"Epic of Helinthia" is an enchanting historical fantasy filled with Greek mythology expertly intertwined within an exciting adventure. Review - Immersed in Books On the fictional island of Helinthia, the story follows Dargos, Kelric, and Gadnor as they go on a quest to dethrone a tyrant king and get back the favor of the gods.

MJ Pankey writes with evocative, atmospheric language that whisks readers away into a world both vivid and alive with gods, heroes, and supernatural creatures. The plot has many facets and hurls along, twisting and turning as it deftly weaves depth into the story. The characters are three-dimensional and relatable; all have their own battles to fight and desires to be attained.

Rich in historical details, the novel perfectly merges with a very catching mystery. It's a thought-provoking, emotionally resonant read replete with elements of rebellion, betrayal, and redemption. With a lush prose and engaging storytelling, the "Epic of Helinthia" a must-read for fans of historical fantasy and Greek mythology.

I think this book was a fascinating take on Greek mythology based fantasy. Rather than base it on retelling a specific myth, the author created a brand new story in a style so similar to Greek mythological retellings that I at one point had to go back and make sure I didn’t forget about a real myth relating to Helinthia.

Epic of Helinthia by MJ Pankey is a thrilling tale set in a world of gods and mortals. The author has put in lots of work creating a world within Ancient Greek that does not rely on Greek retellings. The plot is well-crafted and keeps the reader engaged until the very end. Overall, this is a perfect read for those who have read Circe, Percy, Jackson, and other Greek retellings that would like a new and interesting take on Ancient Greece.

I truly enjoyed this book! It’s a multi-POV story set in an Ancient Greek-inspired world, depicting the rise of a rebellion. Each character had their own personality and development and felt very real—not the shallow characters you sometimes find in books. (Though I did find Dargos a bit boring. Since we start the story with him, I thought he’d have a more engaging development, but some of his motives are still a bit confusing to me.) They weren’t all the most lovable characters, but I at least understood them.

As a fan of Ancient Greek stories, the setting was perfect, and I could vividly imagine the world while reading. However, since I’ve read books with other mythological settings that left me a bit lost, I can’t say if the explanations in this book will be enough for readers who aren’t already familiar with Greek mythology.

Most of the plot twists genuinely surprised me. I thought I’d guessed where the story was going, only to find out I was wrong. I won’t go into spoilers, but let’s just say I got played as much as Gonivein did on that one.

I should mention that this book contains some violent scenes. While I appreciate a darker tone sometimes, sensitive readers should be aware that a few scenes may be shocking. It’s not a lighthearted tale, nor is it overly graphic (or maybe I’m just a bit desensitized by what I’ve read and watched recently).

In conclusion, I’ll definitely be reading the next book, and I’m already looking forward to buying a physical copy to support this series! Many thanks for the ARC—without it, I probably wouldn’t have discovered this gem!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book!
I was really surprised by this book, in a good way. It started off strong and immediately hooked me with the plot. The characters were all fully formed and I felt a connection to most of them when they were introduced, I appreciate how the book started and how it went back to show you exactly how we ended up there.

At times the writing felt a bit clunky, but as I continued to read everything smoothed out and I found that I was really enjoying myself.

Overall, I’m glad I picked up this book! I’ll gladly read the others in the series

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC copy

This was another novel on the theme of Georgian mythology, and I'm picky about these topics, so it's important for me to have a golden mean between myths, history and author's fiction, but it doesn't happen often.
In this book, I wanted more special moments between the characters, but it was not enough.
Overall, not bad, but a one-time read.

This book follows the trend of the current years and offers a Greek retelling. Unfortunately for me, I do not know the myth or even the setting this was based on. However, I thought to myself, if well written, i can still follow the story without knowing the reference. Which did work out quite well.

Opposed to other books in this genre, we follow a bunch of different POVs which for me had a negative impact on my reading flow, as I did not like all the perspectives the same.

