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The Firebrand

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 5,156 ratings · 232 reviews

Blending archaeological fact and legend, the myths of the gods and the feats of heroes, Marion Zimmer Bradley breathes new life into the classic tale of the Trojan War-reinventing larger-than-life figures as living people engaged in a desperate struggle that dooms both the victors and the vanquished, their fate seen through the eyes of Kassandra-priestess, princess, and pa...more

Paperback, 608 pages

Published May 6th 2003 by Roc Trade (first published 1987)

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Oct 24, 2012 Cora rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mythology, greece, ancient-greece, trojan-war

The Firebrand is the the story of the Trojan War told from the perspective of Kassandra. Kassandra is a princess of troy who has the gift of prophecy but the curse that she is never believed. I loved the spin that Bradley put on the famous story and its characters. I like how she was able to have fantasy elements, such as the Gods being real with the ability to take over a person's body when they want to directly influence events and Kassandra's true visions, yet she made some other aspects of t...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Sakura87 rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Tu conosci una sola canzone, Cassandra: fiamme e lutto per Troia, e la canti di continuo, come un menestrello che non conosce altro…"

La guerra di Troia vista da occhi femminili che scrutano fin troppo lontano: Cassandra, la profetessa condannata a predire il futuro e a non essere mai creduta.
Figlia di Priamo ed Ecuba e (la Bradley si concede la sua prima deviazione rispetto alle versioni del mito) sorella gemella di Paride, Cassandra è la voce narrante, sia pure in terza persona, della lunga st...more "Tu conosci una sola canzone, Cassandra: fiamme e lutto per Troia, e la canti di continuo, come un menestrello che non conosce altro…"

La guerra di Troia vista da occhi femminili che scrutano fin troppo lontano: Cassandra, la profetessa condannata a predire il futuro e a non essere mai creduta.
Figlia di Priamo ed Ecuba e (la Bradley si concede la sua prima deviazione rispetto alle versioni del mito) sorella gemella di Paride, Cassandra è la voce narrante, sia pure in terza persona, della lunga storia di Troia. Ecuba, cresciuta tra le amazzoni e dotata della Vista, poco prima della nascita dei due neonati sogna Troia in fiamme, e il nascituro trasformato in torcia dar fuoco alla città: e dunque, appena nati i due gemelli, Priamo si assicura che il bambino venga fatto crescere dal pastore Agesilao, lontano dalla reggia.
Cassandra cresce a corte, e già da bambina dimostra di possedere una Vista molto più potente di quella della madre; ben presto, durante una visita al tempio di Apollo, riceve la chiamata del Dio, che la consacra a se stesso come sua sacerdotessa. La sua scoperta di poter vedere dagli occhi di un fanciullo del tutto simile a lei spinge Priamo a farla crescere lontana da Troia, affidata alle cure della sorella della madre, Pentesilea, che la cresce come un’amazzone.
Marion Zimmer Bradley ripercorre, prendendosi diverse licenze poetiche, la storia di Cassandra e della città di Troia fino alla sua distruzione, e le sorti della Sacerdotessa in seguito alla sua partenza per Micene come concubina di Agamennone.

