Daughter of Sparta

By Claire M. Andrews (1)

Characters, Objects, Themes, and Storylines

According to Goodreads, Daughter of Sparta is a reinterpretation of the classic Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo. In this version, Daphne is represented as a seventeen-year-old girl who spent her entire life shaping herself into a fierce warrior, and Apollo is portrayed as a handsome and entirely-too-self-assured god. Other characters in this book include Artemis, twin of Apollo, who holds Daphne's brother's (Pyrrhus) fate in her hands, Theseus, and Hippolyta of the Amazons (2). As stated in We Write At Dawn, "Nine mysterious items have been stolen from Mount Olympus and if Daphne cannot find them, the gods' waning powers will fade away, the mortal world will descend into chaos, and her brother's life will be forfeit...Daphne's journey will take her from the labyrinth of the Minotaur to the riddle-spinning Sphinx of Thebes, team her up with mythological legends... and pit her against the gods themselves" (3). 

Labyrinth Maze (10)

A few important symbols in the original myth are the Laurel Tree, Apollo's Bow and Arrows, and Daphne's transformation. The Laurel Tree represents Daphne's freedom from Apollo, Apollo's bows and arrows represent his hunt for Daphne, and Daphne's transformation represents her resistance to Apollo. These symbols are not present in the novel as the story is different from other notable features. Symbols that are present in the modern retelling of the story are the labyrinth and the Sphinx's Riddle which are objects taken from other Greek myths. Daphne has to escape the labyrinth, a symbol of change, and face the riddle-spinning Sphynx of Thebes, symbolizing challenge, during her journey guided by Apollo. For more information about the labyrinth and riddle-spinning Spynx use the links. A review posted by One Book More expresses that there are many themes that readers can relate to, for example, the desire to be accepted and to feel a sense of belonging chief among them. The physical and emotional journey that Daphne embarks on represents the power of determination, resilience, and fighting for something bigger than yourself (4). 

Adapted from Original Material

Apollo and Daphne Sculpture (6)

According to the Collector, the original Greek myth about Apollo and Daphne is a tale about the power of love or the power of Cupid. It is said that Apollo falls deeply in love with a woman sworn to remain a virgin, Daphne, and hunts her down with the emotion of lust. The moment he catches Daphne, she turns into a tree, which is famously represented in Bernini's Apollo and Daphne sculpture (5). The story of Daughter of Sparta is said to be a reinterpretation of the classic Greek myth of Daphne and Apollo by Amazon, but debut author Claire Andrews turns the traditionally male-dominated mythology that is more often heard into a "heart-pounding and empowering female-led adventure" (7). 

In a book review by Caitlin Shaffer, she explained that Daphne has much more agency over her actions in this specific retelling of the story, giving her power and a mission to save Olympus, rather than simply being chased and turned into a tree. There is also a blend of other Greek myths that Claire Andrews intertwined with the original tale. The Apollo in this novel is said to feel much more human, unlike some distant god from Olympus (8). Another review of the novel posted by Rachel proclaimed that there is little relevance to Andrew's narrative and the original story. "Her Daphne isn't a helpless maiden at the mercy of Apollo's whims; she's the agent of her own story, and also the only one who can save Greece from impending doom." It felt nothing like the other adaptations she had read, while still taking place in the original setting (9). 

What Does This Adaptation Add to Representations of Greek Mythology

Apollo Pursuing Daphne (11)

This particular adaptation of Apollo and Daphne reimagines the Greek myth while offering a new perspective from the female lead's point of view. The original myths of Greek mythology were notoriously told from the men's point of view like Zeus and Odysseus, with women often regarded as secondary roles. This book specifically aims to give voice to a female character who has traditionally been in a supporting role as an object of pursuit. In this adaptation, Daphne is no longer a figure destined for tragedy, instead, she is represented as a skilled warrior who willingly takes charge in the quest to save Olympus. This refreshing shift in perspective is especially important because the gods once known as "heroes" were now seen in a different light from the women in their lives. It challenges the long-standing portrayal of gods and heroes. Having Daphne be the main character of this novel, allows for a more accurate and empowering representation of women, as well as providing a more modern retelling of a traditional myth. 

Works Cited

1. Andrews, Claire. Daughter of Sparta. Greenwillow Books, 2021. 

2. Andrews, Claire. Daughter of Sparta. Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50123234-daughter-of-sparta. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025. 

3. We Write At Dawn. "Review: Daughter of Sparta." We Write At Dawn, 21 June https://wewriteatdawn.com/2021/06/21/review-daughter-of-sparta/. 

4. One Book More. "ARC Review: Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews." One Book More, 7 June 2021, https://onebookmore.com/2021/06/07/arc-review-daughter-of-sparta-by-claire-m-andrews/.

5. "The Story of Apollo and Daphne." The Collector, https://www.thecollector.com/apollo-and-daphne/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025. 

6. "Apollo and Daphne." Borghese Gallery, https://borghese.gallery/collection/sculpture/apollo-and-daphne.html. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025. 

7. Andrews, Claire. Daughter of Sparta. 1st ed., Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2021, https://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Sparta-Claire-Andrews-0316540072/dp/0316540072. 

8. Pace Amore Libri. "Book Review: Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews." Pace Amore Libri, 27 Aug 2021, https://paceamorelibri.wordpress.com/2021/08/27/book-review-daughter-of-sparta-by-claire-m-andrews/. 

9. Spines That Shine. "Daughter of Sparta." Spines That Shine, 11 June 2021, https://spinesthatshine.wordpress.com/2021/06/11/daughterofsparta/. 

10. "Myths of the Labyrinth." Ashmolean Museum, https://www.ashmolean.org/article/myths-of-the-labyrinth. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025. 

11. "Apollo and Daphne." National Gallery of Art, https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.41693.html. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.