Shadows of Sparta: A Greek Mythology Romantasy

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: Fantasy, Romantasy, Mythology, Audiobook, Retellings, Romance, Dark Romance

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published 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

[⋆˚dak ✿˖° · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 🌟 “𝙰𝚖𝚢𝚔𝚕𝚊𝚒 𝚑𝚊𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕. 𝙸𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚜𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚊 𝚜𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚗 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚌𝚔 𝚕𝚊𝚗𝚍. 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝, 𝙸’𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝.”

one thing about me is anything greek mythology will always have me sat 🙂‍↕️🤏🏻

this did have a slower start but once it got going i was hooked! ⚠︎this definitely has some darker themes so as always check TW!!!

we follow 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙮 in this as she competes in 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙨 royal trials hoping to win and become the new queen of Sparta in order to save her village.

The world in this was interesting. the land is barren and bleak due to “the dread” aka a mysterious plague that has diseased the land. on top of that it’s godless. 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙨 has got rid of them all and is the sole ruler of Sparta.

i really loved 𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙖 ❤️‍🔥 she is so selfless and so real. she would do anything to save her people/village and man my heart hurts for her. she has so much growth in this, becoming confident in herself and what she is capable of and i ate it up!!
special shoutout to 𝙍𝙤𝙯 🥺🫶🏻
𝘼𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙨 🥰😜🖤
also erm 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙣 … 👀🤭

i don’t wanna say too much about the plot but it’s good! and that fucking ending was brutal i’m- 😲🫪 so sat for the next book

“𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚢 𝚐𝚘𝚍𝚜 𝚘𝚛 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜, 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚖𝚊𝚓𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚢, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢’𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜.”

˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🏛️🏺🥀🐁🍷👑🔥🦑⚖️ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

[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.

[naz]

➳ 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 ᯓ★ the blurb looks so good!!! Thank you Podium Publishing for my ALC

[Soft Nectarine ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

JAW UNHINGED for this strong woman full of unyielding survival & FEMALE RAGE 🔥⚔️ Brilliant romantasy packed with emotional turmoil, unpredictable plot & greased up Greek men!

🔥 Love. Power. Survival. 🔥

Sparta is bleak, godless & barely surviving but in the middle of it all Helena the Beauty trying to save her village. Helena enters a series of royal challenges aka the Trials hoping to become the wife of the brutal King of Sparta ♥️⚔️ She is willing to weaponize her beauty, sacrifice her body & identity just to save her people! Her royal journey is a roller coaster of emotions as she is pulled between the King and his right-hand warrior Achillies!

“Amyklai hadn’t raised a girl. It had sculpted a siren in a drought-struck lands. And tonight, I’d make them thirst.”

MEN AIN’T SHIT and we should all bow down to her! I have not met a stronger fmc since Throne of Glass and I felt Helen’s suffering in my bones 🔥 her journey is about reclaiming agency in the world that is determined to define her as fragile & I truly want her to come back raging with the strength of a thousand burning suns!

🔥 all magic & Gods have been banished from the land

🔥 infinitely intriguing plot with UNPREDICTABLE twists! You genuinely won’t know where this ends!

🔥 forbidden love and secret confessions

🔥 she is BEAUTY, BRAINS & HEART! Unmatched strength of Helena & her selfless dedication to the people she loves!

THE PLOT! THE PLOT! Such an immersive world easy to understand but you will never know what will happen next. I don’t want to spoil it but…when the mmc is NOT the mmc you think he is! There is romance but all of a sudden you start rooting against it…because who is that?! WHO IS THAT?!

WHO ALLOWED CR Jane to write this?! This was impeccably written! I felt like she truly conveyed the desperation of the people, female power(lessness) and harnessed it all for max emotional impact. This story made such an impact on me and I’m infinitely curious how the story continues!

Greek mythology
courtly politics
royal competition
forbidden love
survival
🌶️🌶️
female friendship
tw: assault, suicidal thoughts
*CLIFFHANGER

[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!!

[🌙henny✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book overall! It had a very slow start that struggled to keep my attention but once the plot started cooking and the romance was developing, I was more interested.

Generally I think Greek myth retellings might be a bit tired now, but I haven’t read a Helen of Troy retelling yet and this was a nice fresh take on it at least. It also didn’t feel like every other Greek myth retelling. Achilles as a character might have felt a bit wet, but I’m hoping he gets his moment in book 2. Or maybe the other guy becomes the one we start rooting for, who knows. He was the one who gave us the ‘who did this to you’ moment after all.

