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Polyxena: A Story of Troy
After Troy falls, Neoptolemus claims Polyxena as his prize, but she rejects his advances. In a fit of rage, Neoptolemus contrives a story that dooms the ill-fated Polyxena. She knows what she must do to survive, but she cannot changer her destiny.
412 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 21, 2021
I am not used to seeing Polyxena in Troy retellings, and for good reason since she's a posterior addition, but I picked up this book for a chance at reading a different take on the Trojan War outside the usual Homeric frame. Unfortunately, this didn't satisfy me. It's merely a mishmash of all the later legends about Polyxena mixed with a romantic plot between her and Achilles, jealousy included (she gives Briseis the stink eye, go figure), which left me utterly indifferent.
March 12, 2011
As she is waiting to be sacrificied to the Gods, Polyxena reminisces about her life, about the people she loved and the people she hated. About the events that led her here, like a lamb to its slaughter, courtesy of Neoptolemus. That’s how this gripping, nearly paralyzing piece of historical fiction starts off. Polyxena tells us that she is one of the daughters of King Priam of Troy, and not just anyone of his daughters – she’s probably the most intelligent, stubborn and brave one. Rather than spending time with the other women at court, doing whatever it is women did in those days, she prefers to go horseback riding, and having actual intelligent conversations with people. Although she is already past the age that girls should get married, she still hasn’t found a suitor, nor is she desperate to find one. Independent enough to live on her own, and not at all concerned with love, marriage and children – especially not with the war still going on, and her beloved brothers dying one by one – Polyxena seems the excellent choice to go visit the Amazon queen, Penthesileia, and persuade the latter to help the Trojans win this war.
When Polyxena travels to the Amazon grounds, she is in for the surprise of a life time. Not only does she meet and befriends the great heroic queen, Penthesileia, but she also feels attracted to her general, Antiope, a young and beautiful woman. In the first relationship of her life, Polyxena feels a strong connection towards Antiope, but is forced to depart her behind after an attack gone completely wrong. That’s when she meets Achilles – the Achilles – the strong and brave warrior who is the sole reason the war that ruined her country has continued for this long, the man blessed with power that can only come from the Gods, and the murderer of her beloved brother Hector. Face to face with the man who practically ruined her life, Polyxena is surprised by the way she feels about him. And as their attraction towards each other blossoms into something new, she knows very well that she’s betraying everyone and everything, and that this relationship might end disastrous. For the both of them.
Once I started reading Polyxena: A Story of Troy, I had a hard time putting it down. The characters were sublime, powerful, crafted with the utmost precision and as real as if they were standing right next to you. The story itself was imaginative, confronting, gripping and very emotionally touching. I was practically sucked into the book, breathing the words and living the sentences. It’s been a while since I had such a good time reading a book, and I have to thank H. Allenger for making me enjoy his novel so much that I hardly know how to express what I feel into words.
I’ll start by talking about the characters. Polyxena, well, she could have been my best friend. I loved her. She was rebellious, but not openly; brave, but not too sure of her own courage; headstrong but not stubborn; and she possessed that nice balance of qualities that turns ordinary people into heroes. She was friendly and kind, but impatient with people that treated her unkindly. If she had been a man, I’m sure she’d make a nice general for Troy, a skillful warrior even. I loved her relationship with Antiope, that started out as friendship at first, but then turned into so much more. H. Allenger focused more on the love-aspect, and the emotional aspects of their relationship than on the physical parts of it, which I thought was a very good choice, as it made me understand them, and their attraction towards each other more than I would have understood it had the focus been on the physical relationship. I knew that their relationship was destined to end some time, but the ending was bittersweet and left me vaguely sad for both of them. It was nice to see that Polyxena was capable of putting her own initial thoughts and the ancient traditions of her own country behind her – like that women should only love men, and that no woman could love another woman in that way – and that she was strong and independent enough to get beyond that, and acknowledge her true feelings for Antiope. The way H. Allenger described this progression was wonderful, realistic and very touching.
I liked how the author portrayed Achilles as well. At first, we see Polyxena’s view of the strong warrior brute who murdered her own beloved brother, but that are her opinions of the man before she even meets him. Then, we gradually see a change in her feelings towards Achilles as he manages to enlight a fire inside of her, she didn’t even know that was there. We see how she likes him more and more, and he likes her as well, as he offers to bring her back to the gates of Troy. I thought their relationship developed a bit fast, but I guess that’s normal when your days together are very limited, or when it’s love at first strike. I was enthralled by Polyxena’s inner battle, and her contradictory feelings as she saw Achilles as post a murderer, and as a possible lover. This was very well and very thoroughly described in the novel, and left me amazed.
