The Heir of Venus
A Novel
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This feminist retelling of Greek and Roman mythology reimagines the story of Aeneas and the women once left at the fringes of his story, perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Natalie Haynes.
To the world he's a legend. To her he's a liar.
Lavinia never asked to be fought over. But now her childhood sweetheart has waged a war that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear, all because Lavinia's father has promised her to somebody else-Aeneas.
Aeneas, rumored to be the son of Venus, is famed for his bravery, cunning, and his vision for a new great Empire. He is also secretive, slippery, and Lavinia wonders why he will never discuss the past he left behind.
So when a stranger arrives in the camp with stories about Aeneas that suggest he is not what he seems, Lavinia realizes she has to take her future, and that of her people, into her own hands.
With striking prose and an inquisitive eye cast back on mythology, The Heir of Venus is an impactful and relatable story of a fight for the truth, set in the rich world of Greek mythology.
About this Author
Laura Shepperson was born in the UK and has always been fascinated by myths and myth retellings, studying classical studies at the University of Auckland. Her first novel, Phaedra, was a UK Sunday Times bestseller. (under the title The Heroines). In 2017 she was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Prize for Fiction. Laura holds a master of studies in creative writing from the University of Cambridge. Laura lives outside London with her husband and two children. She can be found on Twitter and Instagram @LauraShepperson.
Reviews
Praise for Heir of Venus:
"Like Claire Heywood's The Shadow of Perseus, Shepperson's second outing
centers three complex, fascinating, pivotal female figures of the ancient world in a beguiling
narrative."
--Booklist
"A fascinating and fun read from cover to cover . . . Will have a tremendous appeal to readers with an interest in the retelling of ancient Greek myths with a new modern sensibility and imagination."
--Midwest Book Review
"Told through stunning prose and evocative character interactions, Shepperson's new work deserves a spot on the bookshelf of any reader of Greek and Roman myths."
--Historical Novel Society
"Shepperson weaves an enthralling narrative written from the perspective of the women of the Aeneid. Intricate and poetic, The Heir of Venus is a thought-provoking meditation on the conflict between love and destiny, not to mention the silent sacrifices necessary to put a great man on the throne."
--Luna McNamara, author of Psyche and Eros
"Shepperson follows up her masterful debut Phaedra with an engaging and enjoyable retelling of Aeneas, hero of the Aeneid, who becomes somewhat less heroic from the perspective of his three wives. Shepperson deftly weaves the stories of Creusa, Dido and Lavinia to create a fast-paced, compelling narrative of the events surrounding Aeneas's legendary foundation of Rome. Here, Lavinia is an active and pragmatic kingmaker rather than Virgil's silent, passive princess. Shepperson's expansion on the story of Anna, Dido's sister in a minor version of the myth, is a nice touch, bringing a more satisfying conclusion to the story of the wronged queen of Carthage. But perhaps the most engrossing tale is that of Aeneas's first wife Creusa, forgotten child of Priam and Hekuba, whom Aeneas left to burn in Troy as he fled with his father and son. It is Creusa's sacrifice that ensures their son fulfills his destiny to rule Rome, and Creusa's love that redeems her flawed husband, as the reader comes to understand his less than chivalrous behaviour to Dido, and his self-serving courtship of Lavinia."
--Nikki Marmery, author of Lilith
Praise for Phaedra:
"[A] powerful and compulsively readable tale . . . [For] fans of Jennifer Saint's Ariadne and Madeline Miller's Circe."
--Booklist, starred review
"Shepperson shines in her debut . . . This inspired feminist retelling will captivate readers."
--Publishers Weekly
"A powerful reimagining of Greek tragedy, skillfully interweaving the voices of women to haunting effect, creating echoes that resonate in modern society. A deft and clever retelling full of intrigue, rage and pathos."
--Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne
"A timely and labyrinthian retelling of the trial of Phaedra: breaking down the old walls and illuminating the true monsters."
--Cari Thomas, Sunday Times bestseller author of Threadneedle
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