A huge, huge problem with this book is how poorly researched it is. This is a historical fantasy inspired by a small section of the Odyssey set in approximately the 4th century BCE Greece. I am by no means a scholar of Greek mythology or history but I know enough and even with my limited knowledge, I could tell immediately that the author did not do comprehensive research on the time period or culture she was writing about. I’m sure there were plenty of inaccuracies I missed and even so, the anachronisms and instances of downright revisionist history are too numerous to name. The setting feels nothing like Ancient Greece nor do the characters feel honest to the era. They do not think and act like people raised in the culture and religion of Ancient Greece. The way they discuss death and faith and politics feels distinctly modern. Prince Mathias himself, is a walking anachronism. Mathias is the Greek form of Matthew, not something that a 4th century BCE pagan prince of Ithaca would be named.

A fantasy romance, by dazzling new talent Sarah Underwood, inspired by Greek mythology and the tale of Penelope's twelve hanged maids. There’s a side character in love with Mathias and of course she’s villainized for it. Tired! Boring! Overdone!!If there's something that I liked it was the ending. Wasn't expecting, it was truly refreshing to see something other than a and they lived happily ever after. Leto and Mylantho can control the sea water! They can manipulate the water in amazing and terrifying ways. Belonging to Poseidon has its perk. just the one. Dystopian Fiction Books Everyone Should Read: Explore The Darker Side of Possible Worlds and Alternative Futures

In the cursed kingdom of Ithaca, each spring brings the hanging of twelve maidens, a gift to the vengeful Poseidon. But when Leto awakens from her death on the shore of a long-forgotten island, its enigmatic keeper Melantho tells her that there's only one way the curse can be broken. Leto must kill the last prince of Ithaca . . .And, could someone explain to me how the hell are the daffolids the only flowers in all Greece? Is that a thing? There are everywhere. Everywhere. Sarah Underwood's classical reimagining is woven with pure magic: salt-laced myths, a plot that slowly unravels like a tapestry, and vivid characters who are destined to steal your heart. A scintillating, beautiful debut.- Rebecca Ross, internationally bestselling author of A River Enchantedand Sisters of Sword & Song At last, one of the soldiers very slowly retrieved his sword, clambered to his feet, and leveled the blade at Leto. He cleared his throat cautiously. “And where do you think you’re going?” The description of the region’s political landscape is wholly ahistorical. Prince Mathias’ betrothed is a ‘Princess of Athens’ and she names her parents as the King and Queen of Athens. Athens, quite famously, was not ruled by a king in the 4th century BCE. Yes, King Theseus of Athens is mentioned by Homer, but a google search would reveal that King Theseus is a key figure in the founding myth of Athens and its democracy. Athens developed democracy in the 6th century BCE, two hundred years before the story is set. So, there are no Athenian princesses to be found!!