Stephen's Reviews > Fall of Kings
Fall of Kings (Troy, #3)
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Stephen's review
bookshelves: ebooks, 6-star-books, all-time-favorites, fantasy, 2006-2010, historical-fantasy, retellings-reimaginings-and-mashes, war-sff, military-fiction, good-guys
Oct 27, 2010
bookshelves: ebooks, 6-star-books, all-time-favorites, fantasy, 2006-2010, historical-fantasy, retellings-reimaginings-and-mashes, war-sff, military-fiction, good-guys
IT IS OFFICIAL…David Gemmell has written the BESTEST and most HEROIEST fantasy trilogy...ever....EVER.
I just finished this third installment of the epic Troy trilogy by the late (and sorely missed) David Gemmell and all I can say is that if you loved the first two, you will love this one. If you haven’t read the first two books, then you might want to take a long serious look in the mirror and reconsider some of your recent life choices as you may have taken a wrong turn somewhere. However, never fear, it is not too late. Just drop what you are doing and GO BUY THEM.....NOW!!!!
In this final installment, the battle lines have been drawn, some major battles and minor skirmishes have occurred and the final Siege of the City of Troy is ready to begin.
IN THIS CORNER:
Agamemnon: The power-hungry Mykene King;
Achilles: Warrior Supremo and badass numero uno;
Odysseus: the honorable and brilliant tactician who Fate has made Agamemnon’s reluctant ally; and
Ajax, the Bone-splitter....guess what he does.
AND IN THIS CORNER:
Priam: The less than honorable ruler of Troy;
Helikaon (now called Aeneas): King of Dardania and dangerously Hulk-tempered when pushed too far;
Hektor: Prince of Troy and second greatest warrior in the world (save for Achilles);
Gershon (aka Ahmose): The exiled prince of Egypt whose destiny finally catches up with him in stunning fashion; Banokles and Kalliades: Two former officers and stone killers of the Mykene army who now serve Troy; and
Andromache: Wife of Hektor and lover of Aeneas (I know what you are thinking but its complicated).
And many, many more supporting characters on both sides. Oh....oh.....The Epicness is Awesome!!!!!
Okay, everything about this book was transcendant in its testosterone-fueled greatness but I do want to specifically mention one aspect that I thought was especially well done. This series deals with an historical event (the fall of Troy) that is fairly well known, at least in a popular sense (thank you Homer), despite the minimal amount of historical records on the subject. Gemmell manages to include all of the famous “elements” of the Troy saga, but he does so in such a fresh, original way that the story feels completely new while still making sense within the popularly understood historical frame of reference.
I will give you one example (don’t worry…no spoilers): I assume everyone knows the story of the Trojan Horse. Well Gemmell includes this element in the story, but his depiction is so unique and credible way that the reader (at least me) (a) doesn’t recognize it as such until it's actually happening and (b) once the scene occurs, the reader (again at least me) is left thinking, ‘Oh...shit...I can completely see how this event over time would become the “legend” of the Trojan Horse.’
The execution was....BRILLIANT!!!
In addition, the way that Gemmell expands the story to include characters and events that are remembered in world history outside the narrative arc of the fall of Troy was simply amazing and added real epic depth to the story.
Of course, I do have one NEGATIVE thing to say about this book and the series which may seem pretty obvious.
Itmade me feel really, really sucky about myself!!
Not exactly the kind of book you want to pick up if you are struggling with your self-esteem. These guys (and girls) are at the pinnacle of bravery, loyalty, honor and overall badassedness and I kept feeling like the last one chosen at recess when the kids are picking kickball teams. Apart from that personal self-image speed bump, this is as fun and enjoyable as it gets and I give it my HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!!
6.0 stars.
I just finished this third installment of the epic Troy trilogy by the late (and sorely missed) David Gemmell and all I can say is that if you loved the first two, you will love this one. If you haven’t read the first two books, then you might want to take a long serious look in the mirror and reconsider some of your recent life choices as you may have taken a wrong turn somewhere. However, never fear, it is not too late. Just drop what you are doing and GO BUY THEM.....NOW!!!!
In this final installment, the battle lines have been drawn, some major battles and minor skirmishes have occurred and the final Siege of the City of Troy is ready to begin.
IN THIS CORNER:
Agamemnon: The power-hungry Mykene King;
Achilles: Warrior Supremo and badass numero uno;
Odysseus: the honorable and brilliant tactician who Fate has made Agamemnon’s reluctant ally; and
Ajax, the Bone-splitter....guess what he does.
AND IN THIS CORNER:
Priam: The less than honorable ruler of Troy;
Helikaon (now called Aeneas): King of Dardania and dangerously Hulk-tempered when pushed too far;
Hektor: Prince of Troy and second greatest warrior in the world (save for Achilles);
Gershon (aka Ahmose): The exiled prince of Egypt whose destiny finally catches up with him in stunning fashion; Banokles and Kalliades: Two former officers and stone killers of the Mykene army who now serve Troy; and
Andromache: Wife of Hektor and lover of Aeneas (I know what you are thinking but its complicated).
And many, many more supporting characters on both sides. Oh....oh.....The Epicness is Awesome!!!!!
Okay, everything about this book was transcendant in its testosterone-fueled greatness but I do want to specifically mention one aspect that I thought was especially well done. This series deals with an historical event (the fall of Troy) that is fairly well known, at least in a popular sense (thank you Homer), despite the minimal amount of historical records on the subject. Gemmell manages to include all of the famous “elements” of the Troy saga, but he does so in such a fresh, original way that the story feels completely new while still making sense within the popularly understood historical frame of reference.
