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Adventures of Odysseus #4
The Oracles of Troy: Adventures of Odysseus 4
Only the determination of one man can bring victory.
The Trojan War has been raging for ten years. Greece's greatest warriors have fallen. But then a series of oracles appear with utterances from the gods, commands that must be fulfilled if Troy is to be defeated.
Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks, knows that only one man has the courage and intelligence to complete the Olympians' Odysseus, King of Ithaca.
From an island haunted by a vengeful madman to a forsaken tomb and its deadly guardian, from the palace of a hostile king to the sacred heart of Troy itself, Odysseus and his friend Eperitus must follow the trail toward the greatest deception of all time...
Glyn Iliffe studied English and Classics at Reading University, where he developed a passion for the stories of ancient Greek mythology. Well travelled, Glyn has visited nearly forty countries, trekked in the Himalayas, spent six weeks hitchhiking across North America and had his collarbone broken by a bull in Pamplona. He is married with two daughters and lives in Leicestershire.
The Trojan War has been raging for ten years. Greece's greatest warriors have fallen. But then a series of oracles appear with utterances from the gods, commands that must be fulfilled if Troy is to be defeated.
Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks, knows that only one man has the courage and intelligence to complete the Olympians' Odysseus, King of Ithaca.
From an island haunted by a vengeful madman to a forsaken tomb and its deadly guardian, from the palace of a hostile king to the sacred heart of Troy itself, Odysseus and his friend Eperitus must follow the trail toward the greatest deception of all time...
Glyn Iliffe studied English and Classics at Reading University, where he developed a passion for the stories of ancient Greek mythology. Well travelled, Glyn has visited nearly forty countries, trekked in the Himalayas, spent six weeks hitchhiking across North America and had his collarbone broken by a bull in Pamplona. He is married with two daughters and lives in Leicestershire.
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First published August 22, 2014
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About the author
Glyn Iliffe
15 books95 followersGlyn Iliffe studied English and Classics at university where he developed a passion for the ancient stories of Greek history and mythology. Well-travelled, Glyn has visited nearly 40 countries, trekked in the Himalayas, spent six weeks hitchhiking across North America, and had his collar bone broken by a bull in Pampolna.
He is married with two daughters and lives in Market Harborough.
He is married with two daughters and lives in Market Harborough.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 22, 2015
To quote the eminent philosopher and all around wise man, Homer Simpson, "I like stories." I especially like good stories and this series by Glyn Iliffe is magnificent. The Oracles of Troy is the 4th book in this engaging tale of Odysseus and his fictional captain, Eperitus and the ten year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. The war is basically a stalemate in this tenth year and the Greeks are losing heart and long for their homeland; a homeland that is becoming increasingly more chaotic without the kings and leaders there to govern. This is especially true in the kingdom of Ithaca where Odysseus' wife Penelope is barely keeping a group of ambitious nobles from taking the reins away from the rightful ruling family. Enter the three oracles, the pieces needed for a Greek victory and the tale of how Odysseus and companions go about to fulfill the three conditions given by the gods.
The author, not only in this book but in the whole series, does for the myths and stories of Odysseus in the same manner that Mary Renault does for Theseus in The King Must Die, etc, though in this case the supernatural intervention of the gods, in particular Athena is much in evidence. Mr. Iliffe does a masterful job of humanizing the Homeric heroes while allowing the gods to have their place as well. These mythic, larger than life characters are portrayed with all of their doubts, worries, ambitions and faults. We have a tale not only of the glory and honor of battle and war but the human failings of betrayal and greed; the human feelings of love and desire. This is a wonderful telling of a wonderful tale. 5 stars and a hearty Hoover Book Review recommendation.
P.S. I inquired of the author of a possible 5th book to chronicle Odysseus' journey home...am happy to say that it is in the works. :-)
The author, not only in this book but in the whole series, does for the myths and stories of Odysseus in the same manner that Mary Renault does for Theseus in The King Must Die, etc, though in this case the supernatural intervention of the gods, in particular Athena is much in evidence. Mr. Iliffe does a masterful job of humanizing the Homeric heroes while allowing the gods to have their place as well. These mythic, larger than life characters are portrayed with all of their doubts, worries, ambitions and faults. We have a tale not only of the glory and honor of battle and war but the human failings of betrayal and greed; the human feelings of love and desire. This is a wonderful telling of a wonderful tale. 5 stars and a hearty Hoover Book Review recommendation.
