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The Macht #3
Kings of Morning
For the first time in recorded history, the ferocious city-states of the Macht now acknowledge a single man as their overlord. Corvus , the strange and brilliant boy-general, is now High King, having united his people in a fearsome, bloody series of battles and sieges. He is not yet thirty years old. A generation ago, ten thousand of the Macht marched into the heart of the ancient Asurian Empire, and then fought their way back out again, passing into legend. It has been the enduring myth of Corvus' life, for his father was one of those who undertook that march, and his most trusted general, Rictus, was leader of those ten thousand. But he intends to do more. The preparations will take years, but when they are complete, Corvus will lead an invasion the like of which the world of Kuf has never seen. Under him, the Macht will undertake nothing less than the overthrow of the entire Asurian Empire.
439 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 28, 2012
15 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
About the author
Paul Kearney
47 books528 followersPaul Kearney was born in rural County Antrim, Ireland, in 1967. His father was a butcher, and his mother was a nurse. He rode horses, had lots of cousins, and cut turf and baled hay. He often smelled of cowshit.
He grew up through the worst of the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland, a time when bombs and gunfire were part of every healthy young boy's adolescence. He developed an unhealthy interest in firearms and Blowing Things Up - but what growing boy hasn't?
By some fluke of fate he managed to get to Oxford University, and studied Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon and Middle English.
He began writing books because he had no other choice. His first, written at aged sixteen, was a magnificent epic, influenced heavily by James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Robert E Howard, and Playboy. It was enormous, colourful, purple-prosed, and featured a lot of Very Large Swords.
His second was rather better, and was published by Victor Gollancz over a very boozy lunch with a very shrewd editor.
Luckily, in those days editors met authors face to face, and Kearney's Irish charm wangled him a long series of contracts with Gollancz, and other publishers. He still thinks he can't write for toffee, but others have, insanely, begged to differ.
Kearney has been writing full-time for twenty-eight years now, and can't imagine doing anything else. Though he has often tried.
He grew up through the worst of the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland, a time when bombs and gunfire were part of every healthy young boy's adolescence. He developed an unhealthy interest in firearms and Blowing Things Up - but what growing boy hasn't?
By some fluke of fate he managed to get to Oxford University, and studied Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon and Middle English.
He began writing books because he had no other choice. His first, written at aged sixteen, was a magnificent epic, influenced heavily by James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Robert E Howard, and Playboy. It was enormous, colourful, purple-prosed, and featured a lot of Very Large Swords.
His second was rather better, and was published by Victor Gollancz over a very boozy lunch with a very shrewd editor.
Luckily, in those days editors met authors face to face, and Kearney's Irish charm wangled him a long series of contracts with Gollancz, and other publishers. He still thinks he can't write for toffee, but others have, insanely, begged to differ.
Kearney has been writing full-time for twenty-eight years now, and can't imagine doing anything else. Though he has often tried.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 21, 2012
Kings of the Morning is the third book in the Macht trilogy and quite possibly the best. I've been keeping up with this series for the most part as they've come out, so this could also be on account of my shoddy memory.
That's the drawback with keeping up on a series. You get all the excitement and expectation of waiting, but slowly you have to rely on summaries and rereads as the time between releases grows. Which is better, keeping up on a series or only reading completed series? Who's to say. I like to mix it up with anything I do, so I prefer some of each.
Spoilers follow for the first two books in the series, The Ten Thousand and Corvus. Just know, epic military battles full of phalanxes and HUGE armies are waiting for you at this stage in the trilogy. It's worth it.
The Macht trilogy is secondary world fantasy with very low magic, which may be completely absent as it's mostly explained away in this book. I honestly hadn't read a book this quickly in ages. Kearney has a way of pulling you in and not letting go. This really surprised me especially because the people you're expecting to show up don't show up until about a third of the way into the book. And yet, the plot zings along, armies gather, epic battles ensue.
Paul Kearney has created a history that is epic in every sense of the word and this trilogy is military fantasy at its best. It's so easy to get sucked in, this series was made for multiple readings and the stories are just as thrilling as those of the 300 Spartans at the Hot Gate. You come to see people doing the impossible and that's what you get.
4.5 out of 5 Stars (Super Duper Highly Recommended!)
That's the drawback with keeping up on a series. You get all the excitement and expectation of waiting, but slowly you have to rely on summaries and rereads as the time between releases grows. Which is better, keeping up on a series or only reading completed series? Who's to say. I like to mix it up with anything I do, so I prefer some of each.
Spoilers follow for the first two books in the series, The Ten Thousand and Corvus. Just know, epic military battles full of phalanxes and HUGE armies are waiting for you at this stage in the trilogy. It's worth it.
The Macht trilogy is secondary world fantasy with very low magic, which may be completely absent as it's mostly explained away in this book. I honestly hadn't read a book this quickly in ages. Kearney has a way of pulling you in and not letting go. This really surprised me especially because the people you're expecting to show up don't show up until about a third of the way into the book. And yet, the plot zings along, armies gather, epic battles ensue.
Paul Kearney has created a history that is epic in every sense of the word and this trilogy is military fantasy at its best. It's so easy to get sucked in, this series was made for multiple readings and the stories are just as thrilling as those of the 300 Spartans at the Hot Gate. You come to see people doing the impossible and that's what you get.
4.5 out of 5 Stars (Super Duper Highly Recommended!)
April 15, 2021
Look, I don't know what happened here. I've seen this before. And I must admit at first it could be me.
Maybe others will love this book.
The first book of this series is one of the best books I've ever read, bar none. It's great. The second is okay but weaker. This one lost me almost right away and it never drew me in...at all.
Can't recommend it. Maybe I didn't hang in long enough but for me it was just another "oh good grief" slog. Maybe see for yourself.
Maybe others will love this book.
The first book of this series is one of the best books I've ever read, bar none. It's great. The second is okay but weaker. This one lost me almost right away and it never drew me in...at all.
Can't recommend it. Maybe I didn't hang in long enough but for me it was just another "oh good grief" slog. Maybe see for yourself.
July 30, 2012
[9/10]
This is called the Macht trilogy, but they are more like three stand-alone epics, united by the common setting and the one character that appears in all three books - Rictus, who started the journey as a young mercenary in The Ten Thousand , tried to leave military life but got caught up in the struggle to unify the warring Macht tribes in Corvus and now returns after 30 years to the Asurian Empire in Kings of Morning . While I think it is better to read the books in order, I see no problem in starting with the last book, and judging it on its own merits. Enough background references are made in order to make the story clear to new readers.
I've been a fan of Paul Kearney for a couple of years, since discovering his other military style fantasy, The Monarchies of God . I would say he is even better than David Gemmell or Steven Erikson when it comes to realistic dialogue, evocative prose, and nuanced characters. The main appeal for me in the prose of Kearney is the ease and elegance of his writing, managing with an economy of words to convey deep emotions and conflicted loyalties, to paint the lyrical beauty of mountain paths or of the night skyes, the extreme weariness and thirst and exhilaration of the moment of truth - when all doubts are over, and the enemy runs screaming at your line and its: Kill!, or be killed!
The Macht books have been criticized for steering too close to the source material (Anabasis and the Alexander Macedon campaigns) , and I think it is a valid point. Replacing Gaugamela with Gaugamesh as the main battle against the Asurian / Persian Empire denotes a certain laziness in worldbuilding and invention. It also takes away the surprise in the resolution of each book. I believe this treading on familiar ground has a positive aspect though, because it freed the author for concentrating more on the characters and avoiding long expositions about the history and customs of the two sides in the conflict. The decision to introduce the fantasy angle also frees the author from staying to rigidly confined to the original historical accounts. This is fiction after all. If I were to pick a personal peeve with the book, it would be with the character of Corvus - the second book dedicated to him being my least favorite of the series, and his generally perfect personality lacking the appeal of Rictus or newcomer Rohksar.
There's one major battle and several smaller scale conflicts that happen mostly out of sight, but I understand why it was chosen as the highlight of the series: it marks the exit from the world stage of an ancient, most powerful empire of its times, and the meteroric rise to power of one of the greatest generals the world has ever known. With such high stakes, Kearney wisely decided to spend a lot of time on the set-up, making the story about the people involved, as much as about tactics, and weaponry and leadership. I was already familiar with the Macht long lances and magical black armours, with their phalange formations and othysmos mentality of honour through battle to the death. Kings of Morning starts the story from the other side, in Asuria - majestic capital of the Kufr overlords, city of a million inhabitants, with massive ziggurats hiding whole forests and rivers at their top.
