Hetaera: Suspense in Ancient Athens

By Suzanne Tyrpak

Hetaera—suspense in ancient Athens, is Book One of the Agathon’s Daughter Trilogy. Born a bastard and a slave, Hestia has a gift: the power to read people’s hearts. And yet, the secrets of her own heart remain a mystery. Hestia’s keen intellect makes her a match for any man. But even a literate slave has little control over destiny. Sold to a prominent statesman with sadistic tendencies, Hestia becomes his hetaera (consort). As her wealth and fame increase so does her despair. She dreams of freedom, but she faces enemies at every turn. When Hestia is accused of murder the mystery of her past unravels and fate takes another turn.

Hetaera: Agathon's Daughter was awarded third place in the Maui Writers Rupert Hughes writing competition.

New York Times bestselling author, Tess Gerritsen says:
"Agathon's Daughter is a tale told by a writer who deserves your attention, a writer who certainly captured mine."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Suzanne Tyrpak
• Release date: Dec 12, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466161979

Suzanne Tyrpak

Adytum publishes:Suzanne Tyrpak, award winner writer of historical and contemporary fiction. Works include: Vestal Virgin (suspense in ancient Rome), Hetaera (suspense in ancient Athens), and Rosy: a Novel. Short story collections include Ghost Plane and Other Disturbing Tales, and Dating My Vibrator (and other true fiction).Zané Sachs has worked for several large corporations (including a supermarket), and those situations have, in part, inspired Sadie the Sadist. Sadly, she has found, that the current work environment in the U.S. often treats workers as expendable units, comparable to robots. Every day automated systems and machines are replacing human workers. Zané expects to be replaced by a robot any minute. She is currently working on a prequel to Sadie the Sadist, titled Sadie's Guide to Catching Killers, and a psychological suspense novel, Jayne Just Watches.

Book preview

Agathon’s Daughter

Book One: Hetaera

By

Suzanne Tyrpak

Copyright 2011 Suzanne Tyrpak

Cover Design Copyright 2011 Jeroen ten Berge

http://jeroentenberge.com/

Smashwords Edition

for

My Favorite Beekeeper

Contents

Foreword by Tess Gerritsen

Author’s Note

Cast of Characters

Act One

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

Act Two

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Act Three

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE

CHAPTER THIRTY

Glossary

Acknowledgements

Other Books by Suzanne Tyrpak

Contact Suzanne

Foreword

"Powerful writing makes itself known within a few paragraphs. That’s how quickly I realized that Suzanne Tyrpak is a writer of extraordinary talent, when I read the first chapters of AGATHON’S DAUGHTER during a writing workshop in Maui. I was the instructor, Suzanne was a student, yet I knew immediately that this was not a student’s writing. This was polished, riveting work, lushly descriptive and fraught with tension. I wanted to read the rest of this story. I wanted this to be a book.

Now that book is here, I’m delighted that other readers can savor the story that I’ve awaited so eagerly over the past few years. AGATHON’S DAUGHTER is a tale told by a writer who deserves your attention, a writer who certainly captured mine."

Tess Gerritsen

New York Times Bestselling Author

Rizzoli and Isles

December, 2011

Author’s Note

Note: Agathon’s Daughter: Hetaera, book one of the Agathon’s Daughter trilogy, takes place in Athens, Greece, in 443 B.C.E. During the period known as Classic Athens (508 B.C.E. — 332 B.C.E.), Athens was a cultural center for art, philosophy and learning, the birthplace of Sophocles, Pericles, Socrates, and many others who changed history. At this time, rivalry existed between conservative oligarchs, who favored the old aristocracy, and forward-thinking politicians like Pericles who promoted democracy.

Women lived cloistered lives, could not own property, and received little education. The hetaerae (courtesans or consorts) were the exception. These highly educated women attended symposiums with men and could become extremely influential. Aspasia of Miletus, consort of Pericles, was known as the first woman of Athens, and she played a vocal role in Athenian society and politics.

Agathon’s Daughter is populated by real and fictitious characters. Any similarity to persons living in the past two thousand years is coincidental.

Cast of Characters

Agathon of Athens (fictitious) a wealthy statesman

Aspasia of Miletus hetaera to Pericles (470-400 B.C.E.)

