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A review by mjporterauthor
The Gates of Athens by Conn Iggulden
4.0
The Lion Shield by Conn Iggulden is an enjoyable and entertaining read, focusing perhaps more on the politics of Athens than the bloody fighting that must take place, for those who are 'in the know.'
The opening few chapters are quite stunning, as the battle of Marathon takes place, and the reader is introduced to Xanthippus, and then slowly, more of the main players come into focus. The threads of betrayal quickly make an appearance and will continue throughout the book, accounting for the actions and thoughts of the main characters.
The author does quite a slow reveal, lingering over some details, and ensuring even the most ignorant (me) understand how the governance of Athens worked. Xanthippus is a rigorous and unyielding man, Themistocles a 'man of the people.' Aristides is a calmer character, more assured of who he is and what he stands for, whereas Miltiades' son is the young counter to the 'older men,' a character to perhaps represent all the hot-heads within Athens.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I had. a little chuckle at the name of Darius (the title of Iggulden's fantasy book) and might well have given this a 5/5 only for it to be lost in the last paragraph. I did not need that lingering imag . Too cruel!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.
The opening few chapters are quite stunning, as the battle of Marathon takes place, and the reader is introduced to Xanthippus, and then slowly, more of the main players come into focus. The threads of betrayal quickly make an appearance and will continue throughout the book, accounting for the actions and thoughts of the main characters.
The author does quite a slow reveal, lingering over some details, and ensuring even the most ignorant (me) understand how the governance of Athens worked. Xanthippus is a rigorous and unyielding man, Themistocles a 'man of the people.' Aristides is a calmer character, more assured of who he is and what he stands for, whereas Miltiades' son is the young counter to the 'older men,' a character to perhaps represent all the hot-heads within Athens.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I had. a little chuckle at the name of Darius (the title of Iggulden's fantasy book) and might well have given this a 5/5 only for it to be lost in the last paragraph. I did not need that lingering imag . Too cruel!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.