Daughter of Troy: A Magnificent Saga of Courage, Betrayal, Devotion, and Destiny

by Sarah B. Franklin (Pseudonym)

The rightful-born queen of Lyrnessos, Briseis watched helplessly from the battlements as her husband and brothers were crushed by the invincible army of King Agamemnon. Taken into slavery, the proud, beautiful seer became the prize of Prince Achilles, the conquering Greeks' mightiest hero. But passion forged chains stronger than any iron, binding the hearts of captive and captor with a love that knew no equal, and when Troy fell, great Achilles promised his beloved Briseis would reign at his side as queen of Thessaly. Yet the jealousy of a ruthless king and the whims of the capricious deities would deny the lovers their happiness. As the flames of war rose higher around them, the prophetess vowed to save the beloved warrior for whom her dark gift foretold doom -- even if it meant defying the gods themselves.

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

544 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

Pen name for Dave Duncan

From his website:
"The work was published under a pen name (Sarah B. Franklin) because booksellers' computers become confused when a writer changes genres."

http://www.daveduncan.com/dt/index.html

Reviews

[Rosanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

This one's a funny story. I found it on the discards sale shelf in our public library: 50 cents for one, a buck for three. Since I teach Odyssey over and over, I figured it would be interesting: always in the market for novels dealing with the Matter of Troy, as they'd say in the Middle Ages. Well . . . VERRRRRY interesting. After reading something to the effect of "Achilles' member stood like the tallest tower of Ilium," I started laughing so much the librarians had to shush me. And the heroine--Briseis!--just rolled over on her back at the slightest breeze, seemed not to notice her relatives being slaughtered, and never had a problem with her lovers' other gals, or guys for that matter, though she seemed relieved that Achilles & Patroclus weren't all hot for each other anymore, just kinda like best buds. So I had to google this gal--who could she be, writing stuff like this? Turns out she's not a gal--she's some guy who writes sci fi in Canada.

[Lucinda Elliot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was rather irritated by this because it is written by a man under a woman's name, which I believe is a bit insulting to women; I thought the erotic scenes, written from a female point of view, not at all credible and disliked the depiction of women and matriarchal culture in it.

The author seemed to portray women in a matriarchy as worshipping men and waiting hand and foot on them.

Achilles in this is pretty much of an idiot, though supposed to be a great military commander. The proud matriarchal princess Brieses is delighted to become his slave, and wishes to spend her life worshipping his outsized penis. Her only sense of self worth seems to come from her appearance and the fact that he might deign to marry her. In fact, there is very much a 'swinging sixties chick' air about her; she doesn't seem to have heard of respecting other women, though her mother is supposed to be a matriarchal queen.

Ho, Hum..

However, to be fair, it was lively writing with excellent battle scenes and would no doubt appeal to many, whether they realise it is written by a man or not, so I've decided to up my points and delete my old review.

It's not for me for sure, but others may enjoy it.

Two and a half stars, because I hate awarding low star ratings, even for purple prose like this.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a little too much irrelevant sex in Daughter of Troy. However, it's a good story and I enjoyed it.

You might remember this book's heroine, Briseis, from the Iliad--Achilles's concubine, stolen away by King Agamemnon. But in Daughter of Troy, Briseis is much more than arm candy. She's an outspoken, brave, sardonic, intelligent princess, gifted with powers of prophecy. These powers break her heart, though, because knowing the future does not necessarily mean you can change it...

We read about Briseis's childhood at the court of the small kingdom of Lyrnessos, her adolescence in which she discovered sex and learned about the ruling of a kingdom, and her young adulthood as a prize of the invading Greeks. I truly liked Briseis and enjoyed spending time reading about her; kudos to the author for writing a compelling, strong female character without loading her down in modern-day political correctness.

I also liked the dark look at the ancient deities. It is always refreshing to read historical novels where the ancient pagans aren't practicing modern Wicca. The gods are scary in this book, appropriate given that they were thought to require constant sacrifice and to interfere often in the lives of mortals.

