Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. Despite their differences, Achilles befriends the shamed prince, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine, their bond blossoms into something deeper - despite the displeasure of Achilles's mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, Achilles must go to war in distant Troy and fulfill his destiny. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus goes with him, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear. A captivating retelling of the Iliad and events leading up to it through the point of view of Patroclus: it's a hard book to put down, and any classicist will be enthralled by her characterisation of the goddess Thetis, which carries the true savagery and chill of antiquity -- Donna Tartt The Times Christmas Books I loved it J.K. Rowling Mary Renault lives again! A ravishingly vivid and convincing version of one of the most legendary of love stories Emma Donoghue, author of number one bestseller, Room Original, clever, and in a class of its own ... an incredibly compelling and seductive read Independent on Sunday A remarkably fresh take on one of the most familiar narratives in western literature The Times Extraordinary ... Beautifully descriptive and heart-achingly lyrical, this is a love story as sensitive and intuitive as any you will find Daily Mail Sexy, dangerous, mystical Bettany Hughes If I were to give a prize for the best work of fiction I've read this year, this would be the runaway winner. As a first novel, it heralds the arrival of a major new talent A.N. Wilson, Reader's Digest Inventive, passionate, uplifting and different. It will appeal to all ages. It's a book which despite some of the stiffest competition in the modern world is a truly worthy winner Joanna Trollope, chair of the judges for the Orange Prize for Fiction 2012