What do you think?
Rate this book
A Novel of Troy #1
Horses of Fire
The women of Troy are threads spinning on a single loom. Can they reweave the tapestry of fate?
Horses of Fire isan epic retelling of the Trojan War in which Troy’s strong yet misunderstood women take center stage.
Andromache is cast as the doting wife of Prince Hector, yet her Amazonian name means “battler of men.” She must gather a band of outcasts and become the military commander she was born to be. Rhea is a war refugee and a horse whisperer who finally earns a place and sense of belonging in Hector’s stables. She must become an unlikely spy while facing a forbidden love that will test all her loyalties. Helen is blamed by all for starting the Trojan War, but no one knows her real story. To escape her abusive husband and foil a plot to undermine Hector, Helen must risk everything and reveal her true face to the one who despises her most.
Horses of Fire is a sweeping yet intricate story of an ancient, violent era, compelling women who navigate their circumstances to win the day, and an utterly immersive sense of time and place. This historically realistic Troy, set in the wider landscape of the late Bronze Age collapse, is a perilous battleground for soldiers and politicians alike, not a playground where the fate of men and women make sport for gods and goddesses. It’s a harrowing novel of ambition, the transcendent bond of female friendship, and the everyday bravery of civilians in war.
Horses of Fire isan epic retelling of the Trojan War in which Troy’s strong yet misunderstood women take center stage.
Andromache is cast as the doting wife of Prince Hector, yet her Amazonian name means “battler of men.” She must gather a band of outcasts and become the military commander she was born to be. Rhea is a war refugee and a horse whisperer who finally earns a place and sense of belonging in Hector’s stables. She must become an unlikely spy while facing a forbidden love that will test all her loyalties. Helen is blamed by all for starting the Trojan War, but no one knows her real story. To escape her abusive husband and foil a plot to undermine Hector, Helen must risk everything and reveal her true face to the one who despises her most.
Horses of Fire is a sweeping yet intricate story of an ancient, violent era, compelling women who navigate their circumstances to win the day, and an utterly immersive sense of time and place. This historically realistic Troy, set in the wider landscape of the late Bronze Age collapse, is a perilous battleground for soldiers and politicians alike, not a playground where the fate of men and women make sport for gods and goddesses. It’s a harrowing novel of ambition, the transcendent bond of female friendship, and the everyday bravery of civilians in war.
560 pages, Unknown Binding
First published July 18, 2023
176 people are currently reading
17236 people want to read
About the author
A.D. Rhine
2 books120 followersA. D. Rhine is the pseudonym of Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson. The authors are united by their military “brat” upbringing, childhood friendship spanning two decades, and love of classical literature. Ashlee holds graduate degrees in Medieval History from the University of St. Andrews and Theological Studies (with an emphasis in the Ethics of War and Peace) from Duke University. Danielle holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University. Their adult debut Horses of Fire is the book they have always dreamt of writing together.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews
September 27, 2023
Horses of Fire is a beautifully written retelling of the Trojan war through the eyes of the women. I listened to the audio version and each character, Andromache, Helen, Cassandra and Rhea have their own narrator. The narrators each do a marvelous job at bringing personality and emotion to their voices.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each character. The authors bring their own imaginings to recreate the MC’s in a new light. The story drew me in and made me feel for each woman’s plight! It made me struggle with the characters decisions right along with them.
The ending was very abrupt with some unresolved issues but as I understand it, there is a second part in the making. I am excited to read it because this was such a good book and I was sorry to say goodbye to these very lively characters!
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each character. The authors bring their own imaginings to recreate the MC’s in a new light. The story drew me in and made me feel for each woman’s plight! It made me struggle with the characters decisions right along with them.
The ending was very abrupt with some unresolved issues but as I understand it, there is a second part in the making. I am excited to read it because this was such a good book and I was sorry to say goodbye to these very lively characters!
December 20, 2023
Mythology with strong minded women is a mood - a vibe really and I’m feeling it this month. It feels like a strong way to end my 2023 reading goals.
Reasons to Read
1. You like multi-POV, excellent character development. You *may* know the story already, but these POV’s are awesome.
2. You’re looking for a solid audiobook- narration was 👍👍
3. When you need that “you-are-stronger-than-you-think-you-are” mentality.
Reasons to Pass
1. You’ve only read Madeline Miller in this category. I would recommend anyone that has read Costanza Casati, Stephen Fry, Natalie Haynes and wants more.
2. As always, there are some TW’s (I’m looking at you, Paris! *shakes fist*) like - sexism, domestic abuse, rape, pedophilia, torture, claustrophobia, slavery, and gore.
3. From that ending, this hints at a series? Which Book 2 is slated for sometime in 2024. It’s a strong enough stand alone, but if you are looking for finished series, give A. D. Rhine some time.
Reasons to Read
1. You like multi-POV, excellent character development. You *may* know the story already, but these POV’s are awesome.
2. You’re looking for a solid audiobook- narration was 👍👍
3. When you need that “you-are-stronger-than-you-think-you-are” mentality.
Reasons to Pass
1. You’ve only read Madeline Miller in this category. I would recommend anyone that has read Costanza Casati, Stephen Fry, Natalie Haynes and wants more.
2. As always, there are some TW’s (I’m looking at you, Paris! *shakes fist*) like - sexism, domestic abuse, rape, pedophilia, torture, claustrophobia, slavery, and gore.
3. From that ending, this hints at a series? Which Book 2 is slated for sometime in 2024. It’s a strong enough stand alone, but if you are looking for finished series, give A. D. Rhine some time.