P.S. I inquired of the author of a possible 5th book to chronicle Odysseus' journey home...am happy to say that it is in the works. :-)
May 1, 2025
Εντάξει, τα λόγια είναι περιττά!! Οι ήρωές μας, αφού έχουν χάσει δύο από τους πιο επικίνδυνους πολεμιστές τους, τον Αχιλλέα και τον Αίαντα, βρίσκονται στην κόψη του ξυραφιού και η κατάκτηση της Τροίας έπειτα από δέκα χρόνια μοιάζει ολοένα να απομακρύνεται. Η μόνη ελπίδα τους βρίσκεται στην εκπλήρωση τριών χρησμών, ένας εκ των οποίων είναι να βρουν και να προσπαθήσουν να φέρουν το γιο του Αχιλλέα, το Νεοπτόλαιμο. Όσο για τον Ηπείρητο, είναι χαμένος στις σκέψεις του, αφού όλα στα οποία πίστευε μέχρι τώρα (υστεροφημία και σκοπός ύπαρξης ενός πολεμιστή) καταρρέουν το ένα μετά το άλλο μέσα στο μυαλό του.
Ο Glyn Iliffe, με κάθε ένα βιβλίο που συγγράφει, γίνεται όλο και καλύτερος. Σαν το παλιό καλό κρασί. Οι χαρακτήρες πιο ρεαλιστικοί από ποτέ, η πλοκή ασταμάτητη, γεμάτη δράση, αλλά και με ενδιαφέροντες διαλόγους, ενώ οι σκηνές μάχης όπως πάντα συναρπαστικές και ολοζώντανες. Σα να τις βλέπεις να εκτυλίσσονται μπροστά σου.
Αρχίζω ήδη να στενοχωριέμαι, καθώς κάποια στιγμή θα τελειώσουν τα βιβλία της σειράς των βιβλίων του Glyn (πλέον μπορώ να πω ότι νιώθω άνετα να αναφέρομαι σε εκείνον με το μικρό του όνομα) και μετά δε θα έχω να περιμένω το επόμενο. Όλα τα ωραία τελειώνουν κάποτε. Εύγε, Glyn! Νάις τζομπ!!
Ο Glyn Iliffe, με κάθε ένα βιβλίο που συγγράφει, γίνεται όλο και καλύτερος. Σαν το παλιό καλό κρασί. Οι χαρακτήρες πιο ρεαλιστικοί από ποτέ, η πλοκή ασταμάτητη, γεμάτη δράση, αλλά και με ενδιαφέροντες διαλόγους, ενώ οι σκηνές μάχης όπως πάντα συναρπαστικές και ολοζώντανες. Σα να τις βλέπεις να εκτυλίσσονται μπροστά σου.
Αρχίζω ήδη να στενοχωριέμαι, καθώς κάποια στιγμή θα τελειώσουν τα βιβλία της σειράς των βιβλίων του Glyn (πλέον μπορώ να πω ότι νιώθω άνετα να αναφέρομαι σε εκείνον με το μικρό του όνομα) και μετά δε θα έχω να περιμένω το επόμενο. Όλα τα ωραία τελειώνουν κάποτε. Εύγε, Glyn! Νάις τζομπ!!
August 25, 2016
I’ve had this book in my reading pile for some time, but didn’t want to read it until I’d finished writing my section of the coming collaboration on the Trojan War (A Song of War) because I didn’t want to directly influence my own telling. Now that my work on that tale is done, I allowed myself to read Iliffe’s book. And by happy coincidence, the author has agreed to write the foreword for our collaboration, so boy am I glad that I liked his book, else this could have been awkward! ;-)
Fortunately, The Oracles of Troy is an excellent piece of writing. It tackles the end of the Trojan war only, long after Achilles’ death and the events of the Iliad. It deals with the fall of Troy and the end of the war, telling a tale that is rarely covered. In fact, early Greece is rarely touched by authors at all, so it is very much virgin territory, so this should be of great interest to all readers of ancient historical fiction.
