Pasiphaë

When Pasiphaë, Moon Princess of Kolchis is sent to marry Asterius of Knossos, she hopes only that she won’t hate him. What she finds is happiness with her king and the son they have who is not like other children. For a while, Pasiphaë and her Bull King held the ancient world in their joined hands. But Asterius has an ambitious stepson, Minos, who sees the cracks appearing, the rise of the warrior people, and sets in motion the events that lead to tragedy. Ariadne, Pasiphaë’s daughter, helps the Greeks make a myth, by betraying Knossos, the Great Mother and her childlike brother, the one the Greeks called the Minotaur.

When history is as ancient as the Minoan civilisation, and when so few facts are available, it merges easily into myth and storytelling, in a region of its own, between history and fantasy.

What they said about Pasiphaë

Pasiphaë isa reimagining of the story of the Queen of Knossos before Theseus and the myth of the Minotaur replaced her historical reality.

Pasiphaë is published by Legend Press and is available in bookshops and through on-line retailers.

‘A vivid and beautifully written retelling, which brings the story of Pasiphaë to life.’ – Eirinie Lapidaki, author of The Wives of Halcyon

‘Pasiphaë is a dazzlingly vivid novel that transports the reader straight to a mythical world brought to life by beautiful imagery and enchanting prose.  The sense of urgency means the story is well paced, and I found it hard to tear myself away from the world Dougherty has created. A wonder of a novel.’ – Kate Potter, author of The Absolutes

‘Jane Dougherty’s unputdownable retelling of the Minotaur myth combines gutsy prose, powerful sensory detail and an increasingly-menacing narrative. I loved Queen Pasiphaë’s voice and I know readers will root for her from the get-go as she fights for romantic love, for justice and for her children amongst the cruel backdrop of bloodhungry divinities and vengeful enemies.’ – Fran Hill, author of Cuckoo in the Nest and Home Bird

‘Beautifully and imaginatively written. A real page-turner.‘ – Jessica Mills, author of Rosalind