Sacred Bride

Olympus Trilogy #3

by David Hair

Odysseus’s thrilling adventures continue in the gripping third instalment of the historical Greek fantasy, the Olympus Series.

Prince Odysseus and the daemon Bria must penetrate the haunted caverns beneath Dodona, seeking a way to save their doomed nation, Achaea, from the might of Troy.

The startling revelation that follows will set Odysseus on his most daunting mission yet, as he seeks to reunite the divided Achaean kingdoms before the rapacious Trojans strike. His journey will pit him against wrathful gods and legendary heroes, in a deadly contest for the hand of Helen of Sparta, the daughter of Zeus, upon whose choice the fate of Achaea rests...

Sacred Bride, the third stunning novel in the Olympus Series, is perfect for fans of David Gemmell and Madeline Miller.

Genres: Fantasy, Greek Mythology

354 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2019

About the author

David Hair is the author of The Bone Tiki, winner of Best First Novel (Young Adult Fiction section) at the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards. The Bone Tiki and its sequel The Taniwha's Tear are fantasy novels set in New Zealand. David is a New Zealander, who has worked primarily in financial services. He has a degree in History and Classical Studies. He has lived from 2007 to 2010 in New Delhi, India, but usually resides in Wellington, New Zealand. Apart from writing, he is interested in folklore, history, and has a passion for football.

Reviews

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

STILL A GREAT SERIES, BUT IT IS BEGINNING TO FEEL A LITTLE STUCK 😅

Like with the two previous books, I loved the intelligence and the innovation of this book. The new take on these classical legends is so much fun to read, because I know how it is going to end but the journey there is brand new! Still, when I was done with this book I felt a little empty because I didn't really feel like it progressed in any real way. It was more of the same, not much new.

👍 THE THINGS I LIKED 👍

Universe: I am still crazy about the intelligent way this world is built. The intrigue of the gods, the reworking of the legends. So amazing!

Odysseus and Penelope: I always have a problem with insta-love, which is why I just could not get behind the Odysseus/Kyshanda relationship. It just didn't work for me. With Odysseus and Penelope it is completely different. I love how they found each other even though they weren't looking.

Helen's story: The first book tells the story of Helen's abduction. The second book is about the siege on Thebes. I remember being frustrated during the 2nd book because the rest of Helen's story was missing. I finally got that in this book, with the choosing of Helen's husband.

👎 THE THINGS I DISLIKED 👎

The end?: Well, I was under the impression that this series was going to be a trilogy. But the ending felt unresolved so now I kind of hope there is another book coming.

Stuck: This book, sadly, did add a whole lot to the universe, the intrigue or the characters (except for Diomedes). It really felt like it was stuck and just offered more of the same things. I really wished something major would have happened that would have pushed the story or the character a totally different way.

ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

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[S.J. Higbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I was swept up in Odysseus’s adventures, narrated in first person viewpoint, which helped to make it far more immediate. He comes across as a clever, resourceful character, though with a unique talent for annoying powerful people, who would like to see him dead. However, while I do think he makes an excellent main character, it is the worldbuilding and the Hair/Mayo take on what powers the gods and motivates them to act in the way they do that, for me, makes this series really stand out. It isn’t a new idea – the gods are only as powerful as the number of worshippers they can muster – but works extremely well in this series.

However, I would just mention that if you have somehow managed to get your hands on a copy of Sacred Bride without having first read the first two books, put it back on the shelf and read those first. As an experienced mid-series crasher, I’m here to tell you that too much of importance to the events in this book has previously happened for you to be able to get away with that kind of malarkey this time around. And it would be a real shame to short-change a series of this calibre, anyway.

As for the ending, Hair and Mayo have successfully brought this trilogy to an appropriate close. Though I don’t think I’m providing too much in the way of spoilers if I say that the peace Odysseus has been responsible for engineering is somewhat fragile. I am very much hoping that Hair and Mayo are going to continue working on Odysseus’s adventures during the Trojan War – the cast of characters are so vividly drawn and well presented, it would be a joy to read their telling of such a keynote event. Highly recommended for fans of well written and researched Greek retellings.
9/10

[Raji · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find this review and more on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own .

