REVIEW: ACHILLES'S WIFE
- May 14
- 3 min read
Over the past decade there has been a renewed interest in mythology, whether it be Greek, Roman, Egyptian, or Norse. Madeline Miller's CIRCE took the literary world by surprise, becoming a NYT bestseller for months. Even now--in 2026--some critics declare it to be one of the finest fantasy novels of the decade. Whether you venture into some of the lengthy passages of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, read through the Iliad or Odyssey, or sample some of Virgil's Aeneid, you will find gods, demi-gods, and wild creatures that don't exist. For fantasy-lovers, and some history buffs, it's hearty fare.
In high school, my keen interest in the ancient world began, and I actually took a class in mythology. The teacher was fantastic, and we had a great time discussing the works of ancient writers, the heroes of Greek legends, and some of the mythological beasts like the Hydra, Cyclops, and the Minotaur.
This week, I have a review of a mythological story I recently read, called ACHILLES'S WIFE. Author Judith Starkston is exploring the Bronze Age of Greek warriors, so get ready for some legends to come to life in her pages. If you're interested in reading her work, scroll down below for order information and how you can connect with Judith. I welcome her to Brook's Journal, hope that you'll take a few minutes to read through my review of her work.
And just to keep you posted on my doings, I expect to have a first draft of my next book finished this weekend! Now I'll prepar to dive into draft #2! And get ready, because this novel will be NOTHING like anything I've written so far.
Read ON, everyone!
ACHILLES'S WIFE
Reviewed by Brook Allen
Being someone who has always enjoyed mythology made this an intriguing read. First of all, few people have focused on Deidamia as a main character. She's always been a shadowy figure, ever eclipsed by her hero-husband, Achilles.
Starkston took a new approach, and one particular thing really impressed me. She used archaeology and when reading, it became very evident to me that she had spent time on the island of Skyros, where the story takes place. Sites in the story were of an archaeological nature, and this alone is proof that excellent hands-on research--like visiting a site as an author to gain knowledge, history, and culture of one's project, can enrich the story and make it convincing. And since this was a mythological tale, Starkston's time spent on this remote and seldom visited place lent credibility to her as a writer, covering specific places on the island. And I will add that the descriptive elements of the mountain on Skyros, where Lycomedes' kingdom perched were exceptionally well-done. Now I want to return to the Greek islands again!
Deidamia in the novel was a strong woman whose main goal was to protect those she loved. Whether "those" meant her own people, her father, her husband, or her son, it mattered not. She always put others first. It was this sacrifice that made her admirable and really won me over. It also made her vulnerable, especially later in the story. The male characters follow the Greek tradition for the most part--male warriors always in control over their women, who cautiously tip-toearound their husbands and fathers. However, Starkston does manage to yield a good-hearted and kind Achilles who was deserving of Deidamia. Truly this was the first time I have seen that in Classical lit!
So bravo for a real "inside view" into the lives of those mortals and demigods on the isle of Skyros. It's a worthy romp through portions of general mythology and Homer's Iliad that are usually side-lined. Starkston truly did her homework.
ALL ABOUT JUDITH
Judith Starkston writes historical fantasy and mythic retellings set in the Bronze Age of the Greeks and Hittites. Her six novels bring women to the fore—whether Deidamia or Briseis from the Trojan War cycle of myths or a remarkable Hittite queen whom history forgot, even though she ruled over one of the greatest empires of the ancient world.
Judith has degrees in classics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and Cornell and lives in Davis, California. Hand of Fire was a semi-finalist for the M.M. Bennett’s Award for Historical Fiction. Priestess of Ishana won the San Diego State University Conference Choice Award. Find her newsletter sign-up (and a free griffin novella, The Scent of Slaughter and Love), book reviews, and posts about archaeology and history on her website JudithStarkston.com
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