Pages: 256
Publisher: Abrams Books
Release Date: 1st August 2010
Other Titles by this Author: Something to Blog About
Homer’s Iliad, the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in Troy High. Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena—who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders—transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie’s brother Perry, the Spartans vow that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten.
The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans’ wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans’ offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school.
Troy High is a clever and entertaining re-telling of Homer’s classic epic poem, the Illiad.
I’ve never read the Iliad, but I do know the story of Helen of Troy vaguely, and I had no trouble at all in following the plot and identifying the connections between the stories.. It’s such a famous tale that’s been re-told so many times and through lots of different medias, but I’ve never come across a modern YA version before. And though I have no point of comparison, I think Shana Norris did it brilliantly.
The rivalry between Troy High and Lacede High had been around for fifty years before Elena Argos was transferred from Lacede to Troy, fell in love with one of their star football players and sparked a war. Outrageous pranks were pulled by both sides and although they were meant to be funny, I agreed with Cassie and thought that they were petty and immature. I also DO NOT understand American football. At all. And are US high schools really like that? I so hope not.
Shana Norris has written a nice, quick read complete with a very sweet romance.
For my 2010 100+ Reading Challenge
Sophie
I really enjoyed this one. I love that whole high school rivalry thing, so I think that's why. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a lot of fun...great review! I have to say that, though I'm officially an American, I don't understand American football either haha it might not have helped that my high school didn't have football :)
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