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Tiglath Ashur #2
The Blood Star
A sequel to the international bestseller The Assyrian, The Blood Star carries Tiglath Ashur through his years of exile and his return to Assyria, where the secrets of his own fate are at last revealed to him.
682 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1989
46 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Guild
24 books73 followersNicholas Guild was born in Belmont, California in 1944. He graduated from Occidental College with a B.A. in English in 1966 and from the University of California at Berkeley with an M.A. in Comparative Literature (1968) and a Ph.D. in English (1972). Since then he has divided his time between teaching and writing. He currently lives in Frederick, MD.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 21, 2020
So when last we left our hero, Tiglath Ashur, after a falling-out with his brother Esarhaddon (who had taken the throne of Assyria that should rightfully have been Tiglath's, thanks to the treachery of Esarhaddon's mother), found himself banished and forced to flee in haste (and with perhaps assassins on his trail). The Blood Star opens with that flight -- through the reed marshes at the mouth of the Euphrates, then across the sea and the desert into Egypt, and thence to other likely spots around the Mediterranean; but fate (and his brother) will, of course, bring him back home before the end ...
This, the second half of Tiglath's story, broadens the scope considerably although it manages to avoid devolving into a simple travelogue -- the places he (with his former slave, the Greek Kephalos) visits he always has a good reason for visiting; and the people he meets are just as vibrant and well-defined as the cast of characters we met in and around Nineveh in the first book.
And if things take a bit of a melancholy turn at times, that's only to be expected if you know anything about ancient history and the kings Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal. But it's not too melancholy -- there's still enough violence and sex and romance and treachery and splendor to satisfy just about anyone.
This, the second half of Tiglath's story, broadens the scope considerably although it manages to avoid devolving into a simple travelogue -- the places he (with his former slave, the Greek Kephalos) visits he always has a good reason for visiting; and the people he meets are just as vibrant and well-defined as the cast of characters we met in and around Nineveh in the first book.
And if things take a bit of a melancholy turn at times, that's only to be expected if you know anything about ancient history and the kings Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal. But it's not too melancholy -- there's still enough violence and sex and romance and treachery and splendor to satisfy just about anyone.
August 7, 2019
Maravillosa novela histórica plagada de aventuras,de lo mejorcito que he leído de este género.
Inolvidable Tiglath Assur.
Me gusta más que la primera parte El Asirio,pues esta tiene más acción y aventuras con todos sus viajes,genial su vida entre los Caldeos.
Deseando leer más libros de este autor.
Inolvidable Tiglath Assur.
Me gusta más que la primera parte El Asirio,pues esta tiene más acción y aventuras con todos sus viajes,genial su vida entre los Caldeos.
Deseando leer más libros de este autor.
August 9, 2017
Tutto sommato avvincente ma comunque un gradino inferiore rispetto il primo volume. In questo secondo libro l'autore tenta di sopperire al calo di qualità con un aumento della quantità, ma non sempre raggiunge l'obiettivo desiderato. Il principe assiro Tiglath, ormai esiliato dalla propria patria, intraprende un lungo viaggio attraverso tutto il mondo allora conosciuto, ed in effetti per più della metà di questo volume si tratta di un puro racconto di viaggio: svariate ambientazioni, numerose piccole avventure che ripropongono sempre lo stesso schema, svariati personaggi solo leggermente abbozzati e la cui presenza non è mai del tutto fondamentale all'economia di una trama che c’è e non c'è, a differenza di quella che invece, nel primo volume, avvolge e coinvolge il lettore . Gli incontri con le sue numerose donne diventano un po' stereotipati, i dialoghi un po' banalizzati e qua e là anche con qualche piccola incoerenza nei dettagli del contesto storico. Al di là dell’ambientazione in epoca antica che questa volta sembra essere un qualcosa di accidentale, come thriller avventuroso è piuttosto ben congegnato e si lascia leggere volentieri, la curiosità di sapere come va a finire rimane viva anche quando ormai si capisce che lo schema delle singole avventure continua a essere ripetitivo, comunque i livelli qualitativi del primo volume non vengono più raggiunti.
September 12, 2015
following The Assyrian (who is half Greek and tells the story of his life to his Greek great grandchildren at the venerable age of 97, ~610) after his exile in the first of the series (exile ~680 when he was ~25);
wanderings, intrigue, exotic societies, intrigue, battles etc, the novel has all the ingredients that made the subgenre successful and this one rolls from the first page and is considerably less predictable than its predecessor, so I liked it a lot and was engrossed by it until the end
for once, a superb novel, highly, highly recommended even now, 25+ years after its publication
wanderings, intrigue, exotic societies, intrigue, battles etc, the novel has all the ingredients that made the subgenre successful and this one rolls from the first page and is considerably less predictable than its predecessor, so I liked it a lot and was engrossed by it until the end
for once, a superb novel, highly, highly recommended even now, 25+ years after its publication
September 5, 2022
I finished the first book in this two book series in August of 2021. 'The Assyrian' was a four star read, and the epilogue was written with such a hook, I wanted to know what the future adventures of Tiglath Ashur would be. I give this book a three and a half star rating. Plenty of battles, bloodshed, travel, and intrigue, but at times it seemed to stretch the believability that the first book had. By the end though Guild brings the book back around to full closure with events of the first book, and concludes with another well written epilogue. If you liked 'The Assyrian', you should read this book. I wouldn't recommend reading 'The Blood Star' as a stand alone.
March 29, 2016
Es la continuación en el tiempo de "El Asirio" del mismo autor. Sirve el mismo comentario que hice para la primera parte:
Excelente novela histórica ambientada en la Asiria del S. VII a.c. Cuenta la vida de dos hermanastros y príncipes asirios, su amistad y su odio, sus peleas y envidias, sus amores y aventuras, y como telón de fondo la historia de una época poco novelada pero muy interesante en la que conocemos el esplendor y caída de un imperio, el asirio, y de muchos otros pueblos y culturas de alrededor: egipcios, acadios, babilonios, sumerios, medas, hititas, fenicios ….
Las dos novelas de la serie (El Asirio y La Estrella de Sangre) comprenden aproximadamente la vida de Tiglagh Assur, hijo de reyes y príncipe heredero de la corte asiria. Aunque es una historia larga, está muy bien hilvanada y no se hace tediosa en ningún momento, manteniendo siempre cierta intriga y expectación.
Muy bien definidos los personajes, sus pasiones, virtudes y defectos. Lenguaje ameno y creíble. Por poner un pero, me hubiera gustado más detalles de costumbres populares de la época, pero entiendo que tampoco se conocerá en exceso.
Esta segunda parte la veo, si cabe, más compacta e interesante que la primera.
De cualquier forma, son unas excelentes obras las dos, de lectura imprescindibles como novelas históricas. Aunque hay personas que comentan que se pueden leer por separado, yo las uniría en un único bloque, en el que solo con la lectura de la primera parte, nos quedaríamos con la miel en los labios de saber cómo terminan las vidas de éstos personajes que con el paso del tiempo aún seguimos pensando en ellos. Ambas obras excelentes.
Puntuación: 9
Excelente novela histórica ambientada en la Asiria del S. VII a.c. Cuenta la vida de dos hermanastros y príncipes asirios, su amistad y su odio, sus peleas y envidias, sus amores y aventuras, y como telón de fondo la historia de una época poco novelada pero muy interesante en la que conocemos el esplendor y caída de un imperio, el asirio, y de muchos otros pueblos y culturas de alrededor: egipcios, acadios, babilonios, sumerios, medas, hititas, fenicios ….
Las dos novelas de la serie (El Asirio y La Estrella de Sangre) comprenden aproximadamente la vida de Tiglagh Assur, hijo de reyes y príncipe heredero de la corte asiria. Aunque es una historia larga, está muy bien hilvanada y no se hace tediosa en ningún momento, manteniendo siempre cierta intriga y expectación.
Muy bien definidos los personajes, sus pasiones, virtudes y defectos. Lenguaje ameno y creíble. Por poner un pero, me hubiera gustado más detalles de costumbres populares de la época, pero entiendo que tampoco se conocerá en exceso.
Esta segunda parte la veo, si cabe, más compacta e interesante que la primera.
De cualquier forma, son unas excelentes obras las dos, de lectura imprescindibles como novelas históricas. Aunque hay personas que comentan que se pueden leer por separado, yo las uniría en un único bloque, en el que solo con la lectura de la primera parte, nos quedaríamos con la miel en los labios de saber cómo terminan las vidas de éstos personajes que con el paso del tiempo aún seguimos pensando en ellos. Ambas obras excelentes.
Puntuación: 9
July 4, 2023
I cannot understand the raison d'être of this book. The author departs almost entirely from the theme of the first book, leading his protagonist to various regions, where he encounters different adventures that either have to do with war or love, which are described as briefly as possible. If he bothered to present these areas to us, describing the cultural elements that we know from archeology, things would be better, but this is not possible. So I have to say that I didn't like this book at all, readers better stick to reading the first book.
Δεν μπορώ να καταλάβω το λόγο υπάρξεις αυτού του βιβλίου. Ο συγγραφέας ξεφεύγει σχεδόν ολοκληρωτικά από το θέμα του πρώτου βιβλίου, οδηγώντας τον πρωταγωνιστή του σε διάφορες περιοχές, όπου συναντάει διαφορετικές περιπέτειες που είτε έχουν τα κάνουν με το πόλεμο ή τον έρωτα, οι οποίες περιγράφονται όσο πιο σύντομα γίνεται. Αν έμπαινε στον κόπο να μας παρουσιάσει αυτές τις περιοχές, περιγράφοντας μας τα πολιτιστικά στοιχεία που γνωρίζουμε από την αρχαιολογία τα πράγματα θα ήταν καλύτερα αλλά κάτι τέτοιο δεν γίνεται. Οπότε πρέπει να πω ότι αυτό το βιβλίο δεν μου άρεσε καθόλου, οι αναγνώστες καλύτερα να περιορίζονται στην ανάγνωση του πρώτου βιβλίου.
Δεν μπορώ να καταλάβω το λόγο υπάρξεις αυτού του βιβλίου. Ο συγγραφέας ξεφεύγει σχεδόν ολοκληρωτικά από το θέμα του πρώτου βιβλίου, οδηγώντας τον πρωταγωνιστή του σε διάφορες περιοχές, όπου συναντάει διαφορετικές περιπέτειες που είτε έχουν τα κάνουν με το πόλεμο ή τον έρωτα, οι οποίες περιγράφονται όσο πιο σύντομα γίνεται. Αν έμπαινε στον κόπο να μας παρουσιάσει αυτές τις περιοχές, περιγράφοντας μας τα πολιτιστικά στοιχεία που γνωρίζουμε από την αρχαιολογία τα πράγματα θα ήταν καλύτερα αλλά κάτι τέτοιο δεν γίνεται. Οπότε πρέπει να πω ότι αυτό το βιβλίο δεν μου άρεσε καθόλου, οι αναγνώστες καλύτερα να περιορίζονται στην ανάγνωση του πρώτου βιβλίου.
March 11, 2015
Book 2 of the Tiglath Ashur saga by Nicholas Guild.
In a lot of ways The Assyrian and The Blood Star could be one massive tome if they had wanted to release a 1200 page novel. The Blood Star starts right where The Assyrian ends off, Tiglath being banished from the Land of Ashur by his brother.
The first half of the novel is quite different then The Assyrian as Tiglath no longer leads vast armies or has to deal with Assyrian politics. Instead he is a man on the run, along with his trusty slave Kephalos, who again tempts to steal the show with his comedic personality. But besides the comedic factor, more then once Tiglath would be lost without his trusty "slave".
Mr. Guild introduces two new important characters about a third way into the book. One is Enkidu, a silent Macedonian they meet in the middle of the desert of all places, and a new love interest named Selena, just a young slave girl who is a Greek.
Neither of these characters really work for me. Selena is constantly annoying that I came to hate her, although I find it funny that his two slaves Selena and Kephalos don't act like slaves at all. She is a spoiled child and the only thing she wants in life is to be Tiglath's concubine. It get's old fast, especially since she is a little girl at first. Enkidu just seems to be a plot device, just a big brute of a guy always there at the right time, who happens to be mute so you don't have to give him any lines or motivation.
Thankfully Selena grows up, and when she finally gets her way she becomes a subdued wife who is left on the side lines.
Those are my only problems with this great book. The story of Tiglath Ashur is epic, and a must read.
In a lot of ways The Assyrian and The Blood Star could be one massive tome if they had wanted to release a 1200 page novel. The Blood Star starts right where The Assyrian ends off, Tiglath being banished from the Land of Ashur by his brother.
The first half of the novel is quite different then The Assyrian as Tiglath no longer leads vast armies or has to deal with Assyrian politics. Instead he is a man on the run, along with his trusty slave Kephalos, who again tempts to steal the show with his comedic personality. But besides the comedic factor, more then once Tiglath would be lost without his trusty "slave".
Mr. Guild introduces two new important characters about a third way into the book. One is Enkidu, a silent Macedonian they meet in the middle of the desert of all places, and a new love interest named Selena, just a young slave girl who is a Greek.
Neither of these characters really work for me. Selena is constantly annoying that I came to hate her, although I find it funny that his two slaves Selena and Kephalos don't act like slaves at all. She is a spoiled child and the only thing she wants in life is to be Tiglath's concubine. It get's old fast, especially since she is a little girl at first. Enkidu just seems to be a plot device, just a big brute of a guy always there at the right time, who happens to be mute so you don't have to give him any lines or motivation.
Thankfully Selena grows up, and when she finally gets her way she becomes a subdued wife who is left on the side lines.
Those are my only problems with this great book. The story of Tiglath Ashur is epic, and a must read.
October 23, 2017
This is definitely one of the best books I've read in a long time, but there were times where it got too slow for me to give it five stars. I found it much more readable and exciting than the first book in the series (which acts as more of a setup to this book than a whole story in its own right). I now wish there were more books like this--books where the main characters galavant around the ancient world, going from Sidon to Sicily to the Steppes of Asia and into the deserts of Africa. The locations in this book really were like supporting characters to Tiglath and his cronies. There is so much good about this book, there's no way I could sum it all up here.
If you aren't sure about this series, remember that it does improve after the first book, and that like many great epics, it can be slow at times. It's a bit like an ancient Game of Thrones, with similar levels of gore, politics, and plodding slowness. If you like ancient history (about 600 BCE), this book will be right up your alley. Seriously, give this series a shot.
If you aren't sure about this series, remember that it does improve after the first book, and that like many great epics, it can be slow at times. It's a bit like an ancient Game of Thrones, with similar levels of gore, politics, and plodding slowness. If you like ancient history (about 600 BCE), this book will be right up your alley. Seriously, give this series a shot.
October 16, 2023
Me gusta mucho como escribe este autor, su manera de narrar la historia a través de personajes es muy amena y entretenida. Aprendí mucho con este libro y espero seguir leyendo sus otros libros
August 31, 2016
Originally published in 1989, this brilliant title -- or more accurately, the series of which The Blood Star is the second and final instalment -- appears to have disappeared from the collective consciousness of contemporary readers, if scant number of ratings and reviews it garners here and on Amazon is any indication. I have not been aware of it or its author myself until searching explicitly for historical fiction set in ancient Mesopotamia. This is a bit of a shame, because I've found both volumes to be quite excellent.
The Blood Star is a direct sequel to first book in the series, The Assyrian, following immediately after the the events of its predecessor. The series is set in ancient Mesopotamia in mid-650 BC, beginning with the reign of a factual king, Sennacherib, and later Esarhaddon, one of the key characters. This particular volume is set during the reign of Esarhaddon, and ascent of his son Ashurbanipal towards the closing chapters of the novel. A number of other historical personas figure prominently, as well as various events and military campaigns. In general, one has a sense that the author has researched the historical context for his story, and presented it as accurately as possible.
The primary focus of these novels is a relationship between Esarhaddon and Tiglath Ashur, the narrating character, and Tiglath's adventures that spawn Mesopotamia and its peripheries, Egypt, and in smaller part Greece and Sicily. Esarhaddon and Tiglath are brothers, sons of king Sennacherib, who grew up together and formed a very close friendship. Alas, all good things come to an end, and the relationship disintegrates estranging both brothers. Tiglath is forced to deal with the consequences of a new reality resulting in an adventurous journey through the ancient world.