This book has some potentially triggering scenes which might be a turnoff to some, but I kinda like when gritty and dark stuff like that happens in books. When it happens to women in real life and people are disgusted en masse, then I’ll be upset by it. It’s satisfying in fiction to read scenes like that and know that the fmc is gonna grow into something to be feared from it.

I still have so many unanswered questions, but I will eagerly wait for the next book to answer them.

The only thing I will say though, the prose bothered me a little. Every other page we had ‘no ___, no ___, just ___’, or other variations of that wording. I don’t remember that type of writing being used in any other books I’ve read by this author, but I could be wrong. The start being so slow to get into also was a mark down, but overall, a good story.

[Scarlett Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 glorious stars. I’m completely obsessed. This book made me feel it all. Excitement, anger, despair, and grief. The world-building was amazing, the twists and turns were gut wrenching, and I cannot stop thinking of it all. I will be praying to the universe that I don’t fall into a huge book slump chasing the feeling I had while reading this book. The yearning was elite. The character’s were perfect. I cannot wait for the next book and all the feminine rage I should be expecting in it.

Adding in, book one is not a love triangle in the traditional sense.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am and always have been a Greek mythology nerd. Ever since I was little I read everything I could get my hands on. Hence why now, as an adult, I read every retelling that sounds good. And this one definitely did because it’s the first Helen of Troy one I came across.

Honestly I’m really sad this was written by an author that’s used to approaching dark themes because Ancient Greece was burial and I prefer stories where that aspect is preserved. Check trigger warnings as needed ofc, but bear in mind this of not a fluffy story. I really enjoyed the plot, despite the pacing being on the slower side and can i just say, I don’t understand how I keep reading all these books with all these brutal cliffhangers 😩😩

My favorite part is Helen’s portrayal, I live for feminine rage, anger and what it means to navigate through life hanging on to those feelings. Also hello love triangle?? Why is that somehow my new favorite trope, 2010s me would be absolutely appalled.

Solid 4⭐️, definitely check trigger warnings, can not wait for the next book!!

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!

[Ally | book_dragon89 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am OBSESSED with this story. This is one of those books where the writing just immerses you into the world and you completely forget you are reading. It kept me up far past my bedtime and had me excited to get up in the morning to squeeze in a chapter over breakfast. I thought about it non stop. I’m STILL thinking about it.

If you love writing that makes you FEEL everything the characters are feeling, breadcrumbs with theories for dayssss, tension, plot twists, Greek mythology retelling with a sprinkle of romantasy magic…THEN PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. I promise it will ruin you.

Thank you so much to the author for the eARC! I went and bought a paperback for my shelf before I had even finished reading because when I reread I will be tabbing, underlining, highlighting, and allll the things.

[Raquel Garces · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This was so good!

I love when authors who write really amazing series in one style branch out to something else and kill it there too.

I love historical fiction and especially Roman/Greek/Spartan fiction.

The beginning is slow but builds to this greater story.

The ending had me reeling and has me so excited so for the rest of the series.

I hope C.R. Jane continues to branch out from the dark hockey romances because I loved this so much.

I was given Shadows of Sparta as an ARC from the author.

[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greek mythology mixed with fantasy is always a winning combination for me, and this book delivered in every way. The beautiful diction, vivid imagery, and immersive storytelling had me hooked from beginning to end.
Helena was such a compelling protagonist. This may be the first book where I wasn't chasing the book boyfriend, I was completely invested in the FMC. The way Helena's emotions are described is so eloquent that you feel yourself drowning alongside her. You experience her fears, frustrations, and sense of duty. She was raised and prepared for this life in Sparta, taught that survival and fulfilling her role were the reason for her existence, and that burden weighs heavily on every page.
Achilles's loyalty to the king made it difficult to fully root for him, while Theron was the breath of fresh air the story needed whenever the emotions became heavy. His humor and confidence were perfectly placed.
And King Menelaus? VILLAIN! And I can't even be mad, CR Jane absolutely served with how well she wrote him.
An unforgettable blend of Greek mythology and fantasy, and easily one of my favorite reads of the summer.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you podium for this gifted audiobook! Wow, CR Jane really went from being a powerhouse it in the dark hockey romance genre to fully diving into a Greek mythology Romantasy and ABSOLUTELY CRUSHING IT.

🎧 This book was phenomenal. And the audiobook, omg. Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton’s narration is the stuff legends (or Greek mythology) are made of! My love for Samantha Brentmoor’s voice is next level. She full embodied the feminine rage that was simmering inside Helena and gave it a physical presence. Teddy Hamilton also did a great job bringing all of the MMC’s to life. Each individual personality were distinct, especially the villain(s).

“One day,” he said, his voice a rough promise, “you will sit on a throne not beside a monster, but beside a man who worships you. Who fights for you. Who burns down kingdoms to keep you safe.”

You will walk the line between love and hate with (some) of these men, I’m warning you in advance! Currently, and especially after that cliffhanger ending, I have ZERO clue who is endgame. Honestly, it’s entirely possible we haven’t even met him since this is the first book in a series.

“You hear me?” he whispered. “Whatever haunts you, I’ll destroy it. If it lives in your mind, I’ll burn it from your thoughts. If it walks in flesh, I’ll put a blade through its heart. But I won’t let it steal this moment from you. From us.”

Helena is 1000% going down in my top 5 FMC’s of all time. She’s the world’s most beautiful woman and yet it’s used as a weapon against her. Her inner rage built and built throughout the story. She gives literally EVERYTHING to help others and still she suffers. She is shackled by “men” but I just know that there are literally no chains that can contain everything Helena is. She is literally feminine rage and I am on the edge of my seat to see how she will bring the world to its proverbial knees.

“I’ve dreamed of this,” I whispered, broken and breathless. “And told myself it was madness.” His hands framed my face, anchoring me. “Then let us be mad together.”

Since this story is linked to Greek mythology I have some theories as to where the story is heading next. That being said, I can’t wait to see how CR Jane will twist it and leave us all guessing!

If you are looking for a new Romantasy to make your whole personality, Helena is waiting for you. (Please treat yourself to this story on audio, it’s amazing! 🔥)

Please go through the TW before diving into this story. It deals heavily in several topics and on page scenes that can be very triggering if not properly informed prior to reading it. Protect your mental health.

Tropes:
🏺 Greek Mythology Romantasy
🩶 Dark Romance
🥀 Secrets, Lies & Hidden Identities
🔥 Fierce Heroine
🗡️ Who Hurt You?
❤️‍🔥 Helen of Troy Reimagining
🫠 Major Cliffhanger
✨ Magic & Familiars
🥵 Spicy

[Amy Kay ♥️ Books are my daily therapy ♥️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHADOWS OF SPARTA
By: CR Jane
The Spartan Flame Trilogy

ARC Review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Star Review
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5 Spiciness Level
 
RECOMMENDATION:
Holy Helena! This book has some sort of addictive magic in it or something! It hooked me in from the start & didn’t let go. And it still has me thinking about it a week after I finished! Could be that brutal cliffhanger she left us with 🤔😐

Ok so Helena of Troy is prophesied to save her people from the deadly drought that is slowly and brutally killing off her people. King Menelaus cast out the gods a long time ago and is ruling the land now as a tyrant. He needs a wife. Helena will compete for his hand by hopefully winning the bridal trials. When I tell you Helena endures so much trauma and mistreatment, there are no words to make you understand how awful it is for her. She endures it willingly though… all for her people. You will likely shed a few tears within this book.

She does find solace in Achilles, King Menelaus’ commander. Their forbidden relationship is rocky and teetering on the edge of destruction at all times. Especially when a mysterious man shows up one day showing off some powerful magic and making everyone uneasy. She also has a little creature friend named Roz that is always there for her!

I seriously cannot wait for book two!

FAVORITE QUOTE(S):
“You’ve undone me,” he rasped. “You haunt every silence. I dream of you, painted in red, burning only for me.” -Achilles

“I’ve dreamed of this,” I whispered, broken and breathless. “And told myself it was madness.” His hands framed my face, anchoring me. -Helena
“Then let us be mad together.” -Achilles

TROPES:
MF with Explicit Spice
Helen of Troy Retelling
Greek Mythology
Enemies-To-Lovers
Forbidden Romance
Morally Grey Heroes
Badass Heroine
Found Family
Hidden Identity
Violence and Blood
Secrets and Political Intrigue

GENRE, POV, PAGE COUNT:
Dark Romantasy
Single POV of FMC
Ebook 440 pages

NOTE:
Check trigger warnings!

