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DG: My imagination always runs wild—for which I am more than thankful. Andromache is a great character. When authors talk of great characters, what they really mean is easy. Some characters are tough to write. The author has to constantly stop and work out what they will say or do. With the great characters, this problem disappears. Their dialogue flows instantly, their actions likewise. A friend of mine calls them "Ricks Bar characters," from the film Casablanca. Some characters you have to build, like a sculptor carving them from rock. Q:You present Agammemnon and the Mykene as arrogant, brutal warmongers, which is pretty much how Homer depicts them too. DG: Alexander the Great is remembered the same way. They had developed universities, in order for young people from peasant families to be educated. They had an international postal service, so that letters could be sent all over the empire. They had a form of social security so that their people did not starve during famines. They wanted to share their knowledge, and so built a great library containing works of history, science, and religion. They had interpreters there so that foreigners could learn the secrets they has so patiently gathered. The entire works of Zoroaster were kept there, inscribed with gold on sheepskin. Alexander, while drunk, thought it would be great fun to burn it all down. Which he and his generals did. They then destroyed the Persian Empire, plunging the Mediterranean world into a series of bloody wars that lasted for generations. Why is he a hero? Beats the heck out of me! Q:Argurios, a Mykene warrior, is sworn to kill Helikaon, yet winds up in his debt, bound to him by his honor as a warrior and a man. What is it that sets him apart from so many of his countrymen? He has no understanding of politics, and his rigid values make him ripe for betrayal by those who do understand the cesspit of political thought. Q:I enjoyed your take on the wily Odysseus! DG: Odysseus is great fun to write. Probably— after Andromache—my favorite character. Does The Iliad hold lessons for us as the War on Terror continues? DG: Someone once said that the only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history. In the Second World War, members of the fledgling French Resistance could not gather a great deal of support. The Germans, operating on a policy of friendly occupation, were, if you like, winning the battle of hearts and minds. The leaders of the Resistance continued their attacks on German soldiers. Eventually they got what they desired. The German High Command, exasperated and angry, changed their tactics. For every German killed, ten civilians would be rounded up and executed. This was their War on Terror. They hoped that a display of ruthless force would terrify the populace and starve the Resistance of support. It achieved the exact opposite of its intention. Civilians, horrified and angered by the killings, began joining the Resistance in ever increasing numbers. History tells us it will fail. When you buy a book, we donate a book. Sign in. The Best Books of So Far. Read An Excerpt. Oct 31, ISBN Add to Cart. Also available from:. Sep 27, ISBN Available from:. Paperback —. About Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow With this first masterly volume in an epic reimagining of the Trojan War, David Gemmell has written an ageless drama of brave deeds and fierce battles, of honor and treachery, of love won and lost. Also in The Troy Trilogy. Also by David Gemmell. Product Details. Inspired by Your Browsing History. Helikaon, the young prince of Dardania, haunted by a scarred andtraumatic childhood. The priestess Andromache, whose fiery spirit and fierce independence threatens the might of kings. And the legendary warrior Argurios, cloaked in loneliness and driven only by thoughts of revenge. In Troy they find a city torn apart by destructive rivalries - a maelstrom of jealousy, deceit and murderous treachery. And beyond its fabled walls blood-hungry enemies eye its riches and plot its downfall. It is a time of bravery and betrayal; a time of bloodshed and fear. A time for heroes. See all 7 brand new listings. Buy It Now. Add to cart. About this product Product Information Three lives will change the destiny of nations. Helikaon, the young prince of Dardania, haunted by a scarred and traumatic childhood. In Troy, they find a city torn apart by destructive rivalries - a maelstrom of jealousy, deceit and murderous treachery. Additional Product Features Place of Publication. David A. Spyros is a ferryman and a midwife. He rows Helikaon out to the Xanthos in Kypros while telling him about the deed of Helikaon, not knowing who his passenger is. Kolanos is an evil Mykene follower appointed by the dark Agamemnon. He orchestrated the assassination attempts on Helikaon in Blue Owl Bay and Zidantas' torture and death, planned the expedition on Dardania that resulted in the death of Helikaon's half brother and the rape of the queen, and sent his elite force in Troy to support Agathon's scheme to kill the king of Troy and everyone invited in the megaron, including, on his request, Argurios and Helikaon. Never risking his life in the battles and trying to escape when the odds turned against the remaining Mykene in the megaron, he tried to betray his fellow Mykenes but Priam let them free and delivered him hand-tied to them, asking only that they give him an agonizing death. Anchises is the father of Helikaon. Anchises was the ruler of the land of Dardanos and was kin to Priam. After the death of his first wife he denounces Helikaon to the throne and makes his second son, Diomedes, the son of his second wife, heir to throne of Dardanos. He marries a young woman, Halysia, after the death of his first wife. He tries to get Odysseus to have Helkaon killed. After he sees that Odysseus will not kill Helikaon, he hires the famous assassin, Karpophorus, to kill him. Odysseus learns of this plans and turns it around by paying Karpophorus to kill Anchises and bring back his ear. Halysia is the second wife of Anchises, the late king of Dardanos. She mothers his seond son and heir to the throne, Diomedes. After the death of Anchises she aexpects that Helikaon will murder her and Diomedes, but instead Helikaon tells her that he has no intention of becoming king. So Halysia becomes queen of Dardanos. Later, Kolanos invades Dardanos and has his men burn Diomedes alive, to avenge his own men that were burned by Helikaon. Kolanos also order his men to kill and rape Halysia. Diomedes is the younger brother of Helikaon. He becomes the heir of Dardanos after he is born. He is a very nice young boy and is adroed by his brother. He is lit on fire and killed when a Mykene led by Kolanos invades Dardanos. Kygones is the ruler in Blue Owl Bay. He attracts many sailors to his by because it is known that Kygones runs his beach with a strong patrol of soldiers. Kygones is also known as the Fat King. He does lots of trade with Helikaos kingdom, Dardanos. Helikaon escapes this plot and afterwards cancels all trade with Blue Owl Bay. This move kills the thriving economy of Blue Owl Bay. Agamemnon is the ruler of the Myykene and theson of the late king, Atreus. He has ambitions to take Troy and to rule much of the world. He puts out a bounty on Helikaon because he believes that is what will make his ambitions be realized. The Xanthos is Helikaons ship that is also known as the Death Ship. It is twice as big as any normal ship with eighty oars, forty on either side. It hs a sail with a black horse on it that symbolizes the greatness of Dardanos. The ship has fire slingers that set many ships to flames. Many thought that the ship would be destroyed by the god, Poseidon, because it was too large, hence the nick-name the Death Ship. The nick-name meant something completely different after its first battle in Blue Owl Bay, where Helikaon ordered that the prisoners of the naval battle between him and Kolanos would be burned to death with the ships' fire slingers. Sign In Don't have an account? Start a Wiki. Characters, Ships Edit Helikaon is the main protagonist. Machaon is the hardworking physician of the Houses of Healing. He is very arrogant. Erekos is the Mykene ambassador in Troy. Lord of the Silver Bow (Troy, #1) by David Gemmell

So he clung to the driftwood as the raging seas hurled him high, then plunged him deep into the storm-dark valleys between the waves. Lightning flashed, followed by deafening thunderclaps. Another wave lashed him, spinning the driftwood, almost tearing him clear. Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow - Wikipedia. Backcover blurb: Three lives will change the destiny of nations. The Shrine of Apollo, Lord of the Silver Bow, was close to the angry sky, and Phia thought the gods might hear her better if she climbed to it. She was shivering now as the night grew colder, and worried in case the wild dogs roaming the hills caught the scent of the blood on her ankle. Read online, or download in secure EPUB format PDF off no printing ePub off no printing eb20 off no printing To the Dardanians, he is Prince Aeneas. But to his friends, he is Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Advance praise for Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow "This is how the oldest tales should be read and known. The first edition of this novel was published in , and was written by David Gemmell. The book was published in multiple languages including English language, consists of pages and is available in Paperback format. About Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow. With this first masterly volume in an epic reimagining of the Trojan War, David Gemmell has written an ageless drama of brave deeds and fierce battles, of honor and treachery, of love won and lost. The story line is fast- paced and action-packed, but works because the key cast members seem genuine. A study of the history of this period would explain Gemmel's recreation of events quite convincingly. A riveting, picturesque, exotic, erotic historical fantasy, whereby the author convincingly recreates the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of the period, we are taken back to the time before the Trojan Wars. The One of the best books I have read based on the events of the Trojan Wars-David Gemmell departs from the events of the Illiad but does so in a way that is both creative and plausible. The main characters are the warrior King Helikaon of Dardania, dealing with a traumatic childhood, and with strong encouragement by Odysseus, is propelled into the role of a hero king by Odysseus. He rises to this challenge with magnificence and unchallenged character making him an redoubtable ruler and invincible warrior who seems to lead charmed life. Then there is the enchanting, wise, fiery, headstrong and highly erotic Andromache, the character who for me made this novel irresistible. Andromache is brought to life in such an incredible way that the reader can fully understand why so many of the male characters of the book fall in love with her. Then there is the gruff Mykene warrior, living in a world of loneliness and driven by the need for revenge, who will play a heroic role, and earn the admiration of Troy and it's ruler. King Priam of Troy comes to life as a harsh but admirable ruler, a burly again but never weakening warrior king, character Events unfold in just the right pace. Cassandra the seeress is presented as both a mysterious and lovable child at the age of eleven, and Priams other children range from the ambitious, corrupt, and spiteful, to the honourable and courageous, This epic culminates in battle for Troy again st brutish Myceneans, but ends well before the Trojan Wars of the Illiad. Another character worth taking note of is the Egyptian fugitive Prince Gershom who we will learn an exciting revelation about later in the series. Jan 15, Chris rated it really liked it Recommended to Chris by: Emma. Shelves: fof-reads. This was awesome! Unexpectedly so, in fact. I've always loved Greek mythology, ever since I was little. Especially stories about Troy and the Trojan War. I read the blurb to this one, and it sounded great. I also like historical fiction, so it was intriguing to pick up a rendering of the Homeric period that was based more on a real or possible history of the region. In short, a tale about the people rather than the Gods and magic stuff. So why was I hesitant and not expecting a great 4. So why was I hesitant and not expecting a great read? Well, I'd recently read Legend , by the same author. I'd found it to be written in a rather juvenile manner, with thin characterizations and weak plotting. The battle scenes were pretty good, but the story didn't do much for me. Plus, the ending was horrible. Well, that's the book that Gemmell's known for; it's what the Gemmell Legend award is named after, matter of fact. If that was an example of his work, I was turned off. But my friend Emma had recommended this trilogy, and the premise of it still intrigued me. So I gave it a go, and I was very pleased. It was very close to being 5-star material, though the pace did slow down a little through the middle. The writing was great, the characters were memorable and very sympathetic, even some of the antagonists. The ending was heartfelt and struck home too. I had to admit, I wondered if this was really written by the same guy. Of course, since it was published some 20 years after Legend , it's quite possible that Gemmell's style simply improved. I'm definitely looking forward to the other two books in the series. Jun 21, Emma rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. For a while now I haven't read a book which managed to truly get to me. This book did. First and foremost, this is a book about human nature — what motivates a person, the nature of every person's beliefs, and what brings them to insanity. Each and every character in the book was realistic and touching, you couldn't help but to identify with most of them, and come to appreciate the rest. Although some tend to be too good to be true, while others can be a little too close to pure evil, they are all For a while now I haven't read a book which managed to truly get to me. Although some tend to be too good to be true, while others can be a little too close to pure evil, they are all written in such a manner that makes you believe them still. Throw in the mix epic battle scenes, ancient superstitions, prophecies, and heart breaking love affairs that usually end in a tragedy, and you get a gripping book you won't be able to put down - not due to cheap writing tricks, but thanks to genuine interest. This book was one of the few which actually made me stare for a while after finishing it, in order to let everything sink in. It was that good. Need I say more? View all 3 comments. Gemmell was a creative genius. The sagacity of writing is riveting. His characters are so well written. Characters are so quintessential flawed. Gemmell unequivocal prose gives a honest portrayal of human fallibility. Probing on what persuades a person , what makes one so committed to their beliefs. He draws in audacious movement. His writing is idyllic. Colossal battle scenes. Exhilarating and unpresuming combination of storytelling make this brilliant. Rich in detail, yet not bestrewed by it. Imperfections and disappointment. Emotionally charged. Hurt feelings and a deep loss and void. Unexpected twists make him realistic and believable. He is kind and loyal. Yet he is not perfect. Shrouded by loneliness. Oozing revenges. A strong heroine, one who defends those she deeply and truly loves with every ounce of her being. Tough , yet regal and loyal. She is adored by women. And is receptive to these mutual feelings and desires. Three lives all connected by trust, friendship and love. View all 5 comments. I liked all of David Gemmell's books. It was a sad loss to the fantasy genre when he passed away. He had that individual style that made him special in my opinion. He could draw you in, chew you up and spit you out in to pages. Great characterisation, I really cared about Gemmell's main characters. He had a knack for straightforward storytelling without the pages and pages about what people were wearing and what they had for breakfast that has become popular today. I thought this was a g I liked all of David Gemmell's books. I thought this was a good trilogy, even the final instalment that was completed by his wife. Not my favourite Gemmell series but still good. If you haven't read a Gemmell book you have missed out! Dec 20, Charles Bronson rated it it was amazing. The heartbreak. The glory! The fucking glory! Aug 07, Steve rated it really liked it Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi-fantasy. Lord of the Silver Bow and Troy 2 is Gemmell doing what he did best; creating characters with real depth and a destiny that they do not know. A sound storyline running right through with interesting twists and turns of fortune. You'd think the story of Troy would be one of battle, and there are battles throughout the trilogy, but Gemmell makes it so much more. Most of Troy 1 and Troy 2 are not about battles, they're more about people, personalities, loves, losses, terrible acts of cruelty and Lord of the Silver Bow and Troy 2 is Gemmell doing what he did best; creating characters with real depth and a destiny that they do not know. Most of Troy 1 and Troy 2 are not about battles, they're more about people, personalities, loves, losses, terrible acts of cruelty and acts of true compassion. We follow the growth of Helikaon, the young prince of Dardania who grows to be the Golden One with his apparently charmed life. The strong and proud Andromache, priestess of Thera. Their love that doesn't appear to have a chance as Andromache is ordered to marry Hector. What Gemmell did with these characters really is pretty damn brilliant. Odysseus the king of Ithaka and renowned story teller, and Argurios the Mykene hero swordsman. I really am tempted to give this book 5 stars, but it will remain 4 as it follows on in Troy 2 - Shield of Thunder. If I was rating both these books together they would be a 5 star read I'm fairly sure you'll find at least one character that you can relate to in some way, and the journey Gemmell takes the reader on is not one to miss. I'll now be re-reading Troy 2 - Shield of Thunder which refers to a prophecy about Andromache As a side note: You may think the story of Troy, battles and blood hungry men. If so, you may be pleasantly surprised at the strength and quality of the female characters. Oct 16, Karla rated it it was ok Shelves: dead-tree. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A interesting re-imagining of the lead- up to the Trojan War, almost a complete alternate universe at points. I wish it had been labeled as such rather than "Historical Fiction" because Gemmell deviated from commonly-held "facts" quite often, sometimes seemingly for its own sake i. I eventually came to terms with my initial disappointment, but in the end I didn't find it an absorbing read. It had way more potential than it actually delivered. The main c A interesting re-imagining of the lead-up to the Trojan War, almost a complete alternate universe at points. Such sentiments were clunky and phrased with too modern a tone. Andromache here is a beautiful swan who thinks she's an ugly duck, accomplished in seducing women and handing advanced archery weaponry. She speaks her mind to powerful kings and is a walking anachronism. There was little in her characterization that was surprising once I got a sense of the author's sentiment and aims. For all her powers, mental and physical, she wasn't interesting at all and seemed to be more of a fantasy heroine than anything rooted in the ancient world. Her and Helikaon's immediate attraction had no depth, but simply was a device that yarned the gods into it and seemed to make it a matter of destiny that required no discussion or attention. Things happen, people are. Let's move on to the next scene. Which seemed to be the problem for most of the book. The characters, with the exception of Odysseus a fail-proof character , and Laodike and Argurios, were flat and dull. They appeared a lot and even said a lot, but I only saw them as names who spoke words and moved. There was no engaging internal activity, no brain- and soul-digging, no spark that made me care about them. What "insight" there was consisted of the repetitious -- and eventually boring -- device of flashbacks within scenes whenever a character saw or said something that prompted a memory. It didn't even have to be important for Gemmell to slip into another paragraph or 3 of pluperfect. For example, the Mykene mercenary Argurios polishes his armor for a feast, sees the missing discs on it, and recalls the battle where the damage occurred. There is no new information to be gained by this past perfect trot down memory lane. The reader has already been informed often and at great length by a dozen characters what a great and fearless warrior he is. The only reason we're told is that later he's wounded due to the absence of those discs. Quite important detail, and I think it might have been more memorable, but Gemmell's style is to line up the mechanical pieces and plow through them with pedestrian prose. It's like moving chess pieces with a checkers brain. There are several flagged "Aha! Gemmell seemed too intent on reinventing some characters for newness's sake, going to the extent of having Paris be stoop-shouldered! Come on! If an author is going to reinvent the wheel in terms of Paris and Helen, then utilize them sensibly since so much of the action took place in Troy anyway. By dropping these new images for a brief glimpse but no commitment, it came across as a cheap trick. After all this, why still 2 stars? Well, Gemmell's Odysseus is very in-character with the new twist of The Odyssey being an anthology of his fireside tales, although having so many parts of The Odyssey referred to in this manner got as repetitive as the pluperfect flashbacks. I enjoyed the meshing of Hector's battle exploits with the Hittite-Egyptian Battle of Kadesh, along with the political and martial relationship between Troy and the Hittite empire. The utter absence of Hector until the very end where he rides to the sudden rescue in blah fantasy genre style was disappointing, however. Overall, I've read far far better novels about the ancient world, and probably don't have "suitable" appreciation for his style because I'm not that into the fantasy genre, but at least I know what to expect and am prepared to be underwhelmed by the next two books. I've already started Shield of Thunder and guessed immediately that "Piria" is actually Kalliope, Andromache's ex-lover, and The Odyssey tale- dropping has shown up again on a few occasions. So the repetition continues View all 4 comments. Nov 18, Mihir rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. Argurios another famous Mykene warrior who is traveling to Troy on a mission of his own gets entangled with plots to destroy the city. It simply becomes a story of characters whose lives become entangled with each other either comradely or antagonistically. In this book he lays bare the geopolitical reasons for the happening of the war of Troy. Lord of the Silver Bow is my first read from renowned fantasy author David Gemmell. People rave about his fantasy, and while I can't comment on that yet I can say that his historical fiction series has made me a fan. This book was so Greek that my bookmark was slick with olive oil, and that is a good thing. The story had everything you expect from a Greek epic and the characters and descriptions were presented in a way that made me feel like I was sailing the Great Green myself. Any author can add bronze weapons, Triremes, and cyprus trees to a setting, but that doesn't make it Greek. These historical fiction books just have that inexplicable "feel" that I love experiencing as a fan of the genre. Others feel like they are modern stories facelifted with an ancient setting. While these are still enjoyable, my personal favorites are always the ones that feel like they are taking place in the distant past. Gemmell does this for me with this first volume of the Troy series. Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the actual events taking place. I am very familiar with the story of Troy, and while I'm sure Gemmell will get to all of the major events later on, this first book focused on peripheral stories that added some much needed spice to the dried out tale of Troy. The middle of the story slows down for a bit but picks up the pace quickly enough that it wasn't an issue for me personally. Dear Sir, Words are powerless to express my gratitude for this amazing piece of work. Amazing, but one that causes so much distress. Every word is like a drop of wine. By the end of it, I was drunk and giddy with fear for the coming war. You were cruel; you stood by and watch me fall deeply in love with Helikaon the Golden One, Andromache, Argurios, and Laodike; only to take them away from me. Argurios said what was in my heart, "I had not realised until then that my life had been lived in the darkness of a perpetual winter night. When I saw her, it was as if the sun had rise. You gave me courageous and cunning warriors who fought valiantly - till the end. Did you not know how much it hurt me? Drawing back her hand, she said "May the gods grant you great happiness, my love. More than I have deserved" Only Queen Halysia knew the pain you've caused me. But as how Helikaon intend to be her shield, despite his broken heart from losing Andromache, I know you will be my Shield of Thunder. Please promise me that it will get better from here. People talked of broken hearts, but they were wrong. Broken was somehow complete, finished, over. The real sensation was of continual breaking, an everlasting wound, sharp and jagged, like claw of bronze biting into the soft tissue of the heart. Love, twelvejan Conclusion: A great book makes you smile, cry, whimper, entranced - LotSB does exactly that. Helikaon King, I love thee. Nov 05, Nate rated it liked it Shelves: owned , antiquity. Originally gave this four stars but I've stewed a bit on this one and it's more a three. The first thing I have to get out of the way is that I'll always like Gemmell's writing. You can tell he really enjoyed his work and I love that. I really doubt he ever wrote a book that I wouldn't like, despite his prolific nature. That said, this was a relative comedown after my first encounter with Gemmell with Legend. The reasons for this are really hard for me to really pick out, but a big reason that I Originally gave this four stars but I've stewed a bit on this one and it's more a three. The reasons for this are really hard for me to really pick out, but a big reason that I write and read reviews of books is that it helps me learn why I like why like and vice versa. I don't know if this sounds pretentious or not but I really do think reading and writing about books makes you a "better" reader. The insight I've gleaned from others' reviews always, always inspires me to have a deeper experience with books, even if I don't share their opinion. Goodreads fanboyism aside it's a difficult one, on paper this should have been a five-star book for me. Several of my friends have commented on this, and I think they're onto something; the balance and pacing of this book is off. In the first half you're hanging out with the complex protagonist Helikaon Gemmell's reimagining of Aeneas fuckin' sailing around the Great Green chopping pirates' heads off and basking in this lush, vibrant world Gemmell's re-created and in the second half you're kinda just sitting around with minor characters watching Gemmell set up the rest of the series. I burnt through the first half of the book in a couple days and spent the rest of however long on the second. I mean, the intrigue and love story stuff was well-done I just thought it wasn't nearly as gripping as Helikaon's scenes. Even his presence in the climax of the book didn't really help things much for me. So in total a bit of a difficult experience for me. I liked this book, but I really was expecting more. Maybe I just vibe better with the Drenai stuff? I bought and will certainly read The King Beyond the Gate but I'm uncertain about the Troy stuff at this point, especially considering he didn't even finish it. Maybe I'll re-read that and then come back to this series. View 1 comment. Probably doesn't have a back half as good as the front half and I nearly gave it 3 stars because of this section of the book, but the very ending picked up and made me a bit happier with it again. A good story. What I like most about it, is that for that first half of the book it really hopped along and I was quite into it. It never slowed down and dragged out. Gemmell was always moving the story along and this makes for the best stories. The first four novels were published in an omnibus edition as Stones of Power: A Sipstrassi Omnibus in In official printings, these two books Lion of Macedon, Dark Prince are grouped with the "Stones of Power" series and contain some of the same characters and assumptions on how the world works. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Redirected from Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow. David Gemmell. Transworld Publishers. Archived from the original on 15 December Retrieved 26 November Archived from the original on 19 May Science Fiction and Fantasy News. Retrieved 6 February Retrieved 24 November The Times. The Guardian. BBC News Online. Retrieved 23 November This book is dedicated with love to three very special people. Retrieved 27 November Archived from the original on 14 May Retrieved 3 May Archived from the original on 23 May Retrieved 23 June For the Glory of Rome. Google Books preview. Mongoose Publishing. Categories : births deaths British fantasy writers English historical novelists Writers of historical fiction set in antiquity 20th-century English novelists Writers from London English male novelists. Namespaces Article Talk. Views Read Edit View history. Help Learn to edit Community portal Recent changes Upload file. Download as PDF Printable version. Heroic fantasy Historical fantasy. He was a hero. David Gemmell - Wikipedia

I remember once driving home and listening to the radio. A song came on, sung by Tracy Chapman. There was a line in it: "Across the lines, who would dare to go? From that scene came the entire novel The Last Guardian. The story of Troy has enchanted me since I was a small child. A couple of years back I saw a pottery shield with a scene on it. It was Achilles dragging the body of Hector around the walls of Troy. In the background was a woman holding a baby. As I looked at her, I wondered: Who are you? Then I began researching, and then writing. The story itself is one of the best known in literature. Was it difficult to approach such familiar material from a fresh direction? DG: The short answer is no. I have not seen the Troy film, nor read any other novel set in the period. My wife, Stella, is now virtually an expert on the Iliad , and I refer to her for my research. That way I can feel the characters are fresh and entirely the product of my own imagination. Q:What source material did you use? DG: We have scores of research books detailing bronze-age Greece. It is actually amazing to discover how little is known about the period! I am constantly coming upon odd little facts that remain baffling to experts. I am still trying to find out why ostrich egg shells were so valuable. Q:How did you balance the two Troys, the historical and the Homeric, in creating your own version of the city and the epic tale surrounding it? DG: No attempt was made to balance the two. The historical Troy discovered by Schliemann is in fact tiny. The Homeric troy was colossal. I have merely created a city large enough to withstand a long siege and peopled with enough heroes to make the siege fascinating. DG: People are infinitely more interesting than immortals. When a human hero fights, he risks his life. Immortals can be cut in two and then put back together. I wanted the events of the war to have real pathos, for readers to see the tragedies and feel the pain, and to have their hearts soar with the triumphs. Will future volumes in the trilogy follow his adventures after the siege of Troy? DG: I am two-thirds of the way through Shield of Thunder , and still to begin the Fall of Kings , the final book in the trilogy. Q:He seems to be a man of extremes—certainly other characters are extreme in their opinions of him. How closely does your portrayal follow that of Homer and Virgil? And why is he known as the Lord of the Silver Bow? The title, Lord of the Silver Bow , is one given to the god Apollo. In an early section of the novel, a child mistakes Helikaon for the god, and later, as a humorous gift, a friend sends him a silver bow. Q:Andromache, betrothed to the Trojan prince Hektor, is a fascinating woman: priestess, warrior, and princess. Here you had less source material to rely on, I imagine. Was it a relief to let your imagination run wild? DG: My imagination always runs wild—for which I am more than thankful. Andromache is a great character. When authors talk of great characters, what they really mean is easy. Some characters are tough to write. The author has to constantly stop and work out what they will say or do. With the great characters, this problem disappears. Their dialogue flows instantly, their actions likewise. A friend of mine calls them "Ricks Bar characters," from the film Casablanca. Some characters you have to build, like a sculptor carving them from rock. Q:You present Agammemnon and the Mykene as arrogant, brutal warmongers, which is pretty much how Homer depicts them too. DG: Alexander the Great is remembered the same way. They had developed universities, in order for young people from peasant families to be educated. They had an international postal service, so that letters could be sent all over the empire. They had a form of social security so that their people did not starve during famines. They wanted to share their knowledge, and so built a great library containing works of history, science, and religion. They had interpreters there so that foreigners could learn the secrets they has so patiently gathered. The entire works of Zoroaster were kept there, inscribed with gold on sheepskin. Alexander, while drunk, thought it would be great fun to burn it all down. Which he and his generals did. They then destroyed the Persian Empire, plunging the Mediterranean world into a series of bloody wars that lasted for generations. Why is he a hero? Beats the heck out of me! Q:Argurios, a Mykene warrior, is sworn to kill Helikaon, yet winds up in his debt, bound to him by his honor as a warrior and a man. What is it that sets him apart from so many of his countrymen? He has no understanding of politics, and his rigid values make him ripe for betrayal by those who do understand the cesspit of political thought. Q:I enjoyed your take on the wily Odysseus! DG: Odysseus is great fun to write. Probably—after Andromache—my favorite character. Does The Iliad hold lessons for us as the War on Terror continues? DG: Someone once said that the only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history. In the Second World War, members of the fledgling French Resistance could not gather a great deal of support. The Germans, operating on a policy of friendly occupation, were, if you like, winning the battle of hearts and minds. The leaders of the Resistance continued their attacks on German soldiers. Eventually they got what they desired. The German High Command, exasperated and angry, changed their tactics. For every German killed, ten civilians would be rounded up and executed. This was their War on Terror. They hoped that a display of ruthless force would terrify the populace and starve the Resistance of support. It achieved the exact opposite of its intention. Civilians, horrified and angered by the killings, began joining the Resistance in ever increasing numbers. History tells us it will fail. When you buy a book, we donate a book. Sign in. The Best Books of So Far. Read An Excerpt. She prefers wearing green. Argurios is a Mykene Follower, a high ranking man in the Mykene hierarchy. A great friend and loyal servant to Atreus, the late king of Mykene, he has fallen out of favour with Agamemnon who is disposing of many of his father's loyal followers. His entire life was of service to his king and he values loyalty, honor, courage and bravery very highly. Over his career he had gained much land and slaves although he usually leaves them to themselves. Tales of his bravery are told all over the Great Green, especially the Bridge of Partha which he had held against overwhelming odds. He loathed Helikaon as he had slain many Mykene, albeit, evil men. While accompanying Helikaon against his will in Blue Owl Bay, he attacks Mykene ambushers as he must follow the "Law of the Road", a Mykene custom where travelers are allies despite nationality. Attempts on his life were taken when he was in Troy and he finds out Agamemnon has ordered his death. While in recovery, his sympathies started to lie with Helikaon and Troy and he falls in love with Laodike, one of Priam's daughters. In the end, he dies defending her and Troy from Mykene invaders. Laodike also died after the battle and they accompany each other on the dark road, along with many of the Mykene invaders who died and were in fact friends of Argurios. Argurious is not very tall but heavily muscled with many scars. There are no scars on his back. He has black hair with a jutting chisel beard. Gershom is an Egypteian prince with a very direct and straightforward approach on life. His grandfather is the pharaoh of Egypte and his brother is prince Rameses. He was to be executed for slaying two Royal Guards who were harassing a slave woman. He escaped to Kypros where he toiled in the copper mines before joining the Mirion, getting shipwrecked and being rescued by the Xanthos. He wielded the Club of Zidantas later on in the book and accompanies Helikaon wherever he goes acting as a friend and bodyguard. Gershom is somewhat dark skinned with a deep accented voice. He has a strong frame with deep set eyes and jutting eyebrows. It is ultimately revealed that Gershom is in fact Moses from the Bible's Old Testament, as seen by his return to Egypt in order to use his royal influence with Pharaoh and Ramses to free the Hebrew people. The name Gershom is actually the name of Moses firstborn son. Xander is a twelve year old boy, whose father, Akamas was slain by Alektruon the Mykene pirate. When he arrives in Troy he falls ill and during his illness he is able to communicate with those who died. Zidantas tells him that he must think of life and return to Odysseus. He also tells him to tell his daughter, Thea, that she gave him great joy. Xander recovers and remains in the houses of healing for much of his time in Troy, learning the ways of healing from Machaon, the physician. He accompanied Andromache and Argurios while the warrior was recovering. He wielded a club and was slain in Blue Owl bay. He is a Hittite with a bald head and a forked beard. Oniacus became the second in command after Zidantas' death. He sees life in a different way then Gershom and they argue about it. Oniacus has brown curly hair. Epeus was the steerman of the Xanthos. Laodike is a shy reserved daughter of Priam. She befriends Andromache and later falls in love with Argurios. She is described as plain although Andromache disagrees. Priam is the king of Troy. He is heavily built but is aging. He is notorious for womanizing and has over 50 sons. However, his character is one of honour, even though he delights in the humiliation of others. Agathon is a son of Priam who tries to overthrow his father. He wished to marry Andromache but she spurned him. Hekabe is the queen of Troy. She is very similar to Andromache. She is described as cruel and poisonous. However, her deeds are always for the good of Troy. He believes he was given his position by Hades and wields his subterfuge and twin daggers to great effect. He joins the crew of the Xanthos after a failed attempt on Helikaon's life in Kypros but so far is unable to find an opening in the man's cautiousness. Spyros is a ferryman and a midwife. He rows Helikaon out to the Xanthos in Kypros while telling him about the deed of Helikaon, not knowing who his passenger is. Kolanos is an evil Mykene follower appointed by the dark Agamemnon. He orchestrated the assassination attempts on Helikaon in Blue Owl Bay and Zidantas' torture and death, planned the expedition on Dardania that resulted in the death of Helikaon's half brother and the rape of the queen, and sent his elite force in Troy to support Agathon's scheme to kill the king of Troy and everyone invited in the megaron, including, on his request, Argurios and Helikaon. Never risking his life in the battles and trying to escape when the odds turned against the remaining Mykene in the megaron, he tried to betray his fellow Mykenes but Priam let them free and delivered him hand-tied to them, asking only that they give him an agonizing death. Anchises is the father of Helikaon. Anchises was the ruler of the land of Dardanos and was kin to Priam. After the death of his first wife he denounces Helikaon to the throne and makes his second son, Diomedes, the son of his second wife, heir to throne of Dardanos. He marries a young woman, Halysia, after the death of his first wife. He tries to get Odysseus to have Helkaon killed. After he sees that Odysseus will not kill Helikaon, he hires the famous assassin, Karpophorus, to kill him. Odysseus learns of this plans and turns it around by paying Karpophorus to kill Anchises and bring back his ear. Halysia is the second wife of Anchises, the late king of Dardanos. lords of the bow | eBay

No lyrics are included but most of the lyrics with be found on our songs-midis pages. Revelation Commentary: 1. Revelation written in AD Flee Jerusalem or be destroyed in AD Search the world's information, including webpages, images, videos and more. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for. Prophecies - Elisa Ideat. Northern Light. A prophetic website by Jouko Piho in Finland. Cheatinfo is updated everyday, so check back often for the latest cheats, codes, hints and more According to WorldCat it is found in over libraries. I thought I'd read the best there was on Troy. I was wrong. Issuu is a digital publishing platform that makes it simple to publish magazines, catalogs, newspapers, books, and more online. Internet could be cruel to us who looking for free thing. Read More Hide. This is the grand style of storytelling. Gemmell is a. Editorial Reviews "This is how the oldest tales should be read and known. Please click button to get troy lord of the silver bow book now. All books are in clear copy here, and all files are secure so don't worry about it. Easily share your publications and get them in front of Issuu's Lord of the Silver Bow - davidgemmell. Lord of the Silver Bow is the first story in Gemmell's Troy trilogy and it was a joy to read. Although this is the first Gemmell book that I have read, I know that he is often heralded as the King of writing Heroic Fantasy. So he clung to the driftwood as the raging seas hurled him high, then plunged him deep into the storm-dark valleys between the waves. Lightning flashed, followed by deafening thunderclaps. Courageous men fight against overwhelming odds. And at the end, the last words of love spoken between two star-crossed lovers brings a tear to your eye. Yes, Lord of the Silver Bow is not a great book, but it is very good - especially the last half. View all 7 comments. Shelves: historical-war-novels , my-home- library. This is the first part of a trilogy about the Trojan War, and literally, I had read in two days. All are heard very familiar Homer's description of the battle, but in this book the characters are ordinary people living at that time. The story is so compelling and you feel like you are at that time. The world in which they live characters from the book is cruel and relentless. Fraud, greed, love, hate, courage braided in a story that pulls you like Greek ships through the wild open sea. Descripti This is the first part of a trilogy about the Trojan War, and literally, I had read in two days. Descriptions of the equipment, ships, people, and cities are so complex that they can literally be seen. The book I would recommend to anyone who wants to dive into the old Greek. Although fiction, I had the feeling that it happened like that as it is written in the book. It revolves around a man known by many names. The man himself is one fit for the era. Helikaon is strong, brave, and brutal. His brutality has earned him no friends among his enemies, but then who has friends among their enemies. I went into this book really not having a clear idea of what to expect. I think the author wanted it that way because there was no true continuous storyline other than Helikaon is a lost man trying to fight his demons to find his way and that Agamemnon wants to conquer all. In many ways this story seemed quite true to life. David Gemmell hit many different areas such as duty, honor, pride, shame, love, and lust. He displays some truly human qualities in the characters which made me feel their emotions right along with them. The first thing was that the story skips to some truly random point of view characters that seemed unnecessary. The second thing is that the middle fluctuated from interesting to boring so often that I wasn't sure if I could finish this book. The author ended the book quite well though so I must say I was more than satisfied. One last positive to mention is that Odyseuss, in all his tall tale glory, appears in this book. He's quite the character and absolutely left me smiling. After finishing book one, I know I'll be heading back to David Gemmell's Troy to finish this interesting series. I love this book!!!!!! I love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love this book!! I love this book, I love this book, I love this book, I love this book!! Can I say it again? I have an ur WOW!! I seriously say, I enjoyed and appreciated every single page I read , I never felt something was unnecessary, and never thought for a tiny moment that the story was becoming dull or slowing down. The characters are ALL great, all of them, not just the main. They felt so real and the experiences they had, their feelings, their thoughts were believable. The quotes were also great, there are some good thoughts about many subjects. Specially those said by Odysseus. The things he said when people talked to him had so much depth in my opinion. The writing style is fantastic, when you are reading, sometimes you are surprised by what is happening. For example, they tell you something that you may think is totally unimportant, or maybe not unimportant but just unrelated, and then you realize it was not what it looked like, but it was something else, something important! And then everything makes sense! And you never saw that coming! View all 11 comments. Sep 11, Daniel Ionson rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites , re-reads , historical-fiction , hybrid-historical-fiction-fantasy. Gemmell's writing here was magnificent. I just finished my re-read after a decade, and had forgotten that this was scarcely 'Fantasy' at all; this is far closer to Historical Fiction, with only the scarcest hints of supernatural activity. It's obvious that Gemmell had done extensive homework on Ancient sources. His characters, as with all of his books, are so believable, so 3-D. Can't recommend this one highly enough for lovers of Hist. When we behave like them, we become like them. And then what is our justification for being? By accepting their moral standards we discard our right to condemn them. I have only read this first volume so far and it leans more towards historical than fantasy; in so far as the Greek legend of the Trojan War can be regarded as history. Various Greek gods are mentioned throughout the book but none of them make an appearance, ditto magical creatures like Pegasus, the cyclops etc. Several characters do have prophetic dreams and there is at least one seer so the book is not quite grounded. In any case, this book does not need any supernatural shenanigans, the narrative is very compelling as can be expected of David Gemmell. If you look at the average rating for the books in this series you can see they are all above 4. His troubles do not end there, however, his best friend is murdered and tortured by a Mykene general, and he swears vengeance. He falls in love with Princess Andromache who has been arranged to marry Hektor, the favorite son of Priam, the king of Troy. Mykene assassins are always after him, and he has to help defend Troy against invaders. The above little synopsis barely scratches the surface of a book filled with plot and characters. There are, in fact, three main protagonists that the narrative follows, not to mention the various minor point of view characters. All the narrative strands are skillfully woven together to form a very compelling cohesive story. David Gemmell is probably my favorite writer of heroic fantasy. His characters are always complex and nuanced, his pacing is just right, and the plot always keeps the pages turning. There is always an underlying moral core in his novels in spite of the numerous scenes of fighting, warfare, and violence. I thoroughly enjoyed Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow and I am looking forward to reading the other two volumes, and also learning more about the Greek legend the easy way! Yes, definitely read this book, it will rock you like a Helikaon. And, by Hades, you sailed a piece of driftwood well enough. Did you know that bronze was first used to create plows, so that men could dig the earth more efficiently? It did not take long, I suspect, before it was used for swords and spears and arrowheads. View all 10 comments. Aug 26, Anthony Ryan rated it it was amazing. Placing Aenais, Trojan hero and legendary founder of Rome, at the centre of the narrative, Gemmell draws on serious scholarship to paint a convincing picture of an ancient eastern-Mediterranean world torn by a trade war between two regional superpowers. In this decidedly non-Homeric version of events, the gods are invisible, the supernatural makes only a brief appearance and Helen of In 'Lord of the Silver Bow' David Gemmell takes a realist approach to the legendary war between Greece and Troy. In this decidedly non-Homeric version of events, the gods are invisible, the supernatural makes only a brief appearance and Helen of Troy is a minor princess of little consequence. Instead we are presented with a brutal world of clan loyalties and blood feuds where atrocity is countered with atrocity. Aenais is more noble but no less ruthless than his enemies the Mykenes, and the imperially ambitious Trojans led by the loathsome and lecherous Priam are scarcely more deserving of admiration. Arguably this is Gemmell's most accomplished work and can't be recommended highly enough. Sep 06, Sade rated it liked it. As crazy as the book gets sometimes, too muc For all the praise this book has, it would seem Gemmell kept -with the exception of some very shocking revelations- this book very calm. View all 6 comments. Aug 11, Gary rated it it was amazing. One of the best books I have read based on the events of the Trojan Wars-David Gemmell departs from the events of the Illiad but does so in a way that is both creative and plausible. A study of the history of this period would explain Gemmel's recreation of events quite convincingly. A riveting, picturesque, exotic, erotic historical fantasy, whereby the author convincingly recreates the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of the period, we are taken back to the time before the Trojan Wars. The One of the best books I have read based on the events of the Trojan Wars-David Gemmell departs from the events of the Illiad but does so in a way that is both creative and plausible. The main characters are the warrior King Helikaon of Dardania, dealing with a traumatic childhood, and with strong encouragement by Odysseus, is propelled into the role of a hero king by Odysseus. He rises to this challenge with magnificence and unchallenged character making him an redoubtable ruler and invincible warrior who seems to lead charmed life. Then there is the enchanting, wise, fiery, headstrong and highly erotic Andromache, the character who for me made this novel irresistible. Andromache is brought to life in such an incredible way that the reader can fully understand why so many of the male characters of the book fall in love with her. Then there is the gruff Mykene warrior, living in a world of loneliness and driven by the need for revenge, who will play a heroic role, and earn the admiration of Troy and it's ruler. King Priam of Troy comes to life as a harsh but admirable ruler, a burly again but never weakening warrior king, character Events unfold in just the right pace. Cassandra the seeress is presented as both a mysterious and lovable child at the age of eleven, and Priams other children range from the ambitious, corrupt, and spiteful, to the honourable and courageous, This epic culminates in battle for Troy again st brutish Myceneans, but ends well before the Trojan Wars of the Illiad. Another character worth taking note of is the Egyptian fugitive Prince Gershom who we will learn an exciting revelation about later in the series. Jan 15, Chris rated it really liked it Recommended to Chris by: Emma. Shelves: fof-reads. This was awesome! Unexpectedly so, in fact. I've always loved Greek mythology, ever since I was little. Especially stories about Troy and the Trojan War. I read the blurb to this one, and it sounded great. I also like historical fiction, so it was intriguing to pick up a rendering of the Homeric period that was based more on a real or possible history of the region. In short, a tale about the people rather than the Gods and magic stuff. So why was I hesitant and not expecting a great 4. So why was I hesitant and not expecting a great read? Well, I'd recently read Legend , by the same author. I'd found it to be written in a rather juvenile manner, with thin characterizations and weak plotting. The battle scenes were pretty good, but the story didn't do much for me. Plus, the ending was horrible. Well, that's the book that Gemmell's known for; it's what the Gemmell Legend award is named after, matter of fact. If that was an example of his work, I was turned off. But my friend Emma had recommended this trilogy, and the premise of it still intrigued me. So I gave it a go, and I was very pleased. It was very close to being 5-star material, though the pace did slow down a little through the middle. The writing was great, the characters were memorable and