Daughters of Bronze

A Novel of Troy #2

by A.D. Rhine

Song of great sorrow. Even greater love. Lost between the timeless lines of Homer’s epic, the women of Troy finally stand to be counted. Their story is one you’ve never encountered, and it will change the fate of Troy forever. Andromache has proven herself a capable leader, but can she maintain that hard-won status now that she is the mother to the city’s long-awaited heir? With enemies closing in, Andromache must bring together a divided city in time to make a final stand. Rhea is a Trojan spy, but she never expected to find love in the enemy camp. When the final battle lines are drawn, Rhea must decide where her loyalties lie and how much she is willing to lose. Helen is no longer the same broken woman first brought to Troy as a captive. Given a second chance at life, she must cast off her shroud of grief and use her healing gifts to save Troy’s greatest hope. Cassandra has seen Troy’s fate. But she knows the truth is only as valuable as the person who tells it . . . and few in Troy value her. All that is about to change. One hero will rise, another will fall . . . and this time, Cassandra will have her say. From the highest tower to the most humble alley, the bloody beaches to the dusty plain, Daughters of Bronze breathes life into the Troy of myth and history. It is an epic of a thousand invisible actions leading to a single moment, adding a refrain of unexpected light to the legend of Troy.

Genres: Mythology, Historical Fiction, Greek Mythology, Fantasy, Fiction, Retellings, Historical

512 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2024

About the author

A. D. Rhine is the pseudonym of Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson. The authors are united by their military “brat” upbringing, childhood friendship spanning two decades, and love of classical literature. Ashlee holds graduate degrees in Medieval History from the University of St. Andrews and Theological Studies (with an emphasis in the Ethics of War and Peace) from Duke University. Danielle holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University. Their adult debut Horses of Fire is the book they have always dreamt of writing together.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous! As to be expected, Daughters of Bronze is just a great as Horses of Fire! They are both beautifully written and filled with strong emotion.

Daughters of Bronze continues the retelling of the Trojan war through the eyes of its main female characters. I really like the author’s’ interpretation of events. I won’t elaborate due to potential spoilers. We all know the story but this version felt very real.

I loved the development of the relationships between the women and how they worked together. They each sacrificed their own safety to protect each other. I liked the way Helen was portrayed in this retelling. It made me understand her choices better. Andromache is ever the valiant warrior filled with a raging love. Rhea was my favorite character in first book but Andromache became my favorite in this one. Lots of tears were shed at the ending!

The war scenes were some of my favorite parts of the book. They are so well written that I could envision them in my mind as if on a movie screen!

Highly recommended!

TW: allusion to rape, physical abuse, killing, death and graphic violence.

Many thanks to A.D. Rhine and Penguin Group Dutton for the ARC via NetGalley!!!

[M.J. Pankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A.D. Rhine masterfully reweaves the fate of Troy with an emotional depth and heroism that rivals Homer's original epic. An astonishing reimaging of myth and history that shines light on the courageous figures long overshadowed by male perspectives.

A day does not go by that I don't think of the Iliad or the heroes within at least once. I loved Horses of Fire and A.D. Rhine's reimaging of my beloved characters so much, but I was skeptical how they would address the challenges to come.

My skepticism was SO unfounded. Daughters of Bronze knocks it out of the park.

There are so many curiosities that have existed in my head about the Iliad, themes that Greek mythology professionals and amateurs alike have debated and theorized about for millennia; A.D. Rhine addressed them ALL in such a fascinating and beautiful and tragic and heroic story.

Daughters of Bronze has easily slipped into my top favorite books of all time. Horses of Fire was brilliant, but Daughters of Bronze spoke to my soul.

If you are a Greek mythology nerd like me and Homer has shaped who you are as a person, you will appreciate this duology and especially this epic sequel. There are no words to do this justice. I didn't think it was possible to read a retelling of the Iliad that I would be okay with, but this one is it.

Read it. Show this complex and heartwrenching masterpiece some love. I finished it a week ago and I am still thinking about it and I know I'll be thinking about it for a long time from now.