One thing that stood out for me is the legendary feel of the tale. While in our own work we tried to pare out the myth and work with a prosaic, real-world Troy, Iliffe has given the world of Greek myth full reign in his story, which makes it a whole different beast, and a fascinating one at that. In this era the lines between history and fantasy blur a great deal, as any student of Homer will know, and so we discover mystic visions, monsters, magical weapons and invulnerable heroes here in very much the mould of Homer himself. That adds a certain level of adventure to the story beyond straight history and pushes it into the world of myth. The result? Magnificent. And a book that should appeal to readers of fantasy as well as those of history. And at no point does the use of this legendary mythic aspect interfere with the readability or flow of the story. In fact, it is such an inherent thread that the tale would be comparatively dull without it.
Beyond that, the characters deserve mention. This tale is told principally from the point of view of Odysseus (being part of the chronicles of that most wonderful hero.) But his is not the only view we are treated to. Sometimes we see through Diomedes’ eyes. Often through those of Helen herself. But most of all we are treated to a fictional character’s view – a man called Eperitus with a complex history, who travels as Odysseus’ closest friend and helper. And though Eperitus is Iliffe’s own creation, he syncs so well with the extant cast of Greeks and Trojans that any reader not fully conversant with Homer would never know it. The whole nature of Eperitus is so well constructed that I have to applaud the author on this most stunning piece of plotting.
So grab a copy of the Oracles of Troy and set sail with Odysseus as he investigates ancient tombs, fights monsters, builds horses, sneaks into cities, becomes a master of disguise and brings about the downfall of the greatest city in the world.
Highly recommended, folks.
Fortunately, The Oracles of Troy is an excellent piece of writing. It tackles the end of the Trojan war only, long after Achilles’ death and the events of the Iliad. It deals with the fall of Troy and the end of the war, telling a tale that is rarely covered. In fact, early Greece is rarely touched by authors at all, so it is very much virgin territory, so this should be of great interest to all readers of ancient historical fiction.
One thing that stood out for me is the legendary feel of the tale. While in our own work we tried to pare out the myth and work with a prosaic, real-world Troy, Iliffe has given the world of Greek myth full reign in his story, which makes it a whole different beast, and a fascinating one at that. In this era the lines between history and fantasy blur a great deal, as any student of Homer will know, and so we discover mystic visions, monsters, magical weapons and invulnerable heroes here in very much the mould of Homer himself. That adds a certain level of adventure to the story beyond straight history and pushes it into the world of myth. The result? Magnificent. And a book that should appeal to readers of fantasy as well as those of history. And at no point does the use of this legendary mythic aspect interfere with the readability or flow of the story. In fact, it is such an inherent thread that the tale would be comparatively dull without it.
Beyond that, the characters deserve mention. This tale is told principally from the point of view of Odysseus (being part of the chronicles of that most wonderful hero.) But his is not the only view we are treated to. Sometimes we see through Diomedes’ eyes. Often through those of Helen herself. But most of all we are treated to a fictional character’s view – a man called Eperitus with a complex history, who travels as Odysseus’ closest friend and helper. And though Eperitus is Iliffe’s own creation, he syncs so well with the extant cast of Greeks and Trojans that any reader not fully conversant with Homer would never know it. The whole nature of Eperitus is so well constructed that I have to applaud the author on this most stunning piece of plotting.
So grab a copy of the Oracles of Troy and set sail with Odysseus as he investigates ancient tombs, fights monsters, builds horses, sneaks into cities, becomes a master of disguise and brings about the downfall of the greatest city in the world.
Highly recommended, folks.
September 6, 2016
Historical fiction is full of novels about Rome, but there's not so much written about that other incredible classical civilisation – Greece. So it was with great pleasure I found out Glyn Iliffe's new book was finally about to be released. And not only that, I managed to get an advance copy of it!
Is it any good? Well, there have been three books in the series so far: King of Ithaca, The Gates of Troy and The Armour of Achilles and, in my opinion, all of them have been worth five stars, so there's a lot riding on this. Blending well-researched history with fantastic action equals a great series so far and I can happily tell you The Oracles of Troy is every bit as good as its predecessors.
