I’ve read Barker’s Trojan war series over the years and I’ve enjoyed its analysis of the Battle of Troy and the aftermath of the war from the women‘s perspective.
This particular installment focuses on one of my favorite characters and stories: Cassandra. It follows her leaving the Greek camp and her arrival at the home of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, where she becomes part of the unfolding revenge tragedy.
The story is told through the eyes of a Trojan woman who is essentially Cassandra’s slave, but who also has her own history and traumas that resurface throughout the narrative.
While this may not be a perfect Greek myth retelling, it’s still very engaging and an interesting continuation of the series. I especially appreciated the vivid descriptions of the palace and the way the House of Atreus and its infamous curse were reflected in the physical space. That connection between legacy and environment was really striking.
The book also raises compelling questions: can we escape fate? Can we escape legacy and premonition, especially in the case of a character like Cassandra? Where does personal responsibility start and end? I definitely sense there’s more to come, particularly with Elektra’s story, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Barker takes it next.
One word: chilling.
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