La Torcia prende, forse un po’ forzatamente ma in ogni caso con risultati meravigliosi, i temi del ciclo di Avalon e li amalgama con miti greci ormai così conosciuti da essere quasi abusati.
Lo scontro tra le potenze maschili per ottenere la preponderanza su quelle femminili viene trasportato nell’Antica Grecia, patria del culto della Dea e della sovranità indiscussa del matriarcato fino al momento in cui gli uomini, introducendo nuovi déi e nuove istituzioni, non ottengono il dominio delle donne e delle loro terre. E così regine come Elena, Clitemnestra, Ecuba e Andromaca vengono rivestite di nuovi abiti letterari e dotate di caratteri indipendenti e forti, più o meno stemperati a seconda del grado di adattamento del personaggio al nuovo sistema patriarcale.
Ecuba ha abbandonato il culto della Dea e l’indipendenza della sua formazione tra le amazzoni per sedere al fianco di Priamo come Regina di Troia; Clitemnestra si è dovuta sottomettere al marito e si è vista strappare la primogenita cui sperava di donare il dominio di Micene in nome di déi per lei falsi; Elena, costretta al matrimonio con Menelao dal suo popolo, ha seguito i comandi di Afrodite ed è fuggita a Troia al seguito dell’uomo che amava, invisa alle nuove parenti e alle usanze di Ilio, e che diverrà involontaria causa della caduta della città; Andromaca, figlia dell’incontrastata regina di Colchide, ha preferito darsi in sposa a Ettore per ottenere la protezione degli uomini che la madre tanto disprezzava.
Alle storiche regnanti si affianca la meno conosciuta eppure non meno importante Pentesilea, la regina delle Amazzoni, sorella di Ecuba e capo di un popolo femminile ormai anacronistico che vive in assoluta comunione con la natura, libero di giacere con gli uomini prescelti e di educare le figlie da sé.
Ultima e principale, lei, Cassandra: colei che fu contesa tra la Dea e Apollo, che crebbe sotto l’ala della Madre di tutto e divenne sacerdotessa del Dio del Sole, e che fu da lui punita perché rifiutò di concederglisi con la privazione della Vista; ma un dio non può privare un mortale di un dono che non è stato lui a concedergli, dunque la sua punizione si trasformò nella maledizione di Cassandra: predire e non essere mai creduta. Invisa ai suoi stessi familiari, persino allo stesso fratello gemello, perché continua latrice di cattive notizie, Cassandra si sposta di paese in paese alla ricerca di un luogo che l’accetti, e tuttavia sempre spinta dal suo fato a tornare a Troia, dove si compirà il suo destino.
Accanto a personaggi femminili di una simile statura morale e psicologica, loro, gli uomini, gretti, meschini e conservatori: distanti dall’alone eroico e onnipotente dei poemi epici, vengono ridimensionati e tratteggiati con i difetti loro dovuti: Priamo, burbero e conservatore; Ettore, precipitoso e scettico; Paride, collerico, persino violento, spesso pavido ed egocentrico; Achille, brutale, prepotente e sacrilego; Crise, roso dalla lussuria. Toni più indulgenti sono usati nei confronti dei personaggi di Odisseo, gentile e fedelissimo alla moglie, e persino di Agamennone, la cui fine viene vista con una punta di rimpianto, nonostante nel corso della narrazione si comporti spesso in maniera empia. E soprattutto l’idealizzatissimo Enea, l’unico uomo verso cui Cassandra provi amore e desiderio, il solo che ascolti le sue profezie e che la tratti da pari.
Profondi e riflessivi quasi tutti personaggi femminili, gretti e conservatori quasi tutti quelli maschili: La Torcia è la storia di Troia, ma in fondo è solo l’ennesimo pretesto per narrare l’annoso scontro tra i sessi, perché la vera guerra del romanzo non è quella tra Argivi e Troiani, ma quella tra due sistemi: quello patriarcale, ligio e conservatore, e quello matriarcale, anarchico e dedito al culto della Terra e della Dea.

Un romanzo meraviglioso, lungo ma scorrevolissimo, narrato con perizia e consigliato a tutti.(less)

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Dec 14, 2011 Kagama-the Literaturevixen rated it 1 of 5 stars

Ive always been a little leery about this book and her other works. In this for example a character spoiler: (view spoiler)...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Kerry Hennigan rated it 5 of 5 stars

I first read Marion Zimmer Bradley’s “The Firebrand” many years ago, and have just finished the latest of many re-reads of this epic novel of the Trojan War.

As with her famous “Mists of Avalon” which told the story of Arthur and Camelot from the perspective of the women in the story, so too does The Firebrand cover this famous Bronze Age tale from the point of view of the principle females involved.

Most specifically this is Kassandra, daughter of King Priam of Troy and Queen Hecuba, sister of Pr...more I first read Marion Zimmer Bradley’s “The Firebrand” many years ago, and have just finished the latest of many re-reads of this epic novel of the Trojan War.

As with her famous “Mists of Avalon” which told the story of Arthur and Camelot from the perspective of the women in the story, so too does The Firebrand cover this famous Bronze Age tale from the point of view of the principle females involved.

Most specifically this is Kassandra, daughter of King Priam of Troy and Queen Hecuba, sister of Prince Hector and twin of Paris, of whose death it is foretold he will bring about the downfall of the city.

Kassandra, too, grows into a prophetess, but it is her misfortune to be disbelieved and considered a bird of ill-omen of whom others take little notice.

