Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

The Amazon Legacy by Zenay Ben-Yochanan is a thrilling journey into the world of Greek gods, Amazons, kings and queens. Following a wager between the Greek god Zeus and his wife, Hera, a human woman is granted immortality and becomes Queen of all Amazon tribes. Queen Elektra rules over all Amazons for three hundred years before succumbing to the advances of a man and becoming pregnant. Hera is furious that Elektra defaulted on her pledge and sends her to Hades. In Elektra’s absence, two fierce warriors rise, destined to live at opposite ends of societal poles. Teigra suffers a life of brutality as a slave, a cage fighter, and ultimately a hired assassin. Thea is raised and trained as a Sondra, the elite warriors of the Amazon tribes. The stories of these two young women merge into the tale of a good king and his perverted and wicked son. Destiny will bring them all together in a story that is often brutal, bloody and cruel, and full of suspense and erotic romance. On opposite sides of a grand, savage battle, Teigra and Thea are driven to dominate the other by a shared prophecy and an instinctual force to outlive and outlast all others.

In her first novel, Zenay Ben-Yochanan has scored a huge hit with her mythological fantasy tale of Amazons, kings and queens, prophecy and magic. I have never read a book in this genre that so quickly and emphatically drew me in and kept me hostage throughout the entire book. I won’t say I couldn’t put it down because I did (to sleep), but every waking moment found me reading. Ben-Yochanan writes with a high degree of verisimilitude. You'll agonize and sympathize with Teigra as she struggles to survive in unimaginably horrendous circumstances. Your heart will warm to the life of Thea among the Amazons, her trials and loves that lead her toward selection as a Sondra warrior.

Zenay Ben-Yochanan pulls no punches in describing the brutal tortures conducted by the son of King Bedros, Prince Zarek, a homicidal socio/psychopath of the most savage and merciless imaginable. All the characters are fascinating and life-like; her wordsmithing is second to none. The adventures of Teigra, Thea and Zarek will haunt your dreams and reel you into their worlds. Ben-Yochanan keeps the pace taut by switching POV from one chapter to the next, building the main story line with several sub-plots that eventually mesh into a surprising climax. The conclusion is perfect. All the loose ends are tied and, sans cliffhanger, there’s no doubt that a sequel will come soon... it must! There are several scenes of graphic violence/torture. There are also a few sex scenes that are well written and non-offensive.