THANKS:
Thank you to Author CR Jane, Podium Entertainment and NetGalley for this amazing digital ARC! I loved reading it, look forward to the next book in this series and look forward to reading future books by this author and publisher! Thank you!
 
Happy Reading! ♥☻

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unreal. I am still trying to wrap my head around this book.
As a massive fan of this author, I was ecstatic to learn she was venturing into high fantasy. Mixing her signature dark romance style with high-stakes world-building is literally my ultimate dream come true. (Side note: Did anyone else read her newsletter about how this book came to life? It was such a delight and instantly bumped this right to the top of my TBR!)

Tropes:
* Dark Romantasy
* Helen of Troy Retelling
* Morally Grey Heroes + Forbidden Magic
* Enemies to Lovers

Look, I get that it’s a romantasy, but for me, the romance actually took a backseat. What completely captured me were the grueling trials, the political intrigue,the female friendship, and the endless "what ifs."
And my goodness, the tension. We all know the classic story of Helen of Troy, so a part of me was sitting there thinking, "Okay, she writes incredible 'why choose' romance... is this going to turn into a 'why choose' and we just don’t know it yet?"
Like, Achilles isn't Helen’s traditional love interest, but look at them! They go so well together. But then... where is Paris?! The sheer confusion! the best kind of storyline that had me absolutely hooked!
And that cliffhanger?! 🤯

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa - this was so good. I really had no idea what to except with retelling with a female main character but I loved it! The audio was excellent and the book was just so well written. Helena of Troy - but our FMC is no joke! I loved all of the fighting and going back and forth with what happens when she becomes queen of Sparta. I have read CR Jane's other books and this is her first book in the romantasy genre - I can't wait to read more! I'm not sure when book 2 is scheduled to come out - but I truly loved this book and the audio was fantastic. Highly recommend.

Thank you to Podium entertainment for the ALC and CR Jane for the ARC copy. I have to get my physical trophy for this ASAP!

[Eliza_lovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If you’re going to wound a man, make it worth the scar.”

I couldn’t put this one down, I did an immersive read with the Audiobook and Physical Copy.

Voice Actors: Teddy Hamilton, Samantha Brentmoor
Phenomenal duet performance
Audiobook Length: 19 Hours, 52 Minutes


I was so invested in Helena’s story and the literal weight of the world that had been put on her shoulders. She was fierce and kind; hard and soft; loyal and selfish; she was every woman who ever existed that desperately wanted change while living under the eye of man (patriarchy).

The tension between her and Achilles was ELITE and I’m still catching my breath over their scenes in this slow burn to high heat.

The cliffhanger was epic and I’m still staring at the wall, when’s the next one?!?

Romantasy
Helena or Troy Reimagined
Betrayal
Secrets & Lies
Forbidden Love
Games & Trials AKA Marriage Games
Hidden Truths
Cute Familiars

[Lauren Eschmann]

This book is a Helen of Troy retelling that had me really excited. It took me a bit to get into it and is a very slow burn. It did feel a tad similar to other romantasies I've read but some of that's to be expected. In the end, I've decided to soft DNF for now.

[Saleena · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! Definitely slower in the beginning, giving a great build up. I love how this is one of those where the characters grow and learn from what’s happening. A dark Romantasy, so check your triggers.

[Maegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I genuinely loved this story, CR Jane's writing is something I crave. It scratches parts of my brain that most do not. I was ecstatic to see her venture into fantasy, as it is my favorite genre. I didn't know I needed a Helen of Troy reimagination, but here we are! I am so invested in Helena's story–Can't wait for book 2.

[Laini · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I’ll burn it all down for you. Every stone. Every chain. Until nothing remains of what they used to hurt you”.

UMM THAT ENDING? GOODBYE. Omg did this hit the spot. I won’t lie, the cover was the reason I picked this up (also knowing it’s a Greek mythology retelling) and it HITSSSSSS. This was dark & so emotional. You think you like one character and then another one shows up and has you questioning everything. MOREEEE NEED MOREEEEEEE.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read some of other books from this author and I believe this is her fantasy debut.

I really wanted to love this book with the Greek inspired Helen of Troy and having read the author’s other books previously.

I think the pacing is really slow and particularly the first 10% just didn’t grab me to keep my attention. There’s bride trials, but the trials themselves aren’t super captivating or have a lot of depth.