Opening where the previous book left off, it doesn't take long to get into the action, with Odysseus using his fabled cunning to persuade an old acquaintance to join their Trojan war effort. This aspect of Odysseus's character is something that must be rather difficult to write – thinking up clever ideas all the time – but Iliffe has managed it superbly throughout the series and it really does add an interesting dimension to a genre that is often just about kicking ass and taking no prisoners.
That said, there's plenty of asses kicked in The Oracles of Troy as the war, finally, comes to a close with the Greeks building their legendary Trojan Horse (I won't go into detail in case I spoil the plot for anyone but really...everyone knows what happens right?!)
With a series like this, when the plots and characters are so well known and loved, it has to be a hard task to write them while retaining a sense of tension, suspense and excitement but have no fear, the book is a joy to read from beginning to end.
If there's a downside at all, it's the fact that Odysseus somehow manages to get everything right all the time but that's a trait of the source material and anyone reading the novel will know that anyway. This isn't straight historical fiction after all – realism isn't as important here as it is to someone like Bernard Cornwell – Oracles of Troy has fantasy elements to it as well and, if a Goddess happens to appear to our heroes to help them out of a tricky situation, great.
By the last page we are left with the next book nicely set-up – I just hope it doesn't take as long to get out as this one did!
Heartily recommended.
Is it any good? Well, there have been three books in the series so far: King of Ithaca, The Gates of Troy and The Armour of Achilles and, in my opinion, all of them have been worth five stars, so there's a lot riding on this. Blending well-researched history with fantastic action equals a great series so far and I can happily tell you The Oracles of Troy is every bit as good as its predecessors.
Opening where the previous book left off, it doesn't take long to get into the action, with Odysseus using his fabled cunning to persuade an old acquaintance to join their Trojan war effort. This aspect of Odysseus's character is something that must be rather difficult to write – thinking up clever ideas all the time – but Iliffe has managed it superbly throughout the series and it really does add an interesting dimension to a genre that is often just about kicking ass and taking no prisoners.
That said, there's plenty of asses kicked in The Oracles of Troy as the war, finally, comes to a close with the Greeks building their legendary Trojan Horse (I won't go into detail in case I spoil the plot for anyone but really...everyone knows what happens right?!)
With a series like this, when the plots and characters are so well known and loved, it has to be a hard task to write them while retaining a sense of tension, suspense and excitement but have no fear, the book is a joy to read from beginning to end.
If there's a downside at all, it's the fact that Odysseus somehow manages to get everything right all the time but that's a trait of the source material and anyone reading the novel will know that anyway. This isn't straight historical fiction after all – realism isn't as important here as it is to someone like Bernard Cornwell – Oracles of Troy has fantasy elements to it as well and, if a Goddess happens to appear to our heroes to help them out of a tricky situation, great.
By the last page we are left with the next book nicely set-up – I just hope it doesn't take as long to get out as this one did!
Heartily recommended.
October 29, 2013
The Oracles of Troy by Glyn Iliffe is the fourth book in ‘The Adventures of Odysseus’ series. The previous three novels have been concerned with Odysseus’s life prior to and including the great majority of the Siege of Troy and are from the viewpoint of Eperitus, a friend and colleague of Odysseus, who has accompanied him on his travels.
Ajax and Achilles are dead and the war is coming to its momentous finale. However, it’s at this point that a number of oracles appear from the gods that must be fulfilled before Troy is defeated. Agamemnon decides that Odysseus is the man to complete these tasks and the great warrior goes with Eperitus and others to carry out the wishes of the gods.
It is then that we encounter the great archer Philoctetes, Achilles’ son, Neoptolemus, the Palladium and, of course, the Trojan Horse.
The adventures of Odysseus and Eperitus are told in a beautifully readable style by Glyn Iliffe as he takes us through battles, treacherous voyages, romance, and haunted labyrinths. He takes the stories that many are familiar with and retells them, weaving other Ancient Greek myths into them, making them fresh and exciting for modern readers.
Although this is the fourth instalment, it’s a book that can be read by itself without having read the previous three, though, if you want to, you can catch up with what has happened so far on the author’s website (www.glyniliffe.com). It’s worth visiting the website anyway, because there’s additional material on there as well as background on the Trojan War.
The Oracles of Troy is an essential read if you enjoyed the tales of The Iliad and The Odyssey, and also if you enjoy books by David Gemmell, Conn Iggulden, Simon Scarrow or Harry Sidebottom.
Ajax and Achilles are dead and the war is coming to its momentous finale. However, it’s at this point that a number of oracles appear from the gods that must be fulfilled before Troy is defeated. Agamemnon decides that Odysseus is the man to complete these tasks and the great warrior goes with Eperitus and others to carry out the wishes of the gods.
It is then that we encounter the great archer Philoctetes, Achilles’ son, Neoptolemus, the Palladium and, of course, the Trojan Horse.
The adventures of Odysseus and Eperitus are told in a beautifully readable style by Glyn Iliffe as he takes us through battles, treacherous voyages, romance, and haunted labyrinths. He takes the stories that many are familiar with and retells them, weaving other Ancient Greek myths into them, making them fresh and exciting for modern readers.
Although this is the fourth instalment, it’s a book that can be read by itself without having read the previous three, though, if you want to, you can catch up with what has happened so far on the author’s website (www.glyniliffe.com). It’s worth visiting the website anyway, because there’s additional material on there as well as background on the Trojan War.
The Oracles of Troy is an essential read if you enjoyed the tales of The Iliad and The Odyssey, and also if you enjoy books by David Gemmell, Conn Iggulden, Simon Scarrow or Harry Sidebottom.
March 8, 2015
One of my favorite series.
I chanced upon King of Ithaca last spring and I absolutely loved the way that Glyn Iliffe has retold the Homeric epics.
The Oracles of Troy follows the events of The Iliad, or as Glyn Iliffe would call it, The Armour of Achilles. Iliffe did an excellent job of retelling this story that is so well known, he has made it fresh and exciting.
I assume that the next in the series will be the retelling of The Odyssey, I can not wait to see how Glyn Iliffe will retell this part of the story.
http://www.2bookloversreviews.com/ora...
I chanced upon King of Ithaca last spring and I absolutely loved the way that Glyn Iliffe has retold the Homeric epics.
The Oracles of Troy follows the events of The Iliad, or as Glyn Iliffe would call it, The Armour of Achilles. Iliffe did an excellent job of retelling this story that is so well known, he has made it fresh and exciting.
I assume that the next in the series will be the retelling of The Odyssey, I can not wait to see how Glyn Iliffe will retell this part of the story.
http://www.2bookloversreviews.com/ora...
October 3, 2014
Once again, Glyn Iliffe delivers action on the plains of Troy. It had been a while since I read the last book in the series - The Armour of Achilles - but coming back into this world was like reuniting with old friends. The character of Eperitus is a wonderful character to go on this journey with. We all know what happens with the Trojan War, but The author manages to tell the tell with a fresh new perspective. If you like this period of ancient history and legend, you will really enjoy this book.
June 25, 2020
Odysseus and our less well-known hero - Eperitus are back and they're hunting down items and people to help them defeat Troy - these are 'The Oracles of Troy', or at least that's what they've been told to do by an Oracle and we know how well that usually goes for them all.
The Second Half of the book is about the Fall of Troy - I hope I'm not giving away any spoilers here, but yep Tory falls! And our heroes and their friends, Polites, Antiphus and Eurybates are having to do than defeat the enemies of Greece, they have people to save, revenge to take and a certain princess to help out. I also love the fact that Diomedes is included a heck of a lot in this story as from an early age and from one of the earliest fiction books I read about Troy and the Greeks, he was always a legend for me.
Again, this is Mr Iliffe at his best, friendship, disagreements, plots and ploys, Gods and Goddesses, heroes on both sides, villains on both sides, love and lost love, oracles and horses, big big horses and of course all out war! I love this series!
The Second Half of the book is about the Fall of Troy - I hope I'm not giving away any spoilers here, but yep Tory falls! And our heroes and their friends, Polites, Antiphus and Eurybates are having to do than defeat the enemies of Greece, they have people to save, revenge to take and a certain princess to help out. I also love the fact that Diomedes is included a heck of a lot in this story as from an early age and from one of the earliest fiction books I read about Troy and the Greeks, he was always a legend for me.
