The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier Published by Ballantine on 11 March 2014
Genres: Adult Fiction, Adventure, Historical Fiction
Pages: 608
Source: Netgalley
Amazon • Amazon UK • Book Depository
Goodreads
From the author of the New York Times bestseller Juliet comes a mesmerizing novel about a young scholar who risks her reputation—and her life—on a thrilling journey to prove that the legendary warrior women known as the Amazons actually existed.
Oxford lecturer Diana Morgan is an expert on Greek mythology. Her obsession with the Amazons started in childhood when her eccentric grandmother claimed to be one herself—before vanishing without a trace. Diana’s colleagues shake their heads at her Amazon fixation. But then a mysterious, well-financed foundation makes Diana an offer she cannot refuse.
Traveling to North Africa, Diana teams up with Nick Barran, an enigmatic Middle Eastern guide, and begins deciphering an unusual inscription on the wall of a recently unearthed temple. There she discovers the name of the first Amazon queen, Myrina, who crossed the Mediterranean in a heroic attempt to liberate her kidnapped sisters from Greek pirates, only to become embroiled in the most famous conflict of the ancient world—the Trojan War. Taking their cue from the inscription, Diana and Nick set out to find the fabled treasure that Myrina and her Amazon sisters salvaged from the embattled city of Troy so long ago. Diana doesn’t know the nature of the treasure, but she does know that someone is shadowing her, and that Nick has a sinister agenda of his own. With danger lurking at every turn, and unsure of whom to trust, Diana finds herself on a daring and dangerous quest for truth that will forever change her world.
I must admit, I wasn’t crazy about Anne Fortier’s first Novel, Juliet. It was an ok read, but I expected more from the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. Now in The Lost Sisterhood Fortier tackles another truly epic tale, Homer’s The Iliad.
The Lost Sisterhood follows dual and parallel storylines. Diana Morgan is an Oxford lecturer who specialises in Greek mythology. Her secret obsession is the myth surrounding the Amazons – a great race of warrior woman. When a mysterious benefactor offers her the opportunity to visit what he claims to be an ancient Amazon site, Diana jumps at the chance. But it seems someone is out to sabotage the excavation and to stop Diana finding the answers she so desperately seeks. And what is the connection between these legendary warriors and a bracelet left to Diana by her eccentric grandmother?
Thousands of years in the past, Myrina is forced to leave her home under tragic circumstances. She travels across deserts and swamps to find the temple of the Moon Goddess, who she hopes will cure her sister of her blindness. Here she meets a religious sisterhood who embrace her as one of their own. Myrina feels she finally has a home. But history has other plans for our heroine, and it will lead her all the way to Troy.
I really enjoyed the mythology behind this book. It was interesting how Fortier interpreted the legends I have known since childhood. We meet Theseus, the Minotaur, Hercules, Paris and even Helen of the thousand ships fame. But what I enjoyed about them was there were no supernatural elements – they were all realistic interpretations.
However, I was a tad upset as to how she portrayed the ancient Greeks. I am not saying that they were gods and saints, but I’m sure they weren’t all villains either. Think democracy. Think art and architecture. Think Olympics! Surely we could have seen something positive coming out of Greece?
The writing was snappy and fun. It was an adventure. The characters remained a little flat (especially Myrina), but overall I enjoyed it.
– Indiana Jones meets Wonder Woman
Related Posts
Natasha
Natasha lives in Brisbane, Australia with her husband and son. She is a self confessed bibliophile who enjoys literature and adult fiction. She also loves travelling and aims to visit 40 countries by the time she is 40 (current count 36).
Cora @ Tea Party Princess
It sounds interesting, but I’m not sure it’d be my cup of tea. Great, balanced review!
Cora @ Tea Party Princess recently posted…Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead