“For mortals to be free the gods must fall”

A tale inspired by Greek myth which follows a Fisherman’s daughter on her journey from outcast to the prophesied end to the 12 Gods.

Daughter of Chaos is a super fast paced read that doesn’t shy away from the horror of the Greek gods (I mean Zeus's well known for his questionable choices) and questions who and what the figures she and her people have held up as Gods really are.

I really enjoy Greek mythology and its retellings, and "Daughter of Chaos" was no exception. I found Danae to be an engaging heroine, and enjoyed the author's writing style.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast paced (occasionally too fast paced) fantasy take on the Greek myth of Danae, mother of Perseus. It was a little light on deep characterisation, but as quick entertainment it was fine. Definitely more for those who want a Greek myth flavour rather than anyone who knows the mythology really well (including the probable origins of a lot of it). Good fun.

Daughter of Chaos by AS Webb is the story of Danae, living in Ancient Greece. The country’s citizens live under the cruel reign of twelve gods who demand more and more in tribute. When Danae has a scary and unexplainable experience she is forced to flee from her home when she’s accused of being a demon. On the run, and trying to make her way to a temple where she can seek help, she crosses paths with the Demi-god Heracles. Together they must face many battles to reach their respective destinations. But Danae is hiding that she is the one prophesied to bring about the downfall of the gods and free Ancient Greece from their cruelness.

This was a really different book for me and put me out of my comfort zone as I don’t know much about Greek mythology. That being said it was easy to follow and engaging. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next in this series!

Incredible story! Greek retellings or storylines can sometimes feel slow or overdone, but this was not the case for Daughter of Chaos. This is an Epic Ancient Greek fantasy.

A.S.Webb created such an incredible world and characters that I simultaneously could put the book down but didn't want it to end. I respected the fact that there was LGBTQ+ representation that felt cohesive to the storyline without feeling forced.

I have already been recommending this book to all of my friends/family and predict this will be a hit! I think I've just found my new favourite fantasy author. I cannot wait for the continuation of Danae's adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley, A.S. Webb and the publishers Michael Joseph for this eARC.

Theres something about a greek mythology book that just makes you need to read it.

Daughter of Chaos is interesting. The main question i was asking myself is who really is Danae. I got to the end of the book and needed the next one because despite reading every work I still dont know, or really understand her. For me the start of the book was a little slow. Whilst things happened I began to think Id picked up the wrong book.

Danaes story takes you on a journey across Greece blending fact and mythology, as with many books that are the first in the series theres some world and character building that will liley mean more later on but feels a little unnessary at the time.
It suprsied me that I really want to know what happens, I didnt realise quite how invested i was until the last page

This is an enjoyable, fast paced hero story with a twist. But it is relentlessly in motion, and I would have liked some intervals where something wasn’t happening, but characters were being developed. Though you do get to know many of the characters well, it is largely when they’re in extremis which reveals only part of who they are. There is a lot of violence throughout which was not of concern to me but potential readers should be aware of. The main character is likeable, and I enjoyed the fact that she was learning as she went. I’ve always loved Greek myths since I was a tiny child, and this book both fed into that but also jarred with it slightly. But not to the extent that it spoiled it for me. It’s well written and engaging. I was disappointed with the ending which was more a hook for whatever is to come next than providing any sort of fulfilling ending which was a shame.

It’s been a week since I read this and I can’t stop thinking about it! 10/10, no notes, impatiently waiting for the next book.

ARC received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Daughter of Chaos by A. S. Webb Review
Rating: 3/5

Daughter of Chaos is the book that young me obsessed with Greek mythology would have loved.

What I liked:
The premise is very unique, yes it does have “chosen one” trope energy but I don’t mind that when it’s done well. I’ve always had theories and ideas about the Greek gods and goddesses and this book felt like my own personal sandbox to play through those ideas.

And it didn’t shy away from the gruesomeness and horrors of Greek myths and legends. If Zeus was around today he would be arrested many times over for endless crimes, he may be the head of the gods but he’s quite terrifying too. I would never want his attention.

The world building was also quite good, it felt a little like I was playing Assassins Creed Odyssey again which was a very fun feeling.

What I wasn’t a fan of:
The pacing felt far too rushed a lot of the time, but also too slow in others. The beginning portion with the main character’s family could have been shortened a lot and still felt just as dramatic a start to an adventure. But at the same time, I wanted to feel like I knew the characters more, they didn’t feel consistent to me so I was never sure about their motivations, what they were going to do next, or how they’d react to a particular situation.