December 16, 2024
Horses of Fire is a battle of Troy retelling but with a fresh feminine perspective. As I have slowly started dipping my toe into more mythology reading I found this to be a fascinating insight to this story and a very intelligent choice for the timeline given. What could have come off as a depressingly tragic read was actually the opposite. This is a story full of strength, persistence, love, and push for the common good, while never sugar coating realities of war.
You would never think this was a writing DUO! The story is seamless in its transitions even while it tackles 3 very different POV's during the war. There are big and small players, unsung heroes and really great relationship development...romantic and platonic.
Andromache: wife of hector, and a woman who longs to be a mother AND a warrior
Helen: wife of Paris, the face of a war and known for her beauty but not for the tragedy she lives
Rhea: slave girl turned horse whisperer turned great ally.
Each woman has such beautiful strength and purpose in their story and I loved how that was amplified in Horses of Fire. The relationships between these women are complex and build realistically but beautifully. Seeing the story through these perspectives showed the heart of the people, the reason for the fight, and these characters will stay with me for time to come.
I truly am excited, slightly terrified that the authors will be doing a sequel! I definitely will be reading it even though its going to break my heart.
I went back and forth on physical and audio and loved both methods. Audio was 5/5 stars.
You would never think this was a writing DUO! The story is seamless in its transitions even while it tackles 3 very different POV's during the war. There are big and small players, unsung heroes and really great relationship development...romantic and platonic.
Andromache: wife of hector, and a woman who longs to be a mother AND a warrior
Helen: wife of Paris, the face of a war and known for her beauty but not for the tragedy she lives
Rhea: slave girl turned horse whisperer turned great ally.
Each woman has such beautiful strength and purpose in their story and I loved how that was amplified in Horses of Fire. The relationships between these women are complex and build realistically but beautifully. Seeing the story through these perspectives showed the heart of the people, the reason for the fight, and these characters will stay with me for time to come.
I truly am excited, slightly terrified that the authors will be doing a sequel! I definitely will be reading it even though its going to break my heart.
I went back and forth on physical and audio and loved both methods. Audio was 5/5 stars.
August 3, 2023
genuinely nice take. i like how it took history into account and really appreciated its more archaeological angle; i learned a lot from this. i also enjoyed reading their Andromache. the writing was objectively good and the dialogue was effective, but the plot plodded on and on. it eventually became a bit repetitive so it lowkey bored me. otherwise, it's a good book.
November 7, 2023
Horses of Fire is a rich and immersive retelling of the Trojan war that is breathtaking in its scope and complexity. Told from the perspectives of three women, Andromache, Helen, and a new character named Rhea; their story is one that speaks through the ages and will stick with you for decades to come.
This book took me a while to read, mainly because I didn't read it, I listened to it on audiobook, and the audio book is a whopping 20 hours long, but it is brilliantly narrated by three distiguishable and lovely narrators who did such an amazing job that when I attempted to physically read the book, I just could not find my rhythm and had to go back to the audiobook during my car rides tootling around town. So it took me awhile to finish it.
The pacing of this one is also much slower than I generally gravitate to, but the world that Rhine have crafted is absolutely immaculate and fantastic. Props off to them for including the full cast of Homer's characters in a way that gave them unique voices and memorable roles in the pages. NOT an easy feat at all and I am in awe of what they have accomplished. The sheer breadth and depth of this novel rivals that of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon. There's a complete culture and historical society in the pages of Horses of Fire that drew me in as if I were walking through the ancient city myself.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of Greek mythology retellings. This is not exactly a retelling of the Iliad though. Most of what takes place here does so a couple years before where the Iliad starts except for Apollo's plague and the beef between Achilles and Agamemnon that kicks off the Iliad, those events do actually play a role in Horses of Fire. I suspect the sequel will delve more into the events we are more familiar with from Homer, but A.D. Rhine has done an amazing job establishing the world and characters and getting us invested in what happens next, and I'm very excited for the sequel.
This book took me a while to read, mainly because I didn't read it, I listened to it on audiobook, and the audio book is a whopping 20 hours long, but it is brilliantly narrated by three distiguishable and lovely narrators who did such an amazing job that when I attempted to physically read the book, I just could not find my rhythm and had to go back to the audiobook during my car rides tootling around town. So it took me awhile to finish it.
The pacing of this one is also much slower than I generally gravitate to, but the world that Rhine have crafted is absolutely immaculate and fantastic. Props off to them for including the full cast of Homer's characters in a way that gave them unique voices and memorable roles in the pages. NOT an easy feat at all and I am in awe of what they have accomplished. The sheer breadth and depth of this novel rivals that of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Mists of Avalon. There's a complete culture and historical society in the pages of Horses of Fire that drew me in as if I were walking through the ancient city myself.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of Greek mythology retellings. This is not exactly a retelling of the Iliad though. Most of what takes place here does so a couple years before where the Iliad starts except for Apollo's plague and the beef between Achilles and Agamemnon that kicks off the Iliad, those events do actually play a role in Horses of Fire. I suspect the sequel will delve more into the events we are more familiar with from Homer, but A.D. Rhine has done an amazing job establishing the world and characters and getting us invested in what happens next, and I'm very excited for the sequel.
February 28, 2023
This is a brilliant, breathtaking retelling of the Trojan War though a feminist lens. I read an early copy of this book and was amazed by the beautiful way the story was crafted. A.D. Rhine is a talented new addition to the historical fiction genre, and I can't wait for the world to read this book.
A full review will come once I've re-read the book closer to release.
A full review will come once I've re-read the book closer to release.