very sympathetic, even some of the antagonists. The ending was heartfelt and struck home too. I had to admit, I wondered if this was really written by the same guy. Of course, since it was published some 20 years after Legend , it's quite possible that Gemmell's style simply improved. I'm definitely looking forward to the other two books in the series. Jun 21, Emma rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. For a while now I haven't read a book which managed to truly get to me. This book did. First and foremost, this is a book about human nature — what motivates a person, the nature of every person's beliefs, and what brings them to insanity. Each and every character in the book was realistic and touching, you couldn't help but to identify with most of them, and come to appreciate the rest. Although some tend to be too good to be true, while others can be a little too close to pure evil, they are all For a while now I haven't read a book which managed to truly get to me. Although some tend to be too good to be true, while others can be a little too close to pure evil, they are all written in such a manner that makes you believe them still. Throw in the mix epic battle scenes, ancient superstitions, prophecies, and heart breaking love affairs that usually end in a tragedy, and you get a gripping book you won't be able to put down - not due to cheap writing tricks, but thanks to genuine interest. This book was one of the few which actually made me stare for a while after finishing it, in order to let everything sink in. It was that good. Need I say more? View all 3 comments. Gemmell was a creative genius. The sagacity of writing is riveting. His characters are so well written. Characters are so quintessential flawed. Gemmell unequivocal prose gives a honest portrayal of human fallibility. Probing on what persuades a person , what makes one so committed to their beliefs. He draws in audacious movement. His writing is idyllic. Colossal battle scenes. Exhilarating and unpresuming combination of storytelling make this brilliant. Rich in detail, yet not bestrewed by it. Imperfections and disappointment. Emotionally charged. Hurt feelings and a deep loss and void. Unexpected twists make him realistic and believable. He is kind and loyal. Yet he is not perfect. Shrouded by loneliness. Oozing revenges. A strong heroine, one who defends those she deeply and truly loves with every ounce of her being. Tough , yet regal and loyal. She is adored by women. And is receptive to these mutual feelings and desires. Three lives all connected by trust, friendship and love. View all 5 comments. I liked all of David Gemmell's books. It was a sad loss to the fantasy genre when he passed away. He had that individual style that made him special in my opinion. He could draw you in, chew you up and spit you out in to pages. Great characterisation, I really cared about Gemmell's main characters. He had a knack for straightforward storytelling without the pages and pages about what people were wearing and what they had for breakfast that has become popular today. I thought this was a g I liked all of David Gemmell's books. I thought this was a good trilogy, even the final instalment that was completed by his wife. Not my favourite Gemmell series but still good. If you haven't read a Gemmell book you have missed out! Dec 20, Charles Bronson rated it it was amazing. The heartbreak. The glory! The fucking glory! Aug 07, Steve rated it really liked it Shelves: fantasy-sci-fi-fantasy. Lord of the Silver Bow and Troy 2 is Gemmell doing what he did best; creating characters with real depth and a destiny that they do not know. A sound storyline running right through with interesting twists and turns of fortune. You'd think the story of Troy would be one of battle, and there are battles throughout the trilogy, but Gemmell makes it so much more. Most of Troy 1 and Troy 2 are not about battles, they're more about people, personalities, loves, losses, terrible acts of cruelty and Lord of the Silver Bow and Troy 2 is Gemmell doing what he did best; creating characters with real depth and a destiny that they do not know. Most of Troy 1 and Troy 2 are not about battles, they're more about people, personalities, loves, losses, terrible acts of cruelty and acts of true compassion. We follow the growth of Helikaon, the young prince of Dardania who grows to be the Golden One with his apparently charmed life. The strong and proud Andromache, priestess of Thera. Their love that doesn't appear to have a chance as Andromache is ordered to marry Hector. What Gemmell did with these characters really is pretty damn brilliant. Odysseus the king of Ithaka and renowned story teller, and Argurios the Mykene hero swordsman. I really am tempted to give this book 5 stars, but it will remain 4 as it follows on in Troy 2 - Shield of Thunder. If I was rating both these books together they would be a 5 star read I'm fairly sure you'll find at least one character that you can relate to in some way, and the journey Gemmell takes the reader on is not one to miss. I'll now be re-reading Troy 2 - Shield of Thunder which refers to a prophecy about Andromache As a side note: You may think the story of Troy, battles and blood hungry men. If so, you may be pleasantly surprised at the strength and quality of the female characters. Oct 16, Karla rated it it was ok Shelves: dead-tree. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A interesting re-imagining of the lead-up to the Trojan War, almost a complete alternate universe at points. I wish it had been labeled as such rather than "Historical Fiction" because Gemmell deviated from commonly-held "facts" quite often, sometimes seemingly for its own sake i. I eventually came to terms with my initial disappointment, but in the end I didn't find it an absorbing read. It had way more potential than it actually delivered. The main c A interesting re-imagining of the lead-up to the Trojan War, almost a complete alternate universe at points. Such sentiments were clunky and phrased with too modern a tone. Andromache here is a beautiful swan who thinks she's an ugly duck, accomplished in seducing women and handing advanced archery weaponry. She speaks her mind to powerful kings and is a walking anachronism. There was little in her characterization that was surprising once I got a sense of the author's sentiment and aims. For all her powers, mental and physical, she wasn't interesting at all and seemed to be more of a fantasy heroine than anything rooted in the ancient world. Her and Helikaon's immediate attraction had no depth, but simply was a device that yarned the gods into it and seemed to make it a matter of destiny that required no discussion or attention. Things happen, people are. Let's move on to the next scene. Which seemed to be the problem for most of the book. The characters, with the exception of Odysseus a fail-proof character , and Laodike and Argurios, were flat and dull. They appeared a lot and even said a lot, but I only saw them as names who spoke words and moved. There was no engaging internal activity, no brain- and soul-digging, no spark that made me care about them. What "insight" there was consisted of the repetitious -- and eventually boring -- device of flashbacks within scenes whenever a character saw or said something that prompted a memory. It didn't even have to be important for Gemmell to slip into another paragraph or 3 of pluperfect. For example, the Mykene mercenary Argurios polishes his armor for a feast, sees the missing discs on it, and recalls the battle where the damage occurred. There is no new information to be gained by this past perfect trot down memory lane. The reader has already been informed often and at great length by a dozen characters what a great and fearless warrior he is. The only reason we're told is that later he's wounded due to the absence of those discs. Quite important detail, and I think it might have been more memorable, but Gemmell's style is to line up the mechanical pieces and plow through them with pedestrian prose. It's like moving chess pieces with a checkers brain. There are several flagged "Aha! Gemmell seemed too intent on reinventing some characters for newness's sake, going to the extent of having Paris be stoop-shouldered! Come on! If an author is going to reinvent the wheel in terms of Paris and Helen, then utilize them sensibly since so much of the action took place in Troy anyway. By dropping these new images for a brief glimpse but no commitment, it came across as a cheap trick. After all this, why still 2 stars? Well, Gemmell's Odysseus is very in-character with the new twist of The Odyssey being an anthology of his fireside tales, although having so many parts of The Odyssey referred to in this manner got as repetitive as the pluperfect flashbacks. I enjoyed the meshing of Hector's battle exploits with the Hittite-Egyptian Battle of Kadesh, along with the political and martial relationship between Troy and the Hittite empire. The utter absence of Hector until the very end where he rides to the sudden rescue in blah fantasy genre style was disappointing, however. Overall, I've read far far better novels about the ancient