This book sent me dredging my memory for what I used to know about Ancient Greek and Trojan history. Gemmell manages to work many of the accepted plot points into a tale that modern people can identify with. We meet Odysseus, Agamemnon, Priam, Hector, and Aeneas (here mostly known as Helikaon), as well as many others. Gemmell makes these mythic characters into comprehensible people, with weaknesses as well as strengths, human foibles, loves and hates.
This era in history was not a high spot for women and regular people. Kings reign supreme, claiming all those who live in their territory as chattel. If you aren't at the tippy top of the hierarchy, you have few choices or options. Nevertheless, the author writes female characters with fire and determination. Early in the novel, we meet Andromache, daughter of Ektion of Thebe. She gets shipped to Thera to become a priestess when Ektion has no political use for her, no man to ally himself to through marriage. Being a woman of ambition and action, Andromache throws herself into life on Thera, learning to shoot a bow and ride a horse, taking a female lover. Then her sister, the betrothed of Hektor of Troy, dies unexpectedly and Andromache is recalled to take her place. Ripped out of palace life to go to Thera, then torn out of Thera to go to Troy, Andromache has become a woman to be reckoned with.
For a fantasy tale of war and battle, there are a surprising number of romances that occur. Unlike many fantasy authors, Gemmell does not portray love as a male weakness. Instead, being in love provides a firm base on which to base a man's heroic reputation. They have a reason to fight and prevail. However, just because there is love, it doesn't automatically guarantee a wedding. Political realities intervene.
Those who dislike intense battle scenes should probably pass on this book. They are true to the time period, but Gemmell uses them to explore the nature of being a hero in interesting ways. He contrasts brutal older leaders like Agamemnon and Priam with Helikaon/Aeneas, who tries to be fair as well as firm. It is not an easy balancing act.
Book Number 465 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
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