July 29, 2023
holy. wow.
I went into this expecting another Trojan War retelling like A Thousand Ships and The Song of Achilles. But what I got was the stories of three women - Andromache, Rhea, and Helen - and their victories, failures, and sufferings. I liked the first person p.o.v. as it helped me really connect with these women and understand their struggles. Their problems and fears were real, along with their emotions of happiness and love, as A.D. Rhine did an amazing job of telling their stories as if they were their own.
The authors also did an incredible job of keeping the story real - the brutalities of men and the war they were fighting was portrayed for what it was. Both sides were shown to have the glory seeking, power hungry men who no longer cared why they were fighting, and the caring, cunning leaders who just wanted this to end so they could go home to their families.
What I didn’t expect was the same level of writing for the women - not that I wasn’t expecting the authors to do the women justice, but I wasn’t prepared for the level of bravery, courage, skill, and intelligence these characters had. They all had their own unique backgrounds that made them strong in their own nature, and helped them navigate the war behind the walls. I was absolutely amazed and enamored with these women, and I could read a hundred more books about them without getting bored.
~ thank you to Dutton Books for sending me an early copy of the book ~
I went into this expecting another Trojan War retelling like A Thousand Ships and The Song of Achilles. But what I got was the stories of three women - Andromache, Rhea, and Helen - and their victories, failures, and sufferings. I liked the first person p.o.v. as it helped me really connect with these women and understand their struggles. Their problems and fears were real, along with their emotions of happiness and love, as A.D. Rhine did an amazing job of telling their stories as if they were their own.
The authors also did an incredible job of keeping the story real - the brutalities of men and the war they were fighting was portrayed for what it was. Both sides were shown to have the glory seeking, power hungry men who no longer cared why they were fighting, and the caring, cunning leaders who just wanted this to end so they could go home to their families.
What I didn’t expect was the same level of writing for the women - not that I wasn’t expecting the authors to do the women justice, but I wasn’t prepared for the level of bravery, courage, skill, and intelligence these characters had. They all had their own unique backgrounds that made them strong in their own nature, and helped them navigate the war behind the walls. I was absolutely amazed and enamored with these women, and I could read a hundred more books about them without getting bored.
~ thank you to Dutton Books for sending me an early copy of the book ~
October 13, 2023
This is a big, sumptuous banquet of a book, and I feasted on every page. It's an intimate retelling of the saga of Troy from the perspectives of Helen, Andromache, and slave girl Rhea, with descriptions so vivid I felt as though I was sharing their world with them. Highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction, or anyone who enjoys a rip-roaring read.
October 25, 2023
Takes a very, very long time to ramp up, and just as things start to happen, it ends! Apparently, this is only the first book in a series (maybe a duology?) and I wish that was made clearer.
I had to suspend some disbelief about Andromache and how much smarter she was than all the men, but there were enough interesting special touches to characters that I appreciated.
I had to suspend some disbelief about Andromache and how much smarter she was than all the men, but there were enough interesting special touches to characters that I appreciated.
July 10, 2023
Magical book filled with unforgettable characters. I could not put this one down for even a moment -- so much so that my children noticed that I missed most of our beach vacation reading under my umbrella. You won't regret it!
December 13, 2023
I've generally been enjoying the recent cottage industry kicked off by the popularity of Madeline Miller's Circe in 2018, wherein ancient Greek myths are given novel-length treatment and in the process often reapproached with a feminist lens. On the surface, this title is just such a work -- a rendition of the Trojan War through the eyes of three women at the heart of the besieged city-state. Together the kidnapped Helen, her sister-in-law Andromache, and their servant Rhea offer us an immersive view of the Bronze Age society that debut author A. D. Rhine (a pen name for the team of Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson) has extrapolated from various mythological, historical, and archaeological records.
The ensuing worldbuilding is interesting, but the result is too far removed from traditional accounts of the siege like Homer's Iliad. This is somewhat a matter of taste, but in my opinion, a successful retelling either presents a familiar tale from a different character angle or else fills in the existing gaps in the narrative with plausible additional material. It doesn't explicitly contradict what's been established before except to intentionally raise questions of honesty and bias in the earlier narrator(s). I know that mythology is an inherently fluid, oral tradition and that Homer isn't the absolute authority on the war from his stories, but I'm at a loss here as to how we should interpret radically new inventions like a plague ravaging Troy or Paris trying to poison his way up the line of succession. So many of the standard Trojan plot points have been stripped away that the remaining elements are almost a distraction whenever they do appear. The Greek forces are particularly missed, as they are mostly cast as a distant impersonal threat and given no substantial individual characterization until very near the end.
If this had been a reimagining simply inspired by the Trojan War and set in an entirely-new fantasy world, I'd probably feel a lot more charitable towards it (though the lack of closure in the final pages would likely still bug me). As is, it's too well-written to rate lower than three-out-of-five stars, but it never manages to come together in a satisfying fashion for me, especially compared to the excellent 2019 Natalie Haynes book A Thousand Ships that likewise retells this conflict from a women's perspective. I could easily see other readers liking it a lot more, however, if they don't approach it with the same preferences I've brought to the experience.
[Content warning for sexism, domestic abuse, rape, pedophilia, torture, claustrophobia, slavery, and gore.]
Like this review?
