Rabiah’s Recommendations: Historical YA #2

As I’d mentioned in my first Recommendations post, I was inspired to do this series of posts by Epic Read’s The Age of YA: A Timeline of Historical Fiction. Last time I recommended books that were set in Ancient Greece and so now it’s time for another time period/setting:

Historical YA #2:

Ancient Egypt

Sphinx’s Princess

by Esther Friesner

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

This was the next series I went onto after finishing the Nobody’s Princess series. I unfortunately never got to read the second book in this duology, but even then I really enjoyed the first book. Sphinx’s Princess is the story of Nefertiti, so it was interesting to finally read a book about an Egyptian queen other than Cleopatra. Need to find the second book so I can finish this fabulous duology.

Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile

by Kristiana Gregory

••• Goodreads •••

In middle school I was absolutely obsessed with The Royal Diaries series and, even though I’m sure I read all the books in this series that were released at the point in time, this was the only one that stuck with me. I absolutely LOVED Cleopatra–everything about her fascinated me. She still fascinates me! While I was pretty used to hearing about the more bold and fierce side of this Egyptian queen, this book unveiled the more frightened and vulnerable child that Cleopatra probably hid under the surface. Love this fictionalised account of her life!

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

Again, like Ancient Greece, I’m sad to say that I haven’t read many books set in Ancient Egypt. I haven’t even really read many books based on Greek mythology! Less than a handful, which is also really sad. New goal for me clearly: read more books based in BC. 

Do you have any recommendations for books set in Ancient Egypt?

Rabiah’s Recommendations: Historical YA #1

Many of you have probably seen the awesome The Age of YA: A Timeline of Historical Fiction on Epic Reads. It’s WAY too big to upload onto my blog, but definitely go check it out because it’s all kinds of awesomeness. Anyway, I thought that I’d do a series of posts based on some of the time periods in the timeline and give my own recommendations in addition to those featured on the timeline.

Historical YA #1:

Ancient Greece

Nobody’s Princess

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

Nobody’s Prize

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

by Esther Friesner

I read this duology way back in middle school and absolutely loved it. I was completely obsessed with Greek myths and legends back then (and still am!), so these were the PERFECT books for me. I loved reading about Helen of Troy–before she was Helen of Troy. It’s nice to read a story where she isn’t just the pretty face that cause the whole war, but instead is a complete badass.

Dark of the Moon 

by Tracy Barrett

••• My Review ● Goodreads •••

An absolutely fabulous take on the Theseus myth! I read this one ages ago as well, but I remember loving it so much, especially after reading the Nobody’s Princess series. Another badass heroine that’s been completely overshadowed in the myth, the story is told from Ariadne’s perspective. Well, it actually alternates between Theseus and Ariadne. But definitely preferred this Ariadne than the Ariadne from the myth.

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

I’m sad that there aren’t too many young adult or middle grade books actually based in Ancient Greece, despite the huge amount of books based on Greek mythology. Epic Read’s timeline actually doesn’t feature any books from Ancient Greece, surprisingly! Other than the three I’d featured I would say that beyond YA or MG there are two more books–or rather, plays–worthy of mention: Antigone by Sophocles and A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Both are set in Ancient Greece (the former was actually written during this time period). Definitely worth the read if you don’t mind the format and stage directions now and then.

Do you have any recommendations for books set in Ancient Greece?

Cover Love - Week 4

"Cover Love" is an amazing meme I've adapted from 21 Pages. This week's Cover Love is: Books where the Person has their back to the reader. It's an interesting one, and one that I've never considered. I found this amazing list on Goodreads.

Okay, so for the first one I found this one, which I've never really actually considered. A Great and Terrible Beauty and from the same series, The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray.

And then here, from the fabulous Vamp series, House of Night, is the books Betrayed and Untamed by PC and Kristin Cast.

and then here's one of the most amazing Meg Cabot books ever (well, love the guy!) and here's Jinx!

and here's a book I've never read before, but sounds AMAZING. The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams.

Here's two series (two and a half) with Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize (from the Nobody's series) and Sphinx's Princess by Esther Friesner.

well, that's it for this week's Cover Love! Leave a link in the comments to your Cover Love post, or post a comment with some titles that you know that have the theme of this week's Cover Love!

Sphinx's Princess by Esther Friesner

She was far more than just a pretty face. . . .

Although Nefertiti is the dutiful daughter of a commoner, her inquisitive mind often gets her into situations that are far from ordinary, like receiving secret lessons from a scribe. And her striking beauty garners attention that she'd just as soon avoid, especially when it's her aunt, the manipulative Queen Tiye, who has set her sights on Nefertiti. The queen wants to use her niece as a pawn in her quest for power, so Nefertiti must leave her beloved family and enter a life filled with courtly intrigue and danger. But her spirit and mind will not rest as she continues to challenge herself and the boundaries of ancient Egyptian society. With control of a kingdom at stake and threats at every turn, Nefertiti is forced to make choices and stand up for her beliefs in ways she never imagined.

As she did in Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize, author Esther Friesner offers readers a fresh look at an iconic figure, blending historical fiction and mythology in a heady concoction.

I loved this book so much. I think it was as amazing as Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize.

This time Friesner takes us to Ancient Egypt. Now, I don't know about you, but my Egyptian Mythology and history isn't as good as my Greek knowledge. But it doesn't matter! I understood everything being said! I think this one was easier to understand (like if you don't know the mythology/history of it all) and like, anyone could read it.

I love the twist in plot in the book (I'm talking about the one in the end) and it just caught me off guard. I didn't expect it at all. Suddenly the guy who I thought was good was bad and everything goes cold. I really think the elements in this book, regarding plot and elements are so strong, that it's impossible to stop reading once you start. You just want need to find out what happens to Nefertiti in her hard and eventful journey.

I really love the little harp playing girl. She just sounds so cute and adorable! Sound just like a 7-8 year old, all cute and chubby and innocent. Totally in love with the cat, she makes me laugh and giggle and make me wanna awww whenever she does something cute...or adorable. Talking about the cat, the strange thing between Thutmose and his cat, was a little...weird? creepy? I dunno. It was just pretty strange how he was OBSESSED with that cat. Like his brother and the sister who talks to Nefertiti though. They're nice and such good supporting characters :).

Nefertiti's character is amazing. I know both Helen and Nefertiti are strong, awesome butt-kicking girls, and they are just so...role-model like. Nefertiti stays strong and Helen goes out seeking for adventure. Nefertiti is softer, yes, but still a love-able character. She stands up for what's right, does what she has to for her family and disregards her beauty, which she thinks isn't important. I love characters like that. I mean, they're really modest and think about what's on the inside, not the outside, which counts. Nefertiti definitely doesn't judge her new friend, and bro to Thutmose, Amenophis by his looks etc. She likes him as a friend for who he is.

I also like how Nefertiti is intelligent. She's willing to learn how to write, which was forbidden (I think) for women during that time, and she's quick to learn. She's smart, pretty AND has a sense of humor. Nice.

Sphinx's Princess is an amazing blend of history, mythology, adventure, the start of budding romance, THEN a secret plot, then amazingly delicious twists and turns that makes you think, WOW, What just happened there? and leave you wanting for more.

Sphinx's Queen just came out recently, I can't wait to read more on what happens to Nefertiti!

Nobody's Prize by Esther Friesner

Determined to become a beauty, raised to be a queen, young Helen of Sparta refuses to be left behind when her older brothers enlist in the quest for the Golden Fleece—why should boys get to have all the fun? Accompanied by her friend, the ex-slave Milo, and disguised as a boy herself, Helen sets out to join the crew of heroes aboard the fabled ship the Argo.

Helen soon faces all sorts of danger and intrigue. She must use her wits to avoid her brothers' detection, even as a devastatingly handsome boy catches her eyes and brash, boisterous Herakles (Hercules) falls in love with her boy-self. In pursuit of the Fleece, Helen faces warrior women, deadly prophecies, and a terrifying, murderous princess. Not to mention the start of her period....