This is the part of the epic that raised the book from four to five stars for me, with the drama of Great King Ashurnan and his family worthy of the pen of Shakespeare or the cinematography of Kurosawa. An elder ruler who has been forced to take sword against his own brother in The Ten Thousand is 30 years later riding again to war, and has to fight not only against the Macht, but against the machinations of his own wife, the ruthless manipulator Orsana. Like a tragic King Lear, he has three grown up children who should inherit the throne, but neither seem worthy of the succession. Sibling rivalry usually ends up in blood in the Asurian Empire, and I was more involved in the fate of Kouros, Rahksar and Roshana than in the actual battle (its outcome already known from history books). Another interesting addition to the epic, providing a human interest angle and an outsider point of view to the drama of so many high personages, is a small slave from the palace kitchens whose youthfull restlessness lands him in the middle of the plot, with painful reminders about the fate of small fry caught up in big conflicts.
The ending is bittersweet, with the older warriors taking their bow and leaving the adventure, the quest for glory, in younger hands. It is a good stopping point, with enough ambiguity and enough open ended storylines to leave me wondering what will happen to the main actors next. Maybe Paul Kearney will write some more in this setting at some point in the future, maybe he will finally finish the pirate adventure series I had my eyes on for such a long time. I'll be sure to check them out.
This is called the Macht trilogy, but they are more like three stand-alone epics, united by the common setting and the one character that appears in all three books - Rictus, who started the journey as a young mercenary in The Ten Thousand , tried to leave military life but got caught up in the struggle to unify the warring Macht tribes in Corvus and now returns after 30 years to the Asurian Empire in Kings of Morning . While I think it is better to read the books in order, I see no problem in starting with the last book, and judging it on its own merits. Enough background references are made in order to make the story clear to new readers.
I've been a fan of Paul Kearney for a couple of years, since discovering his other military style fantasy, The Monarchies of God . I would say he is even better than David Gemmell or Steven Erikson when it comes to realistic dialogue, evocative prose, and nuanced characters. The main appeal for me in the prose of Kearney is the ease and elegance of his writing, managing with an economy of words to convey deep emotions and conflicted loyalties, to paint the lyrical beauty of mountain paths or of the night skyes, the extreme weariness and thirst and exhilaration of the moment of truth - when all doubts are over, and the enemy runs screaming at your line and its: Kill!, or be killed!
The Macht books have been criticized for steering too close to the source material (Anabasis and the Alexander Macedon campaigns) , and I think it is a valid point. Replacing Gaugamela with Gaugamesh as the main battle against the Asurian / Persian Empire denotes a certain laziness in worldbuilding and invention. It also takes away the surprise in the resolution of each book. I believe this treading on familiar ground has a positive aspect though, because it freed the author for concentrating more on the characters and avoiding long expositions about the history and customs of the two sides in the conflict. The decision to introduce the fantasy angle also frees the author from staying to rigidly confined to the original historical accounts. This is fiction after all. If I were to pick a personal peeve with the book, it would be with the character of Corvus - the second book dedicated to him being my least favorite of the series, and his generally perfect personality lacking the appeal of Rictus or newcomer Rohksar.
There's one major battle and several smaller scale conflicts that happen mostly out of sight, but I understand why it was chosen as the highlight of the series: it marks the exit from the world stage of an ancient, most powerful empire of its times, and the meteroric rise to power of one of the greatest generals the world has ever known. With such high stakes, Kearney wisely decided to spend a lot of time on the set-up, making the story about the people involved, as much as about tactics, and weaponry and leadership. I was already familiar with the Macht long lances and magical black armours, with their phalange formations and othysmos mentality of honour through battle to the death. Kings of Morning starts the story from the other side, in Asuria - majestic capital of the Kufr overlords, city of a million inhabitants, with massive ziggurats hiding whole forests and rivers at their top.
This is the part of the epic that raised the book from four to five stars for me, with the drama of Great King Ashurnan and his family worthy of the pen of Shakespeare or the cinematography of Kurosawa. An elder ruler who has been forced to take sword against his own brother in The Ten Thousand is 30 years later riding again to war, and has to fight not only against the Macht, but against the machinations of his own wife, the ruthless manipulator Orsana. Like a tragic King Lear, he has three grown up children who should inherit the throne, but neither seem worthy of the succession. Sibling rivalry usually ends up in blood in the Asurian Empire, and I was more involved in the fate of Kouros, Rahksar and Roshana than in the actual battle (its outcome already known from history books). Another interesting addition to the epic, providing a human interest angle and an outsider point of view to the drama of so many high personages, is a small slave from the palace kitchens whose youthfull restlessness lands him in the middle of the plot, with painful reminders about the fate of small fry caught up in big conflicts.
The ending is bittersweet, with the older warriors taking their bow and leaving the adventure, the quest for glory, in younger hands. It is a good stopping point, with enough ambiguity and enough open ended storylines to leave me wondering what will happen to the main actors next. Maybe Paul Kearney will write some more in this setting at some point in the future, maybe he will finally finish the pirate adventure series I had my eyes on for such a long time. I'll be sure to check them out.
February 5, 2017
This final book of The Macht is a very specialized and unique time machine.
It took me more than a decade back in time, to when I was reading The Monarchies of God.
And despite the harshness and the grimdarkness of the plot, I felt nostalgia throughout.
I blame it all on Rictus' love story arc. It is very different yet rings so similar to Corfe's.
Heartbreaking and glorious at the same time.
I would not recommend this book to everyone, but I loved it.
It took me more than a decade back in time, to when I was reading The Monarchies of God.
And despite the harshness and the grimdarkness of the plot, I felt nostalgia throughout.
I blame it all on Rictus' love story arc. It is very different yet rings so similar to Corfe's.
Heartbreaking and glorious at the same time.
I would not recommend this book to everyone, but I loved it.
July 29, 2021
Pues termina la trilogía de los macht, y lo hace de una forma sorprendente, o no tanto. Si Los Diez Mil era un 80% batalla y un 20% historia de los personajes y Corvus, 60% batalla y 40% historia de los personajes, Reyes del Amanecer es un 20% batalla y un 80% historia de los personajes.
En esta entrega Kearney le da un giro total a la narración. Hay una conquista épica en marcha, tal vez más épica que las dos anteriores juntas, pero prácticamente todo lo que nos llega es a través de las conversaciones entre los personajes, sobre todo de los del Imperio. Porque en éste, Corvus, Rictus y los macht son secundarios, secundarios de lujo pero secundarios. El peso de la narración cae sobre los miembros de la monarquía que rige el Imperio, sus tejemanejes, sus intrigas palaciegas y sus reacciones ante la imparable conquista que viene avanzando desde el este, aunque nosotros los lectores apenas tengamos algún destello de lo que está pasando.
Siempre me gusta intentar dilucidar por qué los autores toman las decisiones que toman sobre sus obras. En el caso de Kearney, qué le decidió a dar un giro tan abrupto a la dinámica de la saga en esta entrega final. Supongo que llegó a la conclusión de que al lector medio le iba a resultar un poco excesiva tanta batalla, tanta formación cerrada de escudos y tanto choque de ejércitos. Que al lector tipo ya le había dado una ración importante de aichimes y castigos de Dios y había que cambiar el tercio para no sobresaturarlo.
Y a fe mía que lo cambia. No quiero hacer spoilers, pero si alguien llega hasta esta entrega imaginando una apoteosis de macht contra honais imperiales, que se vaya desengañando. Que la hay, por supuesto. Pero este libro va más de las intrigas palaciegas que montan los herederos del emperador mientras el pobre hombre (el rey del mundo, al fin y al cabo) se prepara para repeler la invasión.
Se sigue leyendo rápido, el autor no ahorra nada en violencia y no deja de ser entretenido, pero yo me esperaba otra cosa del choque de dos civilizaciones antagónicas en un duelo final, aunque entiendo la postura de Kearney y creo que es la correcta para la mayoría de lectores. Le doy las cuatro estrellas porque al fin y al cabo es el final de la historia de Rictus y sus Cabezas de Perro y sigue teniendo momentos espectaculares.
Y porque una vez anunciado mi cariño a Kearney, yo soy como los macht. Me podrán destruir pero jamás retrocederé ;)
En esta entrega Kearney le da un giro total a la narración. Hay una conquista épica en marcha, tal vez más épica que las dos anteriores juntas, pero prácticamente todo lo que nos llega es a través de las conversaciones entre los personajes, sobre todo de los del Imperio. Porque en éste, Corvus, Rictus y los macht son secundarios, secundarios de lujo pero secundarios. El peso de la narración cae sobre los miembros de la monarquía que rige el Imperio, sus tejemanejes, sus intrigas palaciegas y sus reacciones ante la imparable conquista que viene avanzando desde el este, aunque nosotros los lectores apenas tengamos algún destello de lo que está pasando.
Siempre me gusta intentar dilucidar por qué los autores toman las decisiones que toman sobre sus obras. En el caso de Kearney, qué le decidió a dar un giro tan abrupto a la dinámica de la saga en esta entrega final. Supongo que llegó a la conclusión de que al lector medio le iba a resultar un poco excesiva tanta batalla, tanta formación cerrada de escudos y tanto choque de ejércitos. Que al lector tipo ya le había dado una ración importante de aichimes y castigos de Dios y había que cambiar el tercio para no sobresaturarlo.
Y a fe mía que lo cambia. No quiero hacer spoilers, pero si alguien llega hasta esta entrega imaginando una apoteosis de macht contra honais imperiales, que se vaya desengañando. Que la hay, por supuesto. Pero este libro va más de las intrigas palaciegas que montan los herederos del emperador mientras el pobre hombre (el rey del mundo, al fin y al cabo) se prepara para repeler la invasión.
Se sigue leyendo rápido, el autor no ahorra nada en violencia y no deja de ser entretenido, pero yo me esperaba otra cosa del choque de dos civilizaciones antagónicas en un duelo final, aunque entiendo la postura de Kearney y creo que es la correcta para la mayoría de lectores. Le doy las cuatro estrellas porque al fin y al cabo es el final de la historia de Rictus y sus Cabezas de Perro y sigue teniendo momentos espectaculares.
Y porque una vez anunciado mi cariño a Kearney, yo soy como los macht. Me podrán destruir pero jamás retrocederé ;)
November 7, 2016
This is an excellent work of military fantasy. I didn't think it was gonna top the first book as my favorite but surprisingly it did. You know you love a series when you feel sad reading the final pages of the last book.
I swear I could have read this cover to cover if life didn't get in the way, I never wanted to put it down. I still wonder why this series isn't so popular. Dark and gritty, filled with poisonous political intrigues, complex grey characters and well written action, it was a pleasure to read.
Rictus of Isca, seems almost like a friend to me. I've watched him grow from an 18 year old boy, to a man to an old man, he's a splendid character. Corvus was another great character, the boy who sought immortality. My favorite in this book though was the unpredictable Prince Rakhsar. Witty and a badass warrior. This guy defines 'grey character'. Charming, always smiling, always positive but ruthless, calculating, fearless, he'll sneer in the face of death, and extremely protective of his twin sister.
If you're a fan of Steven Erikson, Scott Bakker or GRRM, most likely you'll love Paul Kearney.
I swear I could have read this cover to cover if life didn't get in the way, I never wanted to put it down. I still wonder why this series isn't so popular. Dark and gritty, filled with poisonous political intrigues, complex grey characters and well written action, it was a pleasure to read.
Rictus of Isca, seems almost like a friend to me. I've watched him grow from an 18 year old boy, to a man to an old man, he's a splendid character. Corvus was another great character, the boy who sought immortality. My favorite in this book though was the unpredictable Prince Rakhsar. Witty and a badass warrior. This guy defines 'grey character'. Charming, always smiling, always positive but ruthless, calculating, fearless, he'll sneer in the face of death, and extremely protective of his twin sister.
If you're a fan of Steven Erikson, Scott Bakker or GRRM, most likely you'll love Paul Kearney.
June 29, 2017
2,5 stars.
It hurts me much to give this book such a low rating after I enjoyed the first two books so much. But I can't help it. It feels to me like the whole book was about nothing. Well, maybe the last five per cent have some substance. Is it about Corvus conquering the Asurian Empire? Hardly. There is one big battle and it doesn't even make particular sense. How was it even won? It seems I'm not the only one asking it. In the previous books every battle was so bright and memorable and clear for everyone, even for someone who (like me) doesn't know anything military. Okay, this one was memorable, too, but not in a good way. And don't even get me started on Corvus's "I wanted Rictus behind the battle lines - oh, I always knew he'd be in the front". It's as disjointed and scattered as everything about Corvus. Man, he was one very uncharismatic character. Even more so because the author was pushing him on us so hard, promoting his good qualities. Reading the previous book I thought maybe it's hard to like him because we don't quite know him yet but we will in the next book. Well, the next book is over and we won't know Corvus any better than that, and still there is nothing sympathetic about him. He'd probably be more likeable if he were a cold-blooded bastard. As if was, he was simply uncharismatic, so why would I even care about his ambition to conquer the world?
Now was the book about how everything was rotten in the Empire and how it needed change? All right, if the point was how Corvus's arrival changed nothing but some desecration, then it's fine. But really, the whole book about it? I don't know, it felt like the author was starting something, then just let it go without any resolution. At first there was so much Kurun he was annoying the living hell out of me. He seemed a perfect little Marty Stu, of course I hated him. Then - oops, he faded to black. What was it about Rakhsar? Everyone was saying he was even worse than Kouris, which, taking into account what we know about Kouris, was not a small feat. But what? Why was he worse? It never developed. The break between Corvus and Rictus, oh my, it could've built the whole book. But every time something was tossed in, there was a change of scene, and then everything went on as if nothing happened.
Okay, at least I'm happy
It hurts me much to give this book such a low rating after I enjoyed the first two books so much. But I can't help it. It feels to me like the whole book was about nothing. Well, maybe the last five per cent have some substance. Is it about Corvus conquering the Asurian Empire? Hardly. There is one big battle and it doesn't even make particular sense. How was it even won? It seems I'm not the only one asking it. In the previous books every battle was so bright and memorable and clear for everyone, even for someone who (like me) doesn't know anything military. Okay, this one was memorable, too, but not in a good way. And don't even get me started on Corvus's "I wanted Rictus behind the battle lines - oh, I always knew he'd be in the front". It's as disjointed and scattered as everything about Corvus. Man, he was one very uncharismatic character. Even more so because the author was pushing him on us so hard, promoting his good qualities. Reading the previous book I thought maybe it's hard to like him because we don't quite know him yet but we will in the next book. Well, the next book is over and we won't know Corvus any better than that, and still there is nothing sympathetic about him. He'd probably be more likeable if he were a cold-blooded bastard. As if was, he was simply uncharismatic, so why would I even care about his ambition to conquer the world?
Now was the book about how everything was rotten in the Empire and how it needed change? All right, if the point was how Corvus's arrival changed nothing but some desecration, then it's fine. But really, the whole book about it? I don't know, it felt like the author was starting something, then just let it go without any resolution. At first there was so much Kurun he was annoying the living hell out of me. He seemed a perfect little Marty Stu, of course I hated him. Then - oops, he faded to black. What was it about Rakhsar? Everyone was saying he was even worse than Kouris, which, taking into account what we know about Kouris, was not a small feat. But what? Why was he worse? It never developed. The break between Corvus and Rictus, oh my, it could've built the whole book. But every time something was tossed in, there was a change of scene, and then everything went on as if nothing happened.
Okay, at least I'm happy
April 23, 2012
After finishing two complete series by Paul Kearney (The Monarchies of God and now The Macht Trilogy) I think he might officially be my 2nd favorite author (behind Glen Cook). Another awesome book by perhaps the most underrated writer in fantasy today.
Pros:
- The hallmark of Kearney's writing is that he says so much in so little and it makes me insanely jealous. His books are ridiculously short for an epic fantasy author...so much so that the font is larger and the spacing is wider than most other paperbacks to give it the appearance of being bigger than what it is. Yet, the length is only a bad thing in that I wish it wouldn't end. The man does not believe in unnessary description, exposition, and scenes.
- Great plotting that is consistent with the rest of the series.
- Awesome characterization which included the addition of several new characters to this book. This could have ended badly if done by someone less skilled.
- Vivid descriptions and great worldbuilding.
- Natural and believable dialogue
- Hands down, Kearney is the best at writing battles/action/fighting and this book is another prime example of his skill.
- A very satisfying ending
Cons:
None.
