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Daughter of Ruins: A sweeping historical novel of fierce women
A motherless daughter. An Italian prostitute. A mail-order bride. Are these women brave enough to change their fates?
Demitra's mother died in America in the 1930s when Demitra was three years old. Her father took her home to the Greek island of Cephalonia, where she endures a lonely childhood and dreams her dead mother watches over her, like the goddesses she reads about in her mythology books. When Demitra comes of age, she refuses to marry the man chosen for her. Instead, she defiantly begins an affair with a forbidden man who ignites her passion for painting the goddesses she once imagined protected her.
Elena is a beautiful Italian woman who dreamed of a life away from the brothels where she was raised. But opportunities are not meant for daughters of prostitutes and Elena has no choice but to become one herself. When Italy occupies Cephalonia, Elena finds work entertaining the soldiers. Her life on the island is happy and carefree--until the Germans arrive in 1943.
Maria lives in a poor mountain village in 1921 with a loving mother and sister. When her father grows desperate to feed his family, he sends her to America as a picture bride to marry a stranger. Only eighteen years old, Maria is terrified of the journey ahead.
Daughter of Ruins is an all-encompassing tale steeped in the rich history, culture, and myths of Greece. It is a deeply moving story that follows three women as they struggle to control their destinies, fighting to become the women they were meant to be.
Demitra's mother died in America in the 1930s when Demitra was three years old. Her father took her home to the Greek island of Cephalonia, where she endures a lonely childhood and dreams her dead mother watches over her, like the goddesses she reads about in her mythology books. When Demitra comes of age, she refuses to marry the man chosen for her. Instead, she defiantly begins an affair with a forbidden man who ignites her passion for painting the goddesses she once imagined protected her.
Elena is a beautiful Italian woman who dreamed of a life away from the brothels where she was raised. But opportunities are not meant for daughters of prostitutes and Elena has no choice but to become one herself. When Italy occupies Cephalonia, Elena finds work entertaining the soldiers. Her life on the island is happy and carefree--until the Germans arrive in 1943.
Maria lives in a poor mountain village in 1921 with a loving mother and sister. When her father grows desperate to feed his family, he sends her to America as a picture bride to marry a stranger. Only eighteen years old, Maria is terrified of the journey ahead.
Daughter of Ruins is an all-encompassing tale steeped in the rich history, culture, and myths of Greece. It is a deeply moving story that follows three women as they struggle to control their destinies, fighting to become the women they were meant to be.
415 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
220 people are currently reading
11712 people want to read
About the author
Yvette Manessis Corporon
8 books247 followersYvette Manessis Corporon is an Emmy award winning writer, producer and internationally best selling author of fiction and non fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
November 6, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Daughter of Ruins has an intriguing storyline! Three women beginning life at a disadvantage and bravely struggling to accept or hopefully reach beyond their situations.
I don’t know much about Greek Gods/Goddesses so it was eye opening to me. I found it interesting that both the belief in Greek mythology and the Greek Orthodox Church could blend together so easily.
Reading this book reminded me of how blessed I am to live when I do and not in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s when these women did. They had no rights and were treated as possessions. Their suffering was mainly due to being women. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I’ll just say that wealth and class only had a bit to do with their misfortunes.
I liked Demitra’s a character the most. I was invested in her story and was eager to find out what her future would bring.
There were only two things that kept me from giving it 5 stars. One was that each character was super emotional. I found myself longing for their dialogue to be over. Some of this could be due to the audio narrator I was listening to. She was highly emotional and I felt she overdid the voices. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I would have read it instead of listening.
I also found some of the plot unbelievable, to me, and wanted to roll my eyes when I saw things coming that the characters should have but didn’t.
Overall, I liked the story. I found myself looking up the places and landmarks that were found in the story. There was plenty of rich history involved and now I want to learn more!
Many thanks to Yvette Manessis Corporon and HarperCollins focus/Harper Muse for the ARC vía NetGalley!!!
Daughter of Ruins has an intriguing storyline! Three women beginning life at a disadvantage and bravely struggling to accept or hopefully reach beyond their situations.
I don’t know much about Greek Gods/Goddesses so it was eye opening to me. I found it interesting that both the belief in Greek mythology and the Greek Orthodox Church could blend together so easily.
Reading this book reminded me of how blessed I am to live when I do and not in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s when these women did. They had no rights and were treated as possessions. Their suffering was mainly due to being women. I don’t want to give away any spoilers so I’ll just say that wealth and class only had a bit to do with their misfortunes.
I liked Demitra’s a character the most. I was invested in her story and was eager to find out what her future would bring.
There were only two things that kept me from giving it 5 stars. One was that each character was super emotional. I found myself longing for their dialogue to be over. Some of this could be due to the audio narrator I was listening to. She was highly emotional and I felt she overdid the voices. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I would have read it instead of listening.
I also found some of the plot unbelievable, to me, and wanted to roll my eyes when I saw things coming that the characters should have but didn’t.
Overall, I liked the story. I found myself looking up the places and landmarks that were found in the story. There was plenty of rich history involved and now I want to learn more!
Many thanks to Yvette Manessis Corporon and HarperCollins focus/Harper Muse for the ARC vía NetGalley!!!
October 8, 2024
5 stars.