Whilst telling Tiglath's story, Nicholas Guild creates a compelling setting, effectively utilizing historical fact as its basis. Amidst intrigue, and social and religious traditions of the times, Tiglath must make choices that challenge his personal beliefs, desires, and loyalties. Through his tribulations, the reader must decide whether Tiglath is a slave to contemporary institutions, a prisoner of his convictions, a victim of circumstance, or simply a coward. It is a compelling, superbly narrated tale, thus easy to recommend to any fan of historical fiction.
The Blood Star is a direct sequel to first book in the series, The Assyrian, following immediately after the the events of its predecessor. The series is set in ancient Mesopotamia in mid-650 BC, beginning with the reign of a factual king, Sennacherib, and later Esarhaddon, one of the key characters. This particular volume is set during the reign of Esarhaddon, and ascent of his son Ashurbanipal towards the closing chapters of the novel. A number of other historical personas figure prominently, as well as various events and military campaigns. In general, one has a sense that the author has researched the historical context for his story, and presented it as accurately as possible.
The primary focus of these novels is a relationship between Esarhaddon and Tiglath Ashur, the narrating character, and Tiglath's adventures that spawn Mesopotamia and its peripheries, Egypt, and in smaller part Greece and Sicily. Esarhaddon and Tiglath are brothers, sons of king Sennacherib, who grew up together and formed a very close friendship. Alas, all good things come to an end, and the relationship disintegrates estranging both brothers. Tiglath is forced to deal with the consequences of a new reality resulting in an adventurous journey through the ancient world.
Whilst telling Tiglath's story, Nicholas Guild creates a compelling setting, effectively utilizing historical fact as its basis. Amidst intrigue, and social and religious traditions of the times, Tiglath must make choices that challenge his personal beliefs, desires, and loyalties. Through his tribulations, the reader must decide whether Tiglath is a slave to contemporary institutions, a prisoner of his convictions, a victim of circumstance, or simply a coward. It is a compelling, superbly narrated tale, thus easy to recommend to any fan of historical fiction.
November 15, 2019
Fino a metà libro ero deciso a dare a questo libro 4.5 stelle, stesso voto che ho dato a "L' Assiro", ma l' ultima metà del libro mi ha convinto a dare 5 stelle.
Non è possibile leggere "Ninive" senza "L' assiro", ma neanche "L' assiro" può esser letto senza "Ninive" in quanto "L' assiro" di fatto si interrompe a metà storia.
In "Ninive" si può leggere finalmente la fine della storia.
Nella parte finale di "Ninive" si spiega finalmente tutto quello che è accaduto nel corso dei due libri.
Trovare questo libro è stato difficile: alla fine l' ho trovato usato online e ne è valsa la pena.
Davvero non capisco perché l' editore non provveda ad una ristampa perché siamo davanti davvero a uno dei migliori romanzi storici contemporanei in circolazione.
Il romanzo ha tutto: battaglie, viaggi in terre esotiche, amore, intrighi politici, la ricerca della felicità.
Ricordate quando dicevo che il libro era da 4.5 stelle?
Ebbene non volevo dare il massimo proprio perché mi sarebbe piaciuto leggere di più di tutte le popolazioni che il protagonista incontra nel corso dei suoi viaggi: sono raccontati talmente tanti eventi che l' autore avrebbe potuto trarre anche 2 libri da "Ninive", senza diventare noioso.
Tanto meglio così: più eventi vi sono in poche pagine più il libro è page-turner.
I personaggi sono ben definiti.
Descrizioni mai lunghe né noiose.
La conclusione del libro mi ha fatto sentire soddisfatto (della lettura e del finale in sè per sé), ma al tempo stesso nostalgico per la consapevolezza che non leggerò più di questi personaggi.
Ho detto in altre recensioni che il mio romanzo storico preferito è "Le porte di fuoco" di Steven Pressfield. Dopo aver letto "Ninive", non so... mi vien da pensare che dire il "mio libro preferito" quasi non abbia senso.
Posso solo dire che sono due romanzi dello stesso genere ed entrambi fantastici. Pressfield più breve, ma intenso; psicologia dei personaggi sublime, realismo straordinario. Guild è più esteso, con una trama ben congegnata e personaggi che diventano davvero tuoi amici: in entrambi i casi si è catapultati in un mondo lontano ormai scomparso.
Impossibile dire chi sia il migliore e forse non ha davvero importanza...basta leggerli entrambi
Non è possibile leggere "Ninive" senza "L' assiro", ma neanche "L' assiro" può esser letto senza "Ninive" in quanto "L' assiro" di fatto si interrompe a metà storia.
In "Ninive" si può leggere finalmente la fine della storia.
Nella parte finale di "Ninive" si spiega finalmente tutto quello che è accaduto nel corso dei due libri.
Trovare questo libro è stato difficile: alla fine l' ho trovato usato online e ne è valsa la pena.
Davvero non capisco perché l' editore non provveda ad una ristampa perché siamo davanti davvero a uno dei migliori romanzi storici contemporanei in circolazione.
Il romanzo ha tutto: battaglie, viaggi in terre esotiche, amore, intrighi politici, la ricerca della felicità.
Ricordate quando dicevo che il libro era da 4.5 stelle?
Ebbene non volevo dare il massimo proprio perché mi sarebbe piaciuto leggere di più di tutte le popolazioni che il protagonista incontra nel corso dei suoi viaggi: sono raccontati talmente tanti eventi che l' autore avrebbe potuto trarre anche 2 libri da "Ninive", senza diventare noioso.
Tanto meglio così: più eventi vi sono in poche pagine più il libro è page-turner.
I personaggi sono ben definiti.
Descrizioni mai lunghe né noiose.
La conclusione del libro mi ha fatto sentire soddisfatto (della lettura e del finale in sè per sé), ma al tempo stesso nostalgico per la consapevolezza che non leggerò più di questi personaggi.
