The Last Hero

by Hilary Green

Two generations have passed since the Greeks returned victorious from Troy. The rich and powerful Mycenean Empire feels impregnable. But danger is stirring on its borders. In Pylos, the kingdom of the renowned Nestor, his great-grandson Alkmaion, heir to his throne, is plagued by fears that he may not be able to live up to the heroic deeds of his ancestors. An accidental act of sacrilege in the worship of the Great Goddess sends him on a long voyage to seek purification, and in the course of his travels he encounters the tribe of the Dorians and realizes that they are preparing for war. But can he rouse his complacent elders quickly enough to counter the threat?

As the invading Dorians sweep through the country, bringing devastation in their wake, Alkmaion and his lover Alectryon journey to Mycenae itself to seek help from the descendants of Agamemnon, and then further still to Athens. In the battles that follow Alkmaion has plenty of opportunity to prove his courage.

Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2013

About the author

Hilary Green is a trained actress and spent many years teaching drama. She has always written, producing novels, scripts for the BBC, and short stories, one of which one the Kythira Prize awarded by the Historical Novel Society.

When not writing she gardens, rides horses, walks in the countryside and plays bridge as well as enjoying travel and has been round the world several times. Hilary is married, a grown-up son and two grandchildren.

Reviews

[Paul Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always said, to anyone who cared to know, that one of the first books to pique my interest in Ancient Greece was The King Must Die by Mary Renault. That fact made it easy for me to decide to read The Last Hero by Hilary Green given the comparison to Mary Renault's work. The main story line here is about Alkmaion the great grandson of Nestor, famed warrior and counselor to Agamemnon during the siege at Troy and King of Pylos. Alkmaion is the heir to the throne at a time during a mass migration of peoples in the North that has a ripple like effect throughout western Asia and eastern Europe. It is also a time when bronze was being replaced with iron. These two currents have disastrous results for Pylos when the iron wielding Dorians come a calling.

The author has taken this story to the level of Greek tragedy as time and time again Alkmaion is faced with decisions and situations that have ironic repercussions whether they are personal or more widespread. An example without trying to give away too much, is when Alkmaion almost kills his best friend and former lover when they are both trying to save the same damsel in distress.

The author also uses the religious aspect of that period to great effect. The Great Goddess and her Mysteries play an important part in the lives of many of the characters. The devotion and fear of Her followers is a prime example of how well defined and intriguing the characters are. Invoking feelings of sympathy, sadness and at times great happiness the author has the reader involved in the lives of her creations. The descriptions of life during that time, the nature of the land, the glimpses of the mighty citadel of Mycenae, etc, add to the enjoyment and beauty of this well crafted tale. I rate this as 4 stars.

[ChillwithabookAWARD With · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Last Hero by Hilary Green has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com

Excellent! Thoroughly enjoyable read. This book really has it all: interesting and diverse characters, good descriptions, exciting plot, historical info, and emotional situations.

Pauline Barclay - Founder of Chill with a Book Awards

[Barbara Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the cover is a quote from Louis De Bernieres ' As good as Mary Renault'. I have to say as a devotee of Mary Renault, The King Must Die, one of my all-time favorites, I was hugely disappointed. The Last Hero is written nicely enough but there is no depth to the scenes or characters, descriptions transitory and far too much prosaic speech.Alkmaion, the king's son, who is presumably the last hero has so far, gone through the rite of passage into becoming a man, almost raped his sister, the priestess and in so doing offended the goddess, and journeyed to the Holy Islands o be cleansed, acquiring some Dorians in the guise of Cresphontes and Xouthos, who we know will turn out to be the bad guys, and nearly had his ship wrecked and all its crew drowned on his way back to his homeland,Pylos, for no good reason except perhaps the author liked writing those pages.
Okay, so it hasn't grabbed me but I am not sure if I can be bothered to read all the way through to find out.