--Throw me a quick one-time donation here!
https://ko-fi.com/lesserjoke
--Subscribe here to support my writing and weigh in on what I read next!
https://patreon.com/lesserjoke
--Follow along on Goodreads here!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
--Or click here to browse through all my previous reviews!
https://lesserjoke.home.blog
The ensuing worldbuilding is interesting, but the result is too far removed from traditional accounts of the siege like Homer's Iliad. This is somewhat a matter of taste, but in my opinion, a successful retelling either presents a familiar tale from a different character angle or else fills in the existing gaps in the narrative with plausible additional material. It doesn't explicitly contradict what's been established before except to intentionally raise questions of honesty and bias in the earlier narrator(s). I know that mythology is an inherently fluid, oral tradition and that Homer isn't the absolute authority on the war from his stories, but I'm at a loss here as to how we should interpret radically new inventions like a plague ravaging Troy or Paris trying to poison his way up the line of succession. So many of the standard Trojan plot points have been stripped away that the remaining elements are almost a distraction whenever they do appear. The Greek forces are particularly missed, as they are mostly cast as a distant impersonal threat and given no substantial individual characterization until very near the end.
If this had been a reimagining simply inspired by the Trojan War and set in an entirely-new fantasy world, I'd probably feel a lot more charitable towards it (though the lack of closure in the final pages would likely still bug me). As is, it's too well-written to rate lower than three-out-of-five stars, but it never manages to come together in a satisfying fashion for me, especially compared to the excellent 2019 Natalie Haynes book A Thousand Ships that likewise retells this conflict from a women's perspective. I could easily see other readers liking it a lot more, however, if they don't approach it with the same preferences I've brought to the experience.
[Content warning for sexism, domestic abuse, rape, pedophilia, torture, claustrophobia, slavery, and gore.]
Like this review?
--Throw me a quick one-time donation here!
https://ko-fi.com/lesserjoke
--Subscribe here to support my writing and weigh in on what I read next!
https://patreon.com/lesserjoke
--Follow along on Goodreads here!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6...
--Or click here to browse through all my previous reviews!
https://lesserjoke.home.blog
March 14, 2025
Wow. The very end 💔 gutted
- 4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Language 🤐 I want to say none, can’t remember 🙈
- Spice ❤️🔥 one fade to black/vague open door scene
- Content 🤔 prostitution, slavery, death, killing, violence, war pregnancy loss, abuse, past sexual assault
It took me a while to get into this one with all the names and mythological references. It’s been a minute since I’ve been in a mythology retelling. But once I finally got my footing I loved it.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs of women living in Troy and what they were willing to do to defend it, with or without approval. I listened to the audio and each POV had its own narrator which was a fantastic detail. Telling the story of Troy through the eyes of women that were within her walls is an undertaking and “Rhine” does it beautifully. I really loved when all the more infamous characters from outside Troys walls entered the plot and hope to see more of them in the second book, Women of Bronze, which I absolutely will be reading soon.
Would recommend to anyone interested in Greek mythology, or the Trojan war.
Tropes/themes: strong women, female leadership, found family, maybe some slow burn romance?
- 4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Language 🤐 I want to say none, can’t remember 🙈
- Spice ❤️🔥 one fade to black/vague open door scene
- Content 🤔 prostitution, slavery, death, killing, violence, war pregnancy loss, abuse, past sexual assault
It took me a while to get into this one with all the names and mythological references. It’s been a minute since I’ve been in a mythology retelling. But once I finally got my footing I loved it.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs of women living in Troy and what they were willing to do to defend it, with or without approval. I listened to the audio and each POV had its own narrator which was a fantastic detail. Telling the story of Troy through the eyes of women that were within her walls is an undertaking and “Rhine” does it beautifully. I really loved when all the more infamous characters from outside Troys walls entered the plot and hope to see more of them in the second book, Women of Bronze, which I absolutely will be reading soon.
Would recommend to anyone interested in Greek mythology, or the Trojan war.
Tropes/themes: strong women, female leadership, found family, maybe some slow burn romance?
August 14, 2023
This book needs more love, so here’s my review taken from Instagram.
What a fascinating and incredible debut with a focus on the women of Troy! 🐎
I absolutely LOVED how Ashlee and Danielle decided to take on this retelling through a historical and archeological lens. To me, that what made it so real because I could imagine these women as real life figures who were thrust into what must’ve been considered a World War to them. 🗺️
The cast of characters were the star of this book. I really loved the concept of Helen as an unwilling and forced participant in the war. This and her role as healer really brought a beautiful light to her. And the despicable Paris was both welcoming and revolting. I’m all for a roasting and dumping on Paris’s character. . . Freaking prick. 🏹
Rhea’s inclusion as a horse trainer turned spy was so cool to see, and I honestly loved the idea that Ajax is just a big softie who’s been thrust into the role of murder machine. I really hope to see more of those two’s friendship in the sequel! 🐴
Andromache was probably my favorite character out of the trio, and I loved the character study done on her as an Amazonian-raised future queen. She really went from faithful and doting wife in the Iliad to being a force to be reckoned with. While her stubborn pride and hatred for Helen really made me want to throttle her just to get some sense in her, she stole the show for me every time she showed up. I also really liked the inclusion of fertility problems that were added in to show just how delicate a woman’s self image and even worth were in the antiquarian period.🏺
All in all, it was a beautifully written character and plot study of a side of the Trojan War that’s not really explored in great detail in other retellings. It definitely made you rethink your love for the classic Greek heroes and kings that are thrust on you because of its one sidedness. 🔥
This should definitely be on your TBR list if you love Greek myth retellings, as well as love historical and archeological facts mixed into the plot. 🏛️
Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️
What a fascinating and incredible debut with a focus on the women of Troy! 🐎
I absolutely LOVED how Ashlee and Danielle decided to take on this retelling through a historical and archeological lens. To me, that what made it so real because I could imagine these women as real life figures who were thrust into what must’ve been considered a World War to them. 🗺️
The cast of characters were the star of this book. I really loved the concept of Helen as an unwilling and forced participant in the war. This and her role as healer really brought a beautiful light to her. And the despicable Paris was both welcoming and revolting. I’m all for a roasting and dumping on Paris’s character. . . Freaking prick. 🏹
Rhea’s inclusion as a horse trainer turned spy was so cool to see, and I honestly loved the idea that Ajax is just a big softie who’s been thrust into the role of murder machine. I really hope to see more of those two’s friendship in the sequel! 🐴
Andromache was probably my favorite character out of the trio, and I loved the character study done on her as an Amazonian-raised future queen. She really went from faithful and doting wife in the Iliad to being a force to be reckoned with. While her stubborn pride and hatred for Helen really made me want to throttle her just to get some sense in her, she stole the show for me every time she showed up. I also really liked the inclusion of fertility problems that were added in to show just how delicate a woman’s self image and even worth were in the antiquarian period.🏺
All in all, it was a beautifully written character and plot study of a side of the Trojan War that’s not really explored in great detail in other retellings. It definitely made you rethink your love for the classic Greek heroes and kings that are thrust on you because of its one sidedness. 🔥
This should definitely be on your TBR list if you love Greek myth retellings, as well as love historical and archeological facts mixed into the plot. 🏛️
Overall: 4.75/5 ⭐️
October 20, 2024
I loved A.D. Rhine's "Horses of Fire" and "Daughters of Bronze" is a powerful follow-up. This richly evocative retelling of the Trojan War is from the perspectives of the women who shaped its course. Each character—Andromache, Rhea, Helen, and Cassandra—brings a fresh and compelling voice to the timeless legend, revealing the strength, loyalty, and resilience required to navigate a world dominated by war and loss. This is a masterful blend of myth and history that breathes new life into these familiar stories, highlighting the emotional depth and complexity of its characters. I found this book to be heart-wrenching and captivating, and a serious must-read for fans of historical fiction and Greek mythology alike.
December 27, 2023
Not for me. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had a stronger background in mythology. Too many characters and backstories that I didn’t understand. The first 2/3 of the story were too slow and repetitive for me. I enjoyed the last third, but not the ending.
January 19, 2024
I wanted to like this, but really I ended up just getting through it. I thought the ending was abrupt and confusing, so I looked it up online & it turns out the authors had to cut their manuscript in half for it to be published. Really, it was supposed to be twice as long? No thanks.
July 21, 2023
Thank you so much to Dutton for sending me a finished copy of this book! 💜
I will also warn you before I jump into my view, this book contains, discusses, and addresses some VERY heavy topics that aren’t uncommon to see in Greek mythology or war, but proceed with caution. Some of the experiences our protagonists face may be hard for people to read.
I absolutely LOVED this book in every way, I almost don’t know where to start. As a classicist and particularly one who researches the women of Greek myth and their role in Ancient Greek culture, I can confidently say that this book does exactly what I believe the authors wanted it to do. Horses of Fire is sort of a retelling of Homer’s Iliad, perhaps better described as a retelling of the Trojan War, but it’s best described as an examination of what the Trojan War might have looked from the perspective of the women in Troy and as it happened in ~1180 BCE before it got placed into and shared via oral tradition. The authors clearly spent a lot of time with the stories about the Trojan War, but they also clearly had another text about Bronze Age culture/history right next to the stories, and they combined them in the best way possible. There were lots of tiny references to history, mythology, and material culture, but they were so well placed that it felt natural. It didn’t feel like they wanted to me to praise how many Easter eggs they fit in the book, but rather that they wanted to reward those who knew the mythology and culture with little references to enhance the experience without hurting the experience of readers unfamiliar with it.
There are some very major changes to the story, but those changes work well in the context of the story, and many of them can be explained by this being perhaps what actually happened (not the embellished story we see from Homer). I’ve always believed that retellings being marketed as giving a voice to the “voiceless” women of Greek myth is inaccurate at best, but this book proved that some retellings really can provide a new perspective that wouldn’t have been seen elsewhere.
Truly my favorite part of Horses of Fire was the characterization. Everyone was portrayed within reason of the source material, but I felt like I was seeing new people with complexities and depths you can’t get otherwise. Between our three protagonists (Andromache, Helen, and Rhea), I got to see how other characters really were. The way each woman felt about someone (particularly when they had differing opinions) allowed for a deeper understanding of that person (as well as each of the women). We also got to see lots of development throughout the story for each of the three women as they struggled with their own issues and lives. My words truly cannot do the characterization justice, it is incredible. Plus, I adore how Helen was handled in this book. I have a soft spot for Helen for many reasons, and I find that sometimes her depictions can fall flat, especially considering how the Ancient Greeks seem to feel about it, but this book did her worlds of justice, which is great to see.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I know I’m biased because of my position as a classicist who researches mythical women, but this one truly stands out among the waves of retellings flooding the market. Thank you again to Dutton for the finished copy!! 💜 I had a great time with this book and I’m so grateful for the opportunity!!
I will also warn you before I jump into my view, this book contains, discusses, and addresses some VERY heavy topics that aren’t uncommon to see in Greek mythology or war, but proceed with caution. Some of the experiences our protagonists face may be hard for people to read.
