The Princess of Sparta ~ Aria Cunningham

The Princess of Sparta by Aria Cunningham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this as a review copy right about the time the new 300 was coming out. I couldn't have picked a better novel read right now just because my mind was already focused on that time period.
Summary:
Helen of Troy, arguably the most infamous woman in ancient history, was not the seductress of Homer s poems. Her humble story began as a Princess of Sparta; honorable, loyal, with promise to become a powerful queen. Her lauded beauty was more curse than blessing, inciting lust and jealousy in the greedy kings who would make her their prize. Given in marriage to Menelaus of Mycenae, an abusive husband who neither wants nor needs her, she clings to a prophecy made to her about a great destiny, and even greater love.

That destiny awaits her in Paris, a noble prince of Troy, whose reputation for fairness and fortitude precedes him as an Ambassador. Unjustly cursed at birth by a dark omen claiming he will cause the destruction of Troy, Paris is a haunted figure. This omen overshadows his good deeds, making him an object of ridicule amongst the Trojan nobility, and compelling his own mother to try to kill him as a babe. He is a man who has never known love.

Until the day the Fates intervene and Paris travels to Mycenae as an Ambassador of Troy. He meets Helen, and the two souls linked by common destiny and purpose are reunited. Their love becomes legend, provoking the greatest war of ancient history, shaking the foundations of the world, and paving the way for the rise of Greece and Rome

My Take:
 Overall I found this to be an interesting and compelling story. The characters had depth and compassion. I will be honest in saying I started the read without much knowledge in regards to who Helen was, other than the woman who started a war. Now I feel like I have a greater appreciation for her and her struggle. I enjoyed the authors take on the situation and feel like I learned a little bit about ancient times while I was enjoying a good quality love story. I would, without a doubt, be interested in reading the entire series.