Calonice (fictitious) a slave in the House of Agathon

Diodorus of Athens (fictitious) Melaina’s son

Galenos (fictitious) a slave, steward to Lycurgus

Georgios (fictitious) a slave, Foreman of the silver mines

Hestia (fictitious) a slave in the House of Agathon

Lycurgus of Athens (fictitious) a wealthy statesman, Agathon’s business partner

Melaina of Athens (fictitious) wife of Agathon, mother of Diodorus

Odysseus (fictitious) a cat

Pericles of Athens influential statesman, orator, strategos, (495-429 B.C.E.)

Socrates a famous Athenian philosopher (469-399 B.C.E.)

Therapon (fictitious) a slave, steward to Agathon

Thucydides, son of Melesius a conservative statesman, Classic Athens

Zosime (fictitious) a slave in the House of Lycurgus

Act One

True friend and follower,

beyond question you prove your loyalty to our house!

As a thoroughbred of the highest quality, though old,

does not lose courage in danger, but pricks his ear,

you urge us forward, our greatest supporter.

I will tell you, then, what I have determined;

listen closely to my words, and correct me,

if I miss the mark.

—Sophocles, Orestes

CHAPTER ONE

Wind swept down from the acropolis, driving dust along the narrow lanes past sleeping houses, slipping through bolted doors into the Master’s bedchamber. On this dismal night, even the House of Agathon offered no barrier against the winged god of death.

Hestia drew her shawl close around her shoulders, gazed across the chamber. The oil lamp sputtered, casting shadows on the ceiling, and darkness crept across the old man’s face.

Come closer, he called out, clutching at the bedcovers, struggling to lift his head. A rasping cough strangled his voice. He stared at her as if witnessing an apparition.

Rest, she said.

I have wronged you.

Never.

Hestia dipped a cloth into a bowl of water infused with thyme to stem the fever and mopped her Master’s brow. Since the onset of his illness, the furrows in Agathon’s forehead had grown more pronounced, and lines wrought by years of laughter sagged into a frown. The battle-worn face she loved so well, craggy as the hills of Athens, seemed possessed by a secret grief.

He regarded her with stark intensity. If I should die this night—

Don’t speak of death.

Groaning, he rolled onto his side. Do you hear them howling?

Who?

The hounds of Hades. I hear the splash of Charon’s oars; the icy waters of the Styx lap at my feet.

Despite the late hour, despite the impending rain, Hestia considered sending for the physician; the remedy Doctor Baraz had prescribed didn’t seem to be working. She moved quickly to the doorway, waking the injury she’d received as an infant. Pain shot through her ankle.

Where are you going?

To get the Despoina.

Don’t wake my wife. Melaina needs her beauty sleep. Agathon struggled to sit, his breath shallow and rapid.

In truth, Hestia felt relief. The prospect of waking the Despoina held all the charm of opening Pandora’s box—except no hope lay hidden at the bottom. Only wrath. Yet, the feverish glitter of Agathon’s eyes made her uneasy. She walked back to the bed and touched his forehead. Heat rushed through her fingers, the pulse of life escaping him.

You’re burning up.

If only I could sleep. Agathon closed his eyes, but he looked far from peaceful.

Hestia wiped her eyes, warding off her tears.

Melaina claimed it was disrespectful for a slave to show emotion. Slaves, Melaina said, were meant to blend into the furnishings, stay hidden in corners, like a chamber pot. Despite her effort to stop them, tears escaped her eyes. How could she prevent herself from crying for the one person in this world who had shown her kindness? The person who had saved her life.

Agathon’s eyelids fluttered open, and the soul she loved peered out. Get some sleep, he said.

If I sleep who will care for you?

You’re a good girl, Hestia. A bit strong-willed, but intelligent.

His words brought more tears.

When the rains are over, she said, attempting to compose herself. And as soon as you regain your strength, we’ll visit the acropolis; make an offering at the Pantheon.

Pour me some wine.

Perhaps you need another dose of the physician’s medicine.

No more. It tastes bitter.

The Despoina opened an amphora of your favorite wine. I’ll add some honey to the wine and you won’t notice the medicine.

Don’t treat me like a woman—

Hestia knew better than to argue.

Pain bit her ankle; it always did at this late hour. Favoring her left foot, she reached the sideboard. She poured wine from an earthen pitcher into a drinking cup then added water and a dollop of honey—the last of the supply she had gathered in the autumn. Soon it would be time to reopen the hives and discover if the bees had survived the winter—but now that Diodorus had returned from military service the bees would be his chore. Hestia admired Agathon’s son; Diodorus care about important things like the natural world, philosophy and mathematics. She glanced at Agathon to make certain he wasn’t watching before reaching for the vial of tincture. She dosed the wine liberally. Limping toward the bed, she offered him the cup.

Your ankle pains you, he said. She busied herself straightening the bedcovers. Hestia, look at me.

His face was blotchy, ravaged by fever. Though the physician insisted his illness wasn’t plague, the servants whispered otherwise. Day and night they lit fires and made offerings to the household gods, mumbling excuses why they couldn’t sit with him. Laundry needed to be done, bread had to be baked, spring cleaning was past due. Even the Master’s wife kept her distance. Hestia saw no lesions, no swollen glands, no sign of plague—yet Agathon’s condition worsened.

Drink, she said, and you’ll feel better.

Stop fussing. Sit.

She drew a goatskin stool close to the bed and sat, hands folded in her lap.

Agathon sipped the wine, made a sour face, then set the cup on the bedside table. He reached for her hand, small within his sturdy paw, and squeezed her fingers. Remember the day we climbed the Hill of Nymphs?

Not long ago, after another stormy night, she and Agathon had ventured out to wander through the sacred olive grove. Sunlight danced through rain-drenched leaves.

I remember, she said. I asked you what Socrates says of love.

And I said you’re too young to ponder that subject.

Seventeen is hardly young, Master.

Time passes swiftly. A frown tugged at Agathon’s mouth. He reached for the cup of wine, but didn’t drink. According to Socrates, there are two varieties of love—the higher leads to harmony, the lower to destruction.

How can you tell the difference?

If you can answer that, my darling girl, you’re wiser than Socrates. His eyes appeared troubled. Can you find it in your heart to love an old warhorse like me?

Hestia stared at her lap, unsure of what he wanted. Unsure of how to answer.

My question upsets you. He grabbed the cup of wine and drank. His eyes peered at her above the cup’s rim. Give me your honest opinion—at this late hour of my life, can my soul be purified?

Your soul is pure. Your life has been exemplary—

No.

She interlocked her fingers, observing their redness and how the knuckles blanched. Weighing her words, she said, I believe all souls to be eternal. Therefore, the hour can never be too late for a soul’s redemption.

By the gods, he said softly, you’re a match for any man, any philosopher, even Socrates.

You flatter me.

I speak the truth. You take after your mother, golden curls, and eyes as blue as the Aegean.

My mother preferred me dead.

Who told you that?

The Despoina.

Melaina? Agathon shook his head.

Your wife says my mother chained me to a hill—left me, as an infant, to die of exposure.

Agathon took a gulp of wine, his hand shaking. A cough took hold, deep and guttural. He tried to hand the cup to Hestia, but the wine spilled. A crimson stain crept across the bedcover—not only wine, but blood.

Hestia removed the cup from his trembling hand, her own shaking as well. Her eyes met Agathon’s and she gazed into his heart. The cup slipped from her hand, crashed on the tile floor, and shattered.

You knew my mother, didn’t you? Her gaze reached deeper, unlocking his secrets. You loved her.

Yes. He stared at her, stricken.

Tell me, she said.

Tell you what?

She released him from her gaze.

Bending to collect pieces of the broken cup, she sorted through disparate emotions—sorrow for her Master’s illness, anger at his reticence, loneliness. As she stood, she felt light-headed, as if she were falling into a dark well. Who would find her? Who would notice she had gone?

His voice came from far away, calling her into the present.

I’ll get another cup, she said.

She moved toward the sideboard, felt his eyes follow her. The amphora felt slick against her palms. Her back to him, she poured medicine into the wine, added a large spoon of honey. She wanted him to sleep, wanted him to close his eyes—so she couldn’t see into his heart.

She handed him the cup, and Agathon drank deeply, his face flushing as the medicine took its course.

He wiped his mouth, settled into his cushions.

Her name was Olympia.

Olympia, Hestia said, the name forming on her tongue, swelling like a wave and crashing in her gut.

Give me that box. Agathon pointed to the bedside table.

She handed him a bronze box inlaid with colored stones.

Agathon opened the lid, drew out a ring. Gold glittered in the lamplight, sending shivers through Hestia. He pressed the ring into her palm, and a flood of images followed, each vying for her attention: a man crowned by a diadem, a woman dressed in flowing robes. The man slipped the ring on the woman’s finger. The ring was worth more than a slave could hope to earn in a lifetime. Holding it between her thumb and forefinger, Hestia marveled at the workmanship. Twin serpents intertwined to form the symbol of eternity, ruby eyes flashing fire.