I absolutely LOVED this book in every way, I almost don’t know where to start. As a classicist and particularly one who researches the women of Greek myth and their role in Ancient Greek culture, I can confidently say that this book does exactly what I believe the authors wanted it to do. Horses of Fire is sort of a retelling of Homer’s Iliad, perhaps better described as a retelling of the Trojan War, but it’s best described as an examination of what the Trojan War might have looked from the perspective of the women in Troy and as it happened in ~1180 BCE before it got placed into and shared via oral tradition. The authors clearly spent a lot of time with the stories about the Trojan War, but they also clearly had another text about Bronze Age culture/history right next to the stories, and they combined them in the best way possible. There were lots of tiny references to history, mythology, and material culture, but they were so well placed that it felt natural. It didn’t feel like they wanted to me to praise how many Easter eggs they fit in the book, but rather that they wanted to reward those who knew the mythology and culture with little references to enhance the experience without hurting the experience of readers unfamiliar with it.
There are some very major changes to the story, but those changes work well in the context of the story, and many of them can be explained by this being perhaps what actually happened (not the embellished story we see from Homer). I’ve always believed that retellings being marketed as giving a voice to the “voiceless” women of Greek myth is inaccurate at best, but this book proved that some retellings really can provide a new perspective that wouldn’t have been seen elsewhere.
Truly my favorite part of Horses of Fire was the characterization. Everyone was portrayed within reason of the source material, but I felt like I was seeing new people with complexities and depths you can’t get otherwise. Between our three protagonists (Andromache, Helen, and Rhea), I got to see how other characters really were. The way each woman felt about someone (particularly when they had differing opinions) allowed for a deeper understanding of that person (as well as each of the women). We also got to see lots of development throughout the story for each of the three women as they struggled with their own issues and lives. My words truly cannot do the characterization justice, it is incredible. Plus, I adore how Helen was handled in this book. I have a soft spot for Helen for many reasons, and I find that sometimes her depictions can fall flat, especially considering how the Ancient Greeks seem to feel about it, but this book did her worlds of justice, which is great to see.
I can’t recommend this book enough. I know I’m biased because of my position as a classicist who researches mythical women, but this one truly stands out among the waves of retellings flooding the market. Thank you again to Dutton for the finished copy!! 💜 I had a great time with this book and I’m so grateful for the opportunity!!
December 12, 2024
Okay, wow, what an absolutely epic feminist reimagining of the Trojan War! If you love Greek mythology, strong female characters, and a fresh spin on classic tales, this book is for you.
What’s so amazing? First off, the characters. Andromache, Helen, and Rhea (an original character, a servant who quickly became my favorite) are NOT the same old characters you’ve seen in Trojan War retellings. Andromache is a total warrior queen, and Helen? She’s so much more than just the "face that launched a thousand ships." Every character feels real, complicated, and totally worth rooting for. I loved them all.
The writing is stunning! It's poetic and vivid. I could almost hear the horses' hooves, taste the bitterness of war, and feel the raw emotions of the characters. It's one of those books where you live in it while reading. If you’ve ever loved a book for its atmosphere, this one nails it.
I’ve seen a few reviews mention that the pacing can be a bit slow at times, but honestly, I think that’s part of the charm. The buildup, especially as we dive deeper into these women's stories, is completely worth it. While there’s definitely action, it’s more about the emotional stakes than just battles. I love how the author focused on the often-invisible lives of the women and children who suffer during war, while the men go off to battle. The tension between personal desires and the larger battle for Troy is central, with palace intrigue and a profound bond of female friendship driving much of the plot.
This book is everything I wanted it to be and more. It’s rich, gripping, and beautifully written, with an ending that left me craving the next book in the duology. Can’t recommend it enough!
Who Should Read It?
This book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in feminist reimaginings of classical myths. It's also perfect for readers who enjoy stories of personal courage, political maneuvering, and intricate character development set against the backdrop of one of the most famous wars in history.
What’s so amazing? First off, the characters. Andromache, Helen, and Rhea (an original character, a servant who quickly became my favorite) are NOT the same old characters you’ve seen in Trojan War retellings. Andromache is a total warrior queen, and Helen? She’s so much more than just the "face that launched a thousand ships." Every character feels real, complicated, and totally worth rooting for. I loved them all.
The writing is stunning! It's poetic and vivid. I could almost hear the horses' hooves, taste the bitterness of war, and feel the raw emotions of the characters. It's one of those books where you live in it while reading. If you’ve ever loved a book for its atmosphere, this one nails it.
I’ve seen a few reviews mention that the pacing can be a bit slow at times, but honestly, I think that’s part of the charm. The buildup, especially as we dive deeper into these women's stories, is completely worth it. While there’s definitely action, it’s more about the emotional stakes than just battles. I love how the author focused on the often-invisible lives of the women and children who suffer during war, while the men go off to battle. The tension between personal desires and the larger battle for Troy is central, with palace intrigue and a profound bond of female friendship driving much of the plot.
This book is everything I wanted it to be and more. It’s rich, gripping, and beautifully written, with an ending that left me craving the next book in the duology. Can’t recommend it enough!
Who Should Read It?
This book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in feminist reimaginings of classical myths. It's also perfect for readers who enjoy stories of personal courage, political maneuvering, and intricate character development set against the backdrop of one of the most famous wars in history.
March 27, 2025
What a fantastic beginning. This pulled me in immediately and I was taken into the compelling stories of Andromache and Rhea. These women are what legends should be made of.
Andromache and Hector’s relationship felt historical and relatable, which I found fascinating and beautifully done. Each time Andromache showed her fire, I heard the Wonder Woman theme song play in my mind and I couldn’t help but love her.
Rhea is the black horse no one is expecting, and I CAN’T WAIT for the next book to see how she blooms and shows her strength.
I appreciate the time taken to explore all the different struggles and obstacles they must have faced. There’s politics, society, tradition, relationships, power, greed, expectations and human logistics that play into this book and it was all balanced so well.
The writing is lovely, powerful and cinematic. I wrote down many quotes and the creativity of the plot deserves praise as well.
THOUGHTS:
Helen’s POV wasn’t as strong or as useful to the plot as the others for me. Much of what she went through could have been portrayed through Rhea or other supporting characters.
Hector was the only male that had good character depth and exploration. The others had just enough to get by but not enough for my preferences. I’m hoping we get more of a balance in the next book.
The book felt longer than necessary. A contributing factor could be too many POVs that weren’t balanced throughout. The liberties taken to alter Paris and some events from the classic Homer tale were understandable but not my favorite.
OVERALL:
This is a solid beginning to the Trojan War retelling and those who love mythology or gripping historical stories should give it a try.
Andromache and Hector’s relationship felt historical and relatable, which I found fascinating and beautifully done. Each time Andromache showed her fire, I heard the Wonder Woman theme song play in my mind and I couldn’t help but love her.
Rhea is the black horse no one is expecting, and I CAN’T WAIT for the next book to see how she blooms and shows her strength.
I appreciate the time taken to explore all the different struggles and obstacles they must have faced. There’s politics, society, tradition, relationships, power, greed, expectations and human logistics that play into this book and it was all balanced so well.
The writing is lovely, powerful and cinematic. I wrote down many quotes and the creativity of the plot deserves praise as well.
THOUGHTS:
Helen’s POV wasn’t as strong or as useful to the plot as the others for me. Much of what she went through could have been portrayed through Rhea or other supporting characters.
Hector was the only male that had good character depth and exploration. The others had just enough to get by but not enough for my preferences. I’m hoping we get more of a balance in the next book.
The book felt longer than necessary. A contributing factor could be too many POVs that weren’t balanced throughout. The liberties taken to alter Paris and some events from the classic Homer tale were understandable but not my favorite.
OVERALL:
This is a solid beginning to the Trojan War retelling and those who love mythology or gripping historical stories should give it a try.
August 27, 2023
“Do you believe our fates are truly fixed, or is it something we have the power to alter?” Ajax asks before I can compose myself.
“I don’t know. But perhaps the truth of who we are lies less in how we are made and more in the things we do when nobody else is watching.”
This book deserves more recognition and is a great retelling of the Trojan war! It definitely started off strong, but then dipped a bit in the middle for me. There were parts I could have done without so much detail and other parts I reeeallly wish had been expounded on, but overall an excellent read!
“I don’t know. But perhaps the truth of who we are lies less in how we are made and more in the things we do when nobody else is watching.”
This book deserves more recognition and is a great retelling of the Trojan war! It definitely started off strong, but then dipped a bit in the middle for me. There were parts I could have done without so much detail and other parts I reeeallly wish had been expounded on, but overall an excellent read!
August 10, 2023
This book was everything I could have wanted in an epic retelling of ancient history/mythology and then some. A round of genuine applause to A.D. Rhine. Horses of Fire is a beautiful collaboration and is executed brilliantly. Fresh. Meaty. Original. A true epic in every sense of the word. I was completely immersed until the very last page. I have read a lot of retellings of mythology and ancient history, all the popular heavy hitters. None of them come close to the breadth and depth of Horses of Fire. The characters that lead this novel are so personable and full of life. It finally made the histories come alive, like they happened to real people in real places. The imaginings the authors took in retelling felt thoroughly researched, well thought out, and meaningful. The pace is fast, but steady, there's so much going on and it unfolds seamlessly as we hop from varying POV's. These leading POV characters are layered and dynamic. They battle inwardly and outwardly, leaving the reader feeling truly pulled along by persons and plot. Another thing I appreciated was that for a large portion of the book I thought I knew what would happen just because I was familiar with the Trojan war and it's major players. However, the timeline and focus chosen by the authors is not quite that of all the other retellings, and I think that helped a lot in making this a fresh and exciting take on a popular story.
Thank you so much to Dutton Books and A.D. Rhine for my copy of Horses of Fire.
Thank you so much to Dutton Books and A.D. Rhine for my copy of Horses of Fire.
February 1, 2025
**Dedicated to Jada & Dania**
So much happened in the last 50 pages that I didn’t even realize it was past my bedtime
So much happened in the last 50 pages that I didn’t even realize it was past my bedtime
June 23, 2023
Horses of Fire is one of the standouts in the flood of Greek mythology retellings that have been published in the last few years, mostly because it offers a fresh narrative that manages to avoid much of the predictability of some of the other less compelling takes.
Set mostly within the walls of Troy several years into the Trojan War but before the birth of Hector’s son Astyanax, we’re given the perspectives of three women: Andromache, a warrior princess trained by Amazons who’s more at ease giving orders than taking them, Helen, an unwilling hostage who was once a skilled healer but now relies on poppy-fueled oblivion to get her through her dismal reality, and Rhea, an original character who becomes a servant in Andromache’s household after losing her family to the brutality and chaos of war.
My main critique is that too much of the narrative seem intended to propel Rhea’s arc as a character, sometimes at the expense of other characters. Kings and military commanders seem too ready to give weight and credence to the opinions of a young slave girl who speak up when not spoken too. Too many peripheral characters seem willing to sacrifice themselves for her than can be reasonably believed, and there are strong allusions to the important role she’s implied to play following the fall of Troy, although the story doesn’t progress that far (which, honestly, is a relief because how many times do we really need to read about all the carnage we know is going to happen?)
