Product Description

In this rousing sequel to Nobody’s Princess, young Helen of Sparta is not about to be left behind when her older brothers head off to join the quest for the Golden Fleece. Accompanied by her friend Milo, and disguised as a boy herself, Helen sets out to join the crew of heroes aboard the massive ship known as The Argo.

Helen quickly faces all sorts of danger. There are battles to be fought, as well as an encounter with a terrifying murderous princess. With her beauty blossoming, Helen’s journey takes her beyond the mythology of the Golden Fleece to Athens, where her very future as Queen of Sparta is threatened.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #476042 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-22
• Released on: 2008-04-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780375875311
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 6–9—In this sequel to Nobody's Princess (Random, 2007), the future Helen of Troy and her friend, the former slave Milo, join Prince Jason and the Argonauts on the quest to gain the Golden Fleece. Helen, disguised as a boy, is faced with trying to keep her identity secret from her brothers, who have also joined the quest. Her true gender is revealed when she gets her first period, so she claims to be the warrior Atalanta, a figure from the first book. When the crew of the Argo reaches Colchis, Helen meets Princess Medea, presented as a sinister and scheming figure. As Helen travels back to Sparta, she is captured by Theseus of Athens, who wants to marry her, and she needs to use both her strength and her wits to escape. Readers familiar with legends about Jason and Helen will enjoy finding familiar adventures and themes, while readers new to these myths will appreciate Friesner's detailed vision of ancient Greece. Characters are given depth and flaws, such as Jason's self-centeredness and Herakles's stretching the truth. Details about food and customs of the time are woven into the story. Helen's determination to choose her own future will resonate with modern teens, who will also appreciate her resourcefulness and determination to help those who help her. A solid choice for fans of Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" books (Hyperion/Miramax).—Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI
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From Booklist
In this sequel to Nobody’s Princess (2007), Helen of Sparta dons a male disguise and, along with her brothers, stows away on the Argo, the ship Jason sails to find the Golden Fleece. She views this as her last free adventure before she takes on the responsibilities of wife, mother, and queen of Sparta. Yet, as usual, she gets more than she bargained for: crazy Herakels; evil Medea; and a chance reunion with the Athenian king, Theseus, the bridegroom from whom she has once escaped. Friesner again melds myth and fiction into an exciting adventure for both Helen and her readers. This sequel introduces a more mature Helen, who menstruates for the first time, witnesses love affairs (including those that demonstrate Medea’s powerful hold on men), and finds her own object of desire. Readers will rejoice in Helen’s escapades and will hope for a future chapter, perhaps in which she becomes Helen of Troy. Grades 8-12. --Frances Bradburn

About the Author
Nebula Award winner Esther Friesner is the author of more than 30 novels and over 150 short stories. She is also the editor of seven popular anthologies. She is married, is the mother of two, harbors cats, and lives in Connecticut.

Customer Reviews

A sequel to NOBODY'S PRINCESS yet stands alone well
Esther Friesner's NOBODY'S PRIZE is a sequel to NOBODY'S PRINCESS yet stands alone well: young Helen of Sparta refuses to be left behind when her brothers embark on an exciting quest for the Golden Fleece, and disguises herself as a boy to join the crew of the Argo, where she faces danger and adventures - and even falls in love.

Good sequel; interesting recounting of Helen's early life
Nobody's Prize is on par with its predecessor in terms of style and content and is not a disappointing sequel. The imagery is rich and one feels, despite some modern phrases, transported back into Ancient Greece. That said, I was a little disappointed at the lack of any real romance. Other men fall for Helen, but her own interests are quickly crushed somewhat early in the novel. Anyone reading this should not expect Paris to put in any real appearance, although the end of the novel alludes to events to come concerning Helen's more famous activities. All an all, an enjoyable and interesting read.

It was recommended to me and I've recommended it to others
Not quite ready to tackle the classics? Friesner makes the classics and gives them a twist most young adults will love. Meet Helen of Troy back when she was Helen of Sparta and join her on the quest for the Golden Fleece.

Tamora Pierce recommended this book to me at a conference, I've recommended it to some others and all have liked it.