For a time she goes to live and train with her kinswoman, Penthesilea, leader of the Amazons of the plains, and, on returning to Troy a strong young woman, becomes a priestess of the gold Apollo.

Kassandra herself if fated to play a vital role in the siege of Troy, but not to succumb when the city falls. But what lies for her beyond the destruction of all she holds dear, and the death of most of her loved ones, may be even worse than death itself.

I loved this novel when I first read it, and on subsequent readings found it still held me fascinated by the amount of research Bradley had worked into the well-known story as related by Homer in the Iliad and other, later, classical tales that expounded on the legend. If, on visiting Troy, I found a site that seemed too small and confined for the bold, colourful canvas of Bradley’s tale, I have since revised those views as subsequent archaeological discoveries have revealed the fabled city to be much more akin to the legends than was previously believed.

Anyone who loves historical novels, specifically those of ancient history, and especially those of Mary Renault, will love “The Firebrand”. As I said at the beginning of this review, I have re-read it many times, and will doubtless do so again.

Kerry Hennigan © August, 2011(less)

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Jun 02, 2011 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Marion Zimmer Bradley has taken on a different myth with this book. She’s moved from her normal home of Avalon and the British Isles to the ancient city of Troy. This book focuses on the Princess Cassandra (in the novel spelled “Kassandra”) – daughter of the Amazon Hecuba and King Priam. In mythology, Kassandra was crazy – prophesying doom at every corner, with no one ever believing her. Bradley has chosen to look at this a different way – her usual feminist/goddess worshipping way. Kassandra’s...more

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Aug 29, 2010 Melissa rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: those who value imagery more than character development

Shelves: 2010

I had a really hard time getting through this book. Which was surprising to me for two reasons. First, I loved Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon," and second, I love the legend of the Trojan War and have read numerous other books on the subject and Cassandra has always been an intriguing character for me. So, when I picked up this book, I was pretty sure I was going to enjoy it.

Sadly however, I was left disappointed. Now don't get me wrong, the ancient world that Zimmer Bradley create...more

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Aug 14, 2010 Tawny rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is one of my favourite books. I've read it at least 5 or 6 times. I will read almost any book that deals with the Trojan War but I haven't always enjoyed them, I think because they either tend to dwell heavily on the war or Helen. This book takes on the viewpoint of Cassandra, a truly interesting character. In the Illiad and other myths she is beautiful but insane. While Zimmer Bradley continues this idea her Cassandra is never portrayed with wringing hands and wild hair, going on hysterica...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Lisa (Harmonybites) rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, fiction, historical-fiction, novels

Marion Zimmer Bradley is most famous for Mists of Avalon, which retells the legends of King Arthur through a feminist--and feminine--perspective, centering it not on Arthur or Merlin or even Guinevere but a sympathetic Morgaine. I admit I'm not much a fan of that book. I am a big Marion Zimmer Bradley fan--but on the basis of her original world, Darkover, the setting for a series of novels and short stories that are a blend of fantasy and science fiction. I thought among other things that Mists...more Marion Zimmer Bradley is most famous for Mists of Avalon, which retells the legends of King Arthur through a feminist--and feminine--perspective, centering it not on Arthur or Merlin or even Guinevere but a sympathetic Morgaine. I admit I'm not much a fan of that book. I am a big Marion Zimmer Bradley fan--but on the basis of her original world, Darkover, the setting for a series of novels and short stories that are a blend of fantasy and science fiction. I thought among other things that Mists of Avalon was far too preachy--though at least I got through the entire book. I think Firebrand is even more preachy and polemical, putting the legend of Troy through the Pagan feminist/Joseph Campbell lens, with Troy as a matriarchal society in conflict with an invading, patriarchal Greece, and as you might expect, centering the story not on the usual suspects--Achilles or Hector or even Helen--but Cassandra (Kassandra in this novel).

