The emperor is dead…long live the emperor!
The fervent hope of the victorious rebels and the survivors of the uprising that liberated the City from tyranny is that the accession of Archange to the imperial throne will usher in a new era of freedom, peace and stability. If only that were so...

As the the City struggles to return to something resembling normal life after the devastation brought on by the rebellion, word arises of a massive army gathering to the north. No one knows where it has come from or who leads it, but it soon becomes apparent that its sole purpose is to destroy the City and annihilate all - man, woman and child - who live within its battered walls.

 

And while warriors go forth to fight and die on the battlefield in defense of their homeland and all that they believe in, bitter family feuds and ancient rivalries, political and personal betrayals, and mindless murder surface within the palaces and corridors of power: it seems the City is under siege - from both without and within .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The low rating is my fault I came in without reading the previous book and The Immortal Throne is a serious book. From what I could tell it picked up from where the previous book left off almost directly it seems.

I didn't understand a lot of what was happening or who the players were or what side they were on however I'm curious enough that I want to pick up the first book so that I can see what I'm missing out on.

The biggest thing is that this is not a quick read this is a big time investment read with nearly 600 pages of intensely detailed scenes. There is a lot of political upheaval and emotional turmoil in this book.

Its written well, I liked Gemmell's voice that came with her writing, and I liked the cover of this book. Totally worth the investment if you haven't read it yet.

I have another author to enjoy in the near future. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stella Gemmell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

 

 

 

Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

 

 

 

 

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I think the best way to describe this book is epic. It was truly epic. I know fantasy is usually epic, but here the word gets it's true meaning. The story is deep and feels complex. It's fascinating, and the world building and story telling was awesome.It's about a an empire on feet of clay. A city slowly eating itself and spitting out soldier after soldier. Women thrown into the war machine until the only people left are maimed old soldiers and a few children. There is no time for making children when everyone is away fighting. Fighting for the enormous city and the emperor. Everything else if forgotten.The story jumps in time after we meet 2 children and an old man. An old man of importance. After that we get to know a female soldier and learn more about the endless war. Gemmell is also good at inserting facts and history about why the city is like it is. Why it keeps on fighting and we learn more and more.Bart and Em shows us the city itself and how life inside is not easy. Fell and Indaro shows us the war outside. There are threads everywhere in this vast book that slowly is being handled by someone. Pulling everyone together for one last showdown.The book is not one I rushed through to know more. Instead I had to take it easy because that is just how it's told, how it has to be. And when I finished I was not sure, should I be happy? The ending is both a happy one and an uncertain one.War and politics is what you get with this book. I also liked how she has taken from so much and put it together in a melting pot. Until I just can't say where from everything is (even if it is fantasy). There is Rome, the East and more. I was also interested in The Immortals, where did they come from? I do want more from this world.I know I give 3s to everything cos 3s means it's good and that I enjoyed it. But this one has to get a 4 cos of the good writing.

My full review can be found here:

http://wildersbookreview.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-city-by-stella-gemmell.html

Troy: Fall of Kings is one of those books that leaves you both in awe of its brilliance and perplexed by its obvious flaws.

The good points of this book are many. Gemmell and his wife (Who I understand finished said book after her husband’s death.) continued the series’ trend of creating realistic characters, who fit perfectly into the historical narrative of this period. These characters are multi-dimensional, behave realistic based upon their established personality, and burst off the page. The same can be said of the battle scenes, where one can feel the adrenaline rush of fear and the sound of clashing weapons as the Greek and Trojans warriors clash. And the final duel between Hector and Achilles is one of the best written I’ve read between two, heroic warriors. Even the final “Trojan Horse” resolution is well thought out and makes historical sense.

Still, there are instances where the story just doesn’t ring true. Helikaon and Andromache, in particular, make certain decision that seem forced so that other important moments in history can be written about. Another is the resolution - if you can even call it that - of Gershom’s strange plot line that was somewhat mystifying throughout the series. There are other examples of this in the later part of the book, especially the last few chapters where Troy’s survivors are shown fleeing for their lives, but I do not want to belabor the point, only point out that these "what the" moments detract from the effect of the narrative as a whole.

With all that being said, I enjoyed the novel. It was a fitting ending to a good series. A trilogy where the Gemmells did an excellent job of taking the myths about Troy and turning them into compelling historical fiction. Not to say they did not take artistic liberties with historical fact, but that, even though they did, it rang more or less true. For attempting to shed a light of reason on the Trojan War, this novel and series is a must read.

Finally, I would be remise if I did not salute the legendary David Gemmell. There will never be another writer who can do justice to a warrior’s true spirit as he did in this series and all his novels. A final triumph for a true master of his craft.

Fall of Kings (Troy, #3) - David Gemmell... An exciting, action-packed final to a great trilogy!