Thank you to Neem Tree Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5 Stars.

Helen’s Judgement, the second installment in the House of Atreus series, is a gripping retelling of the Trojan War that can be read as a standalone. I have not yet read Clytemnestra’s Bind but that did not hinder the reading experience nor my understanding.

The story alternates between the perspectives of Helen and Achilles, offering a balanced exploration of both the Trojan and Achaean sides of the conflict. Spanning from their adolescence, the narrative delves into the motivations of both characters: Helen’s longing for the familial warmth she lost, which drives her to escape with Paris, and Achilles’ relentless desire for glory despite knowing the fatal prophecy that shadows his path.

What really stands out is how raw and unflinching this retelling is. There’s no romanticising the Trojan War here, Wilson dives into the brutality of it, especially the toll it takes on women.
Helen’s character is richly developed, moving beyond just "the face that launched a thousand ships," to reveal a nuanced figure driven by longing and survival. Achilles, on the other hand, brings the grit of battle, always torn between his thirst for glory and his loyalty to his family. Their perspectives balance each other well—Helen’s introspection contrasts with Achilles’ focus on the war itself.

The pacing dips a bit around the middle, but the climax more than makes up for it. All in all, Helen’s Judgement is a gritty, compelling take on the Trojan War, with well-developed characters and a fresh perspective on familiar myths. I can’t wait to read Clytemnestra’s Bind and any further instalments in this series.

I loved getting to know Helen more. There have been so many stories about her but not actually about her. So this was a pleasant and enjoyable read to get to know more.

I want to read more from Susan

Helen’s Judgement offers a compelling retelling of the legendary story of Helen of Troy, casting a fresh light on her infamous decision to leave her child and husband, Menelaus, for her lover, Paris. Haunted by guilt and the consequences of her actions, Helen seeks solace and a new life in Troy, hoping to reclaim the sense of family she lost when she married Menelaus. However, her estranged husband’s fury knows no bounds, and he raises a vast army to bring her back by force.

Told from two perspectives—Helen's own and Achilles'—the book skilfully weaves together both the Trojan and Achaean sides of the conflict. Helen's viewpoint allows readers to understand her inner turmoil, the judgement she faces from all sides, and her struggle to find where her true loyalties lie. Achilles’ perspective provides a fascinating insight into the Achaean campaign, adding depth and balance to the narrative.

What makes Helen’s Judgement stand out is its nuanced portrayal of Helen, who is often seen in myth as a mere symbol of beauty or betrayal. Here, she is a fully realised character, torn between love, duty, and the desire for safety in a world ruled by power and war. The tension builds as Helen must face the consequences of her choices, not just from the armies clashing over her fate, but also from within herself.

The book’s exploration of loyalty, identity, and the weight of personal decisions breathes new life into the ancient tale, making it feel both intimate and epic. Helen's Judgement is a well-crafted and engaging retelling, perfect for readers who enjoy mythology with emotional depth and complex characters.

Read more at The Secret Bookreview.

I read this in one sitting - it's a familiar story but well told from the perspective of Helen and Achilles, the two great characters in the Trojan War. In this, Helen's judgement takes twists and turns as she seeks out what she thinks is a better life with Paris but as things go increasingly bad, their relationship suffers andshe looks back on what she has done with regret and tries to engineer events so she can return home. But it's a brutal time for women and none of women in this tale come out well. It's a rugged and sharply felt tale and I would recommend it.

Great retelling of the story of Helen of Troy. The story is told from two perspectives, Helen herself and Achilles, whose viewpoint enables the Achaean side to be told.

Helen, is portrayed as a young woman very much disillusioned with her life and future, after she is suddenly betrothed to Menelaus. She wishes to have a marriage like the family she grew up in, failing to see that she could have had this, if not for the way in which she was forced to marry Menelaus and (of course) traumatised by the incessantly awful Agamemnon and his exploits. She enters her marriage resentfully and is perpetually disappointed. Menelaus cares for Helen and their daughter Hemione but, in this story, he is portrayed as fairly meek and nothing like his brother and Helen keeps him emotionally at arms length during their marriage.

When young Paris of Troy sweeps her off her feet Helen feels this is her chance to have the kind of marriage she dreamed of, intoxicating, passionate and loving. We all know the Trojan war comes next, devastating both sides of the war. Helen is left in an impossible situation, knowing she is blamed by both sides of the fighting and fighting for her own survival.

Helen is portrayed as a more rounded character in this tale, most seem to make her quite weak. She handles the hostility well and continues to try to integrate herself into her Trojan life and new family. I enjoyed reading her perspective and enjoyed the counterbalance of Achilles. I felt for Helen throughout this book as she was had any say in her own future taken from her, married off and couldn’t see what she could have had if things had been different and she had not been so opposed to Melelaus from the off (understandably so but still..)

I enjoyed this book and I’ll be looking to read Clytemnestra’s Bind as well. Thanks to NetGalley and Neem Tree Press for an ARC of this book. This is an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I want to state upfront that I DNF this book at 10% after realizing it wasn't the right book for me.

I usually do love Greek mythology retellings, especially when they are connected to the Trojan War and its surrounding stories. But with this one I found that I have to push myself to keep reading it. The writing style isn't exactly my cup of tea and the changes in the particular myths of Helen and Achilles aren't my jam either. I do understand that it's a retelling and that the author is absolutley valid in making any changes she wants but for me, personally, it wasn't it.

I do apologize for not finishing the book but I'd rather DNF it now than finish it reluctantly and having to give a low rating. I don't rate books on social media that I haven't finished so it will be the same with Helen's Judgement. Since I have to pick a rating here in NetGalley I'm choosing three stars to be somewhere in the middle. I'm sure other readers will enjoy the book more but at this moment it just wasn't right for me.