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Philistine
The Philistines, a mysterious warrior people known now for mainly one Goliath. The giant. Goliath. A name grander than even the man himself. You've heard of his infamous end at the hands of a shepherd as written in a famous book, but what of the life of the man himself? What book tells his tale? A warrior among warriors, a son of a god, a living legend. Goliath, the warrior champion of the Philistines. On the battlefield, he runs like a horse, wields killing instruments no normal man may heft, and revels in the fear his presence evokes. Off the field, his will is immutable, his trust invaluable, and his appetites unbearable. Goliath. This man knows no challenge. But such a reputation will not discourage all men. Scheming rulers and generals, prophetic priests and powerful cults, dauntless warriors looking to make their own legend. Monsters. Gods. For one seemingly unkillable, at the very least, these things can ruin an otherwise pleasant day. Along with his shield bearer, Abimelech, and soldiers more in awe than they are useful, Goliath will set out on missions for kings, face foul magic users, and walk in the shadows of mysterious halls. History tells us Goliath died at the hands of an Israelite. Goliath may have something to say about that. Philistine is the first Tale of Goliath, set in the same world as Steven Shrewsbury's novels such as Overkill and Thrall, and his Blood and Legends of La Gaul short stories.
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 16, 2015
What to say, what to say about Philistine? Well. Let it be known that I really admire Steven Shrewsbury's writing style. A style I first came across in reading Thrall and later Overkill. One thing. Philistine is set up as something not like anything seen in those two books. It's a book that is more like an Epic. Epic Fantasy. Due to that, the very first thing you have to conquer is the amount of time it will take to complete a book such as this. Yet, eh, that for me is not the problem. To me big books or tomes do not prove daunting. The only thing is quickly enough I became aware this was not going to be like any other Steven Shrewsbury book I had ever read.
The story pace to me proved rather slow and not in a good way. Primarily because the introduction of Goliath, our main character, was sort of like an introduction of meeting Gorias La Gaul from Thrall and Overkill. Needless to say, the characterization for Goliath was much too close to that of Gorias, for my liking. If that wasn't bad enough some of the universe's history and present cultures could be a bit confusing. Names thrown around like Ba'al Zebul, Sanrevelle, and Beth-horon proved vastly confusing to me. I'm sure this would not be an issue if I knew more of this type of mythology.
Yet, for readers who might not be remotely interested in mythology I'm sure they would be even more lost than me.
Those negatives out of the way. After about 50 pages or so I did feel the story picked up quite nicely. I was again re-introduced to why I love Steven Shrewsbury books. You never quite know what you are going to get but that is the whole point of reading in the first place. And while Philistine might have begun in a restrained manner, by the end, I found that perhaps the more interesting characters to discover all along might have been Orpah and the Gods of Philistine.
Overall: Touching read
Genre: Fantasy, Warriors, Mythology
The story pace to me proved rather slow and not in a good way. Primarily because the introduction of Goliath, our main character, was sort of like an introduction of meeting Gorias La Gaul from Thrall and Overkill. Needless to say, the characterization for Goliath was much too close to that of Gorias, for my liking. If that wasn't bad enough some of the universe's history and present cultures could be a bit confusing. Names thrown around like Ba'al Zebul, Sanrevelle, and Beth-horon proved vastly confusing to me. I'm sure this would not be an issue if I knew more of this type of mythology.
Yet, for readers who might not be remotely interested in mythology I'm sure they would be even more lost than me.
Those negatives out of the way. After about 50 pages or so I did feel the story picked up quite nicely. I was again re-introduced to why I love Steven Shrewsbury books. You never quite know what you are going to get but that is the whole point of reading in the first place. And while Philistine might have begun in a restrained manner, by the end, I found that perhaps the more interesting characters to discover all along might have been Orpah and the Gods of Philistine.
Overall: Touching read
Genre: Fantasy, Warriors, Mythology
March 6, 2014
Goliath… the gargantuan hero of the Philistine army whose very name leaves the bravest warrior trembling in his armor and wetting his loincloth… a warrior since birth… son of a god… slayer of kings, men, and beasts… champion to all who beheld him.
PHILISTINE is an epic fantasy tale of the giant who became a hero to his race and a scourge to those who would try to rule over him and his kind. This action story is a bit different from those Bible tales we have heard before. Goliath is still the champion of the Philistine army, but in this telling, he lives to fight any and all who would try to kill him or enslave his people. Tasked by kings to expand their rule, Goliath must face all who would confront him, be they diabolical priests, evil gods, fanciful demons or mortal men. He must champion over them all even though he knows that death in battle will claim him someday. These exploits are the stuff of PHILISTINE.
Told with absolute realism and set down in the tongue of the day, the character of Goliath is strong beyond measure and invincible to all. His youth, spent in tyrannical training by those jealous of his parentage, is glimpsed by the reader through Goliath’s own tales told to those around him. His wisdom is seen through stories he tells of past battles and fallen comrades. His absolute knowledge that he is invincible, but that he will one day be bested and fall in battle, is what his life is destined for and that is how he prefers it.
Shrewsbury has written a tale of war and warriors, in a world long past, but more like the present than the reader may at first, realize. The addition of characters along the way, keeps the story fresh and the battles raging along nicely. And who doesn’t love a great battle for action and blood-letting realism? Goliath’s character is all-encompassing, powerful, intelligent and maybe a little bit bored with it all, but the story never stops entertaining as Shrewsbury pours on the evil bad guys and demonic minions and monsters, to keep our hero mowing them down in true fantasy fashion. This story leaps from the pages and will have the reader up all night, hating the meanies and rooting for the good guys.