Ho detto in altre recensioni che il mio romanzo storico preferito è "Le porte di fuoco" di Steven Pressfield. Dopo aver letto "Ninive", non so... mi vien da pensare che dire il "mio libro preferito" quasi non abbia senso.
Posso solo dire che sono due romanzi dello stesso genere ed entrambi fantastici. Pressfield più breve, ma intenso; psicologia dei personaggi sublime, realismo straordinario. Guild è più esteso, con una trama ben congegnata e personaggi che diventano davvero tuoi amici: in entrambi i casi si è catapultati in un mondo lontano ormai scomparso.
Impossibile dire chi sia il migliore e forse non ha davvero importanza...basta leggerli entrambi
February 21, 2022
I have been haunting second-hand bookshops for some time in search of Blood Star, since The Assyrian definitely left me wanting more. Really glad this has come out in Kindle!
Blood Star resumes the saga of Tiglath Ashur, born the son of King Sennacherib of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and grandson of Sargon II, and apparently marked for destiny by having been born on the same day Sargon was killed in battle. It's a slower book though than The Assyrian, and while the former reads something like an Iliad with its great battles and duels, this one reads somewhat closer to the travelogues of Marco Polo but with darker overtones as the novel sets up the background for the fall of Assyria.
Blood Star narrates both a physical journey across the Ancient Near East and as far west as Sicily, through Egypt and Phoenicia, and toward the end a return to Assyria that's packed with interesting revelations, and a spiritual one as Tiglath finally begins to find out what his travails mean. This is a book best read in sequence to The Assyrian, as the revelations and appreciation of Tiglath's spiritual journey is best appreciated with the weight of the previous volume's events in mind.
In a way I'm glad I only found this book now. The younger me might not have appreciated Blood Star as much, but as I grow older I find myself appreciating the spiritual journey that is the deeper story behind Tiglath's decisions and deeds. Five stars for a tale so powerfully told and rich with excellent research!
Blood Star resumes the saga of Tiglath Ashur, born the son of King Sennacherib of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and grandson of Sargon II, and apparently marked for destiny by having been born on the same day Sargon was killed in battle. It's a slower book though than The Assyrian, and while the former reads something like an Iliad with its great battles and duels, this one reads somewhat closer to the travelogues of Marco Polo but with darker overtones as the novel sets up the background for the fall of Assyria.
Blood Star narrates both a physical journey across the Ancient Near East and as far west as Sicily, through Egypt and Phoenicia, and toward the end a return to Assyria that's packed with interesting revelations, and a spiritual one as Tiglath finally begins to find out what his travails mean. This is a book best read in sequence to The Assyrian, as the revelations and appreciation of Tiglath's spiritual journey is best appreciated with the weight of the previous volume's events in mind.
In a way I'm glad I only found this book now. The younger me might not have appreciated Blood Star as much, but as I grow older I find myself appreciating the spiritual journey that is the deeper story behind Tiglath's decisions and deeds. Five stars for a tale so powerfully told and rich with excellent research!
January 19, 2013
Quanta fatica per procurarmi questo libro! Non posso credere che la Rizzoli l'abbia messo fuori catalogo!
Però ne è valsa veramente la pena.
Questo secondo romanzo è all'altezza del primo, anche se forse nel precedente le cose erano più movimentate. Se L'Assiro era il libro della prima giovinezza di Tiglath, spensierata per quanto potesse esserlo, il secondo è più amaro. Per fortuna c'è Kephalos!
Nuovi personaggi, vecchi nemici, guerre a destra e a manca, sicari... ma la cosa più bella è che alla fine i due fratelli si siano perdonati reciprocamente, anche se, ahimè, soltanto alla fine.
E se all'inizio della sua vita da principe reale Tiglath desiderava gloria, potere e ricchezze, mi compiaccio di aver letto che, quando li ha avuti, ha capito che non sarebbe stato quello a renderlo felice. Non li voleva, voleva solo fare l'agricoltore in Sicilia con la propria famiglia. E se avesse potuto tornare indietro non avrebbe cambiato nulla della propria vita, nemmeno dopo aver scoperto che...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2018
Continua l'avventura di Tiglath l'Assiro, questo romanzo è infatti più avventura che storico rispetto al precedente, ma comunque si legge bene ed avvince.
April 23, 2022
The sequel to "The Assyrian," "The Blood Star" is an excellent piece of historical fiction, shedding light on the 7th century BC, when Athens was an unimpressive provincial outpost and the center of the world was Mesopotamia. It was there Tiglath Ashur was born, but despite his royal status, he didn't stay there -- and his adventures in the Persian Gulf, Egypt and Sicily add texture to the usual battles, intrigues and love affairs.
Nicholas Guild also adds a mystical element, with dreams and a mysterious figure who occasionally offers cryptic guidance, but for me, the biggest weakness was his heavy use of foreshadowing. For example, in one of the episodes, Guild makes it clear something bad will happen when Ashur has to leave the country, and spends a hundred pages or so building up to it. For me, this spoils whatever good things might be going on because you know the hammer will fall fairly quickly.
An interesting aspect of this book, written in 1989, is its stark portrayal of the role of women in the ancient world. Guild can't be blamed for the role women played in these rigidly patriarchal societies -- though he does people the book with strong female characters -- but from the more feminist view of the 2020s, it's a bit unsettling. More recent historical fiction will, in my view, tilt the historical scales so that women aren't cast in the role of slaves or prostitutes as often as they were, and tend to give them physical strength that allows them to stand up to the rape and violence that were dealt out to readily by men of that time. Guild, unconscious of 21st century attitudes, doesn't flinch from the depressing reality of the ancient world's treatment of women, and some readers may find it uncomfortable to face up to.
