Sparrows in the Wind - by Gail Carson Levine (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

This novel from Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine about two princesses battling against their fates in the middle of the Trojan War is a must-read for anyone who loves Greek mythology or the Percy Jackson books!

Cassandra, a princess of Troy and follower of Apollo, is delighted when the god himself appears to her. Apollo asks to love her in exchange for giving her future sight, and she agrees--but recoils when he kisses her. Enraged, the god transforms his gift into a curse: Cassandra's visions will never be believed.

After horrifying images of coming war and death pour into her mind, and with no one to heed her warnings, Cassandra risks her safety again and again to avert the disaster awaiting Troy.

But it will take years--and the friendship of an Amazon warrior princess named Rin--for Cassandra to find hope of success in reversing the course of the war.

With heroines to cheer for and nail-biting adventures, Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine once again transports her readers, this time to ancient Troy, where princesses (even cursed ones) will stop at nothing to shape their fate.

One princess can see the future. The other is a warrior born for battle.

• A Tragic Prophecy: Princess Cassandra is gifted with future sight by the god Apollo, only to be cursed so that no one will ever believe her warnings of war and ruin.
• Amazon Warrior Princess: Enter Rin, a fierce Amazon princess whose archery skills and loyalty might be the only thing that can give Cassandra's prophecies a fighting chance.
• Strong Female Protagonists: Follow two powerful young women from different worlds--one a seer, the other a warrior--as they form a bond to defy the gods and change their destinies.
• Greek Mythology Retelling: A gripping adventure set against the epic backdrop of the Trojan War, perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and Madeline Miller.

Review Quotes

"Cassandra and Rin's friendship and their attempts to change Troy's destiny make for a compelling read, weaving history, legend, and imagined possibilities. This welcome addition to Greek mythology-inspired stories centers multidimensional female characters often lacking in traditional tales. An original, superbly executed reimagining of a story with enduring appeal." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Levine immerses readers in a Bronze Age society, contrasting the strictures placed around Cassandra and other Trojan women with the freedom and agency enjoyed by the Amazons, whose culture is also meticulously portrayed. Cassandra's friendship with the Amazon princess adds another intriguing strand to the narrative." - Horn Book Magazine

"Twining the source material with contemporary sensibilities, Levine emphasizes strong female protagonists in a richly imagined, urgently told mythological variation." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Levine's penchant for writing plucky heroines comes through with Cassandra and Rin, who narrate the first and second halves respectively... The classic history and mythology along with machinations in the eleventh hour make this a satisfactory read for Percy Jackson fans seeking female protagonists" - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Levine's simple, crystalline prose is pure pleasure, and with so much ground to cover, events are often dispatched in brief passages, reflecting perhaps a Homeric style. All in all, a delight for young fans of Greek myths and a thoughtful adventure for fans of upper-middle-grade fantasy." - Booklist (starred review)