This book depicts a rather harsh reality, but is non the less beautifully written. Try it out if you like Greek mythology.

Comes out October 1st!

Thank you to NetGalley, Muse, and Quill Press for this wonderfully entertaining arc of MJ Pankey’s novel Epic of Helinthia.

This novel pulled me right into the story with its descriptive storytelling. I love everything to do with ancient settings that include mythology and this book does not disappoint.

The story takes place on a fictional island of Helinthia where a brutal ruler needs to be relieved of power. There is betrayal, murder, love, hatred and everything else imaginable in ancient times. The book comes alive through the political plot twists and turns and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

A much enjoyed read and looking forward to the next two books that will complete the trilogy.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this Arc.

First off, I want to commend MJ Pankey for how masterfully this book is crafted. It's a gripping tale based off greek mythology, but you don't need much background information to get into the story. I loved this book.
I found it hard to get into the story or care much for the characters for atleast the first few chapters. Once I did get into it, however, it was impossible to put the book down. It had me gripped (I neglected most of my morning to finish this book).

It's difficult to write five perspectives and not make it seem like atleast one or two of them are irrelevant and unnecessary, but Pankey does that splendidly. Each was well-developed, although sometimes the character arcs felt rushed (i.e. Goniven's), it didn't have much impact on the story, or how enjoyable it was. The story was refreshing in how unique it was, to be entirely honest. I also adored the world that this is set in. My only issue with this book was that most of the plot twists were easily predictable (except the last one- probably the biggest one. I don't know how I didn't see that coming, it seems so obvious in hindsight).

Overall, a great read, and definitely continuing with this series. Thank you, MJ Pankey, for blessing my eyes with this book.

What a fantastic, epic fantasy M.J. Pankey has written. Taking inspiration from Greek Mythology and also actual Ancient Greek political structures, the author has managed to weave a complex and quite unique storyline with themes of fantasy, magic and politics.

The characters were written well, with their past and relationships explored throughout each POV, revealing the story and leading up to a dramatic ending. I particularly found Gonivein’s POV my favourite to read, she had such a fantastic character development and unexpected storyline.

The Island of Helinthia is a fictional one, and probably the weakest part of this story is understanding the layout of the island, where each city/town is located and then the relationship they have with each other. However, the political and social structure of the world really cemented myself in this story. I was swept up in learning who was who and what role they held and by midway through, I was confident in my understanding.

The strength fully lies in Pankey’s ability to write suspenseful dialogue, culminating in such a fantastic final few chapters where revelations were aplenty and I was totally hooked.

I’d absolutely recommend this to anyone who are fans of Ancient Greece, and their gods but particularly for those who are wishing to step back from the mythology retellings and are ready for an epic, masterful fantasy.

I want to thank NetGalley, Book Whisperer and M.J. Pankey for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. The review is my own opinion and I have given this freely.

Dargos is certain that Charixes, the tyrant king who forcefully took his throne, is behind the misfortune that is befalling his people. Helinthia is struggling, the people struggling to put food on their tables, and Dargos is determined to do something about it. He rallies a few close allies and they set out to rebel against their evil ruler.
However, it would seem not all of their gods would like them to succeed, and just when it seems that all hope is lost they are met by a stranger. A stranger that could bring the peace Dargos so wishes, but at a cost that could be too great.

Pankey did a fantastic job bringing the characters of this book to life! I loved the character development, and really enjoyed Gonivein's chapters. I am a huge fan of mythology and ancient Greek inspired stories, so I devoured this book. My only issue is that there were so many side characters! At times it was difficult to keep them all straight; I had to start making a list of who they were so I didn't get them confused. But overall this was an amazing book, I really enjoyed it!
I believe this book is being re-released? And that's why it was brought to NetGalley. I do know that there will be a sequel, which I am very excited to read!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Book Whisperer for the eARC!