The story focuses a lot on mythology and the battle of Troy and the cast that played a role in it. Thankfully, I already knew a lot of Paris, Helen, Priam, Cassandra, Achilles and Agamemnon – because I think this novel would have been confusing at first, if I hadn’t. It’s obvious that the author knows a lot about his characters, their personalities, their weakness and their background, and someone who has only vaguely heard of the war of Troy might be oblivious to certain details this novel touches, or certain events that take place but aren’t described in detail. I thought that sometimes the author tried to include too much too soon, but as I said, I already knew a great deal about Troy, so it was no issue for me. On the contrary, I learned even more about Troy through this novel, and that means that the author more than succeeded at getting his message and story across.
I was warned from the start that Polyxena faced a death sentence, that she was to be sacrified to the gods, but by the time we got to the ending, I felt like crying. I had grown to know this character like she was my best friend, I knew all of her heartaches, pains and suffering, and I wished she got a better fate than the one that was waiting for her. Her message, even at the end, was powerful. She was happy with the life she left, and held no regrets. For me, she was a true heroine.
I would advise this novel to everyone. Even if historical fiction isn’t your favorite genre, Polyxena: A Story of Troy, will touch you in so many different ways, it will draw you in, amaze you and surprise you, and it won’t let you go. Just go read it, and you’ll know what I mean.
When Polyxena travels to the Amazon grounds, she is in for the surprise of a life time. Not only does she meet and befriends the great heroic queen, Penthesileia, but she also feels attracted to her general, Antiope, a young and beautiful woman. In the first relationship of her life, Polyxena feels a strong connection towards Antiope, but is forced to depart her behind after an attack gone completely wrong. That’s when she meets Achilles – the Achilles – the strong and brave warrior who is the sole reason the war that ruined her country has continued for this long, the man blessed with power that can only come from the Gods, and the murderer of her beloved brother Hector. Face to face with the man who practically ruined her life, Polyxena is surprised by the way she feels about him. And as their attraction towards each other blossoms into something new, she knows very well that she’s betraying everyone and everything, and that this relationship might end disastrous. For the both of them.
Once I started reading Polyxena: A Story of Troy, I had a hard time putting it down. The characters were sublime, powerful, crafted with the utmost precision and as real as if they were standing right next to you. The story itself was imaginative, confronting, gripping and very emotionally touching. I was practically sucked into the book, breathing the words and living the sentences. It’s been a while since I had such a good time reading a book, and I have to thank H. Allenger for making me enjoy his novel so much that I hardly know how to express what I feel into words.
I’ll start by talking about the characters. Polyxena, well, she could have been my best friend. I loved her. She was rebellious, but not openly; brave, but not too sure of her own courage; headstrong but not stubborn; and she possessed that nice balance of qualities that turns ordinary people into heroes. She was friendly and kind, but impatient with people that treated her unkindly. If she had been a man, I’m sure she’d make a nice general for Troy, a skillful warrior even. I loved her relationship with Antiope, that started out as friendship at first, but then turned into so much more. H. Allenger focused more on the love-aspect, and the emotional aspects of their relationship than on the physical parts of it, which I thought was a very good choice, as it made me understand them, and their attraction towards each other more than I would have understood it had the focus been on the physical relationship. I knew that their relationship was destined to end some time, but the ending was bittersweet and left me vaguely sad for both of them. It was nice to see that Polyxena was capable of putting her own initial thoughts and the ancient traditions of her own country behind her – like that women should only love men, and that no woman could love another woman in that way – and that she was strong and independent enough to get beyond that, and acknowledge her true feelings for Antiope. The way H. Allenger described this progression was wonderful, realistic and very touching.
