tezzarudge's review against another edition
4.0
Conn Iggulden is my favourite historical fiction author and its been far too long since I returned to one of his stories.
This book was amazing (in the main).
As with every novel CI writes, we get incredible battles with beautifully detailed tactical decisions.
This story really shines with the character depth and this was my favourite part of the book. By using PoV from both sides, it really did allow for a full immersion into the fantastic story.
There was a bit in the middle that dragged, and it was frustrating to see how quickly forgiveness was given to betrayal. I am not an ancient Greek (shocker, I know) but not sure my City would mean I could forgive that level of deceit and corruption.
This was a great book. Onto to the second one
This book was amazing (in the main).
As with every novel CI writes, we get incredible battles with beautifully detailed tactical decisions.
This story really shines with the character depth and this was my favourite part of the book. By using PoV from both sides, it really did allow for a full immersion into the fantastic story.
There was a bit in the middle that dragged, and it was frustrating to see how quickly forgiveness was given to betrayal. I am not an ancient Greek (shocker, I know) but not sure my City would mean I could forgive that level of deceit and corruption.
This was a great book. Onto to the second one
jjb21's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Not actively bad. Well written. Just not good. You don’t get to know a character or two and follow them and their personality. You just bounce around some surface-level characters’ experiences of war. History and Athenian politics was really interesting. Just not as compelling as, for example, Dissolution or Pompeii.
masterfozual's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hilma32's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
beth_piercex's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
pam_sartain's review against another edition
4.0
The Gates of Athens by Conn Iggulden is set in ancient Athens, starting in 490 B.C.E. (I prefer B.C.E which stands for Before Christian Era compared to B.C which stands for Before Christ. It's exactly the same year. The book is written with B.C.)
Anyway, we're in 490 B.C.E in Athens, and we're joining men of Athens who are going to Marathon to fight the Persians. We meet Xanthippus, Thermistocles, Aristides and other historical figures, and see events unfold for them. Because yes, this is the famous battle of Marathon! We see the aftermath, and how the Athenians carry out day to day affairs.
I enjoyed this book for the look at ancient Athens, and how democracy worked for them during this time, and there is a lot of political machinations and war in this book. I also enjoyed revisiting characters that I learnt about during my degree.
This is the first in a new series that will be set in these ancient times, so if you'd like to learn more then this is an enjoyable way to do it!
The Gates of Athens was published on 29th September 2020, and is available from Amazon , Waterstones and from your local independent bookshop .
You can follow Conn Iggulden on the official fan facebook page, run by his publishers .
I was given this book in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Penguin Michael Joseph .
Anyway, we're in 490 B.C.E in Athens, and we're joining men of Athens who are going to Marathon to fight the Persians. We meet Xanthippus, Thermistocles, Aristides and other historical figures, and see events unfold for them. Because yes, this is the famous battle of Marathon! We see the aftermath, and how the Athenians carry out day to day affairs.
I enjoyed this book for the look at ancient Athens, and how democracy worked for them during this time, and there is a lot of political machinations and war in this book. I also enjoyed revisiting characters that I learnt about during my degree.
This is the first in a new series that will be set in these ancient times, so if you'd like to learn more then this is an enjoyable way to do it!
The Gates of Athens was published on 29th September 2020, and is available from Amazon , Waterstones and from your local independent bookshop .
You can follow Conn Iggulden on the official fan facebook page, run by his publishers .
I was given this book in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Penguin Michael Joseph .
gaius_bouns's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
paulh_nguyen's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
mazza57's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC copy of this book. After I had requested and received it, I wondered what had drawn me to it in the first place. It really was not my normal read. I am very interested in mythology but this didn't really fit with that genre. However, Conn Iggulden has drawn me into a timeand place that i could never have envisaged. it took a little time but Xanthippe in particular became someone i was so engrossed in. The wars, the home life, the rules the loyalty OMG this is just the best. I have to read more by this author. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read something i would never have bought in the shop.