Goddess of Yesterday Book

This is one of those books that I read YA lit for! At first, I thought it would be fantasy, but I would categorize this as historic fiction because, while people speak as if the gods and goddesses were real, nothing happens that couldn't happen in real life. The reader gets a picture of what life was like in ancient times both normal days and the sudden, harsh violence that could destroy your world in a moment as fierce raiders, hungry for glory, gold, and slaves, descend upon you from the sea.

The main character is a very likable and very smart young girl. The horrible situations in which she finds herself will arouse the reader's sympathy as well as admiration as she finds ways to survive.

In general, though the author is dealing with some very brutal events, the depictions aren't too graphic. The author also refrained from inserting a too modern feel into the story with the exception of one interchange at a merchant's shop between the main character and a king. Anaxander's desire to use the tablets for communication (as a diary or letters) was perhaps a little anachronistic, but since she never used them that way, it was just a wish.

Helen was a perfect Helen - beautiful yet hideous in her soul. The saddest thing for me is that no one could see it. Perhaps Menelaus saw it and that's why he was not attracted to her, though the book just calls him as inattentive. Even Anaxandra while she knows Helen is evil still finds her appealing and longs for her smile.

One very moving line was from an old woman, once a queen, now a slave: "Does the life I lead make you think of gentle, loving gods?" No, the gods of this world were cruel, life was cruel, and humans were cruel, usually kind to their own but brutal to others. There was a code of honor but even that was often broken. Whenever I read anything about the Greek gods, I give thanks for my God who is loving and good and merciful.