HUGE thanks to the authors for writing this brilliant book and to Dutton and the editor, Cassidy Sachs for the ARC. I'm honored and thrilled to be an early reader.

[lookmairead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional pieces like this beg to tug at your heartstrings. A. D. Rhine takes a story we might know & gives it the feminist spin we needed.
The pining btwn Ajax & Rhea.
The love btwn Andromache & Hector.
The injustice for Helen.
The frustration for Cassandra.
It’s all woven together so nicely.

It’s been a minute since I read, book 1, Horses of Fire* and I was nervous it would be a rough transition into book 2, but A. D Rhine did a lovely job easing us back into this world.

I started reading more of mythology because of Stephen Fry. Mythos feels is like a college course giving a massive overview into this category. Daughters of Bronze feels much more like a theatrical performance.

Because I’ve read many fair share in the category- there was a middle act where the pacing dragged, but it was worth it for that ending. 🤌👩‍🍳💋 Overall this is a solid retelling.


*Horses of Fire was a great debut- I listened to it & also gave it 4⭐️

——

TY @netgalley for this ARC.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is, hands down, one of the best Trojan War retellings out there (and I consider myself an expert source, because I'm almost positive I've read all of them and always do thorough research before/during/after my reading). I know that some people are concerned that the market has been oversaturated with mythological retellings, but if you're giving up on the genre, read this duology first.

To bring this all together, this is my review for Horses of Fire:
"I have been dying for an Andromache book and this one delivered!! It took me a second to really become invested, but once the story picked up, I couldn't put it down. I almost wish that I didn't know what's bound to happen in the second book, though, because I'm already depressed about it 🙃"

And boy, this delivered. The second installment held back no punches, and perfectly encapsulated how women can fight wars using skills men can't utilize. There was never a POV that wasn't relevant or captivating (which is always a risk with multi-POV books), but Andromache's and Rhea's were especially incredible. I loved their stories, and even though I knew of Hector's and Ajax's fates, I found myself still dying to read what happened next. I thought their stories were beautiful, and even though they were filled with grief that I could feel tangibly, the hope and strength they were able to find was incredibly impactful.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC. I'm so, so happy to have read this duology.

[eden ⊹]

a note to my former high school teachers: i may not have ever used the pythagorean theorem you guys made me memorize but at least i have a rich understanding of greek mythology after taking it for 6+ years 😁

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, my heart hurts now. Review to come! 🐴

(FINAL REVIEW:)

What an achingly beautiful continuation of Horses of Fire. I loved the growth the characters go through and the continued focus on the Trojan women during the infamous Trojan war. 🗡️

I’d first like to say that the addition of Cassandra’s POV was not only a wonderful addition to the original three, but also provided a deeper look into her mind. I found her the most fascinating of the bunch because she holds so many personas inside herself. Her backstory is tragic and really shines a light on why women find it so hard to speak out about their violation and how their abuser goes untouched. 😔

Helen continues to astound me with her compassion and determination to stay strong and positive. I’ve been fully converted over to being a Helen fan, and I loved the ending she got in this tale. 🪴

Andromache got such an incredible glow up to motherhood and a more compassionate woman that I just found myself really falling for her character. She’s still proud and strong, but now she understands the world and even women better than before, but I loved that she never lost herself to motherhood like some people expect women to do. Her relationship with Hector just shined in this book, and you could feel the cold grip of grief when the expected fight between Hector and Achilles happens. 🏹

And Rhea. I honestly loved how she came to see the Achaeans in a different light thanks to her growing love for Ajax. My heart will never be the same now that I know a potential loving, teddy bear like personality could exist for such a formidable warrior. And their ending? . . . I’m ruined. 🥲

Despite some moments where I thought the ending felt a little sped up, I have found the book beautifully done and providing an incredible perspective from the “enemy” side of the Trojan War. 💔

Thank you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read in exchange for an honest review, and a special thank you to the authors, A. D. Rhine, for making me fall in love with these formidable women. 🥹

Publication date: November 26!!

