I’m a big fan of Greek mythology and retelling of the various myths, so was keen to read this one.

The premise really pulled me in - the gods of Ancient Greece are alive and well (and known as ‘the Twelve’) and they rule with an iron fist. Life is hard for the mortals in their kingdom - with backbreaking labour to survive, corruption of those in power (including the Twelve), and of course frequent sacrifices to maintain the gods’ favour.

This one was very slow to get started and for my interest to get piqued whilst Danae was with her family. But the story picked up as she started on her quest and encounters all the famous stories from Greek mythology and their associated heroes and villains. And these I enjoyed.

I enjoyed the commentary on the role of women in society and how they are ostracised when they do something that’s not ‘proper’ - even being raped by one of the Twelve. But overall I struggled to engage with Danae, her journey and the pacing with this one.

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Penguin/Michael Joseph, and the author for the opportunity to read this review copy.

I have mixed feeling about this book. I loved the premise and I'm a big fan of greek mythology in general, but I felt the delivery fell short. The pacing was off, and while I agree the need for a back story, the start of the book on Naxos dragged, but also felt rushed. I enjoyed Danae's journey with Jason, and Heracles and the rest of the Argonauts, as well as the ending, although that felt rushed as well.
However, the book did a good job of laying down the foundations for future books, and I am excited to see where the author takes the series.

I am a big nerd when it comes to Greek mythology. Therefore, Daughter of Chaos by A. S. Webb seemed like a safe and interesting choice. Unfortunately, this attempt to reimagine Greek mythology as an epic fantasy fell short. The book revolves around Danae, a fisherman's daughter, and her quest to "cure a curse" after she had eaten a golden apple (a clear link to Aphrodite). The narrative starts strongly with a chilling glimpse into her future, effectively setting the stage for the story.

Shortly after the first chapter, Webb rewinds and describes Danae's close bond with her sister and her parents' life on the island of Naxos. Shortly after, Danae has to escape from her hometown and goes to the oracle of Delphi where she finds a mysterious group – trigger warning if you like Greek mythos. Much happens, but somehow the narrative feels stilled and gets lost in the mundane details of daily life and unnecessary/shallow dialogues. There are important themes imbued in this "adaptation"(?) such as sexual assault, the role of religion, feminism, and the exploration of sexuality. However, the themes are quietly mentioned, which lacks the punch it needs to make the story thought-provoking.

With that said, I suspect Webb wrote this book with the themes in mind and pushed it to Greek mythology due to the recent trend in "feminist retellings." This book didn't feel Greek at all. There are many basic mistakes, such as calling Athene patron of Athens and Apollo as the God of the sun. Nothing felt Greek – not the society, not the gods, not the story itself. The character development is superficial and inconsistent. I found Danae's relationship with her mother rather annoying, and at 16 years old, Danae is very childish and innocent. There are too many name-drops of mythological figures that do not add to the story. Here, Ariadne is a Maenad… please, don't. The most mythos disinformation was the banalisation of human sacrifices. Demeter is not happy? Ruin all their crops and demand a human sacrifice. What?

Overall, this book contains too many flaws to recommend, and I cannot say to whom this is aimed at. Greek mythology fans will not enjoy this book, and it has too many historical mistakes to be based on Greek mythology.

Set in Ancient Greece, where humans are at the mercy of demanding gods, our main gal, Danae, discovers she is fated to end the gods. Driven from her home, she sets out on an epic journey which brings her into contact with heroes such as Heracles and Jason, sees her fighting monsters and discovering powers she didn't know she had as she endeavours to fulfil her fate. I really liked this story for the adventure, the rapid pace and the strong heroine. It flows easily from one adventure to the next with never a dull moment, and was a fun and engaging read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance!

The book is set in ancient Greece, and features mythological characters. It started off well and I enjoyed following the main character's adventures, but I found myself losing the thread of why she was going on her quest. The main goal is obvious but I didn't necessarily root for her to get there, the book didn't manage to keep me engaged the whole way. It also felt a little disjointed at times. This book is not my favourite, sadly.

Hhhmm...How to rate Daughter of Chaos? I think 3 stars as it is based on Greek myth. A star for originality and making Greek myth accessible to a wider audience. There are so many interesting tales and lessons to be learned from Greek myth. Rich stories full of action, adventure, drama, tragedy, love, cruelty and all sorts of ugliness. But, on the whole, beautiful given its enduring power and ancient roots, which should always be respected.

But, though I can accept a bit of tinkering with myths, to give more detail and depth, I don't hold with disregarding inconvenient facts and making wholesale changes to suit a made up character's narrative. Danae, the 'fictional' main character, does not belong with Jason and Argonauts and much of what transpires is not based on the source material, be warned if you were not aware. The butterfly effect of her injection to the story does change things but not in the way this book plays out. There are just too many crucial changes/mistakes to be believed, I'm afraid. No one with a passing knowledge of Greek myth would believe Apollo is the patron god of Athens. The clue is in the name and to get that so wrong, or to change it out of convenience, is just bad form. Greek myth fake news that some might believe is true to the ancient myths.