The big problem though is that of all of MZB's works published that I've read this is by far the one with the most flat characterizations and the most boring. I couldn't believe I was reading Marion Zimmer Bradley at all, and this is the one work of hers out of dozens I'd read that I gave up on--stopping about half way. MZB dedicates this novel to another favorite author of mine, Mary Renault, who wrote works based on Ancient Greek myth and history such as The King Must Die based on the myths surrounding Theseus and Fire from Heaven based on the life of the historical Alexander the Great. Renault never wrote a book based on the legend of Troy, but if you're looking for really great historical fiction based on Ancient Greece, she's the gold standard. Or try the great classics by Homer or Vergil. Or Black Ships by Jo Graham, based on the legend of Aeneas, though not the equal of Homer certainly--or her inspiration Mary Renault--is truly an engrossing and well-researched novel. I'd far, far, far recommend any of the above over MZB's Firebrand.(less)

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Nov 02, 2011 Christopher H. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adventure, american-authors-translators, fantasy-scifi, historical-fiction, mythology-mythopoeia, read-in-2011, iliad-odyssey-homer

Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Firebrand is an excellent book, and one that I look forward to rereading again at some point in time. This novel, at just over 600 pages, tells the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of Kassandra the Prophetess, one of the daughters of Priam and Hecuba, the king and queen of Troy. Zimmer Bradley does a terrific job of incorporating the commonly accepted mythological elements of all of the major characters in the novel, including several of the gods and godde...more Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Firebrand is an excellent book, and one that I look forward to rereading again at some point in time. This novel, at just over 600 pages, tells the story of the Trojan War from the perspective of Kassandra the Prophetess, one of the daughters of Priam and Hecuba, the king and queen of Troy. Zimmer Bradley does a terrific job of incorporating the commonly accepted mythological elements of all of the major characters in the novel, including several of the gods and goddesses, e.g., Apollo, Zeus, Athena, Aphrodite, Hera, Poseidon, and even the great Earth Mother herself. I have to say that I was quite intrigued with Zimmer Bradley's character development of the great Achaean warrior, Akilles, and the portrayal of his "rage", which is the subject of Homer's epic poem, The Iliad. Zimmer Bradley may be closer to the truth of the matter with Akilles than that generally thought, but I'll leave the reader to form their own opinions.

While the novel is clearly intended to be read for its fantasy entertainment value, there is also the intriguing thread of cultural anthropology woven throughout that causes the reader to at least consider the differences between the matriarchal societies of some earlier Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures and the inexorable establishment of the more widespread patriarchal system in the Bronze and Iron Ages. For example, she explores this in a social context through the roles of Priam, Hecuba, and even the Amazon leader, Penthesilea; as well as through the role that religion and religious beliefs played with the Trojans, Achaeans, and other tribes and peoples encountered in the novel. It might be easy to just attribute this to Zimmer Bradley's brand of literary feminism, but I personally choose to think that she is really trying to remind us of the Myth of the Goddess, and that the balance of female and male in our own psyche is important even now. Zimmer Bradley's portrayal of Kassandra in telling this story is compelling and thought-provoking. Frankly, I enjoyed this novel even more than her wildly popular The Mists of Avalon. This was a well-written story and a real page-turner from start-to-finish.(less)

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Sep 19, 2011 Noelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Full of history,cult practices, and human struggle, Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Firebrand is an original take on a well known Greek classic, The Iliad. With creative historical interpretations and powerful language, Bradley creates characters and a mythology unique to her. She creativly balances what is known of the Illiad and the realism involved with the people and practices of ancient Greece and it's her acute sense of detail that sets her book apart from others of the genre. Bradley cleverly...more

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May 02, 2011 La Stamberga dei Lettori rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sakura87

Tu conosci una sola canzone, Cassandra: fiamme e lutto per Troia, e la canti di continuo, come un menestrello che non conosce altro…

La guerra di Troia vista da occhi femminili che scrutano fin troppo lontano: Cassandra, la profetessa condannata a predire il futuro e a non essere mai creduta.

Figlia di Priamo ed Ecuba e (la Bradley si concede la sua prima deviazione rispetto alle versioni del mito) sorella gemella di Paride, Cassandra è la voce narrante, sia pure in terza persona, della lunga stor...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Max Bolongaita rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this when I was in High school. I accidentally came across the Hardbound version of it tucked somewhere obscurely in the fiction section.

