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218th out of 294 books
—
195 voters
Nobody's Prize (Nobody's Princess #2)
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 bat...more
Helen quickly faces all sorts of danger. There are bat...more
ebook, 320 pages
Published
April 22nd 2008
by Random House Books for Young Readers
(first published April 1st 2008)
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Jul 04, 2008
Katherine
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
children-s,
historical-fiction
While a satisfying conclusion to "Nobody's Princess", I was highly disappointed in this book. "Nobody's Princess" was something that I would let my second graders read and was still something enjoyable for me. This sequel, however, was too crude. When Helen was dressed like a boy, there were pages of jokes and comments on homosexuality. When she was dressed like a girl there were jokes and comments on sexuality in general. Instead of writing a powerful novel, the author took the easy way out.
6 likes · like · see review
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Apr 27, 2008
Danielle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Myth Lovers
Shelves:
fiction
As far as sequels go Nobody's Prize was average. It didn't wow me or make me go, oh my gosh that was amazing! Actually, it made me mad! The author completely and one hundred percent sets up the ending for a third book; yet chances are very slim that there will be one!
Nobody's Prize continued where Nobody's Princess left off. Helen and Milo travel from Delphi, following the trail of Helen's brothers and the other warriors set to join the quest for the golden fleece. On the way they run into a few...more
Nobody's Prize continued where Nobody's Princess left off. Helen and Milo travel from Delphi, following the trail of Helen's brothers and the other warriors set to join the quest for the golden fleece. On the way they run into a few...more
4 likes · like · see review
The sequel to Nobody's Princess, this book continues the backstory of Helen of Sparta (not Troy! not yet, anyway) as imagined by Ms. Friesner. It took me a while to get through this one but it was worth it at the end, although it did come to an end rather quickly. I think my main gripe with this book is that Helen is pretty annoying for a lot of the book--spoiled rich girl, maybe? But seeing Helen come to realize the effect her actions had on others was satisfying. And hearing about other famous...more
1 like · like · see review
Jan 20, 2009
Brillare
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
YA who like action-y, girlpower-y books
Recommended to Brillare by:
Don't remember
Shelves:
read-in-2009
While not as good as the first book, this was still pretty great. It was hard to put down and very exciting. Helen is delightfully sassy, if a bit foolish at times.
I thought it was a bit crude, and I didn't so much like the epilogue. Oh, and they talked a lot about 'becoming a woman', and it wasn't bad, but it was a bit awkward. :P
There were some other things I didn't like about it, but they're harder to pick out. I think that one of my problems with it was that the characters seemed kind of fl...more
I thought it was a bit crude, and I didn't so much like the epilogue. Oh, and they talked a lot about 'becoming a woman', and it wasn't bad, but it was a bit awkward. :P
There were some other things I didn't like about it, but they're harder to pick out. I think that one of my problems with it was that the characters seemed kind of fl...more
Title: Nobody's Prize
Author: Esther Friesner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 306 pages
Date Finished: November 16, 2012
Nobody's Prize is about Helen, Princess of Sparta. When Helen's brothers, Castor and Polydeuces, go on a quest for the Golden Fleece, Helen wants to come along too. But since she is a girl, she can't. So Helen disguises herself as boy and she and Milo board the ship as Iolaus's weapons bearers. On the ship, Hercules and Hylas try to make Helen and Milo as comfortable as possible...more
Author: Esther Friesner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length: 306 pages
Date Finished: November 16, 2012
Nobody's Prize is about Helen, Princess of Sparta. When Helen's brothers, Castor and Polydeuces, go on a quest for the Golden Fleece, Helen wants to come along too. But since she is a girl, she can't. So Helen disguises herself as boy and she and Milo board the ship as Iolaus's weapons bearers. On the ship, Hercules and Hylas try to make Helen and Milo as comfortable as possible...more
Whereas Nobody's Princess seemed to have fun with the idea of myth and with (re)creating Helen of Troy's backstory, Nobody's Prize struggles to find a coherent and gripping narrative. Friesner becomes too constrained by the events of Greek myth and her Helen falls flat in this sequel--her journey feels less like a development of an intriguing character and more like an episodic series of events loosely built around the people/places of other myths (those myths commonly don't feature Helen, and p...more
Jun 21, 2010
Julie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of Nobody's Princess
Recommended to Julie by:
I read Nobody's Princess
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Helen of Sparta is back in this sequel to “Nobody’s Princess.” Her brothers are all set on leaving her behind as they set off to find the Golden Fleece, but Helen isn’t about to let them get away with that. She disguises herself as a boy, with the help of her friend Milo, and climbs aboard the vessel, ducking her brothers the whole way. A whole slew of problems await Helen during and after the voyage on the Argo!
Okay, first of all, I’ve got to say that I don’t necessarily believe that Helen of T...more
Okay, first of all, I’ve got to say that I don’t necessarily believe that Helen of T...more
Nobody's Prize was a fun, clever read that I enjoyed a whole lot better than Nobody's Princess. The characters were more developed, there was more action and surprise, and even more history. I almost felt like the first book was written only to lead up to this one.