Pros:
- The hallmark of Kearney's writing is that he says so much in so little and it makes me insanely jealous. His books are ridiculously short for an epic fantasy author...so much so that the font is larger and the spacing is wider than most other paperbacks to give it the appearance of being bigger than what it is. Yet, the length is only a bad thing in that I wish it wouldn't end. The man does not believe in unnessary description, exposition, and scenes.
- Great plotting that is consistent with the rest of the series.
- Awesome characterization which included the addition of several new characters to this book. This could have ended badly if done by someone less skilled.
- Vivid descriptions and great worldbuilding.
- Natural and believable dialogue
- Hands down, Kearney is the best at writing battles/action/fighting and this book is another prime example of his skill.
- A very satisfying ending
Cons:
None.
August 24, 2020
A great ending to the series. Corvus and his army cross the sea and go about conquering a continent.
Meanwhile the Great King hates his job as much as he hates his wife and options as heir. His wife schemes, his sons schemes.
The battle scenes are graphic and brutal. The book does not attempt to idolise war but shows great realism as to what it must have been in an army of spears, swords and manpower.
Overall this is one of the better "fantasy" series with the fantasy limited to world building, some strange armour and a few races of different sizes and capabilities. Highly recommended for escaping reality.
Meanwhile the Great King hates his job as much as he hates his wife and options as heir. His wife schemes, his sons schemes.
The battle scenes are graphic and brutal. The book does not attempt to idolise war but shows great realism as to what it must have been in an army of spears, swords and manpower.
Overall this is one of the better "fantasy" series with the fantasy limited to world building, some strange armour and a few races of different sizes and capabilities. Highly recommended for escaping reality.
December 23, 2017
3.5 estrellas: un buen cierre para una gran trilogía de fantasía militar.
Fue el que menos me gustó de la trilogía de los Macht porque carece de los giros inesperados e intrigas de los libros anteriores, pero terminó la historia de Rictus de forma apropiada y muy emotiva.
Recomiendo estos libros si están buscando una lectura ágil, entretenida y llena de momentos brutales. El primer tomo de esta trilogía fue el mejor libro de fantasía que leí este año y pienso leer más trabajos de Paul Kearney en el futuro.
Fue el que menos me gustó de la trilogía de los Macht porque carece de los giros inesperados e intrigas de los libros anteriores, pero terminó la historia de Rictus de forma apropiada y muy emotiva.
Recomiendo estos libros si están buscando una lectura ágil, entretenida y llena de momentos brutales. El primer tomo de esta trilogía fue el mejor libro de fantasía que leí este año y pienso leer más trabajos de Paul Kearney en el futuro.
September 11, 2022
Final de la trilogía y contrariamente a lo que se podía esperar, aquí las batallas ceden su protagonismo, los que han sido los protagonistas principales no destacan tanto y entran otros nuevos a tomar las riendas, la mayor parte de la historia cae desde el lado del imperio, y termina con un final que sin ser apoteósico si resulta digno y bien rematado.
June 4, 2012
A fitting ending to a superb trilogy. Kearney writes probably the best battle scenes I have ever read, and a real doozy forms the centrepiece of the book. But there is more in this instalment about the Kufr Empire, and especially the machinations of those close to the throne. Not the most original topic, but Kearney makes it work with well-drawn characters and an interesting setting that seems both historically-based and genuinely fantastical. If I have one criticism it's that the Kufr and Macht sections never quite seem to gel - but both are evry good in their own right so this is a minor criticism.
After reading The Ten Thousand - after the glowing write-up by Niall Alexander at http://scotspec.blogspot.co.uk/2012/0... - I was amazed that Kearney isn't much better known. The other Macht books have just confirmed that feeling. I'll now be hunting down his backlist, and will await future books with real excitement.
After reading The Ten Thousand - after the glowing write-up by Niall Alexander at http://scotspec.blogspot.co.uk/2012/0... - I was amazed that Kearney isn't much better known. The other Macht books have just confirmed that feeling. I'll now be hunting down his backlist, and will await future books with real excitement.
April 22, 2013
Alot of reviews have been written. A great many words of worthy praise said. I am content to say merely that I loved the Kings of Morning.
June 14, 2021
Last book in the series the Kings of morning is a retelling of Alexander the Great's campaign to conquer the Persian empire. Kearney makes the decision here to shift perspective to the Kufr side, the Persians of the novels, and show us how the enemy sees the invasion of their lands. At the beginning i found the choice jarring, i wanted to go back to the characters i knew and loved (who finally appear at about one third of the novel) but eventually i did not only warm towards the new protagonists (the three oldest children of the Great King and a young slave) but i ended up caring more about them and their endless machinations. The story as it follows close to the source material holds no surprises. The inclusion of the Kufr point of view shows the reader the other side of the war and highlights how meaningless all that loss of life is. (Of course that is a modern concept, in ancient times war for the sake of glory was perfectly acceptable). The reason i gave three stars to the book was a certain amount of tiredness about the subject. No matter how well Kearney depicts battles, what we get to see in book after book is the same battle only on an ever bigger scale. After a while the slaughter and the gore start to feel pointless. This was a very good series but for me at least it has outrun its welcome.
December 28, 2012
http://www.rantingdragon.com/review-o...
Kings of Morning is the fourteenth novel from Irish fantasy author Paul Kearney, and the third in The Macht series. It putatively concludes the story begun with The Ten Thousand dealing with the invasion of the Asurian Empire by the Macht, a warrior people modeled after Greek mercenaries circa 300 BCE.
Surprisingly historically accurate for fiction
The first book in this series, The Ten Thousand, is actually a retelling of an existing historical piece, Anabasis by the Greek historian and soldier Xenophon. It is the story of a group of ten thousand mercenaries hired by Cyrus the Younger to overthrow his brother, Artaxerxes II of Persia. The plot of the book pretty much matches the historical events exactly. While the events of Kings of Morning bear no resemblance to anything those soldiers did after the events of The Ten Thousand, they certainly could have followed from what happened.
I am a student of history, and I started in Classics, so while my knowledge of Greek history isn’t that of an actual expert, I can confidently say that everything in Kings of Morning about the superiority of the Macht forces militarily and the decadence of the Asurian empire certainly fits in with the cultures of that period of Ancient Greece.
Fantastic action scenes
As you might expect from an author doing fantasy retellings of Greek military history, there is a strong emphasis on warfare and combat in this book, and Kearney does a fantastic job. While the “military society whose dedication to the arts martial place it in a position to completely overwhelm even superior numbers through skill and discipline” is pretty much a trope by this point, Kearney manages to keep it fresh and interesting throughout.
He is also able to capture the method of recounting combat that was done so well in the epics of Homer and Aeneas: broad strokes to set the stage, and then zooming in on some individual encounters, giving a strong sense of the scope of what is happening without getting bogged down in dealing with dozens or hundreds of people in a sentence.
Warriors and philosophers
Another thing Kearney does to great effect in this book, hearkening back to the classical tradition, is his portrayal of several of the kings, generals and soldiers as being much deeper than simple men of war. Corvus and Rictus often think about the far-reaching consequences of their actions, the meaning of a life of war and battle and death, what might be waiting for them if they could ever put down their swords. It lends a lot of gravitas to the characters.
As well, the storyline running alongside that of Corvus, centering around a Prince of the Asurian Empire on the run from the political infighting of the imperial family in the face of the invasion, has similar depth. On the run out in the wild, Rakhsar comes to a better understanding of the lives of the common people he’s taken completely for granted. Altogether, it weaves some social commentary, some philosophy and some great military action into a fantastic story.
Why should you read this book?
Paul Kearney has a lot to offer for any fan of military history, Roman or Greek history, or fans of low magic, character driven fantasy. His actions scenes are great and his characters are well-formed, engaging, and have deeper thoughts than their surface role in the plot. He keeps things moving well, staying with important things until they are properly described, neither rushing past the major points nor lingering on minutiae. It is a fine line, but Kearney walks it very well.
Obviously, if this sounds interesting, you should start with The Ten Thousand and read on from there.
Kings of Morning is the fourteenth novel from Irish fantasy author Paul Kearney, and the third in The Macht series. It putatively concludes the story begun with The Ten Thousand dealing with the invasion of the Asurian Empire by the Macht, a warrior people modeled after Greek mercenaries circa 300 BCE.
Surprisingly historically accurate for fiction
The first book in this series, The Ten Thousand, is actually a retelling of an existing historical piece, Anabasis by the Greek historian and soldier Xenophon. It is the story of a group of ten thousand mercenaries hired by Cyrus the Younger to overthrow his brother, Artaxerxes II of Persia. The plot of the book pretty much matches the historical events exactly. While the events of Kings of Morning bear no resemblance to anything those soldiers did after the events of The Ten Thousand, they certainly could have followed from what happened.
