Aphrodite's Riddle: A Novel of Goddess Worship in Ancient Greece

Jennifer Reif has crafted a novel that combines fascinating details about life and faith in Ancient Greece with a page-turning mystery and a touching romance between star-crossed lovers. The book kept me reading through a plane-ride and made the time in the waiting area zip by. I couldn't wait to see how it would all work out, and find out the answer to the riddle.

Enchanting storytelling, couldn't put it down. Wonderful historical novel and a great trip into ancient Greece. This book is mesmerizing, with very discriptive writing so that you really feel as though you are in ancient times (I didn't want to come back) ! Enlightening and beautiful Earth Mother teachings appear and are woven into the story through the character of the High Priestess Dione (although she's not the main character). I can't say enough good about this book...I just wish there was another one that I could read. Hope we hear more from Jennifer.

Aphrodite's Riddle ponders a question that has long puzzled scholars of ancient Greece,and is based on convincing and solid research. At the same time, it imparts the fun and suspense that can accompany the search for ancient secrets and questions involving the very human life of the protagonists. Aila Daphne Phillida has fallen in love with Bereus Kahnan, but her family disapproves of him. They send her away for training to become a Melissa, or priestess of Demeter at Eleusis. She blames Aphrodite for her plight, but the goddess hears her complaint, and what transpires makes a very engaging mystery. We are carried back to the times when the gods and goddesses were a living force in the hearts and minds of these people. Caught within the dilemmas of her age, the heroine must find her way out with the aid of a riddle that Aphrodite gives her. Not wanting to be separated from Aila, Bereus obtains a job at Eleusis working for the Priest of Records to inventory the temple gifts. In the meantime, one of the precious sacred objects of the Temple, or Hiera, disappears and someone accuses Aila of stealing it. With the aid of Aphrodite's curious riddle Aila and Bereus search together for the original sacred Hiera, which had been lost for many years. These Hiera have been a subject of conjecture by many scholars,and the story offers an intriguing solution as we pursue the fate of the heroine. For anyone interested in ancient Greece and mythology, it's a must read.

First of all, its so beautifully written, delicious descriptions of people and places. The writing is very visual. You are there, in ancient Greece, at the Temple of Demeter. There's a pretty incredible visit to Aphrodite's temple too, when Aila seeks help from a priestess for her dilemma. When the story ended I just wanted to go back into that world. This is a story of two lovers who through perseverance and determination, find there way through the restrictive traditions of Greek life, to solve an amazing puzzle. The riddle itself (yes there is one) is very enticing and mysterious. Like two detectives on the hunt, Aila and her lover Bereus seek to find the clues to unravel the riddle. Full of magic, Goddess sightings, and real temple life as seen by the eyes of a priestess. If you enjoyed "Mists of Avalon," then you will love this book. This is a book I will cherish and reread many times. You won't be able to put this one down! A classic!