Book: The Wilusiad
Reviewed by Anonymous
Rating: 3/5
I enjoyed this retelling of Troy. It’s an engaging take on a story I already knew, although it didn’t quite have the emotional impact I was hoping for.
The banter between the two archaeologists at the beginning of the book was a highlight for me and gave the story an easy, engaging start.
The author has put a huge amount of effort into the historical research behind the story. I really appreciated the depth of history woven throughout, and the writing itself was enjoyable and immersive.
Where I struggled was in the middle of the book. The pacing slowed considerably, and I found myself feeling as though the characters were caught in a cycle of similar situations playing out in slightly different ways; this made it harder for me to stay engaged with the story.
I would have liked to see a stronger, more impactful transition into the time travel element. One of the side characters frustrated me at times, particularly in the way he treated the Princess as though she was incapable of understanding things for herself.
Overall, I enjoyed the concept, the historical detail, and the author's writing. Still, the slower middle section and some character choices kept this from being a higher rated read for me.
A solid read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, archaeology, mythology, and retellings of Troy.