I liked how the author portrayed Achilles as well. At first, we see Polyxena’s view of the strong warrior brute who murdered her own beloved brother, but that are her opinions of the man before she even meets him. Then, we gradually see a change in her feelings towards Achilles as he manages to enlight a fire inside of her, she didn’t even know that was there. We see how she likes him more and more, and he likes her as well, as he offers to bring her back to the gates of Troy. I thought their relationship developed a bit fast, but I guess that’s normal when your days together are very limited, or when it’s love at first strike. I was enthralled by Polyxena’s inner battle, and her contradictory feelings as she saw Achilles as post a murderer, and as a possible lover. This was very well and very thoroughly described in the novel, and left me amazed.
The story focuses a lot on mythology and the battle of Troy and the cast that played a role in it. Thankfully, I already knew a lot of Paris, Helen, Priam, Cassandra, Achilles and Agamemnon – because I think this novel would have been confusing at first, if I hadn’t. It’s obvious that the author knows a lot about his characters, their personalities, their weakness and their background, and someone who has only vaguely heard of the war of Troy might be oblivious to certain details this novel touches, or certain events that take place but aren’t described in detail. I thought that sometimes the author tried to include too much too soon, but as I said, I already knew a great deal about Troy, so it was no issue for me. On the contrary, I learned even more about Troy through this novel, and that means that the author more than succeeded at getting his message and story across.
I was warned from the start that Polyxena faced a death sentence, that she was to be sacrified to the gods, but by the time we got to the ending, I felt like crying. I had grown to know this character like she was my best friend, I knew all of her heartaches, pains and suffering, and I wished she got a better fate than the one that was waiting for her. Her message, even at the end, was powerful. She was happy with the life she left, and held no regrets. For me, she was a true heroine.
I would advise this novel to everyone. Even if historical fiction isn’t your favorite genre, Polyxena: A Story of Troy, will touch you in so many different ways, it will draw you in, amaze you and surprise you, and it won’t let you go. Just go read it, and you’ll know what I mean.
May 11, 2019
Polyxena: A Story of Troy
I've been wanting to read this for quite some time now, but there was always another book that needed to be read first. Either it was for book club or returning a book to a friend and so on. I'm so glad I stopped my flow of the above-mentioned excuses and finally read Polyxena: A Story of Troy. The problem, however, with trying to review this book is that there just aren't the right words. It was beautiful. The events of the story were sometimes difficult because I wasn’t really sure of reading this type of genre, but H. Allenger is a master storyteller. His writing is stunningly perfect, the story he's created here had me glued to my book.
Polyxena, a princess of Troy, daughter of King Priam, is chosen as Neoptolemus's love interest. Her brother, the great warrior Hector has been killed by Achilles. Things are not going well and her father King Priam sends Polyxena on a mission to the land of the Amazons to enlist their help. On her way back to Troy, she meets Achilles. And even though she had vowed to hate him for his having killed her brother, they fall in love. He trusts her and shares his one weakness with her - his heel. Through the treachery of servants and brothers, Achilles is called to the gates of Troy and Paris shoots an arrow into his heel and he dies. Polyxena is heart-broken. The Greeks are resentful enough to do whatever they can to defeat the Trojans.
I can tell that this book is one that's going to stay with me for a long time. It's definitely one of my favorites this year. It is such an interesting story which takes me back in time. Though this book is fiction, the struggles that they experience are very similar to ours and this is what reminds us of how it is to be human and feel emotions. I am truly looking forward to the next installment. I just hope we don't have to wait too long!
By Norah Edwards
I've been wanting to read this for quite some time now, but there was always another book that needed to be read first. Either it was for book club or returning a book to a friend and so on. I'm so glad I stopped my flow of the above-mentioned excuses and finally read Polyxena: A Story of Troy. The problem, however, with trying to review this book is that there just aren't the right words. It was beautiful. The events of the story were sometimes difficult because I wasn’t really sure of reading this type of genre, but H. Allenger is a master storyteller. His writing is stunningly perfect, the story he's created here had me glued to my book.
Polyxena, a princess of Troy, daughter of King Priam, is chosen as Neoptolemus's love interest. Her brother, the great warrior Hector has been killed by Achilles. Things are not going well and her father King Priam sends Polyxena on a mission to the land of the Amazons to enlist their help. On her way back to Troy, she meets Achilles. And even though she had vowed to hate him for his having killed her brother, they fall in love. He trusts her and shares his one weakness with her - his heel. Through the treachery of servants and brothers, Achilles is called to the gates of Troy and Paris shoots an arrow into his heel and he dies. Polyxena is heart-broken. The Greeks are resentful enough to do whatever they can to defeat the Trojans.
