Hermione has been thrown out by her father Menelaus, king of Sparta, and sent to stay with her uncle Agamemnon at Mycaenae. Menelaus is angry. Hermione’s mother Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, has eloped with Paris, the young prince of Troy, and at present Menelaus can’t even bear to see his daughter.

The journey to Mycaenae brings both joy and sadness to Hermione. She meets a boy with a mop of yellow hair and a lop-sided smile, who also has a famous parent.

But tragedy is building. Agamemnon and Menelaus plan to make war on Troy. Menelaus aims to win back his wife; and Agamemnon wants to attain Troy’s gold. However, Agamemnon has offended a powerful goddess and there will be a price to pay – one more terrible than Hermione could ever have imagined…

The first book in an exciting Young Adult series set in Ancient Greece.

Frances Thomas was born in Wales, but has lived in London for most of her life. Some years ago, she and her historian husband moved to mid-Wales. She has written many books for adults and children. One of her recent children’s novels, Finding Minerva, won the Tir na nOg prize in 2008, and her picture book, Supposing, illustrated by Ross Collins, won a Scottish Arts Council Award in 1999.

Her biography of Christina Rossetti has been recently reprinted, and she is planning to write a biography of Eleanor Farjeon. As well as writing, she worked for many years teaching dyslexic children. She has two adult daughters and two grandchildren. You can visit her website at www.francesthomas.org.

‘Helen’s Daughter is a marvellous book – pacy, exciting, forboding, and filled with fascinating characters. Frances Thomas writes with a sure, light touch, bringing out to the full the beauty and tragedy of the legend. I really loved it. A fabulous introduction to the sometimes neglected beginning of the Trojan War.’
– Katherine Langrish, author of West of the Moon

‘The sights, sounds and smells of the ancient world are captured here with a poet’s skill. We are drawn irresistibly in to Hermione’s world as if seeing it through her own eyes. She is a captivating heroine. I can hardly wait for the other stories in this series…’
– Sandra Horn, author of The Silkie

‘Thrilling, original and romantic, just what an intelligent girl of eleven would love.’
– Amanda Craig, author of Hearts and Minds