Continuing the story of Theseus after his return from Crete, ascending to the throne of Athens upon his father's death, this is the tale of an heroic life lived large and bold and self-assured. A model of manly behaviour, balancing the duties of kingship and an inerrant sense of fair play and justice with a desire for adventure that takes him on pirating voyages with his friend, Pirithoos. He carefully forges a stable kingdom and yet roams near and far in search of glory and plunder. One such voyage brings him the true love of his life, won in single combat, the Amazon warrior priestess, Hippolyta. The tragedy of Hippolyta lays the seeds for the tragedies of his later years, as their son grows to manhood, and the bull from the sea waits to strike.

The writing is simply superb. Utterly beautiful. Sensuous and earthy yet redolent with unquestioning belief in the supernatural forces that control their lives. There is simply no division between the natural and the supernatural, and Renault's success in conveying this makes her books magical and thrilling and gorgeous and filled with mystery.