All's Fair In Love and War gives an account of the life of Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. The story is part romance, part mystery with a bit of palace intrigue thrown in. Alicia Fields is an engaging writer who uses a great descriptive style to bring ancient Greece alive.
However, the story gives a plausible and logical explanation for the myths that many of us grew up loving - and believing, in some small way. Part of moving away from childhood requires that we move away from myth and fantasy, but there are times when people still enjoy having something to believe in.
This story debunks the myths of Pallas, Athena, Arachne, Poseidon, Medusa and the Gorgon. It describes how Attica went from a backwater and superstitious community to a more important city via the introduction of olives, Athena's gift.
I especially enjoyed the humanization of Athena. She may not be a goddess, but she is a bit of a wild child who is too progressive and independent for her time period. She has a difficult home life with a father who would rather smack her than look at her and an overbearing mother. She finds love with a local boy, Amoni, but cannot - and will not - marry him. She is tied to the land and will not turn Amoni into another sacrifice to the "Lady."
All's Fair is a very quick read, a great book to take with you to the beach or to sit on a porch with a glass of iced tea and read. It's a bit of a vacation for the mind.