A betrayal from former allies and a devasting defeat from Achilles and the Greeks has left the Amazons weakened. While still mourning the death of Queen Penthesilea and recovering from battle, the Amazons must return home to Themyscira to recharge their forces under the leadership of Antiope, who is now in command. Antiope herself is still grieving the loss of Polyxena, her lover, being taken as a prisoner of war by Achilles. Still, she is determined to take vengeance for their losses and lead the Amazons to victory in the next battle.

Upon returning to Themyscira, however, Antiope is met with tension and resistance to her self-appointment as the next queen. While Antiope struggles in her duties as queen, a small opposition is forming within her counsel with plans to overthrow her. Meanwhile, the Paphlagonians and Pelasgians, former allies, are conspiring together to take out the Amazons once and for all. Any weakness on Antiope's part may lead to fighting on two different fronts.

This sequel to Polyxena focuses mostly on Antiope, the former second-in-command of the Amazon army, navigating multiple "battlefields" in her new position as queen: one of loss, one of politics, and many physical battles. Set almost immediately after the first book's ending, the author does a great job of building tension and switching perspectives in the story to lead up to many of the clashes that occur. The novel is action-packed but evenly paced, focusing not only on the impending war but also on the smaller, personal moments between the Amazonian women.

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