I understood that Danae was quick to anger, but I didn’t really understand why - wasn’t shown her frustrations at being a woman in this world enough, wasn’t shown stories of her as a young child starting fights with the local kids and being shown how to control her anger by her father and channel it into something useful. I wanted to see more distinct personalities and inside people’s heads a lot more than I did.

And everyone we came across who was an interesting character seemed to either leave right away or die immediately. I saw at least three people that I would have loved to see more of and how they interact with the main character a lot more, but they were written out far too quickly to even see much of who they were, let alone leave any room for character development.

Maybe if the first part had been quicker, more in the pace of the set up of a fairytale kind of vibe, then more time could have been given to characterisation and development in the later portion.

Overall I enjoyed this book, it was a fun read, but I’m not sure it’s memorable enough for me to want to pick up a sequel just yet.

However, If you liked Percy Jackson, The Goddess Test series, or are just a fan of Greek mythology and want an easy and fun read then this book is definitely worth a go.

This was the kind of mythology style fantasy that I enjoy, the stakes were so high and the FMC is someone you root for.

I really hope the FMC can catch a break in book 2 because whenever she seemed on the right path or semi happy, she had the rug pulled from under her and her path was massively affected. There’s lots of lies and secrets wrapped up in the worship of the gods and I look forward to seeing how the truth comes out in the next book.

As a reader who equally loves Greek mythology and science fiction/fantasy, "Daughter of Chaos" was an ideal reading experience.

This book masterfully blends the exquisite prose, vivid imagery, historical depth, and poignant feminist perspectives found in recent Classical reinterpretations by authors like Jennifer Saint, Constanza Casati, and Natalie Haynes, with the fast pace, dramatic tension, complex magic systems, and diverse, engaging casts of characters seen in contemporary female-led SFF novels by Samantha Shannon, Hannah Kaner, and Saara El-Arifi.

"Daughter of Chaos" underscores the idea that Greek mythology is the original epic fantasy, highlighting the significant overlap between the two genres.

This is a world of Greek myths, but not as you know them. It offers an alternate take on beloved tales, respecting the original material while presenting a fresh, innovative twist. Fans of Greek mythology will find plenty of clever references to enjoy.

Danae is a multifaceted, relatable protagonist on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. The supporting characters are equally well-developed and engaging. I appreciated the touch of romance in the latter part of the book and look forward to seeing how it evolves in the series. The novel addresses serious themes such as sexual assault, shame culture, and grief with sensitivity and integrity. It held my attention from start to finish, and I eagerly await the next installment in A.S. Webb's trilogy.

Definitely a series to watch in 2025.

I loved following Danae's journey to reach her destiny, She is such a great heroine and every second of reading this story was amazing.

Daughter of Chaos by AS Webb
(The Dark Pantheon No.1)
Rating: 5/5
Release Date: 16 January 2025

In the era of Ancient Greece, the Gods rule with savage cruelty.

In this harsh realm, mortals suffer under the disdain of their divine overlords, enduring starvation and death, with some torn from their loved ones, never to return.

Yet, a prophecy whispers of a glimmer of hope. When Danae, a humble fisherman's daughter, begins to display strange abilities, her fate takes a perilous turn.

As she seeks answers, Danae finds herself entangled in a dangerous web of battles against monsters and Gods alike, forging an alliance with the legendary Heracles. Unaware of the chilling truths lurking beneath the surface, she is destined to confront a challenge beyond her wildest imaginings.

For Danae, it will soon become clear that she was born to face this daunting trial head-on.

This book exceeded all expectations, deserving a solid 5-star rating.

Labeling it as merely a Greek retelling would be an understatement—it's more of a complete Greek reimagining, filling a gap in the genre brilliantly.

What's truly remarkable is how A. S. Webb crafts a world that stays true to myth and legend while ingeniously reconstructing those tales into a compelling, believable narrative. It sheds a whole new light on Ancient Greece, offering a refreshing perspective. The world-building is executed with passion, drawing readers in with vivid descriptions that never overwhelm.

The characters are robust, relatable, and captivating. Danae embodies everything you'd want in a heroine: ordinary yet spirited. Her handling of the challenges she faces feels authentic, steering clear of the clichéd "ordinary girl turned invincible warrior" trope that often plagues fantasy heroines. Romance is delicately woven into the story, enhancing the natural and convincing relationships between characters.

While the pacing is generally on point throughout the book, I did feel that it felt slightly rushed towards the end.

Overall, I highly recommend this captivating read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House | Michael Joseph, and the author, A S Webb, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I loved this book. From the characters to the world-building, I was obsessed with it. As someone who has loved Greek mythology from a very young age, seeing all the myths and stories I had read about as a kid come together in this story was beautiful and amazing. The references to various myths were incredibly well-done and added a rich layer of depth to the narrative.