Overall book: 4.75/5 ⭐️
Overall series: 4.6/5 ⭐️ (or whatever the mean is)

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is… wow…
it’s marvelous to say the least
i have been reading this for 2 weeks and safe to say i am absolutely obsessed with it
start to finish i was captivated it reminds me a bit of bbc’s atlantis yet a bit more serious
a true recommendation

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Lauren (thebookscript) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the easiest five stars i've given out all year. I think this is a duology that I will be thinking about for years to come. Am I crying now thinking about these characters? Most likely.

We all know the Greek Tragedy that is the battle of Troy, but this story might be my favorite perspective yet. This series follows three Trojan women as they each desperately fight to survive another day in their own way.

I am actually floored that this is a writing duo because the writing is flawless and it flows between each perspective effortlessly. This book highlights the strength of women but also how desperately we need each other. The amount of resiliency and courage demonstrated by each woman was astounding even while it also broke my heart at the same time.

Helen, Andromache, and Rhea's stories are a powerful tribute to the sacrifice of women and mothers alike. The character dynamics really steal the show, but there were also plenty of male side characters that won me over as well. My heart aches because of this.

This book is as tender as it is fierce. It is a powerhouse of a story about the side affects of greed, honor, agony, choice, revenge, enduring love and SO much more. The authors did such a wonderful job of not putting a bandaid over the monstrosities of war, while still giving the reader enough hope, love and beauty to get them to the finish.

If you don't mind a beautifully tragic story, PLEASE go pick this one up. It's not for the faint of heart, but it IS one of the more underrated books of 2024.

*vague open door non descriptive, mentions of war atrocities

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book!

I finished this book a few days ago and had to sit with my feelings for a bit before I could put them into words. This series is so special and different from many other Trojan War retellings I’ve read over the years. It adds humanity to this story and these characters in a way I haven’t felt since I read Song of Achilles.

In this book, Helen becomes more than the woman who takes the blame for the war and takes her destiny into her own hands. Andromache grows into a warrior and mother who balances softness and strength in heartbreaking and inspiring ways. Had Troy not fallen, she would have been a queen for the ages. Cassandra is finally (finally!) believed, even when the outcome is devastating. And Rhea, who I think is a character wholly unique to this series, plays such a pivotal role that nothing in this book would have happened without her. Her character broke me a bit, especially with her relationship with Ajax and the women slaves who helped her. I also loved the context the authors gave to Hector’s fight with Achilles at the end. I can’t say much without spoiling the ending, but what they did adds so much depth to his character and takes a somewhat confusing moment in the myth and turns it into a moment of love and sacrifice.

The thing about mythology retellings is that these stories are thousands of years old. You know how the story ends before you even start the book. But the authors wrote an ending that remains true to The Iliad while still surprising me. It’s such a beautifully heartbreaking ending, and I appreciated the author’s note where they give context to the changes they made. I loved every second of this book! These women have my heart, and I will revisit this series in the future.

[Paris (parismaereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Heartbreakingly beautiful. A woven bond of women that fight for those they love in all the ways they know how.

My Quick Takes:
- 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 brief moderate
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 closed-door
- Content Considerations 🤔 violence, death, war, stillborn, past sexual assault

If you love the Iliad, the odyssey, or Greek mythology in general, I urge you to pick up this duology. This is the second book and they must be read in order. The audio is amazing, different narrators for each point of view.

The plot is heart wrenching and beautiful in only the way that tragic mythology can be. Even in the heartache, I appreciated the thread of hope woven through the narrative. I especially loved the authors not to gain insight how the authors approached this storyline, it’s a plausible and successful take on Greek mythology.

[Juliew. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something just didn't sit right with me when I was reading this.I was just a bit bored by it I think.The writing is lovely though and I mostly found each individual's story interesting,insightful and terrifying but I felt a bit cheated not really hearing the mens voices.I guess I really just love the action in the lliad.While this isn't suppose to be a retelling I thought it was a nice little change if you want to hear Andromache, Cassandra,Rhea or Helen a little more clearly.