Read the inscription.

To Olympia from Agathon, Hestia read. And then a month, Boedromion.

A golden day in autumn, a day sacred to Dionysius—the day of your conception.

How would you know?

Have you not guessed?

She stared into his eyes, afraid to speak the truth she saw.

Agathon reached for her hand, but she recoiled, her thoughts and feelings churning. When she spoke, her voice came out as a whisper. I am your—

Daughter.

And my mother?

Died giving birth to you. I was here, in Athens, when I received the news. Agathon sank back into the cushions.

Hestia turned the ring in her palm, feeling the weight of the gold, the weight of Agathon’s words. Of course, she’d been abandoned, a bastard and a girl. Unwanted children were often left out in the elements to expire.

Why did you save me?

I couldn’t bear to see you die. I sought you out, plucked you from your chains.

And kept me as your slave.

I couldn’t claim you as my own. Melaina wouldn’t…

Her eyes met his. His face seemed to be melting, like a wax mask left out in the sun. His mouth moved, but his words were drowned in the roar of questions rushing through her mind. She wasn’t the first bastard to be born to a wealthy Master, not the first child to be unclaimed. It was a common story. But she had trusted Agathon. Gorge rose to her mouth, molten rage that stung her throat. She swallowed, forcing down her anger.

Forgive me, he said. Forgive an old man.

Blue veins lined his hands, carrying his blood. Her blood. The blood she had been denied.

Who was she, my mother? A slave?

A goddess. She belonged to no man. Agathon sighed heavily, closed his eyes.

Hestia studied his ravaged face and saw her own. She reached for his shoulder, shook him. Olympia who? From where?

He mumbled something.

The shutters clattered. The wind had ripped them open. She glanced at the high window. Clouds drifted over the moon, smothering its light.

She turned back to Agathon, knelt beside his bed. Tears streaming down her face, she pressed her cheek against his chest, listened for his heartbeat, and heard only the rattle of the shutters.

CHAPTER TWO

Dawn brought the wail of servants, but Melaina shed no tears for her dead husband.

After consuming a substantial meal of goat cheese and barley bread, she rinsed her hands in the washbasin and splashed her face. Leaning over the water, she pulled the corners of her eyes, tightening the fine, webbed lines. Thanks to a paste of lead and limestone, which she applied religiously, her hair remained jet-black. Despite her fading beauty men still found her appealing, and she expected Agathon’s wealth to enhance her attractiveness. According to the law she would inherit nothing. Even her dowry, still held in trust, would be controlled by her son. But Diodorus was an idealist. He had no mind for business, no desire to advance himself. He had proved himself as a soldier, serving as a hoplite in the Spartan uprising; but Agathon had ruined their son’s desire for practical pursuits, encouraging the boy (though he was twenty Melaina refused to call him a man) to follow Socrates—a half-crazed philosopher who wandered barefoot around the agora spouting gibberish. When Diodorus wasn’t spewing nonsense he spent his time studying insects, rocks and other worthless objects.

Melaina counted on her son’s disinterest in financial matters. With any luck, Diodorus would leave management of the property to Lycurgus, Agathon’s business partner who had been appointed Kurios, protector of the family. Diodorus needed guidance.

Melaina gave her face a final splash.

Now that Agathon was on the road to Hades, she vowed to put an end to her son’s foolish pursuits. She planned to push him into politics. But for now, it would be best to entice Diodorus out of Athens. Not forever, just for one year.

One year would give her time.

She clapped her hands, and a slave parted the curtains—a new girl, dark skinned with strange markings on her face, waves of dots across her forehead and cheeks, the result of scarification. No Athenian woman would mark her face in such a barbaric way. Melaina could not recall the girl’s name.

Come here.

The slave mumbled something in a foreign language.

What did you say?

Nothing, Despoina.

Don’t stand there, gaping. Fetch my chiton, the black one.

The girl looked at her blankly, as if she didn’t understand. Melaina pointed to her cedar chest, one of several that stood against the wall. The girl moved lethargically. With maddening sluggishness, she opened the chest’s lid and pulled out one carefully folded tunic after another. Melaina guessed the girl came from some backwater in Africa. One of Agathon’s strays. The house was full of untrained slaves that no one else would put up with.

Melaina sighed. Do I need to find the chiton myself?

Is this what you want, Despoina? The girl dragged a large rectangle of cloth from the chest and brought it to Melaina.

Custom demands a widow’s clothes be drab, but black is not my color. Melaina fingered the finely woven wool. Makes my complexion appear sallow.

Yes, Despoina.

You don’t have to agree with me.

No, Despoina.

Melaina rolled her eyes. Yes, no. Could the girl say nothing else? What’s your name?

They call me Calonice.

Calonice, a good Greek name.

"My Igbo name is Adisa. It means one who sees clearly."

Fascinating. Be careful how you drape the cloth. Sucking in her stomach, and holding out her arms, Melaina readied herself to be dressed. Unlike her last maid, who’d had years of practice—and had, inconveniently, died—this girl was obviously a novice. Standing on her toes, the girl attempted to drape the cloth.

Not like that. Melaina caught the wool at each shoulder so it could be pinned in place. Don’t use those brooches. Fetch the others, the gold set with sapphires.

The girl gazed at her, like a sheep.

Blue stones. Melaina nodded toward her jewelry box.

The brooch the rich man gave to you?

Melaina’s eyes shot to the slave. Who told you that?

No one, Despoina. The girl busied herself with the bronze box.

No one. There were no secrets in a house full of servants. And fetch the matching earrings.

Mumbling to herself the girl fastened the brooches at Melaina’s shoulders as Melaina slipped the heavy earrings through her earlobes. Intricately wrought and exquisitely designed, the brooch and earrings far exceeded any gift of Agathon’s.

The brooch jabbed her shoulder.

Clumsy girl!

Forgive me, Despoina.

Melaina slapped the slave. Get out!

The girl rubbed her cheek. If it were possible, her eyes grew darker. Muttering something that sounded like a curse, she left the room.

Relieved to see her go, Melaina rubbed

Reviews for Hetaera

[Thea Atkinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Read this ages ago and really loved it. If you're a history fan, and love stories about ancient times, this one's a keeper.

[cwaldrum_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hetaera is a story about Hestia, a slave in the house of Agathon. Upon his deathbed she learns that she isn't just his slave, but also his daughter - born out of wedlock and during a mysterious ritual. This knowledge doesn't change her status as slave and she continues to work within the home until Agathon's wife decides to sell her. When sold she becomes the Hetaera (a courtesan or better known as a high class mistress) to the wealthiest man in town.Suzanne Tyrpak did a great job capturing the times and all the hardships that not only women went through but also slaves and the restrictions held by them. I'll admit I had a hard time putting the book down and finished it within one reading. Although the ending left me wanting more I cannot wait to see what happens in the next story! I hope I get the chance to keep reading this writer's work and being transported to a time I love.

[angelscryhavoc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book Title: Hetaera: Agathon’s Daughter Author: Suzanne TyrpakPublished By: AdytumGenre: Historical Suspense Recommended Age: 17+Reviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavocBlog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary CommunityRating: 5 RavensI am definitely not one of the kind of people to jump on the historical romance/suspense team and just eagerly eat them up so when I first started this book I seriously thought I would end up putting it down and walking away which I will admit I have done at times. If it just doesn’t grab me then I just can’t seem to get through it. HOWEVER! I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself turning page after page to see what was going to happen to Hestia and cheering her on hoping beyond hope at times that Diodorus would show up to save her. Loathing Melaina the woman truly was and is an evil Gorgon of her home. We find ourselves following the life of Hestia illegitimate daughter of Agathon raised in his home and nothing more than a slave. Protected only by her father that protection is lost when Agathon is murdered and she is left in the hands of Melaina his wife and scheming witch. For lack of better terms on that woman. Her son Diodorus is thought to be Hestia’s half brother but the truth is he’s not even Agathon’s son and in being so he has a mind to want Hestia which Lycurgas and Melaina are hell bent on making sure that never happens. The twisted tale of this girl leaves you hanging as she’s swept off to another town by her friend Galaeous a eunich in the service of Lycurgas and where this ends only time will tell. I certainly hope there is a second book to this riveting story and I can’t wait to read it. Yes .. Me I have been shown a new love for a genre of book that before alluded me.

