Product Description

The war to end all wars ... High adventure and epic storytelling combine in the final novel in David Gemmell's bestselling Troy trilogy.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6468 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-27
• Released on: 2007-08-27
• Binding: Hardcover
• 449 pages

Synopsis
Darkness falls on the Great Green and the Ancient World is fiercely divided. On the killing fields outside the golden city of Troy, forces loyal to the Mykene King Agamemnon mass. Among them is Odysseus, fabled storyteller and reluctant ally to the Mykene. He knows that Agamemnon will stop at nothing to secure the treasure that lies within the city walls, and he must soon face his former friends in deadly combat. Ailing and bitter, the Trojan king waits. His hope is pinned on two heroes: his favourite son, Hektor, the mightiest warrior of his age, and the dread Helikaon, who will wreak terrible vengeance for the death of his wife at Mykene hands. War has been declared. As enemies, who are also kinsmen, are filled with bloodlust, they know that some of them - men and women - will become heroes: heroes who will live for ever in a story that will echo down the centuries.

From the Inside Flap
DARKNESS FALLS ON THE GREAT GREEN,
and the Ancient World is fiercely divided.

On the killing fields outside the golden city of Troy, forces loyal to the Mykene King Agamemnon mass.

Among them is Odysseus, fabled storyteller and reluctant ally to the Mykene. He knows that Agamemnon will stop at nothing to secure the treasure that lies within the city walls, and he must soon face his former friends in deadly combat.

Ailing and bitter, the Trojan king waits. His hope is pinned on two heroes: his favourite son, Hektor, the mightiest warrior of his age, and the dread Helikaon, who will wreak terrible vengeance for the death of his wife at Mykene hands.

War has been declared.

As enemies, who are also kinsmen, are filled with bloodlust, they know that some of them - men and women - will become heroes: heroes who will live for ever in a story that will echo down the centuries.

About the Author
Published in 1984, David A. Gemmell's first novel, Legend, has become a classic. His most recent Drenai and Rigante novels are available as Corgi paperbacks; all are Sunday Times bestsellers.
Now widely regarded as one of the finest writers of heroic fantasy, David Gemmell lived in East Sussex until his death in July 2006.

Customer Reviews

FANTASTIC!
This is book, and indeed a trilogy ,that deserves many more than the 5 stars Amazon allow me to award. It is written with a pace, humanity and realism that most authors can only aspire to.

Many of the other reviewers of this book have commented on Mr Gemmell's passing and the major contribution to his legacy of his wife Stella. I can only add that the Mrs Gemmell's contribution links seemlessly with that of her husband and together they have written one the best historical trilogies ever. I was hooked from the first chapter of the first book and stayed there to the end. If you like Cornwell, Iggulden or Scarrow read this, it beats all three hands down.

Good, Not Great
This was a very good book but suffered from a few problems. The Ahmose story was predictable in the extreme while characters tended to fade in and out throughout the whole trilogy. The book was also very long and suffered from not having a central figure.
Gemmell was a fantastic writer, this book isn't up to the standard of the Drenai saga though

5 stars... just
Unlike many other reviewers here, I am not a long-standing David Gemmell fan. As new reader, I was totally enthralled by the first two books in this trilogy and waited with great anticipation for this final book. It was certainly very sad to learn that David Gemmell had died. Without reservation, I will say that I am grateful that the publishers, editor and Stella Gemmell did so much to complete David's vision. It is clear that this is the story David Gemmel wanted to write and after reading it, I felt a real mixed sense of satisfaction and loss, for the story, the characters, the author and myself as the reader.

So, why do I call it "5 star... just"? I hate to be so picky, but there are some grammatical faux pas in the prose that are somewhat jarring - mainly to do with sentence construction and the misuse of commas near the beginning of sentences. It is clear that the economical prose employed by David Gemmell are not as well constructed by Stella, or policed by the Editors. These seem more prominent in the early part of the book and either I got accustomed to them, or they weren't present later on. Also, some of the dialogue between Helikaon and Andromache is rather desperate - somewhat Mills and Boon-like (I assume). However, I know that I am really splitting hairs here as this didn't stop me enjoying the story and as I said before, I am grateful to have been able to read the whole of this trilogy. To counterbalance my criticism, that this book was ever completed is a testament to Stella Gemmell and I don't wish to sound churlish or over-critical. Taking the unfortunate aspect of David Gemmell's death out of the consideration, though: this book simply isn't as well written as the first two. It's still a fine conclusion to a wonderful trilogy, though.

The story of Troy has been told a million times, but the Heroes come to life in this re-telling. Helikaon, Odysseus and Banokles are drawn so well and leave a lasting impression - giving Achilles and Hektor more than a run for their money. Moreover, given that this story is so well known, it's great to see how David Gemmell has re-imagined some key parts of it - and woven in some rather unexpected lines, too.

I would recommend this trilogy to anyone.