Wednesday 27 January 2016

Blog Tour: For the Most Beautiful by Emily Hauser

Title: For the Most Beautiful
Author: Emily Hauser
Published: 28th January 2016
Publisher: Doubleday








Today I have the pleasure of being part of the blog tour for For the Most Beautiful by Emily Hauser. Today I am sharing my review of this fantastic retelling of the story of Troy. Don't forget to stop by the other wonderful blogs on the tour listed below with some other great content.





I have always had a side interest in Greek Mythology as it is always something that has fascinated me. For the Most Beautiful is taken from the poem Iliad and although I did not know the full story of Troy, I had an idea of what it was about and was keen to read it from the perspective of the women in this story.

For the Most Beautiful turned out to be one of those books I literally could not put down. It was enthralling, enchanting and magical all at the same time. I became utterly fascinated with this story and it sparked my love for Greek mythology all over again. 

Emily has taken a well known story and turned it in something even better. Although the Trojan war was fought by men, women were just as affected, if not more by the devastation that war brings and Emily brings their story to light from Krisayis and Briseis's points of view. We also get a little insight into the Greek Gods themselves, which was one of my favourite parts as it mixes in a little bit of fantasy into the story and removes us from the brutality and the strain of what is happening amongst the mortals. They made me laugh and get angry all at the same time as they see the humans as mere playthings they can do with as they wish.

I could not get enough of this book! I feel like this is genre that has been seriously lacking in current literature and Emily has just hit the spot! I also feel that I learnt something more. This wasn't just a retelling, this makes us look at war with a different perspective and particularly how women are afflicted which is very rarely the focus. 

Emily's writing could not be more perfect. Her writing is what makes this story the gem that it is. She has the ability to evoke your senses and emotions whilst reading and make you feel you are right there in amongst the characters in this colourful and beautiful landscape. You can tell from the writing how much research and attention to detail has gone in this and it even helps with appendices to tell you who the characters are, places and the context of the story. This is very helpful to readers who are familiar with the story and those who aren't.

This wasn't even a particularly short story, it just hooked you right from the start and in a matter of hours you find yourself resurfacing from an epic retelling of the Trojan war.

I am thrilled that this is the first in The Golden Apple trilogy of stories like these. I will most definitely be reading those too!

A truly epic and unique debut.





        




3 comments:

  1. Ohh this sounds really interesting, I look Greek mythology too! It is VERY different, but have you read the Percy Jackson books? They're so clever, bringing Greek myths into a modern-day environment.

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    Replies
    1. It was absolutely brilliant! One of the best Greek Mythology books I've read in a long time! I've heard of Percy Jackson, but didn't know it did that! Sounds gd! Will check it out :)

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  2. Beautiful cover :)
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    Maria V.

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