, including Attis and Deliver Us From Evil, mostly have a supernatural and horror element as well as being set in the past. He is also the author of three highly praised works of history, Rubicon, Persian Fire and Millennium.

He is on the committee of the Society of Authors and the Classical Association.

Reviews

[Robbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been an avid fan of Tom Holland ever since discovering Persian Fire in 2011, and indeed am one of his many "Wangs": paid-up subscribers to his Rest is History podcast. I was also lucky enough to purchase a signed copy. Accordingly my review is necessarily biased.

That said, I thought this book was a wonderful reworking of Herodotus for a young 21st-century readership. The illustrations are a particularly striking accompaniment to the narrative and they imbue the story with a strong sense of foreboding which never really dissipates, even at the end.

Anyone who has read Herodotus will instantly recognize not only famous witticisms found there ("Then we will fight in the shade!") but also the spirit of relentless curiosity for both the natural and supernatural.

As an homage to the great ancient historian from Halicarnassus by the contemporary historian who most closely resembles him, this book is perfection.

[Michael DeRose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A twist on history. Not to shabby!

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic!!! Highly recommend the audiobook! What a journey that was

[Emily McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was published in 2024, but the formal writing style and density felt much older. I do not recommend this as a child’s first introduction to Ancient Greece or mythology, but it does enrich a a study of those topics. If you need a resource, Core Knowledge’s (free!) second grade language arts curriculum has two excellent units for any age!

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

I have read some Tom Holland histories before and he writes them in a very narrative form. This was a fun blend of folktale and history that was easily consumable.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 Stars*

[Pedro Pablo Uceda Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una auténtica maravilla de libro, tanto por las ilustraciones como por la genial pluma de Tom Holland. Da igual lo que se ponga a escribir, este hombre es un narrador magnífico.

[Verónica Fleitas Solich · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much info dropping and that seems to be the only thing holding the plot together, preventing you from connecting with the protagonist.

[Laura Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a big Holland fan I was excited to pick this up for me and my Greek-loving daughter to read. It did not disappoint. A fresh telling of the tumultuous rise of the Persian empire in Greece is always welcome and Gorgo of Sparta makes for a wonderful narrator. It is adapted to be understood and entertaining to children but pulls no punches and welcomes any reader into deeper and more detailed stories of Themistocles, Sparta and her kings, the chaos of democracy in Athens, and more. The illustrations are powerful and beautiful. They strike the perfect tone of the story. If you love history, or battles, or just good stories then I can definitely recommend this one to you!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rousing retelling of the Persian Wars as told by Gorgo, the Queen of Sparta. It is an exciting adventure story that combines history with Greek mythology. The story begins with Gorgo, the future queen of Sparta, at her mother's death bed where her mother's last words to her are that the "Persians are coming." There is so much happening: Athenian politics, Persian war tactics, the Spartan culture, the bravery of the 300 at Thermopylae, and so much more. Readers who appreciate Greek mythology and history will enjoy this beautifully illustrated book.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only wish the story would have been double or even triple in length. I was not able to fully enjoy the battles or the dynamics of the gods or how Gorgo was able to outthink and out strategize the Spartan council. Pity :(

[David Palicio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonito, sencillo y a la vez mágico acercamiento el que plantea Tom Holland a esta historia de la guerra entre griegos y persas. Y tiene mucho de historia, realmente, dentro de su apariencia de obra juvenil; es un texto ligero y fluido, pero a la vez por su esencia de crónica histórica, y la forma en que va destilando las distintas descripciones de la época, me ha resultado una narración elegante, equilibrada e interesante a todos los niveles. La parte mitológica de la obra aparece de una manera discreta, también con elementos descriptivos interesantes, y se fusiona muy bien en la narración con la parte puramente histórica sin interferir en ella o adulterarla. Por otro lado las numerosas ilustraciones de Jason Cockcroft son magníficas, en parte modernas, en parte evocando aquella iconografía de la Grecia clásica con gran acierto. No es una obra para lectores versados en la materia o para quienes busquen profundidad, pero sí una ficción histórica para apasionar a un público joven, y no tan joven, que busque emocionarse con un relato mítico de guerreros y dioses. Dos autores de prestigio que logran un libro atractivo, accesible y disfrutable.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give the author an 'A' for effort. He tried to make a confusing, 2500 year-old war interesting. However, for me, it was a miss.
The book read too much like a history text. I understand the author stylized the prose to imitate the time period. However, its stiffness did not engage me. Same for the illustrations.
Also, I had to do a significant amount of outside research and frequently consulted the map to orient myself regarding the story. That's my shortcoming, but again, it mentally took me out of the narrative.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful to look at but the story was very dense at times. A long story difficult to condense!