There are plenty of good and bad points to the changes made to the quest of Jason and the Argonauts, and I could list them, but let's leave it by saying this was entertaining but not as sensitive an adaptation as I might have liked.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Such a gripping book that had me devouring the pages.

This book had me gripped from the start. It was so action packed and had my emotions going in every single direction!

I loved the take on Greek mythology, it was the names we know but with delicious twists and turns keeping me on my toes and the plot twists were phenomenal.

The world building was so much fun. It was intriguing and beautiful and really allowed me to picture the locations well. I absolutely fell in love!

The beginning of the book starts off so intense and honestly it felt like it never stopped.

I cannot wait to read more of books in this series!!

Thank you to netgalley and AS Webb for the ARC of this wonderful book!

This is such a fantastic and ambitious debut and really did a great job of setting itself apart from other fantasy/romantasy -and even Greek myth based- books.

The book is the first in a series, but in itself is a sweeping journey, following Danae from childhood as she comes into her own power and understands her purpose. Each part of her journey is just as an interesting and engaging, the characters were fun and dynamic, and I'm fully invested in the plot.

There was also such an interesting spin on the established mythologies which was very interesting and such a fun and unique take on the genre. The only pause that I took was when it came to the main character- Danae, in this story, is her own fully formed, nuanced character, and I'm wondering if she's supposed to be the Danae that we know from the myths? If so, it's either a *very* different take on the character or it's going to be so much fun seeing how she transforms from the character in this book to the character that we know.

Really looking forward to where this series goes and how the plot and the characters evolve!

Daughter of Chaos started off well, however, I found it slow going and struggled to get through it. It just didn't really grip me.

Love the front cover design! Very well written and love how it’s based on Greek mythology! I’m obsessed with anything mythology based! Will be buying this for sure to read read!

The main threads of this story are woven as Danae discovers the background of the prophecy and all of the shocking truths about her world and the Twelve. Weaving parts of Ancient Greek myth and a young woman's quest to be valued in a world where being a woman makes you property of a man in turn and being mortal means you are a Gods'. This action packed first installment was really enjoyable, I found the start a bit slow, but it's to be expected when setting up an entire fantasy world. I liked sweet relationship between Danae and her father and her protectiveness over her siblings. I wouldn't personally say she was likable and some of her motivations and actions questionable but it made her feel very human and falible, this exploration of humanity was extended to the whole cast of characters. The main thing that stood out to me was how much the motivations of characters hinged on how the Gods interacted with them and how their capricious nature just caused all kinds of unfortunate consequences. I look forward to the next part of this journey and would recommend it to anyone who likes reading flawed heros, epic journeys, twisty propecies and plucky side kicks. Forewarning, you may be gut punched several times.

I wanted to love this book so much! It starts well, and I enjoyed the detailed world-building. Unfortunately, I found the pacing to be all over the place. The events described in the blurb do not unfold until around one-third into the story (160 pages!), and even after that, the story often slows down, giving us detailed and slow chapters that do not bring anything to the main storyline.

While the idea of a girl chosen to defeat the Olympic gods seems fascinating, the novel focuses instead on presenting Greek mythology, and its heroes. The characters are well-known, but they seemed flat and deprived of personality. Denae’s characterisation seemed inconsistent, changing from an independent woman to passive, letting things happen to her. Also, this book has very little romance, which moves from nothing to great passion to nothing instantly.

To sum up, while I loved the setting and the main plot idea, the pacing and characterisation spoiled this book for me.

In Daughter of Chaos, A. S. Webb takes us deep into the heart of Ancient Greece, where the Twelve Gods reign supreme, demanding tributes of food, treasure, and even human lives. Yet, amidst the despair, whispers of a prophecy speak of a saviour who will challenge the gods and set mortals free. Few dare to believe in such hope—until Danae, a humble fisherman's daughter, takes a bite of a mysterious golden apple and her world changes forever.

Danae’s journey is as unpredictable as it is gripping. Fleeing her home with no clear understanding of the forces pulling her forward, she steps onto the perilous roads once walked by heroes. Along the way, she befriends the legendary demi-god Heracles, and together they seek monsters to slay. But Danae’s fate lies not in the slaying of beasts but in a far more audacious goal—she will challenge the gods themselves, dragging them from Olympus in a dramatic battle for freedom.

Webb weaves a tale full of twists and surprises, keeping the reader on edge as the truth behind Danae’s destiny gradually unfolds. The rich portrayal of Greek mythology is complemented by a protagonist whose determination and courage make her unforgettable. The pace is relentless, and the story is infused with tension, mystery, and a touch of rebellion that feels fresh and exhilarating.