There are parts where the motivations of Andromache and Helen don’t quite ring true, but the weaknesses of this book are easy to overlook. The prose reads very smoothly, there are some really sharp lines of dialogue, and I appreciated the authors’ attention to detail in presenting a portrait of Troy based on archaeological record that doesn’t just reflect classical Greek culture as these stories so often fall back on by default. Overall I found this to be a very enjoyable read!
Set mostly within the walls of Troy several years into the Trojan War but before the birth of Hector’s son Astyanax, we’re given the perspectives of three women: Andromache, a warrior princess trained by Amazons who’s more at ease giving orders than taking them, Helen, an unwilling hostage who was once a skilled healer but now relies on poppy-fueled oblivion to get her through her dismal reality, and Rhea, an original character who becomes a servant in Andromache’s household after losing her family to the brutality and chaos of war.
My main critique is that too much of the narrative seem intended to propel Rhea’s arc as a character, sometimes at the expense of other characters. Kings and military commanders seem too ready to give weight and credence to the opinions of a young slave girl who speak up when not spoken too. Too many peripheral characters seem willing to sacrifice themselves for her than can be reasonably believed, and there are strong allusions to the important role she’s implied to play following the fall of Troy, although the story doesn’t progress that far (which, honestly, is a relief because how many times do we really need to read about all the carnage we know is going to happen?)
There are parts where the motivations of Andromache and Helen don’t quite ring true, but the weaknesses of this book are easy to overlook. The prose reads very smoothly, there are some really sharp lines of dialogue, and I appreciated the authors’ attention to detail in presenting a portrait of Troy based on archaeological record that doesn’t just reflect classical Greek culture as these stories so often fall back on by default. Overall I found this to be a very enjoyable read!
May 13, 2023
I received this advance reader copy for free from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This was a really interesting novel, focusing on the ways in which the Trojan war affected the women all around the conflict. While Natalie Haynes has focused entirely on the Acheans attacking Troy, and their encampment of slave women, or the highborn slaves they took from Troy at the end of the war -- this story predominantly looks at the Trojan women, their fight to save their city and way of life. It also uses a lot of historical content or context to help make sense of the Trojan war, which truly occurred in history, but wasn't likely to have truly been caused by Helen of Troy (regardless of any claims to the contrary). Mostly focuses on Hector's wife, Princess Andromache, but Helen and regular average women are also included in the story. Normally I don't like perspective changes between characters, but the story managed it so well I hardly even noticed. I strongly recommend this to dedicated readers of feminist retellings of Greek mythology, similar to Natalie Haynes or Madeline Miller.
August 18, 2023
A standout in a market saturated with feminist Greek retellings, this story of Andromache, Rhea, and Helen of Troy benefited from the inclusion of obscure characters who stole the show. The writing managed to be abstract but also richly detailed, filling me with that familiar sense of dread I experience any time I read a novel of Troy, but it also inspired a mad kind of hope, a fierce pride in the women of this story. I've searched high and low and not found anything conclusive, but I feel strongly that this novel is begging for a sequel...
September 8, 2023
There was nothing really WRONG with the book .... except I'd previously read a different retelling of the story of the Iliad from the point of view of the women. So, as this one didn't grab me from the very beginning, I decided I didn't need to go any further. DNF
August 14, 2023
The first 100 pages were a bit slow to get into, but it picked up after that and it was worth the read. I feel like the story hangs a bit at the end so I look forward to reading the next book!
March 24, 2024
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
A retelling and reimagining of the Trojan War, told from the perspective of some of the women of Troy.
This one is a bit long, but it is SO good. I was enamored by the characters, each of whom were beautifully rendered and deeply fascinating. Andromache, in particular, is a figure I have never paid much attention to in myth but that I really enjoyed here, both in her own right and in her relationship with Hector.
As a lifelong horse-girl, I also loved the horses here (and Rhea’s interactions with them) and appreciated the role they played throughout the story. Finally, the action really picked up towards the final third of the book, and I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat to see what would happen and where everything would end up. I cannot WAIT for the sequel, DAUGHTERS OF BRONZE, which is coming in November!
If you enjoy myths and retellings, I highly recommend this one! The audiobook itself was also excellent and I liked all of the narrators!
CW: Death/war/violence/blood; sexual violence; physical abuse; grief; pregnancy/infidelity
A retelling and reimagining of the Trojan War, told from the perspective of some of the women of Troy.
This one is a bit long, but it is SO good. I was enamored by the characters, each of whom were beautifully rendered and deeply fascinating. Andromache, in particular, is a figure I have never paid much attention to in myth but that I really enjoyed here, both in her own right and in her relationship with Hector.
As a lifelong horse-girl, I also loved the horses here (and Rhea’s interactions with them) and appreciated the role they played throughout the story. Finally, the action really picked up towards the final third of the book, and I was on the edge of my metaphorical seat to see what would happen and where everything would end up. I cannot WAIT for the sequel, DAUGHTERS OF BRONZE, which is coming in November!
If you enjoy myths and retellings, I highly recommend this one! The audiobook itself was also excellent and I liked all of the narrators!
CW: Death/war/violence/blood; sexual violence; physical abuse; grief; pregnancy/infidelity
March 9, 2024
I READ THIS WHOLE THING TO REALIZE IT CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING AND THERE IS A SEQUEL THAT DOES NOT COME OUT UNTIL NOVEMBER UR KIDDING
August 3, 2024
3.5 rounded up. Took me about 150 pages to get into it, but once I was in, I was IN.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 256 reviews