The Kaphtu Trilogy Series by Richard L. Purtill

Chryseis was a princess in whom strange forces and ancient mysteries contended. But she herself had to work out that which confronted her when she was sent as tribute to the legendary isle of Kaphtu.For in that dawnland kingdom, she found herself an object of contention between the human and the non-human forces that had long been in truce. Her major defense was to be the feather of a mythical monster which alone could guide her to an unguessable inheritance.C. J... moreChryseis was a princess in whom strange forces and ancient mysteries contended. But she herself had to work out that which confronted her when she was sent as tribute to the legendary isle of Kaphtu.For in that dawnland kingdom, she found herself an object of contention between the human and the non-human forces that had long been in truce. Her major defense was to be the feather of a mythical monster which alone could guide her to an unguessable inheritance.C. J. Cherryh, who did the special introduction to Richard Purtill's novel, wrote: "It's a book I wish I'd written. It has magic; there are gods and mortals, and the kind of golden haze about it all which belongs to that age." less

Ducalion finds that the road to Hades is paved with bad intentions when he must venture to the death lands in search of a kidnapped goddess... moreDucalion finds that the road to Hades is paved with bad intentions when he must venture to the death lands in search of a kidnapped goddess."Richard Purtill has done a masterly job of breathing life into what scant detail we have recovered, like the physical restoration which has raised the palace of M'nos up again, and built new walls to rejoin old, so that the modern visitor can imagine what a glorious thing once stood there—a breath and a step removed from gods and demons, where magic lived in the land."— C. J. Cherryh less

"The story of Helen of Troy is one of the great classics of all time. In this unusual fantasy novel, Richard L. Purtill dares to look behind the scenes to depict what it was really like to be involved with that half-goddess whose radiant beauty did indeed launch a thousand ships. Here is Helen as a child, kidnapped and held hostage. Here is Helen as a woman, captive in an alien city while the civilized world sought for her, fought for her... more"The story of Helen of Troy is one of the great classics of all time. In this unusual fantasy novel, Richard L. Purtill dares to look behind the scenes to depict what it was really like to be involved with that half-goddess whose radiant beauty did indeed launch a thousand ships. Here is Helen as a child, kidnapped and held hostage. Here is Helen as a woman, captive in an alien city while the civilized world sought for her, fought for her. Told as by one who had seen the events, who knew her, who knew the gods who pulled the world's strings, this is a novel that brings it all back in the vivid reflections of the mirror of divine judgement."— Donald A. Wollheim, founder of DAW Books"With a scholar's grasp of the period and its mythology, and an unerring eye for character, Richard Purtill brings a gripping reality to the siege of Ilium. As real as today's news—and vastly more enjoyable."— F. M. Busby, author of The Demu Trilogy less