Book 1), Lord of the Silver Bow (Troy Trilogy

What a fantastic book! Gemmell's take on the story of Troy and the Illiad is fascinating. As usual, his heroes are larger than life offering a realistic take on war and the aftermath of war. The characters are deeply fleshed out, with movitations and weaknesses. Leave your political and social beliefs behind and consider the time these people lived. Many of the things they do we would find shocking but were everyday events in the time this book is depicting.

Even though we know the ending of this fable, Gemmell has tied unknown characters into the tapestry allowing a fresh story. We know what happens to Hektor. But who is Helikaon? What will happen to this hero?

I urge you to read this book and if it is the first time you have ever read a Gemmell book, you are in for a treat. He is a fantastic writer of heroic fantasy. Do not be fooled into thinking its simply pulp fiction. There are great messages, great heroes and alternate realities waiting to be plundered by those with an open mind and an imagination. The 1-star review I read here blew me away. It was just so wrong! For example - Helikaon doesn't marry a woman he just met. He's known her most of his life! Please READ the book if you post a review!

Get this book and see what happens to Helikaon the hero king, Andromache the regal bow-weilding noblewoman, Xander the boy experiencing life on the edge of the seat, and yes your favorite characters like Hektor, Priam, and Paris...

As always with a David Gemmell book, I devoured this in two days despite a heavy work schedule. Unusually, I found myself re reading certain sections for the next few days that really caught my eye. I've read all his books and re read many, but few of them are close to as good as this one. I had to re read Legend over the past few nights before deciding that it was his second best novel yet, somewhat inferior to Legend but in my opinion slightly superior to his other books I have returned to multiple times, Winter Warriors and Hero in the Shadows.

I was somewhat skeptical of this Troy trilogy, as really these characters seemed old and tired by now. From the Illiad and the Oddysey many of us read in school, to the mediocre Brad Pitt movie, I wasn't really sure how this could be all that interesting. Even a 'bad' David Gemmell book is good, much like cold pizza, so I got it right away anyway. I'd buy every one if they cost $1000 dollars each. But I was quite surprised at just how good this book was.

In a nutshell, expect to *believe* in this story, and these characters, in a way you could not from reading more storied works. Oddyseus in particular is an excellent character, and just from the things he says, the Oddysey takes on a whole new meaning and I have gained a lot more appreciation for it. The character I assume is Helen of Troy (different name) is exactly the kind of woman I would want, and I would launch the thousand ships to go get her, where that seemed far fetched before.

I'm not going to give a plot synopsis and then call it a review, but I will say it is both what you'd expect, and so much more. Personally, I look for books that can stir my emotions, fiction or not. And this book certainly did that, as Gemmells always do. Reading the end, in my mind I wanted to grab a spear and a shield and stand with those who stood. Lets face it, we all read these books for the escapist fantasy.

Steven Pressfield, author of the excellent Gates of Fire, gave Gemmell a rave review for the hardcover book jacket. I found it to be entirely accurate. I have learned from the site michaelyon.blogspot.com that Mark Kurilla, who has lead men in combat in Iraq, requires his officers to read that book. I am almost too old to be accepted, but I would sign up in a minute if I were garunteed to serve under him. You can read these things and believe all of this is just fantasy BS, but then read that site and you may think otherwise. I have sent Mark my copy of the book, in the hopes that it may help his recovery. Pressfields book can be summed up by two words..."Zeus, Savior!" to anyone who has read it. Mr Gemmell has however surpassed even this most excellent novel of ancient greece.

So why isn't it better than Legend? Because it is hard to compete with the best modern literature has to offer. While a deeply flawed first novel, it has, as Oddyseus might put it, a magic that makes fiction lead to truths. And if you read this, Mr Gemmell, don't make the movie unless you can do it right..watch Black Hawk Down and Braveheart as many times as you have to.

I know this review may seemt o be overly gushing with praise, but just read any Gemmell book (the Drenai ones are safest for an 'excellent' grade) and see if you don't want to read another one.

Such a fantastic story teller, really expands on Greek Mythology and makes it incredibly difficult to put the book down. I have always love realistic Greek Mythology novels and this one does not disappoint, it is definitely one of my all time favorite books. David Gemmell really describes a detailed and incredible world; making it easy to envision it for yourself. I found myself really enjoying the action and suspense that follows Helikon throughout the story. Overall, Great Read; I definitely recommend to anyone that enjoys Greek Mythology or just enjoys a good book.

"Danger is the seed from which courage grows."
Odysseus in David Gemmell's "Lord of the Silver Bow"

I had tried reading David Gemmell's "Lord of the Silver Bow" about 9 months ago. It was heavy, plodding, and confusing. I was looking for a fun story full of action and adventure, and I love history...but, alas, I stopped reading after about 50 pages, and kind of figured that I was simply beyond the age when testosterone-fueled adventures could carry a story. I gave it a second shot, and it turns out, I was wrong. This first in Gemmell's trilogy that retells the story of the Trojan War is enjoyable, fun, and surprisingly deep.

Gemmell's language and themes are audacious and often mythic. The story and themes are soaked in an age of heroism when Gods were considered real, and honor and courage were as coveted as bronze. The dialogue drives big and bold themes; addressed by bigger and bolder men (mostly); and acted upon in the most courageous (and sometimes cowardly) ways. This isn't a fantasy novel. This is historical fiction...taking nuggets from the well-trodden story of Troy, and molding them into a new shining historical epic.

"No force under the stars is more powerful than hatred."