Again, this is Mr Iliffe at his best, friendship, disagreements, plots and ploys, Gods and Goddesses, heroes on both sides, villains on both sides, love and lost love, oracles and horses, big big horses and of course all out war! I love this series!
August 8, 2017
Captured and dwelling in an ancient world
After four books I am still enthralled Perhaps being immersed in the Ancients beliefs in the supernatural I m still Unser a spell but rife there is a Greek god ready with an oracle it will predict that I will very soon be engrossed in Book five
After four books I am still enthralled Perhaps being immersed in the Ancients beliefs in the supernatural I m still Unser a spell but rife there is a Greek god ready with an oracle it will predict that I will very soon be engrossed in Book five
April 23, 2018
The conclusion of the siege of Troy with the added tiers of intrigue in the resolution of Eperitus’s mission to restore his family’s honour after his father’s betrayal.
An exciting and tension-filled re-telling on the most famous part of the Trojan war myth - the entry of Odysseus and the Greeks into Troy inside the wooden horse.
An exciting and tension-filled re-telling on the most famous part of the Trojan war myth - the entry of Odysseus and the Greeks into Troy inside the wooden horse.
December 8, 2017
Still enjoying this series, we are moved about a bit, but it all ticks along. Still plenty of twists and turns, the book gives you events realistically and believable. The main characters are still interesting and you're left cheering for them.
December 24, 2020
Probably the best of the series so far, given that it climaxes with everyone’s favourite wooden horse. However, strong characterisation and and excellent retelling of the highs and lows of Greek mythology make this a brilliant read.
June 5, 2017
Captivating!
This entire series has kept me engrossed from page to page. Like good wine, it gets better and better as you read more!
This entire series has kept me engrossed from page to page. Like good wine, it gets better and better as you read more!
November 9, 2020
Brilliant
I would recommend this book to everyone a really absorbing read by a great author just could not put it down
I would recommend this book to everyone a really absorbing read by a great author just could not put it down
January 17, 2014
Source: Free copy from the author for the purpose of review
The epic poem of the Greek and Trojan war is written in the Iliad by Homer.
Homer's next book depicting Odysseus's long journey home is written in the Odyssey. Both works were written in 8th century BC by Homer.
Odysseus (Greek name) also known as Ulysses (Roman name) is a Greek prince, who has rallied behind King Agamemnon of Mycenae and his brother King Menelaus of Sparta, in order to seek revenge and destroy the city of Troy. King Priam of Troy has a son named Paris who fell in love with and had an affair with Helen, she is the wife of Menelaus. They have battled for ten long years and both sides are eager for an end.
The Oracles of Troy depicts a fictional account of the ending history of the Greek and Trojan war in and near the city of Troy, or Ilium. An oracle has been prophesied which would help bring a close to the war. Odysseus is eager to return to his wife and son, and he accepts a mission to end the ten year war.
Pros:
1. A sweeping story of travel and adventure.
A Greek army which encompasses kings and princes with their own domains of military men; massive ships full of men carrying weapons across many miles; with a common mission, and it is guided and provided by "the gods." They've traveled far to seek a revenge that seems minimal to me. A couple had an affair, they should not have, but to cause the deaths of so many others who are innocent is beyond my comprehension. I must remember this is a fictional story based on a epic poem.
2. Combat ready, overly-confident men who are also seen at another angle. Odysseus, Philoctetes, Eperitus, are battle-hardened men. These men are sweaty, dirty, muscular, menacing, intimidating; however, they are men who love families, and there are moments of humanity in their words and actions.
3. Narrative and description.
The narrative account and description in the telling of the story is strong. I felt drawn-in at the first page. The characters came alive in my mind, and their stories were vivid and powerful.
Cons:
Until the mid-point of the story Odysseus is not an active character, Helen is. How Helen felt as a widow, the choices she made over the past ten years, her children. I did feel she was a way to build the story to the point where Odysseus was given a new mission. Other characters who lived in Troy were brought out, as well as Odysseus's wife back at home. I enjoyed reading about Helen, this gave the book a bit of femininity and gentility against the grand-scale of battle.
The epic poem of the Greek and Trojan war is written in the Iliad by Homer.
