Isle of Shadows by Tracy L. Higley

From the publishers: "Revised and updated from the original, Christy-award finalist Shadow of Colossus.

Enslaved in a World of Money and Power, Tessa Dares to be Free.

Raised as courtesan to wealthy and powerful men, Tessa of Delos serves at the whim of her current patron, the politician Glaucus. After ten years with him, Tessa has abandoned all desire for freedom or love, choosing instead to lock her heart away.

But when Glaucus meets a violent death in his own home, Tessa grasps at a fragile hope. Only she knows of his death. If she can keep it a secret long enough, she can escape.

Tessa throws herself on the mercy of the Greek god Helios, but finds instead unlikely allies in Nikos, a Greek slave, and Simeon, Glaucus’s Jewish head servant. As Simeon introduces her to a God unlike any she has ever known and Nikos begins to stir feelings she had thought long dead, Tessa fights to keep her heart protected.

As an assassination plot comes to light, Tessa must battle for her own freedom—and for those to whom she has begun to open her heart—as forces collide that shatter the island’s peace."

I have never read the original work Shadow of Colossus so this review is simply related to this book.  The story moved quickly and each section was by a day.  The book covers seven days, but each day has many chapters.  I enjoyed that aspect of the writing because I felt each day was filled with meaningful interactions with each character.  However, because it only covered seven days, the love story seems a bit fast, but it was still engaging to read.  

Tessa's position as a hetaera was interesting to read, and made her strong willed character believable during that time period.  The reader will enjoy not only the main story line  but also the history of Colossus.  What I love about historical fiction is learning more about the time period.  Higley also has a little section in the back of her book that gives more history.  

The book also includes a discussion guide for group discussions.  

I would recommend the book for light reading that also teaches you more about one of the seven wonders of the world.

I received this book free from Booksneeze in exchange for  my honest review.