In Circle of Peace: A Greek Tale of Perse's Great Hall by Sophia Kouidou-Giles, Helios, the sun god, is married to Perse, but the gods are allowed to have many lovers, so he has a son with Clymene called Phaethon. Helios argued with Perse, which caused her to leave. She wants her own hall where she can host other goddesses and create an alliance to balance the world ruled by the hegemony of Zeus, the father of all gods. Selene, Helios's sister, has angered Zeus by falling in love with Endymion, who is a mere mortal. Helios is worried for his sister and asks Perse to help. Will she succeed? During the ceremony to celebrate Phaethon's birthday, Clymene is warned by the priest about the signs showing that wise Athena, who abhors war, wants Phaethon kept away from the horses. How will things turn out?

If you are a fan of Greek mythology, Circle of Peace by Sophia Kouidou-Giles is a must-read! With excellent narration and well-crafted dialogue that brought the story and the characters to life, there was never a dull moment in this book. This page-turner got me hooked from the first page to the last. I love strong female characters, and Sophia didn't disappoint in this regard. For example, Perse is willing to challenge the existing order of things. The steady pacing and the effective use of suspense also keep the reader intrigued and eager to discover the events in subsequent chapters. Sophia also ensured all events and places were vividly described, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening.

"Tears are not reserved for warriors, as great as they may be; the gods also cry." You will find tears in Circle Of Peace: A Greek Tale of Perse's Great Hall by Sophia Kouidou-Giles, but you will also find much more. Set in the magical world of ancient Greek mythology, the novel focuses on Perse, a minor deity who seeks a great hall of her own from her husband, Helios, the sun god. The hall, however, is meant to be more than a building. It is to be a seat of power and a gathering place to attract Olympian gods who seek a more peaceful existence for themselves and humans. In a world where men, women, gods, and mortals can be admirable or wretched, Perse and her allies must carefully navigate the passions of higher beings lest they invoke their capricious wrath. 

While this comforting girl-power story takes place in an exotic and mysterious reality, the underlying theme is simple and crucial. There is too much war and violence in the world. Circle Of Peace illustrates that exceptionally well with select key and poignant passages. The characters fascinated me, and I wondered how Sophia Kouidou-Giles intended to develop what are, after all, established personalities. Sophia's solution is elegant; some characters are infused with new multifaceted dispositions, while others retain their historical identities. Written in a captivating style that lacks complexity for its own sake, this title will appeal not only to a core audience but also introduce Greek mythology to those unaware of it while simultaneously empowering our daughters without diminishing our sons.