The Wandering Queen: A Novel of Dido

by Claire Heywood

An epic and fiercely imaginative retelling of the story of queen Dido, the legendary
founder of Carthage, from the author of the national bestseller Daughters of Sparta

When the King of Tyre dies, he decrees that the rule of the kingdom will pass equally to both his Elissa, his clever and strong-willed daughter, and Pygmalion, her young half-brother. But Elissa, not yet skilled in the machinations of court, quickly finds herself sidelined by a band of powerful merchants in favor of her more malleable brother.

Forced out of her palace home, Elissa resolves to forge her own path. Both triumph and heartbreak await in the life that she builds, transforming herself from a sheltered princess into a strong and formidable leader. When she leads her followers on an epic journey in search of a new home in a faraway land, she earns herself a name that will echo through Dido, the wanderer.

Then one day, a mysterious stranger, Aeneas, arrives at the city gates, fleeing the Trojan War. As Dido and Aeneas are increasingly drawn to each other, Dido finds herself forced to make an impossible choice between power and love.

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

336 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2026

About the author

Claire Heywood is a scholar of the ancient world, with a bachelor's degree in Classical Civilization and a master's degree in Ancient Visual and Material Culture from the University of Warwick. Her first novel, Daughters of Sparta, was a national bestseller.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Marybeth ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Big thank you to Dutton, and NetGalley for the ARC

I wanted to take my time reading this book because I was enjoying it the whole way through.
It is the easiest 5* I have given.

There are a lot of ancient retellings lately, but for me Claire Heywood always writes these in the top tier. You can see in the writing that this is a craft for Claire, and not passing hobby. Claire writes women incredibly well and Dido is no different. Dido loses none of her femininity or strength as she takes a whole city of people to a new place to live a new life, all in the name of escaping her naïve, young brother to regain exactly what was rightfully hers.

This book was a pleasure to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the two perspectives, young Elissa and older Dido. It gave a lovely balance between how it all started with Elissa to how the new life grew and matured with Dido. I felt as though I grew with Elissa, and came to see her perspective and emotions while she was forced to make nightmare choices.

The ending was poignant but I can see how people may not be satisfied with it, however I appreciated the closure and openness of the final chapter. I also believe the Authors note at the end was very informative.

An easy 5*, I always look forward to Claire's books.

[lookmairead · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should have been called The Insult to Irabas. 😩😩😩 Seriously, we all saw the red flags of Aeneas. Dido, what were you thinking?!

And I’m not saying Dido was played the best hand- but I didn’t love how she played the game.

I tend to want to read mythology when the world, irl, feels insane.
I like to see sparks of hopes even when a “win” feels impossible.

I think what’s tricky is that this category has an extremely high bar of expectations. And this didn’t grab my heart as much as I had hoped it would. But in this case, I’m unsure if it’s the story itself or my mood reading being irrationally irritated at the romance in this. 😩😅 Irabas needed more page time.

TY Netgalley & Dutton Books for this ARC.

[rose ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“there are no safe moves!”
“then you must make a dangerous one. there is no standing still.”

i wanted more rage, more grief, more hunger, more passion, more love from this retelling of the legendary queen dido. we’re told that she feels this emotion or that emotion, but heywood’s writing remains unfortunately flat and unconvincing throughout. i also have mixed feelings about her decision to change dido’s fate.

it’s apparent that a lot of research went into contextualizing and telling this story and merging the two conflicting versions of the dido of legend, and that aspect drew me in, but ultimately both setting and characters felt a little too sanitized. of course there are common threads throughout humanity, tracing back to ancient times, but i want my historical fiction to be cognizant of the differences in customs and mores as well. overall i just wanted to feel more immersed in the late bronze age setting, but too often heywood chooses to tell instead of show.

i received an ARC from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

rating: 2.5/5.0 stars

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another mythic figure with contemporary interiority… I should feel devastated by these myth-currents colliding, but this reads like a strong female character™ narrative moodboard with anachronistic dialogue. Half the time, Dido the Queen talks like an entrepreneur in a new…situationship rather than a mythical figure. Heywood didn’t give her a new voice, she gave her a résumé and modern values.

“Perhaps it is not the gods, then, only the way of the world.”

This cultural reflex keeps failing my beloved legendary women.

[Trivenefica · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance, and I would also like to thank the publisher.

I started The Wandering Queen with high expectations. The writing is beautiful and poetic, and that’s something I can’t criticize at all. I’ve always found Dido’s story deeply tragic, so for most of the book especially the first 80% I was genuinely invested.

But the ending completely ruined the emotional impact for me.

Dido not dying felt unacceptable. Her story has never been only about Aeneas. It’s about a woman who is repeatedly hurt by the men in her life her father, her former husband and Aeneas through loss, betrayal, and abandonment. Her breakdown is not weakness; it is the point of the story.

This retelling seems to suggest that letting Dido live is a way to show her strength. But for me, her power has always been in her tragedy, in her refusal to quietly endure, and ultimately in her death. Changing that ending takes away what made her story so powerful and meaningful for centuries.

I understand the intention behind this choice but it didn’t work for me.

I was so unsatisfied by the ending that I went back and read Virgil’s Aeneid afterward because for me the story didn’t feel finished.

Beautiful writing, strong atmosphere but I can only give 3 stars.

[Kait · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of Claire Heywood's mythological novels. I like how she writes about women and their struggles in the world of men, but also how she maintains their beauty and femininity instead of giving into unbridled rage and bitterness. This time, in "The Wandering Queen," I find myself torn between the two halves of the story of Elissa/Dido. The beginning half had me beguiled by and caring for the adventures and plights of our main character, and I loved it; the latter half frustrated me as I watched her make (what I consider to be) some boneheaded decisions which created heartache and tension that could have been avoided had she used her head instead of her emotions and libido. Yes, this creates a more complex figure, adding dimension to a character in mythology who is either eternally untouched or a lovelorn woman. But my emotion regarding her choices made it hard for me to truly enjoy the second half (and the ending!) of this book. But still well-written and a worthy inclusion in the pantheon of modern day mythological retellings. ARC received-read-reviewed, "The Wandering Queen" come out in February 2026.

[Kelsey Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A special thank you to NetGalley and to Dutton for my ARC!

Publishes 2.10!

This was a really decent tragic greek retelling of Dido and Aeneas- but as always these types of retellings lean a bit more into the just feminist POV. I was a bit unfamiliar with Dido's story (I know there is an opera) so I was really happy to get to know her more through this story. I will say that I realized about 42% of the way through that the dual POV is THE SAME PERSON (aka Dido). I somehow missed that by not reading the blurb hahaha! Was that the twist? We get two povs- Elissa who is in Tyre who is forced to leave her home after tyrants take control and she is exiled and becomes Dido. I figured out that they were the same person when their husbands shared a name (lol!).

Overall I felt it was okay. I might have been my deficiency why I rated this 3 stars instead of 4. I liked it- but I didn't really really feel moved or changed by the story.

Content: felt very YA.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had thoroughly enjoyed Claire Heywood's "The Shadow of Perseus" so immediately jumped at the chance to get an early read of her newest novel. Similar to her earlier works, "The Wandering Queen" is a Greek mythology retelling, this time centered on Dido, the Queen of Carthage.

From a young age, Elissa has grown up watching her father's words and actions as the King of Tyre. Unlike her younger half-brother Pygmalion, she embraced the opportunity to listen to his rulings and judgements, understanding the weight of the responsibility on her father's shoulders. When her father unexpectedly passes away and his royal decree is forged however, she finds herself shunned from her birthright and can only watch as her younger brother is propped up by a group of scheming merchants. Nonetheless, Elissa continues to try and create a life for herself in the home she loves, until her own brother forces her hand...

Interwoven with Elissa's childhood is the perspective of Queen Dido, a female queen who rules the city of Carthage. She's well-respected by her people and holds a promise to never remarry after losing her husband years earlier, until a group of shipwrecked men from Troy arrive on their shores, led by Aeneas, a Trojan Prince. As the two grow closer and Dido spends more time with him and his young son Ascanius, she begins to question her own resolve - but her decisions carry far more weight given her role, and she's forced to acknowledge her own weaknesses and responsibilities.

Heywood has crafted a strong protagonist in "The Wandering Queen", as we follow Elissa's growth and forced awakening out of childhood, the slow and steady love she develops with her husband despite the unconventional beginning of their marriage, and her struggle to balance her obligations as a queen with her desires as a woman. While the initial jumps between timelines and character names was a little confusing at first, they made more sense as the storylines converged and we understand that Elissa and Dido are the same individual. While I had mixed feelings on the ending and what Dido was willing to do to herself, I think the novel as a whole presented a complex character who persevered through numerous struggles but adhered to her values and beliefs.

Very much a recommended read for other fans of Greek mythology retellings when "The Wandering Queen" is published in February 2026!

[deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc.


This book got me out of a reading slump and if I'm being honest I'm not really well versed with the story of Queen Dido or Greek mythology in general but there was something about the description and the beautiful book cover that drew me to this book and I'm glad it did. All in all i thoroughly enjoyed reading this and I'm definitely going to check out more books by Claire Heywood now.

[Kamis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

I'm not an expert on the story of Dido. I know the basics, but I haven't read the Aeneid so I am missing parts of the story. The writing in this is fantastic for the most part, but where it lacks is in the emotions. We are told about all these different emotions Dido is feeling, but not really shown. It makes for a disconnect in the story.

This is told in a dual timeline format, with some chapters being dedicated to Elissa when she still lived in Tyre, and the rest to when she has fled her home and founded a new city, Carthage, and taken up a new name, Dido. Elissa is dealt a bad hand from the get go, with her father's dying wishes being changed and her brother taking over the kingdom. She carries on the best she can, and eventually marries and falls in love with a priest named Zakarbaal (the placement on those two things occurring is intentional). Her husband's death is the eventual reason that she flees Tyre, but this is where the lack of showing in emotions comes in. We are told how sad she is over it, but we aren't shown. It's really hard to believe she's as upset as she is, when there is such a disconnect.

After fleeing with many of the citizens of Tyre, they eventually land and found a new city, Carthage. Here Dido has sworn to never love or marry, though she has received interest from Iarbas. She rules her city well, but faces the daunting loneliness of ruling alone. I think. Again we are told these things but not shown. Aaaaand then Aeneas shows up and throws everything into turmoil. The promise Dido made to her first husband is gone as she is quickly swept up by Aeneas. As stated above, I haven't read the Aeneid so I can't speak for Aeneas there, but in this I have a hard time understanding why Dido fell for him. He shows himself to be a rather cold and almost cruel person right from the get go, while Iarbas was gracious and kind. I know we can't always help who we fall in love with, but damn, I would have thought she'd gain more wisdom as she grew up, not less. The ending is also completely different than how I know Dido's story originally ended, and I can't decide if I agree with it or not. There's an argument to be made for both. It's something I'll have to think on more.

This is still a good book, and I enjoyed the writing besides the telling vs. showing when it comes to emotion. I think it would have helped to now Dido's story a little better. I'll definitely need to check out the Aeneid soon.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Tara Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire Heywood emerges with another Greek retelling. In the same way Daughters of Sparta expanded on women, The Wandering Queen does as well. There are multiple point of views, but it is cleverly done in a way that is very distinct from DOS. I don’t want to give it away since it is a fun reveal, but if you’re familiar with the mythos it may come to you sooner then the book tells you.

I love how this book would convince you you’re understanding what’s going on, you’re predicting what’s next, and then it would casually reveal a new piece of information that completely changes your perception of the narrative. It’s expertly crafted, and a true testament to Claire Heywoods talent. I will say that I did not have the same investment as I did in DOS, because the stakes were much lower. There’s a lot more focus put on interpersonal differences and culture, which can be a little slower and chiller then bigger stakes. Yet, this book still shined in its own way. I loved a lot of the build up and world building, but found the plot to be mostly lacking. It felt like it was more about men being cruel and selfish, and less about women being clever. A delicate balance to strike in this genre. The ending kind of ruined it for me, with the choice being made seemingly very…. Dated. Like of course a woman would jump to that decision when a man did that… I don’t want to spoil but that moment in the last chapter really wasn’t my favorite. I understand it is somewhat canon, but it was tough to read after the characterization throughout the book.

The author clearly has done their research and has a deep understanding of the classical period. The authors note was very thorough and dripping with respect for classics like The Aeneid. Definitely something to appreciate in this genre. My rating is difficult, because I had a largely good time but didn’t love the ending. But the ending is canonish to the classics, and so it feels very authentic?? I think it falls somewhere in the 3.5-4 range, so I will just round up for my enjoyment. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy!

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The Wandering Queen by Claire Heywood is a third person-POV dual-timeline historical reimagining the story of the legendary Queen Dido also known as Elissa. When Elissa was young, she married Zakarbaal and fell in love with him over time. As a widow and the queen of Carthage, she has a romantic relationship with Aeneas and balances her relationship with him and her role as the sovereign.

I was somewhat familiar with the story of Dido but not in full detail nor was I aware that she was also called Elissa. With figures as old as her, it's harder to verify whether or not they existed, but their impact can live on throughout the centuries anyways. Here, we get a deep look into her life before and during her marriage and after her husband disappeared, giving readers unfamiliar with her a broad picture of what we know. As noted by Claire Heywood in the author's note, some aspects were changed for artistic purposes so this is not a reconstruction or entirely accurate adaptation to the time period that Dido lived in.

This is on the slower side and it fits in with a lot of the other women's fiction Greek myth retellings; in other words, it's not full of magic or epic adventure and tons of worldbuilding but is more focused on deep character exploration and themes, with one of the largest themes being power and free will. Dido’s own power often fluctuates, but she does seem to always try to use whatever power she has responsibly.

The part I liked most was how the book talked about sex work when Dido/Elissa meets Anna. It shows the complexity of autonomy as well as when a solution seems good on the surface, but when you really analyze it, either nothing has really changed or the only thing that actually changed is a shift in power.

I would recommend this fans of reimaginings that are character studies and readers of historical fiction looking for more stuff set in the ancient world

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I not only enjoy reading mythology and mythological retellings but absolutely LOVE teaching them and having the chance to share them with my students. Few situations better make the point that mythology is timeless than a solid retelling.

This is my first book by this author, and it won't be my last. I really enjoyed the entire flow of the narrative but especially some smart structural elements. I'm always looking for a good balance of ode to the classic texts and tales AND some sort of freshness in the take. Heywood delivers both successfully.

While I liked the pacing and characterization already, reading the author's note made me appreciate this work even more. I kept really connecting with how layered this character is, and that's something Heywood addresses and further highlights with her own commentary.

I'll be back for more from Heywood, and I'll absolutely be introducing this author - likely through this book - to my students in the near future.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Bihter V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Claire Heywood and NetGalley for this beautiful ARC.

I have always loved reading historical and mythological stories, and this retelling was definitely one of them.
Switching between the POVs of a young Elissa and an older, wiser Dido was very impactful, as it allowed me to truly step into her skin. At times, I felt as though I became her while reading. Compared to the original myth, this version offers a different perspective, which I really appreciated.

The only aspect I wished had been explored more was her grief after the death of her first husband. What happened during those days felt somewhat unclear. Although his death triggered her flight from Tyre, I felt slightly disconnected from her at that point. Their love and bond were described very poetically, and while I could clearly feel her devastation over Aeneas at the end of the book, not knowing what was going through her heart and mind when Zakarbaal was killed left me a little sad.

This is, of course, just my personal opinion. Overall, the book was a wonderful read.

Claire Heywood will definitely be on my radar from now on. This was my first time reading her work, and I’m so glad it was The Wandering Queen.

[Carrie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something about Claire Heywood’s writing that is so addictive, the words just flow effortlessly off the page and reading one of her books is the most pleasurable and relaxing experience.

Told through two timelines, we get to see Dido’s journey of self discovery and the founding of Carthage, and also her doomed affair with Aeneas.

This was a stunning reimagining and I loved this Dido, who went from an innocent and naive girl being manipulated by the men around her to a survivor, schemer and respected leader in her own right.

A line which stuck with me; ‘the gods will not allow me to have both love and power. I must always lose one for the other.’

I felt frustration and helplessness at the seeming accuracy of this, the injustices she faces and the sickening reality that it is always, always a man’s world. Despite this however, Dido refuses to be a victim.

I adored the author’s note at the end, it’s so fascinating to get behind the writing and I feel I understand Dido better for this insight.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dido's character has always been my favourite in the Aeneid (and compelled me far more than any of Aeneas’ warmongering piety ever did!)

I adore this version of her, and I'm so pleased to see a retelling in which she is given her own voice. Sharing her life before Carthage, and her long fight as a queen without a kingdom, Heywood brings Dido to life. I really enjoyed the level of detail with which her past was explored, particularly her first marriage, and her life as a princess. Multiple time jumps can be difficult to follow, but I thought it worked really well here, and felt almost anecdotal.

What I particularly like is the fact Aeneas is very much secondary to this story. The Aeneid brings in a range of interesting female characters, who are often foils for Aeneas' “heroic” feats. (My disdain for Aeneas is relevant I promise!) Instead, Dido is surrounded by a support network of her peers, including Anna and Piddaya, whose inclusion I found a nice addition.

If I had to criticise this book, I would like more - especially more of Dido as a queen and building her new life, seeing how she navigates the pain first of losing her home in the palace, and later, fleeing her country altogether. But I appreciate how closely her narrative mirrors Aeneas’, and gives her the power Virgils's epic denies.

Books with similar vibes - Babylonia by Costanza Casati, Daughters of Olympus by Claire Heywoood, Hera by Jennifer Saint, Medea by Rosie Hewlett, and Ithaca by Claire North. 

[Miss Murder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling and rightness were cousins, not twins.

“You are a woman, and I am a common man. They will keep us in our places or stamp us out entirely.”

The swish of his sash made her heart clench with guilt. But as much as she hated that feeling, she hated the burn in her cheeks more. She flushed it away with self-justification, with pride shaped into reason. After all, what crime had she committed?

Beautifully written novel on the legend and mystery of Dido and Aeneas, drawing from Virgil’s classic story The Aeneid. I am loving these contemporary re-tellings of mythology and legends (I.e., Madeline Miller), and Claire Heywood delivers.

Incorporating themes of love, gender, loss, and the struggle for power, Heywood makes Dido into her own 3-D character, with her own personal history.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Than you to Dutton Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and review! I read both Daughters of Sparta and The Shadow of Perseus prior to this book and I enjoyed all three but saw a lot of improvement in Heywood’s prose and writing in this book. She nailed the language and structure which brought Dido’s voice to life in a way that felt very vivid and historic. I’m a big fan of the way the Heywood writes the events of these women’s life in a way that feels equally epic and human. The themes of loss, grief, and the guilt and vulnerability that come with those things are weaved into this story in delicate ways at times and then with such gut wrenching accuracy that I felt very seen, especially as a woman that has experienced these things. This book does not shy away from the ugly and the embarrassing parts of learning who you are and allowing others to perceive you. I loved and I hated these characters.

The pacing toward the end held me back at times, but overall, I enjoyed the author’s use of a split timeline. The marked chapters helped to keep me locked into to where I was at in the story and the jumps were spaced well within the plot until the journey from Tyre to Carthage, which felt somewhat disjointed. I think this story would have benefit from a longer ending - the conclusion felt rushed compared to the time it took to set up Dido’s growth within her role as Queen and as a woman in love. While I do think there’s value in the spiral that comes with the experience of dealing with a man and a situation like that, I felt the most connected to Dido when I had time to sit with her thoughts and movement.

Heywood’s main strength in this book is her poetic writing that so perfectly strung together a multitude of topics and the female experience in such a raw way that I think readers will really connect with. The voice she gives these women makes me rethink the way that history was written. I will continue to read her work and I look forward to meeting the next character she chooses.

[Alexandra Morales · Rating 1 out of 5]

****Many thanks to Netgalley and Dutton for an advanced eArc in exchange for my honest opinion****

I will start off by saying I loved Claire Heywood's Daughters of Sparta, I own a physical copy for my bookshelf and find myself rereading it during any book-slumps I may have. That being said I don't understand what happened with The Wandering Queen.

This was a big let down for me and I hate that I have to type these words out. The cover is beautiful and I have always been interested in the story of Queen Dido. I wanted to learn more about the times, more about her intelligence and the bonds she formed that eventually created Carthage.

Elissa started off already so well matured which can be okay but I was thrown off at instances like were her father's will was read and it wasn't the one she witnessed her father write. Her instant calmness didn't feel like a natural reaction to me. The inner turmoil she experienced lasted maybe a page or two. Her first husbands death I was TOLD about her emotions... I wanted to feel the sorrow wafting off the page. I got all these wonderful passages about their eventual fall into love with one another and really expected more raw emotion to come from Elissa. I felt stuck in her internal stream of thought. Her explaining the sadness she felt, how well they were together, how she can't believe this happened etc. So much TELLING and it got old really fast.

I am not normally a grammar Karen but I was LITERALLY dying with how many nots I saw in this story. So many in fact I started writing down all the times it appeared in the storyline.

Had she NOT been born there? Had she NOT grown here? Had she NOT lived in the palace?

Had they NOT been there before? Or had she NOT seen them?

Were they NOT embarrassed to sit before a King who knew NOT why he was there?

"Should you NOT be the one to speak first?

"Is it NOT curious though?'

"Do we NOT see much wealth entering the temple of Melqart?"

"Should we NOT be guided by him in such matters?"

"Better than what? Is this NOT a good outcome?"

"Is that NOT important?"

Her anxiety at the possibility of seeing Aeneas turned to concern that she had NOT.

And was that NOT all she needed?

"Why should it NOT be?"

"Have you NOT said we should be cautious?"

"Is that NOT what we have done for Egypt?"

"Is there NOT something we could do to assure the King?"

She had NOT had time for a proper meal.

"Will you NOT come and take some food now?"

"Why did you NOT take him to the temple of Eshmun?"

"Would we NOT have seen him?"

"Must she NOT have means to honor Melqart"

"Is it NOT encouraging?"

The amount of times I encountered this word was simply UNGODLY. To the point after finishing this book while talking with my husband those dreaded words "did it not?" slip out.. He looked at me amused because I had been complaining about the number of times NOT appeared in this book. It has INFECTED me. It seemed to me she used it so many times to make her characters appear intelligent? Instead of replacing some of those nots with a "didn't, wouldn't or couldn't" which would have improved the book for me entirely. Every "not" snagged my attention and I didn't freaking like it.

Moving on to the absolute LA CROIX of feeling's in this book. There was a subtle hint of emotions on the surface but the aftertaste fell flat for me.

HOW. COULD. ANYONE. ON. GODS. GREEN. EARTH. FALL. FOR. AENEAS.... This man was a beige character through and through. Such a lack of emotions. The fact she fell for him and not Iarbas made me CRY. Iarbas was one of the more well written characters in this book and she did him dirty. He was kind, playful, made her laugh, protective.. you know qualities of a bloody husband. So after a 10 year span of celibacy she decides this foreign prince from Troy who talks of NOTHING else but saving the Trojan line somehow peaked Dido's attention and she literally gave everything up for it. Had that 10 year span of celibacy because she didn't want a husband but the Trojan was SO good she literally assumed they were married?!? I'm just at a complete loss of words for what logic she is trying to apply here. Aeneas would POUT when Dido went about her queenly duties, you expect me to believe she didn't see the multiple red flags that shot straight in the air. Like when he was super tender and loving when they were in bed but pulled back and would become tense when she cared after Carthage. Ugh. Complete slime ball of a human being. Yes you can try to make his character redeemable by trying to make him a "good" father but that only gets you so far with La Croix Aeneas.

Dido was Ms. Perfect. Always in control of her feeling's until the end of the book when she wanted to throw her life away for a human equivalent of a Krill. Her constantly choosing the high road got exhausting. Give me some GRIT, give me a hard choices she had to make. She left the only home she ever knew and it seemed everything just happened to fall onto her lap and work out perfectly. I don't believe it worked that EASILY for her and again takes me out of the story. I understand we are reading a fictional retelling but don't you want your readers to stay in the storyline? I needed to see more challenges she had to face. Perhaps solving the rift with her head priest or something along those lines.

It was too perfectly smooth of a storyline for a woman of her time to up and leave and start a new city. Were women not held back by social standing? No one tried to wrench the power she had away? All because they loved her father?

The dialogue had me constantly rolling my eyes because the way the characters interacted was someone info dumping and then the other character telling it back in the form of a question.

The characters were all very one dimensional and had just a sprinkle of backstory and personality.

Seems to be the first let down of 2026 for me.

[cidney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up friends, this is a long (and positive) review!

“Even wounds long closed were painful to expose.”

The Wandering Queen is a powerful retelling of Queen Dido. Following the King’s death, he puts his daughter (Elissa) and her half brother (Pygmalion) in charge equally. But she gets kicked out in favor of her half brother being “easier to swallow”.

We join her on the journey of self discovery and finding her place in a new land, as a leader. One that she builds all for herself.

“You are a woman, and I am a common man. They will keep us in our places or stamp us out entirely.”

~~~

***Spoiler Free Review:
What a beautiful retelling with a beautiful word and beautiful yet flawed characters. I was completely captivated and invested in the well being of Elissa/Dido and her people.

There’s heartbreak and loss, action and sanctuary. There’s friends made along the way and friends that have been long kept.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had the perfect amount of past vs present, and it was very easy to digest. Sometimes I worry about reading a retelling like this due to now knowing enough about the original story, but this was sooo fascinating from start to finish.

~~~

***Review with Spoilers:
The Court of Tyre was the worsttt I can’t believe they did what they did!! Her own brother too.. such a tragedy.

Elissa & her husband had a loving and healthy relationship. I loved how much he grounded her and helped calm her and support her when she was upset. Yet another tragedy to read their story.

I loved reading about Carthage and the new life she built. I went back and forth a lot on Aeneas, if I could trust his character. Of course when should I ever trust a man? *eye roll* his love really didn’t go beyond convenience. My heart ached for her. She had reached for him time and time again, hoping he would help heal her wounds, as she helped heal his. But alas, men are trash.

“Today, I am whatever they most need me to be.” He really seemed like a broken man with a need to find some place new, haunted by his past decisions. Much like Elissa/Dido. Lots of similarities. “They had wounded each other, in the clash of loss against loss.”

“They were more to each other than two wounded creatures.” This was said, and yet they struggled to find even footing, and Dido even tried not to compare him to her late husband (for which he was waaay better to her).

I felt a little bad for Iarbas, but so glad they kept their friendship (and maybe more by that ambiguous ending???). Was definitely disappointed in the priest Hashmun for trying to pit them against each other. Men love to hate on powerful women.

The entire conversation Dido had with her closest friends / (pretty much) sisters surrounding loving another person was enlightening and real. “Do you think my love is worth less because it is more easily given? That yours is so precious because you lock it away like gold?” “You are afraid to love deeply because you fear being hurt.” My heart ached with them as they talked about their feelings and thoughts. “Take joy. Love lightly.” Navigating love through loss is a heavy thing to bear.

I especially loved Anna and her part in the story. She’s an incredible, strong character. Devoted, kind, loyal. Absolutely one of my favorite additions to the story. “Whoever you are and whoever you will be. I knew my leader when I saw her.” Without Anna, Dido would have died at least twice!

Overall, an amazing, captivating story that I adored from start to finish.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read in exchange for an honest review!

[Roman Clodia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dido's stomach sat uncomfortably for weeks. She told Aeneas that she loved him, that she could not imagine life without him, just so that she could hear those words returned.

There are some interesting ideas behind this as outlined in the afterword, specifically about the attempt to incorporate both the 'chaste Dido' pre-Virgilian tradition as well as the better known retelling in the Aeneid that weaves Dido into the myth of the origins of Rome. However, the writing and execution doesn't succeed, for this reader, in making Dido either as complex or as extraordinary as she is in the sources. Sadly, this Dido (or Elissa) is a bit pedestrian and the writing matches her making the whole thing feel a little bland.

There's little discernable emotion throughout the text and 'big' events are largely reported in the same way as domestic scenes. I also didn't really get a sense of alien cultures: we're supposed to be in Bronze Age Tyre and Carthage but almost everything feels as everyday as C21st Europe in terms of thought structures and language. That said, the religious festival of the Awakening is one difference that is dealt with well, and the final confrontation between Dido and Aeneas finally raises the emotional temperature - I really wished we had had more of that dramatic sense in the rest of the narrative.

Almost inevitably, there is a so-called 'feminist' ending... It is absolutely the case that Dido in the Aeneid is framed in gendered terms where her establishment of the city of Carthage with no consort by her side is undermined by irrational, love-struck Dido - though even then her love is imposed on her by the machinations of Venus and Cupid. Take away the gods, as this novel does, and we're left with some shaky psychological motivations for the mythic beats. Given that Virgil was also thinking about Cleopatra and her recent 'feminisation' of Marcus Antonius (who resisted the authority of Augustus, Virgil's patron) when he fashioned his Dido, there is certainly a politicised framework that underpins the national epic. Nevertheless, what happens in this book is so simplistic and reductive that it doesn't even feel like it's doing more than making a junior-level 'feminist' point.

I can't help comparing this to the Didos of both Virgil and Purcell with their haunting voices - they may not be overtly 'feminist' but even in Virgil's time, Book 4 of the Aeneid that tells Dido's story was regarded as the most magnificent book, and Purcell's plaintive aria 'Dido's Lament (When I am Laid... Remember Me)' continues to wring the heart.

As an 'other voice' in the Aeneid, Dido stands against the imperial mission and the masculinised values of war and colonialism that characterise Aeneas' project to found the city that will become Rome - in that sense, as an obstructer to empire, she was always a complex figure and one which didn't subscribe to the male values epitomised, even if reluctantly, by Aeneas. I wish some of that complexity had been reflected in this book rather than the obvious way in which this inverts Dido's story at the end of the book.

Still, I'm always interested in classical reception and there has been thought that has gone into this re-writing making it interesting to readers both of the Aeneid and new to the story of Dido.

Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC via NetGalley

[Alyson Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book: The Wandering Queen
Author: Claire Heywood
Rating: 2 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Dutton, for sending me an ARC. This book did not work out for me. It has nothing to do with the actual book or author; it just wasn’t for me. I am finding that when it comes to ancient history, I prefer nonfiction over historical fiction.

When the King of Tyre dies, he leaves his kingdom to be ruled jointly by his daughter Elissa and her young half-brother, Pygmalion. Elissa is intelligent and determined, yet she is unprepared for the ruthless politics of the court. Powerful merchants quickly push her aside, elevating the more easily controlled Pygmalion and stripping Elissa of her authority and her home. Refusing to disappear, Elissa chooses exile over submission and sets out to claim her future on her own terms. Along the way, she experiences both great victories and devastating losses, growing from a protected princess into a formidable leader. Guiding her followers across the sea in search of a new homeland, she earns a new name and a lasting legend as Dido, the wandering queen. Her hard-won city seems secure until a shipwrecked warrior arrives at its gates. Aeneas, fleeing the ruins of Troy, awakens emotions Dido never expected to feel. As their bond deepens, Dido must confront a painful choice between the love she desires and the power she has fought so fiercely to claim.

First off, I decided to try this book because it is based on Dido, who is the queen of Carthage. Carthage is very interesting to me, and having a historical fiction book about its queen pulled me right away. I feel like Carthage is a civilisation that many times does not get the credit it deserves. It was a powerhouse and almost took down the Roman Empire. Can you imagine how history would be different if Hannibal had actually managed to do so? I guess that what I am getting at is that it was very interesting to read about the early days of Carthage.

The writing and the research were well done. It felt like I was transported back into ancient times. I like that we got the whole story as to how and why things came to be. It was very interesting. However, this was not enough to make me stay engaged. Again, it has nothing to do with either the book or anything like that. The book was not for me. It’s well done, and I can see that it is a good book. I’m just not the right audience for it. I mean, I am, but as I have already stated, I do think that I prefer when it comes to ancient history nonfiction over historical fiction-unless it is a children’s/middle grade book.

Overall, just not for me, but it’s not a bad book.

This book comes out on February 10, 2026.

[Méli ☀︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Dutton for the review copy!

This a retelling of Queen Dido's life. The best known version of her myth comes from the Aeneid, but it's not the only one, and Heywood does a good job at putting the sources together to deliver a great story.

Alternating chapters between Dido's life in Tyre and later in Carthage worked very well; I'm not typically a fan of time jumps but it was done seamlessly, and will create a sense of anticipation for those unfamiliar with the character of Dido as you slowly uncover how she became founder and queen of Carthage.

I especially loved the complexity afforded the characters in the story. I'm really over the 'horribly evil man wrongs poor innocent woman' vibe and there's none of that here. Instead, there's a likeable but flawed Dido and several positive male figures. Hell, I didn't even hate this Aeneas. He's not a one-dimensional asshole: he definitely has his wrongs but it's also easy to put yourself in his shoes and understand where he's coming from.

The gods are absent which honestly makes for a better, more believable story here and makes both Dido and Aeneas responsible for their own choices. You can't decide that easily who's right or wrong; as when most relationships end, there are faults on both sides, and Heywood handled that beautifully. Making Ascanius such an essential part of their relationship also added layers to their love and helped me understand why it grew so quickly.

Some parts of Dido's life were glossed over a bit too quickly for my taste. I wish we'd seen more of Dido with her first husband We're told they fell in love, shared this all-powerful love even, but we don't really see the progression of it. Likewise, Dido's wandering days and founding of Carthage seemed to go by in the blink of an eye. Obviously, it's hard to put everything you'd like to in a standalone book, but I do believe it would have been worth adding to the page count a bit.

I also wish there was a bit more world building; the focus is completely on the characters and I would have liked to feel more immersed in what life in Tyre then Carthage was like, to get a better sense of how these ancient societies lived.

These considerations kept me from a full five stars. This is close though, so close! I didn't love the very last page, but that's completely personal. I love to have my heart torn out of my chest. I respect that others love, like, happiness and hope and all. Give me a complete heartwrenching tragedy though. I want to be left shattered and in tears.

[Sarah Wahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read Claire Heywood's other novels and really enjoyed the writing, so I was eager to go ahead and request her newest book! I am more familiar with Greek mythology, but I was a Classical Cultures major in college and was required to read The Aeneid on two separate occasions. I think having this background helped the formatting of the book feel more impactful because I actually knew the full extent of Dido's story before reading it. I can see how to someone who doesn't know anything about the founding of Rome, Aeneas, and Dido would be lost at the story starting with someone named "Elissa." The name aspect did throw me off at first, as I was confused who Elissa was referring to, but a quick Google search had me covered lol. When looking at this book as someone who does not know Dido, at first the back and forth style felt clunky, but as Elissa's story progressed the gaps in Dido's story were filled.

Now, what I was really anxious about was how Heywood was going to write the ending. In the original text The Aeneid, after Aeneas rejects Dido and sails away from Carthage, she winds up killing herself using Aeneas's sword because she cannot stand being alone once more. I won't go into too much detail because I don't want to necessarily spoil anything from The Wandering Queen; however, Heywood did in fact take a direction different than what Virgil did. I was very curious to see how Heywood was going to end the book, as her other books have been feminist retellings of women in Greek myth. I would have been surprised if she did take the same route Virgil did, as I feel like it would go against all that she had established. I had tears in my eyes as I was reading the ending though, as I feel Claire Heywood gave Dido the ending that she deserves.

Overall, I think this is Heywood's strongest writing so far. There is more telling than showing, but I think having the single character with dual perspectives worked really well. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through dual timelines, we meet Princess Elissa of Tyre and Queen Dido of Carthage: one in the same person separated by time. Claire Heywood does an admirable job breathing life into this historical/mythological figure with whom I first became acquainted years ago reading Virgil’s Aeneid. In that epic poem, Aeneas, fleeing the ruined city of Troy, encounters Dido years after she fled her easily manipulated but increasingly cruel younger brother, now King Pygmalion of Tyre, whereupon she eventually founded and ruled over the ultimately prosperous city of Carthage in Libya. Ms. Heywood’s tale is loosely constructed around those ancient bones of a story. In her author’s notes, she says she manipulated the timing so that it was more in line with the end of the Trojan War. She also changed the names of some characters.

What emerged in this fast-paced retelling, is a strong, capable leader who is nearly undone by scheming men in Tyre. But she leads her people in five ships away from the mess in once magnificent Tyre and builds a thriving city on a hill in Libya, which flourishes under her nurturing guidance and wisdom for the ten years she keeps her vow to never love again. But she is nearly undone again by the ambitious Aeneas, with his band of refugees from the Trojan War. No longer is Dido a mere footnote in Aeneas’s hero’s quest, but she is a multi-dimensional woman, with her own quest, desires, strengths, and flaws, and, in some ways, with Aeneas but a footnote in her story. I highly recommend this work to fans of ancient history/mythological retellings, like the works of Pat Barker, Madeline Miller, Costanza Casati, Jennifer Saint, and Natalie Haynes, among others.

Many thanks to Dutton and NetGalley for making the ARC of this book available for my reading pleasure and review and for introducing me to Ms. Heywood’s writing. Expected release date is February 10, 2026.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Elissa, daughter of the king of of Tyre, and joint heir with her very young brother, is passed over to be the co-ruler (actually, sole ruler until her brother is of age to be a reasonable ruler) by scheming men who don't want a female ruler, and instead want to rule through her young brother, her purpose in life is dramatically affected. The men will stop at nothing to ensure that she is marginalized while they rule the kingdom to their benefit with her younger brother as their puppet. Elissa leaves the palace and finds love, and in doing so becomes a well loved contributor to the community, which is suffering under the heavy hand of the usurpers. When the head priest, Elissa's husband disappears and is likely murdered, Elissa must flee to avoid the same fate. She leads a large group of followers to a safe place where she founds the city of Carthage, a model of peace and prosperity. But her life without her husband is lacking in love, and when Aeneas is shipwrecked on Carthage's shores, her safe life is up ended.

Based on the legend of Dido, about whom very little is truly known, Claire Heywood has written a compelling novel of an amazing woman and her struggles in a male dominated world. Dido (formerly Elissa) is intelligent, creative, a brilliant leader and administer, and proves that the best revenge is success. Her brother's kingdom is struggling while Carthage is thriving. But in the absence of taking a partner to love, in spite of there being two men who would make wonderful partners, causes Dido to question her vow not to love again, leading to tragedy. I couldn't put the book down and I really loved the character of Elissa, she's terrific. Don't miss this book!

[Ashton V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Greek mythology retellings and in my opinion Claire Heywood is one of the best authors in this genre. Claire does a fantastic job of writing these stories about women struggling in the world of men while balancing their intense anger and their true nature. It's an excellent mix in the characters and world that always intrigues me and pulls me into the story.

Following the jumps between timelines following Elissa and Queen Dido we are left with two unique storylines. One with Elissa as we follow her growth as she's forced out of childhood, her unconventional marriage, and finally her constant struggles with balancing her obligations as queen and her own personal desires. Second with the respected Queen Dido as we see her struggle with a promise she made to never remarry and again her own wants and desires. But for Queen Dido her decisions can have large consequences so she is forced to think of her responsibilities with everything she does. When the storylines converged everything came together beautifully! I typically don't like dual time jumps but in this case I feel it was so powerful and much needed to feel the full impact of the story.

Although I have mixed feelings on the ending and Dido's decisions I still thoroughly enjoyed this story and the complex characters. The Wandering Queen is an excellent example for the struggles of women with they want and what they are expected or forced to do. And as always with Claire Heywood's books the writing was beautiful and so powerful. i will always recommend her books!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dutton Marketing, and the author for an advanced copy!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reimagining of the legendary story of Dido. Since I wasn’t familiar with the original legend, I did a quick internet search and read a couple of paragraphs - just enough to understand the basics. I don’t think this is necessary to enjoy the story, but I was glad I had a general idea going in. I’d definitely recommend reading the Author’s Note on Historical Setting to see how the author chose to retell the story. I found it fascinating.

Heywood opens with a young Elissa in Tyre, sitting at her father’s (King Mattan’s) knee and learning how to become a fair and just ruler. I loved how tender and meaningful their relationship felt. Of course, every good story needs conflict, and events soon force Elissa to flee Tyre with a group of loyal citizens. They wander the sea to put distance between themselves and the danger they left behind, eventually landing in North Africa and founding the city of Carthage where Elissa becomes Queen Dido…and then everything changes.

As I kept reading, I realized how completely drawn into this beautiful retelling I had become. The characters feel real, and their emotions are raw and honest. The writing enhances the story and never lags. I felt so many things while reading this book: betrayal, inner conflict, love as it blooms, unbearable sadness, and the discovery that you are more than just one thing. There’s a powerful tension between love and power, and friendships that are beyond words.

This was a great read and one I can easily recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, legendary retellings, and just really good stories.

Thank you to Clair Heywood and Dutton for this gifted ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Vice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wandering Queen did a wonderful job at an adaptation of the story of Dido: I think you can always tell that Claire Heywood is a no kidding actual scholar and enthusiast of ancient cultures and Greek mythology. The dual timelines are deftly done as we follow Elissa's past as the daughter of the King and the one he meant to have succeed him and sister to Pygmalion who ends up getting maneuvered into succeeding their father, and Dido's present as she becomes the wandering and widow Queen of Carthage and establishes a new home with her people.

We see her navigate a decent amount of nonsense as a woman in a man's world (in stellar timing, Man's World by Marina was playing as I started writing this review). Her journey is layered in love for her people and a confidence in her capabilities to help and lead, while also dealing with lingering grief for her father, her relationship with her brother, her husband, and her old home. I found the writing overall compelling but particularly resonant in the descriptions of grief and loss.

The book ends after a bit of a dramatic moment and does a fade to black: you don't really get a sense that everything's nicely concluded and wrapped up and it is a bit ambiguous ending, but I'm just going to wander on in my delusion that everything was happily ever after!

Thanks to the author, Dutton, and NetGalley for the ARC! Definitely recommend picking this up when it publishes in February.

[Alora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mythology retellings are one of my favorite genres. I haven't read many this year, so getting this advanced digital copy was very much appreciated. I didn't actually know much about Didos original tale, I googled it real quick for a synopsis and then dove into the book.

This was honestly one of the best books I've read this year. This was told in dual timelines/POV Elissa in Tyre who later becomes Dido in Carthage. Getting to read how Elissa grew and transformed into Dido was truly wonderful.

Princess Elissa is such a sweet character, her devotion to her family is truly admirable and my heart broke for her over and over again. The strength she found to forge ahead when faced with the obstacles thrown at her was truly inspiring.
Queen Dido felt like she was a force to be reckoned with from the first chapter in her timeline. She's a gentle presence, which is a nice change from what I think is expected from leaders in these type of stories. She struggles with maintaining her power while exploring a second chance at love. This woman definitely made me nervous towards the end!!

I thought the ending was handled well. Even though it wasn't full closure, I liked the openness for Didos future.

This was a 5 star read from the beginning of the book. This is the first book I've read by Claire Heywood and will definitely not be the last!

Thank you Dutton Books and NetGalley for this free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review