100 Pages A Day...Stephanie's Book Reviews

Everyone knows the stories of the Trojan War, but we often don't think of the women who gave up their children,  their lives and their homes to appease their gods and their husbands. Queen Hecuba of Troy if forced to sacrifice her son Paris after a seer decrees that he will cause the downfall of Troy.  Queen of Sparta, Leda has been taken by Zeus giving her two children by her husband and two children by Zeus.  Her daughters, Clytemnestra and Helen will go on to endure different fates by husbands Agamemnon and Menelaus.  Penelope, wife of Odysseus of Ithaca raises her son alone while Odysseus is called to war and waits 20 years for his return.  From afar, the Gods and Goddesses watch and intervene in the lives of the mortals who desperately try to defy their will.

 

Song of Sacrifice is a fresh retelling of the Trojan War that focuses on the stories and emotions of the women, mothers and children of the story.  Beginning with Hecuba who had Paris ripped from her to be sacrificed for her country and never recovered from the loss to Helen who viewed her beauty as a curse and was continually sold to the highest bidder instead of finding love for herself.  The writing intricately investigates the inner thoughts and emotions of the female players both real and mythological while not losing sight of the bigger story. Song of Sacrifice does cover a very long time period and includes a large cast of characters, I often found myself having to stop and process all that was happening.  With so much at stake- bloodshed, war, romance, family issues and mythology, Song of Sacrifice provides an epic and in-depth look at the people behind the Trojan War.