Excitement, adventure, debauchery, and battle after battle punctuated with realism, and true to life writing at its best… this is what the reader will find in PHILISTINE. Steven Shrewsbury is a master crafter of worlds and heroes in battle, and PHILISTINE is THE epic fantasy adventure of 2014.
5 spiders for PHILISTINE… Sword & Sorcery awesomeness!
DJ Weaver
For Suspense Magazine
PHILISTINE is an epic fantasy tale of the giant who became a hero to his race and a scourge to those who would try to rule over him and his kind. This action story is a bit different from those Bible tales we have heard before. Goliath is still the champion of the Philistine army, but in this telling, he lives to fight any and all who would try to kill him or enslave his people. Tasked by kings to expand their rule, Goliath must face all who would confront him, be they diabolical priests, evil gods, fanciful demons or mortal men. He must champion over them all even though he knows that death in battle will claim him someday. These exploits are the stuff of PHILISTINE.
Told with absolute realism and set down in the tongue of the day, the character of Goliath is strong beyond measure and invincible to all. His youth, spent in tyrannical training by those jealous of his parentage, is glimpsed by the reader through Goliath’s own tales told to those around him. His wisdom is seen through stories he tells of past battles and fallen comrades. His absolute knowledge that he is invincible, but that he will one day be bested and fall in battle, is what his life is destined for and that is how he prefers it.
Shrewsbury has written a tale of war and warriors, in a world long past, but more like the present than the reader may at first, realize. The addition of characters along the way, keeps the story fresh and the battles raging along nicely. And who doesn’t love a great battle for action and blood-letting realism? Goliath’s character is all-encompassing, powerful, intelligent and maybe a little bit bored with it all, but the story never stops entertaining as Shrewsbury pours on the evil bad guys and demonic minions and monsters, to keep our hero mowing them down in true fantasy fashion. This story leaps from the pages and will have the reader up all night, hating the meanies and rooting for the good guys.
Excitement, adventure, debauchery, and battle after battle punctuated with realism, and true to life writing at its best… this is what the reader will find in PHILISTINE. Steven Shrewsbury is a master crafter of worlds and heroes in battle, and PHILISTINE is THE epic fantasy adventure of 2014.
5 spiders for PHILISTINE… Sword & Sorcery awesomeness!
DJ Weaver
For Suspense Magazine
March 24, 2016
A masterpiece. PHILISTINE is a fictional epic adventure of biblically famed Goliath. Do you like history? Do you like sword and sorcery? You'll LOVE this novel. This book is a priceless gem in the treasure chest of Steven L. Shrewsbury's body of work. Follow this giant on his journey for truth and self and purpose. Shrewsbury takes you on a tale of high sword adventure, scheming gods and priests, and wizards who cannot defend against the wrath of Goliath - all amidst such gleaming and delicious world-building as this excerpt:
"A pinnacle of ice aped a tower made of blocks, right down to the seams, and rose unmeltable into the wan sun, beetling above all its fellows on the flat top of the great berg. An ebony spot formed on the high pinnacle. Like an eye it blinked, but like a spore, it burst forth, spewing a flood of liquid down the front of the city. This tide of ebony rushed down the many stairways like a cataract in a steep cavern. Steam arose from this ooze, boiling, bubbling; clutching at the stone steps like malignant hands. Still, the black liquid moved in a flood. The vapors rising from the ice features took on the forms of a myriad press of phantoms, wreathing obscurely together and dividing endlessly."
Don't expect him to meet David at the end, however, for that is another story!
"A pinnacle of ice aped a tower made of blocks, right down to the seams, and rose unmeltable into the wan sun, beetling above all its fellows on the flat top of the great berg. An ebony spot formed on the high pinnacle. Like an eye it blinked, but like a spore, it burst forth, spewing a flood of liquid down the front of the city. This tide of ebony rushed down the many stairways like a cataract in a steep cavern. Steam arose from this ooze, boiling, bubbling; clutching at the stone steps like malignant hands. Still, the black liquid moved in a flood. The vapors rising from the ice features took on the forms of a myriad press of phantoms, wreathing obscurely together and dividing endlessly."
Don't expect him to meet David at the end, however, for that is another story!
March 4, 2014
This story appears to be historically inspired by the biblical tales of Goliath, the champion of the Philistines. It seems that the Philistines were often mercenaries for hire. Goliath was the NBA size warrior who was their champion.
I felt the story was someone disjointed. I followed it but the action happened all over the place. There was a lot of detailed mayhem. This is not a book for the faint of heart. Goliath was not a nice person but neither were the assorted ogres, monsters, godlings, demons or priest/priestess.
I see some similarities to Gorias from the previous Shrewsbury works but Goliath is not nearly as likeable. Gorias LaGaul, a barbarian’s barbarian, was in my review of Thrall and Overkill. I liked those books better.
This book has action galore as well as gore to spare.
I felt the story was someone disjointed. I followed it but the action happened all over the place. There was a lot of detailed mayhem. This is not a book for the faint of heart. Goliath was not a nice person but neither were the assorted ogres, monsters, godlings, demons or priest/priestess.
I see some similarities to Gorias from the previous Shrewsbury works but Goliath is not nearly as likeable. Gorias LaGaul, a barbarian’s barbarian, was in my review of Thrall and Overkill. I liked those books better.
This book has action galore as well as gore to spare.
March 5, 2014
My Thoughts:
This book took off from word one and was action packed the whole time. I love the Authors voice. Thrall was one of the best I have read in the genre so I had a feeling this book would not disappoint. And it did not. This was a great sword and sorcery. But be warned it is battle after bloody battle. But I highly recommend if you love sword and sorcery you will love this book. I love this new take on an old tale. Shrewsbury is an old school storyteller and a master at that.
My Rating: 4 out of 5.
May 24, 2015
strong characterization, visceral descriptions, definitely a good read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews