Shadows of Sparta

The Spartan Flame Trilogy #1

by C.R. Jane

In a drought-scorched world plagued by a mysterious force called “the Dread,” one woman submits herself to a set of deadly trials in order to save her people. But when Helena’s bid to become the next queen of Sparta is successful, she must navigate an even more treacherous court while an ancient and forgotten magic is reawakened . . .

Enter the world of Sparta as you’ve never experienced it before with the much-anticipated dark romantasy debut, loosely based on the myth of Helen of Troy, from USA Today–bestselling author C.R. Jane.

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Mythology, Fantasy Romance

448 pages, Paperback

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

I'm a wife, mother, and author! Writing has always been a passion for me, and publishing my first series is a dream come true. I drink too much caffeine, never sleep, and my imagination is always churning out ideas. Eva and her men have been in my head for awhile, and I'm so glad to finally take you with me on this journey!

Reviews

[GCR | Book Realm]

I received this ARC through Podium, facilitated by NetGalley.

Shadows of Sparta had a premise I really wanted to love. A romantasy retelling of Helen of Troy with political tension, Sparta, and a heroine pulled between duty and desire should have definitely worked for me, but sadly this one never fully grabbed me.

I can see why it will appeal to a lot of readers. The setup has familiar romantasy elements, including trials, forbidden longing, and the “I hate how much I want him but can’t have him” dynamic. For me, though, those parts felt way too familiar instead of exciting, and I struggled to stay invested.

The pacing also felt slower than I wanted, and I kept waiting for a new angle or something that would make the story stand out more. It did pick up more toward the end, but by that point I was already too checked out for it to change my overall experience. I finished because I make it a point not to DNF publisher-sent ARCs or ALCs, but this was more of a respect-the-assignment read than one I felt pulled into.

Overall, this wasn’t for me, but I would recommend it to readers who enjoy Helen of Troy retellings, romantasy trials, forbidden desire, and slower romantic tension.

[Bookishness]

~pre-read~I had such a great time reading Pucking Wrong, series, I immediately jumped on this opportunity to read another C.R Jane book~ SO happy I received this ARC copy!!!

RTC

[Youssra (semi ia- shelving books don't mind me)]

Excited for thissssss!!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! As the first book in the trilogy there was a lot of setup which made it feel slow at times. I have a feeling Helena's redemption will be coming, but watching her go through so many challenges was hard to see. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the series to see what happens. I wonder if there will be a love triangle, or a love interest switch up?

[Bound By Books And Pages - Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was gifted the ARC of this book and I’m voluntarily giving my review of this amazing story. I’m not gonna lie when I seen that CR Jane was writing a fantasy. I was skeptical because I’ve only ever read her sports romances so I was absolutely intrigued to see where this was going to go, and it did not disappoint. Helena and Achilles (Helen of Troy) was absolutely captivating. The story had great character development a very strong FMC the pacing was great. The character development in world building was perfection and I cannot wait for a sequel.

[RUTH GUCKIEAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you SO much to netgalley and the publisher for the earc!! greek mythology retellings are 75% of my personality and getting a helen of troy reimagining early felt personal in the best way 💜

okay so here's the thing about helen retellings: most of them either flatten her into a symbol or lean so hard into the femme fatale thing that she stops being a person. c.r. jane refuses both options and i RESPECT that. helena here is written as a genuinely strong fmc — not in the "watch me girlboss" way that's been done to death, but in the "making impossibly difficult choices inside a cage someone else built" way. she steps forward for the trials because her village is dying, not because she wants a crown, and that distinction does so much heavy lifting for the entire novel.

the setup absolutely delivers:
- menelaus overthrew the literal gods. THE GODS. and crowned himself. iconic villain behavior
- the land is dying, there's an affliction stealing breath from the living, and defiance gets you killed. the stakes are HIGH
- ancient trials to choose a queen. you already know i was eating that up
- a love triangle where one guards her cage and one whispers how to escape it. and one of them is LYING

THE YEARNING. i need everyone to know that c.r. jane understands the assignment when it comes to slow burn tension. achilles bound by blood and oath vs. the mysterious prisoner with forbidden magic — both men are written as full people rather than the obvious "safe choice" and "bad boy" slots, which means the love triangle actually functions as a real source of tension instead of a checkbox. morally gray heroes done genuinely well, which i feel like the genre talks about more than it executes on lately.

okay the one star i'm withholding: it dragged a bit in places, particularly through the middle. BUT — and this is a big but — this is book one of a trilogy and i'm not about to ding an author for laying down the architecture her later books are going to need. i'd rather have a slow burn foundation that holds than a rushed first installment that collapses by book three. i've made peace with it. trilogy openers gonna trilogy opener.

what we have here is: a confident, atmospheric, mythologically literate series opener with a heroine who actually feels like a person, a love triangle that hasn't tipped its hand, and a tyrant-king-vs-displaced-gods political backdrop that has so much room to escalate. i'm fully in. book two cannot come fast enough.

if you love greek myth, slow burn yearning, morally gray love interests, and political fantasy with real teeth — this one's for you. 🌙⚔️

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Podium Entertainment for this gifted finished copy!

Shadows of Sparta • C.R. Jane
The Spartan Flame Trilogy #1

One phrase: feminine rage wrapped in myth and fire ⚔️🔥

This book absolutely CONSUMED me.

As someone who has always been obsessed with Greek mythology, Sparta, Troy, and stories filled with political betrayal and dangerous power struggles, Shadows of Sparta felt like it was written specifically for me. The second I started reading, I was completely transported into this brutal, atmospheric world and genuinely could not stop thinking about it.

The writing is stunning. Rich, cinematic, emotional, and completely immersive. Sparta feels alive in the harshest and most beautiful way possible, and the constant feeling of danger running underneath every scene kept me locked in from beginning to end.

But HELENA??? Oh I loved her.

She is angry, resilient, self sacrificing, and absolutely dripping in feminine rage. Helena knows exactly how the world sees her and instead of letting it destroy her, she sharpens herself into a weapon. Every time she pushed back against the corrupt systems surrounding her, I loved her more.

And the romance tension??? OBSESSED.

The banter was incredible, the chemistry was deliciously dangerous, and the morally gray MMC energy was everything I wanted. There’s longing, tension, emotional damage, forbidden attraction, and enough layered relationship dynamics to keep me stressed in the best possible way.

My favorite part was honestly the atmosphere and emotional intensity woven throughout the trials and political scheming. This book balances romance, mythology, action, and plot SO well without losing momentum, which feels rare lately in romantasy.

And that ending?? Actually criminal 😭

✨ Tropes & vibes:
⚔️ Greek mythology inspired romantasy
🔥 feminine rage
🖤 morally gray MMC
🏛️ corrupt monarchy
☠️ deadly trials
💞 forbidden romance
😮‍💨 enemies to lovers tension
🗡️ political betrayal
🌙 gods, monsters, and ancient magic
🏹 training arc
💬 elite banter
😭 emotional damage

📚 Read this if you like:
Lore, Song of Achilles vibes mixed with dark romantasy energy, ACOTAR style tension, dangerous courts, emotionally charged slow burns, and heroines who refuse to go quietly.

This is easily one of my top reads of the year already and I already know waiting for book two is going to hurt.

#ShadowsOfSparta #CRJane #RomantasyBooks #GreekMythologyRetelling #FantasyRomance

[Magically Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Podium Entertainment | Podium Publishing and author C.R. Jane, for providing me with the eARC and ALC of “Shadows of Sparta”.

🟡Recommendation🟡
If it is possible, please immersive read this one. The audio is spectacular, Samantha really portrayed this story as if she was living it. And having the duet style was the cherry on top. Hearing Teddy in your ears as you are rooting for one MMC and cursing the other, made this a five star. Plus having the book in front of you will help you annotate because you will want too.

‼️Triggers‼️
Please if you have triggers, read the list before starting. There is a lot of marital abuse on page and it will not be for those who can't handle it.

💭My Thoughts💭
This retelling really said hold my cup, and then poured so much at us. Not in a bad way but this book will make your scream, laugh, cry and just devastate you. There is also a cliffhanger at the end, since this is book 1 of 3 I expect book 2 to gut us as well.

Helena sacrificed EVERYTHING and the way she was treated by everyone really breaks you. It broke her too, and that scene hit so close to home. She is resilient, she could have folded so many times but she kept pushing.

"I see you Helena"

King Menelaus... I have some theories. I won't discuss here because it will ruin the story. But I dislike him with a passion.

Achilles! I also have a theory on him too, again wont put my thoughts down. But it was really hard to keep liking him throughout the book, especially towards the end. He too was blinded by Helena and while he might not have meant to do it. He causes her just as much trauma as the king.

Theron really said haha watch me be the villain but make it seem like I'm here to help. And maybe in book 2 I will eat my words. I don't like him, he isn't really helping and WTF was that ending.

❣️Tropes❣️
Greek Mythology
Helen of Troy Retelling
Romantasy
Prophecy
Trials
Yearning
Familiars
Dread (Plague)

🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵RATIINGS🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
Length: 448 Pages
Publisher: Podium
Single 1st POV
Book 1 of 3

🎧 Duet Narration 19h 52m at 2x
🎙️ Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton
Narration Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publisher: Podium Audio

[Novellaworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review🎧

A Dark, Addictive Romantasy That Completely Pulled Me Into Sparta

Shadows of Sparta completely swept me away into this brutal, emotionally charged world, and honestly, I’m still thinking about it after finishing.

From the very beginning, there’s this constant undercurrent of tension running through every scene. Ancient magic, deadly trials, political betrayal, dangerous attraction… everything felt vivid, cinematic, and incredibly immersive. Sparta itself felt alive in the harshest and most beautiful way, and I genuinely felt transported into the story.

Helena was the heart of this book for me. She’s fierce, emotionally layered, resilient, and carrying the weight of impossible expectations on her shoulders. Watching her fight to survive in a world determined to control and use her made her such a compelling character to follow. There’s so much feminine rage woven throughout her journey, but also vulnerability and heartbreak that made every emotional moment hit even harder.

The audiobook narration elevated the entire experience. Samantha Brentmoor captured Helena’s strength, pain, and determination so beautifully, while Teddy Hamilton brought intensity and emotion to the male perspectives perfectly. The duet narration made the chemistry, tension, and emotional conflict feel even more addictive.

This is definitely a rich and immersive story, and while it takes time building the world, relationships, and political dynamics, that foundation makes the second half absolutely incredible. Once everything starts escalating, the stakes feel massive, the emotions intensify, and I genuinely could not stop listening.

And that ending… wow. Completely left me desperate for book two.

Overall, this felt like a really strong start to what promises to be an addictive romantasy series. If you love mythology-inspired fantasy, dangerous courts, emotional slow burns, morally gray characters, and heroines who refuse to break, I absolutely recommend giving this one a chance

I received an ALC from Podium Entertainment however these are my honest voluntary thoughts.

[Summer M {sum.mun.reads} · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5🌟

I’ve had to sit with this book for an entire day before writing my review. This is a good book! I can’t wait to read the next one! It’s heavy though…prepare yourself. If you are familiar with Sparta lore then you probably have an understanding of the heaviness here. But in the same breath that I say it’s heavy, I’m telling you that it’s beautiful. A beautiful story of hope that will not end. A woman who believes that she can and will make a difference even when everything seems to go against her, again and again. Here’s to strong women, written well! This story ends on a cliffhanger that begs for more. Thank you to the author, Podium, and to NetGalley for the eARC. This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. There is open door spice, 2/5 🌶️🌶️ and lots of violence and trauma, so please check your TWs. I don’t want a spoilery review but the actual love story in this book is so intriguing and so good! I can’t wait for the next book!

Quotes:

“Something was shifting inside me though, rising like a spark caught to kindling. A fire gathering in the hollow place where despair had only lived.”

“If my face won’t save us,” I added in a biting voice, “then something else will. My spine. My teeth. My will. Whatever it takes.”

“But I knew better. Beauty was no gift. It was a tool. It wasn’t meant to be loved. It was meant to be wielded.”

“The most dangerous creatures were often beautiful. I wasn’t the exception. I was the proof.”

“Not for the first time, I wondered if a woman’s greatest power was the kind no one noticed until it was too late.”

“I want someone to look at me and see—not a beautiful face. Not a prize. Just me.”
“I see you, Helena.”

His eyes turned hard. “Because even paradise can rot. And sometimes the monsters you fear aren’t something you flee … but something you’ve brought with you.”

“Ah. Trust.” He shook his head. “The deadliest gift mortals hand out so freely. Once given, it becomes the blade at your throat … and the worst part?” He glanced back at me. “You’ll call it devotion while it’s cutting you open.”

[Lauren Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Podium and NetGalley for the ARC of Shadows of Sparta. C.R. Jane is an auto-buy author for me and I was excited to see her go in a new direction. This romantasy is a retelling of the story of Helen of Troy. Shadows of Sparta is book one of a trilogy.

Helena the Beauty a young woman from a dying village in Sparta has been training to attend the trials for Spartas next Queen since she was young. The day finally comes and she arrives at the trials to be turned away by the head priestess. The reasoning being it is foreseen, Helena will be the ruin of Sparta. As Helena is licking her wounds at the banquet to start the trials she catches the eye of King Menelaous. He insists she be admitted to the trials where she ends up winning and becoming Queen.

Achilles was made from the old Gods likeness and the right hand of King Menelaous. He helped Menelaous drive the old Gods out of Sparta and name himself King and the one true God of Sparta. Known as the unflappable soldier that executes the king’s orders has met his match in Helena. He finds himself enthralled with her beauty and her ability to put the people of Sparta before herself.

A mysterious stranger whom walks across the sea and pledges his allegiance and magic to Menelaous. Theron, the stranger, wins the trust of the king and also has developed a fascination with Helena.

This story definitely has me hooked and I want to keep reading to find out what happens with Helena, Achilles, Menelaous and Theron. The cliffhanger has me yearning for book 2!

Shadows of Sparta started slow, as I feel like most Romantasy books usually do. Being it is the first book in the trilogy there was a lot of focus on world building and setting up the plot. About 60% in it ramped up and I could not put it down. I do wish there was a pronunciation key as a lot of the places, and creatures had names that could be tricky and hard to keep straight.

All in all a great change of pace for this avid C.R. Jane reader.

[Alischa O'Harrow Rogillio · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC.
I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book. As someone whose greatest historical obsession, outside of the Tudors, has always been Troy, Sparta, Greek mythology, and the ancient world in general, Shadows of Sparta felt like it was written directly for readers like me. This story completely consumed me from start to finish.
The writing is impeccable. Truly. Rich, immersive, cinematic, emotional… every single page felt spellbinding and utterly delectable. The atmosphere wraps around you immediately, pulling you into a brutal, dangerous world full of politics, power, betrayal, longing, and emotionally charged tension that never lets up. Sparta itself feels alive in the best possible way, harsh and beautiful all at once.
The mythology elements were woven in so naturally and flawlessly, and the emotional intensity between the characters had me fully invested. I loved the constant undercurrent of danger and the way the story balances darkness, romance, action, and layered storytelling without losing the actual plot beneath the tension. That balance is so rare lately in romantasy.
This is hands down one of my absolute top 5 reads of the year so far. I already know this story is going to live rent free in my brain for a long time because honestly… I have NO idea how I’m supposed to wait for the next book after that ending.
If you love Greek mythology inspired romantasy, immersive world building, emotionally charged storytelling, dangerous power dynamics, and writing that completely transports you, do not miss this one.

[Shelby Grenz Winckler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop it. Stop it right now.

What do you mean I have to wait to know what happens?! I am invested in Sparta gosh darn it and I need to know what is happening!!

Where to begin, this book was awesome. Seriously, I love mythology and this was an epic spin on Sparta and Helena the beauty. I was hooked immediately and I love that the story is dark and not the perfect fairy tale, life is hard even for a Queen.

Helena the beauty was chosen by her village to be sent for the choosing of the next queen. Her whole life, she was raised to use her beauty to her advantage and had the weight of saving her village upon her shoulders. But life at the palace is not what she expected and there are so many secrets and lies.

I don't even know who to write about as the MMC. Achilles, I wanted to punch the man/demigod while I also wanted to kiss him. He was not living up to my expectations of him, he did not stand up for what he wanted and he appeared content to try to tell Helena that a plan is coming, but I am praying he is redeemable. Theron, I think he's is also redeemable but I don't know for sure, he gives snake vibes.
I think I was thrown off a little because CR Jane is the Queen of unhinged and obsessed MMC but I have yet to figure out who that is for this story. Helena is one of the strongest and mentally toughest FMCs, surviving this weight of the world and trying to save their world but being unable to do so...yet.

I loved this book so much. The audio is a duet, and let me tell you, EPIC!
If you love Romantasy, Greek mythology, heck romance, this is one for you!

[Suz Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️, 2/5 🌶️, 0/5 💧

-Helen of Troy Reimagining
-Greek Mythology Inspired
-Trials to Name Queen
-Saving Villages from the Dread
-Single POV

Please check triggers as there are some heavy topics covered in this marriage arrangement.

Audio: Duet style narration - With heavy hitters Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton, the audio performance was very well done.

Overall, I thought the story was good and I would definitely continue it. The ending definitely landed on a high note. The start of it felt very familiar in that there are many romantasy novels with the same premise of all these ladies in trials to become Queen. There was nice tension building at first, but the pacing in the middle stalled just a little bit for me. Picked back up at the end as mentioned, and I have some mixed feelings about the characters.

I liked that my feelings towards characters in this book were complex and changing throughout the course of the book. Although there were some very easily identified villains, other characters were more interesting to me.

I did not know the Helen of Troy story, and I chose not to refresh my memory as I didn't want to impact the reimagining with the original story. I don't think it is necessary for you to know this myth to enjoy this one.

Would recommend, audio was very well done, but I do think having the text might have been helpful for me to read back some passages. Unfortunately, I'm too lazy to do this via audio to re-process some moments. So perhaps an immersive read might be a great option, or audio with your full attention.

[🎀Gaby🎀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I was Helena of Amyklai, after all. The famed beauty who was going to save them.”

CR JANE WRITING A ROMANTASY ABOUT HELEN OF TROY LEGEND??? OH ITS SO GOOD already! I was locked in for 5 teaser chapters and like I need the whole book right now. You’re going to fall in love and love the fmcs character Helen, I did.

Already I love her resilience and fight to help save her people.

Sparta is dying and the only way to save it is to sacrifice to sacrifice Helen so they can live.

King Menelaus Who is the worst king evil even has kicked the gods out and taken over. He has left a bloody oath wherever he goes. There’s these trials that future queens must go through and he chooses a champion. It’s basically sacrificing women to their bodies to save their people. If they fail their people die painfully.

“Sparta could try to scrub away my footsteps, bury my name, drown my voice. But I would not be silenced.”

ITS LIKE HUNGER GAMES MEETS GREEK MYTHOLOGY SO FREAKING AMAZING

6 stars ⭐️ already. The plot the character development I was locked in from page 1 can’t wait to read the rest of this book. Cr Jane wrote this romantasy and she pulls you in with emotion that it makes me feel like im there and feeling the emotions of what’s happening sound me. You feel this sense of morality and feminine rage. This will be another favorite of mine!

If you know the legend of Helen of Troy WE HAVENT EVEN MET THE MMC AND ITS CR JANE SO ITS ABOUT TO GET REAL CRAzy and I’m here for it!

[Tyler | bookishwithty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow… I genuinely don’t even know where to start. Shadows of Sparta completely took me by surprise. Admittedly, I was pretty much blind when it comes to Greek mythology. I haven’t really read much in that space, but C.R. Jane pulled me in from the very beginning. Within the first five chapters, I already knew I was hooked. I ended up staying up two nights in a row because I needed to know what was going to happen next. This story is unpredictable in the best way, constantly keeping me on edge.

Helena’s character is such a standout for me. She’s strong in a way that feels earned, and we truly see the weight of everything she endures and sacrifices to become who she’s meant to be. This story doesn’t shy away from darker, heavier themes… especially when considering the reality of being a beautiful woman treated as something to be use, but it handles them in a way that makes everything feel raw and impactful.

I don’t want to say too much and risk spoilers, but the characters felt incredibly alive on the page. Every emotion hit, whether it was heartbreaking, frustrating, confusing, and even a little intoxicating at times. It’s mesmerizing, emotional, intense, and thought-provoking. I loved it, start to finish. I truly felt like I was watching a movie play out in my head.

The ending completely threw me. I honestly don’t know what to expect next, just that I need the next book ASAP. I’m so glad C.R. Jane is the one who introduced me to this world. Absolutely 5 stars!

[Monmonreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC : Shadows of Sparta by CR Jane completely had me hooked from the start 🤍 As someone who absolutely loves Helen of Troy retellings, the second I saw this book I KNEW it was made for me. This is also my very first CR Jane read and honestly… I’m obsessed.

A queen surround​ed by morally grey heroes? Say less. I was immediately seated. The yearning these men have for Helena is INSANE, and at this point I’m down on my knees for her too because she is THAT girl. The way CR Jane wrote these characters felt so intense and addictive, and every interaction had me glued to the pages.

What I loved most is that Helena is so much more than just “the face that launched a thousand ships.” Going into this, I expected beauty and chaos, but what I got was forbidden magic, survival, emotional damage, and a heroine determined to prove she’s more than just a pretty face. She wants to save her kingdom, fight for herself, and show everyone exactly who she is.

This book had my emotions running HIGH. There was one scene with Menelaus yelling and I swear I could barely breathe from the tension 😭 I was so immersed in this world the entire time. And listen… I LOVE Achilles, but Theron??? Yeah, Theron owns a piece of my soul now 🤤

This dark romantasy easily became one of my top reads because it gave me everything: morally grey men, tension, yearning, danger, magic, and a heroine worth rooting for every second. I’m officially obsessed.

[James Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Podium, for the ARC of this book!

I haven’t read much fantasy, but I really enjoyed the historical fantasy in this book. I love Roman history and mythology, and this story brought both of those worlds together beautifully. The way the author wove real historical details with mythological elements made the world feel both authentic and enchanting at the same time.

I loved the writing style, which was engaging and easy to follow without ever feeling simplistic. The descriptions of the setting, battles, and everyday life in the Roman world were vivid without being overwhelming, and the pacing kept me invested from beginning to end. The characters were well-developed and memorable, each with their own distinct personality, motivations, and flaws. I found myself genuinely caring about what happened to them.

The overall plot was compelling and full of tension, with just the right balance of action, intrigue, and emotional moments. It’s not what I expected from an author I only knew for hockey romances, and I was pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly C. R. Cane transitioned into this genre. The story felt confident and assured, as if the author had been writing historical fantasy all along.

This book has definitely made me more interested in exploring the fantasy genre, especially stories that blend history and mythology as effectively as this one does. I can’t wait to read more stories like this from C. R. Cane and see where they take readers next.

[Kayleigh Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure at first when the bride trials premise ended and there was still a lot of book left (not a spoiler) and it did break my expectations in the very best way. At first I wasn't sure I was onboard with this being marketed as romantasy but it is in fact a great example of romantasy - it just doesn't conform to the usual beats & rhythms and I'm so glad it doesn't. For a big portion of this book the stakes are the emotional and psychological struggle of the fmc as she tries to survive the brutal patriarchy and violent cruelty of her king and kingdom. It's gritty and raw and devastating. There aren't big wins or a building sense of victory. It's agonizing and heart wrenching and feels so real. And even when there's a bit of light - desire and passion claimed for herself, Helena still must contend with how even when your lover is the only man who sees you, he can still disappoint and betray your faith in him and fall short of being the person you need.

This is not romantasy offering escapism, this is romantasy daring to show what it really means to center a story on an fmc pov in a cruel patriarchal world. This fulfilled a deep want that I couldn't quite name before - that I want romantasy to be more than sweeping epic journeys and sword fights - I want it to be poignant and unsettling and unexpected.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc.

[Jodi - JodiReadsnListens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intensely addictive! Shadows of Sparta by C.R. Jane was a dark, alluring romantasy that had me entranced from start to finish. I couldn’t get enough of this Greek mythology retelling of Helena of Troy and this is just the beginning of the Spartan Flame Trilogy. I am already eager for more!

Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton perform this audiobook in duet narration. Told all from Helena’s point of view, Samantha’s sultry voice entrances you, immersing you in every part of Helena’s world. From her conflicted past to her sensual desires, Samantha’s passionate performance will have you feeling every single emotion. Teddy’s expressive, nuanced voice, gives life to several male characters’ dialogue in this story including King Menelaus, Achilles, and Theron. Both narrators create a deep, enemies to lovers chemistry that will leave you longing for more.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a dark Greek mythology retelling with a beautiful,seductive and strong heroine, enemies to lover tension, touch her and die vibes, forbidden magic and monsters, morally grey MMCs, marriage trials, secret garden visits, sacrifices, constant danger, slow burn steam, epic battles at sea, plot twists, and a jaw dropping ending that will leave you needing more, then you will love the start of Helena’s story. I am looking forward to more from C.R. Jane.

[Scarlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 - rounded up

The FMC: Helena
Helena is a self-sacrificing FMC, driven by a fierce feminine rage against a system that treats women as trophies and while her people starve and obviously I am here for it. She refuses to be defined solely by her beauty or her status as a ward, and she understands what she represents to everyone around her, and she is FURIOUS! Bring on the feminine rage!

"Beauty was no gift. It was a tool. It wasn't meant to be loved. It was meant to be wielded."

Helena seems to weaponise things that are used against her, she sounds like a baddie FMC. (ie: Her face, name, rage... She uses this as ammunition).

"If my face won't save us… then something else will. My spine. My teeth. My will. Whatever it takes."