I am a student of history, and I started in Classics, so while my knowledge of Greek history isn’t that of an actual expert, I can confidently say that everything in Kings of Morning about the superiority of the Macht forces militarily and the decadence of the Asurian empire certainly fits in with the cultures of that period of Ancient Greece.
Fantastic action scenes
As you might expect from an author doing fantasy retellings of Greek military history, there is a strong emphasis on warfare and combat in this book, and Kearney does a fantastic job. While the “military society whose dedication to the arts martial place it in a position to completely overwhelm even superior numbers through skill and discipline” is pretty much a trope by this point, Kearney manages to keep it fresh and interesting throughout.
He is also able to capture the method of recounting combat that was done so well in the epics of Homer and Aeneas: broad strokes to set the stage, and then zooming in on some individual encounters, giving a strong sense of the scope of what is happening without getting bogged down in dealing with dozens or hundreds of people in a sentence.
Warriors and philosophers
Another thing Kearney does to great effect in this book, hearkening back to the classical tradition, is his portrayal of several of the kings, generals and soldiers as being much deeper than simple men of war. Corvus and Rictus often think about the far-reaching consequences of their actions, the meaning of a life of war and battle and death, what might be waiting for them if they could ever put down their swords. It lends a lot of gravitas to the characters.
As well, the storyline running alongside that of Corvus, centering around a Prince of the Asurian Empire on the run from the political infighting of the imperial family in the face of the invasion, has similar depth. On the run out in the wild, Rakhsar comes to a better understanding of the lives of the common people he’s taken completely for granted. Altogether, it weaves some social commentary, some philosophy and some great military action into a fantastic story.
Why should you read this book?
Paul Kearney has a lot to offer for any fan of military history, Roman or Greek history, or fans of low magic, character driven fantasy. His actions scenes are great and his characters are well-formed, engaging, and have deeper thoughts than their surface role in the plot. He keeps things moving well, staying with important things until they are properly described, neither rushing past the major points nor lingering on minutiae. It is a fine line, but Kearney walks it very well.
Obviously, if this sounds interesting, you should start with The Ten Thousand and read on from there.
March 23, 2012
Kearnley has written a massively detailed piece which reads more like a documentation of forgotten history than a historical fiction novel, throughout it seems very cold and somehow factual, the invasion is an incredible work of description regarding soldiering, confrontation, tactics and results but it is as said a very cold read, I did not feel in any way invested in what was going on whatsoever. This is the third in a trilogy so there is a lot of back story that I do not have which could have very easily changed how much I enjoyed this novel. I did enjoy it in the way that I enjoyed some text books back in history lessons but as a fantasy tale there was to me a lot missing. On the sheer strength of Kearnley’s writing ability on display I will be certain to check out this ones predecessors and as a stand alone it is readable but for my taste it just didn’t hit the mark on it’s own.
March 2, 2019
Paul Kearney’s Macht trilogy concludes here, in Kings of Morning, with a return to the Asurian Empire and another attempt to overthrow the great king Ashurnan. Thirty years ago Rictus of Isca marched across a continent as a lowly spearman in a mercenary army of ten thousand; now, clad in the Macht’s incredible armour, the Curse of God, he rides as the highest advisor to Corvus, the genius who has united an entire people under his banners. This time, both Rictus and the Macht will see the walls of great Asuria itself.
The Macht trilogy – The Ten Thousand, Corvus, and Kings of Morning – have followed fictionalised historical parallels, in particular the campaigns of Cyrus the Younger (c370BCE) and the rise of Alexander the Great of Macedon (c330BCE). This lends more depth to Kearney’s world and his characters, as the reader comes to understand how their lives will unfold. The conflicts and strategies are still as wonderful as in the previous books, terrifying and bloody and very deadly. But though Kings of Morning contains the biggest and most decisive battle yet, this time around it’s the less physical struggle for power that lies at the heart of the book.
Kearney writes both the Macht and the Kufr with sympathy, and the first chapters set in Asuria offer a great contrast to the dark militarism of the Macht. It may seem rather late in the day to be introducing new characters, but remember that this trilogy covers thirty years in time, most of Rictus’s adult life, and all too many of his comrades-in-arms have died along the way.
If the reader is fond of upbeat endings, they should have realised by now that Kearney is unlikely to provide one. And so Kings of Morning follows the two previous books in the trilogy – Rictus walks away (or limps, at least) from the glory offered to him by Corvus, realising that his usefulness has come to an end, bitter and longing for home. He’s no hero, only a man who survived. The world moves on with or without him. And Corvus? The echo of history that Kearney has threaded into his series gives an answer – we know what happened to Alexander, after all.
Simply put, if you’re looking for concise, compact, brilliantly-crafted fantasy that examines history and mortality, Kearney’s Macht trilogy should be your first port of call.
The Macht trilogy – The Ten Thousand, Corvus, and Kings of Morning – have followed fictionalised historical parallels, in particular the campaigns of Cyrus the Younger (c370BCE) and the rise of Alexander the Great of Macedon (c330BCE). This lends more depth to Kearney’s world and his characters, as the reader comes to understand how their lives will unfold. The conflicts and strategies are still as wonderful as in the previous books, terrifying and bloody and very deadly. But though Kings of Morning contains the biggest and most decisive battle yet, this time around it’s the less physical struggle for power that lies at the heart of the book.
Kearney writes both the Macht and the Kufr with sympathy, and the first chapters set in Asuria offer a great contrast to the dark militarism of the Macht. It may seem rather late in the day to be introducing new characters, but remember that this trilogy covers thirty years in time, most of Rictus’s adult life, and all too many of his comrades-in-arms have died along the way.
If the reader is fond of upbeat endings, they should have realised by now that Kearney is unlikely to provide one. And so Kings of Morning follows the two previous books in the trilogy – Rictus walks away (or limps, at least) from the glory offered to him by Corvus, realising that his usefulness has come to an end, bitter and longing for home. He’s no hero, only a man who survived. The world moves on with or without him. And Corvus? The echo of history that Kearney has threaded into his series gives an answer – we know what happened to Alexander, after all.
Simply put, if you’re looking for concise, compact, brilliantly-crafted fantasy that examines history and mortality, Kearney’s Macht trilogy should be your first port of call.
June 26, 2023
a bloody and intense grimdark series
August 20, 2021
Con estar tercera entrega finaliza la Trilogía de los Macht. En esta tercera entrega no llega al nivel de calidad de la segunda entrega y es más una extensión de la segunda entrega que una historia en si misma. En esta ocasión seguimos el desarrollo previsible de Corvus y su reino de los Macht unificados hacía la conquista del imperio Asurio (un espejo de una cultura parecida a la Persa) como objetivo final de las ambiciones de Corvus, el destino de Corvus ya está cumplido.
La portado es muy evocadora y esta vez mientras que en Corvus aparecía en la portada precisamente el verdadero protagonista Rictus. En esta si que vemos al rey de los Macht. Aún así el protagonista siempre es el mismo y Corvus es un secundario importante pero nada más.
