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A review by rozanne_visagie
The Gates of Athens by Conn Iggulden
4.0
Reviewed from a copy gifted by Penguin Random House SA.
The Gates of Athens is the first book in the new Athenian Series written by Conn Iggulden. The author has a rich imagination and the ability to write what he has written is remarkable. This story is well researched and the details depicting the battles on land and sea are phenomenal. Conn Iggulden brings the Athenian Strategos heroes back to life in his newest historical fiction. Names like Xanthippus, Aristides, Themistocles and Miltiades. We are transported back to 490 BC standing alongside these strategos on the battlefield at Marathon fighting against the Persian army.
Shields cracking, swords clashing and cutting through flesh, commands shouted and arrows whipping through the air. After a tiring battle, the Athenian army returns to Athens with victory from Marathon, but the Persians aren't to be underestimated. They are a force to be reckoned with and while Athens basks in the glory of victory, they are preparing an army for land and sea, fleets of ships, to invade Athens and nothing will stop them.
I struggled to find a good reading pace, the reading felt slow and heavy. It took me longer to finish this book than other books with the same amount of pages. But I decided it's because of the detailed aspect of the story, I tried to absorb every scene as I read it. I usually try to not go into too much detail, because I want the reader to experience the story without preformed opinions. What I will say is that the characters are complex and well developed. My favourite is Aristides with his calm exterior. While the others allow their anger and frustration to surface, Aristides keeps calm, even in the face of the hardest choices. For example, when the Assembly voted and he was exiled, he accepted his exile and he didn't just sit around and mope about it. He used the opportunity to make pots and sold them in the markets of Ithaca.
Each character plays an integral part in the battle on land and sea. I like the way Conn Iggulden describes the landscapes, the way the soldiers lock their shields together with their spears pointing towards the enemy on the battlefield or the smell of the salt in the air when they were on sea. Conn Iggulden includes helpful lists of the pronunciation of military terms, locations and character names. How it is written in Ancient Greek, how it is pronounced in Ancient Greek as well as English and the meaning of each term or name. I have little to no knowledge of the Greek military, so I found the lists extremely helpful.
The Gates of Athens has plot twists, betrayal, loss and forgiveness. But loyalty and the love for a city pushes the people of Athens to fight with everything they have for everything they are. This book is an interesting yet powerful read. Though the ending was a bit disturbing for me, the image of Conis will stay with me. Other than that, I enjoyed the book, it is well researched and it leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
A special thank you to Penguin Random House SA for this gifted copy.
If you enjoyed [b:The Honey and the Sting|50309739|The Honey and the Sting|E.C. Fremantle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589127121l/50309739._SY75_.jpg|75247472] by E.C. Fremantle or Lion Heart by Ben Kane, you will definitely enjoy The Gates of Athens.
This review is posted on my blog:https://willowscornerbook.wordpress.com/2020/09/23/the-gates-of-athens-by-conn-iggulden-review/
The Gates of Athens is the first book in the new Athenian Series written by Conn Iggulden. The author has a rich imagination and the ability to write what he has written is remarkable. This story is well researched and the details depicting the battles on land and sea are phenomenal. Conn Iggulden brings the Athenian Strategos heroes back to life in his newest historical fiction. Names like Xanthippus, Aristides, Themistocles and Miltiades. We are transported back to 490 BC standing alongside these strategos on the battlefield at Marathon fighting against the Persian army.
Shields cracking, swords clashing and cutting through flesh, commands shouted and arrows whipping through the air. After a tiring battle, the Athenian army returns to Athens with victory from Marathon, but the Persians aren't to be underestimated. They are a force to be reckoned with and while Athens basks in the glory of victory, they are preparing an army for land and sea, fleets of ships, to invade Athens and nothing will stop them.
I struggled to find a good reading pace, the reading felt slow and heavy. It took me longer to finish this book than other books with the same amount of pages. But I decided it's because of the detailed aspect of the story, I tried to absorb every scene as I read it. I usually try to not go into too much detail, because I want the reader to experience the story without preformed opinions. What I will say is that the characters are complex and well developed. My favourite is Aristides with his calm exterior. While the others allow their anger and frustration to surface, Aristides keeps calm, even in the face of the hardest choices. For example, when the Assembly voted and he was exiled, he accepted his exile and he didn't just sit around and mope about it. He used the opportunity to make pots and sold them in the markets of Ithaca.
Each character plays an integral part in the battle on land and sea. I like the way Conn Iggulden describes the landscapes, the way the soldiers lock their shields together with their spears pointing towards the enemy on the battlefield or the smell of the salt in the air when they were on sea. Conn Iggulden includes helpful lists of the pronunciation of military terms, locations and character names. How it is written in Ancient Greek, how it is pronounced in Ancient Greek as well as English and the meaning of each term or name. I have little to no knowledge of the Greek military, so I found the lists extremely helpful.
The Gates of Athens has plot twists, betrayal, loss and forgiveness. But loyalty and the love for a city pushes the people of Athens to fight with everything they have for everything they are. This book is an interesting yet powerful read. Though the ending was a bit disturbing for me, the image of Conis will stay with me. Other than that, I enjoyed the book, it is well researched and it leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
A special thank you to Penguin Random House SA for this gifted copy.
If you enjoyed [b:The Honey and the Sting|50309739|The Honey and the Sting|E.C. Fremantle|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589127121l/50309739._SY75_.jpg|75247472] by E.C. Fremantle or Lion Heart by Ben Kane, you will definitely enjoy The Gates of Athens.
This review is posted on my blog:https://willowscornerbook.wordpress.com/2020/09/23/the-gates-of-athens-by-conn-iggulden-review/