Sparrows in the Wind by Gail Carson Levine
2022; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 76; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2022.0473
ISSN1558-6766
Autores ResumoReviewed by: Sparrows in the Wind by Gail Carson Levine Amanda Toledo Levine, Gail Carson Sparrows in the Wind. Quill Tree, 2022 [352p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780063039070 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780063039094 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys Ad Gr. 5-7 "The dread ship of fate is almost impossible to turn," the God Apollo warns Cassandra, cursing her with the ability to make prophecies that no one believes, a dire situation for a Princess of Troy just before the Trojan War. She makes a few failed attempts to alter fate such as marring Helen of Troy's beauty by throwing hot broth in her face, but the fickleness of the Greek Gods (and general misogyny of the culture) tests her determination. Meanwhile, Rin, the ambitious but untested princess of the Amazons, is struggling to find her place among the horsewomen when a request for help in the war arrives from the king of Troy. Rin and Cassandra meet when the Amazons arrive in the city, setting in motion a series of events that will turn the tide of war. Levine's penchant for writing plucky heroines comes through with Cassandra and Rin, who narrate the first and second halves respectively. Supporting characters are intriguing but unfortunately underdeveloped, especially Cassandra's unforgiveable twin brother, also gifted with prophecy, who is willing to let his family die or be enslaved for a chance to romance Helen. The unevenness of the plot and an insipid romance subplot with a "lesser God" of the wind places this title as a weaker addition to Levine's strong body of work. Still, the classic history and mythology along with machinations in the eleventh hour make this a satisfactory read for Percy Jackson fans seeking female protagonists. An author's note provides valuable background on women in this period of history and how much of the era Levine used to inform the story. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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