DAUGHTER OF THE UNDERWORLD

In this duology opener co-authored by sisters, a brave young woman must challenge a tyrant to obtain her freedom.

Deina, an indentured servant from the House of Hades, can sever the body from the soul. It’s a useful skill to help the dying enter the Underworld, and performing these services subtracts years from her 40-year servitude. However, Deina dreams of buying her freedom and that of her best friend, Chryse. In this reimagined Orphic myth, Orpheus arrives in Iolkos with an offer to members of the House of Hades who passed his trials: Enter the Underworld and bring back his wife, Eurydice, in exchange for freedom and gold. Deina, who accepts the challenge, is ready to face her fate, but far from being a sweet, tortured musician, Orpheus is self-obsessed and cruel. In this brutal, patriarchal ancient Greek world, Deina survives gender-based harassment and injustices. Despite it all, she proves her resilience under pressure. In the Underworld, she encounters a mysterious man who helps her in her tasks, little suspecting that she’ll discover much more about him—and herself—while she’s there. Even with the familiar Greek mythological storytelling trappings, the worldbuilding is unique, featuring the epic qualities of a heroine’s journey and many unpredictable reveals. Misogyny and power plays permeate the storyline, contributing to themes that are both dark and empowering. The characters reflect the diversity of the regions of Greece.

Strong character development and jaw-dropping reveals make this intense, feminist fantasy a must-read.