I will give you one example (don’t worry…no spoilers): I assume everyone knows the story of the Trojan Horse. Well Gemmell includes this element in the story, but his depiction is so unique and credible way that the reader (at least me) (a) doesn’t recognize it as such until it's actually happening and (b) once the scene occurs, the reader (again at least me) is left thinking, ‘Oh...shit...I can completely see how this event over time would become the “legend” of the Trojan Horse.’
The execution was....BRILLIANT!!!
In addition, the way that Gemmell expands the story to include characters and events that are remembered in world history outside the narrative arc of the fall of Troy was simply amazing and added real epic depth to the story.
Of course, I do have one NEGATIVE thing to say about this book and the series which may seem pretty obvious.
Itmade me feel really, really sucky about myself!!
Not exactly the kind of book you want to pick up if you are struggling with your self-esteem. These guys (and girls) are at the pinnacle of bravery, loyalty, honor and overall badassedness and I kept feeling like the last one chosen at recess when the kids are picking kickball teams. Apart from that personal self-image speed bump, this is as fun and enjoyable as it gets and I give it my HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!!
6.0 stars.
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Reading Progress
October 27, 2010
– Shelved
February 16, 2011
–
Started Reading
February 18, 2011
–
Finished Reading
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J.M. (Joe)
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rated it 5 stars
Feb 19, 2011 03:24PM
Ha, loved the review, and I know the feeling. It's like the movie 300 made my abs actually punch me in the face for my utter neglect. It's like they said, "See what we COULD have been, you sluggard! You sloth! You donut-dunking poltroon!"
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I've only read one book by David Gemmell, and I really liked it. I've got to read more. Good review.
Brenda wrote: "I've only read one book by David Gemmell, and I really liked it. I've got to read more. Good review."
Thanks, Brenda. The 3 books in this series are just terrific.
Thanks, Brenda. The 3 books in this series are just terrific.
Not sure if you've read all of his books but I have and honestly there is not s bad read amongst them. I recommend them all to anyone who likes heroic fantasy. Gemmell had supreme skill in picking heroes/anti-heroes - perhaps my favourite is Jon Shannow but there are many and they occupy many books - read on!
Oh man, even this review was one big adrenaline rush xD
Gotta love the series. It is truly epic :D. Gemmell beat Homer on this one, haha. Great review! This kinda captured the extreme awesomeness :P
Gotta love the series. It is truly epic :D. Gemmell beat Homer on this one, haha. Great review! This kinda captured the extreme awesomeness :P
Neeke wrote: "Oh man, even this review was one big adrenaline rush xD
Gotta love the series. It is truly epic :D. Gemmell beat Homer on this one, haha. Great review! This kinda captured the extreme awesomeness :P"
Thanks, Neeke. That is nice to hear. I am glad you liked it.
Gotta love the series. It is truly epic :D. Gemmell beat Homer on this one, haha. Great review! This kinda captured the extreme awesomeness :P"
Thanks, Neeke. That is nice to hear. I am glad you liked it.
Great review. My exact feelings. The literary world has truely lost the master of heroic fantasy - or,in this case, epic alternative history.
David wrote: "Great review. My exact feelings. The literary world has truely lost the master of heroic fantasy - or,in this case, epic alternative history."
Thanks, David. This whole trilogy was the master at the top of his game.
Thanks, David. This whole trilogy was the master at the top of his game.
I enjoy reading your reviews Stephen! If the books are as epic and blood-pumpin' as your review, I'm gonna have a lot of fun with these. I'll have to look for them now!
Manuel wrote: "I enjoy reading your reviews Stephen! If the books are as epic and blood-pumpin' as your review, I'm gonna have a lot of fun with these. I'll have to look for them now!"
Thanks, Manuel. I hope you like these.
Thanks, Manuel. I hope you like these.
This sounds absolutely interesting, i'm seriously thinking of picking this one up from the library, thanks for the review :)
But I'm afraid, i don't want to start feeling sorry for myself if they are truly that badass as you say...
But I'm afraid, i don't want to start feeling sorry for myself if they are truly that badass as you say...
I am halfway through book 2 (Shield of Thunder) right now and if book 3 holds up to this caliber... This may very well be my favorite trilogy. In my top 3 for sure. Great review by the way.
David wrote: "I am halfway through book 2 (Shield of Thunder) right now and if book 3 holds up to this caliber... This may very well be my favorite trilogy. In my top 3 for sure. Great review by the way."
It is my favorite trilogy. Epic!
It is my favorite trilogy. Epic!
I can't remember if the books explicitly state that Achilles was better than Hektor other than mentioned that Hektor was old and more experienced whereas Achilles was younger and slightly faster. I think they were more or less evenly matched.
But that's not why I disagree with your character list at the top of the review. I think everyone Must know that if it came to it, Helikaon would destroy BOTH of them at the same time. Blindfolded with one arm tied behind his back.
But that's not why I disagree with your character list at the top of the review. I think everyone Must know that if it came to it, Helikaon would destroy BOTH of them at the same time. Blindfolded with one arm tied behind his back.
I clearly recall from Shield of Thunder, that Hektor (reluctantly) beat Achilles in one on one combat in the Trojan games. Hektor, unlike Achilles gets no joy from battle or fighting, but in terms of warrior skills, he is equally matched with Achilles, if not better.
Good review though. If I hadn't already read the first 2 installations, I'd definitely be getting them.
Good review though. If I hadn't already read the first 2 installations, I'd definitely be getting them.