Nobody's Princess

April 30, 2007
In this novel, first in a planned series, Friesner imagines the childhood of Helen, the Spartan princess whose face would launch a thousand ships and cause the Trojan War. As a girl, Helen loathes the domestic lives that royal women are expected to lead (and at which her twin sister, Clytemnestra, excels). Helen longs to be trained as a warrior—reasoning that she’d be a much better queen if she understood how to fight—and with her two older brothers, Castor and Polydeuces, covertly learns how to wield weapons. When Clytemnestra is betrothed to Prince Tantalus of Mykenae, Helen and her brothers accompany her to her new home, and then continue on to Calydon to help slay a giant boar that is terrorizing that land. Helen finds additional training—and a role model—in Atalanta, the beautiful princess who has chosen the life of a huntress. Finally, Helen, disguised as a boy, joins Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece. Readers will enjoy the numerous cameos by famed mythological figures—such as Theseus and the Oracle at Delphi—and gain insights into the customs of the day and the gods’ importance in everyday life. With fresh interest in fictionalized accounts of the Greek myths—such as Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series—Friesner’s rendering of a vivacious and nervy Helen should easily win fans. Ages 12-16.

July 1, 2007
Gr 6-9-Before she was Helen of Troy and her face launched a thousand ships, she was Helen of Sparta, tomboyish teen and future queen, at least according to this novel. Not much was written about her in classical literature before she became embroiled with Paris and Menelaus, so this is Friesner's backstory. Helen, not interested in the typical princess duties and responsibilities, would rather learn the ways of a warrior with her brothers. She trains secretly, growing stronger and more accomplished than anyone expects. When her sister, Clytemnestra, goes to Mykenae for her marriage, Helen, longing to see the world, begs to accompany her and her brothers. She makes her first official royal visit and nearly gets trapped there by the scheming king. However, a beast devastating the countryside causes all of the warriors gathered in Mykenae to create a hunting party headed for Calydon, and Helen manages to include herself. There, she meets Atalanta, a fascinating female warrior and a role model. After killing the giant boar, Helen and her brothers, Castor and Polydeuces, head for home. They stop to visit the Oracle at Delphi, where their journey takes a new direction as they join Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece. No prior knowledge of the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey" is required to appreciate this story. The plot flows well, and readers will find this Helen interesting, if somewhat predictable. Fans of mythology or historical fiction will enjoy this lively tale."Cheri Dobbs, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI"

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