I can tell that this book is one that's going to stay with me for a long time. It's definitely one of my favorites this year. It is such an interesting story which takes me back in time. Though this book is fiction, the struggles that they experience are very similar to ours and this is what reminds us of how it is to be human and feel emotions. I am truly looking forward to the next installment. I just hope we don't have to wait too long!
By Norah Edwards
February 24, 2020
This book was a delight.
The author’s story was very specific and well laid out. I have nothing but high praise for the true expressiveness of the writing, the neatness of Herb’s edits.
This is a tale about the exploits of a Trojan woman named Polyxena and those characters who surround her or with whom she has dealings. She is brought to life as the author unfolds her history with both the Amazons, and Achilles, the Greek, himself. All of this while weaving within each scenario her suffering at the loss of some of her brothers and lovers.
There’s a lot of action within this book as Mr. Allenger details the Battle of Otrea and the sacking of Troy. He uses the most active verbs to best effect.
He is also a master at character development. He magnificently breathes life into Polyxena as she deals with such human failings as the meddling of her brother Paris, or the horrifying
lunacy of a Greek named Neoptolemus.
As for all the other characters, Mr. Allenger again pens with great detail and offers many examples of the depths of each character’s gratitude, anger, or fear. Also, he well describes the character’s various reactions to the regrettable treachery of others. Or, how they respond to the deaths of their loved ones as seen through the prism of their duty. Helen was a case in point.
Mr. Allenger gives truth to the particulars of this era’s and location’s clothing, laws, beliefs, and way of speaking.
The last several pages are stunning, but you will cheat yourself if you only read those and do not experience the glory of the rest of the book.
A message from me to the author himself:
I’m not sure how long you spent fleshing out his remarkable speculative work, but it was worth every minute of the time you took.
Readers looking for a great read, f you are a fan of mythology and of the works of Homer, Virgil, and Ovid, if you are an admirer of really well researched topics and fine writing, you will love this book.
The author’s story was very specific and well laid out. I have nothing but high praise for the true expressiveness of the writing, the neatness of Herb’s edits.
This is a tale about the exploits of a Trojan woman named Polyxena and those characters who surround her or with whom she has dealings. She is brought to life as the author unfolds her history with both the Amazons, and Achilles, the Greek, himself. All of this while weaving within each scenario her suffering at the loss of some of her brothers and lovers.
There’s a lot of action within this book as Mr. Allenger details the Battle of Otrea and the sacking of Troy. He uses the most active verbs to best effect.
He is also a master at character development. He magnificently breathes life into Polyxena as she deals with such human failings as the meddling of her brother Paris, or the horrifying
lunacy of a Greek named Neoptolemus.
As for all the other characters, Mr. Allenger again pens with great detail and offers many examples of the depths of each character’s gratitude, anger, or fear. Also, he well describes the character’s various reactions to the regrettable treachery of others. Or, how they respond to the deaths of their loved ones as seen through the prism of their duty. Helen was a case in point.
Mr. Allenger gives truth to the particulars of this era’s and location’s clothing, laws, beliefs, and way of speaking.
The last several pages are stunning, but you will cheat yourself if you only read those and do not experience the glory of the rest of the book.
A message from me to the author himself:
I’m not sure how long you spent fleshing out his remarkable speculative work, but it was worth every minute of the time you took.
Readers looking for a great read, f you are a fan of mythology and of the works of Homer, Virgil, and Ovid, if you are an admirer of really well researched topics and fine writing, you will love this book.
May 19, 2020
I really wanted to like this story. The protagonist is three-dimensional and likeable, and the secondary charaters are realistic as well. There were a handful of problematic sentences that a woman editor would have weeded out to transform this good book into a great one. This may not be the fault of the author but the source material; if the author used sanitized versions of these myths, he might not realize the terrible implications of some of these statements. For example, Polyxena's jealousy about Briseis is described in this problematic sentence: "Yet I saw her as fortunate in that she could receive the love of a man such as Achilles, the most splendid of that species, night after night, something I could only dream about." Considering Briseis is Achilles' slave and repeated rape victim, this sentence is terribly tone-deaf.