I resonate deeply with strong rebellious women, I already love her characters!

"I'll burn the whole throne down if I have to. But I'm not walking out empty-handed."

Banter
Our MMC is morally grey, and seems to not care about anything as long as Helena is safe. There is banter with different potential love interests? I don’t know where this series is going with the romance, but I’m here for it.

" You are already a weapon. You just don't know how to aim"

"Don’t mistake me—he’s built like a statue someone very inspired once carved. But statues don’t laugh. Or flirt. Or whisper wicked things into your ear just to see if you’ll blush, Your Majesty."

" Better a bare chest than a hollow throat”

The World
The atmosphere is dark, eerie, and deeply unsettling. Sparta is dying and the solution is horrifying... women are sacrificed through trials to save their people, selected as champions by King Menelaus. I sounds like it will be a very atmospheric read.

"Let the wind take my prints. I would carve something greater in stone."

🩷 Tropes:
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
😤 Forced proximity
🚫 Forbidden Romance
💞Love triangle?
🌙 Gods / Celestials / Monsters
🏛️ Greek mythology retelling — Helen of Troy
☠️ Trials
👑 Oppressive, corrupt monarchy
💥 Feminine rage x Revenge Plot
🔥 Strong FMC
🏹 Training Arc
🖤 Morally grey MMC
☠️ Touch her and 💀
💔 Trauma Rep
💬 Banter
😭 Emotional damage
🗡️ Betrayals

Audiobook
The Audiobook is will be in duet narration performed by Teddy Hamilton, Samantha Brentmoor! Dream cast! – Releasing June 2.

🌶️ Spice:
Open door — 2.5/5

Recommendation:
If you loved a world like From Blood and Ash or Spark of the Everflame and want an FMC like Alchemised, Heir of Illusion or Rose in Chains, you will likely love this book.

Thank you Podium Entertainment / Podium Publishing, Net Galley and C.R. Jane for the ARC.

[Jaylynn Schubauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course I got excited when I saw that CR Jane was going to write an romantasy! One of my favorite authors writing one of my favorite genres?! Sign me up! And this was a great romantasy debut for her! I love a Greek mythology retelling and Helena of Troy has always been on my favorites.

I loved CR take on Helena and the feminine rage she had. All she wanted was to save her village and she would do anything to do that. But she wasn’t expecting just how cruel King Menelaus could be. I felt all the rage for her and wanted to take him out.

And my morally grey hero, Achilles. He would do anything to protect Helena. He’s a fierce captain who can take down any opponent. The only thing I wish we got, was his and Helena relationship more fleshed out. I love a good love/lust at first sight but I felt like something was missing. I did like the forbidden romance and them having to sneak around, but I think I needed more of them communicating. But I am excited to see what he brings in the next book!

That ending tho! Everything always surprises me and those twists I did not see coming. Need book 2 now please!

[Breanna Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars (sample ARC)

Thank you to Podium and NetGalley for providing a sample of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Based on the sample, this feels like a very detailed and immersive romantasy with strong writing and clear attention to worldbuilding. The opening leans heavily into setup, with longer chapters and a slower pace that requires full focus from the reader.

While I wasn’t fully hooked early on, I could clearly see the potential in the story and the level of care put into the writing. This reads like a slower burn, more layered book rather than something fast paced or immediately bingeable.

For readers who enjoy rich world-building, detailed storytelling, and taking their time with a book, this will likely be a great fit. For those who prefer quicker hooks or more fast-paced reads, this may take a bit longer to fully engage.

Overall, this is a strong start with promising depth, and I think it will work well for readers looking for a more immersive reading experience.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

CR Jane blends Greek Mythology and Fantasy seamlessly in her new Romantasy Shadows of Sparta that will leave your mind soaring at the end.

In this story you will find a fierceness within Helena that will have you rooting for her every step of the way. She will do anything to save her people including fighting through trials to marry Menelaus.

She makes some friends along the way in her trusty creature sidekick Nox and fellow competitor Anysa. Though she least expects her heart to be captured by Menelaus’s Captain, Achilles. Their secret moments from the beginning will leave you in anticipation.

But the road is not easy for Helena and she is tested over and over again pushing her to her breaking point. My heart was aching with everything she had to endure and when the mysterious Theron enters the pages, things in Sparta will not be the same.