Wow. I don’t know what I expected out of this book but it surprised me in the best way. Following three greek women over the course of 60 years, Daughter of Ruins plumbs the depths of the hardships everyday Greek women faced in the mid 20th century. I cried my way through the pages of heartaches, triumphs, setbacks, devastation, and the trials that women can endure during their lifetime. It made me think of books like Pachinko, and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Themes: Greek mythology, WW2, immigration, racism, oppression, feminism, prostitution
Content: closed-door, 2 instances of mild language, parent death, infant loss, infidelity, domestic abuse
Wow. I don’t know what I expected out of this book but it surprised me in the best way. Following three greek women over the course of 60 years, Daughter of Ruins plumbs the depths of the hardships everyday Greek women faced in the mid 20th century. I cried my way through the pages of heartaches, triumphs, setbacks, devastation, and the trials that women can endure during their lifetime. It made me think of books like Pachinko, and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Themes: Greek mythology, WW2, immigration, racism, oppression, feminism, prostitution
Content: closed-door, 2 instances of mild language, parent death, infant loss, infidelity, domestic abuse
March 27, 2025
‘That’s the thing about roots, isn’t it? There are the ones that are visible to us and the ones that are hidden from sight. One is no more important than the other. They both sustain us. They both give life and connect us to the people and places that mean the most. —Yvette Manessis Corporon, Daughter of Ruins
Story: 3.5
Audio: 3
Narrator: Alex Sarrigeorgiou
Available: Hoopla
This was just ok for me. Read a lot like a Kristian Hannah novel; as in, everything that could go wrong does. I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more if it had stayed focused on one issue rather than squeezing tid bits of issues into one story. I was very interested in learning more about the ‘picture wives’ and wish that had been focused on more. Narration made these issues much more melodramatic which added to my slow emotional withdrawal from the characters plights. For this reason I would recommend reading the hard copy version rather than audio.
Have to add that the cover art is beautiful, but doesn’t really represent the story.
Listen at 1.35 speed.
Story: 3.5
Audio: 3
Narrator: Alex Sarrigeorgiou
Available: Hoopla
This was just ok for me. Read a lot like a Kristian Hannah novel; as in, everything that could go wrong does. I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more if it had stayed focused on one issue rather than squeezing tid bits of issues into one story. I was very interested in learning more about the ‘picture wives’ and wish that had been focused on more. Narration made these issues much more melodramatic which added to my slow emotional withdrawal from the characters plights. For this reason I would recommend reading the hard copy version rather than audio.
Have to add that the cover art is beautiful, but doesn’t really represent the story.
Listen at 1.35 speed.
November 25, 2024
Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon was a captivating historic fiction novel that explored the lives of three women. One was born in the United States but returned to her Greek roots with her father at a young age when her mother died. Another had been Italian but was living in Greece during the years the Nazis invaded Greece and the third had been born into a poor Greek family and was sold by her father as a war bride. All three women were brave, daring and courageous in their own right. I enjoyed following their lives, challenges and obstacles they faced throughout their lives. Their destinies and fates were tragic and sad. It was a hard time to be a woman. Their choices and opportunities were so restrictive. I enjoyed all the references to Greek mythology that accompanied these three women’s journey through their lives. It was difficult to pull myself away from this enthralling audiobook. Demitra’s, Elena’s and Maria’s stories were heartfelt, touching and moving. I really enjoyed listening to Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon and recommend it highly.
Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
June 28, 2024
Genre: historical fiction
Topics and themes: family secrets, grief, emotional turmoil, searching for answers, coming of age, strong and resilient women, Greek history
Release date: October 08, 2024
This was a beautiful told story about three different but intertwined female stories set in 20 century Greece and USA.
It will appeal to historical fiction readers.
Topics and themes: family secrets, grief, emotional turmoil, searching for answers, coming of age, strong and resilient women, Greek history
Release date: October 08, 2024
This was a beautiful told story about three different but intertwined female stories set in 20 century Greece and USA.
It will appeal to historical fiction readers.
May 10, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing me with an ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.
In our introduction to Demitra, a young girl growing up on the island of Cephalonia, Greece, she is in the act of burning a letter she's written to her mother so the smoke will carry her words to heaven. The story follows her as she grows up, occasionally veering into chapters focused on two other women: Elena, an Italian prostitute in Greece; and Maria, a Greek "picture bride" shipped over to America to marry a man she doesn't know. The three women's stories are interconnected and together weave a tail of love, loss, growth, overcoming generational hindrances, and finding one's place in the world.
Despite moments of tragedy, despair, and loss, Daughter of Ruins manages to be a hopeful and comforting read. Demitra, as main character and the thread that connects everyone else, is wholly fleshed out and easily comes off the page. It's effortless to feel for her, to root for her, and in her relationship with her step-mother, Stella, there is a much needed balm for both Demitra and the reader. Of all the relationships in the story, this one is perhaps my favorite, followed closely by the (to avoid naming them and thus spoiling anything) the "bakery team" in the latter portions of the book.
Beyond a compelling story, there are deftly woven symbols and references to Greek mythology throughout the story. As a lover of Greek mythology, I really appreciated these and how they were used in the story. Some of the parallels between the mythological women and the characters were obvious, but they were no less powerful for it. They provide another layer of insight to the characters as well as the culture. Is it weird to say they also help to anchor the Greek-ness of this book, beyond the descriptions of Greek locales? Well, they do, and I loved it. Scenery jumps off the page in this, too.
With a satisfying ending, this was a perfect sort of comfort read about found and chosen family and I look forward to its official publication.
In our introduction to Demitra, a young girl growing up on the island of Cephalonia, Greece, she is in the act of burning a letter she's written to her mother so the smoke will carry her words to heaven. The story follows her as she grows up, occasionally veering into chapters focused on two other women: Elena, an Italian prostitute in Greece; and Maria, a Greek "picture bride" shipped over to America to marry a man she doesn't know. The three women's stories are interconnected and together weave a tail of love, loss, growth, overcoming generational hindrances, and finding one's place in the world.
Despite moments of tragedy, despair, and loss, Daughter of Ruins manages to be a hopeful and comforting read. Demitra, as main character and the thread that connects everyone else, is wholly fleshed out and easily comes off the page. It's effortless to feel for her, to root for her, and in her relationship with her step-mother, Stella, there is a much needed balm for both Demitra and the reader. Of all the relationships in the story, this one is perhaps my favorite, followed closely by the (to avoid naming them and thus spoiling anything) the "bakery team" in the latter portions of the book.
Beyond a compelling story, there are deftly woven symbols and references to Greek mythology throughout the story. As a lover of Greek mythology, I really appreciated these and how they were used in the story. Some of the parallels between the mythological women and the characters were obvious, but they were no less powerful for it. They provide another layer of insight to the characters as well as the culture. Is it weird to say they also help to anchor the Greek-ness of this book, beyond the descriptions of Greek locales? Well, they do, and I loved it. Scenery jumps off the page in this, too.
With a satisfying ending, this was a perfect sort of comfort read about found and chosen family and I look forward to its official publication.
September 25, 2024
This was a heartfelt, emotional, and captivating journey through the lives of three courageous women who faced numerous challenges. I was unable to put this novel down and read it in one sitting. I highly recommend this remarkable novel to everyone. ( definitely adding this to my favorite pile).
Thank you for this ARC #HarperCollins,#Netgalley, #DaughterofRuins
Thank you for this ARC #HarperCollins,#Netgalley, #DaughterofRuins
December 10, 2024
TITLE: DAUGHTER OF RUINS
AUTHOR: YVETTE MANESSIS CORPORON
PUB DATE: 10.08.2024
Set in the direct aftermath of WWII and spanning the rest of the 20th century, Daughter of Ruins is an all-encompassing tale steeped in the rich history, culture, and myths of Greece. A deeply moving story that follows three women (a prostitute, a mail-order bride, and a young artist) as they struggle to control their destinies, fighting to become the women they were meant to be.
THOUGHTS:
A modern story steeped in Greek mythology that features three courageous women and how they overcome adversities. Written in two timelines, I enjoyed how the author weaved the stories as I immersed myself in the rich description of Greece, with all the heartaches and devastation, but also the triumphs. This was a hard book to put down.
AUTHOR: YVETTE MANESSIS CORPORON
PUB DATE: 10.08.2024
Set in the direct aftermath of WWII and spanning the rest of the 20th century, Daughter of Ruins is an all-encompassing tale steeped in the rich history, culture, and myths of Greece. A deeply moving story that follows three women (a prostitute, a mail-order bride, and a young artist) as they struggle to control their destinies, fighting to become the women they were meant to be.
THOUGHTS:
A modern story steeped in Greek mythology that features three courageous women and how they overcome adversities. Written in two timelines, I enjoyed how the author weaved the stories as I immersed myself in the rich description of Greece, with all the heartaches and devastation, but also the triumphs. This was a hard book to put down.
September 24, 2024
I couldn't stop listening to this one. I got this as an audiobook ARC (thanks, netgalley) and just lost myself in this beautifully realistic story.
This story mainly takes place in Greece during the time between 1920 and 1953. It follows the life of Dimitra, a young girl whose mother died when Dimitra was very young. Dimitra lives a fairly lonely life with her father, who expects her to behave like a traditional Greek girl where her only value is in that of a wife and mother. When her father eventually remarries, Dimitra learns the value of authentic female companionship. Women lifting up other women and women celebrating women is a reoccurring theme in this story, but it's subtle. As Dimitra gets older, her father's desire to marry her off increases, but Dimitra wants more than to be someone's betrothed. She wants love.
Elena is a prostitute from Italy. Her mother was a prostitute too. She is beautiful and caring. The Italian soldiers she services on the Greek island are kind and gentle, but things change with the German occupation.
Maria is from a small Greek town. Her family gets by, but barely. To make ends meet, her father decides to turn her into a mail-order-bride. She embarks on a journey from Greece to America where she finds that the American Dream looks different for everyone.
These three women have lives that entwine with each other, and Corporon has done a marvelous job at crafting their stories together seamlessly. I want to add all her books to my cart and go lose myself in them. This is a book for the readers who love a good historical fiction novel. There is love, female empowerment, poverty, destitution, character development, found family, and mythology all in a story that centers around three strong women forging their way in life.
The story took me through so many emotions. I laughed, got angry, and cried. I was reminded of my own life and how love looks different for everyone.
I listened to the audiobook put out by Harper Muse Audiobooks and narrated by Alex Sarrigeorgiou. The narrator's use of accents and her clear voice made this a pleasure to listen to. I was fully immersed in my "reading" experience with her as my guide. I would absolutely listen to another audio that she narrates.
This story mainly takes place in Greece during the time between 1920 and 1953. It follows the life of Dimitra, a young girl whose mother died when Dimitra was very young. Dimitra lives a fairly lonely life with her father, who expects her to behave like a traditional Greek girl where her only value is in that of a wife and mother. When her father eventually remarries, Dimitra learns the value of authentic female companionship. Women lifting up other women and women celebrating women is a reoccurring theme in this story, but it's subtle. As Dimitra gets older, her father's desire to marry her off increases, but Dimitra wants more than to be someone's betrothed. She wants love.