[pamkaye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this story, can't wait to read second book in series.The story of Hestia and Diodorus. Two young people in love, who must find out the truth about themselves and each other to make love work. Many people try to stand in their way, and to keep them apart. Whether by social circumstance, family ties, or just physical distance: they work to overcome all obstacles.

[paolasp_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow! I really enjoyed this book! Hestia is an amazing character and the story was full of even more well rounded characters. I really enjoyed how Suzanne incorporated ancient Greek politics, culture, and spirituality into this book. I can't wait for Agathon's Daughter Book 2. Thank you so much for this great read! :)

[rshelton_22 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A home run for Suzanne Tyrpak; this was another enjoyable and suspenseful read from the same author of the book Vestal Virgin. Tyrpak's engrossing tales of ancient Rome and Athens are hard to put down once they are started and the tales are all multi-level: there are more details going on then what the characters see and the author brings that to life.Hetaera: Agathon's Daughter is set in Ancient Athens, and the story begins on the deathbed of Agathon, a wealthy Athenian. A slave girl, Hestia, shortly before Agathon's passing suddenly learns she is his illegitimate daughter. The household is in uproar, and the budding romance between Agathon's son and her begin, and no one is who they really think they are. I've noticed with all of Tyrpak's characters in the books I've read, there are strong female roles who are educated and smart no matter their social status. Hestia is no exception, and her intelligence is what makes her attractive to others in the story. Hestia ends up being the Hetaera (female companion or Greek courtesan) to a sadistic statesmen, and a rival of Agathon.The only negative I can say about it - this is part one or book one in a series, so while one plot ends, another hangs in the balance yet to be resolved. Good for the author, though, as the next one is eagerly awaited.

[cal8769 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I want to start with - I received this book from the Member Review program and I don't recall asking for it and it is not my kind of book at all. With that being said, I didn't like this book. I didn't think the characters were interesting or developed. I struggled to finish it. The plot, while believable, was shallow and I got tired of being lead through the story. The writing told you what to think. There was nothing left to the imagination. It was very predictable. I also didn't care for the ending. It just stopped and opened the way for another book in the series. I prefer series books that make you want another book not force you into another book.

[ana9s9rodrigues · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The main character, Hestia, is a very strong woman and the story flows very well though always keeping you on your toes. There's a lot of suspense in this book. Not for the faint of heart that's for sure. Personally, I'm not very fond of this type of book. How should I explain it? It's a love story but there's such an historical presence that it becomes a little distractive. But aside from that it is an amazing book and I'm looking forward to see it finished. These character's really call to me. I totally recommend this book!

[ljldml · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love Ancient Greece. Just about everything about Greek history fascinates me. Hestia is a strong female lead. She is interesting and has depth of character. She went through a great deal throughout the pages of this story. This book is well researched and well written. I look forward to more books by Suzanne Tyrpak. As the title reads 'book one', I anticipate more volumes to Hestia's story.

[chickey1981 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I won this book on Librarything in exchange for an honest review.There are a lot of wonderful things about this book. It introduces us to a fascinating world that I only had minimal knowledge about-- ancient Athens and the intricate politics and culture of both the elevated classes and the slaves that work for them. Hestia, in particular, is a terrific character- strong and yet vulnerable at the same time. The whole system of the Hetaera and the discussion of what true freedom is with the interplay of overall philosophy were very well done and interesting.I will reveal some mild spoilers now, so beware! I can't tell if this book is going to have a sequel or not. Everything is wrapped up nicely except the less compelling story of the romance, which I don't care as much about because let's face it, her love interest is not half as interesting as she is. But I will be less compelled to find out if they ultimately get together unless a whole new story is developed in the meantime.That said, I was impressed by this effort by the author, and I will definitely be keeping Suzanne Tyrpak on my radar!

[tbrennan1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Delightful novel set in ancient Athens circa 443 BC. The author knows her Greek history and has developed a strong character list to embellish her tale of murder and suspense. The heroine Hestia ends up as a consort to Lycurgus, a wealthy Athenian ,while her owner Diodorus pursues a way to extricate her from this fate. An interesting story against a background where women were treated as "property" and had very little recourse to legal redress.

[realalondra45 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

strong writting.believable characters , intertwined histories,well handed suspense,great history knowledge, clear depiction of backgrounds and uses of the time.The author defined the principal characters very well and completely showing a deep knowledge of their reality. Was a real bliss to read.

