The End Crowns All

What an incredible retelling of the infamous battle of Troy! The story is told from Cassandra and Helen's POVs as they struggle to navigate a world in which they are treated as objects to be won and dismissed, and I could not get enough. There are so many incredible moments that BF managed to get across and some important messages too. I will update my review after publication as I don't want to include any spoilers, but seriously - read this book when it comes out.

I LOVED 'Girl Goddess Queen', so was delighted to have the chance to read Bea's next Greek myth retelling; and wasn't disappointed.

This was much larger in scale, with a heavier subject; but it really explored so much from the perspective of the women, including not just the princesses but the women of the city. An exploration of the literal and societal sisterhoods. of a diverse range of characters in all ways, and a new perspective on a famous tale.

Plus (no spoilers) the ending!

Following up the fantastic Girl, Goddess, Queen was never going to be easy, but Bea Fitzgerald has truly excelled all expectations with The End Crowns All!

It's a story we all know so well - Cassandra's prophesies are ignored, Helen marries Paris, and Troy falls - so it would be easy for one to assume they know how this retelling will go... you would be wrong. Fitzgerald manages to keep the heart of the original story alive whilst adding in suspense, angst, and at least 80 pages of sapphic pining. It is incredible that, although you logically know that Troy must fall, you get so swept up with the characters that you start believing too that they can change the prophecy.
The dynamic between Cassandra and Helen is so engaging that you find yourself forgetting the old story as you become so engrossed in this new one. I was also blown away by the representation of asexuality, so nuanced and beautifully woven into the mythology, and it was great to see something so rarely represented given a voice.

I devoured The End Crowns All and haven't stopped thinking about it since, so whether you (think) you know these characters or not I can guarantee you will get pulled in from the first chapter and fall head over heels for Fitzgerald's Helen and Cassandra.

Wow. Wow wow wow. I don't even know where to start with this one. I adored this book with all of my being and sapphic-loving heart.

So, I'm a HUGE fan of Girl, Goddess, Queen. It was one of my best reads of last year; it embodied everything I love about mythology retellings. So when it was announced that Bea would be entering her blue era and publishing another myth retelling, I was beside myself with excitement. Near catatonic. And boy oh boy did it not disappoint.

For starters, this book has a very different vibe to GGQ. Even though they're both YA, I would say that The End Crowns All felt much more adult; dare I say it dealt with more adult themes?

Another reason that I adored this book is due to the representation of Helen. She has been dragged and vilified throughout history, and it has always bothered me. So, I loved the fresh take on her characterisation as being a woman who has been bartered for and won throughout her life; she was not some harlot who enjoyed causing havoc through her relationships. The same goes for Cassandra. She's an odd character that I feel like has largely been ignored or side-lined in plays and retellings. A big fan of Clytemnestra, I am fully aware of her dreadful association with Agamemnon. So, I adored that she took the centre stage in this book; she's such a wonderful and interesting character.

And their relationship was honestly beautiful; their love and friendship, despite everything being against them, was one of the best things about this book. I adored them.

Even though he was an absolute scumbag, I really enjoyed Apollo as a kind of chorus. He dipped in and out, and appeared only to Cassandra (and by extension, the audience) and kind of summed up the story as it progressed (as well as thickening the plot). I thought it was a really clever idea to create a sort of modern chorus. I also had complete faith in Bea that she would not change the narrative and continue to represent Apollo in all of his awful glory; I have always hated him, and I still hate him.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Please read it, you will not regret it!!

A truly decadent Troy retelling. Focusing on Helen and Cassandra this intricately weaved tale gives us the story we always wanted. When prophecy,gods, love and war are involved - you know it's going to get messy! Absolutely five stars.

Longer review closer to pub date but I sped through this fresh, inventive, heartrending, but also beautiful and hopeful take on the Fall of Troy through the POVs of Cassandra and Helen. Lots of nuance and depth in even the supporting characters and their situations. A sapphic love to defy the Gods, and how! Highly recommended.