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Holland, a popular historian and host of the podcast The Rest Is History, tries his hand at the Persian Wars in this sumptuous illustrated retelling. A thoughtful introduction alerts readers that this will be a work of historical fiction, focusing on Princess Gorgo of Sparta, a real person. After the Iliad and the Odyssey, the gods vanish from Greek storytelling, Holland writes, but in this version, he’s reinserting them. Using a framework of tales related by Gorgo’s old nurse, Holland outlines a complicated back story, which include hints about the Spartans’ wolfish, shapeshifting nature, their relationship with Athens, and the growing threat of the Persian Empire. Once Gorgo reaches adulthood and the war begins, Holland streamlines the story first told in Herodotus’s Histories, of strategy, betrayal, trickery, and bravery. Meanwhile, Jason Cockcroft’s moody and frightening illustrations (pencil and ink with digital rendering) help create an ominous sense of adventure. Black and white predominate, but many of the double-page spreads incorporate a bold accent color. After Croesus, King of Lydia, is captured, he’s loaded with chains and set upon a giant pyre; the black and white illustration shows the man huddled atop a pile of black kindling while a merciless yellow sun bathes the sky in a dull orange hue. Over and over, gruesome images show the horrors of war, a metaphor for modern times, as men are beheaded, butchered, and drowned. The Spartans often remain flat and mysterious in other retellings; here we see their courage, loyalty, and the sacrifices that the entire city willingly makes to preserve their culture and integrity. An excellent double-page map really helps clarify the geography of the conflict.

I did like this book, but between the frightening visuals and the fidelity to Herodotus’s complex version of history, this won’t be for everyone. Also, it was sometimes difficult to tell what parts of the story sprang from Holland’s imagination (the Spartan werewolf elements?) and which parts had more conventional mythological origins (that Athenian girls spend a year as bears). Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Andrew Deakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celebrity historian Tom Holland's 2023 children's book (for 9yo+) The Wolf-Girl, the Greeks, and the Gods: A Tale of the Persian Wars works just as well for adults as a brief, simple, and engaging reimagining of the 5th Century Persian Wars against the Greeks, specifically the 480BC battle at Thermoplyae, where 300 Spartans fought and died resisting the Persians, thus providing time for the Athenians and their allies to regroup, and, under a brilliant naval strategy devised by their general Thermistocles, defeat and rout completely the superior forces of the Persians, a famous victory that not only saved the Greeks, but almost certainly rescued an infant Western civilization from threatened destruction, and enabled the flourishing that informs the West to this day.

Holland tells the story through the eyes of Gorgo, the historical Queen of Sparta, wife to King Leonidas who led the famous 300, and whose otherwise historically accurate account is spiced with imaginary interactions with many of the most well known mythical Greek gods keen to preserve their favoured people, and including some classical metamorphosing into spirited wolf animality to outrun and outwit the Persians.

The result is a thrilling tale even for adults. What today's kids will make of it I do not know, but it worked for me. And, of course, making a girl the main character in the retelling of this famous warrior story adds a commercially astute and subtle marketing edge suited to the gender fixation of our times.

[Sushma Shenoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Captivating Tale of Mythology and History

Overview:
Tom Holland’s "The Wolf-Girl, the Greeks and the Gods: a Tale of the Persian Wars," beautifully illustrated by Jason Cockcroft, weaves Greek mythology and history into a compelling narrative. Through the perspective of Gorgo of Sparta, the wife of King Leonidas, the story explores the events leading up to and during the Greco-Persian wars, bringing historical figures like Themistocles, Leonidas, and Xerxes vividly to life.

What I Liked:
The book's strongest aspects lie in its engaging storytelling and the breathtaking illustrations by Jason Cockcroft. Holland’s ability to present historical events in an accessible way, while giving depth to the well-known figures of Greek history, is impressive. The illustrations add an emotional and visual depth that perfectly complements the narrative, portraying the Greek gods, goddesses, and historical figures with grandeur and personality.