Immediately after the first few pages I knew I was in love and it was magical since I was already a Greek Myth die-hard at the time and I fancied the Amazon women (being from an all girls institution) this book just...well it took my breath away. Marion Zimmer Bradley is a fantastic writer. I laughed, cried and felt the pain of Kassandra and the people...more

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Dec 13, 2010 Janet rated it 1 of 5 stars

This book started with an interesting premise, weaving in the myths of greece in a tale of real lives, but soemthing wasn't working for me. I got about half way through the book before I figured it out. The main character, and all the charachters, actually, are not logical, in that the author makes them do things and have reactions that aren't true to their characters, just to move the story along. They don't stay true to how she originally portrays them to be and it makes it confusing for the r...more

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Apr 10, 2011 Lucinda Elliot rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers who love Ancient History novels

Recommended to Lucinda by: anonymous

This hook is written from the perspective of Kassandra, and shows a Trojan war from the female point of view, a terrible and avoidable catastrophe leading to degradation and mass slaughter, rape and the destruction of innoents.

Hector and the other warriers are deluded in their male notions of honour and glory, Agamemnon a brutal destroyer, Akhilles more or less a psychopath, finally toppled by the death of Patrokoles into madness,capable finally of a terrible act of necrophylia.

Of the women, He...more

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Jan 31, 2009 Cindy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I'm always up for an alternate point of view story, and Cassandra/Kassandra is a character from the story of the Trojan War who has the potential to be very interesting - a prophetess whose words are believed by no one. Unfortunately, Bradley likes to bludgeon the reader with her particular brand of feminism, i.e., things were better in that mythical time when everyone worshiped the Earth Mother, and woman should be free to take on consorts as they please, since men are all such jerks anyway. Bl...more

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Dec 23, 2012 Luci rated it 2 of 5 stars

Having enjoyed Mists of Avalon as a girl and then actually teaching it, it is easy to see that I am a big fan of the Mists of Avalon. I have also read other Bradley books, therefore I knew what to expect when I read this novel. Having read this novel right after Margaret George's Helen of Troy: A Novel, I was sadly disappointed. I must agree with other reviewers in that this particular novel is fiercely similar to Mists of Avalon, specifically in premise and characters, i.e. a young maiden of ro...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Kyleigh rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was a fantastic book. I had read that it was comparable to The Mists of Avalon. It didn’t live up to that, but it was very good. The feminine aspects were more like what I would expect from Marion Zimmer Bradley. The story of Kassandra was incredible. The setting was amazing too. Bradley does a fantastic job of weaving stories of Greek culture into the everyday activities in the book. She integrates them in a way that is so natural you might almost miss them. The only problem I had with thi...more

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Mar 01, 2011 Valerie added it · review of another edition

I think a lot of people are confusing 'historical accuracy' with what the Mycenaeans commanded their historians to write. For example, I'd already heard the story of the golden fleece being an old-fashioned way of panning for gold (you put the fleece in the stream, see, and then the gold dust sticks to the fibers...) in archaeology classes.

I have to say I was dubious about reading this book, because I thought it was about the Trojan War. I'd long ago decided not to read the Iliad, because I did...more I think a lot of people are confusing 'historical accuracy' with what the Mycenaeans commanded their historians to write. For example, I'd already heard the story of the golden fleece being an old-fashioned way of panning for gold (you put the fleece in the stream, see, and then the gold dust sticks to the fibers...) in archaeology classes.

I have to say I was dubious about reading this book, because I thought it was about the Trojan War. I'd long ago decided not to read the Iliad, because I didn't want to read stories about wars. When I realized that a lot of the story wasn't in Troy at all (and some of it was even in Colchis), I was a lot more interested.

The archaeological details are accurate as far as I know. The notion that the Trojan Horse was actually really an offering to Poseidon, (who was the god of earthquakes, among other things), makes more sense than the standard version. The comments on the filth at siege camps (and the concominant plagues) don't surprise me much.

I like the recognition of snakes as sacred. There's been too much demonization for too long. Snakes may have gotten a lot of bad press at least partly BECAUSE they were revered in many early religions--it's nice to see them treated with more respect.

There are several issues that are raised and never really dealt with, despite the length of the book. For example, it's established that the Queens in Mykenae have taken Akhian 'husbands', but it's never really explained WHY these things are occurring. It's unlikely to be personal decisions in every case. Aprhodite's ascendance is questioned thoroughly--but why, for example, did Leda choose to marry the father of Klytemnaestra (if not her twin Helen?) She seems to be resigned to it, but it's not consistent with the traditions of her people--and Klytemnaestra doesn't seem to have accepted it. One wonders what her relationship with her father was.