Gripes: I wanted to know more about Briseis's life after Achilles's death. Franklin shows her as an old woman, but she only tells her story up until about age seventeen, when the war ends. It is truly sad to imagine that nothing much of interest happened to her after that, especially with so many years ahead of her. Perhaps I can hold out hope for a sequel. Second, people believed Cassandra too often!

[Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has a very poor view of women, which makes sense when you discover the book was written by a man under a pseudonym.

[Sharon Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Sue Goes to Troy.

If you're at all familiar with Greek mythology, you know of Briseis, the woman Achilles won as a prize, and Agamemnon took, and put Achilles into a snit that almost lost the Trojan War.

Well, to read this book, Briseis basically was behind everything we know of the Trojan War. Who knew.

I've done a fair amount of reading about Greek mythology, and so I was ...interested... by some of the aspects of society the book describes. I wanted to know about the author's academic background, that they knew about these things I'd never heard of.

It turns out the author was actually a retired Canadian geologist with no academic background whatsoever, so take the whole thing with many grains of salt. Perhaps the whole shaker. There's a lot of romance tropes of the "screaming with pleasure from his massive pole" variety.

Go read The Song of Achilles instead.

[Kristi Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

There seemed something a little off in this book. The tone, language, whatever. Let's start with the title. Briseis was daughter of Lyrnessos, not Troy. And using "Megaron" to mean palace - it's an archaeological term, and means something like "big room". There were other things that seemed odd, historically unjustified, giving the name of a goddess to a slave girl, for example. I guess she needed something greek-sounding.

I did enjoy the first sections, Briseis growing up in Lyrnessos, her brothers, the bath attendant scenes. The author did do some research, which made the lapses more annoying.. But after Bienor was killed I lost interest.

[Valentina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am almost embarrassed to admit I finished this book. Homer is surely rolling in his grave over this one.. (I've got to start looking things up before reading them.) The one star is based solely on my love for Ancient Greece and the fact that the author can write coherently in sometimes thoughtful prose. Even skipping all of the rediculous bed scenes didn't help me (though it did get me to the end a hell of a lot quicker).
Sadly this was the only thing I brought on an 8 hour road trip.
Realizing this was written by a man posing as a woman clears things up and gives me a nice cringe.
Note to self: Always bring two books.
Also, never eat parsnips again.

[Jen Eisenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical smut of the first water. Memorable characters, effective period detail. Deeply enjoyable.

[Sean Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

It probably shouldn't surprise me that the Trojan war can still offer thrilling and engaging drama, so long after its first portrayal. taking Briseis as a lead was fascinating here, and I confess to enjoying the yarn with relish. A tragedy with a splendid casing of politics and history and one to come back to for further historical detail one day.

This read also ends an era. I have been fortunate to read 1 new novel from Dave Duncan at least once a year since 2009. With Dave's death in 2018 and his last work published posthumously a year later, I am pleased to end my fiction reading in 2020 with the last of his works I own. I'm pretty sure Dave left many ideas and writings unfinished, but to my knowledge, this is the last of his longer-form works holy his own that I had yet to read. 11 years is quite a long relationship to have with one author, but the joy of his books is something I will carry for as long as I live.

[Morgiana]

It was one of the worst books I ever read. Truly.
I am obsessed with history, I really like the ancient world, but this book - it was beyond all my expectations.
Ok, you know the story the fall of Troy, there is no place for the author's fantasy and imaginations, but the characters...they were plain, simple, and couldn't catch my eye - Briseis was the greatest selfish bitch, I ever read!
I couldn't read this book till the end, I put it down after 78 pages.
It is better I don't give any star for that book.