December 6, 2018
This is a story about the fight between good and evil, where goodness always prevails. It includes a forbidden love story of two young people who desire to be together. It also includes the struggles they all face and told in Greek Mythology type of way. It’s nice to note that these characters are so charismatic and truly relatable. I sympathized with all of them. The story unfolded naturally and there was a combination of suspense, drama and love. She wrote such rich characters that are memorable for me.
December 6, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I was truly rooting for Polyxena whom at 17 years old had so much responsibility and big decisions to make at a young age. The journeys they travelled weren’t always smooth and to fall in love with someone so intensely and keep it a secret is even harder. I can imagine the weight of emotions she needed to go through knowing how high the stakes were and how much shame and ridicule she would have to suffer considering the fact if she got caught. It was a lot to handle for a young, courageous woman who also seemed so fragile.
November 8, 2018
Such a wonderful book with intense plot. I couldn’t stop reading all throughout because I wanted to finish it right away. I’m glad I did because I truly loved the ending. I hope she plans to write another book, because I will surely buy it. I want to know more about Polyxena because I feel her story is not yet over. Her love for Achilles was pure and sweet which reminded me about how young love is. Very good story. Thanks for writing this book and sharing with your readers
December 6, 2018
I wasn’t too impressed with this book. I have seen other book similar to this one who have a richer content. This book started out okay, but there were some chapters that continued to drag on like it wasn’t going in the right direction. Some areas were a bit confusing and I had to read them over and over again. However, I must say that the author has a good imagination to think of this story and about the world they lived in. So that’s why I still gave her 4 stars to balance everything.
June 9, 2020
Polyxena: A Story of Troy by H. Allenger
Published: 2011/ republished 2019
Publisher: Author Reputation Press
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mythology, Ancient Greece
Pages: 412 paperback
Available: ebook, paperback Amazon
Sex:💗 yes, not graphic
Violence: 😨 lots of battle scenes, nothing gory
Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author info: Follow H. Allenger on Facebook and Twitter
Author's blurb: After Polyxena, daughter of King Priam of Troy, is chosen as Neoptolemus's love interest, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that leads to a surprising conclusion about her destiny.
Troy has just fallen, leaving the city in ruins and at the mercy of the Greeks. Neoptolemus has claimed the daughter of the now-deceased King Priam of Troy as his love prize. After she rejects his advances, he angrily contrives a story that dooms the ill-fated Polyxena. She knows what she must do to survive, but unfortunately, she cannot change her destiny.
Polyxena is mortified that Neoptolemus has fallen in love with her, for this means she must die at the commemoration rites for his father. As Polyxena prepares for the inevitable, she reflects over the past year, relating her thoughts to Aphrodite, the goddess she believes is responsible for orchestrating the events that have beleaguered her. As she tries to make sense of it all, Polyxena converses with all the well-known personages associated with the Trojan myth-Achilles, Agamemnon, Cassandra, Helen, and many others-while seeking solace in the hope that her existence has not been futile.
In this moving story of forbidden love, a young woman unwittingly becomes intertwined in the romantic legacy surrounding Troy, embarking on a journey of self-discovery that leads her to a surprising conclusion about the life she has lived.
The Plot in Brief: Polyxena was the daughter of King Priam of Troy, sister to Paris and Hector and the lover of Achilles. This is the imagined story of her brief life. She is sent on a mission to the Amazons to entreat them to enter the war against the Greeks. She has many adventures along the way and learns about life and love. But on her return to Troy the Greeks remain, her town besieged. All the greats from the Greek myths are here: Helen of Troy, Cassandra the seer who no one believes, Hector, Agamemnon, and Odysseus. After the fall of Troy, Polyxena is in the hands of Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. His actions determine her fate.
The Characters: The author does a marvelous job of bring these ancient mythological figures to life. They are fully fleshed out humans with believable emotions and motives. Polyxena is a girl on the cusp of womanhood when her father sends her on a diplomatic mission to save Troy. We watch as she grows in confidence and ability. She is smart, fearless and wise beyond her years. She embraces life, go and bad as it comes. All the main characters are given a similar treatment and it feels as if they were real people, not just dry dusty myths. I really liked the handling of the relationship between Polyxena and the Amazon warrior Antiope. And although her relationship with Achilles was brief, it was well developed. The character Neoptolemus seemed out of place in this narrative, like a spoiled child among the grownups. Other than that, no complaints.
