Troy: Lord Of The Silver Bow - David Gemmell > Reviews > TROY

Author's product rating:   

Would you listen to it again?	Absolutely
Story	Outstanding
Characters	Outstanding
Listenability	Once you start it, you won't be able to switch it off!
How does it compare to similar audio books?	Excellent
How does it compare to audio works by the same author?	Excellent

Advantages:	Superb fantasy writing
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow is the first in a trilogy of books telling the story of the Trojan war, and subsequent fall of the city, however through the eyes of new and non-standard characters.

This being the first novel in the series starts the action a long time before the fall of Troy and uses this book to set the scene both in terms of characters and political positions.

The lead character is Heliakon - a pirate raider who gave up his crown to avoid a civil was with his own brother. He meets and falls in love with a mysterious woman, Andromache, who in turn loves him back - however she has been promised as a bride to his close friend Hector of Troy and so the love must remain unfulfilled.

Set against their story is the coming war between the blood -thirsty Agamemnon and the powerful but aging Piram. As no official war has been declared this is a time of assassins and secret treaties and both sides seek to gain an advantage before outright war breaks out.

The final 'lead' character is Arguris - a legendary warrior with a fierce hatred for Heliakon, however he is forcing into his company and his nobility and sense of honour will not allow him do what his heart desires.

The book features many cameos from characters familiar in the Homeric poem, with Piram, Agamemnon and Hector all appearing and Odysseus becoming an important character and father figure to Heliakon.

The action is fast and furious and a brilliant mix of emotion, war and love. I couldn't put this book down when I first got it and immediately started on the sequel. There is a real sense in both book of the action speeding up and spinning out of control and you get a real feel for the madness of war. The books are written with a purpose but also a tenderness regarding its characters and you genuinly start to like and admire them.

I would recommend this to anyone to enjoys historic fantasy books, or anyone who enjoyed the films 'Troy' or 'King Arthur'