Elena is a prostitute from Italy. Her mother was a prostitute too. She is beautiful and caring. The Italian soldiers she services on the Greek island are kind and gentle, but things change with the German occupation.
Maria is from a small Greek town. Her family gets by, but barely. To make ends meet, her father decides to turn her into a mail-order-bride. She embarks on a journey from Greece to America where she finds that the American Dream looks different for everyone.
These three women have lives that entwine with each other, and Corporon has done a marvelous job at crafting their stories together seamlessly. I want to add all her books to my cart and go lose myself in them. This is a book for the readers who love a good historical fiction novel. There is love, female empowerment, poverty, destitution, character development, found family, and mythology all in a story that centers around three strong women forging their way in life.
The story took me through so many emotions. I laughed, got angry, and cried. I was reminded of my own life and how love looks different for everyone.
I listened to the audiobook put out by Harper Muse Audiobooks and narrated by Alex Sarrigeorgiou. The narrator's use of accents and her clear voice made this a pleasure to listen to. I was fully immersed in my "reading" experience with her as my guide. I would absolutely listen to another audio that she narrates.
September 23, 2024
Daughter of Ruins is a captivating journey through the lives of generations of Greek women, intertwining past and present in a beautifully woven narrative. Yvette Manessis Corporon crafts a story that effortlessly tugs at the reader’s emotions, ranging from joyful nostalgia to deep sorrow. The characters are wonderfully relatable, with rich development that draws you into their personal struggles, hopes, and dreams.
The emotional depth of the story is further enhanced by the beautiful narration of Alex Sarrigeorgiou, whose tone, annunciation, and character depth bring this multi-generational tale to life. Her performance pulled me into the story, making every character feel vivid and real.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy family sagas, historical fiction, or those with a deep appreciation for stories that explore the complexities of heritage, identity, and the bonds between women across generations. If you’re drawn to narratives that evoke a wide range of emotions and transport you across time and place, Daughter of Ruins will not disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley, Yvette Manessis Corporon, and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for the opportunity to listen and review Daughter of Ruins.
The emotional depth of the story is further enhanced by the beautiful narration of Alex Sarrigeorgiou, whose tone, annunciation, and character depth bring this multi-generational tale to life. Her performance pulled me into the story, making every character feel vivid and real.
I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy family sagas, historical fiction, or those with a deep appreciation for stories that explore the complexities of heritage, identity, and the bonds between women across generations. If you’re drawn to narratives that evoke a wide range of emotions and transport you across time and place, Daughter of Ruins will not disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley, Yvette Manessis Corporon, and HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse for the opportunity to listen and review Daughter of Ruins.
November 20, 2025
Love love loved reading this
October 9, 2024
4.25 ✨
Thank you #partners @booksparks @harpermuse for my #gifted copies #frc2024 #fallpagesandprints
Daughter of Ruins
Yvette Manessis Corporon
Available now
📖 Daughter of Ruins is a sweeping historical fiction novel following three women as they struggle to control their destinies, fighting to become the women they were meant to be.
💭 I really, really enjoyed my time reading Daughter of Ruins. While the story mostly centers around the main protagonist, Demitra, in the mid 1900s, it also includes two other perspectives and timelines (earlier 1900s). The women's stories are all different, but have multiple overlapping themes, as Greek women — like many women of the past — were subjected to horrible mistreatment and oppression.
Steeped in the rich history, culture, and myths of Greece, Daughter of Ruins is a poignant, captivating story that is simultaneously sorrowful and optimistic. I always love learning from fiction, and I'm certainly leaving this novel with a wealth of knowledge about Greek history.
🎧 The audiobook is narrated by Alex Sarrigeorgio. She does a wonderful job in her performance, and really captures the emotional resonance of the novel. That said, as there are three women's perspectives here, I think it may have benefited from multiple narrators. That's a minor complaint though, as I did absolutely enjoy it!
📌 Available now!
Thank you #partners @booksparks @harpermuse for my #gifted copies #frc2024 #fallpagesandprints
Daughter of Ruins
Yvette Manessis Corporon
Available now
📖 Daughter of Ruins is a sweeping historical fiction novel following three women as they struggle to control their destinies, fighting to become the women they were meant to be.
💭 I really, really enjoyed my time reading Daughter of Ruins. While the story mostly centers around the main protagonist, Demitra, in the mid 1900s, it also includes two other perspectives and timelines (earlier 1900s). The women's stories are all different, but have multiple overlapping themes, as Greek women — like many women of the past — were subjected to horrible mistreatment and oppression.
Steeped in the rich history, culture, and myths of Greece, Daughter of Ruins is a poignant, captivating story that is simultaneously sorrowful and optimistic. I always love learning from fiction, and I'm certainly leaving this novel with a wealth of knowledge about Greek history.
🎧 The audiobook is narrated by Alex Sarrigeorgio. She does a wonderful job in her performance, and really captures the emotional resonance of the novel. That said, as there are three women's perspectives here, I think it may have benefited from multiple narrators. That's a minor complaint though, as I did absolutely enjoy it!
📌 Available now!
October 16, 2024
and when i say this was one of my top reads of 2024 THEN WHAT???????? wow what a beautiful story. the world is so small! i learned so much about greek mythology + greek history. what a beautiful, heartwarming book
November 4, 2024
3.5 Stars Rounded
Overall, I enjoyed this slice of life story about a Greek girl growing up and facing the changing times/events in the middle of 20th century. While there are several POVs in this book I felt the description was a bit misleading. The vast majority of the book (what feels like 80-85%) is about Demitra. There are a few chapters from Elena and Maria’s POV, but they were much shorter and rare. To be honest since these chapters were smaller (and randomly throughout the text) I don’t think they end up making as big of an impact on the story as intended.
For me I always felt like something was missing during this story. It didn’t help that the pacing was kind of all over the place. I enjoyed the women around Demitra the most and how they supported her during the good times and the bad. They really brought home the idea of “women make the magic”.
I loved the narrator for the audiobook. She did a great job with the voices and telling the story.
Thank you to HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed this slice of life story about a Greek girl growing up and facing the changing times/events in the middle of 20th century. While there are several POVs in this book I felt the description was a bit misleading. The vast majority of the book (what feels like 80-85%) is about Demitra. There are a few chapters from Elena and Maria’s POV, but they were much shorter and rare. To be honest since these chapters were smaller (and randomly throughout the text) I don’t think they end up making as big of an impact on the story as intended.
For me I always felt like something was missing during this story. It didn’t help that the pacing was kind of all over the place. I enjoyed the women around Demitra the most and how they supported her during the good times and the bad. They really brought home the idea of “women make the magic”.
I loved the narrator for the audiobook. She did a great job with the voices and telling the story.
Thank you to HarperCollins Focus, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2025
Very emotional story of love and loss. I could identify with all of the female characters and some of the male characters. The writing is delightfully descriptive from beginning to end. It is amazing how much there is to have in common with women that lived in different worlds and during different times. There is a lot going on in this book, but it is not hard to keep track of what is currently going on and what has already happened. There are generations of women in all walks of life for me to relate to and now, I am actually sorry for this book to end, I feel the loss of no longer being around the women in this wonderful story.
November 8, 2025
One of the best books that i’ve read in a while. HIGHLY recommend
July 16, 2025
4.5
“An artist who uses her gift to lend voice to her muses.”
Even the author’s note!! Ugh
“An artist who uses her gift to lend voice to her muses.”
Even the author’s note!! Ugh
September 26, 2024
Historical fiction isn't something I read often. Not unlike sci-fi/fantasy novels, it requires a higher level of effort from the reader than other genres. It can be slower to suck you in, demanding patience as the story threads weave themselves together. But if you're lucky, as the pieces dance and settle into their places, you'll be left with an intricate tapestry that takes your breath away. Daughter of Ruins stands in testament of that truth. It serves as a beacon to how powerful the genre can be.
Demitra is a motherless daughter brought back to her father's home country of Greece after losing his wife in America. She uses drawing as a coping mechanism in her childhood loneliness, sketching Italian soldiers of the World Wars where they find leisure on the Greek beaches. Then the war takes a turn and the once lithe and eager bodies are piled high and lifeless. There are many hard lessons like this one in store for Demitra as she navigates the world, and this book follows her through many trials and tribulations through her life, though it is not all hardship. Her journey takes her from Greece to America and back again, and all the while she is developing into the woman she was destined to be.
I think the story captured the life of a young woman so well. It was a difficult time in Greece, and a difficult time for women. Though she had no direct maternal influence, there were many strong women mentors in Demitra's life. With an artist's curiosity she observed the world around her, turning her wisdom and unique understanding into art.
I am still quite stunned by the intricate structure of this novel. Demitra uses many figures of Greek mythology to analogize the human lives around her and translates them into her art. She dives deep into her understanding of the gods before she draws them, and though they are done with simple materials, her art has a depth that is undeniable by those who witness it.
This is an emotional book. There is grief and sorrow and growth and healing and hope and faith and passion and curiosity and pain and confusion and determination and love. There is tenderness and betrayal. There is scheming and outsmarting and deceit and compassion. There is everything under the umbrella of human emotion, because this is a human story.
I will soon forget this story. Demitra and Maria and Elena and Aphrodite and all of those who weave in and out of these pages. I listened to this as an advanced listeners copy from netgalley and the publisher and I have nothing but great things to say about the incredible narrator Alex Sarrigeorgiou. Phenomenal work. There is something special about the story of a woman coming into her own. I hope you will read it.
Originally posted to thelitertarian.com. Visit for book reviews & more!
Demitra is a motherless daughter brought back to her father's home country of Greece after losing his wife in America. She uses drawing as a coping mechanism in her childhood loneliness, sketching Italian soldiers of the World Wars where they find leisure on the Greek beaches. Then the war takes a turn and the once lithe and eager bodies are piled high and lifeless. There are many hard lessons like this one in store for Demitra as she navigates the world, and this book follows her through many trials and tribulations through her life, though it is not all hardship. Her journey takes her from Greece to America and back again, and all the while she is developing into the woman she was destined to be.
I think the story captured the life of a young woman so well. It was a difficult time in Greece, and a difficult time for women. Though she had no direct maternal influence, there were many strong women mentors in Demitra's life. With an artist's curiosity she observed the world around her, turning her wisdom and unique understanding into art.
I am still quite stunned by the intricate structure of this novel. Demitra uses many figures of Greek mythology to analogize the human lives around her and translates them into her art. She dives deep into her understanding of the gods before she draws them, and though they are done with simple materials, her art has a depth that is undeniable by those who witness it.
This is an emotional book. There is grief and sorrow and growth and healing and hope and faith and passion and curiosity and pain and confusion and determination and love. There is tenderness and betrayal. There is scheming and outsmarting and deceit and compassion. There is everything under the umbrella of human emotion, because this is a human story.
I will soon forget this story. Demitra and Maria and Elena and Aphrodite and all of those who weave in and out of these pages. I listened to this as an advanced listeners copy from netgalley and the publisher and I have nothing but great things to say about the incredible narrator Alex Sarrigeorgiou. Phenomenal work. There is something special about the story of a woman coming into her own. I hope you will read it.
Originally posted to thelitertarian.com. Visit for book reviews & more!
May 10, 2024
This is a dual-time novel of 3 strong Greek women A motherless daughter. An Italian prostitute. A mail-order bride. Woven within this tapestry is Greek mythology, which no story set in Greece would be left out. Demitra's mother died in America in the 1930s when Demitra was three years old. She was brought back to Greece by her father and is now living with her “Baba.” In 1943 we are introduced to Elena a beautiful Italian woman who is a prostitute and until the Germans arrived she was entertaining Italian soldiers. Maria lives in a poor mountain village in 1921 and is sent to America as ‘picture bride’ for Greek emigrants in search of a wife. With a cast of supporting characters this book is an emotional read that takes into account love, loss as well as the rich history of Greece and its myths. Three women who find it difficult and have to fight to find what their lives were really about Told in a most sensitive and compassionate way, I am giving this story 5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC...highly recommended.
November 3, 2024
Daughter of Ruins
° Dual Timelines
° Multiple POV
° Greek History & Mythology
This historical fiction novel follows the lives of three resilient women—a motherless daughter, an Italian prostitute, and a mail-order bride—over several decades in Greece and America.
The story beautifully captures their courage, struggles and determination to rise above pain, blending inspiration with heartbreak. It explores powerful themes of parental love, friendship, loss and advocacy for others’ rights. While listening to the audiobook on my way to work, I found myself wanting to pull over as I felt deeply connected to the main character's emotions.
The narrative is rich with Greek history, culture and mythology, vividly describing the beauty of Cephalonia and Corfu, making me long to visit Greece one day. The intertwining of the goddesses in Greek mythology, with the women’s stories is skillfully done.
I initially listened to the audiobook, but later switched to the ebook and Alex Sarrigeorgiou’s narration truly brought each character to life.
TW: Physical Abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Illegal Adoption, Human Trafficking
Favorite Quotes:
ᥫ᭡ "Let men think they hold all the power because we know the truth. We are the ones who give life and bring life. There is nothing more powerful or important."
"Men think they hold the power, but we are the power, Demitra. And we bring the magic and the love."
ᥫ᭡ "I know what it is to have a passion in your heart but to be told repeatedly to tamp it down. I know what it is to want to soar when others are holding you down. I see this in you."
ᥫ᭡ ".. Show me someone who isn't damaged or haunted in some way. The only difference is what we do with that pain. Do we drown in it, allowing it to pull us down further until we disappear into it? Or do we use that pain, that brokenness to inspire us?"
ᥫ᭡ "Don't shy away from what haunts you. Embrace it. Just look around you, look at the magnificence of this place, look at what can happen when you face your pain, the very thing that broke your heart, instead of pretending it never existed."
ᥫ᭡ "..You spent your childhood searching for the magic in the myths, Demitra, when you were the magic all along. Be the magic. Create magic and live the life of an artist.."
ᥫ᭡ "She had, for a few brief moments, experienced a pure and perfect love. And she was forever changed by it, understanding that it would never come again, because she was not who she was before."
ᥫ᭡ "..she knew that despite the pain she felt, it had been worth it. It had all been worth it. Because however brief it was, their love was true. And she knew that together, they had created magic, and the world was a more beautiful place because of their love."
ᥫ᭡ "The tangle of tiny blue flowers woven into Aphrodite's hair would always be a testament of their bond and proof that sometimes only after experiencing pain, longing, and sorrow, can love exist in its truest and most beautiful form."
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Harper Muse and Harper Muse Audiobooks and the author Yvette Manessis Corporon for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
° Dual Timelines
° Multiple POV
° Greek History & Mythology
This historical fiction novel follows the lives of three resilient women—a motherless daughter, an Italian prostitute, and a mail-order bride—over several decades in Greece and America.
The story beautifully captures their courage, struggles and determination to rise above pain, blending inspiration with heartbreak. It explores powerful themes of parental love, friendship, loss and advocacy for others’ rights. While listening to the audiobook on my way to work, I found myself wanting to pull over as I felt deeply connected to the main character's emotions.
The narrative is rich with Greek history, culture and mythology, vividly describing the beauty of Cephalonia and Corfu, making me long to visit Greece one day. The intertwining of the goddesses in Greek mythology, with the women’s stories is skillfully done.
I initially listened to the audiobook, but later switched to the ebook and Alex Sarrigeorgiou’s narration truly brought each character to life.
TW: Physical Abuse, Infidelity, Racism, Illegal Adoption, Human Trafficking
Favorite Quotes:
ᥫ᭡ "Let men think they hold all the power because we know the truth. We are the ones who give life and bring life. There is nothing more powerful or important."
"Men think they hold the power, but we are the power, Demitra. And we bring the magic and the love."
ᥫ᭡ "I know what it is to have a passion in your heart but to be told repeatedly to tamp it down. I know what it is to want to soar when others are holding you down. I see this in you."
ᥫ᭡ ".. Show me someone who isn't damaged or haunted in some way. The only difference is what we do with that pain. Do we drown in it, allowing it to pull us down further until we disappear into it? Or do we use that pain, that brokenness to inspire us?"
ᥫ᭡ "Don't shy away from what haunts you. Embrace it. Just look around you, look at the magnificence of this place, look at what can happen when you face your pain, the very thing that broke your heart, instead of pretending it never existed."
ᥫ᭡ "..You spent your childhood searching for the magic in the myths, Demitra, when you were the magic all along. Be the magic. Create magic and live the life of an artist.."
ᥫ᭡ "She had, for a few brief moments, experienced a pure and perfect love. And she was forever changed by it, understanding that it would never come again, because she was not who she was before."
ᥫ᭡ "..she knew that despite the pain she felt, it had been worth it. It had all been worth it. Because however brief it was, their love was true. And she knew that together, they had created magic, and the world was a more beautiful place because of their love."
ᥫ᭡ "The tangle of tiny blue flowers woven into Aphrodite's hair would always be a testament of their bond and proof that sometimes only after experiencing pain, longing, and sorrow, can love exist in its truest and most beautiful form."
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher Harper Muse and Harper Muse Audiobooks and the author Yvette Manessis Corporon for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2025
I saw Yvette Corporon last year on GMA 3 talking about her new novel being released and as someone who studied Classics in college, I was intrigued. I love the myths of Greek Gods and Goddesses and I am all about the empowerment of women! When I chose this for my book club selection, the political climate was quite different from today and wow…we’re going thru similar times that the Greek immigrants experienced 100 years ago! And as a descendant of Italian immigrants, I imagine my grandma and great grandparents lived thru the same hate and prejudice when they came to America.
I really liked this book. I’m happy Demitra was able to live her life as an artist after all the sadness and hardships she went through.
I really liked this book. I’m happy Demitra was able to live her life as an artist after all the sadness and hardships she went through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2024
DAUGHTER OF RUINS by Yvette Manessis Corporon
Narration by Alex Sarrigeorgiou was throughly enjoyable and very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks
This is set in Corfu and Cephalonia with a bit set in America. A beautifully written and deeply moving story that follows three women whose lives are intertwined, as they endeavor to control their destinies through sacrifices and struggles. Demitra��s mother died in America in the 1930s when Demitra was three years old. Her father took her to the Greek island of, Cephalonia, to live. Demitra is lonely and dreams her dead mother watches over her. When she is of age, she refuses to marry the man her father has chosen for her. She knew what her father expected of her, that marriage and motherhood were her predestined fate. Demitra falls in love with painting and soon begins an affair with a forbidden man. We meet Elena, a beautiful Italian woman who has dreamed of a life away from the brothels where she was raised. Maria lives in a poor mountain village in 1921 and at the age of eighteen, is sent by her father to America as a picture bride to marry a stranger.
It is a riveting and inspiring tale about the power of family, friendship, and ultimately, the power of women to change their own destinies. In this gripping historical women’s fiction read spanning from the 1020s-1950s from the Greek island of Cephalonia to New York City; tells the tale of three strong Mediterranean women and the descendant who uncovers their secrets while forging her own path.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this skilled writer. I was fully invested in these memorable characters from the beginning to end.
Narration by Alex Sarrigeorgiou was throughly enjoyable and very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks
This is set in Corfu and Cephalonia with a bit set in America. A beautifully written and deeply moving story that follows three women whose lives are intertwined, as they endeavor to control their destinies through sacrifices and struggles. Demitra��s mother died in America in the 1930s when Demitra was three years old. Her father took her to the Greek island of, Cephalonia, to live. Demitra is lonely and dreams her dead mother watches over her. When she is of age, she refuses to marry the man her father has chosen for her. She knew what her father expected of her, that marriage and motherhood were her predestined fate. Demitra falls in love with painting and soon begins an affair with a forbidden man. We meet Elena, a beautiful Italian woman who has dreamed of a life away from the brothels where she was raised. Maria lives in a poor mountain village in 1921 and at the age of eighteen, is sent by her father to America as a picture bride to marry a stranger.
It is a riveting and inspiring tale about the power of family, friendship, and ultimately, the power of women to change their own destinies. In this gripping historical women’s fiction read spanning from the 1020s-1950s from the Greek island of Cephalonia to New York City; tells the tale of three strong Mediterranean women and the descendant who uncovers their secrets while forging her own path.
I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this skilled writer. I was fully invested in these memorable characters from the beginning to end.
April 16, 2025
This was a terrific hidden little gem of a book. I was surprised, touched, horrified, and hopeful all at the same time, this book evoked those feelings. I ugly cried reading this beautifully touching story. All the characters from Demitra to Elena made me want to run up to them and hug them. There were a lot of unexpected twists and all i can say without giving away anything is run and read this book it will hit your heartstrings they way it did mine.
I want to give a huge shout out @NetGalley @daughterofruins @HarperMuse for allowing to have read this truly wonderful story that will stay with me.
I want to give a huge shout out @NetGalley @daughterofruins @HarperMuse for allowing to have read this truly wonderful story that will stay with me.
June 19, 2025
I really liked so much about this book, but I felt it kind of fell apart after a while. Maybe the plot could have been tightened up? I hope Corporon continues to write, I suspect she has more to give.
November 4, 2024
This is a heartwarming story of women standing up for women. An emotionall journey that personally resonated with me. this book dives into the intricacies of female relationships in the society, self-discovery, and resilience. The characters are beautifully crafted, bringing warmth and authenticity to a story that starts with you long after reading. I enjoyed the plot, however I felt that the pace was quite slow. However, if you make it to the end of the story it is truly rewarding.
I got a free copy of this book from Netgalley and opinions are my own.
I got a free copy of this book from Netgalley and opinions are my own.
July 11, 2025
3.8 stars. Ok but not a fav.
November 28, 2024
4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
I listened to the audiobook of Daughter of Ruins, I listened to this on x1.25 speed because I couldn't get on the the slowness of the narration. Once I did this I enjoyed listening
Daughter of Ruins took me to post-World War II Greece. I have to admit to not knowing much about Greece's history, but I enjoyed learning about it and its people.
This wasn't a fast-moving story with lots happening. It is Demitra's story from childhood onwards, including the lessons she learns, the relationships she forms, and her experiences dealing with the good and the bad that happen to her. There is tragedy and loss, but also happiness and hope.
Two timelines eventually are linked and the story goes between Greece and the USA.
I was surprised by how absorbed I became in Demitra's story and how much I wanted things to turn out happily for her and her friends and family. I didn't quite get the ending I wanted but I was still happy with it.
I listened to the audiobook of Daughter of Ruins, I listened to this on x1.25 speed because I couldn't get on the the slowness of the narration. Once I did this I enjoyed listening
Daughter of Ruins took me to post-World War II Greece. I have to admit to not knowing much about Greece's history, but I enjoyed learning about it and its people.
This wasn't a fast-moving story with lots happening. It is Demitra's story from childhood onwards, including the lessons she learns, the relationships she forms, and her experiences dealing with the good and the bad that happen to her. There is tragedy and loss, but also happiness and hope.
Two timelines eventually are linked and the story goes between Greece and the USA.
I was surprised by how absorbed I became in Demitra's story and how much I wanted things to turn out happily for her and her friends and family. I didn't quite get the ending I wanted but I was still happy with it.
January 24, 2025
4.5 stars
October 11, 2024
I enjoyed this book quite a lot, and one of the main reasons is because of the setting. I haven't read many books set in Greece, and it was interesting reading a historical fiction book set there during the Italian and then Nazi occupations during World War II. Demitra is the main character, and she is a child during the war. Born in America, she and her father left the United States after her mother's death: Demitra was only three years old at the time. Her father is very cold and neglectful toward her, and her only other family member is an aunt who is a nun at the The Church of the Dormition in Markopoluo Monestary. This church becomes snake infested every year in August during the Feast of Dormition. After the feast, the snakes disappear. I was fascinated reading about this, and it is a real thing!
Demitra enjoys reading and learning about goddesses and other strong female characters from Greek mythology. She's convinced that they are looking over her in her mother's stead, and eventually they are her muses and subject matter for her colored pencil art. Although her father doesn't approve of her art, she continues to create and refuses to marry a local baker. Fortunately for Demitra her father has remarried by this time, and she also has a little brother. Her stepmother Stella intervenes and sends her to her aunt and cousins' village to help them run their restaurant and care for Stella's little cousin. Demitra's father reluctantly agrees with the plan because he thinks she will learn skills to make her a better wife. While there, she begins an affair with an older, successful businessman. Clearly Demitra doesn't want to be forced to wed as is the cultural norm. She wants to control her destiny, and she has hopes and dreams of becoming an artist. Soon after returning home to her village, a devastating earthquake hits Greece killing thousands. With nothing left in her village, what will become of Demitra?
I enjoyed reading about Demitra's metamorphosis as an artist, and, as an artist, I appreciated the descriptive passages about her drawings. The literary allusions to Greek mythology enriches the story, and it is one of my favorite things about the novel. If you like historical fiction set during World War II and the middle of the twentieth century; if family drama and mysteries intrigue you; and if you enjoy allusions to Greek mythology, then you should enjoy Daughter of Ruins.
Demitra's story will stay with me for a very, very long time.
DISCLOSRUE: I received a paperback copy of Daughter of Ruins from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Demitra enjoys reading and learning about goddesses and other strong female characters from Greek mythology. She's convinced that they are looking over her in her mother's stead, and eventually they are her muses and subject matter for her colored pencil art. Although her father doesn't approve of her art, she continues to create and refuses to marry a local baker. Fortunately for Demitra her father has remarried by this time, and she also has a little brother. Her stepmother Stella intervenes and sends her to her aunt and cousins' village to help them run their restaurant and care for Stella's little cousin. Demitra's father reluctantly agrees with the plan because he thinks she will learn skills to make her a better wife. While there, she begins an affair with an older, successful businessman. Clearly Demitra doesn't want to be forced to wed as is the cultural norm. She wants to control her destiny, and she has hopes and dreams of becoming an artist. Soon after returning home to her village, a devastating earthquake hits Greece killing thousands. With nothing left in her village, what will become of Demitra?
I enjoyed reading about Demitra's metamorphosis as an artist, and, as an artist, I appreciated the descriptive passages about her drawings. The literary allusions to Greek mythology enriches the story, and it is one of my favorite things about the novel. If you like historical fiction set during World War II and the middle of the twentieth century; if family drama and mysteries intrigue you; and if you enjoy allusions to Greek mythology, then you should enjoy Daughter of Ruins.
Demitra's story will stay with me for a very, very long time.
DISCLOSRUE: I received a paperback copy of Daughter of Ruins from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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