world, and probably don't have "suitable" appreciation for his style because I'm not that into the fantasy genre, but at least I know what to expect and am prepared to be underwhelmed by the next two books. I've already started Shield of Thunder and guessed immediately that "Piria" is actually Kalliope, Andromache's ex-lover, and The Odyssey tale- dropping has shown up again on a few occasions. So the repetition continues View all 4 comments. Nov 18, Mihir rated it it was amazing Shelves: favorites. Argurios another famous Mykene warrior who is traveling to Troy on a mission of his own gets entangled with plots to destroy the city. It simply becomes a story of characters whose lives become entangled with each other either comradely or antagonistically. In this book he lays bare the geopolitical reasons for the happening of the war of Troy. Lord of the Silver Bow is my first read from renowned fantasy author David Gemmell. People rave about his fantasy, and while I can't comment on that yet I can say that his historical fiction series has made me a fan. This book was so Greek that my bookmark was slick with olive oil, and that is a good thing. The story had everything you expect from a Greek epic and the characters and descriptions were presented in a way that made me feel like I was sailing the Great Green myself. Any author can add bronze weapons, Triremes, and cyprus trees to a setting, but that doesn't make it Greek. These historical fiction books just have that inexplicable "feel" that I love experiencing as a fan of the genre. Others feel like they are modern stories facelifted with an ancient setting. While these are still enjoyable, my personal favorites are always the ones that feel like they are taking place in the distant past. Gemmell does this for me with this first volume of the Troy series. Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the actual events taking place. I am very familiar with the story of Troy, and while I'm sure Gemmell will get to all of the major events later on, this first book focused on peripheral stories that added some much needed spice to the dried out tale of Troy. The middle of the story slows down for a bit but picks up the pace quickly enough that it wasn't an issue for me personally. Dear Sir, Words are powerless to express my gratitude for this amazing piece of work. Amazing, but one that causes so much distress. Every word is like a drop of wine. By the end of it, I was drunk and giddy with fear for the coming war. You were cruel; you stood by and watch me fall deeply in love with Helikaon the Golden One, Andromache, Argurios, and Laodike; only to take them away from me. Argurios said what was in my heart, "I had not realised until then that my life had been lived in the darkness of a perpetual winter night. When I saw her, it was as if the sun had rise. You gave me courageous and cunning warriors who fought valiantly - till the end. Did you not know how much it hurt me? Drawing back her hand, she said "May the gods grant you great happiness, my love. More than I have deserved" Only Queen Halysia knew the pain you've caused me. But as how Helikaon intend to be her shield, despite his broken heart from losing Andromache, I know you will be my Shield of Thunder. Please promise me that it will get better from here. People talked of broken hearts, but they were wrong. Broken was somehow complete, finished, over. The real sensation was of continual breaking, an everlasting wound, sharp and jagged, like claw of bronze biting into the soft tissue of the heart. Love, twelvejan Conclusion: A great book makes you smile, cry, whimper, entranced - LotSB does exactly that. Helikaon King, I love thee. Nov 05, Nate rated it liked it Shelves: owned , antiquity. Originally gave this four stars but I've stewed a bit on this one and it's more a three. The first thing I have to get out of the way is that I'll always like Gemmell's writing. You can tell he really enjoyed his work and I love that. I really doubt he ever wrote a book that I wouldn't like, despite his prolific nature. That said, this was a relative comedown after my first encounter with Gemmell with Legend. The reasons for this are really hard for me to really pick out, but a big reason that I Originally gave this four stars but I've stewed a bit on this one and it's more a three. The reasons for this are really hard for me to really pick out, but a big reason that I write and read reviews of books is that it helps me learn why I like why like and vice versa. I don't know if this sounds pretentious or not but I really do think reading and writing about books makes you a "better" reader. The insight I've gleaned from others' reviews always, always inspires me to have a deeper experience with books, even if I don't share their opinion. Goodreads fanboyism aside it's a difficult one, on paper this should have been a five-star book for me. Several of my friends have commented on this, and I think they're onto something; the balance and pacing of this book is off. In the first half you're hanging out with the complex protagonist Helikaon Gemmell's reimagining of Aeneas fuckin' sailing around the Great Green chopping pirates' heads off and basking in this lush, vibrant world Gemmell's re-created and in the second half you're kinda just sitting around with minor characters watching Gemmell set up the rest of the series. I burnt through the first half of the book in a couple days and spent the rest of however long on the second. I mean, the intrigue and love story stuff was well-done I just thought it wasn't nearly as gripping as Helikaon's scenes. Even his presence in the climax of the book didn't really help things much for me. So in total a bit of a difficult experience for me. I liked this book, but I really was expecting more. Maybe I just vibe better with the Drenai stuff? I bought and will certainly read The King Beyond the Gate but I'm uncertain about the Troy stuff at this point, especially considering he didn't even finish it. Maybe I'll re-read that and then come back to this series. View 1 comment. Probably doesn't have a back half as good as the front half and I nearly gave it 3 stars because of this section of the book, but the very ending picked up and made me a bit happier with it again. A good story. What I like most about it, is that for that first half of the book it really hopped along and I was quite into it. It never slowed down and dragged out. Gemmell was always moving the story along and this makes for the best stories. At times I felt the writing quality a little lacking, ther Probably doesn't have a back half as good as the front half and I nearly gave it 3 stars because of this section of the book, but the very ending picked up and made me a bit happier with it again. At times I felt the writing quality a little lacking, there was no finesse in the writing style, but that fast storyline helped me to forgive it that. I will definitely be continuing with this series. Shelves: ebooks , borrowed , historical , buddy-group-reads. This book mesmerised me from page 1. Loved the portrayal of Ancient Greece and myriads of nearby kingdoms. Being book 1 of Troy series, the main characters are just being introduced here. This book outlines the various tiny as well as major kingdoms, their people, their proclivities, and the sociopolitical tensions undergone. The characters who emerge are [not in that particular order]: 1. Aeneas suffered the trauma of seeing his mother jump herself to death though initially he believed that she being a demi Goddess had just flown to the clouds , moreover being shown her dead body and cruelly taunted by his wicked father. The timid young man is send to Odysseus to help him out with his ship, and his fortunes are reversed. Priam - King of Troy portrayed as another wicked person, who has nearly 50 children [in and out of wedlock] and whose chief game is testing the patience and enduring capacity of his sons. He doesn't hesitate to put down and mock anyone in public. He is a womanizer to boot, who likes to approach his various daughters in law. I was shocked at this persona, because I supposed Priam to be a venerable king 3. Andromache - one of the best characters, and one which I liked the most - tough, self confident, kind, regal. She is the daughter of a minor king, who sells her to King Priam as a bride to his son Hektor. https://files8.webydo.com/9585654/UploadedFiles/F05516E0-CE6C-542E-9BB6-BDE4F4C544BB.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9591177/UploadedFiles/E94178E6-821C-C2AB-593D-84CB2C3049E3.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9589866/UploadedFiles/FCE99A77-37DF-AF8B-0033-AF9662BD0EF0.pdf https://static.s123-cdn-static.com/uploads/4638538/normal_601eb9e2c469e.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9593572/UploadedFiles/ACCE9054-EB43-F02F-95D0-5F387F8A9799.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9589584/UploadedFiles/2B862430-84AA-694C-0494-4B143F5C6411.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9587916/UploadedFiles/D135933D-8369-2077-5124-F51CFCCDAB01.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9587853/UploadedFiles/0C107991-48AE-4FF6-52CD-A6B26B241267.pdf