But that caveat aside, "The Blood Star" is a fine conclusion to the two-book series, and really deserves a 4.5 rating.
Nicholas Guild also adds a mystical element, with dreams and a mysterious figure who occasionally offers cryptic guidance, but for me, the biggest weakness was his heavy use of foreshadowing. For example, in one of the episodes, Guild makes it clear something bad will happen when Ashur has to leave the country, and spends a hundred pages or so building up to it. For me, this spoils whatever good things might be going on because you know the hammer will fall fairly quickly.
An interesting aspect of this book, written in 1989, is its stark portrayal of the role of women in the ancient world. Guild can't be blamed for the role women played in these rigidly patriarchal societies -- though he does people the book with strong female characters -- but from the more feminist view of the 2020s, it's a bit unsettling. More recent historical fiction will, in my view, tilt the historical scales so that women aren't cast in the role of slaves or prostitutes as often as they were, and tend to give them physical strength that allows them to stand up to the rape and violence that were dealt out to readily by men of that time. Guild, unconscious of 21st century attitudes, doesn't flinch from the depressing reality of the ancient world's treatment of women, and some readers may find it uncomfortable to face up to.
But that caveat aside, "The Blood Star" is a fine conclusion to the two-book series, and really deserves a 4.5 rating.
May 9, 2018
Non ho parole... Bellissimo! Finisce, insieme a L'assiro, tra i preferiti di sempre.
La storia riparte dove l'avevamo lasciata: Tiglath è stato esiliato dal fratello Asarhaddon che ora è re e deve lasciare la sua terra nativa pena la morte. Deve lasciare la sua patria, il suo grande amore Esharhamat e continua ad avere un sentimento contrastante di rabbia/mancanza per suo fratello.
Seguiremo quindi il lungo viaggio di Tiglath verso una terra in cui possa vivere in pace: andrà a Menfi in Egitto, e poi arriverà in Sicilia non senza trappole e avventure e dovrà sempre guardarsi le spalle perché qualcuno lo vuole morto. Anche in Sicilia avrà il suo bel da farsi e sarà sempre seguito dal suo schiavo nonché fedele amico Kephalos e non mancheranno due nuovi arrivi tra i personaggi principali e più importanti: la schiava bambina e ribelle Silena e il maestoso macedone muto Enkidu.
Ma ad un certo punto, quando sembra aver riniziato una nuova vita, da Ninive lo richiama suo fratello e Tiglath non può rifiutare. Dopo un esilio che sembrava definitivo torna finalmente a casa e lì succederanno altre cose e tutti i nodi verranno al pettine.
Romanzo maestoso, magistrale, ti immerge fin dalla prima pagina nella società assira del VII secolo a.C.
In questo dittico inseparabile (perché non si può leggere Ninive senza aver letto L'Assiro e non si può leggere L'Assiro senza avere la curiosità di leggere anche Ninive) c'è tutto quello che un grande romanzo richiede: storia, amore, tradimenti, guerra, esilio, perdono, amicizia, tutto!
In alcuni punti, compresa ovviamente la fine, mi sono commossa.
Capolavoro! Se solo tutti i libri fossero così, ma ovviamente è impossibile.
Leggetelo se lo trovate e non ve ne pentirete!
La storia riparte dove l'avevamo lasciata: Tiglath è stato esiliato dal fratello Asarhaddon che ora è re e deve lasciare la sua terra nativa pena la morte. Deve lasciare la sua patria, il suo grande amore Esharhamat e continua ad avere un sentimento contrastante di rabbia/mancanza per suo fratello.
Seguiremo quindi il lungo viaggio di Tiglath verso una terra in cui possa vivere in pace: andrà a Menfi in Egitto, e poi arriverà in Sicilia non senza trappole e avventure e dovrà sempre guardarsi le spalle perché qualcuno lo vuole morto. Anche in Sicilia avrà il suo bel da farsi e sarà sempre seguito dal suo schiavo nonché fedele amico Kephalos e non mancheranno due nuovi arrivi tra i personaggi principali e più importanti: la schiava bambina e ribelle Silena e il maestoso macedone muto Enkidu.
Ma ad un certo punto, quando sembra aver riniziato una nuova vita, da Ninive lo richiama suo fratello e Tiglath non può rifiutare. Dopo un esilio che sembrava definitivo torna finalmente a casa e lì succederanno altre cose e tutti i nodi verranno al pettine.
Romanzo maestoso, magistrale, ti immerge fin dalla prima pagina nella società assira del VII secolo a.C.
In questo dittico inseparabile (perché non si può leggere Ninive senza aver letto L'Assiro e non si può leggere L'Assiro senza avere la curiosità di leggere anche Ninive) c'è tutto quello che un grande romanzo richiede: storia, amore, tradimenti, guerra, esilio, perdono, amicizia, tutto!
In alcuni punti, compresa ovviamente la fine, mi sono commossa.
Capolavoro! Se solo tutti i libri fossero così, ma ovviamente è impossibile.
Leggetelo se lo trovate e non ve ne pentirete!