I found myself completely hooked from the very beginning. The narrative’s unpredictability and the slow unveiling of secrets made it impossible to put the book down. Each chapter brought new adventures and revelations, leaving me desperate to see what lay ahead.

Daughter of Chaos is a thrilling reimagining of ancient myths that fans of Greek mythology and epic adventures will adore. A. S. Webb has delivered a compelling and fierce tale of rebellion against divine power—a story that lingers long after the final page.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

A very engaging read that keeps the reader turning page after page.

I feel like a little bit of knowledge of the Greek Pantheon is useful going into this book as I found myself needing a crumb of context at times but I also think the more average reader is likely to have more basic knowledge of the gods and Titanomachy. I didn't find this knowledge deficit to greatly detract from my experience.

I really appreciated the way that this story doesn't shy away from uncomfortable truths and it is all the stronger for that being the case. This book is for young adult audience so the on page details aren't as graphic as you might find in an adult book and there isn't the same level of peril.

Overall, an enjoyable read and a great addition to the genre

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing me an e-arc of this title.
This book follows Danae, a fisherman's daughter who eats a mysterious golden apple and then her life begins to unravel leading her on a journey that not only includes self discovery in a way she never would have guessed but adds danger and intrigue to boot.
This book is set in Ancient Greece and is a perfect introduction to greek mythologies for the young and/or those who want a fictional introduction. As a reader I am enticed, but also dubious when the description compares the book to other popular books... however, the comparison to Godkiller and Priory of the Orange Tree rings very true to me. The story is well paced, and the world is so vivid and described to perfection. It is written in such a way that the reader can really build that world in their minds eye without specific direction... adding to the feeling that you are in the world watching as these things unfold. I felt the emotions of the characters full range.. from fear to joy to loathing to motivation.
** slight potential spoiler in the next sentence!!!** My only moments that I lost contact with the story was in the moments when random strangers chose to sacrifice themselves for Danae... it makes some sense later but in the moment It disrupted the flow for me and didn't feel very authentic.
THIS WILL APPEAL TO: readers that enjoy a historical fantasy setting, with lovely writing and vivid description and world building. This may also appeal to people who don't usually read historical fiction or ya but are intrigued by the description... I would recommend this title!!!

Everything about this book is amazing! The world-building is incredibly immersive, the characters are rich and well-crafted, and the plot is thrilling! The stakes are high and the pace is fast.

Danae, the main character, is very realistic and relatable.
You feel as though you are growing with her as you experience all the events and actions that shape her over time.

In terms of side characters, I love a big, mixed group and that’s exactly what you get in Daughter of Chaos. Ariadne, Jason, Apollo, Ganymede, and Hercules are just a few of the side characters you can expect.

The book was full of plot twists, some of which left me shocked while others were cleverly foreshadowed. The author's storytelling made it incredibly engaging and impossible to put down.

If you love mythology or just fantasy in general, I’d definitely recommend this book. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!

PS. There is hardly any romance for those who prefer their romance light.

What the genre needed!

A. S. Webb's Daughter of Chaos is unlike anything in its genre right now! Webb blends Greek mythology with an original narrative and characters! This is what the retelling genre was missing! Though it took me a little while to get into it, I kept returning to this world and Danae and her story. I wanted to see how it ended, how she would set up for the trilogy and marvel at the blend of myth and original thinking.

Watch out fantasy retelling authors, A. S. Webb is here.

A fantastic, strong start to a fantasy series! I always love a Greek myth retelling, and Daughter of Chaos took this to the next level. The world building is brilliant and the characters, especially Danae, are well thought out and realistic (even while having magical powers).
I’d highly recommend this for fantasy and Greek mythology lovers, especially if you want something completely new (which is rarely done now).

Where do I even begin with Daughter of Chaos? This book had me hooked from the very first page, and putting it down—even just to sleep—felt like a struggle.

Set in a reimagined Ancient Greece, this story was great in blending mythology with a fresh, modern twist.

There’s never a dull moment as Danae’s path unfolds with twists, battles, and unexpected alliances (Heracles is a standout—familiar yet revitalised in this retelling). The descriptions of the world are vivid without ever feeling heavy-handed, striking that perfect balance between immersing you in Ancient Greece and keeping the story accessible and modern.

What I loved most was how the book treated its mythological elements. The Gods and heroes we think we know feel both recognisable and brand-new, with their stories woven seamlessly into Danae’s quest. They never overshadow this plot but instead add depth to the world she’s fighting to change.

It’s an emotional read too, the stakes feel personal and raw. The ending has me desperate for the next installment in the series.

After taking my time reading this book I am still not entirely sure how well it is was written. Following the Greek mythology and throwing twists into it. I just feel a little confused I guess