[bobh1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting and exciting book, it kept me gripped to the end and left me wanting more and looking forward to the next instalment. I had a few quibbles about the author using words and ideas that were out of time. “The one eyed man is king…” was not a common aphorism until quite recently (it was first used by Fullonius in 1493AD) The king bee was not discovered to be female and thus the queen bee until 1660AD (by a Dutchman Jam Swammerdam) up until that time even beekeepers “knew” that bees reproduced spontaneously. And surely it would have been better to call herbs by their common name (“hensbane” or “stinking nightshade” or even “herba apollinaris” to link it to an Ancient Greek use) rather than their (latin) botanical name (“Hyoscyamus Niger”).Once passed this I enjoyed the book, I did feel like shaking the characters, telling them not to be so silly, but that was the skill and art of the author, we knew more than the characters and the enjoyment was watching them discover it. The themes and ideas in the book are as old as the Greeks themselves, but Suzanne Tyrpak has taken them and made them her own.“Winged creatures swooped out of the darkness, eyes spitting fire, teeth ripping her flesh … she could not escape the fury of the Erinyes, infernal goddesses sent to avenge the death of Agathon.” Beautiful!

[brokenteepee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book in a trilogy and I cannot wait for the next installment! This tale of a strong willed, strong minded slave Hestia will hold you from the very first pages. The women of ancient Athens were not exactly free no matter their status. The only woman that had any freedom at all were the Hetaera - the educated courtesans of prominent men.Hestia is a slave in the household of Agathon. As he dies she learns a secret that will change the course of her life. Agathon's wife is a most unpleasant woman; unhappy with her lot and looking to change it. The choices she makes send her on a very dangerous path. Agathon's son thinks he will be in control of his life after his father's death but soon learns that is not the case. He has strong feelings for Hestia but his mother's plans for him do not include his loving a slave.Such a delightful, tangled mass of both good and conniving characters! I was drawn in from the very beginning and I stayed up until 4AM to finish the book. While I don't thank Ms. Tyrpak for my lack of sleep I do thank her for a great story. I can't say it was page turner since I read it on my Nook - it was a page clicker! I couldn't click those pages fast enough. heh. The writing was descriptive of time, place and emotion and the characters very well drawn. I am most convinced that I would not want to be a woman in Ancient Athens! But that does not mean I don't want to keep reading about them....I will wait most anxiously for the next installment of this series. I want to see Hestia discover just who she is and get the love she so deserves. I am sure it is not going to come easy but I am sure she will get what she deserves

[booksofliztoye · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is not what you would consider a normal suspense. Really, it's a love story. No murder mystery, no thriller, nothing like that. What you have is a story a lot like a Greek play. Whether it is a comedy or tragedy has yet to be determined as this is the first book of, I believe, three. Like Oedipus, we, the readers, know most everything. The characters don't. And like Oedipus, if the chracters had the correct information, most of the bad stuff in the book would not have happened. Though the plot wouldn't be considered slow, I think the main reason I gave this book 3 stars is because if she had known "this" and he had known "that," they would have been able to live happily ever after by the end of the first chapter. Drawing out this ending to more than one book seems a little too much for me. I'd recommed it though, as the prose is beautifully written and anyone who has studied classic literature can appreciate the various themes Tyrpak has taken from Greek plays and even Shakespeare and written a book in modern prose. (Modern PROSE, not modern setting).

[honoliipali · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have been a fan of Suzanne Tyrpak since reading her knockout debut album, The Vestal Virgin. I anxiously awaited this book hoping that the author could maintain the quality of writing that she started. The verdict - she absolutely did.Suzanne has the ability to take historical elements and weave them into highly entertaining stories that are gripping.This book tells me a bit of the author. This is only her second book but both share the same underlying premise. In each book, she has taken lesser know historical classes of women that are not what we would expect. The heroine's in her books are educated, intelligent, worldly, strong, etc. In short, they are today's modern women from a time long ago when women had no real standing in society.I urge you to read Ms. Tyrpak's books. Everyone I have recommend her books to have really enjoyed her writing style. This book is a bit short which I can understand since it is the first of a trilogy. The end of this book comes at a good point so I don't feel cheated - I am left wanting more. Enthusiastic recommend this author.