4.5 stars

Six months after the Theban War, Odysseus and Bria find themselves infiltrating the oracular site of Dodona which has been taken over by priests of Zeus who have imprisoned the priestesses of Hera in the mountain. Their goal – to get a last few answers from the oracle before silencing it permanently so that the Trojans can’t use it. The prophecies Odysseus receives are no less ominous than previous ones, but seem to show a ray of hope for Achaea, if a faint one. Adding to that the crucial knowledge he has gained, that prophecies are not cast in stone, finds Odysseus setting off on another quest – unite the Achaean kings under the High King’s banner and secure the marriages of the daughters of King Tyndareus of Sparta, Helen and Clytemnestra, in Achaea’s favour – something easier said than done, especially in the case of Helen, who, due to being a theia and the daughter of Zeus is a coveted prize on both sides of the Aegean.

I’m so glad to finally read this! I was so disappointed when I missed the ARC request period and it took forever for my library to get the book. This latest installment in the Olympus series focusses on the princesses of Sparta – Helen and Clytemnestra as it becomes clear to all the main players in this power struggle between Achaea and Troy that whomever holds the two girls gains a huge, if not the deciding advantage in the war.

The story is moving into more familiar territory when it comes to what I know of the stories and I was curious to see which version of events the authors would choose to go with. I really enjoy Helen’s characterization in this series, and particularly in this book. Usually portrayed as no more than the ‘most beautiful woman in the world’, or ‘the face that launched a thousand ships’, this Helen instead has a distinctive personality, and even more surprising, a dislikable one. Odysseus remains my favourite though and is growing closer and closer to the legend we know with how he has learnt to read the people around him and convince them to see things his way. I’m also starting to get really curious as to who Bria really is, especially after the scene where they run into Hermes.

The other thing I liked about this book is that the Odysseus/Kyshanda relationship seems to be finally over for good. Considering just how cunning Odysseus has become over the past two books, it never felt believable that he would give away valuable information so easily to Kyshanda who is, at the end of everything, an enemy. Her role is by no means done though, and the scene at the end seems to indicate she will still have a part to play in this tale. On the other hand, I really like how his equation with Arnacia, or rather, Penelope, is coming along as it feels much more natural. The layer of godly politics influencing everything continues to grow ever more complex. The last couple of chapters were certainly a shocker and made for an excellent (not to mention dramatic) climax for this book as Odysseus managed to force the gods themselves into making a choice between Achaea and Troy.

The only downside I’m starting to see in this series is how slow the pace is in terms of the timeline. Although the narrative itself is marvellous and thoroughly engrossing, when you look back at the end of the book, it covers barely half a dozen significant events, which can get a little annoying considering that what is arguably the best stuff is yet to come. That is of course, assuming that this is not a trilogy any longer – if it was, that was a terribly unresolved ending and I would probably drop my rating lower in that case.

The distinctly modern voice all the characters have has definitely grown on me, and as with the earlier books, does not detract from the story at all. Overall, this was another wonderful installment in this series, and an action packed, thrilling read. A must read for fans of Greek mythology, this series continues to be a refreshing and unique take on the events surrounding the Trojan war, and I have my fingers crossed for a sequel. Highly recommended!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Book 3 of the Olympus series, tension between Achaea (Greece) and Troy are mounting while Odysseus' love for the forbidden Kyshanda of Troy only seems to be mounting. When Odysseus witnesses a new prophecy, a chain of events involving sister princesses Clytemnestra and Helen is set off, ultimately forcing the gods to choose between Achaea and Troy. This third book takes another step towards war with Troy as Odysseus works to unite Achaea to stand strong against the Trojans, using the two princesses.

In a way, this third book didn't seem as breathtaking as the first two, but I loved it because it recounts the stories of two sisters I'm familiar with. Perhaps it isn't as breathtaking because I'm so familiar with Clytemnestra and Helen (of Troy), but I did enjoy getting a fleshed out story.

As with the other two books, I wasn't a fan of how modern Odysseus felt, but I think it's growing on me. I still don't like it, but at least it isn't jarring anymore. I was also puzzling about Odysseus, Kyshanda, and Penelope, but this one really pulled the three of them into their right places. I now look forward to how it will move forward, especially when it reaches the inevitable Trojan War.