[Kayla Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I loved everything about this! These women were so strong and fierce!! I love a good retelling of Troy and I loved that this story focused more on the women. I just can't say enough good things about this book! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy when it's released!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Peguin Group for my digital ARC!!!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much netgalley for the arc! I loved horses Of Fire. It was an excellent debut. I was so excited to receive this arc and continue the story. The writing and World building were excellent the characters are unique. It's a time in history that not a lot of historical fiction books cover, so that was intriguing. I am a newfound fan of A. D. RHINE and can't wait to see what they write next! 🤗

[Sofia Celeste · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Dutton books for an ARC of this book!
I must say this novel was quite a dissatisfying myth reimagining. As a Classical civilizations student I felt that if the authors revisited the ancient texts a few more times, they would have been able to craft a more compelling narrative that expands and critiques the ancient canon.
“Daughters of Bronze” is a multi POV narrative that follows the famous female characters of the Trojan War: Andromache, Cassandra, and Helen and one character created by the authors: Rhea. This fictional character, Rhea was the most frustrating to read. In some ways the character of Rhea could have been tied to the character, Tecmessa from the ancient tradition. If the authors visited the tragic tradition in addition to the epic tradition, this character could have been given more depth. Tecmessa is a strong character in Sophocles’s “Ajax” and rarely gets the retelling treatment. This simple character name change and adjustment would have provided a layer of nuance that no prior retelling of this story has achieved.
The more recognizable characters were also frustrating. Although the authors do an interesting job centering Andromaches military tactics (which Andromache uses in book 6 of the “Iliad”) the character in this novel feels cold. Her relationships seem transactional. This choice did not allow me to empathize or understand all of her choices in the book.
I would have loved more time spent with Helen. The few glimpses we get of her POV are fascinating and feel fresh. Cassandra on the other had felt tired and overdone.
One thing that also struck me as a little off was the lack of interference or discussion of the gods. There are many scenes in the “Iliad” where the women pray to the gods, or the gods directly interfere with their lives. Their absence ultimately made the world of the novel feel underdeveloped. The gods are essential to understanding the society which the characters function in. Without their presence there is a lacking logic to the actions of the characters.
Overall I think this book had a lot of excellent ideas but poor execution. Rather than cramming all these complex themes and characters in one book I think this book would have benefited from a scaling back of ideas. By trying to achieve all these ideas, too many deviations are made from the plot of the Epic which inspired the book, leaving the reader discombobulated within the story.

[Lindsey Hadden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read The Iliad. I’ve read A Song of Achilles. I know what happens at the end of the Trojan War but I still wanted to bawl constantly during this book. Probably because I got to know these women so well and love them.

Though this was a seamless continuation of Horses of Fire, there was still some great character transformation/evolution.

There’s much more of Cassandra and the strength she pulls from all aspects of herself.

Helen becomes more of the leader and caregiver that she’s meant to be.

Andromache makes the transition from warrior to mother and that never seems to make her any less of either role. So much better than the hothead she was in the first book.

Rhea is no longer a mouse and I was rooting for her the whole time. Loved loved loved her relationship with Ajax.

Would have loved to see more of Paris to get a deeper understanding of his character. Compared to the first book in the duology, there didn’t seem to be one main villain; it just felt like biding time against the inevitable (but that was probably the point). Some of the story also felt a bit stretched out compared to first book but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton/Penguin Group for the advanced copy of this book.

[Robert Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daughters of Bronze is the second book in their duology of the Trojan War. You do not have to read Horse of Fire first, but it will give you even more depth to their characters if you do. The author’s military brat upbringing comes out in their understanding of military values and relationships among those who are serving. In line with their goal they have retold the story along lines that can be understood as historically plausible. Being able to appreciate a book for its story, a movie for how it is told in that way allows for an even greater appreciation for their craft.
As a Veteran I appreciated how they explored friendship, duty, hardship, glory and injury, both physical and moral. We get this story from a female viewpoint, alternating between Rhea, Andromache, Cassandra and Helen in 43 Chapters covering 4 Books. It is written as an Epic, and there is a depth and twists to what a reader of the Iliad expects the story to be as it unfolds that add color and truth that can be understood by the modern reader that they may not connect with in a traditional telling / reading of the story. This is much more than just the” Wrath of Achilles” and the God’s taking interest in what is happening with the Greeks and the Trojans.
While the story is given to us from the eyes and words of the daughters, the men, Menelaus, Agamemnon, Achilles, Patroclus, Ajax grow into descriptions that show us what was motivating them to be there on the plain before the walls of Troy. In this story Paris plays a new role, but has an age old motivation. We see the politics behind the leadership and defense of Troy and come to know Priam, Hector, Aeneas and a host of other characters. Traveling between the two cams Rhea works as a spy among the women who are captured and serving the Greeks and her trial becomes a twisted course through trust and love. I look forward to what these authors will tackle to retool, place in a “it could have been like this” pattern next.