What Could Have Been Better:
The narrative felt a bit rushed, especially as the complexity of the events increased. A slower pace would have allowed for a more immersive experience, giving readers time to fully absorb the rich details and complex relationships between the characters. A bit more breathing room in the storytelling could have elevated the reading experience further.

Conclusion:
Despite the brisk pace, "The Wolf-Girl, the Greeks and the Gods" is an enthralling read, blending history and mythology in a way that is both educational and entertaining. The combination of Holland’s narrative and Cockcroft’s illustrations makes this book a must-read for fans of Greek mythology and historical fiction. If you're looking for a visually and emotionally captivating tale, this one should definitely be on your list.

[David Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Holland is one of my favourite historian/authors at the moment, hosting the wonderfully addicting The Rest is History podcast, this publication is nothing short of exemplary in weaving together historical fact and fiction into an account of the Greeks, Gods and the Greco-Persian Wars. Aimed at upper Key Stage 2 children with enough weight and gravitas to connect with teenagers and adults of all ages.

Greek mythology has always been a personal interest for me and is probably the main reason I read historical fiction and non-fiction and pursued a university degree in the subject. I understand that not everyone has a fascination for the amazing stories that came before as Lord Byron once said, “for truth is always strange, stranger than fiction”. A very appropriate reference in the book itself, as the stories told are based on true events, told through the very real Gorgo of Sparta (the wife of King Leonidas, yes that Leonidas) in the events leading up to and during the Greco-Persian wars. Historical titans like Themistocles, Leonidas and Xerxes all make an appearance Holland manages to introduce relevant background information regarding the individuals in a comprehensive and digestible manner. Being someone who is acquainted with the achievements and significance of such individuals felt refreshed having a quick recap of their exploit before the narrative along with their actions in the wars.

The illustrations emotionally drawn by Jason Cockcroft portray the Greek Goddess and Goddesses in the colossal might they deserve, while providing each character, God and Greek alike, with a unique presentation designed to suit their personality. There is a helpful character list at the start of the book to refer back to as the stories become increasingly complex as events push the Greek and Persian worlds into conflict and the chaos that ensues. It is unsurprising after seeing his illustrations in this book that he also designed the front cover illustrations for the Harry Potter series.

This book has more than proved a respite before Tom Hollands next publication later this year, and much like this, this reader has titanic expectations for what is next to come.

[Hwee Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many years after the sack of Troy, the Persian king, with millions at his command, came for the Greek cities.

These were lesser-known tales that British historian Tom Holland wanted to tell in an illustrated middle grade book that was such a glorious read.

We witness the magnificent crossing of the Hellespont by Persian king Xerxes, said to have visited and paid tribute to the dead in Troy, promising vengeance for the Trojans against the Greeks yet.

We watch Sparta and Athens make their stand against Xerxes and the Persians, through the eyes of Gorgo, a Spartan queen. She describes how her husband Leonidas and 300 Spartans fight the entire Persian army at a narrow pass called Thermopylae.

There’s also Themistocles, a brilliant strategist on the Athenians’ side who resists the enemy defiantly but who is regarded by peers jealously.

“Success, it seems to me, is a dangerous thing in a democracy. It just makes everybody hate you.”

Based on true events and a good dose of Greek mythology, this is a captivating read for our young historians and Greek myth fans, and I reckon will make new ones. Wordsmiths will also learn the origin of many words like laconic, ostracism and even… spartan.

📚: @definitelybookskids / @walkerbooksuk

[Becs · Rating 4 out of 5]

You could look at this for hours - the illustrations are just so good, and whilst the value of a book is not based upon its aesthetics this really is a stunningly crafted book.

I'm not familiar with any of Tom Holland's other works, but this retelling of Persian history was really fun, detailed, complex and totally compelling. I really like when authors do a little bit of a blend between myth, history and fiction - it means you have to eventually Google (unless you know already!) the real stories woven through once you reach the end, which I love.

In this story, Gorgo of Sparta must face the Gods, heroes and men who challenge her in a race to overthrow the city. Gorgo is awesome - she can transform into a wolf (yes please!) and is every bit as battle worn and bloodthirsty as her adversaries (but she has the blood of Zeus in her veins, so she's way cooler than them, let's be honest!).

Totally compelling, beautifully illustrated and a really special book that I think younger readers in particular will love to have on their shelves to pick up again and again.

ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

[mairiachi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great intro into Greek history and myth. However, I doubt kids will enjoy it, despite their being the target audience, because it's heavy on war and strategy which might make it less engaging.