Helen of Sparta is wittier than ever. She sneaks aboard the Argo, a boat on an expedition led by legendary character Jason to find the Golden Fleece. Helen is disguised as a boy, and is accompanied by her friend Milo. The first half o...more
Helen of Sparta is wittier than ever. She sneaks aboard the Argo, a boat on an expedition led by legendary character Jason to find the Golden Fleece. Helen is disguised as a boy, and is accompanied by her friend Milo. The first half o...more
I gave this book a five star because it's adventures and amazing and something you got to read!
"People of Sparta, I give you our Queen Helen!" in Nobody's Prize we continue our journey with Helen as she and Milo go aboard the Argo, where Helen meets an old friend that reconized her when she was dressed up as a boy. He then takes Helen-sorry, "Glacues"-and Milo as his slaves. There a boy appears who is also a slave and Helen almost falls heads over knees for him! They also lose friends on the way...more
"People of Sparta, I give you our Queen Helen!" in Nobody's Prize we continue our journey with Helen as she and Milo go aboard the Argo, where Helen meets an old friend that reconized her when she was dressed up as a boy. He then takes Helen-sorry, "Glacues"-and Milo as his slaves. There a boy appears who is also a slave and Helen almost falls heads over knees for him! They also lose friends on the way...more
Written in the same vein as it's predecessor, Nobody's Prize is a sweet and thrilling sequel to Nobody's Princess. It continues the journey of Helen of Sparta, this time she and her friend Milo have snuck aboard the ship carrying the epic hero Jason from Greek myth, carrying him and fifty other heroes to their dangerous and beguiling destination, The Golden Fleece. As usual, Ester Freisner delights with her unique and creative spin offs of the well-worn tales of Greek Mythology, I'll think you'l...more
Written in the same vein as it's predecessor, Nobody's Prize is a sweet and thrilling sequel to Nobody's Princess. It continues the journey of Helen of Sparta, this time she and her friend Milo have snuck aboard the ship carrying the epic hero Jason from Greek myth, carrying him and fifty other heroes to their dangerous and beguiling destination, The Golden Fleece. As usual, Ester Freisner delights with her unique and creative spin offs of the well-worn tales of Greek Mythology, I'll think you'l...more
This is book is a story about Princess Helen and her friend Milo disguested as boys to follow Prince Jason to his quest for the Golden Fleece. Helen's male name is Glacus, and she refuses to be called Princess Helen ever again during the quest. Helen wanted to join the quest because she didn't want her brothers to have all the fun, but before they get on the ship, the Argo they have to get pass all the other males but it isn't that easy. Sometimes you need to fight to get on or even acted stupid...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
1 like · like · see review
Mar 22, 2013
Josiane Claremont
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
not-manga,
wish-to-own
So I wasn't exactly looking forward to reading this book. I can't really explain my feelings, but I felt as though the Helen that was present in the first book was somehow warped in this sequel.
Sure, Helen is as headstrong as before, but she starts (awkwardly) developing into a woman. I'm pretty sure that the point of this book was to be feminist and make Helen seem not like such a wussy, yet that aspect of the book seemed to completely fail to have an effect on me.
I would only recommend this bo...more
Sure, Helen is as headstrong as before, but she starts (awkwardly) developing into a woman. I'm pretty sure that the point of this book was to be feminist and make Helen seem not like such a wussy, yet that aspect of the book seemed to completely fail to have an effect on me.
I would only recommend this bo...more
This was the follow up to Nobody's Princess about Helen of Sparta. The book starts off as Helen signs on as a weapons bearer on the quest for the golden fleece. Once they reach their destination, she is found out not to be a boy and must now pass herself off as Atalanta. The king's daughter attaches herself to Jason and is concerned that Atalanta will steal him so she keeps trying to poison her. Milo and Helen must leave quickly and find their own way home. On the way, Helen is captured by These...more
Helen of Sparta is the main character in this story. As you can tell she is the princess of Sparta, a city-state in ancient Greece. Her favorite goddess is Aphrodite. Helen wants more out of life. She can't do all of the things that a girl is supposed to do. For example, she can't weave without tangling the wool.
Helen wants more out of life. In this book, she's aboard the Argo with Milo, the slave she bought the freedom of, Prince Jason, her brothers, and many more 'heroes'. She wants to join t...more
Helen wants more out of life. In this book, she's aboard the Argo with Milo, the slave she bought the freedom of, Prince Jason, her brothers, and many more 'heroes'. She wants to join t...more
After loving Nobody’s Princess so much, I was very excited to read Nobody’s Prize. I ended up with mixed feelings.
This second book begins with Helen and her brothers searching for the Golden Fleece. I liked that Helen was as strong-willed as ever. She had no fear and even dressed as a boy to avoid being caught. I also liked that Helen and her brothers were close and took care of each other. The way they interacted with each other was well written.
What I did not like was that many of the characte...more
This second book begins with Helen and her brothers searching for the Golden Fleece. I liked that Helen was as strong-willed as ever. She had no fear and even dressed as a boy to avoid being caught. I also liked that Helen and her brothers were close and took care of each other. The way they interacted with each other was well written.
