Circle of Peace is a Greek mythology retelling that reimagines the world of Olympus through the eyes of Perse, Queen of the sun god Helios. Thessaloniki-born author Sophia Kouidou-Giles brings her deep knowledge of Greek culture and mythology to this substantial novella, which explores the possibility of peace in a world ruled by divine authority. For fans of Madeline Miller’s Circe or Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne, this is a lovingly researched and thoughtfully crafted addition to the modern mythological retelling genre.
The story opens with Perse returning to Helios’s palace, only to find her household in turmoil. Helios’s volatile son Phaethon is dangerously reckless, convinced his divine lineage entitles him to power without preparation (“I am better than any of them. I am the son of Helios!”). Meanwhile, Helios’s sister Selene risks Zeus’s wrath by pursuing a forbidden love with a mortal shepherd. As tensions escalate and Zeus’s disapproval looms like a shadow, Perse begins to envision something radical: a Circle of Peace, an alliance of goddesses seeking “a better balance in a world ruled by the hegemony of Zeus.” What follows is a story that’s in equal parts familial drama and epic myth. It’s a lesser known story in Greek myth (to me at least), and one I really enjoyed discovering in this format.
What I found particularly impressive about this novel is how authentic and well-researched it feels. Kouidou-Giles’s knowledge shines through on every page, notably the accurate and impressive use of classical terminology. Words like chiton and cylix for a drinking cup add wonderful realism and show attention to detail, and there’s even inclusion of a helpful glossary at the back. These small touches demonstrate the care invested in making this world feel genuinely rooted in ancient Greek culture rather than a surface-level fantasy reimagining. They also respect the reader’s intelligence.
The prose is clean and polished without being showy, flowing smoothly and avoiding purple prose while still delivering vivid sensory details. Kouidou-Giles’s writing is functional in the best sense: clear, elegant, and never calling attention to itself. Descriptions like “Queen Perse wended up the path to her palatial home” or “his wounded pride released in him a blind fury” convey atmosphere and psychology without unnecessary ornamentation. It’s all just very well put together; I didn’t spot any typos or grammar errors, and the formatting and cover are lovely.
The pacing is deliberate and gripping, favoring process over spectacle. Conflicts largely unfold through councils, conversations, and careful political maneuvering rather than epic battles. Some readers may find it difficult to believe in this soap opera approach to the gods or find the measured approach slow, though fans of Mary Renault or Guy Gavriel Kay will recognize this as characteristic of historically-grounded fantasy. Thankfully the characters are compelling enough to carry the weight, particularly Perse herself.
One of the novel’s most unique aspects is how it anthropomorphizes the Greek gods. They feel genuinely human and barely gods at all at some points. “Zeus disapproves” is often all that needs to be said. I could easily imagine this being adapted like the recent Netflix series, Kaos. The novel also tackles some deep themes such as whether peace can truly exist in a world built on inequality.
I particularly loved how the novel incorporates other Greek myths such as The Odyssey into it. Odysseus himself appears on the page, present on Circe’s island (“Odysseus, the king of Ithaca and leader of men, had been repairing the ship, moored on the bay”), which places the novel directly within the same timeline as Homer’s epic. The inclusion of Homer himself as a bard recounting “the latest adventures of Odysseus” adds a clever meta-layer, showing how these mythic stories exist within the world where the gods themselves live.
The character work throughout is strong, with Perse emerging as a complex and strong female protagonist. Her strained relationship with her daughter Circe adds emotional depth, as does the tragic arc of Phaethon. The supporting cast are rendered with psychological nuance that elevates them beyond their mythological archetypes. I also found the novel’s exploration of themes like motherhood and the fragile work of peace gives the book an important relevance to these polarised modern times.
Overall, Circle of Peace is a really clever and beautifully done book, one that clearly reflects the author’s deep love for Greek mythology and her commitment to exploring its moral and political dimensions. The research is impeccable, the prose is elegant and purposeful, and the themes are rich enough to reward rereading and discussion. An easy to recommend book to nearly everyone.
Final verdict: This is a lovingly put together work of fiction that honors its ancient sources while making them speak to modern concerns. A compelling, thoughtful retelling that deserves a place on any mythology lover’s shelf, for fans of Madeline Miller and Stephen Fry’s mythic retellings.
You can get your copy of Circle of Peace here!
