Nobody's Princess

Summary: Helen of Sparta (who will grow up to be Helen of Troy) only knows one thing about her life as a Spartan Princess: She doesn’t want it. Unlike her twin sister, Clytemnestra, she hates all that comes with the princess life. Helen would much rather have the lives of her older twin brothers, Polydeuces and Castor, with the promise of adventure and most importantly: choice. So, stubborn Helen decides to take matters into her own hands. She trains on her own, then forces her brothers’ teacher to teach her as well. She is determined to try out some choices before she ever settles into the princess life set out for her.

Review: To be honest here, I never thought I’d really pick up this book. I looked at it at my library once, passed it off as interesting but quickly found something more interesting, putting Nobody’s Princess in the back of my mind for later. So on the fateful day in Barnes and Noble when I passed the book, I grabbed it randomly thinking maybe I’d read a few pages as I waited for my brother and mom to be done. Well a few pages turned into forty before my mom was tapping me telling me we had to go. I was enthralled in the book from page one and had to buy it. I’m glad I did.

I thoroughly enjoyed Esther Friesner’s Nobody’s Princess, it has been a while since I’ve read a book I have enjoyed this much. Helen, was one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever met. She is very headstrong and often times spoiled because she’s the “pretty one” and she realizes it. She is independent, self-sufficient, resourceful, and above all stubborn, in my opinion, an awesome heroine! All the girls who surround her and the women she meets in her adventures are the best of women kind, I think (besides Helen’s sister, who is a bit whiny). Helen’s development as a character moved along rather believably as she grew and faced different trials. It was a relief when she wasn’t thrown into new activities and suddenly good at them, she had to learn, she gets hurt, and she keeps trying. I adored Milo, the slave boy Helen buys and frees, he is just such a dedicated character and I have a feeling in the sequel there will be much more of him. This book is fast-paced, exciting, and enthralling. It will keep you all waiting for the next sequel. When I finished it I seriously looked at the last page and was like ‘Ah!? That’s it?!’ it left me wanting more of Helen and her adventures. The sequel Nobody’s Prize, is definitely on my reading list. I highly recommend you put Nobody’s Princess on your’s.

Rating: 5/5 I couldn’t resist giving it much lower than that!

Reviews from the Pros:

“The plot flows well, and readers will find Helen interesting…Fans of mythology or historical fiction will enjoy this lively tale.” –School Library Journal, Starred

“[A] fascinating portrait of a spoiled child who uses her wily ways and privileges to learn how to use a sword, track and kill game, ride a horse, and bargain for a slave’s freedom. Along the way, Friesner skillfully exposes larger issues of women’s rights, human bondage, and individual destiny. It’s a rollicking good story.” –Booklist

“Friesner uses [myths and] legends as a backdrop for Xena Warrior Princess—type of character of 21st century sensibilities—with entertaining and popular results.” -Kirkus Reviews

“Helen is surrounded by an array of compelling, brilliant women who will certainly appeal to both the fantasy and the myth fans who are the audience for this novel.” –The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Friesner’s rendering of a vivacious and nervy Helen should easy win fans.” –Publishers Weekly


Pick it up, its a must-read for those who love the myths of Greece and strong heroines! Happy Reading!
-She Who Reads A Lot