With her beauty blossoming, Helen's journey takes her beyond the mythology of the Golden Fleece, across the seas of the ancient world to Athens, where her very future as Queen of Sparta is threatened. 

The sequel to the amazing Nobody's Princess does not disappoint. It's adventurous, mythical proportions are greatly balanced and Oh Gods, what a magnificent plot! Helen of Troy (before she was the face that launched a thousand ships) returns as the heroic and fearless girl which everyone's rooting for.

I found this book to have more action than the first, so therefore it's more exciting. We get introduced to several famous Greek Mythical characters, including Herakles, Jason, Medea and even Orpheus. Esther Friesner takes on the myth of the Golden Fleece and turns it into a fantastic story, with humor, danger and adventure. However, this book does include some homosexuality as Helen is dressed as a boy it brings the attention of some of the other crew mates. But whatevs. Amazing book by any standards.

I found that many people argue that the first book was better than this one. I on the other disagree. I find this one more interesting, but maybe that's because I like the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece much better than some other stories. I really found Medea as a character quite sly and cunning as she's made out to be, as well as murderous, crazy and obsessive. Friesner portrays characters as they should seem, the proud heroes, the soft spoken musician and a murderous princess, what a cast of characters! Seems like it should be made into a movie.

And when Helen leaves the Argo, I was thinking, "wait a minute...how can it be over? why are there so many pages still left over?" and I found that her and Milo's journey hadn't ended. Helen and Milo end up in Athens and then Helen is taken hostage by Theseus and forced to marry him (which thank the gods, she doesn't). Milo (spoiler) is then "killed" and when that happened I was like, "WHAT? How could they do that?" but then I thought it was a rather short time for the author to write about his "death", so I knew he'd come back! I thought though that Helen would be with Milo, but nope, not the ending that was meant to be. The thing about this book is that, if you've read your Greek Myths right, you know what's gonna happen by the end. Medea gets left behind on an island when Jason "takes" her back to Athens (is it?) and Helen marries (doesn't say in the book though) King Menelaus who she meets at the end of the book. Predictable, but still worth the read, absolutely.

It's rather sad how this series ends, I was hoping for maybe more on the Trojan War etc., but Esther Friesner left it at a good stopping point. I just finished reading Sphinx's Princess another fabulous series by Esther Friesner, looking at the life of Nefertiti, and the review should be coming up soon!

Nobody's Princess by Esther Friesner

She is beautiful, she is a princess, and Aphrodite is her favorite goddess, but something in Helen of Sparta just itches for more out of life. Not one to count on the gods—or her looks—to take care of her, Helen sets out to get what she wants with steely determination and a sassy attitude. That same attitude makes Helen a few enemies—such as the self-proclaimed "son of Zeus" Theseus—but it also intrigues, charms, and amuses those who become her friends, from the famed huntress Atalanta to the young priestess who is the Oracle of Delphi.

In Nobody's Princess, author Esther Friesner deftly weaves together history and myth as she takes a new look at the girl who will become Helen of Troy. The resulting story offers up adventure, humor, and a fresh and engaging heroine you cannot help but root for.

I really enjoyed this book, as it incorporated one of the things I love most, Greek Mythology. After Percy Jackson and the Olympians, all books seemed to be about Greek Mythology, i.e. The Cronus Chronicles, Oh.My.Gods, and Oracles of Delphi Keep, just to name a few. But it seemed that nothing could really compare to the richness in detail and the mythology, and history incorporated into a fictional story.

Until Now.

Yes, Nobody's Princess is not a story about modern mythology, but like Percy Jackson it had good fun, and a fast and exciting plot. It's interesting how Esther Friesner looks before Helen of Troy, before this Queen became a legend. Going back to her childhood, when she was Helen of Sparta, and how she wanted a place in the world, with not her looks, but her strength and skill. 

This book was fantastic, with a whole lotta butt-kicking action, and a strong heroine. I'm definitely going to get my hands on the next book, as soon as I can find a copy as Helen's adventures continue on the search for the Golden Fleece.