War's a' brewin' on the wine-dark-sea, and Aeneas, known by his nickname Helikaon, isn't helping the situation through his enflamed vendetta against the Mykene general Kolanos. Aeneas is at the center of "Silver Bow", and he has anger issues. He would go on, as legend would tell, to establish one the greatest of ancient empires: Rome. He's one of the most respected men across the Aegaen despite the fact that he's beloved in the East and hated in the West.

Battlefield philosophy rings loudly throughout the book. Helikaon states, "A great man once told me there can be no courage without fear. He was right. Remember that when you're belly trembles and your legs grow weak." And later, Odysseus says, "A man who rushes into battle fearlessly is not a hero. He is merely a strong man with a big sword. An act of courage requires the overcoming of rear."

One of the most predominant and heavy themes is the consideration of what makes a person good or bad; moral or evil. Not unlike the gods of Greek mythology, the characters in "Lord" all have aspects of weakness. While the deeds and emotions are enormous, very few characters are pure evil or purely heroic. Their decisions and actions are just 'right' enough, or just 'wrong' enough to balance the scales towards one end or the other. An Egyptian joins Helikaon's crew and brings his own brand of philosophical views into the equation. He states that good and evil are in everyone and at constant war. "All of us are capable of great compassion and love or hatred and horror. Sadly, we can take joy from both."

In another theme, Gemmell's characters explore loss and the context of what it means, and it's lasting impact. The emotions felt by the characters are deep and acute. And in the context of this story, with all of its mythological proportions, the sometimes melodramatic emotions fit. Who wouldn't feel the internal slice of a lost love; or the death of someone close? The pain doesn't slip away quickly or easily.

"Lord of the Silver Bow" is a terrific book. Your expectations must revolve around the fact that this is a fictional retelling of the enormous, and enormously dramatic, historical-fantasy of The Illiad. In that context, the book hits on almost all cylinders.

Its a real shame that David Gemmell died so young and we won't be getting any more books from him. This is a retelling of the Troy story, and probably due to this it takes 50 pages or so to get rolling, but once it does you can't put it down. Its convenient that the whole series is published so when you finish part one you can just roll on to part 2 and 3!

I echo the sentiments of many - I was fearful that Mr. Gemmel had run out of tales to tell. I have read every book he has written and some of his heros - Druss especially - are the milestone for everything else I read.

This book about the great city of Troy has the wonderful Gemmel character developement.

I highly recommend it and would think it may appeal to many who have never read Gemmel before ( it felt a bit more mainstream ), but will not disappoint his faithful longterm readers. I cannot wait for the next volumes to release. I hope Mr. Gemmel is sleeping very little and writing very much - I want to read more.

I thought this book was great. It had the perfect blend of fiction plus history without going overboard. I loved the detail, descriptions, everything. The characters and plot were very well developed and I felt for each characters plight..

I will definitely get the second book in this trilogy..

Gemmell delves into some far more overtly historical fiction here. No sorcery, magic weapons, or anything of that nature to be seen, just the odd bit of dreamed prophey by queens and priestesses.

This is more a novel of the necessities of pragmatic leadership, and pathos than heroic adventure, as he tells the story of mostly Aeneas and Andromache.

I really enjoyed this book. David Gemmell has an easy to read style and he brought the characters & their different stories together very well. I am not sure how to pronounce some of the names, but that did not take away from the engaging story.

Very entertaining book. Centered around the main characters of The Iliad, it tells a different story of Troy. This is both good and bad. The good part is that it makes for a very fun, fast-paced story, and it reads quite easily. It's the kind of book that people would call "A real page turner".

The bad thing is that even though the main characters are the same (Although Aeneas has a very small part in The Iliad) as well as the geographical location, the story has nothing to do with the tale we are told by Homer. I was expecting something closer to the original tale, but wound up with something completely different.

All in all, a good novel. It was definitely worth reading.

Brilliant read. Gemmell hooked me in this series right from the very beginning and was never left disappointed. A great way to read Greek mythology for those than find the originals hard slog. Action packed with gripping characters.

Picked this up a couple of days ago after spotting it at my local bookstore. As per usual, Gemmell has provided an excellent read. Characters that you feel, and settings that inspire the imagination. Nothing disappointing, and it whets the appetite for the remainder of the trilogy to come.

My advice - buy!

Phil.

This is a fantastic read. No question this book is one of the best pieces of historical fiction I have read recently, and should be on the bookshelf of any person interested in an original retelling of an aged tale.

While the story was very entertaining and the high expected quality from Gemmell it was quite disappointing because of the references to Troy with Trojan and Mycenean heroes.

Gemmell has obviously done his research of the Trojan war because even minor heroes such as Glaucus, Ajax and Anchises are mentioned. However, almost none of the characters are who they are in the Trojan Saga and is very disappointing to see how Gemmell disgraces characters in the book when they were heroes in the Trojan war (ie. Glaucus became very close with Diomedes and both lived to adulthood & became heroes. Glaucus also traded his bronze armor for Diomedes' gold armor during the war, which has not yet occurred).

Also major characters like Agamemnon & Anchises are killed at the wrong time and by the wrong people, much like Glaucus and Diomedes who are already dead but should have lived to the Trojan war. The personalities and actions developed by the characters also do not match their true character in the Iliad. I dont understand why he cannot just use different names if he wants the story to take place in the same era instead of using hero names, changing their entire lives and contradicting the Iliad.

Absolutely superb. If you like violent, action-packed fantasy you will love this book. I certainly enjoy Gemmells books just as much as Tolkiens and George R R Martins, they are very different, but certainly no worse. While the GOT books a thick, packed with intrigue, and wonderfully detailed, Gemmell writes fast and easy, with little unnecessary embellishment. You can finish this book in under a week easily, but what a wonderful week it is!