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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
It's an old story but Cameron gives it tremendous narrative power. (OXFORD TIMES )
Book Description
The first novel in Christian Cameron's monumental new historical series, tracing the epic conflict between the Greeks and Persians.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I'll get the very few and minor flaws of this book out of the way early on. The hero Arimnestos or Doru (spear) as he is later to become, sails very close, at times, to the 'too good to be true' trap. And the author's preoccupation with the blushes of young girls was a little irritating. However, despite the above I have been the complete prisoner of this book for the last 4 evenings, with the need for eating, sleeping and working being really annoying distractions from Camerons completely absorbing Greek world.
I read the first of Cameron's Tyrant series and really enjoyed it though found it a little slow. There is nothing slow about this book.
The story is of a Greek warrior who is telling his life story to his daughter and her young maid (she of the blushes). So the action is all in the first person perspective and it is a tale of ups and downs as Doru discovers his gift as a warrior but also has to come to terms with the darker parts of his soul, he is after all a killer of men!
His fortunes swing backwards and forwards and see him become a hero, a slave, outcast and shamed and then struggle to recover his pride and fortune again.
The book has plenty of action but I was as equally gripped by Doru's time as a slave and by the petty politics and power struggles of the warlords and tyrants. Also the historical content is fascinating and a much under visited time period.
It put me very much in mind of another master story teller Steven Pressfield. And whilst it did not actually reduce me to tears as 'Gates of Fire' did, I was very much caught up in this emotional roller coaster of a book.
It seems this (I'm guessing) trilogy is going to climax with the battle of Marathon but I would guess there is a lot more mayhem to come on the way. Already we have had battles between Greek cities, the opening skirmishes of the first Greek/ Persian war and a couple of epic sea battles and We have seen Doru leave his childhood behind him and become a formidable warrior.
I will definately be looking forward to the next in the series but would just urge the author to guard against letting the hero become too perfect, as this does undermine the realism and believability of what is a terrific story.
I read the first of Cameron's Tyrant series and really enjoyed it though found it a little slow. There is nothing slow about this book.
The story is of a Greek warrior who is telling his life story to his daughter and her young maid (she of the blushes). So the action is all in the first person perspective and it is a tale of ups and downs as Doru discovers his gift as a warrior but also has to come to terms with the darker parts of his soul, he is after all a killer of men!
His fortunes swing backwards and forwards and see him become a hero, a slave, outcast and shamed and then struggle to recover his pride and fortune again.
The book has plenty of action but I was as equally gripped by Doru's time as a slave and by the petty politics and power struggles of the warlords and tyrants. Also the historical content is fascinating and a much under visited time period.
It put me very much in mind of another master story teller Steven Pressfield. And whilst it did not actually reduce me to tears as 'Gates of Fire' did, I was very much caught up in this emotional roller coaster of a book.
It seems this (I'm guessing) trilogy is going to climax with the battle of Marathon but I would guess there is a lot more mayhem to come on the way. Already we have had battles between Greek cities, the opening skirmishes of the first Greek/ Persian war and a couple of epic sea battles and We have seen Doru leave his childhood behind him and become a formidable warrior.
I will definately be looking forward to the next in the series but would just urge the author to guard against letting the hero become too perfect, as this does undermine the realism and believability of what is a terrific story.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The best way to sum this novel up is OMG. Its definitely my must buy recommendation to all fans of the historical fiction genre and one that I'm also recommending to a number of fantasy fans who've also enjoyed offerings in the Greek world by people like David Gemmell.
Add to this mix a tale of war, of slavery and of course the events of the ancient world as seen by a warrior in hindsight and its definitely something special. Christian adds great storytelling in an almost campfire tradition backed up with almost unparalleled dialogue and characters that step from the past to the reader of today's imagination and I suspect that it could inspire many a future classical historian.
Add to this mix a tale of war, of slavery and of course the events of the ancient world as seen by a warrior in hindsight and its definitely something special. Christian adds great storytelling in an almost campfire tradition backed up with almost unparalleled dialogue and characters that step from the past to the reader of today's imagination and I suspect that it could inspire many a future classical historian.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I'm a massive fan of the genre, even mediocre stories fascinate me. This is the first book I've read though that has made me write a review. It was such a great read that I would compare Killer of Men to a Conn Iggulden novel.
It is clear that years of research went into this book and it gives a fascinating insight into the world of ancient Greece. It never reads like a textbook though, I found it almost impossible to put down. The author spent a lot of time in the army, speaking to men about war and exploring what motivates them. This seems to bring life to the characters that Christian explores.
I have only one negative thing to say about the book. As it is the start of an epic, it starts when the character is a child. Personally, I always struggle through the early years of a character, but it is bearable in this case. Fortunately, the character grows up very quickly and the book starts to consume days.
One other plus is that it seems well edited for a kindle version. I spotted only one error - so unlike the usual kindle offerings.
It is clear that years of research went into this book and it gives a fascinating insight into the world of ancient Greece. It never reads like a textbook though, I found it almost impossible to put down. The author spent a lot of time in the army, speaking to men about war and exploring what motivates them. This seems to bring life to the characters that Christian explores.
I have only one negative thing to say about the book. As it is the start of an epic, it starts when the character is a child. Personally, I always struggle through the early years of a character, but it is bearable in this case. Fortunately, the character grows up very quickly and the book starts to consume days.
One other plus is that it seems well edited for a kindle version. I spotted only one error - so unlike the usual kindle offerings.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Totally Gripping
If you read my book reviews, you will have realised by now that one of my favourite genres is historical fiction especially good yarns about ancient world, Rome, Greece and Briton... Read more
Published 16 days ago by John H Glen
Unusually awesome
The book was written from a story tellers point of view which if i would have known from the start i may not have bought, however i'm glad i did as it opened my eyes it was... Read more
Published 25 days ago by Chris finch
Should Have Been A Five Star
Okay, an odd title for the review, I will explain.
To begin with, this is a wonderful story, the characters are engaging and the writing is superb. Read more
To begin with, this is a wonderful story, the characters are engaging and the writing is superb. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dignitas
Not good enough
I have to say that I was really disappointed with this book. If you're used to the fantastic writing of Conn Igledonn (sorry about the spelling) or George RR Martin then this will... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Reader matt
Just buy it!
If you are a fan of historical fiction set in the ancient world you cannot buy a better book.
Cameron's yarn is smooth and though detailed always a pleasure to read; the... Read more
Cameron's yarn is smooth and though detailed always a pleasure to read; the... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Titus Livius
Killer of Men
I bought this and took it on holiday to the Greek islands last month. A fantastic read and I cannot think of a better setting in which to enjoy this story. Read more
Published 10 months ago by HLS
This is good. Stephen Pressfield good
Not since Stephen Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire' has a historical recreation been so gripping. Also told in the first person narrative, Cameron has done his homework so that you feel... Read more
Published 10 months ago by F. Economakis
Hard work
I will be honest and say that I only managed to read about a quarter of this book so my review isn't based on the whole book. Read more
Published 11 months ago by mrogers
killer of men
when i bought killer of men i thought i new what i had let my self infor/???? whaT A SHOCK THIS BOOK IS IT IS WELL THOUGHT out story line with some thing for every reader aliitle... Read more
Published 11 months ago by K. Hodgson
Book of the Year
This review is from: Killer of Men (Hardcover)
When i started this book i was a little taken aback with the style, it was not what i had come to expect from Chris, that's not... Read more
When i started this book i was a little taken aback with the style, it was not what i had come to expect from Chris, that's not... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Parm
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