Rictus empieza en la narración con una edad más que madura en esta novela y vamos viendo su evolución rápida a viejo debido a una vida de lucha y desgaste continuado como guerrero. Hay un momento en la historia que hay un click, un cambio en la posición del personaje que es clave al respecto de esta transición de soldado a espectador. Más pronunciado al final de la historia, Rictus siempre y en todo momento se convierte en una figura contrapunto y perpendicular a Corvus. Ante sus deseos y ambiciones. La relación tiene rasgos paterno-filiales desde el primer momento y que se acentúan en la transición vital de Rictus. Rictus asume un papel cada vez mas de consejero pero no pierde de vista su propia naturaleza violenta. Y es de eso precisamente lo que ha tratado toda la trilogía en todo momento. Del protagonista contra si mismo. De su naturaleza belicosa con sus cualidades y talentos para el combate junto con su necesidad de vivir un mundo que puede entender y asumir por su simplicidad: matar o morir. Es ahí donde Rictus se encuentra cómodo y encuentra la paz antes sus fantasmas. En Rictus la lucha aparece como una forma de vivir que esta por encima de la justificación del porque se lucha. No importa en ningún momento el porque. Lo único que importa es el trabajo que sabe hacer que es matar. El conflicto se genera porque él pretenden alejarse de ello en todo momento, Nunca llega a reflexionar profundamente sobre su vida. Tiene miedo de lo que puede ver, se hace ilusiones con pretender ser una persona que pueda echar raíces y ser feliz, dejar esa vida de muerte. Pero que no lo consigue en ningún momento, se trata de trascender entre el talento y el deseo de ser lo que no se es . Hasta al final del libro no asume su condición más por su incapacidad de luchar, porque el cuerpo ya no le sigue que por una confirmación propia. Cuando mira atrás solo observa lo que pudo ser y no fue. Paul escribe la historia sin dramatizarlo innecesariamente, no lo convierte en un sermón y es de agradecer; no se percibe ninguna justificación ni tampoco ninguna conclusión al respecto ni juicio de valores. La vida en el fondo es así , La vida es aquello que sucede mientras hacemos planes. En el fondo Rictus no llega a madurar nunca como persona, Solo en la vejez lo entrevé pero siendo tarde no se enfrenta a ese autoconocimiento ni lo martiriza, asume sus errores. La madurez no deja de ser la aceptación de las cualidades, vilezas, virtudes y defectos de cada uno y ser capaz de dormir con ello, asumir dicha naturaleza ser capaz de dominarla, reconducirla forma parte del proceso. La civilización es el arte de esconder nuestra naturaleza entre todos. Madurar en el fondo es asumir quien se es y dejar de pensar quien nos gustaría ser.
Hay muchas frases en el libro que se alinean con esta concepción. Desde el grito al combate: Nos pagan por luchar y morir. En ella se ve la incapacidad que tienen los guerreros para justificar su lucha, el porque toman un bando o otro es puramente coyuntural o casi azaroso aunque en la primera entrega hablamos de mercenarios y por tanto de trabajo sin necesidad de justificación aquí ya no tenemos mercenarios sino soldados de un ejercito con algún motivo aunque siempre sea ridículo o estupido.
El hecho que los soldados que hoy luchan a muerte mañana van de la mano ante un nuevo enemigo. El que hoy mató a tu hermano mañana le salvarás la vida en otra batalla. La curiosidad y el ansía de gloria y de trascendencia, del botín de la conquista. Es lo que los hace seguir y seguir. El mundo que retrata Paul no es nuevo es el clásico de las novelas fantásticas o no de contexto medieval pero en crudeza pocos le gana.
Corvus en un momento de la narración afirma que si no fuera por la gloria no se embarcaría en dichas aventuras de conquista y Rictus aunque aplica cierto cinismo sobre la frase lo hace con el tono del que sabe que en su juventud y en su más profunda alma pensó igual. Justifica la muerte de inocentes y soldados sólo por la visión de pasar a la historia en la gloria de la victoria. Algo muy difícil de entender en nuestra vida real moderna llena de pragmatismo y mucho más concienciada, pero que en pueblos de la historia de Europa con las polis griegas, por ejemplo, era una forma de vida y con un objetivo de proyecto de vida en si mismo.
También se hace mención a frases tan elocuentes como: Quien no tiene un objetivo en la vida ya esta muerto. O para mi la que mejor define todo la forma de vida de los Macht, reza más o menos así: Cuando más cambian las cosas más...(más se parece todo) (En referencia a que realmente haya un rey o otro, gane uno o otro, al mundo le da igual, no se detiene y sigue rodando, todo sigue igual, y a nadie le importa un comino más que a los propios reyes y sus ansías de gloria y conceptos parecidos. Y a las familias que pierden a sus seres queridos en cada contienda)
Decían las madres de los soldados espartanos que ante la batalla solo se podía volver con el escudo en la mano o encima de él. No había mayor vergüenza para una familia que la de un hijo huyendo del combate y tirando el escudo para poder correr más y salvar su vida.
La gloria, el orgullo, la vergüenza del perdedor, la cobardía eran fundamentales para entender como vivían esos pueblos belicosos. La trilogía Macht escenifica bien dicha forma de entender aquella existencia.
La narración utiliza el lenguaje de forma muy adecuada, existen frases hechas , tratamientos sobre la religión de cada pueblo, sobre sus lunas y dioses su mitología muy trabajadas que dan una coherencia lectora a toda la serie. La narración balancea entre la tercera persona y la primera persona de algunos personajes que van perdiendo condición exceptuando Rictus. Curiosamente Corvus nunca adquiere dicha condición. Puede que sea uno de los elementos narrativos menos logrado meterse en la narración en primera persona de un personaje para que en caso de Kurut, el esclavo, vaya perdiendo importancia, es algo mejorable en la estructura narrativa te llega a implicar en las razones de un personaje y luego se diluye demasiado. Los personajes son interesantes, diferentes y cada uno de ellos tiene sus necesidades y sus motivos.
La historia se explica a través de 3 grandes hilos narrativos que van convergiendo en diferentes fases finales de la historia.
La historia en absolutamente adulta, cruda en muchos aspectos hay frases muy ingeniosas como cuando los soldados están a minutos de entrar en batalla y morir y se hacen chistes entre ellos. Recuerdo una que me gusto mucho cuando un centurión de una falange se mofa de otro diciendo: Los mejores de ellos resbalaron por la pierna de su madre. Es bizarra, políticamente incorrecta, machista, misógena y todos lo apelativos que queramos darle. Pero la sensación de realismo en la historia hace verosímil todo el conjunto.
En su conjunto la trilogía ha sido muy divertida y emocionante, mucho mejor que la ambiciosa Las Monarquías de Dios del mismo auotr que en parte se sustenta en la misma idea narrativa pero que se pierde en demasiadas historias mal resueltas.
La portado es muy evocadora y esta vez mientras que en Corvus aparecía en la portada precisamente el verdadero protagonista Rictus. En esta si que vemos al rey de los Macht. Aún así el protagonista siempre es el mismo y Corvus es un secundario importante pero nada más.
Rictus empieza en la narración con una edad más que madura en esta novela y vamos viendo su evolución rápida a viejo debido a una vida de lucha y desgaste continuado como guerrero. Hay un momento en la historia que hay un click, un cambio en la posición del personaje que es clave al respecto de esta transición de soldado a espectador. Más pronunciado al final de la historia, Rictus siempre y en todo momento se convierte en una figura contrapunto y perpendicular a Corvus. Ante sus deseos y ambiciones. La relación tiene rasgos paterno-filiales desde el primer momento y que se acentúan en la transición vital de Rictus. Rictus asume un papel cada vez mas de consejero pero no pierde de vista su propia naturaleza violenta. Y es de eso precisamente lo que ha tratado toda la trilogía en todo momento. Del protagonista contra si mismo. De su naturaleza belicosa con sus cualidades y talentos para el combate junto con su necesidad de vivir un mundo que puede entender y asumir por su simplicidad: matar o morir. Es ahí donde Rictus se encuentra cómodo y encuentra la paz antes sus fantasmas. En Rictus la lucha aparece como una forma de vivir que esta por encima de la justificación del porque se lucha. No importa en ningún momento el porque. Lo único que importa es el trabajo que sabe hacer que es matar. El conflicto se genera porque él pretenden alejarse de ello en todo momento, Nunca llega a reflexionar profundamente sobre su vida. Tiene miedo de lo que puede ver, se hace ilusiones con pretender ser una persona que pueda echar raíces y ser feliz, dejar esa vida de muerte. Pero que no lo consigue en ningún momento, se trata de trascender entre el talento y el deseo de ser lo que no se es . Hasta al final del libro no asume su condición más por su incapacidad de luchar, porque el cuerpo ya no le sigue que por una confirmación propia. Cuando mira atrás solo observa lo que pudo ser y no fue. Paul escribe la historia sin dramatizarlo innecesariamente, no lo convierte en un sermón y es de agradecer; no se percibe ninguna justificación ni tampoco ninguna conclusión al respecto ni juicio de valores. La vida en el fondo es así , La vida es aquello que sucede mientras hacemos planes. En el fondo Rictus no llega a madurar nunca como persona, Solo en la vejez lo entrevé pero siendo tarde no se enfrenta a ese autoconocimiento ni lo martiriza, asume sus errores. La madurez no deja de ser la aceptación de las cualidades, vilezas, virtudes y defectos de cada uno y ser capaz de dormir con ello, asumir dicha naturaleza ser capaz de dominarla, reconducirla forma parte del proceso. La civilización es el arte de esconder nuestra naturaleza entre todos. Madurar en el fondo es asumir quien se es y dejar de pensar quien nos gustaría ser.