Homer's next book depicting Odysseus's long journey home is written in the Odyssey. Both works were written in 8th century BC by Homer.
Odysseus (Greek name) also known as Ulysses (Roman name) is a Greek prince, who has rallied behind King Agamemnon of Mycenae and his brother King Menelaus of Sparta, in order to seek revenge and destroy the city of Troy. King Priam of Troy has a son named Paris who fell in love with and had an affair with Helen, she is the wife of Menelaus. They have battled for ten long years and both sides are eager for an end.
The Oracles of Troy depicts a fictional account of the ending history of the Greek and Trojan war in and near the city of Troy, or Ilium. An oracle has been prophesied which would help bring a close to the war. Odysseus is eager to return to his wife and son, and he accepts a mission to end the ten year war.
Pros:
1. A sweeping story of travel and adventure.
A Greek army which encompasses kings and princes with their own domains of military men; massive ships full of men carrying weapons across many miles; with a common mission, and it is guided and provided by "the gods." They've traveled far to seek a revenge that seems minimal to me. A couple had an affair, they should not have, but to cause the deaths of so many others who are innocent is beyond my comprehension. I must remember this is a fictional story based on a epic poem.
2. Combat ready, overly-confident men who are also seen at another angle. Odysseus, Philoctetes, Eperitus, are battle-hardened men. These men are sweaty, dirty, muscular, menacing, intimidating; however, they are men who love families, and there are moments of humanity in their words and actions.
3. Narrative and description.
The narrative account and description in the telling of the story is strong. I felt drawn-in at the first page. The characters came alive in my mind, and their stories were vivid and powerful.
Cons:
Until the mid-point of the story Odysseus is not an active character, Helen is. How Helen felt as a widow, the choices she made over the past ten years, her children. I did feel she was a way to build the story to the point where Odysseus was given a new mission. Other characters who lived in Troy were brought out, as well as Odysseus's wife back at home. I enjoyed reading about Helen, this gave the book a bit of femininity and gentility against the grand-scale of battle.
May 1, 2016
I loved it! Loved.It.
I started from the end. Meaning I have still to read the previous three chapters of Odysseus adventures and I picked up this one first- call it unorganized reading. But then it does not really matter, since we are all (more or less) familiar with Homer's Iliad and Odyssey -if not, you have been living under a rock! Yeah, yeah, I might be presumptious about this, but come on! come on!, it's Homer. I can understand if you did not enjoy it, but at least you know>/b> what I am talking about, don't you? I will pretend the whole world does (if not, guys, give it a go).
It's the final leap for the Greek victory over Troy. Ten years have past since the war has started, ten years since Helen ran from Menelaus for Paris' sake, ten years since the kings of Greek united under Agamemnon, and three things have to be retrieved for it to end: Pelops' ivory shoulder blade, Neoptolemos, son of Achilles, and the Palladium. Cunning Odysseus uses all his gods-given wits to assure the victory, even defying his patroness Athena in the hope of returning swiftly to Ithaca and his beloved wife and son.
Most amazing writing about the whole Troian wooden-horse story,and even greater description of Cassandra's cruel destiny. Thumbs up, thumbs up, thumbs up!
I am definitely going to pick up the previous works of Glyn Iliffe on the Ithacan king! I really do love a good retelling of immortal myths, and this one was EXCEPTIONAL!
Highly recommended.
I started from the end. Meaning I have still to read the previous three chapters of Odysseus adventures and I picked up this one first- call it unorganized reading. But then it does not really matter, since we are all (more or less) familiar with Homer's Iliad and Odyssey -if not, you have been living under a rock! Yeah, yeah, I might be presumptious about this, but come on! come on!, it's Homer. I can understand if you did not enjoy it, but at least you know>/b> what I am talking about, don't you? I will pretend the whole world does (if not, guys, give it a go).
It's the final leap for the Greek victory over Troy. Ten years have past since the war has started, ten years since Helen ran from Menelaus for Paris' sake, ten years since the kings of Greek united under Agamemnon, and three things have to be retrieved for it to end: Pelops' ivory shoulder blade, Neoptolemos, son of Achilles, and the Palladium. Cunning Odysseus uses all his gods-given wits to assure the victory, even defying his patroness Athena in the hope of returning swiftly to Ithaca and his beloved wife and son.