The History: Because the Trojan War is just a myth, this cannot technically be called historical fiction but it certainly reads like it. We get a good feel for life in Ancient Greece and its culture and religion. I loved the Amazons and the description of their city and lifestyle. Although most readers will be familiar with the story of the Trojan Horse, it is brought to life here and seems credible and realistic. I admit to heading to Google Maps to try to trace Polyxena's journey to the Amazon lands.
The Writing: The story is told in first person, narrated by Polyxena. The writing is lush and highly descriptive. We gets lots of details which I personally love. The dialogue is fairly formal but on rare occasion it slips into a more modern tone, which sounded off. The pace is rather sedate for the short time period covered. I did feel at times it was too slow and that the book could have been a bit shorter.
Overall: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the mythology and how the writer brought the characters to life. I thought the story as told by Polyxena was a great way to tell the story of Troy and the Trojan War. The author clearly knows his Greek mythology and despite being fiction, it felt authentic. Despite knowing the story of Troy and the ending of Polyxena's story I felt like I was reading it for the first time. This is not a book you can rush through, so plan on spending sometime reading it.
Recommendation: Lovers of Greek Mythology will enjoy this book. Readers of historical fiction will also appreciate the setting and story.
I rate this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✶
Published: 2011/ republished 2019
Publisher: Author Reputation Press
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mythology, Ancient Greece
Pages: 412 paperback
Available: ebook, paperback Amazon
Sex:💗 yes, not graphic
Violence: 😨 lots of battle scenes, nothing gory
Reviewers Note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author info: Follow H. Allenger on Facebook and Twitter
Author's blurb: After Polyxena, daughter of King Priam of Troy, is chosen as Neoptolemus's love interest, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that leads to a surprising conclusion about her destiny.
Troy has just fallen, leaving the city in ruins and at the mercy of the Greeks. Neoptolemus has claimed the daughter of the now-deceased King Priam of Troy as his love prize. After she rejects his advances, he angrily contrives a story that dooms the ill-fated Polyxena. She knows what she must do to survive, but unfortunately, she cannot change her destiny.
Polyxena is mortified that Neoptolemus has fallen in love with her, for this means she must die at the commemoration rites for his father. As Polyxena prepares for the inevitable, she reflects over the past year, relating her thoughts to Aphrodite, the goddess she believes is responsible for orchestrating the events that have beleaguered her. As she tries to make sense of it all, Polyxena converses with all the well-known personages associated with the Trojan myth-Achilles, Agamemnon, Cassandra, Helen, and many others-while seeking solace in the hope that her existence has not been futile.
In this moving story of forbidden love, a young woman unwittingly becomes intertwined in the romantic legacy surrounding Troy, embarking on a journey of self-discovery that leads her to a surprising conclusion about the life she has lived.
The Plot in Brief: Polyxena was the daughter of King Priam of Troy, sister to Paris and Hector and the lover of Achilles. This is the imagined story of her brief life. She is sent on a mission to the Amazons to entreat them to enter the war against the Greeks. She has many adventures along the way and learns about life and love. But on her return to Troy the Greeks remain, her town besieged. All the greats from the Greek myths are here: Helen of Troy, Cassandra the seer who no one believes, Hector, Agamemnon, and Odysseus. After the fall of Troy, Polyxena is in the hands of Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. His actions determine her fate.
The Characters: The author does a marvelous job of bring these ancient mythological figures to life. They are fully fleshed out humans with believable emotions and motives. Polyxena is a girl on the cusp of womanhood when her father sends her on a diplomatic mission to save Troy. We watch as she grows in confidence and ability. She is smart, fearless and wise beyond her years. She embraces life, go and bad as it comes. All the main characters are given a similar treatment and it feels as if they were real people, not just dry dusty myths. I really liked the handling of the relationship between Polyxena and the Amazon warrior Antiope. And although her relationship with Achilles was brief, it was well developed. The character Neoptolemus seemed out of place in this narrative, like a spoiled child among the grownups. Other than that, no complaints.
The History: Because the Trojan War is just a myth, this cannot technically be called historical fiction but it certainly reads like it. We get a good feel for life in Ancient Greece and its culture and religion. I loved the Amazons and the description of their city and lifestyle. Although most readers will be familiar with the story of the Trojan Horse, it is brought to life here and seems credible and realistic. I admit to heading to Google Maps to try to trace Polyxena's journey to the Amazon lands.
The Writing: The story is told in first person, narrated by Polyxena. The writing is lush and highly descriptive. We gets lots of details which I personally love. The dialogue is fairly formal but on rare occasion it slips into a more modern tone, which sounded off. The pace is rather sedate for the short time period covered. I did feel at times it was too slow and that the book could have been a bit shorter.
Overall: I really enjoyed this book. I loved the mythology and how the writer brought the characters to life. I thought the story as told by Polyxena was a great way to tell the story of Troy and the Trojan War. The author clearly knows his Greek mythology and despite being fiction, it felt authentic. Despite knowing the story of Troy and the ending of Polyxena's story I felt like I was reading it for the first time. This is not a book you can rush through, so plan on spending sometime reading it.
Recommendation: Lovers of Greek Mythology will enjoy this book. Readers of historical fiction will also appreciate the setting and story.
I rate this book 4 1/2 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐✶
February 6, 2011
I went into Polyxena with limited knowledge of the Trojan War but untold curiosity. I remember having read The Odyssey in high school and having enjoyed it very much. I, of course knew the story of the Trojan Horse. But I did not know the story behind what started the war and this was a detriment in reading this book. About a quarter of the way through I was so frustrated with references to its start that I had to go google it to learn the mythology. Once I did that I could settle down and read what was an excellent book. This was my only complaint with Polyxena.
We meet Polyxena - a princess of Troy - as the war is well in progress. Her brother, the great warrior Hector has been killed by Achilles. Things are not going well and her father King Priam sends Polyxena on a mission to the land of the Amazons to enlist their help. It is while on this mission that Polyxena comes into her own and finds herself as the strong woman she is.
Without giving too much away I will just say that on the way back to Troy she meets Achilles and even though she had vowed to hate him for his having killed her brother, they fall in love. He trusts her and shares his one weakness with her - his heel. Through treachery of servants and brothers Achilles is called to the gates of Troy and Paris shoots an arrow into his heel and he dies. Polyxena is inconsolable. The Greeks are well, angry enough to do whatever they can to defeat the Trojans.
The tale of the Trojan horse is so well known I don't need to retell it here. Nor will I share the Polyxena's fate - you will have to read the book for that as I also googled her and this book does not follow common mythology.
Mr. Allenger does a fine job of writing in Polyxena's voice. I felt her joys, her sorrows and her deepest losses. This is not a light and happy story by any stretch of the imagination yet I did not feel sad at its ending. Only sad that is was over. The characters were very well developed with one exception - Polyxena's nemesis Neoptolemus (Achilles' son). I felt he was just a little underdeveloped for playing such a critical role in the tale. Nonetheless I enjoyed this book and certainly do recommend it.
We meet Polyxena - a princess of Troy - as the war is well in progress. Her brother, the great warrior Hector has been killed by Achilles. Things are not going well and her father King Priam sends Polyxena on a mission to the land of the Amazons to enlist their help. It is while on this mission that Polyxena comes into her own and finds herself as the strong woman she is.
Without giving too much away I will just say that on the way back to Troy she meets Achilles and even though she had vowed to hate him for his having killed her brother, they fall in love. He trusts her and shares his one weakness with her - his heel. Through treachery of servants and brothers Achilles is called to the gates of Troy and Paris shoots an arrow into his heel and he dies. Polyxena is inconsolable. The Greeks are well, angry enough to do whatever they can to defeat the Trojans.
The tale of the Trojan horse is so well known I don't need to retell it here. Nor will I share the Polyxena's fate - you will have to read the book for that as I also googled her and this book does not follow common mythology.
Mr. Allenger does a fine job of writing in Polyxena's voice. I felt her joys, her sorrows and her deepest losses. This is not a light and happy story by any stretch of the imagination yet I did not feel sad at its ending. Only sad that is was over. The characters were very well developed with one exception - Polyxena's nemesis Neoptolemus (Achilles' son). I felt he was just a little underdeveloped for playing such a critical role in the tale. Nonetheless I enjoyed this book and certainly do recommend it.
May 14, 2016
***This book was reviewed for the San Francisco Book Review***
Allenger’s Polyxena is a Greek tragedy unlike any other. The tale of the Trojan War, the wooden horse, the death of Achilles, may be a familiar one to you, but what of the hidden tales behind the great legend? What of the other players in this great game of war?
