Not so much science fiction as historical fantasy, I do enjoy The Firebrand. It's a new take on The Iliad, told from Kassandra of Troy's perspective.

This is a story you will enjoy if you enjoyed The Mists of Avalon. The female characters are strong and central to the story. However, if strongly feminist stories aren't your thing, you really won't enjoy this story.

Even if you haven't read The Iliad, you know the story. Paris, Kassandra's twin brother, steals away Helen, the most beautful woman in the world, from her husband Menelaus. That starts a war that lasts for years, ending in the fall of Troy.

In this version, Kassanda is not mad, although many think her so. She is not in control of her gift of prophecy, and sometimes prophecies when she wishes she could have kept her mouth shut. Few believe her prophecies, even when they come true.

Kassandra is fostered among the Amazons, and learns to love their Goddess, the Earth Mother. But when she returns home, she eventually is called into Apollo's service, a sworn virgin.

There are few sympathetic male characters in this story. Aeneas is the only definite good man, although if you think about the time this took place, the men generally acted no worse than might be expected in a time when women were essentially property. Okay, except for Akhilles, who is nothing more than a war crazed madman.

This one isn't for everyone. There are some points that you will either love or loathe.