Secrets are beginning to unravel for Helena and CR leaves us on quite the cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Rating: 4.5 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

[Mel Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was outstanding and the perfect book to kickoff this new trilogy from C.R. Jane. I was completely sucked into this world from the beginning as Jane has created such a unique world. As a huge fan of her sports romance, I was excited to read her take on romantasy. I think this may just be her best work yet. Dripping in Greek mythology, I was immersed into this world from the start.

Helena is incredible! She is so fierce, selfless, and kind all wrapped up in a beautiful package that everyone underestimates. Her journey is rough but, I was engrossed in it and am chomping at the bit for more. You get political corruption, harsh challenges, an unruly environment, steamy romance, and mysteries that have yet to be resolved. An absolute stellar outing by C.R. Jane. Not only will I be completing this series, I will be first in line for book 2.

Thank you so much to C.R. Jane for gifting me a physical ARC at Apollycon and to Podium Entertainment for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

[Jasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shadows of Sparta is an okay read and an interesting Greek mythology retelling of Helen of Troy.

I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately I just couldn’t fully connect with the story. The beginning felt a bit too slow for me, mainly because it leans heavily into world-building and setup. However, the pacing improves in the second half, where the story becomes much more engaging and fast-paced.

The world-building was immersive, and the characters were well-developed, especially Helena and the complicated relationships surrounding her. I also enjoyed the darker tone and the mythology woven throughout the story.

While it didn’t completely work for me personally, I think fans of historical fantasy and Greek mythology retellings will still find a lot to enjoy here. Overall, this is a solid start to the series with promising depth and potential for future books.

Thank you to C.R. Jane, Podium Entertainment, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Tea33 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sneak peek of Shadows of Sparta really highlights C.R. Jane’s strength as a storyteller. The world-building is immersive, and the descriptions bring the setting to life in a vivid, almost cinematic way. It’s clear a lot of care went into crafting the atmosphere and grounding the reader in the adaptive historical backdrop.

That said, this preview also helped me realize that historical fiction isn’t quite my preferred genre. While I can absolutely appreciate the detail and effort behind it, I found it harder to fully connect compared to the author’s other work that I’ve loved.

For readers who enjoy historical fiction or stories rooted in Greek settings and culture, this will likely be a strong and engaging read. C.R. Jane delivers a richly built world that fans of the genre should really appreciate.

[JenntheRDH · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite dark romance authors, C.R. Jane, decided to switch genres and write a Romantasy? Yep, this was an immediate read for me!
Honestly, I am not usually a huge romantasy reader. I will say, however, the Greek mythology woven throughout this story, combined with the intricate world building Jane created, pulled me in fast. I ended up finishing this book way quicker than I expected!
I really liked how the author took a myth that we all think we know pretty well and gave it a darker, more twisted spin. It felt familiar enough to recognize the original myth, but different enough to keep me hooked. And Helena? She is exactly the kind of FMC I love. She's strong, capable, and holds her own in most situations, which just felt really authentic. That alone made the story even more enjoyable for me.
Overall, this was a fun, darker take on a myth that really kept me engaged the entire way through. If you like mythology retellings, but a bit edgier, this is definitely worth picking up! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC - these opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC—these opinions are my own.

Romantasy • Greek mythology retelling • Strong FMC • Dark elements • New release

[Caroline R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Podium for this ARC.

This book took me a while to get through. Mainly because of how much lead up there is, was very slow. However I do push through on my ARCs to finish them. With that said, the last 20 chapters or so really flew, we had more exciting action occurring and that kept me involved. When Theron arrived into the picture that changed the book for me. I wanted to know all his secrets and what plans he had. He was more of an interesting character to me than Achilles. Sure Achilles loves Helena but he's bound to Menelaus which provided some aggravating scenes for me. Leads me to wonder if the love interest will change.

I will continue with the series because of the ending and I want to know what all of it meant. I hope to see Helena claim her power she so desperately desires.

[cindysbookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review

As someone who is really into Greek Mythology, I was super excited for this one! I am sad to say it was a bit underwhelming for me. I've loved CR Jane's other books so I had high hoped going into this one. The world building and set up in the beginning felt a bit too dragged out. Overall, I felt like the book was longer than it needed to be. There were a lot of interesting things that we happening but to me the central plot was lost. I kept thinking, "what is the 'point' here?" and " what is the goal?". The second half of the book was significantly more fast paced than the first so I did enjoy it more. I may or may not continue the story as the ending did leave me with unanswered questions.

I am still so grateful to have received an early copy. Thank you Podium Entertainment for the opportunity.