It is also more dry than a children's book usually is - the characters are not relatable, nor are they very developed. It's first-person, and yet you finish the book knowing more about the war than the main character.

As an adult, I found it entertaining and fascinating in an easy, understandable way. It kept my interest and wasn't confusing like some battles and strategies can be (at least in the written form). It was a very visually appealing book as well; the artwork is beautiful.

I think the effort, art, and simplified presentation of a complicated subject is deserving of a high rating; however, because I don't think it will reach its target audience, I took off a star.

[Ella-Mae Campling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant idea. A reworking of a classic tale told in an accessible way for younger readers. And boy does it work! I’m thrilled by the combination of Holland’s prose that articulates the Persian Wars through the eyes of the Queen of Sparta, and the delectable, impactful illustrations by Cockcroft. Personally, I think this is a wonderful reimagination for adults and children alike. Perfect present for any kid already enthusing through the Percy Jackson tales, or an interest in the histories and mythologies of our world. Had this existed when I was a child (I was obsessed with Greek myth and history) I would have absorbed page after page and can imagine many a child and adult will enjoy it.

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is told by Gorgo a Spartan girl and surrounds her mother's death bed confession of the Persians invading Greece. As she grows she learns that Spartan women are able to turn into wolves, but that is the least interesting part of this story as tells of the political machinations of Sparta, especially her father's betrayal of Apollo, her marriage to her half uncle Leonidas, who becomes king and must hold off the Persians when they finally invade Greece. The stunning black and white illustrations, by Jason Cockcroft, as if they were taken off of Grecian urns aid in the story telling. I would recommend this book only to older readers 10-14 years of age who are interested in ancient Greece and Greek mythology.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to get children and young adults keen to pick up Herodotus and read about the Persian Wars for themselves and beautifully illustrated by Jason Cockcroft. The story is told from the perspective of Gorgo, a Spartan princess and covers the lead up to Marathon, Thermopylae, the burning of Athens and Salamis. But just like Herodotus, we also get a lot of the back story in stories told by Gorgo's nurse and through her meeting with Themistocles, when she's a young girl, so we hear about Croesus and Solon, the Delphic oracles and Cyrus the Great. The only thing missing is the section on the Egyptians, but that's understandable.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This is a beautifully illustrated book telling the story of the Persian Wars. The source material seems to be Herodotus. As a former Latin teacher, I loved it, and the artwork and words are formatted on the pages in such interesting ways. I would love to buy it for my library, but fear it would see about as much circulation as Lively and Andrew's In Search of a Homeland: The Story of the Aeneid (once in 20 years), or McCaughrean's The Epic of Gilgamesh (twice in 20 years). I would definitely purchase this for a public library, or anywhere that readers crave classical tales.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of the war between the ancient Greeks and the Persians (the Greco Persian War) as seen through the eyes of the Queen of Sparta. The tale incorporates Greek mythology as well as historical information on the key participants and battles. It moves rapidly and keeps the reader’s attention. Beautiful woodcut illustrations accompany the text. It is a wonderful means of introducing young readers as well as adults to ancient history and Greek mythology.

[Riona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good things: I enjoyed the story topic of the Persian War, which is unknown to me. I liked the character focus on our Spartan Queen. I liked it when things got interesting at the end.

Bad things: I found the plot quite difficult to follow at times, with a lot of info dumping. I didn't particularly care about the myth bits (despite my love of mythology!) with Artemis and the wolves.

In conclusion, I want to read more about the Persian Wars!

[Hannah Schwager · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an official review from CLEAR, a group of librarians with SWON.

Gorgeously illustrated, this book reads like a work of classic mythology. The story itself is about the Persian Wars through the eyes of the Spartan Queen Gorgo. Blending history and mythology seamlessly, Gorgo encounters gods and goddesses and fights in epic battles for the sake of her kingdom. I would recommend this book to teens and adults who enjoy Greek mythology.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5⭐️ I enjoyed this twist on history and looking at the Persian war from the perspective of Leonids wife, gorgo, who is a descendant of Zeus. The middle was a bit of added fluff for me that I didn’t think was necessary and I would have preferred more of the battle but overall this was engaging and I love this part of Ancient Greece so I still really enjoyed it

[Fiona Findlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good retelling of some of the events of that time long gone. Told from the view point of Gorgo Queen of Sparta the language is easily understood for younger readers or those for whom English is not their primary tongue.