The Lost Daughter of Sparta

By: Jamie Steinberg

Simply magical. That’s how I would describe Felicia Day’s story The Lost Daughter of Sparta. Not much is truly known about the daughter of King Tyndareus and Leda and yet Day’s interpretation of her life is incredible. As a girl cast out to live in the woods due to a strawberry birthmark on her face, Philonoe struggles to find her place in a world that wants her to hide her appearance and question her worth. Through creative license, The Lost Daughter of Sparta makes readers desperately wish this heroine had been given the limelight she deserved.

Philonoe was born with a strawberry birthmark on her face. Thus, her parents (King Tyndareus and Lena) have cast her out to a life in the wilderness. Philonoe lives in peace until she is summoned by her parents to wed Vasilios, Prince of Gla, in order to strengthen Sparta’s position with their new allies. What Philonoe also learns is that Aphrodite has also cursed all of the daughters of Tyndareus and Lena to betray their husbands. Seeking to have her curses removed in order to find unconditional love, Philonoe prays to the goddess Artemis for assistance. Artemis listens and guides her to meet with Aphrodite who says if Philonoe can complete three specific tasks she will remove the birthmark and any chance of betraying her husband. These tasks are not easy and Philonoe learns many lessons along the way, but so does Artemis – who refused to give her heart to anyone. 

Author Felicia Day weaves a beautiful story of acceptance and self-worth – all of which are intricately and artfully illustrated by Rowan MacColl. Readers will immediately find Philonoe endearing and hope with all of their might that she can somehow manage to tackle each quest she is assigned so that she can kick Vasilios to the curb and find true happiness. While this is a fast read, it is filled with heart and depth mixed with ancient mythology.Philonoe is an inspiration to so many women – thanks to the world created for her by Felicia Day. Readers desperately want Philonoe to achieve her happily ever after while also subtly reminding them that they themselves should know their worth and not let anything that may deem them “different” make them feel unworthy of true happiness. Mothers, do yourselves a favor and pick up a copy of The Lost Daughter of Sparta and read it with your daughters – asking them what they want for themselves (their hopes and dreams), tell them you love them no matter what and remind them our differences make us all so much more special.