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A review by dragoninwinterfell
Daughter of Chaos by A.S. Webb
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Since I was a child, Greek mythology has been one of my obsessions. I'm always looking for retellings, reimaginings, and adaptations. Of all the reimaginings, I have to say Daughter of Chaos, the first book in The Dark Pantheon Trilogy by A.S. Webb, is my absolute favorite. Somehow, Webb managed to take myths I've been very familiar with for years and give them a fresh but authentic twist.
The story follows the new character Danae (not the one from myth) as she navigates her own Greek epic featuring gods, mysteries, a prophecy, and a number of figures from legend. As a fisherman's daughter destined for great things, Danae's story very much mirrors the Chosen One narrative. Rather than feeling formulaic, seeing this type of structure in a Greek epic was actually very interesting. The novel even points out these types of events usually happen to royalty rather than commoners.
The character writing, plotting, and world-building are incredibly strong, with all three elements perfectly balanced. Danae is an incredible protagonist—courageous, flawed, and deeply relatable. Her journey is as much about understanding her own strength as it is about unraveling the mysteries surrounding her. But what truly amazed me was how much care Webb poured into every single character, even the minor ones. Everyone felt like they had their own lives, desires, and arcs, which made the world feel incredibly vivid and alive.
I also have to gush about the prose. Webb's writing is lush and lyrical, capturing the grandeur and drama of mythology without ever feeling overwrought. The world-building is meticulous, blending myth and imagination seamlessly. From the towering halls of Olympus to the humble fishing villages, every setting was so richly described that I felt like I was there.
I loved every second of this book, and I'm already counting down the days until the sequel. If you're a fan of Greek mythology, character-driven stories, or epic fantasy, Daughter of Chaos is a must-read. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows the new character Danae (not the one from myth) as she navigates her own Greek epic featuring gods, mysteries, a prophecy, and a number of figures from legend. As a fisherman's daughter destined for great things, Danae's story very much mirrors the Chosen One narrative. Rather than feeling formulaic, seeing this type of structure in a Greek epic was actually very interesting. The novel even points out these types of events usually happen to royalty rather than commoners.
The character writing, plotting, and world-building are incredibly strong, with all three elements perfectly balanced. Danae is an incredible protagonist—courageous, flawed, and deeply relatable. Her journey is as much about understanding her own strength as it is about unraveling the mysteries surrounding her. But what truly amazed me was how much care Webb poured into every single character, even the minor ones. Everyone felt like they had their own lives, desires, and arcs, which made the world feel incredibly vivid and alive.
I also have to gush about the prose. Webb's writing is lush and lyrical, capturing the grandeur and drama of mythology without ever feeling overwrought. The world-building is meticulous, blending myth and imagination seamlessly. From the towering halls of Olympus to the humble fishing villages, every setting was so richly described that I felt like I was there.
I loved every second of this book, and I'm already counting down the days until the sequel. If you're a fan of Greek mythology, character-driven stories, or epic fantasy, Daughter of Chaos is a must-read. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.