Circle of Peace

A Greek Tale of Perse's Great Hall

Fiction - Fantasy - General
256 Pages
Reviewed on 08/02/2024
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Sophia Kouidou-Giles was born in Thessaloniki, Greece and university educated in the USA. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work. In her over 30-year child welfare career, she served as a practitioner, educator, researcher and administrator and published articles in Greek and English professional journals.
In recent years, her focus has shifted to writing non-fiction, fiction, poetry and translation. Her work has appeared in Voices, Persimmon Tree, Assay, The Raven’s Perch, The Time Collection, The Blue Nib . Her poetry chapbook is Transitions and Passages. Her work has appeared in Anthologies, including The Time Collection, Visual Verse, and Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis. Her memoir, Επιστροφή Στη Θεσσαλονίκη/Return to Thessaloniki, was published in Greek by Tyrfi Press. Sophia’s Return: Uncovering My Mother’s Past, was published by She Writes Press in English. Her novel “An Unexpected Ally / Μία Απρόσμενη Σύμμαχος, was published in Greek and English, and is followed by a sequel, Circle of Peace, forthcoming in March 2025. https://sophiakouidougiles.com

Kouidou-Giles loves music, walking outdoors and travel. She lives in Seattle, WA., near her son, her daughter-in-law and her two grandsons


    Book Review

Reviewed by Angelique Papayannopoulos for Readers' Favorite

Circle of Peace: A Greek Tale of Perse's Great Hall by Sophia Kouidou-Giles is another absorbing Greek tale of Queen Perse, an Oceanid nymph and one of the wives of Helios, god of the sun. Perse demands a grand hall for herself from Helios. As a repayment for the new palace, she will assist Helios’ troubled sister Selene, who has caused him and Zeus a great deal of disappointment and embarrassment by engaging in a romantic relationship with a mortal shepherd. Additionally, Phaethon, the son of Helios and Clymene (Perse’s sister), meets an untimely demise through irresponsible actions, putting Earth in grave danger. Zeus’ tragic intervention leaves a trail of grief, exacerbated by war. Despite the personal tragedies and the mortal world rife with war and countless deaths, Perse is determined to bring peace to the world.

Sophia Kouidou-Giles captures the nuances of Greek legend with elegance, clarity, and wit. She describes the characters meticulously in their physical appearance, their character traits, and how they interact with their surroundings. Throughout the book, the author describes the various scenes in detail, revealing what life would have been like during ancient Greek mythical times. Circle of Peace is a passionately delightful story of Queen Perse, who epitomizes beauty, allure, and wisdom, safeguarding the world for innocent mortals. She rallies her sister goddesses to bring peace to the world by battling the war-hungry Olympian gods. This book explores loss, resilience, and the enduring quest for peace despite all odds. I highly recommend Circle of Peace to anyone who loves mythology, particularly Greek myths and legends! As an additional benefit, there is a handy glossary for useful clarification.

Frank Mutuma

In Circle of Peace: A Greek Tale of Perse's Great Hall by Sophia Kouidou-Giles, Helios, the sun god, is married to Perse, but the gods are allowed to have many lovers, so he has a son with Clymene called Phaethon. Helios argued with Perse, which caused her to leave. She wants her own hall where she can host other goddesses and create an alliance to balance the world ruled by the hegemony of Zeus, the father of all gods. Selene, Helios's sister, has angered Zeus by falling in love with Endymion, who is a mere mortal. Helios is worried for his sister and asks Perse to help. Will she succeed? During the ceremony to celebrate Phaethon's birthday, Clymene is warned by the priest about the signs showing that wise Athena, who abhors war, wants Phaethon kept away from the horses. How will things turn out?

If you are a fan of Greek mythology, Circle of Peace by Sophia Kouidou-Giles is a must-read! With excellent narration and well-crafted dialogue that brought the story and the characters to life, there was never a dull moment in this book. This page-turner got me hooked from the first page to the last. I love strong female characters, and Sophia didn't disappoint in this regard. For example, Perse is willing to challenge the existing order of things. The steady pacing and the effective use of suspense also keep the reader intrigued and eager to discover the events in subsequent chapters. Sophia also ensured all events and places were vividly described, which helped create a mental picture of what was happening.

Gaius Konstantine

"Tears are not reserved for warriors, as great as they may be; the gods also cry." You will find tears in Circle Of Peace: A Greek Tale of Perse's Great Hall by Sophia Kouidou-Giles, but you will also find much more. Set in the magical world of ancient Greek mythology, the novel focuses on Perse, a minor deity who seeks a great hall of her own from her husband, Helios, the sun god. The hall, however, is meant to be more than a building. It is to be a seat of power and a gathering place to attract Olympian gods who seek a more peaceful existence for themselves and humans. In a world where men, women, gods, and mortals can be admirable or wretched, Perse and her allies must carefully navigate the passions of higher beings lest they invoke their capricious wrath. 

While this comforting girl-power story takes place in an exotic and mysterious reality, the underlying theme is simple and crucial. There is too much war and violence in the world. Circle Of Peace illustrates that exceptionally well with select key and poignant passages. The characters fascinated me, and I wondered how Sophia Kouidou-Giles intended to develop what are, after all, established personalities. Sophia's solution is elegant; some characters are infused with new multifaceted dispositions, while others retain their historical identities. Written in a captivating style that lacks complexity for its own sake, this title will appeal not only to a core audience but also introduce Greek mythology to those unaware of it while simultaneously empowering our daughters without diminishing our sons.