Nobody's Prize (Princesses of Myth)
Grade 6–9—In this sequel toNobody's Princess(Random, 2007), the future Helen of Troy and her friend, the former slave Milo, join Prince Jason and the Argonauts on the quest to gain the Golden Fleece. Helen, disguised as a boy, is faced with trying to keep her identity secret from her brothers, who have also joined the quest. Her true gender is revealed when she gets her first period, so she claims to be the warrior Atalanta, a figure from the first book. When the crew of the Argo reaches Colchis, Helen meets Princess Medea, presented as a sinister and scheming figure. As Helen travels back to Sparta, she is captured by Theseus of Athens, who wants to marry her, and she needs to use both her strength and her wits to escape. Readers familiar with legends about Jason and Helen will enjoy finding familiar adventures and themes, while readers new to these myths will appreciate Friesner's detailed vision of ancient Greece. Characters are given depth and flaws, such as Jason's self-centeredness and Herakles's stretching the truth. Details about food and customs of the time are woven into the story. Helen's determination to choose her own future will resonate with modern teens, who will also appreciate her resourcefulness and determination to help those who help her. A solid choice for fans of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" books (Hyperion/Miramax).—Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.