[Juliew. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 actually. This is told from the perspective of Briseis in a flashback manner.We first encounter her as an old woman retelling her life story and her involvement in the fall of Troy.She begins the story on the wind swept plains of Troy,a war prize of the warrior, Achilles.She then takes us back to her childhood and recounts her life in Lyrnessos,where she first becomes aware of her ability to to see into the future.

War soon invades and as the flames burn higher she finds escaping the explosion may be impossible.The book was beautifully written. I fell in love with it.!!

[TammyJo Eckhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are many things wrong with this novel that you can find from looking for the Briseis in the Iliad and other ancient and classical sources (I recommend https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/ as a excellent online source). I have no problem with historical fiction expanding upon limited evidence using other sources, but to miss the basics (golden hair, lovely limbed, and fair-cheeked) that are readily available is just mind boggling to me. I suppose these details wouldn't stick out so much to a layperson, but if you have a classical or ancient Greek background, saying she had black hair and was taller and strong for a woman, is a real unpleasant surprise. I could argue about some of the speculations about ancient cultures ideas of sex, religion, and warfare at the end of the 13th century, but I think it is good to cut the author some slack on those matters when the story is well told and engaging.

The novel keeps you turning the pages as the majority of it is told through the words of an old abandoned woman, who calls herself Briseis, discovered by an unknown male in the ruins of Mycenae. The chapters are named after people who had an impact on the old woman's life; all but one of the nine are men, which surprised me because her mother (supposedly queen and high priestess of a realm) doesn't get a chapter of her own. This may be because the tale is a series of poor choices that Briseis makes that lead her to her sad ending among the remains of the once mighty city.

I feel like the novel entertained when I could free my mind from the historical errors that annoyed me, so I do not regret reading it or acquiring it at a charity event. If you find it in a library, check it out.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book kind of a bore. The story is told in the voice of Briseis who was the captive love slave of Achilles. There is such a long lead up to the actually first encounter with Achilles and the fateful events that followed. It is bogged down with detailed descriptions of brothers, visitors to her father's home etc. that it took more than half the book for the actual first meeting to occur.
The story of Briseis is potentially fascinating and the parts where her mind is put into use are well done. Her verbal encounters with characters like Hector and Odysseus are the best parts of the book.

[Tiffany DuBeau · Rating 1 out of 5]

I purchased this book from a thrift shop as it caught my eye; I love anything to do with Ancient Greece. Despite the horrendous reviews, I began reading and tried very, very hard to get through it. I’m usually a very fast reader and when I’m into a book, it’s hard to put down. I may have read about 150 or so pages when I finally had to put it away. I cringed at the dialogue and terminology way too much. I do not recommend this book. If you’ve a love for Ancient Greek prose, you will be disappointed with this one.

[Sophi Schrock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a Greek retelling. I’ve never read one quite like this before. If you’re looking for a book where the characters do what you want them to do, and react how you think they should, then this isn’t it. I was a little horrified by the attention to historical accuracy. Specifically the treatment of women during these times. Some of the metaphors were a little too comical and took me out of it. That being said, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a Greek retelling. I would award 3 1/2 stars if possible, but decided to round up.

[Gretchen · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many things about this book suddenly make sense when you realize it was a man writing under a female pseudonym the entire time.

Not that I was every a huge parsnip person before this but I think it's safe to say, I will not be a parsnip person after this. I may also avoid cucumbers for a minute.

[MissPosabule · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been years since I've read this book, but I remember being underwhelmed by the story and somewhat skeeved out by the obscene amounts of sex. This book isn't terrible, but I'm not going to read it again.

[Maureen D. Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable

This ageless story was written from a new point of view. It was great fun to revisit this old myth and the larger than life heroes that inhabit it from a new perspective.

[Molly McMullin-Yohe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this years ago and enjoyed the book, but this is an example of why I’m hesitant to read books told from the point of view of a woman if they are written by a man. This author was so off the mark when it comes to how women think that it was not believable.

[Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

i remember liking it, mostly for the color put into the historical elements & the religion.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daughter of Troy is not exactly a love story, or at least, not as we'd categorize it in modern times. It's more of a well-researched historical fiction that centers around a princess, and involves love (at its pinnacle in her time).

Despite the fact that this story is a fictional retelling of the Trojan War, and takes place during the Bronze Age, I felt like each character was understandable (and many were relatable). It's the mark of a good author when you can recognize personalities, but not framed in modern thinking, in an historical fiction. So in that respect, I was caught up in the story and really enjoyed it.

I'm marking it as not beloved, because I felt like I was left wanting more. We see Briseis from age 10 or so until the Fall of Troy, framed in her recounting of her youth to a jaded Homer. But after all this growing up with Briseis, her story basically ends at that point. I wanted MORE.

Aside from that, it was a thoroughly enjoyable story- educational wrapped in entertaining, even though the world is so different from our own. Certainly it's got sexy moments, and romance, but it felt more like a drama than anything else to me.

I recommend it for fans of Greek mythology, ancient history, and historical fiction.

[Stephini · Rating 2 out of 5]

decent. Little detailed in raunch category--albeit I understand the purpose it serves (women's sex could be powerful, even as concubine) but I guess in general, I have a preference for my action to entail less sex and more violence. I did enjoy the fact that it was basically the Illiad from a woman's perspective. Kind of corny, like when that one pop rock band remade the Don Henley song.. I cringed, but down the line a couple times, caught myself listening to it. That's how I felt about this book. At moments I would flinch and ask why I was reading this trashy novel, other moments I couldn't put it down for another 30 pages.

[GeekChick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This just might be the ultimate blend of chick-lit and fictionalized history! It's set during the Trojan War, and though it does deal directly with some of the events portrayed in The Iliad, the story is more about the life of a girl growing up in that world. I can't remember all the details now (I read it a long time ago!), but she starts as a princess and ends up as Achilles' woman.

This is a great book, especially for those looking for something with chick-lit ease but a little more brains. Just a touch more -- you definitely don't need to be a history geek to follow it!

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I read as a 14-year-old. It captivated me, made me cry, and now as a 21-year-old it is still my favorite book to read. It never gets old, and more as a woman it pushes you to hold your head high no matter what you may be going through. It made me think I can be just as strong as the protagonist. Epic is really the only word I would choose to describe this book. WELL DONE Sarah B. Franklin.

[Amalia Dillin]

I read this a while back (2008? 2009?) and found the framing to be a little unexpected -- the book is broken down by the men Briseis took as lovers, the way some books would be broken down by location or time period. That said, I still found it an interesting read, as a Greek Myth junkie. As I recall, I didn't even hate Achilles, which is something of a feat because that guy just ticks me off ninety-percent of the time.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good on a lot of the historical details, obviously used evidence from literature and art to create the world. I disagreed with almost all of her characterizations, though, particularly of the various Trojans, and I got annoyed with her hero-worship of Achilles pretty quickly. Glad I read it, but I'm unlikely to read it again.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok maybe a bit on the romantic side but yum yum yum. There is quite a bit of sex in the book but it doesn't seem to dwell in the details too much. They really like their ritual bathing. Story is told by Briseis who is one of my favorite characters out of the Trojan war bunch. I really enjoyed it.

[Elizabeth Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read. I really love to watch movies that take place in med-evil times. This books was an insight on how a daughter needs to act and change for her kingdom. I don't think I would have the strength to let my kingdom go.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

fell in love with this wonderful tale and the characters within it! Many complained it was too sexual but I felt it made the book realistic for the time period in which it took place. A perfect mix of romance, mystery, suspense, and sadness!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok once you get past the silly descriptions of Achilles penis this was a rather enjoyable tale about Briseis. A bit slow in parts and the descriptions of the sex scenes will make you laugh hysterically because of how ridiculous they sound but once you look beyond all that it was rather interesting.