Although I love blogging, sometimes it’s a real frustration that there’s a book I know I’ll thoroughly enjoy but I simply haven’t time to fit it in to the towering TBR pile. So it is with Hannah Lynn’s latest novel. By way of personal compensation, I’m thrilled to stay in with Hannah and hear all about it instead.

Staying in with Hannah Lynn

Welcome to Linda’s Book Bag Hannah and thank you for agreeing to stay in with me.

Thank you so much for having me here!

My pleasure. Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

The book I have brought is Queens of Themiscyra. It is a retelling based around the stories of the Amazon Warriors from the time of Ancient Greece. It is a standalone novel, from my Greecian Women series.

I love modern retellings. What can we expect from an evening in with Queens of Themiscyra?

You can expect to be transported to Ancient Greece and to the lives of the famously strong Amazon women who fought on horseback and lived apart from men. Pop culture and literature is littered with references to these incredible warriors, but rarely do they get to be the star of the show. This story follows two Amazon queens, Hippolyte and Penthesilea who are both daughters of Ares, the God of War.

This sounds amazing. Does Queens of Themiscyra entirely focus on women?

Throughout the story that spans roughly 30 years you will encounter some of the most famous names and events from Greek Mythology, including Heracles, Theseus and the Minotaur and the battle of Troy, but all examined from the unique perspective of these incredible women. There’s something for everyone in this epic tale of love and loss. loyalty and betrayal, peace and war.

I think Queens of Themiscyra sounds fantastic. What else have you brought along and why have you brought it?

While the Amazons were not big drinkers, I have brought myself a glass of fig gin, to go with the fruit that would grow in Themiscyra.  I have also dressed in a patterned tunic with trousers and boots to really get into character. I actually wanted to bring a bow and arrow or an axe, but it felt like a bit of a safety issue.

Hmm. You might be OK with a bow and arrow but having tried archery I’m definitely not. I love your outfit though and I’m very happy you brought the gin!

Thanks so much for staying in with me to chat about Queens of Themiscyra Hannah. I think it sounds absolutely brilliant. You pour us another gin and I’ll give readers a few more details:

Queens of Themiscyra

Sisters. Mothers. Lovers. Warriors.

In ancient Themiscyra, Hippolyte rules as Queen of the Amazons. Feared throughout Greece, their skills on the battlefield are unrivalled. But when a ship lands on their shores, it brings something more dangerous than the threat of war. It brings a future Hippolyte could never have dreamed of.

Swept away to Athens, Hippolyte learns a love that transcends even the bond of the Amazon women. But can she forget her warrior past and forge a new life?

With her sister gone, Penthesilea is left with no choice but to rise as the new Amazon Queen. Forgoing her sister’s compassion and wisdom, Penthesilea rules with impulsiveness and ferocity that sparks terror throughout the Aegean.
But when Hippolyte’s world starts to crumble it is up to Penthesilea to decide how far she will go to defend their honour, family and way of life.

If you are a fan of epic tales, powerful female characters, and mythology retellings you are going to love the latest book in Hannah Lynn’s Grecian Women Series.

Published by Medusa on 1st May 2022, Queens of Themiscyra is available for purchase here.

About Hannah Lynn

Hannah published her first novel, Amendments – a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel, in 2015. Since then she has moved between genres, although the books Hannah predominately writes are romantic comedies and Greek mythology retellings. Hannah also writes urban fantasy under the pen name Ella Stone. While her stories are often very different she strives to deliver novels that are full of character driven narratives and vivid descriptions.

For more information, find Hannah on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @HMLynnauthor, and visit her website.