June 22, 2024
4.4) I think Blood Star was a good conclusion to the saga of Tiglath Ashur. The series as a whole reminded me of many different series and movies such as Game of Thrones, The Prince of Egypt, & The Odyssey which caused me to wonder if their authors (aside from the Odyssey) drew inspiration from this series. The one aspect that prevented me from giving it the full 5 stars is the relationship between Tiglath & Solana. I am aware that relationships like their were fairly common for the time and given their situation it probably was better than the alternative for her but I guess I just have to keep wondering why? Solana could have just have easily been older when Tiglath met her thus making it less creepy when eventually they marry. It just felt unnecessary and Guild seemed too gratuitous with the whole thing. I feel like he had already established that those type of relationships were the norm with Naiba in the first book then moved on, at least then it was less weird. Other than that I feel like all the other less than tasteful features of the story were appropriate for the time period without being overly focused on or a crucial part of the story (aside from the overall political intrigue). I think it was a small enough part of the story to be able to push passed it but I don’t think it was small enough for it to not hurt my impression of the book overall. Still, like the Assyrian, I think the Blood Star was an excellent way to display the cultures, customs and events of the civilizations that flourished after the Bronze Age collapse. Even with my disagreements I would still recommend this series to anyone that has an interest in antiquity, Mesopotamian civilizations in particular.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2018
The Blood Star begins exactly where its predecessor, The Assyrian ends (this is probably obvious, but if you have not read the first book in the series, you must read it first!). I ordered a copy of this book the day I finished The Assyrian as I was eager to continue reading about Tiglath Ashur, our hero. I was not disappointed. With an antiquated writing style, Nicholas Guild thrusts his reader back into the ancient world - it is the Golden Age of Assyria, but we do not return to Assyria until the end of the book. We follow Tiglath from the land where the Tigris and the Euphrates meet, around the Arabian peninsula, to the rich Phoenician cities and to a crumbling Egypt (how incredible to think that at this time, Egypt was already an ancient civilization with its glory days far in the past). We are taken to Greece and to Sicily, which is rugged and undeveloped, and finally back to Assyria, where the series comes to a thundering conclusion that does not disappoint.
Together, The Assyrian and The Blood Star are masterpieces of historical fiction. I will definitely be looking for more of Guild's work.
Together, The Assyrian and The Blood Star are masterpieces of historical fiction. I will definitely be looking for more of Guild's work.
April 13, 2021
Sigo agradecido de haber dado con este escritor. Me recuerda mucho al estilo de escritura de Manfredi.
Suele pasar que la segundas partes no son tan buenas, pero en este caso es igual de buena al primer libro. Es la continuación de la historia de Tiglath Assur, luego que fue enviado al exilio por su hermano el rey.
Esta segunda entrega, aborda todos los años de Tiglath en el exilio, su recorrido por diferentes territorios, hasta asentarse en Egipto y la controversial Menfis, en donde encontrará brevemente un periodo de paz. Sin embargo, sus antiguos enemigos parecen no darle tregua y siguen empeñados en borrarlo del mapa. Esto lo lleva a instalarse en Sicilia y reconectarse con ese mundo que solo vivió en las historias narradas por su madre de origen griego.
Parece que el dios Assur, siempre tiene otros planes para Tiglath y se empeña en que siga teniendo una vida de guerrero, lo que eventualmente lo llevará de vuelta a Asiria y a su hermano.
Este libro es más que entretenido, lleno de aventuras, batallas y ante todo mucha historia sobre los imperios y ciudades del Creciente fértil, en especial de Asiria. Las intrigas, traiciones, amores y aventuras de Tiglath se hilan perfectamente en una narración bien contada.
Todos los personajes fueron entrañables, pero me quedo con Kefalos, el fiel esclavo y amigo de Tiglath y Naquia (de verdad que GRR Martin debío basarse en ella para crear a Cersei).
Con una historia emotiva y bien elaborada Guild logra plasmar la "ficción" en medio de la historia real del auge y caída del imperio Asirio. Con este libro se le da un gran cierre a esta saga.
Muy buena novela histórica y de verdad muy buen escritor.
Suele pasar que la segundas partes no son tan buenas, pero en este caso es igual de buena al primer libro. Es la continuación de la historia de Tiglath Assur, luego que fue enviado al exilio por su hermano el rey.
Esta segunda entrega, aborda todos los años de Tiglath en el exilio, su recorrido por diferentes territorios, hasta asentarse en Egipto y la controversial Menfis, en donde encontrará brevemente un periodo de paz. Sin embargo, sus antiguos enemigos parecen no darle tregua y siguen empeñados en borrarlo del mapa. Esto lo lleva a instalarse en Sicilia y reconectarse con ese mundo que solo vivió en las historias narradas por su madre de origen griego.
Parece que el dios Assur, siempre tiene otros planes para Tiglath y se empeña en que siga teniendo una vida de guerrero, lo que eventualmente lo llevará de vuelta a Asiria y a su hermano.
Este libro es más que entretenido, lleno de aventuras, batallas y ante todo mucha historia sobre los imperios y ciudades del Creciente fértil, en especial de Asiria. Las intrigas, traiciones, amores y aventuras de Tiglath se hilan perfectamente en una narración bien contada.
Todos los personajes fueron entrañables, pero me quedo con Kefalos, el fiel esclavo y amigo de Tiglath y Naquia (de verdad que GRR Martin debío basarse en ella para crear a Cersei).
Con una historia emotiva y bien elaborada Guild logra plasmar la "ficción" en medio de la historia real del auge y caída del imperio Asirio. Con este libro se le da un gran cierre a esta saga.
Muy buena novela histórica y de verdad muy buen escritor.