Polyxena spins out the tale of the Trojan War through the eyes of the eponymous heroine. When first we meet Polyxena, she is waiting execution, having been captured by her enemies, and having spurned amorous advances by Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. She relates her story to the reader starting from the time just after Achilles took her brother Hector’s life in single combat before the gates of Troy.
Polyxena is a daughter of King Priam, and to her he entrusts a great mission- to seek out help from the fabled Amazons, to aid Troy in it’s dire plight. Among her trials, troubles, and triumphs, Polyxena is captured by Achilles and falls for him, despite swearing to hate him eternal, for his part in her brother’s death. They come to see one another as what truly they are- people, people trapped in war of another’s making.
Allenger’s story is more narrative than anything else. Indeed, it is very like reading the great Greek tragedies of old. If you enjoy authenticity, reminiscent of such as the Illiad and the Odyssey, you are sure to enjoy Polyxena.
I found this book to be a refreshing new look on an old tale. Allenger seems to have a genuine affection for the legend, and to have put many hours of research and much love into it. I will add, I was leery upon first taking it up. School burned me out on Greco-Roman myth and legend, and that subtle dislike stayed with me into adulthood, despite my love of myth, legend, and archaeology. ***To schools out there everywhere- there’s more to ‘world’ mythology than the Greeks and Romans. Broaden your horizons!*** I’m glad I took this chance! Polyxena proved a wonderful read indeed.
Allenger’s Polyxena is a Greek tragedy unlike any other. The tale of the Trojan War, the wooden horse, the death of Achilles, may be a familiar one to you, but what of the hidden tales behind the great legend? What of the other players in this great game of war?
Polyxena spins out the tale of the Trojan War through the eyes of the eponymous heroine. When first we meet Polyxena, she is waiting execution, having been captured by her enemies, and having spurned amorous advances by Neoptolemus, son of Achilles. She relates her story to the reader starting from the time just after Achilles took her brother Hector’s life in single combat before the gates of Troy.
Polyxena is a daughter of King Priam, and to her he entrusts a great mission- to seek out help from the fabled Amazons, to aid Troy in it’s dire plight. Among her trials, troubles, and triumphs, Polyxena is captured by Achilles and falls for him, despite swearing to hate him eternal, for his part in her brother’s death. They come to see one another as what truly they are- people, people trapped in war of another’s making.
Allenger’s story is more narrative than anything else. Indeed, it is very like reading the great Greek tragedies of old. If you enjoy authenticity, reminiscent of such as the Illiad and the Odyssey, you are sure to enjoy Polyxena.
I found this book to be a refreshing new look on an old tale. Allenger seems to have a genuine affection for the legend, and to have put many hours of research and much love into it. I will add, I was leery upon first taking it up. School burned me out on Greco-Roman myth and legend, and that subtle dislike stayed with me into adulthood, despite my love of myth, legend, and archaeology. ***To schools out there everywhere- there’s more to ‘world’ mythology than the Greeks and Romans. Broaden your horizons!*** I’m glad I took this chance! Polyxena proved a wonderful read indeed.
January 29, 2011
POLYXENA by H. Allenger is an amazing historical romance set in long ago Troy. It is well written with history,depth,and details.It is written in first person as Polyxena reflects on her life and her upcoming death. This is the story of Polyxena, the daughter of King Priam of Troy,She knows her destiny and that her fate lies in the hands of Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles,who she once loved,but she continues to reject Neoptolemus' advances. Now she must face his betrayal and be sacrificed,for Neoptolemus made up lies to have her sacrificed, so know other man could never have her if he couldn't no one would. This story has forbidden love,fierce battles, hope, the destruction of Troy, Greeks, Amazon warriors, tragedy,betrayal, lost love, adventure, romance, mythological heroes and staying true to oneself even during times of hardship. While this is a sad story it also shows the strength of "the Trojan women" during times of up heaval and tragedy. If you enjoy history,the Trojan war and a great read this is the book for you. This book was received from the publisher and details can be found at iUniverse and My Book Addiction and More.
May 27, 2011
This is a very well written book that tells the story of Polyxena in a beautiful way. The ill fate that Polyxena has to endure in her short lifetime is sad, but it also tells of the great love that she had. I really enjoyed reading about all the legendary names of try, like, Achilles, Agememnon and Paris and Helen. Definitely a great read!
February 2, 2011
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January 5, 2012
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