Book Review: Nobody's Prize

Sequel to Nobody's Princess (see link)

Although it covers a significantly shorter time span than its prequel, Esther Friesner's second novel about Helen of Troy's early life is even more jam-packed with adventure, mystery and outright good storytelling than Nobody's Princess. Continuing to immerse the reader in the authentic world of the Late Bronze Age, Nobody's Prize considerably broadens young Helen's horizons, both physically and metaphorically.

She's fourteen years old and everyone expects her to marry, but Helen has already shattered all convention by receiving armed combat training, participating in the Calydonian Boar Hunt and now, disguised as a boy, has snuck aboard the famed ship the Argo to sail across the world on search of the legendary Golden Fleece.

Keeping one's identity secret aboard a crowded ship is no easy task, and soon everybody recognizes Helen for what she is (although relatively few know who she is). As if this were not enough, the young Spartan Princess narrowly avoids death before escaping the eastern kingdom of Colchis. On her way home Helen is taken prisoner by King Theseus of Athens and will be forced to marry him unless she can come up with a plan to escape and return to Sparta.

While giving fresh faces to already famous mythological characters- the legendary poet Orpheus, the mighty yet tragic hero Heracles (Hercules) and the disturbed yet dangerous enchantress Medea- Nobody's Prize contains a fine balance of action, drama and all the storytelling talent expected of an experienced tale weaver.