THE END CROWNS ALL, by Bea Fitzgerald, Sourcebooks Fire, Sept. 15, 2026, Paperback, $14.99 (young adult, ages 14 and up)
Author Bea Fitzgerald takes on the story of Troy from the perspectives of Helen and Princess Cassandra in The End Crowns All.
Love caused this war. At least, that’s what the stories will say.
When Princess Cassandra’s patron god, Apollo, offers her the gift of prophecy―and all the power that comes with it―she jumps at the opportunity. But when she fails to uphold her end of the agreement, her prophecy becomes doomed. No one believes her visions of an alluring, lonely girl who is going to start a war.
Helen fled Sparta in pursuit of love, though it’s proving more elusive than she’d hoped. Far from home and surrounded by strangers, Helen’s beauty and intelligence are no match for the politics of the Trojan court, especially when one princess with fiery amber eyes is determined to be rid of her.
When war finally strikes, fate brings Cassandra and Helen together in ways not even the gods could have foretold. Together they will change their destinies or be the ruin of all that they love.
But how can they change their futures when following their hearts means defying the gods themselves? —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Fire
I really enjoyed Bea Fitzgerald’s take on the Persephone myth in Girl, Goddess, Queen and was really looking forward to reading The End Crowns All, which explores the Trojan War. I didn’t end up liking it as much as Girl, Goddess, Queen, but it still has merit.
I don’t have a problem with unlikeable characters per say, but if they’re not interesting, then I struggle. A lot of the characters in The End Crowns All come across as selfish and self-absorbed. And even though Cassandra is rightfully upset with the path her parents and then Apollo set for her, she still comes across as petulant, at least in the beginning of the novel. She does grow on you as the book progresses. Helen also starts out rather one note, but also becomes more compelling with time.
The End Crowns All should appeal to readers who enjoy sapphic romance and a different look at Greek mythology.
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