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Summary: Well. Here's what I think...
Review: "The Firebrand" is a Greek myth retold in the "Mists of Avalon" mentality--and quite understandably, because Marion Zimmer Bradley is responsible for both novels. If you didn't like "Mists" you may not like this one, in other words. You -may- not like it, mind you. This book was easier to pull through but better the second time around. I was particularly put off that Kassandra had to return home after being among the Amazons...this was inevitable, but Marion, for all her feminism, does make me curious about the Amazon culture. There is less belittling of the male characters in this book, as opposed to "Mists"--Paris is better than Lancelot, Hector is better than Arthur. Why? Because they are, ironically, not so very influenced by the other main characters (primarily women). Yes, there *are* scenes where Helen does her Aphrodite-thing, but all-in-all she is regared first as a woman, second as remarkably beautiful (at least from what I can gather). I love the way that Bradley has managed to manipulate rather sloppily-done takes on legend. So, who killed Achilles/Akhilles? Apollo...? Paris...? Someone else...? Better yet, there is no Christian/Pagan conflict. Thank God! There are people who disagree with the depiction of either or both religions (mostly the former), and it is good to use two viewpoints that are not being practiced in similar forms today. Maybe it lacks tension. I thought it a M-A-J-O-R relief! Some people think that "The Firebrand" is a coupling of 20th century feminism with twisted mythology...I have to agree that I still can't stop referring to this point of MZB's writing as "smothering." ; ) It's a joke on my part. I'm female, yes, but I can also take some chauvenism. I don't shudder--not literally--when male-dominated societies are depicted in historical fiction books written today. I do give thumbs up to any male authors who can portray women well...but I do this with none of the often-practiced surprise/astonishment. Bradley should try a Mother Goddes viewpoint from a male perspective one time or another...wouldn't it be interesting? All in all, this book was better than "Mists" but only slightly. Some say it has no ending. It think that Kassandra's struggle, unlike Morgaine's is an ongoing one, and besides, I would rather have this book ended at around 500 pages than continued until it is turned into a novel the length of "Mists"! Read this book, but don't be too judgemental if you're a guy. ; )
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Summary: The Firebrand
Review: Bradley creates a facinating recount of the fall of Troy. Told from the eyes of Kassandra, daughter of Priam, sister of Paris, and friend of the beautiful and caring Helen of Troy. The story shows the unfolding of Kassandra's terrifying prophecies of the fall of the great city, and no one hears her pleas. The book familiarizes the reader with such famous characters as Paris of Troy, Kassandra's valiant brother Hector, her friend Andromache, and the handsome Aeneas. Odysseus and Akhilles, as well as Agamemnon and Menelaus play parts as well.
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Summary: This book was excellent, due to the unique perspective.
Review: This was a wonderful book, one that I would like to reread every once and a while. Historical fiction has always been my favorite type of writing, and this book is a superb example of what I like to read in my free time. The perspective is from a woman's experience of war and the fall of Troy, which gives it a little twist. The way this woman writes draws you into the story. She manages to hold your interest through the whole book. The range of human personalities in the story makes it easy for someone to see something of himself or herself in a character. One should know a little something about Greek and Roman mythology before starting the book, as the story takes place in the time of Troy. I happen to love Greek and Roman mythology, which is probably why this book appeals to me. The book tells the story of the doomed Trojan royal family, and what lead up to the siege and fall of Troy. We get to see what each member's personality is and how it affects the outcome of the story. An example would be Paris, the royal son of King Priam who causes the fall of Troy through his ill-fated marriage to Helen. He is likened to a firebrand that burns Troy to the ground, dreamt by his mother during her pregnancy. Interesting facts about Greek mythology are scattered throughout the book, which gives better insight into the culture. This book is fascinating, and well worth reading.
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Summary: Quite easily one of the all-time classics of this century..
Review: Marion Bradley has writing talent such that you'd almost believe she'd been given a gift from the gods like Kassandra during the fall of Troy. The first time I read this book, I moved it straight to the top of my mental list of all-time favorites. I'd go so far as to say this could be the best book I have ever read. Bradley's moving writing style and the accuracy of the historical counterparts of her writing make this book an absolute must for fantasy lovers and history buffs alike. My own copy has almost worn thin from reading over the years, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another copy, no matter what the cost.
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Summary: Mythical and Historical
Review: I read Firebrand for a ninth grade book report. My teacher thought it might be a bit raunchy for student use, but she let us read it anyway. I was first inclined to read the book because I love Greek and Roman mythology. But after a while I started reading it for its refrence to historical facts. I would give this book ten stars if I had the choice to.
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Summary: An excellent addition to historical fiction
Review: I couldn't put this book down - Bradley did an excellent job writing the accounts of Cassandra of Troy. As she did with Morgaine in the Mists of Avalon, she created a strong female who carries the story with ease. I highly recommend this book!
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Summary: Worth reading, but...
Review: The Firebrand was, without question, an intriguing book. My own impression of it was probably colored greatly by the fact that I had already read Bradley's more famous Mists of Avalon, and it's hard to read these two books without noting the similarities in the focal characters of Kassandra and Morgaine. Which is not to say Bradley didn't do a fine job of either one, except that in the Firebrand, Kassandra as a tormented warrior-priestess somehow lacks the depth that Morgaine possessed; perhaps she would have seemed more real had Bradley not tried so hard to mimic what had worked so well previously. Characterization on the Firebrand seemed forced, relying too heavily on stereotypes at times to be believable. That being said, the Firebrand is easy to read, extremely engaging, and definitly worth reading if you're interested in Greek mythology.
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Summary: The BEST book I have ever read.
Review: This isi the best book I ever read. i couldn't put it down! It is the story of Kassandra, king Priam of Troy's daughter. In three parts, it starts off from when she was born, when her twin Paria was fostered by a peasant becuase of an evil omen. He comes back years later with his wife Oenone, only to leave and come back with the most beautiful woman in the world , the married Helen of Sparta. her husband Menelaus and the greeks wage war on Troy, and the Trojan War begins. if you do not read this book you have not lived.
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Summary: I liked it better the second time...
Review: ...but I still think the book has no true ending. The story is richly detailed and then suddenly skates across the surface of significant events and life changes. Also, it's far too modern in its sensibilities. I suspect that you wouldn't find contemporary gender issues debated in am ancient matriarchal society--not because they would be settled differently, but because survival (and hence social, political, and theological structures) would be very different. Still, it's a good, fast read that entertains.
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Summary: Wonderfully written and explained
Review: There was someone up above from the USA and they said that there is no mention of a "Serpant Mother", well, you have to look at the FIRST mythology of the land, not what the Greeks introduced. In Babylonian Mythes there was a Supreme goddess named Tiamat who eventually gave birth to demons. Around Troy the people would have been more influenced by ancient Babylonian myths than Akhaian and the Amazons adapted the idea of Tiamat to suit their purpose. Anyway, I loved this book and I finished it in a day and a half. The introduction pulled me in immediately and I couldn't resist from there.I loved Kassandra's personality because I'm very much indignant about how women were treated in mythological times and I'm glad to see that at least one woman could hold her own even in those days.
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