June 20, 2024
Me da mucha tristeza concluir una bilogia tan buena. La novela histórica perfecta: buena investigación, excelente narración, muy buenos personajes, excelente descripción del entorno, muy buena trama. Aprendi mucho de la cultura asiria que fue tan poderosa en su tiempo, alguna que otra falla en la investigación como nombrar Bajo Egipto al Alto Egipto pero del resto nada del otro mundo, me gusto mucho el pragmatismo de los acontecimientos que imagino asi era en la época, los personajes fueron fascinantes, imposible no sentir empatia por Tiglath con su narración y por los personajes secundarios como Kefalos, Selana, entre otros. El tema de la.esclavitud fue muy bien esclarecido ya que se tienen muchos estéreotipos con la esclavitud Áfricana en América. Super recomendado para aquellas personas que les gusta la novela historica.
October 27, 2018
Loved The Blood Star... a real page-turner with fantastic characters.
I hated, loved, admired and respected Tiglath throughout the Assyrian and The Blood Star. The way Guild develops his characters and sinks into their mindsets. Kephalos was hilarious and made me laugh out loud many times. Selana was intriguing, fiesty and another great accomplice to Tiglath.
The whole Assyrian world and time were perfectly and poetically described. This was a wonderful piece of art which has had an imprint in me. It made me think about death, courage, God, Love and much more.
Oh... and the battle scenes and war were epic.
Thanks for this wonderful book that I will go back to the story many times in my life!
I hated, loved, admired and respected Tiglath throughout the Assyrian and The Blood Star. The way Guild develops his characters and sinks into their mindsets. Kephalos was hilarious and made me laugh out loud many times. Selana was intriguing, fiesty and another great accomplice to Tiglath.
The whole Assyrian world and time were perfectly and poetically described. This was a wonderful piece of art which has had an imprint in me. It made me think about death, courage, God, Love and much more.
Oh... and the battle scenes and war were epic.
Thanks for this wonderful book that I will go back to the story many times in my life!
August 15, 2018
Such an amazing novel-Part 2 of the Tiglath Ashur series. This is a rare gem of a novel and takes the reader back to ancient Assyria. I was sad to part with the characters I'd come to love- Kephalos! I will come back to this book down the road for a re-read. Top 10 all time favorite books. If you haven't read Gary Jennings's work check out 'The Journeyer' , 'Aztec', or 'Raptor' as these are historical fiction books that are very similar and also amazing. I'm thinking of checking out 'River God' by Wilbur Smith next..This book was so good highly recommend!
November 3, 2018
“La estrella de sangre” es la continuación de “El Asirio” siguiendo con nuestro querido Tiglath Assur como protagonista.
Grandiosa segunda parte donde también vivirás numerosas batallas y aventuras. Tan irresistible como la primera sino incluso más adictiva. En esta segunda entrega los personajes darán lo mejor y lo peor de si mismos respectivamente y la trama se resolverá finalmente.
El Asirio y la Estrella de sangre son sin duda obras de culto dentro del género de Novela histórica y sin duda muy recomendables.
Grandiosa segunda parte donde también vivirás numerosas batallas y aventuras. Tan irresistible como la primera sino incluso más adictiva. En esta segunda entrega los personajes darán lo mejor y lo peor de si mismos respectivamente y la trama se resolverá finalmente.
El Asirio y la Estrella de sangre son sin duda obras de culto dentro del género de Novela histórica y sin duda muy recomendables.
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April 29, 2021Insieme a L'Assiro, di cui è la continuazione, Ninive è uno dei libri che più amo, tanto da rileggerlo più volte. Il protagonista, Tiglath Assur, è un uomo eccezionale, di un'onestà e di una fedeltà assolute. Mi piace la sua capacità di conoscere gli uomini, di accattivarsi la loro simpatia e il rispetto dei nemici. Forse la vicenda poteva essere semplificata un po' e resa più veloce, ma giunto alla fine mi dispiace sempre lasciare il protagonista, il suo fedele compagno Kephalos, imbroglione fidato e il mondo della antica Assiria e della Sicilia del sesto secola aC.
December 5, 2023
This was AMAZING. I can't recommend the series enough. Guild should have written a dozen of these. If you read historical fiction then don't miss out on this one.
The characters in this series are so well written. I have to admit that I was concerned with how book one left off that I wasn't going to like book two and I couldn't see how Guild was going to move things but I shouldn't have worried. This was masterfully done and belongs with the great books of the 20th century in my opinion.
The characters in this series are so well written. I have to admit that I was concerned with how book one left off that I wasn't going to like book two and I couldn't see how Guild was going to move things but I shouldn't have worried. This was masterfully done and belongs with the great books of the 20th century in my opinion.
August 8, 2024
Continuación de "El Asirio". No llega a ser tan apasionante como la primera novela, y las aventuras del exiliado Tiglath no siempre resultan de interés, pero se guarda un as bajo la manga: la estrella de sangre que lleva marcada en la mano desde su nacimiento y que determinará su destino. Es una lectura imprescindible para conocer el final de la historia de los dos hermanos, primero amigos y luego rivales por el trono de Assur, aunque en algunos momentos carece del ritmo de la primera parte.
July 22, 2018
Me ha encantado. Obra maestra imprescindible al hablar de novela histórica. Aunque puede leerse de manera independiente, es una preciosa continuación de El Asirio y está narrada exactamente con el mismo estilo y ritmo. Es una novela histórica absolutamente redonda, en el mismo sentido que todo el mundo entiende aplicado a un vino.
December 26, 2021
Terminado. Segunda parte de El Asirio. Una historia llena de aventuras y datos interesantes. Me ha gustado mucho y la he disfrutado como el primero aunque si tuviera que elegir, me quedaría con El Asirio. Recomendable, 4 estrellas y media.
November 7, 2022
Beautiful prose, complicated characters, a fantastic historical epic. Nicholas Guild has such a way with words. This is a duology that you absolutely have to read back-to-back, Tiglath's relationships with Esarhaddon and everyone else create such a fantastic world.
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