The King Must Die / The Bull from the Sea

Mary Renault creates a flawed hero and weaves a thrilling account of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur in two historical novels. The King Must Die follows Theseus as he discovers his true father and is trapped in King Minos' palace. The Bull From the Sea follows Theseus' triumphal return to Athens and his encounter with the queen of the Amazons. Renault's knowledge of the Greek world and psychology brings the legendary past to life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 632 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2022
Publisher: Everyman

In two remarkable historical novels, Mary Renault fashions from the myth of Theseus a convincingly flawed hero and weaves a thrillingly plausible account of the Labyrinth and the infamous Minotaur. The King Must Die follows the young Theseus as he discovers that his true father is the King of Athens, and volunteers to join the annual tribute of Athenian girls and youths sacrificed to a bull-worshipping cult on the island of Crete. Trapped in the labyrinthine palace of King Minos, Theseus enlists the help of high priestess Ariadne in a daring plan to free his people. The Bull From the Sea begins after Theseus's triumphal return to Athens. He is now king, but his confidence will be shaken by a life-changing encounter with the queen of the Amazons, the birth of a son who will insist on choosing his own path, and the tragic results of his wife's treachery. Renault's deep knowledge of the Greek world, her sure grasp of psychology, and genius for inspired speculation bring the distant world of the legendary past enthrallingly to life.

Weight: 660g
Dimension: 210 x 135 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781841594095