Hay muchas frases en el libro que se alinean con esta concepción. Desde el grito al combate: Nos pagan por luchar y morir. En ella se ve la incapacidad que tienen los guerreros para justificar su lucha, el porque toman un bando o otro es puramente coyuntural o casi azaroso aunque en la primera entrega hablamos de mercenarios y por tanto de trabajo sin necesidad de justificación aquí ya no tenemos mercenarios sino soldados de un ejercito con algún motivo aunque siempre sea ridículo o estupido.
El hecho que los soldados que hoy luchan a muerte mañana van de la mano ante un nuevo enemigo. El que hoy mató a tu hermano mañana le salvarás la vida en otra batalla. La curiosidad y el ansía de gloria y de trascendencia, del botín de la conquista. Es lo que los hace seguir y seguir. El mundo que retrata Paul no es nuevo es el clásico de las novelas fantásticas o no de contexto medieval pero en crudeza pocos le gana.
Corvus en un momento de la narración afirma que si no fuera por la gloria no se embarcaría en dichas aventuras de conquista y Rictus aunque aplica cierto cinismo sobre la frase lo hace con el tono del que sabe que en su juventud y en su más profunda alma pensó igual. Justifica la muerte de inocentes y soldados sólo por la visión de pasar a la historia en la gloria de la victoria. Algo muy difícil de entender en nuestra vida real moderna llena de pragmatismo y mucho más concienciada, pero que en pueblos de la historia de Europa con las polis griegas, por ejemplo, era una forma de vida y con un objetivo de proyecto de vida en si mismo.
También se hace mención a frases tan elocuentes como: Quien no tiene un objetivo en la vida ya esta muerto. O para mi la que mejor define todo la forma de vida de los Macht, reza más o menos así: Cuando más cambian las cosas más...(más se parece todo) (En referencia a que realmente haya un rey o otro, gane uno o otro, al mundo le da igual, no se detiene y sigue rodando, todo sigue igual, y a nadie le importa un comino más que a los propios reyes y sus ansías de gloria y conceptos parecidos. Y a las familias que pierden a sus seres queridos en cada contienda)
Decían las madres de los soldados espartanos que ante la batalla solo se podía volver con el escudo en la mano o encima de él. No había mayor vergüenza para una familia que la de un hijo huyendo del combate y tirando el escudo para poder correr más y salvar su vida.
La gloria, el orgullo, la vergüenza del perdedor, la cobardía eran fundamentales para entender como vivían esos pueblos belicosos. La trilogía Macht escenifica bien dicha forma de entender aquella existencia.
La narración utiliza el lenguaje de forma muy adecuada, existen frases hechas , tratamientos sobre la religión de cada pueblo, sobre sus lunas y dioses su mitología muy trabajadas que dan una coherencia lectora a toda la serie. La narración balancea entre la tercera persona y la primera persona de algunos personajes que van perdiendo condición exceptuando Rictus. Curiosamente Corvus nunca adquiere dicha condición. Puede que sea uno de los elementos narrativos menos logrado meterse en la narración en primera persona de un personaje para que en caso de Kurut, el esclavo, vaya perdiendo importancia, es algo mejorable en la estructura narrativa te llega a implicar en las razones de un personaje y luego se diluye demasiado. Los personajes son interesantes, diferentes y cada uno de ellos tiene sus necesidades y sus motivos.
La historia se explica a través de 3 grandes hilos narrativos que van convergiendo en diferentes fases finales de la historia.
La historia en absolutamente adulta, cruda en muchos aspectos hay frases muy ingeniosas como cuando los soldados están a minutos de entrar en batalla y morir y se hacen chistes entre ellos. Recuerdo una que me gusto mucho cuando un centurión de una falange se mofa de otro diciendo: Los mejores de ellos resbalaron por la pierna de su madre. Es bizarra, políticamente incorrecta, machista, misógena y todos lo apelativos que queramos darle. Pero la sensación de realismo en la historia hace verosímil todo el conjunto.
En su conjunto la trilogía ha sido muy divertida y emocionante, mucho mejor que la ambiciosa Las Monarquías de Dios del mismo auotr que en parte se sustenta en la misma idea narrativa pero que se pierde en demasiadas historias mal resueltas.
November 21, 2014
This book was uneven compared to #2. It started off very well, weaving several interesting plot threads, but the "sons of the Emperor" thread was poorly developed and abruptly ended. The "wife of Emperor" thread was hardly ended any better, after such a nice build-up. The hufsan slave that accompanied the twins deserved more story as well, especially after getting under Rictus' wing. I would have liked to get some more story from both the princes and the evil queen, late in the book.
Even one of the battles was not clearly conveyed. I am thinking of the last big fight, where the Emperor is killed. While each step of the fight was clearly written I still felt I did not understand how Corvus won against overwhelming odds. It was not the ballista. They were described as terrifying but not ultimately killing so many people. Somehow the small reserve of fresh troops and the mounted Companions instantly crushed the Honai that had just advanced over the Dogsheads and then routed the entire Emperor's field? What happened to the overwhelming odds? It felt like some hand-waving where I expected some military genius, trenches on fire or some such trick.
I liked the wind down of Rictus' tale. I did not like the echoes of the first book, "come with me just a little further," but it did not end in the same way.
The unevenness makes me think Mr. Kearney got tired and we did not get his best editing effort. All-in-all I was glad to read the series. It was worth reading if you are a fan of bronze age military fiction. I would not say that all medieval fantasy readers would like it. Much of the plot is as purely military as Hammer's Slammers was in the genre of SF.
Even one of the battles was not clearly conveyed. I am thinking of the last big fight, where the Emperor is killed. While each step of the fight was clearly written I still felt I did not understand how Corvus won against overwhelming odds. It was not the ballista. They were described as terrifying but not ultimately killing so many people. Somehow the small reserve of fresh troops and the mounted Companions instantly crushed the Honai that had just advanced over the Dogsheads and then routed the entire Emperor's field? What happened to the overwhelming odds? It felt like some hand-waving where I expected some military genius, trenches on fire or some such trick.
I liked the wind down of Rictus' tale. I did not like the echoes of the first book, "come with me just a little further," but it did not end in the same way.
The unevenness makes me think Mr. Kearney got tired and we did not get his best editing effort. All-in-all I was glad to read the series. It was worth reading if you are a fan of bronze age military fiction. I would not say that all medieval fantasy readers would like it. Much of the plot is as purely military as Hammer's Slammers was in the genre of SF.
December 24, 2012
If you are reading this you already read two parts of the series so you know what you are getting yourself into ---> A BLOOD BATH. Since the first part was like Rambo movie people dying all over the place things change and the writer turn from brushing along the character into diving a little deeper into them. You'll start cheering for some and wish death fall upon others ,some back stories and secondary people in the background it's a very good series. there are so many glorious moment along the way but disappointingly the ending is not one of them, I don't know why I felt the writer came short in the end I kept flipping throw the pages expecting more ,I'm familiar with an open end that leaves some for the reader imagination but I felt the characters didn't ripe and the guy who gave me this " Rictus shouldered Philemos out of the way, charging into the fight like a scarlet avatar of wrath " and gave me this " The blade of the drepana silenced him, sliding easily into his mouth, chopping through his tongue and opening his cheeks, a last, wide smile. Sertorius gargled, choking on his own blood " didn't live up to the climax I hoped for. But all and all it's still a wonderful series those who love war and fantasy battles and violence you can't go wrong with it.
November 24, 2016
No es que me haya gustado menos que los anteriores, es que me ha parecido más de lo mismo y al final he terminado un poco cansado y por ello en este caso sus 3.5 estrellas, han terminado siendo 3 solo y no 4.
Las virtudes y defectos de esta novela son las mismas que hemos visto en los dos anteriores libros, aunque si es cierto que Kearney intentó mejorar en este tercer libro los problemas de falta de profundidad en los personajes y la ambientación, pero ya era demasiado tarde.
Destacaría toda la temática bélica que aparece en esta historia y que es su gran punto fuerte junto a las escenas de acción, que están narradas con mucho realismo y son su otro gran acierto.
Por fortuna no hay más libros, porque me temía que me pasara como en las Monarquías de Dios, donde con cada libro mi interés decaía, hasta que terminé dejándolo.
Os dejo el enlace a mi blog para que le echéis una ojeada a la reseña que allí publiqué.
http://fantasiascifiymuchomas.blogspo...
Las virtudes y defectos de esta novela son las mismas que hemos visto en los dos anteriores libros, aunque si es cierto que Kearney intentó mejorar en este tercer libro los problemas de falta de profundidad en los personajes y la ambientación, pero ya era demasiado tarde.
Destacaría toda la temática bélica que aparece en esta historia y que es su gran punto fuerte junto a las escenas de acción, que están narradas con mucho realismo y son su otro gran acierto.
Por fortuna no hay más libros, porque me temía que me pasara como en las Monarquías de Dios, donde con cada libro mi interés decaía, hasta que terminé dejándolo.
Os dejo el enlace a mi blog para que le echéis una ojeada a la reseña que allí publiqué.
http://fantasiascifiymuchomas.blogspo...
January 27, 2017
This book can be read as a standalone, there is no significant history to connect it to the other two books in the series.
I am on a marathon read of The Macht, this being the third book in as many days and yet I have not got bored with the series. While we have similar setting and same characters from previous books, Paul Kearney keeps things fresh by focusing on the Asurian’s (Persians), the description of their culture & capital adds new world building to the series. The new characters and their struggle for survival adds another layer to the main plot of war between the Macht & Asurian’s which is loosely based on Alexander’s conquest of Persia. The book has the trade mark battle sequence which Kearney specializes in, an epic melee, simple to understand yet having complex strategy, brutal & unpredictable, as realistic as it gets. Loved his fast paced storytelling, the plot are simple and straightforward, his characters multidimensional, makes the book a page turner. I really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole is superb.
I am on a marathon read of The Macht, this being the third book in as many days and yet I have not got bored with the series. While we have similar setting and same characters from previous books, Paul Kearney keeps things fresh by focusing on the Asurian’s (Persians), the description of their culture & capital adds new world building to the series. The new characters and their struggle for survival adds another layer to the main plot of war between the Macht & Asurian’s which is loosely based on Alexander’s conquest of Persia. The book has the trade mark battle sequence which Kearney specializes in, an epic melee, simple to understand yet having complex strategy, brutal & unpredictable, as realistic as it gets. Loved his fast paced storytelling, the plot are simple and straightforward, his characters multidimensional, makes the book a page turner. I really enjoyed this book and the series as a whole is superb.
December 13, 2016
Same general issue as with "Corvus"- I am just not receptive to the message. Technically, the book is well-written (poor editing aside), but I cannot root for the "conquerors for the sake of GLORY"- that's a message that'd have more success with a younger audience.
The pseudo-Persian side of the story kept my interest, because it had all teh relatable characters. There's hints in the ending that all's not black and white, but Kearney pulls his punches, choosing to go for the "happy-ish ending with dark threats to come (possibly) in the off-screen future", which felt kind of weak, especially given what we know about the real world story.
The abundance of spelling errors in the editing puts this to a 2, otherwise I'd give it a 3. Solid writing, but (for me) poor choice of subject matter.
The pseudo-Persian side of the story kept my interest, because it had all teh relatable characters. There's hints in the ending that all's not black and white, but Kearney pulls his punches, choosing to go for the "happy-ish ending with dark threats to come (possibly) in the off-screen future", which felt kind of weak, especially given what we know about the real world story.
The abundance of spelling errors in the editing puts this to a 2, otherwise I'd give it a 3. Solid writing, but (for me) poor choice of subject matter.
July 26, 2012
Another trilogy makes it to my favorites. I had read The Ten Thousand a while ago, and saved up the second book for the aquisition of the this, the last. Over the years, I've developed a taste for military fantasy (Glen Cook, Steven Erikson), and Paul Kearney does a great job in detailing battles. The ending of this book leaves some room for more tales, but I hope he leaves it as it is.
April 28, 2020
Rictus is an absolute legend of fantasy fiction and I won't hear a bad word against him. Not one!
We come to the end of a cracking trilogy. Would I class this journey as epic fantasy? Yes in the sense that it has covered a long time within the books, no as it is a trilogy spanning around 1200 pages.
Having said that I've loved the whole thing. We come to the endgame here. Kearney has done brilliantly building to this moment.
Corvus leads his army to take over the empire of Ashur.
First thing that strikes me about this one is that we spend the first 100 or so pages with mostly new characters living in Ashur. This is brave and having read a lot of books, it doesn't always work.
It did here though and it added an element to the rest of the books, bringing more players into the game.
No spoilers here but I'd say it was an extremely satisfying.way to conclude the series. I've read the whole thing in a couple of weeks and have enjoyed every minute.
Sadly, Kearney hadn't written a fantasy book apart from Warhammer since this one, which was released in 2012.
Paul if you are reading this then we want more!
9/10
We come to the end of a cracking trilogy. Would I class this journey as epic fantasy? Yes in the sense that it has covered a long time within the books, no as it is a trilogy spanning around 1200 pages.
Having said that I've loved the whole thing. We come to the endgame here. Kearney has done brilliantly building to this moment.
Corvus leads his army to take over the empire of Ashur.
First thing that strikes me about this one is that we spend the first 100 or so pages with mostly new characters living in Ashur. This is brave and having read a lot of books, it doesn't always work.
It did here though and it added an element to the rest of the books, bringing more players into the game.
No spoilers here but I'd say it was an extremely satisfying.way to conclude the series. I've read the whole thing in a couple of weeks and have enjoyed every minute.
Sadly, Kearney hadn't written a fantasy book apart from Warhammer since this one, which was released in 2012.
Paul if you are reading this then we want more!
9/10
December 10, 2018
After really liking "The Ten Thousand" and being very disappointed with "Corvus" I picked up the third and final book in the trilogy with some trepidation.
"Kings of Morning" sits somewhere between the two. The characters are way more interesting than the cardboard cutouts from "Corvus", especially the world-weary Asurian Emperor and his two sons vying for the throne. As I progressed through the book I actually found myself looking forward to the viewpoint of these new Kefr characters more than the parts focussing on Corvus and his long, boring, trudge through the Asurian Empire. In fact if he hadn't featured in this book at all it wouldn't have bothered me!
A slightly mellow and abrupt ending closes out this final book and while I'm pleased I stuck with these three books until the end I'm not sure I'll be heading back to Rictus and friends any time soon.
"Kings of Morning" sits somewhere between the two. The characters are way more interesting than the cardboard cutouts from "Corvus", especially the world-weary Asurian Emperor and his two sons vying for the throne. As I progressed through the book I actually found myself looking forward to the viewpoint of these new Kefr characters more than the parts focussing on Corvus and his long, boring, trudge through the Asurian Empire. In fact if he hadn't featured in this book at all it wouldn't have bothered me!
A slightly mellow and abrupt ending closes out this final book and while I'm pleased I stuck with these three books until the end I'm not sure I'll be heading back to Rictus and friends any time soon.
June 17, 2020
I wanted to like this book as much as the first two in the trilogy, but it just didn't satisfy me in the same way. The stakes didn't really feel high and I didn't feel the tension - it was clear how the overall plot would resolve in this one. The odds weren't against the protagonists like they were in the other books. I did like some of the new characters and seeing the old ones, but overall, I'm going to re-read the first book to get that intensity satisfaction.
He's a good author though, so I'm excited to read more of his books.
He's a good author though, so I'm excited to read more of his books.
January 31, 2024
Traigo turbo con las lecturas este año.
Hasta tengo dudas si este es el cierre de la saga, el final fue bastante flojo, esperaba algo más para el desenlace de Rictus.
En cuanto a la trama, aquí el desarrollo de Corvus y Rictus es poco tomando más protagonismo otro personajes aunque no por ello es malo, incluso disfruté más el enfoque que tomó este libro comparado a los anteriores que se enfocaban más solo a conflictos.
No será lo mejor del mundo pero entretiene.
Hasta tengo dudas si este es el cierre de la saga, el final fue bastante flojo, esperaba algo más para el desenlace de Rictus.
En cuanto a la trama, aquí el desarrollo de Corvus y Rictus es poco tomando más protagonismo otro personajes aunque no por ello es malo, incluso disfruté más el enfoque que tomó este libro comparado a los anteriores que se enfocaban más solo a conflictos.
No será lo mejor del mundo pero entretiene.
August 8, 2019
Kearney finishes his historical fiction/fantasy with a spin on Alexander the Great's conquest of Persia. The Macht, aka Greeks, are led by Corvus (aka Alexander). Fun read, but a bit too much on the politics side.
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