The Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley: A review
"The Firebrand" of the title is Paris of Troy whose actions provide the impetus that unleashes a storm leading to the fall and conflagration of his city. His twin sister Cassandra - or Kassandra in this telling - is a prophetess who foresees the doom that her brother will bring but is unable to do anything to stop it. (Note: The author renders Greek proper names that we are used to seeing spelled with a "C" to be "K" instead. Thus, Achaian is Akhaian, Achilles is Akhilles, Mycenae is Mykenae, and Cassandra is Kassandra. It's only a little disconcerting.) Kassandra is the heroine here and it is through her eyes that we see Troy before, during, and after Paris steals Helen from Menelaus and brings her to the city to live. Kassandra is the daughter of Hecuba and Priam. Hecuba was an Amazon, raised to be a warrior. She gave that life up to be King Priam's wife and to bear him seventeen children, of whom Hector was the oldest son and Kassandra the oldes...