For another thing, the question of human-divine relationships is often raised, but never really dealt with. The question of why the gods meddle in human life, and why they often don't, is a question that's been asked for centuries. The ancient Romans and Greeks had a somewhat better understanding of whether the Immortals did have anything better to do with their lives (they generally argued that they didn't. The Classical gods didn't seem to have much to do with their lives. They apparently spent time seducing and meddling with humans (and each other), because they were bored out of their minds. Somebody needs to get them a puppy, or a hobby, or even a job).

In this book, it's less clear what the gods do with their time--they rarely manifest themselves clearly in the lives of mortals.

Bradley's afterwords address historical and archaeological issues, but they don't really deal with the complaint she makes about the Iliad, that it leaves off at the most interesting part. The same complaint could be made about this book. There is more than ample basis for a sequel. What DID happen to Kassandra and Zakynthos? Where did they go? What happened when they established their settlement? There's room for the equivalent of and Anaead, dealing with the 'new nation' (really probably a city-state like Colchis--and I've heard some hints that it might have been Marsailles). Any takers? (less)

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Mar 28, 2013 Erika Johansen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 25, 2011 Jeremy rated it 2 of 5 stars

The sad thing is, in terms of the art of writing this book was far better than many I have given 3 stars to. But overall, it was so much of a drag for 600 pages that all I can say about it is that it was OK - if that. My expectations were too high after reading the masterpiece that was The Mists of Avalon. A few reviewers have noted that The Firebrand (which title made no sense to me at all) was tMoA in Troy. ?????????????? I saw few similarities other than the retelling through the eyes of a fe...more The sad thing is, in terms of the art of writing this book was far better than many I have given 3 stars to. But overall, it was so much of a drag for 600 pages that all I can say about it is that it was OK - if that. My expectations were too high after reading the masterpiece that was The Mists of Avalon. A few reviewers have noted that The Firebrand (which title made no sense to me at all) was tMoA in Troy. ?????????????? I saw few similarities other than the retelling through the eyes of a female character and the presence of priestesses. If you are telling me this is the same story than you have read different novels than I.

So why was reading this a chore to me? To start with, the main character was abysmally annoying. She had the gift of the vision that she had very little control over and the propensity to start shrieking at the top of her lungs which she also had no control over. Having not read The Iliad, it is my understanding that Cassandra in that story was considered to be looney if not altogether pyschotic. If that is true and Bradley's intent was to re-write the myth/history from a female character's point of view, I sure wish she had chosen a different character - maybe Helen or Andromarche. Anyone but Kassandra. Even if you are trying to paint her in a different light, I was utterly put off by the dichotimies in her character of which there are too many to mention.

There were so many timeline issues or questionable plot devices that it got in the way of me simply reading and made me question whether everything had been thought out while writing. For instance, the "war" was portrayed to me, the reader, through the eyes of Kassandra and the other women who were standing on top of a wall where they could see practically everything that was going on down below. When I go to a baseball game and sit even 250 feet away from the action I can have trouble distinguishing players even if they are kids I know personally. I found it comical that they could basically tell what was going and who was doing what. I don't know. Maybe they had telescopes which hadn't been invented yet. Of course, given her 3rd person limited narrator, this was the only way Bradley could give us action as it happened - but I found the logistics a bit distracting.

I also love how people in cities that take almost a year to get to somehow have all the latest gossip as if the National Enquirer had been delivered to their doorstep or they were getting Tweets from King Priam's blackberry.

I could go on. In the end, the plot was not terrible, it was just so stretched out and I can only take Kassandra's recurring prophecies and her family's disgust of her prophecies for so long. And it was too long.

Finis

Epilogue - The final chapter had no real closure. Instead there was an "epilogue" which looked to me like it was actually the end of the book. Why call it an epilogue? These are the things I start to get nit-picky about when I am more or less finishing a book as a task.(less)

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Dec 01, 2007 Caroline rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: helen-of-troy, historical-fiction

Irritatingly inaccurate, not that we know the truth of the story. Hecuba and ex-Amazon? Kassandra kills Achilles thanks to her training as an Amazon? I don't understand the attraction to the person who recommended it and am thoroughly unimpressed with the writing of an author of whom several of my friends are fans.

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Oct 26, 2011 Melinda rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The first time I read this book I was in love! I have always loved Greek and Roman mythology but women never seemed to be the focus of those stories. If they are the focus, the story will focus on petty stereotypical interactions between women and I found that sooo very annoying. But Firebrand tells a different story. Firebrand is the story of Kassandra who was cursed by Apollo to be able to see the future but noone would believe her. So that's the Greek tales version but Marion Zimmer Bradley t...more

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Nov 10, 2009 David rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

I really enjoyed the retelling of the Fall of Troy from a woman's perspective, and I think Bradley does an excellent job of integrating the characters in a modern adaptation. She does get on her soapbox quite a bit though. I love the twist of women ruling, but getting ousted by their consorts who force their way into becoming kings. The problem is that instead of showing this happen and allowing me to establish my own opinion, she sort of force-feeds me what is already obvious. She inserts her w...more

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Jul 12, 2012 shannon rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Sometimes I think this "star" system is faulty. I gave this book five stars because I absolutely adore it and have read it 8329432423 times, but I'm not sure it's actually that good. All I know is that as a classical history nut who spent all her college years (and two post-grad years) studying ancient history, i go all heart-eyes for this book. it's the Trojan War told through the eyes of the women, and i love it because my favorite characters have always been the women -- Kassandra, Andromache...more

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May 27, 2012 Lydia rated it 2 of 5 stars

I read this book because I loved Mists of Avalon and all of the other books in that series. Up until the end I would've said that this book was on par with those and given it a good review. But at the end,or nearly the end I guess I should say, we are treated to an act of such violence towards a child and it is described so vividly that I fear the image of it will never leave my mind. And it's such a shame because the book was wonderous in it's description of Cassandra of Troy fame. I loved the...more

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Mar 07, 2010 Rosanna rated it 5 of 5 stars

On of my favorite books! This is an expanded re-telling of Homer's tale The Illiad.
In this version however, the main character is the Priestess and sister of Paris, Kassandra.
Very well done with wonderful historical detail and true spirituality though out. It also gives more believable and less mythological origins for the people later know as Centaurs and the Amazons, which is a great way to show the evolution of truth into myth and fantasy.
I consider this to be the bridge between the story lin...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Kerith rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, mythology

Contains a lot of the typical Bradley tropes -- warrior women, gender wars, etc etc, but remains a fairly well done retelling of the battle of Troy. My one beef is that she leaves out the Trojan horse. The Achaeans start building it, yes, but it never gets used the way the legend has it. I know she wanted to write it her way, not Homer's, but the Trojan horse -- with all those Greeks hidden inside it -- and the Trojans' greed in bringing it into the city is such a big part of the story to have i...more

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Dec 01, 2012 Aaron Carson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read this some years after The Mists of Avalon. I gobbled it up avidly enough, but it must be admitted that it was basically The Mists of Avalon in a Hellenic setting.

I could easily recognise the personalities of Viviane in Queen Penthiselea, Morgaine in Kassandra, and to some extent, Queen Morgause in Queen Imandra of Colchis.

Probably my favourite part of the book, was the time Kassandra spends at Queen Imandra's court when she is inducted into the cult of "Serpant Mother", which I assumed...more

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Jun 16, 2009 Noria rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: deutsch, fantasy

I really like to read books by Marion Zimmer Bradley, I just generally like her writing style and her ideas. I especially like her re-tellings of well-known myths from a female point of view and so I re-read Die Feuer von Troja (The Firebrand) again.

As I said, I like the female point of view and was surprised how some of her ideas on characters matched mine after I had read the "Illias" myself. One of them was that Achilleus has never been the glorious hero to me but a powerful, spoilt and cruel...more

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Aug 30, 2008 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, war, fiction

I LOVED this book. Cassandra narrates the story. I love the Iliad (all Greek mythology actually), so how could I not love Bradley's retelling of it? I felt as if I were transported to this time period.

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About Marion Zimmer Bradley

Marion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series, often with a feminist outlook.

Born on a farm in Albany, New York, during the Great Depression, she began writing in 1949 and sold her first story to Vortex magazine in 1952. In 1965 Bradley graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Te...more

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The Mists of Avalon (The Mists of Avalon, #1)

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