Horses of Fire - by A D Rhine (Paperback)

About the Book

"This is the epic retelling of Troy, the most famous war in myth or history, in which four strong yet misunderstood women take center stage, their stories so intricately and beautifully woven together that the result is an utterly spellbinding and immersive historical novel"--

Book Synopsis

"One of those singular books that pulls readers into a completely immersive world with a dazzling story and characters so deftly drawn that you can't help but ache for them."-New York Times bestselling author Lisa Maxwell

I know the stories they will tell. I've heard the echoes of their songs--songs that will outlive us all. But this song is not theirs. It is mine.

Behind the timeless tale you know is the captivating story you never heard: a sweeping epic in which Troy's strong, yet misunderstood women take center stage in the most famous war in history.

Andromache is cast as the doting wife of Prince Hector, yet her Amazon warrior name means "battler of men." The only one with the cunning to outwit the invading Greeks, she must gather a band of outcasts and become the military commander she was born to be before the life she and Hector have built is reduced to ashes. Rhea is a war refugee and a horse whisperer who finally earns a place and sense of belonging in Hector's stables. To save her new home, she must become an unlikely spy and face down a forbidden love that will test all her loyalties. Helen is blamed by all for starting the Trojan War, but no one knows her real story. To escape her tormentor and foil a plot to undermine Hector, Helen must risk everything by revealing her true face to the one who despises her most.

Set in the wider landscape of the late Bronze Age collapse, this realistic and immersive Troy is a perilous battleground for warriors and politicians alike, not a playground where the fate of men and women make sport for gods and goddesses. The first book in an epic duology, Horses of Fire is a harrowing novel of palace intrigue, the transcendent bond of female friendship, and the everyday bravery of invisible heroes in times of war.

The women of Troy are threads spinning on a single loom. Can they reweave the tapestry of fate?

Review Quotes

Praise for Horses of Fire
"Feminist re-tellings of Greek myth are having a moment, but Horses of Fire is destined to stand out, spinning a fresh take on classic themes with mesmerizing energy. AD Rhine crafts a distinctive trio of heroines: Prince Hector's wife Andromache, less demure queen-in-waiting and more embattled Amazon; Rhea, an enslaved horse-girl seeking to carve herself a new life in Andromache's household; and war-prize Helen, despising both the battles fought in her name and the vicious prince who brought her to Troy. Lovers of the classics and lovers of fierce female characters alike will rejoice!"--Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Diamond Eye

"Narrated by the fierce women of Troy, Horses of Fire is epic in scope and intricately vivid in the details. Reminding us why myths are timeless and sacred guides, A. D. Rhine brings the ancient world to vibrant life while expertly planting us firmly in history. With lyrical language and spellbinding details, this is a re-imagining that captivates and enchants. I felt every pound of the horse's hooves, heard every whispered desire, tasted the dust of the land, and fell in love with all four complicated women. You'll never see the old stories the same way again. Horses of Fire is an immersive and sensory experience of page-turning adventure."--Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author

"The Trojan War is a much-storied saga of brave men, of treachery, and loss. Not since Euripides have the Trojan women been so celebrated in all their sacrifice and courage, as they fight for their children, their parents, and their right to be recognized as the warriors they are. In Horses of Fire, A.D. Rhine has written a novel of substance that you won't soon forget."--Jacquelyn Mitchard, New York Times bestselling author of The Deep End of the Ocean

"One of those singular books that pulls readers into a completely immersive world with a dazzling story and characters so deftly drawn that you can't help but ache for them." --Lisa Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author

"Horses of Fire is utterly extraordinary. A.D. Rhine masterfully weaves a tale that takes the reader through the city of Troy in a way that has never been done before. This exceptional work offers us a deeper delve into the women of Troy and is an absolute must-read for any lovers of Greek Mythology."--Hannah Lynn, author of Athena's Child

"A.D. Rhine's Horses of Fire is a feminist retelling of the Trojan War from the point of view of its famous women, whose stories we may have heard but whose thoughts and desires we have sorely missed, until now. In this enthralling version of the story, the women of Troy, queens and servants alike, bend the course of history as they work together in secret and solidarity. Full of surprises, gorgeous and thrilling."--Caroline Woods, author of Fraulein M. and The Lunar Housewife

"In this radiant retelling of the Trojan War, three women set the battleground ablaze with intrigue and brilliance...A sprawling, breathtaking saga for fans of Greek mythology and heroines who remain fearless against all odds."--Booklist

About the Author

A. D. Rhine is the pseudonym of Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson. The authors are united by their military "brat" upbringing, childhood friendship spanning two decades, and love of classical literature. Ashlee holds graduate degrees in Medieval History from the University of St. Andrews and Theological Studies (with an emphasis in the Ethics of War and Peace) from Duke University. Danielle holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University. Their adult debut Horses of Fire is the book they have always dreamt of writing together.