The Firebrand: A Novel

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Summary: Draws you in. You see and FEEL what the character does.
Review: I loved this book! Bradley has the talent of drawing you into the book. I didn't want to set it down, and I didn't have to for a while. My family didn't see me until I finished this book. A good read for those people who love Greek Mythology. She implies it to most of the story, and you can only be amazed at what she says at the end, in the Author's Notes section. I know I was.

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Summary: A Re-examination of an Overlooked Legend
Review: When I read this book, I found myself examining the notion of ancient women as subservient and dependent. Kassandra is not an ancient woman personified-nor a modern woman in ancient skin-but a character for all women, in any time.

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Summary: excellent!
Review: I had to read this book for school. I was a little skeptical at first, but this book was terrific. It was very interesting and really easy to read.

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Summary: the best book ever
Review: this was the best book ever, it was cool because it was about history but it didnt seem like a history school book, if anyone knows of any books like this about greek or roman mythology email me

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Summary: Ugh...forget this book
Review: Sorry all you MZB fans...I dodn't like this book. It was supposed to be interesting, but I had to pull through it. It was supposed to really describe Greek mythology good, but in myopinion, IT DID NOT! In Greek mythology, I've heard or read little or nothing about the Amazons worshipping a "Serpent Mother." From what I gather, they were really dedicated to Artemis, and most of their gods were SOMEWHAT similar to the Acheans. You can disagree with me if you feel like it, though. Another thing: some parts of the book are quick and interesting, others boring and lifeless. I was sooo excited when i saw this at the bookstore, and I immediately bought it. It took me ages to finish it. Imagine. It usually takes me less that three day to finish a book this length! Every reviewer (almost) says that Kassandra is a great character, but I don't know why. The book, all in all, is too gloomy and predictable. I mean, of course it is, you're workng with Greek myt! hology here, but MZB coulsn't breathe life into this tale. Try "Mists" if you want something better and livelier, not to mention with a character that actually ACTS.

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Summary: A great retelling of the Trojan War
Review: This was the first MZB book I ever read, and it is still one of my favorites. With better characterization than most of her works, I found myself empathizing with Kassandra and others. It also wasn't as slow as The Mists of Avalon, and since I've read Virgil's Aeneid, which includes the Fall of Troy, it was interesting to see how close she came to the original text.

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Summary: The Trojan War was never like this!...
Review: This book is written by a witty woman, who has thought enough about herself to the point of rending in beautiful, fluent words all the complexity, mistery, sexyness, and beauty, of Woman. You studied about the Ancient Greeks who made a sport of abducting other peoples' wenches, and how a certain Helen came to Troy, and how men fought so about her that the whole city of king Priam was destroyed... because of her. But you were never told about the political shenanigans inside the city walls, about Kassandra, a woman of intelligence and prescience, scorned by her fellow people; about Penthesilea, the queen of the last army of Amazons, who came to Priam's help just because she could not stand the haughty Achaeans... If you were ever DEEP into Ancient History, you'll find that Bradley is a girl who did not stop on the superficial knowledge of 1200 BC. She describes you, as vividly as if you were there, the Great Goddesses' Mysteries, and the priestesses who celebrate her. If you only read a few lines of the Ilyad, you'll want to reread it... I assure you, I had no time, but I could not stop reading the 560 pages of my 1987 edition. Fascinating. I got in love with Ms. Bradley since then.

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Summary: This story might give you a new definition of womanhood.
Review: After I read this book I found myself re-evaluating some very old, self imposed, concepts of being a woman. The heroine of this story stand on her own two feet. Thru her life and adventures Kassandra defines herself and her needs. She realizes she is a complete individual even with out a man (yes, thanks Gloria). Marion's Kassandra is a role model for every young woman today who is trying to define herself. I suggest this reading for all women of all ages. It's an interesting story too, full of ancient images and mysteries, mythological beasts and men.

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Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I really enjoy Greek mythology and Marion Zimmer Bradley is an awesome storyteller. One gets a new view of the Kassandra myth, from Kassandra's point of view. A great book, I strongly recommend it.

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Summary: As good as (If not better then) Mysts of Avalon
Review: As a lover of greek mythology I have to admit I'm a little bit biased towards this novel. Finally someone tells it from the woman's point of view. (Too bad no-ones making it into a movie, sigh)