A great mix of magic and myth. A group journey to a feast with rebellion on their minds only to be attacked on the way. Plans are abandoned and survival becomes the priority. Nicely set up for the next instalment.

**Book Review: "The Epic of Helinthia"**

In "The Epic of Helinthia," MJ Pankey crafts a captivating tale that blends the rich tapestry of mythology with the urgency of rebellion. Set against the backdrop of a crumbling island where the gods of Olympus have fallen silent, the story follows Dargos, Kelric, and Gadnor as they rise against a tyrannical king, aiming to restore not only their land but the favor of the gods themselves.

Pankey's prose is lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into the vibrant world of Helinthia. The island feels alive, its decay mirrored by the struggles of its inhabitants. The author deftly intertwines personal ambition with grand mythological themes, echoing the complexities found in works like Madeline Miller's "Circe" and Jennifer Saint's "Ariadne." As our protagonists embark on their quest, they navigate a landscape riddled with danger, where every ally could be a spy for the king, and the specter of betrayal looms large.

The characters are well-developed, each bringing their own motivations and flaws to the forefront. Dargos emerges as a charismatic leader, driven by a sense of justice, while Kelric and Gadnor provide a balance of loyalty and skepticism. Gonivein, left behind in Shallinath, adds a poignant layer to the narrative, highlighting the personal stakes involved in the broader conflict.

Pankey's exploration of the gods adds a fascinating dimension to the story. Not all deities are eager to see Helinthia thrive; some revel in its chaos, raising questions about divine intervention and the nature of fate. This tension between human agency and divine will creates an engaging dynamic that propels the plot forward.

As the rebels face turmoil at every turn, the introduction of a mysterious figure with a dark secret escalates the stakes. This twist not only enhances the suspense but also poses moral dilemmas that challenge the characters' beliefs and alliances. Pankey skillfully weaves these threads together, culminating in a thrilling climax that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

In conclusion, "The Epic of Helinthia" is an enthralling blend of myth and rebellion that resonates with fans of epic fantasy. MJ Pankey’s ability to bring gods and mortals alike to life in their flawed complexities makes for a riveting read. This novel is not just a tale of war and power; it’s a journey into the depths of human ambition and the haunting influence of the divine. Highly recommended for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a richly imagined world filled with danger, intrigue, and unforgettable characters.

Greek/Roman Mythology made for an interesting read. It took a while to get going and get into it, a bit slow on the uptake but overall it was a good story with some interesting characters. It is not a book that grabbed me and held on to my interest and imagination as much as I would have liked it to.

A good solid read but it just didn't hit the mark for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and MJ Pankey for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Epic of Helinthia. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love Greek and Roman mythology, so I was keen to check it out. I thought the writing was really good. I liked the story. However, the world building was a little hard to picture. There seemed to be a lot of characters. I get epics are long, but it was a little too long for me. I would check out other books by this author!

Interesting storyline, but the writing was not at all inspiring... the Epic of Helinthia is a very plain fantasy book, with no Greek myth vibes - just a few god names and old Greek social classes. The universe building is superficial, and the world elements and character names did not remind me of the Greek myths, history, or retellings of the last 15 years (and I've been reading the myths and Bronze Age history of the area for over 35 years). The characters evolve through the story, but they are not all built to their full potential. And the most disappointing part is that the book doesn't even have a stand-alone powerful wrap-up - it's yet another "let's write a series with faerie/fayrie/fayeryeiy - yeah, that's how the names sound - kind of characters". As a reader of historical fiction and avid consumer of Greek myth retellings, I will be much more careful when selecting a similar read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC - this was my first digital download from NetGalley and the experience with the website was great.

“The goddess’s head whipped toward him. The weight of doom settled upon him like a ton of bricks.”

On the Island of Helinthia, both the powers of gods and men are at play. The island is dying and a terrible drought has wrought havoc. Dargos plans a rebellion to overthrow the king, and brothers Kelric and Gadnor join him. Whilst Dargos’ sister, Gonivein, assumed safe, fights terrors both within herself, and her home.