[dgmlrhodes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a well researched and well written historical fiction book set in ancient Athens and apparently is the first of a trilogy of books. The writing style is such that it grabbed me from the first page of the book and kept me hooked on the story line throughout.The central character, Hestia, is a slave and discovers that the is the daughter of the prominent Agathon. Within the story, she falls in love with Agathon's son (who is not really his blood son). However, after Agathon's death, the son is sent to work away from the household and Hestia is sold into another wealthy household and is made the Hetaera of her new owner. Naturally there is a lot of drama and famous historical characters are highlighted throughout.I can't wait for the next book in the triology as I am now hooked on the story line!Reader received a complimentary copy of the book from Good Reads Member Giveaways. This is no way affected my review.

[grizzly21_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Was a very good book to read. Kept my interest and did not want to put it down. I hope the next one comes out soon. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reading about stories from the ancient days.

[aeisen_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love historical fiction, and this book did not dissappoint me. I could tell that the author put a lot of effort into researching the novel. I liked that she used real historical figures and gave them realistic personalities based on how they were written about in history. Overall I really enjoyed this book and am really looking forward to the sequel to find out what happens to Hestia.

[zjakkelien · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Agathon's daughter is a historical fiction, following Hestia, a slave in the household of Agathon and Melaina in Athens with the gift of seeing people's hearts. At Agathon's death, he informs her that she is actually his daughter, one of the reasons Melaina hates her so much. This causes problems for Hestia: she is in love with Diodorus, the son of Melaina and Agathon. She has now two obstacles in her path: she is not Athenian or free, and he is her half-brother. Combined with Melaina's hatred, and the scheming of Lycargus, Agathon's old business partner, trouble ensues...Analyzing the story, I'm actually surprised that I liked the book, since it has a lot of (thwarted) romance, intrigue and murder, which is usually not my thing. I did like the book, though, it was an easy read, and I wanted to know how the book would end. I didn't think the bad guys (Melaina and Lycargus) were very interesting or entirely believable, and I'm not a fan of Diodorus (his personality was a bit flat to me, and I didn't like the parts where he was the main character), but I did rather like Hestia and her friends, Calonice and Aspasia. I was sorry that Hestia's gift didn't play a larger role, but perhaps this'll happen in the next book...

[bella55075 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It seems that Hestia has been doomed since her birth. Not only was she abandoned of a hill as a baby to die but she is a female slave. Hestia also has a special "gift". This gift lets her see the true person. It seems that whenever she is almost happy something happens to tear her world apart. I really like this book and am looking forward to its continuation.

[heatherms · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was excited to read this book because I love historical fiction. This book did not disappoint. Suzanne Tyrpak blew life into all her characters and had me rushing to turn each page to find out what was going to happen. Her blending of fictional and historical figures was seamless. The main character, Hestia, begins the book as she finds out the mystery surrounding her birth. From that point on, her life spirals out of control and she is not sure who she can trust. Hestia has a "gift" but I am not sure where it came from. Was it something she had since birth or did it just kick in when the story started? Perhaps it will be explained in the next book in this series.I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely read the next two books when they come out.*I received this book from a Member's Giveaway on Librarything, that in no way affects the content of my review.*

[sherylcalmes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I just read this book and I loved it! Looking forward to reading more from this author. I like historical fiction and this was a very intresting book. Once I started reading it I did not put it down! I want more!

[dabble58 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book reads well after the first battles with learning the Greek terms. Hestia, the slave, and the political and murderous intrigues of those about her keep the reader involved and curious. Some editing could help with the odd repetitiveness, and spelling errors like "summersaults" and Barnes and "Nobel" - but the book, one of a planned trilogy, is well worth a read. It's a visual read and would translate well to a visual format. Enjoyed it and will keep my eyes open for the rest of the series.

[dpappas_25 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first book in the Agathon's Daughter trilogy. This book is set in Ancient Greece and it is very apparent in the book that Suzanne Tyrpak has done her research. In this book Tyrpak mixes fictional characters, like the main character Hestia, with real people, like philosopher Socrates. While it still is clearly a fiction book I did enjoy the mix of the real characters with the fictitious. The only thing that I wish would have been a little different in this book is that I would have an explanation behind Hestia's 'gift.' I felt like it wasn't really introduced at all, it was just thrown right in.Overall I felt it was a great historical fiction and I plan on reading the rest of the books in the trilogy when they come out (I can't wait to find out what happens to Hestia and Diodorus). I would recommend this to anyone, especially fans of historical fiction.*I received this book from a Member's Giveaway on Librarything, that in no way affects the content of my review.*