There’s I guess a love triangle situation (although I’m not entirely sure it qualifies as a love triangle), but the relationship development between the characters is non-existent. So even that storyline didn’t grab me and make me want to cheer on that relationship.

The book does start to pick up at the end and we get a little storyline development that’s interesting, but I don’t feel like it was enough. I would have likely DNF’d this if I had not been provided the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Podium for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[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?

[Sara J [saras kindle era] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good romantasy mixed in with my other readings, and C.R. Jane is one of my favorite sports/dark romance authors, so when I saw she was venturing into the romantasy world, I knew I would be diving in ASAP! While obviously very different from the sports stories, it was such a great story!

I have a very basic knowledge of Greek mythology, but I feel that C.R. Jane did a great job with this retelling! The world building is great, I absolutely could picture everything, but just like any first book in a romantasy series (at least in my opinion), is what takes the longest for me to grasp. That's a me thing though, not an author thing! The characters, the magic, the creatures, "The Dread", it made for such an intense and engaging read!

I loved Helena, who was determined to save her people, even if it meant sacrificing herself. She was an amazing character, & all that she goes through, she just keeps picking herself back up. The entire cast of characters was amazing, whether you loved or hated them (looking at you Menalaus), & all of the different dynamics between the cast was very well done. The emotional rollercoaster this one is is one that I didn't want off of! You'll feel every thing the cast does, & feel it deeply!

Also, this one is a slowwwww burn! It is worth it, and y'all the angst & yearning is palpable, but if you are used to C.R. Jane's sports romances, this one is not going to happen as quickly as those do hehe!

I won't give spoilers, there is so much going on in this one, but if you love romantasy/Greek mythology, this is one you should absolutely add to your TBR! I cannot hardly wait for the next installment! Yes, there is a smidge of a cliffhanger ;)

PS: the audio is chef's kiss!! Samantha Brentmoor (girl crush!!!) and Teddy Hamilton (daddy!) voice these characters in duet, & it is FABULOUS! They bring the story & this world to life beautifully, & the way they portray all the different emotional depths is so good! You really can't go wrong with these narrators, so none of this was a surprise to me! This is also a story I would love Graphic Audio to do one day too!

[RosieRitesReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tropes you can expect:

🖤 Dark Romantasy
⚔️ Enemies to Lovers
🏛️ Helen of Troy Retelling
🥀 Forbidden Romance
🔥 Obsessive Devotion


Shadows of Sparta is a Helen of Troy retelling that DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. I have never been so happy to learn that a book is the first in a trilogy in a long time! I am always hesitant to pick up any Greek mythology retellings because the originals are already works of art, but my gods, C.R. Jane has taken Sparta and truly given its Queen the arc it deserves. I was fully invested in Helena’s backstory. From the very beginning, we are put in her shoes and witness the woes of her village and the reasoning behind her desire to become queen. She is selfless, kindhearted, and ready to do whatever it takes to help the people in her village.

“Amyklai hadn’t raised a girl. It had sculpted a siren in a drought-struck land. And tonight, I’d make them thirst.”

I loved that we get to watch her perspective on the king and kingdom change completely as she goes through the trials and continues her journey as queen; this is pivotal to her choices later in the book. C.R. Jane does a fabulous job of making the reader hate certain characters, lust after others, and fester in betrayal. When the book ended, I just sat there stunned in silence, and it took a while to pick my jaw up from the floor.

“I’ll worship you, break for you, burn the world before I let it take you.”

I was given the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, and it turned my read into an immersive experience. If you have not tried pairing the audio version of the book with the digital/physical copy and have been wanting to try it out, this is the book to do it with! First of all, we get dual narration with TEDDY HAMILTON (mmmhmmm, yup, iykyk) and Samantha Brentmoor. We are met with all the emotions this book portrays EXPERTLY. I am talking about the hate, lust, THE FEAR, all of it through the audio. If you already read it, GO LISTEN TO IT RIGHT NOW!!!

Thank you so much to Podium Audio for providing me with an audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️/2.5 🌶️

Let me start off by saying the audiobook for this one was just so 🤌🏼. Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton absolutely made this book for me. The emotions they poured into every scene felt so raw and satisfying to listen to. You could feel every ounce of longing, frustration and tension through their performances, and it honestly elevated the whole experience 🙌🏼

Story-wise, since this is part of a trilogy, we’re only at the beginning of the journey, but what a journey it already is. The yearning, the inner rage, the aching longing… gosh, everything about it hit perfectly 🔥

Helena is an absolute baddie and I was fully here for her finally showing the world exactly who she is. And Achilles?! I don’t think I’ve ever read an MMC so torn between his heart and his duty. The conflict inside him felt so real and intense 🖤

This one is definitely more of a slow burn, but the writing is so immersive that you completely lose yourself in the story and forget about everything outside those pages. Every interaction felt meaningful, and the tension kept building in the best way possible.

And don’t even get me started on that cliffhanger! I need the next book soon!

Trope: Fantasy, retelling

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook ♾️
Spice 2🌶️
Story ♾️

Listen, if you know me, u know when I find my favourites, they are embedded in my brain and skin, and I can't live without them. I’ve seen for a while C. R. Jane names joint around with the sport series, but I’m not a sport kinda girl; well, let me tell you that my Hydra TBR just won way more heads with all she is writing. C. R. is a fabulous writer; her poetic skills captured my attention right from the beginning. The PLOT!!!! Even knowing the original mythology that this book is based on, she managed to surprise me with how immersive and unique she managed to keep the world; it is easy to understand and authentic to the myth.

The audiobook is narrated in duet style by Samantha Brentmoor and Teddy Hamilton ( yes, mommy and daddy!!!!). This book is made to be LISTEN!!! If you are not aware, Samatha’s voice is next level; she is a goddess that gifted us mortals her amazing voice, skills and power. Helena is not only a strong woman full of survival and female rage, but portraided by Samatha, you can feel the desperation, the emotional impact, the love and devotion. Only thinking of this book gives me goosebumps.

Teddy, on the other hand, will forever be a king, a god in my eyes: all the voices, the power, the performance, the will; he brings another immersive layer to this book!

C. R. Jane gave us the best formula to walk the line between love and hate the entire book, especially with some of the MCs. Roman Empire Book, check!! Favourite FMC, check!! Do I need book 2 more than I need air??? You bet I do!!! I want to tell you so much more, and I could, but I don’t want to spoil this experience for you, so do me a favour and pick this up!




This is a masterpiece!!! Just pick the book up! Now!
Review coming soon!

[Michelle | the_unexpected_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review: Shadows of Sparta
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

This book was amazing! As someone who loves Greek mythology and anything inspired by the legend of Troy, I was hooked!

The love triangle!!! Gah! I’m a sucker for them. Usually I have a clear favorite, but not this time. One love interest is the broody, loyal warrior type, and the other is the charming bad boy with secrets. I totally understood Helena’s attraction to both of them, and the tension between all three was perfection.

I also loved all the twists, secrets, and trying to figure out who was telling the truth. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another question popped up.

And that ending… wow. That cliffhanger was downright rude 🤣 I have so many questions and already need the next book!

Thank you to @crjaneauthor and @podiumentertainment for sending me an ARC to review!

#crjane #shadowsofsparta #greekmythologybooks #newreleasebooks #booksta

[Allie DeMars · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Audiobook narration: 5 ⭐️

This was a wild ride. At no point did I know what was going to happen next… and I’m obsessed with it.

This ended up being a darker romantasy book than I was expecting. So just make sure you check the triggers. There is spousal r@pe, SA, and manipulation.

I loved the love triangle (or love square 🤭😉) that was going on here. IYKYK. This is NOT a why choose, so don’t worry, if that isn’t your cup of tea… I promise there is no sharing in this one.

I felt like the ending got a little muddy, that’s the only reason I gave it .5 stars off the overall rating. But the duet narration audiobook narrated by Teddy Hamilton and Samantha Brentmoor was FANTASTIC. They added so much to the story and characters.

Thank you Podium Entertainment and C.R. Jane for the ALC!

[thebeespot72 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anytime I see a retelling of Greek mythology, I know I must read it. Combined with my love for CR Jane books, I was quite curious about Shadows of Sparta. Unlike the hockey romances, Shadows of Sparta required a different type of focus on the details. I felt the story still carried a similar level of depth in its characters, emotions, and storytelling to what I’ve grown accustomed to in the author’s writing. I knew the bare minimum about Helen of Troy and still had a good experience reading this story.

I’ve only read this author's Shifter and Hockey romances, and I was very pleased with Shadows of Sparta. The story does leave on a cliffhanger, though, and it did hurt when I realized that I would need to wait to find out what was going to happen next.

Thank you to Author CR Jane for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.