There are some differing historical accounts surrounding Clytemnestra and Helen. Clearly, the authors had to choose which version of details to go with, though the results are the same. I really enjoy the paths they took as it made sense within the ongoing series, set up future events, and followed very well from what came before, especially since we had seen Helen before in the first book. I must say that my favorite part of Sacred Bride was Helen's characterization. In the stories, she's constantly referred to as the most beautiful and desirable woman in the world, so I kept picturing someone akin of a statue. The authors, though, turned her into a flesh and blood woman who was, of course, stunning beautiful, but definitely had more personality than marble.

As much as I enjoyed this book, though, the thing that bothered me was that it almost felt like it could just be split into two. Half of the book is about Clytemnestra and the other half about Helen. They're stitched together because they're sisters and the prophecy at the beginning of the book mentioned the two girls, but it also felt a little disjointed because they're two distinct stories. Still, this book felt a little lighthearted compared to the first two. Perhaps because the violence was contained to the first half? Or maybe it dealt less with death and fighting than marriage.

Overall, this was a bit of fresh air for the series. I loved that it was much less violent while still keeping the same atmosphere. The characters are all so amazingly consistent, and I find my curiosity about the daemon Bria growing with every book. Odysseus is also growing on me and he definitely feels like he's maturing into the man he will be during the Trojan War. If you enjoy Greek mythology, I definitely recommend this series. It's a little different, but really ties the stories together with a refreshing air.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for a free e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Merged review:

In Book 3 of the Olympus series, tension between Achaea (Greece) and Troy are mounting while Odysseus’ love for the forbidden Kyshanda of Troy only seems to be mounting. When Odysseus witnesses a new prophecy, a chain of events involving sister princesses Clytemnestra and Helen is set off, ultimately forcing the gods to choose between Achaea and Troy. This third book takes another step towards war with Troy as Odysseus works to unite Achaea to stand strong against the Trojans, using the two princesses.

In a way, this third book didn’t seem as breathtaking as the first two, but I loved it because it recounts the stories of two sisters I’m familiar with. Perhaps it isn’t as breathtaking because I’m so familiar with Clytemnestra and Helen (of Troy), but I did enjoy getting a fleshed out story.

As with the other two books, I wasn’t a fan of how modern Odysseus felt, but I think it’s growing on me. I still don’t like it, but at least it isn’t jarring anymore. I was also puzzling about Odysseus, Kyshanda, and Penelope, but this one really pulled the three of them into their right places. I now look forward to how it will move forward, especially when it reaches the inevitable Trojan War.

There are some differing historical accounts surrounding Clytemnestra and Helen. Clearly, the authors had to choose which version of details to go with, though the results are the same. I really enjoy the paths they took as it made sense within the ongoing series, set up future events, and followed very well from what came before, especially since we had seen Helen before in the first book. I must say that my favorite part of Sacred Bride was Helen’s characterization. In the stories, she’s constantly referred to as the most beautiful and desirable woman in the world, so I kept picturing someone akin of a statue. The authors, though, turned her into a flesh and blood woman who was, of course, stunning beautiful, but definitely had more personality than marble.

As much as I enjoyed this book, though, the thing that bothered me was that it almost felt like it could just be split into two. Half of the book is about Clytemnestra and the other half about Helen. They’re stitched together because they’re sisters and the prophecy at the beginning of the book mentioned the two girls, but it also felt a little disjointed because they’re two distinct stories. Still, this book felt a little lighthearted compared to the first two. Perhaps because the violence was contained to the first half? Or maybe it dealt less with death and fighting than marriage.

Overall, this was a bit of fresh air for the series. I loved that it was much less violent while still keeping the same atmosphere. The characters are all so amazingly consistent, and I find my curiosity about the daemon Bria growing with every book. Odysseus is also growing on me and he definitely feels like he’s maturing into the man he will be during the Trojan War. If you enjoy Greek mythology, I definitely recommend this series. It’s a little different, but really ties the stories together with a refreshing air.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for a free e-copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the previous instalments in this series and I liked this one.
I found it engrossing, entertaining and well written.
The cast of characters is fleshed out and interesting, the world building amazing as usual, the plot well crafted.
I assume there will be a further instalment as the ending seemed a bit open and unresolved.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a slow start, Hair and Mayo provide a fitting ending to their trilogy. Odysseus here is well-drawn as a resourceful, cunning strategist in a brutal world. The final scene where Helen's fate is decided was spectacular. I recommend the entire trilogy to anyone who enjoys Greek myth.