Most amazing writing about the whole Troian wooden-horse story,and even greater description of Cassandra's cruel destiny. Thumbs up, thumbs up, thumbs up!
I am definitely going to pick up the previous works of Glyn Iliffe on the Ithacan king! I really do love a good retelling of immortal myths, and this one was EXCEPTIONAL!
Highly recommended.
September 5, 2014
The Oracles of Troy tells of the last months of the most famous war in history – the Fall of Troy. The war has already seen ten years of conflict and Odysseus, the main character, wants to go home, where his beloved wife, Penelope, waits for him and where she has political troubles of her own. To do this, Odysseus must undertake three tasks set by an old seer before coming up with the idea that effectively ends the war. With him is his friend, Eperitus, who has his own reasons for wanting to, finally, break down the Trojan walls.
Glyn Iliffe has written an epic, fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable story of how the long drawn-out war must have been for king and soldier alike. His characters are strong and likeable and all of the myths and gods are there and brought to life by his excellent prose. We see, too, the curse of Cassandra, the cunning of Odysseus, the rage of Menelaus and the uncertainty of Helen.
The final destruction of Troy is told with chilling realism.
From the bright, self-explanatory cover to the last page, I was hooked and will be looking forward to more of the series. Highly recommended.
Glyn Iliffe has written an epic, fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable story of how the long drawn-out war must have been for king and soldier alike. His characters are strong and likeable and all of the myths and gods are there and brought to life by his excellent prose. We see, too, the curse of Cassandra, the cunning of Odysseus, the rage of Menelaus and the uncertainty of Helen.
The final destruction of Troy is told with chilling realism.
From the bright, self-explanatory cover to the last page, I was hooked and will be looking forward to more of the series. Highly recommended.
June 2, 2014
A good, to three and a half book. The fourth in a series, and retaining an enjoyable pace, he goes through the siege of Troy with a good mix of pace and detail from the original. It is, of course, a - if not the - classic tale, and Iliffe tells it with a sense of verve (even if he, deliberately or not recycles character descriptions in each book). The addition of his own character in Odysseus's captain Eperitus does give him some scope to develop a difference character arc, although this sometimes feels more stereotypical than the most excessive bits of Homer.
But that's a little harsh, from an enjoyable and fast paced series. I had wondered why this took so long, and see he's been having publisher problems, which is a shame, as this is a diverting and easy, enjoyable read. I'll look out for the next one, in whatever format.
But that's a little harsh, from an enjoyable and fast paced series. I had wondered why this took so long, and see he's been having publisher problems, which is a shame, as this is a diverting and easy, enjoyable read. I'll look out for the next one, in whatever format.
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August 26, 2014Review from the Historical Novel Society:
Glyn Iliffe has written an epic, fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable story of how the long drawn-out war must have been for king and soldier alike. His characters are strong and likeable and all of the myths and gods are there and brought to life by his excellent prose. We see, too, the curse of Cassandra, the cunning of Odysseus, the rage of Menelaus and the uncertainty of Helen.
The final destruction of Troy is told with chilling realism.
From the bright, self-explanatory cover to the last page, I was hooked and will be looking forward to more of the series. Highly recommended.
Glyn Iliffe has written an epic, fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable story of how the long drawn-out war must have been for king and soldier alike. His characters are strong and likeable and all of the myths and gods are there and brought to life by his excellent prose. We see, too, the curse of Cassandra, the cunning of Odysseus, the rage of Menelaus and the uncertainty of Helen.
The final destruction of Troy is told with chilling realism.
From the bright, self-explanatory cover to the last page, I was hooked and will be looking forward to more of the series. Highly recommended.
September 30, 2014
The Fall of Troy...brilliantly retold by Iliffe in his forth book of his series. Based on the epic legend, with added believable characterisation and vivid descriptions of war and blood thirsty destruction makes this, in my opinion, the best so far, and then there is the anticipated Odyssey to come!
March 24, 2016
Greeks what's not to like
Just as good as the previous books just about to get the book 5 just know it'll be as good as the rest
Just as good as the previous books just about to get the book 5 just know it'll be as good as the rest
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