What I did not like was that many of the characte...more
Helen is back and she wants to go with her brothers to catch the Golden Fleece. Helen goes to see the Pythia in Athens. When she wants to go with her brothers to catch the Golden Fleece, she convinces her friend Milo to join her on her journey. Helen knows though that she cannot go as the Princess of Sparta so she dresses up as a weapons boy and sneaks on the ship with Milo. When they get to island they meet Medea the princess of the land and is out to destroy Helen once the people on the ship f...more
This was a cute little sequel to Nobody's Princess, both of which are about Helen of Troy's childhood, back when she was just Princess Helen of Sparta. This story is about how Helen wants an adventure, so she disguises herself as a boy and joins Jason and the argonauts on their quest to find the golden fleece. Also her kidnapping by Theseus...
As in the last book, my favorite part is how the Greek gods and the mythological creatures are "explained"... How all of these so-called "heroes" are reall...more
As in the last book, my favorite part is how the Greek gods and the mythological creatures are "explained"... How all of these so-called "heroes" are reall...more
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. Not only does she have to avoid her brothers’ detection, but a devastatingly handsome boy catches her eye, Hercules falls in love with her boy-self, there are battles to be faced, as...more
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. Not only does she have to avoid her brothers’ detection, but a devastatingly handsome boy catches her eye, Hercules falls in love with her boy-self, there are battles to be faced, as...more
hmmm. no better than the first one, really. plot and characters are decent, but not really anything special. writing style is a bit annoying, w/all the random italics.
when i want to catch up on my greek mythology i'll just read percy jackson though, thank you very much. XD
when i want to catch up on my greek mythology i'll just read percy jackson though, thank you very much. XD
Jul 01, 2009
Erika
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Everyone who's a bit fascinated of the Greek mythology. Otherwise, none!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
While I really appreciated the first book of the duo, the second was less interesting to me. The pacing was strange: it takes 50 pages just to get on the boat in the beginning, but the conclusion of the famous Argonauts' quest for the Golden Fleece is wrapped up in a paragraph. Where deception and trickery were present in the first book, and only as a vehicle to get Helen out riding horses and learning swordplay, the second book is layer after layer of lies without any higher purpose than wantin...more
The thing I find most satisfying with Nobody's Princess and Nobody's Prize is how well Friesner develops the characters - they seem so real and human, instead of idealized heroes and figures that myths have made them to become. What fascinates me is that the characters are also aware how great and fantastic their names have become, how wildly exaggerated their deeds can grow, how greatly distorted their adversaries become.
My major disappointment is that a third book seems unlikely. Friesner tidi...more
My major disappointment is that a third book seems unlikely. Friesner tidi...more
Jan 24, 2012
Terri Pray
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Young adult and fans of the Trojan war era
Shelves:
historical,
young-adult
Tore through this one after I finished editing a manuscript.
After reading the first in the pair I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the second book but the pacing in Nobody's Prize is a lot better, and the story a little more compelling.
Helen of Sparta's journey from being the whiny, spoiled brat to a confident young woman truly takes place in this book - although I had to suspend disbelief at the disguising herself as a boy. When she is discovered it's for one of the many reasons why the disguising as a...more
After reading the first in the pair I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the second book but the pacing in Nobody's Prize is a lot better, and the story a little more compelling.
Helen of Sparta's journey from being the whiny, spoiled brat to a confident young woman truly takes place in this book - although I had to suspend disbelief at the disguising herself as a boy. When she is discovered it's for one of the many reasons why the disguising as a...more
Helen sails with the Argonauts on the quest of the Golden Fleece. The book alternates between explaining away the fantastic parts of the original myth, of which there are a lot, and the difficulties of keeping her true identity a secret. Some names are used implausibly. Helen continues to have a feminist and aggressively individualist personality that makes me think of twenty-first century U.S. rather than ancient Greece, though the book never manages to make her more of a participant than a wit...more
Oct 17, 2011
Staci Taylor
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult-lit-class-books
This book is a twist on mythology and I abosolutely love it! I am a sucker for mythology anyway, but this book gives a different outlook on some of the most common myths we know. In this book there are twists and turns and some very unexpected events that make you take a step back and think wow! This is the second book in Helen's story and it is just as good as the first book. Helen is the main character and you see her struggles as the furture Queen of Sparta along with the adventures she stubb...more
This book was a fitting sequel to the first book, Nobody's Princess. In my opinion, both books are pretty forgettable. This one has Helen in disguise as a boy as she tries to join Jason and the Argonauts in their search for the Golden Fleece. The Argonauts find themselves in several predicaments and it is Helen who keeps a cool head and shows the wisdom of the group. Ridiculous. Helen is also in danger several times and vaguely gets out of it or the way she gets out is completely left out of the...more
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| Should I read? | 9 | 19 | Jul 02, 2012 08:11pm |
Esther M. Friesner was educated at Vassar College, where she completed B.A's in both Spanish and Drama. She went to on to Yale University; within five years she was awarded an M.A. and Ph.D. in Spanish. She taught Spanish at Yale for a number of years before going on to become a full-time author of fantasy and science fiction. She has published twenty-seven novels so far; her most recent titles in...more
More about Esther M. Friesner...
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