[S. Bacchante · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY HEART.

This was so beautiful and so painful and knowing the myths it's based upon could never prepare me for the sorrow I'd feel or the tears I'd shed.

(i did pick this up before book 1, i didn't realize at first and then I just decided to roll with it. So I'm gonna read book 1 soon)

But that said, even without being introduced to these characters in book 1, I just... Couldn't help but feel for them all the same. I fear I'll have to stare at the wall to figure out all my feelings.

When I ask myself what I've loved about this book, so many faces and so many bonds...and all the pain.

Helen and her grief over leaving behind a daughter.

Andromache. That's it actually.

Rhea on whose behalf I was fiercely blushing.

Ajax who was so kind.

Cyrrian, oh Cyrrian.

All the little boys of Troy. (I'm gonna cry now)

Atesh, the prince of horses, who sent shivers down my spine.

Hector. Oh Hector. That's our collective husband, I fear.

Cassandra and her hawk.

Achilles and his rage.

The duel. I was soooo afraid.

All the sacrifice.


____

Here are some of my annotations:

Starting with my favorite:

"And I’ll make you talk to me every night until we are toothless and old and there’s nothing left to say.”
__


"But while men owe their fathers honor, they also owe their sons a fighting chance at a future."

“I pray this son of mine is like me in all ways but one. May he speak from his heart like the woman who bore him. And may his people one day say of him, ‘Here is a far better man than his father.’ ”

"makes me want to live long enough so that, someday, I can become that sort of man in your eyes.”

" Yet neither war, nor sickness, nor enslavement can stop us from weaving our lives together. As mothers and daughters and wives. As friends. For that is what women do."

“Thank you for taking hold of your childhood, even as the world was burning. For being boys who will now become men when men are needed.”


Alright now I'm crying again.

“My mother. She had the heart of ten men.”


" A thousand acorns. One oak. "

[Abby Nellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. You know those books that you want to read quickly because you are dying to know what happens but at the same time are so beautiful you want to savor every moment and you hope it never ends? This is one of those books. I absolutely loved this duology and am desperate to read more books like it!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

∞
INFINITY STARS

Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for the ARC and A.D. Rhine for this masterpiece.

Daughters of Bronze finishes the duology started in Horses of Fire. A beautiful retelling of the Trojan War through the eyes of the women in the center of it all - Andromache - wife of Prince Hector, Helen of Sparta - wife of a Greek king who is said to have started the war by fleeing to Troy with Prince Paris, Rhea - a refugee turned Trojan spy, and Cassandra - princess of Troy.

A.D. Rhine puts a new spin on a classic story and tugs on all your heartstrings with-developed and complex characters. Action, drama, joy, heartbreak, suspense, love - this book has it all.

It is a story that I couldn’t stop reading, and despite the satisfying ending, I was so sad that it was over. I want this duology made into a movie so I can watch it over and over. I LOVED this book.

If you love Greek historical/mythological retelling, don’t miss this one!

[Nirali · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride! I already miss Andromache, Rhea, Bodecca and Helen! I’m not too familiar with the Iliad but this tale was everything. It’s a retelling of the saga from the perspective of the women of Troy. The courage of the women and the tragedy of their situation was deftly depicted. I particularly enjoyed the switching perspectives. It was done without compromising the flow of the story. I struggled with Cassandra initially but loved her bits by the end. Oh the tragedy to see and know but not be able to do anything to save your loved ones. It was gut wrenching. I also enjoyed the little details of the scenes around kitchen hearth, the bathhouses and lower city. While battles are fought and glory sought, the women toil, clean and feed in the shadows.

