Stephen's Reviews > Fall of Kings

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.