This multiple POV story was such a fun and thrilling read. I haven’t read too many stories around Greek mythology, but I found this story easy to follow, and immersive (the glossary also helped). I found the book a little slow to start off and initially struggled to get into it, but the pace definitely picked up, and by the end I could not put this down. I really enjoyed the level of political intrigue, and had fun trying to puzzle it all out. Despite not particularly liking any of the POV characters at the start of the book, as the story progressed, I felt like I got to know them better, and finished the book feeling invested in their arcs. I will definitely be picking up the next book in this series!

Epic of Helinthia is a thrilling adventure set in an original setting within Ancient Greece: the island of Helinthia. I thought this was an interesting feature as this is the first time I have encountered a story set in a fictional setting in the ancient Hellenic world.

This island comes with its own unique mythology, including that of their patron, eponymous goddess, Helinthia.

I was gripped by this novel's introduction as we witness the ransacking of a city and the subsequent launch of our main plot.

Throughout the story, we follow our two main characters, Dargos, who acts as the Basileus (royal ruler) of his polis (city-state), and Genovein, Dargos' sister, who is dealing with her own personal challenges as she comes to accept new leadership responsibilities on her shoulders.

I enjoyed M.J. Pankey's writing style, I enjoyed how descriptive her writing is with vivid imagery sewn into her passages.

I especially enjoyed Genovein's character arc as she comes to discover her true destiny.

I also appreciated Pankey's inclusion of Ancient Greek terminology. I did have to do some side research to understand some terms but as an avid consumer of all things Ancient Greece related, I enjoyed the learning process. This may be a drawback for some readers but I think it adds to the immersion of the story.

I do think there was a bit of overcrowding with POVs and it was a little hard to grasp Helinthia as a place in the beginning but this is overall a great start for what I'm sure is to be a successful line of future novels.

Thank you very much to M.J. Pankey, Muse and Quill, and NetGalley for the ARC, I am very grateful.

More of a 3.5!
I love mythology inspired books, and this one was no exception. The reason it isn't rated higher is because I did feel it struggled to keep me engaged at some points, and I didn't feel myself becoming very attached to the characters. Though it did break my heart when Loric died, and Gadnor really won me over. Little feminist king. Although, I didn't knock the book for it too much because most epics are somewhat like that anyway, with a removed sort of feel from the characters.
The plot twists were so good that I didn't guess what was going to happen, and I usually do (its a curse).
Other than that, it was great. It had the betrayal, loss, friendship, tragedy of a real epic poem. I did enjoy reading it and I will be reading the authors next book too.

I struggled to get into this book until I was around 30% in. Once I had more time to sit and binge read it I found myself much more engaged and I enjoyed the remainder of the story.

The beginning of the book introduced the characters and each chapter is told from a characters viewpoint, which I found worked well. I think my initial struggle with the introduction to Helinthia and its residents was that none of the characters are particularly likeable. The main characters we initially get to know are all very ego driven, arrogant and rash. As the book progresses we get more insight into each character which rounds them out more but I still found it difficult to root for any of them except for Gadnor, Forluna, Loric and Tor. Dargon and Kelric are headstrong and both pretty selfish, Kelric more overtly so. Gonivein constantly acts without thinking.

After the scene setting the book was well paced and lots of ‘edge of the seat’ moments. I found I struggled to put it down and ended up reading the the last half of the book in one sitting. I enjoyed the moments we encounter the gods and goddesses of Olympus and the twist towards the end was well introduced and, despite the fact I’d worked it out a bit earlier in the book, it was still shocking with elements I didn’t see coming. Overall it’s an enjoyable, easy read.

I hadn’t realised it was the first in a series and it sadly means I need to add another book to my tbr pile as I need to find out what happens next in Helinthia.