My slight gripe is how the feminism is almost 21st century feminism. Some dialogues felt odd in the context. It dragged a bit in the middle but more than made up for it by the end.

PS: I accidentally started the sequel first and ended up rereading the first half. Do not recommend.

[Kaila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: hours later I started sobbing thinking about some of these characters and how their stories ended…. 5 stars


This was so beautiful. I didn’t realize this was the second part of a duology until I had already gotten partly through it, but decided to continue anyways. I am very glad I did because this was so tragic and so moving. Loved. Thank you NetGalley and penguin random house for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

[Jazmyn Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin House for the early ARC of Daughters of Bronze!

I was absolutely blown away by Daughters of Bronze, just as I was with Horses of Fire! The author's writing is truly remarkable, evoking strong emotions throughout the book.

Daughters of Bronze delves deeper into the retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of its key female characters. The author's interpretation of the events felt incredibly authentic, adding a new layer of depth to a familiar story. I don't want to give too much away to avoid spoilers, but the portrayal of the characters and their relationships was beautifully done.

The bond between the women and their willingness to sacrifice for each other was truly moving. I highly recommend this series especially for those who are into historical fiction.

[Melanie (lemonyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

I went into this story knowing how the characters' lives should play out based off the classic tales and it was interesting to see which ones kept to their original myth and those who did not. Even with all the pain, this has a much more satisfying ending.

The writing was focused and grew stronger with each chapter. The emotional struggle and trauma compounded and broke my heart multiple times. I particularly loved the expansion of Hector and his relationship with his wife Andromache. I haven't read a better representation of their story together.

This is a beautiful example of what a woman will do for love, family and loyalty. The portrayal of motherhood is where this book shines. The sacrifices and strength of these women was terrible and inspiring.

THOUGHTS:
The pace was a struggle at times, and it felt unnecessary to have this be over 500 pages / 19 hr. audiobook. For me, it came down to too many POV’s. Cassandra’s perspective took away from the great meat of the story and the star characters, Rhea and Andromache. I would have preferred to not have Cassandra’s POV and I didn’t care much for how her story was changed.

Go into this knowing it is a moderate retelling of Troy and not an accurate one. I thought it was clever, gripping and surprising the choices made to change the characters and events but it’s not a book you should look to for the classical reference.

OVERALL:
If you love mythology and or historical fiction books that offer tragic views but done with passion and power in the writing, then this is for you.

[Breanna Beaulieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for the advanced copy of The Daughters of Bronze.

This story unfolds through the view of four women. Each one with their own important story to tell. They navigate their world together by leaning on each other for their individual strengths to endure a war that continues to take and take from them.

The story is written so you truly learn and understand each character and grow to care for each one of them deeply. The second half of the story kept me guessing and hoping for how the story would go, even when I knew what was destined to happen.

A. D. Rhine has written a beautiful story about the strength and determination of women who set their mind to a common goal, even when history is determined to keep them in the shadows.

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review 📖✨🏺

thank you so much partner @duttonbooks #duttonpartner for the gifted copy!

Daughters of Bronze:
A Novel of Troy
by A. D. Rhine

About the book 👇🏽

Song of great sorrow. Even greater love.

Lost between the timeless lines of Homer’s epic, the women of Troy finally stand to be counted. Their story is one you’ve never encountered, and it will change the fate of Troy forever.

Andromache has proven herself a capable leader, but can she maintain that hard-won status now that she is the mother to the city’s long-awaited heir? With enemies closing in, Andromache must bring together a divided city in time to make a final stand.

Rhea is a Trojan spy, but she never expected to find love in the enemy camp. When the final battle lines are drawn, Rhea must decide where her loyalties lie and how much she is willing to lose.

Helen is no longer the same broken woman first brought to Troy as a captive. Given a second chance at life, she must cast off her shroud of grief and use her healing gifts to save Troy’s greatest hope.

Cassandra has seen Troy’s fate. But she knows the truth is only as valuable as the person who tells it . . . and few in Troy value her. All that is about to change. One hero will rise, another will fall . . . and this time, Cassandra will have her say.

✨ My thoughts:

Wow. Absolutely incredible. I don’t think I’ve read a Troy retelling before but man did this one have its grip on me. I enjoyed every moment of this book even when my heart was being ripped from my chest. I loved that this story focused on the women and their strength. Truthfully I didn’t realize this was a duology so I didn’t read Horses of Fire but I can happily say I didn’t feel like I was lost at any point. I’d imagine the first book would probably make this one more rich with an in depth look into the characters so that means I will need to get my hands on Horses of Fire soon! I can’t wait to read more of A.D. Rhine! Daughters of Bronze is out TODAY 11/26/24!

Happy reading 📖🏺

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Daughters of Bronze continues the story of Andromache, Helen, Cassandra and Rhea, from the first book, Horses of Fire. We continue to see these women struggle, sacrifice, fight and love as the story of the Trojan War continues.

Each of these women must face their own fears, and at the same time learn how to work and stand together to protect those they love and themselves. Andromache grows as a character in this book, as she becomes a mother. She fights to keep Hector and Andrius safe, but also knows when she needs to adapt and accept when she needs to take a different path, even though it is so hard for her to bear. Helen comes into her own, as she gets out from under the thumb of Paris and becomes a trusted friend to Andromache and healer to the people of Troy. Rhea’s love story with Ajax was heart-breaking, because as their love for one another grows, you know that the two cannot have a future together. Cassandra is finally able to face her abuser and stand on her own, without the protection of the Child, the Crone and the Wraith.

Even though the book’s main focus is on these four women, the writing really keeps you invested in other characters in the story, such as the other women working in the Achaean camps and the young boys from Troy who went out to fight one final time with Hector. Rhine’s writing is powerful in showing how this long drawn-out war destroyed the lives of so many, and the toll it took on men and women, old and young, and peasants and royals.

I felt like the story also gave us justice for the traitors working against Troy, as Paris’ plot is finally revealed and we find out who he has been working with all along. The plotting of these men leads to so much tragedy, and the way Rhine brings their characters to an end was satisfying to the storyline.

If you are looking for a book with strong female characters, historical fiction, and an epic mythological retelling, then I would definitely recommend both books in this duology, Horses of Fire and Daughters of Bronze.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of Daughters of Bronze, in return for my honest review.

[Kamis · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first: whoever voiced Cassandra in the audiobook version has the whiniest, most irritating voice. There wasn't a single sentence where she didn't sound like she was going to burst into tears or throw herself off a bridge. I had to switch to the actual book for her sections because I couldn't stand listening to her.

When I received this, I didn't know it was actually the second book in a duology. I wasn't completely lost as I've read The Iliad and other books involving Troy, but there were a few things I didn't quite grasp. As soon as I can get a copy, I plan on reading the first book to fill in the few holes.

This was a well-done take on the Trojan war, focusing on the women involved and how they see and deal with everything going on. Each has their own voice and deals with the war in different ways. We get to see their struggles, understand the choices they make, and how they all come together to try and save the city, each other, and Andromache's son. There is a lot of heart break, but there is also a lot of hope. If you know the story of Troy, then you'll know how this turns out. However, there is so much more to it. You get to see just beyond the end of the war and the fate of many of the characters. I'm not sure I have a single favorite of the characters, though if I had to pick it would probably be Andromache. She is the wife of Hector and future queen of Troy, but there is so much more to her than that. She is a warrior in her own right, a fierce leader, and a mother. She has to make some truly gut wrenching choices, in order to try and save everything she holds dear. Each woman has their own story and choices and heartbreak, but I do believe Andromache steals the show.

This is perfect for anyone who enjoys books about Troy or Greek history/mythology in general.

[Makena McMurtrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly a beautiful book. I don’t have enough good things to say. I don’t remember the last time a book left me heartbroken and evoking so much emotion within me. I love a happy ending and this is NOT that yet the ending was so thoughtful and made me smile through the tears … it was mostly completely devastating though.