Danae was an amazing character. Her story was compelling and heartfelt, and I found myself deeply invested in her journey. The side characters were also well-developed and added a lot of intrigue to the story.

What really stood out to me was the world-building. The author created a vivid and immersive world that felt both familiar and new. The blend of mythological elements with fresh twists made the story captivating from start to finish.

While the book does end on a cliffhanger, I didn't feel it was a letdown. Instead, it left me eagerly anticipating what comes next. This book was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I can't wait for readers to experience it when it comes out in 2025. I am absolutely obsessed with this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves mythology and adventure

This book grabbed my attention right from the beginning.
Danae’s story, a new look at Ancient Greece and the Gods and Demigods was well paced enjoyable and entertaining. I felt I was travelling with her on her journey to discover her destiny.
There was plenty of drama, monsters and just enough romance for my taste. The supporting characters in the story were well rounded, believable and gave a new and refreshing twist to well known Greek legends.
The ending left me eagerly wanting to know more, I’m already looking forward to the next book!
Many thanks to A S Webb, NetGalley and Penguin books for allowing me to thoroughly enjoy this book.

Who doesn't love Greek gods book. I put this book in the same category as Percy Jackson but only not as good. Disappointed I didn't enjoy it.

Thoroughly enjoyed the brisk pace of the writing and the increasing levels of familiarity and empathy with a truly lovable heroine.

The story of a young woman prophesised to destroy all of Mount Olympus? It's a killer premise and Webb does it justice. I've read and enjoyed a number of retellings of stories from Greek mythology, but this is certainly the most original.

Let's start with the name of our protagonist. In Greek mythology, Danae was impregnated by Zeus in the form of golden rain, and gave birth to Perseus as a result. The Danae of this novel is not the same character, though her namesake is mentioned in the novel, as a fitting nod. Though this Danae's story does not relate directly to the Danae of mythology, this choice of name was intensely clever as a reference to the experiences of women in this universe.

I don't want to give too much away about this sprawling epic, but I must say that Danae is a wonderful protagonist. She starts out as a plucky, scrappy kid and grows into a resilient adult, moulded by unbelievably difficult circumstances.

I very much related to the deep love she has for her family, especially her older sister, and how throughout her incredible adventure, her home is never far from her mind. The side characters are very well-drawn, and I especially enjoyed Webb's portrayal of Atalanta and Heracles.

I'm massively looking forward to the next novel in 'The Dark Pantheon' trilogy.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book!

I did feel like it was a kinda slow start but once it got going I couldn't put it down. I'm really excited for more from this series.

There was a few bits that I think seemed to be kinda glossed over but part of me thinks (hopes) they might be answered in a following book and this was just part of the building of the series.

Thanks for sending me the arc!

Wow!

This book is exquisite.

I don’t usually fawn so much over a book and a 5 star from me really has to be earned. That said, this was the perfect escape for me, and I completely fell in love with it.

A Greek retelling doesn’t really cover it in my opinion, it is more of a Greek overhaul and it’s exactly what this genre was missing. I have plenty of experience with Greek history being a self proclaimed ancient history sponge, so I am always apprehensive when heading into fiction based in that world. I needn’t have worried.

What is exciting with this book is that A. S. Webb managed to create a world which is both faithful to myth and legend whilst also creating a narrative which reconstructs those myths in a satisfying, gripping and believable way. This is Ancient Greece in a whole other light and it is so refreshing.

World building is passionately done and is truly absorbing, descriptive sections are concise and clear without being tedious and overwhelming.

Characters are sturdy, relatable and engaging. Danae is everything you want in a heroine, a normal girl with a feisty flare. She deals with the testing situations in the book in a way that feels natural. Webb artfully avoids falling into the ‘look how normal she is, (ten page montage later) unbeatable warrior’ trap, which so many fantasy heroines lose all credibility in.

Romance in the book is dosed in small measures, it's sweetly navigated and the relationships between characters are natural and convincing.

The pacing in the majority of the book is pretty spot on, though I felt it was maybe a little too fast towards the end … having said that I did start reading faster (greedy for what happened next) so that may have been a me problem.

Around eighty percent through the book my book hangover was already fogging up the corners of my mind. I didn’t want to have to leave the world behind.

Suffice it to say I loved every part of this book, I am desperate for more and thank the author and the publisher for the privilege of reading an ARC.

You can get the book on 25/01/2025 and frankly if you are a fantasy/greek retelling fan you will seriously be missing out!