Like I said, I love a historical event retold from the woman’s perspective. It’s so humanizing of these women, I feel like I know them as friends to me because they speak of the experiences so many women go through. The conflicting emotions of childbirth, societal assignment of the woman as a scapegoat (the “evil woman” trope I wrote many papers on in college), SA, not having a seat at the table because of your sex, and even girlhood and navigating your feelings in your teenage years. Commenting on suffering because of your womanhood as simply being part of womanhood.

Kudos to the authors for their phenomenal and gorgeous storytelling as well as the insane amount of research that must have went into this book. This book was amazing for my inner child that loves Percy Jackson and my adult woman self who adores seeing womanhood across the ages, although this is a fictitious retelling of the Illiad.

Would recommend to anyone. 5/5

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who reads a lot of myth retellings, I've found the genre to be getting very bogged down and repetitive, especially when it comes to the Trojan War. However, I think Daughters of Bronze (and the duology in general) is really the breath of fresh air that this genre needed. Some of the retellings I've read tend to be pretty clinical and maybe too focused on being true to the myth while trying to add in their own spin. I'm not an expert of how the myths were really told, so I have really don't know if this is supposed to be a faithful retelling, but the differences I saw in this book compared to others were honestly my favorite parts.
This is probably the most emotionally charged retelling I've read and I absolutely loved it. It really felt like I was reading about real people with real lives and motivations, instead of just distant mythical characters. I felt so much more connected to these characters and even though I knew their fates, I was so hoping it would change and was so devastated when it didn't. Of course this is a tragedy and I expected to be heartbroken over Andromache's story, but Rhea's and Cassandra's hit me so much harder than I was expecting.
Rhea's emotional and mental journey from the first book to the second was so incredible to read. She started alone, scared, and so unsure of herself and her abilities. I loved how she grew into this confident and powerful girl who had the love and trust of so many people. Additionally, as a sucker for romance, her doomed love with Ajax was one of my favorite parts of the story and broke my heart into a million pieces.
I also really loved how there were major changes made to the myth without changing any major outcomes. Every change made didn't change how the story traditionally ended, but just added this interesting layer to the story that we wouldn't have seen otherwise. It was also so fascinating to see this overarching theme in the books about whether or not the gods were real. Of the course the characters did truly believe in them but all of the major plot points that are traditionally attributed to direct actions from the gods. The one I think I can talk about without spoiling anything is how Cassandra's "madness" is more than likely DID than a curse inflicted on her by Apollo. The way it is described throughout the story, from how it was brought about, to how it presents itself, and to how all these parts of Cassandra interact with one another, is so obviously DID that it honestly makes her story even more tragic. To learn that her struggles in life were the result of human action and callousness, instead of this all powerful god that anyone would be defenseless against, makes her story much more realistic and heart-breaking.
I do have a few issues with the book. For example, there were also a few gods and goddesses from other cultures that I didn't know anything about and a few terms that were used that I didn't understand. It could have been helpful to have had a glossary with just a quick explanation for these more obscure concepts. I also really wish we could've seen a little more about Helen. She was a major catalyst for a lot of things that happened in this story (the obvious ones along with some others), and I feel like this is one of the few retellings that really paints her as a true victim, but also not entirely helpless. What we got about her and her motivations were really well done, and while I do think it was pretty well rounded, I wish we could've seen a little more of her, specifically more of her relationships with other characters in the story besides Paris.
I really enjoyed how everything wrapped up and think that overall this was a very well-done duology. While it did seem slow at times, I don't think this story was dragged out by any means. It gave all of its main characters (and quite a few side characters) very interesting and well-rounded journeys. I think everyone's endings, whether it was exactly how the myth described it or not, made sense and was very satisfying to their character and their storyline.
*This review will be the same for both Horses of Fire and Daughters of Bronze, since I didn't realize DOB was a sequel, got it from NetGalley, started reading, was pretty confused, realized it was a sequel, had to go buy HOF because I was enjoying DOB so much, and read both back to back*