Sword of Apollo: A Novel

The Warrior Trilogy #3

by Noble Smith

Nikias of Plataea has survived battle, shipwreck, and torture. But now the young warrior must face his greatest challenge: leading the people of his city-state on a desperate exodus to Athens while being hunted down by the largest Spartan expeditionary force in history.

From the burning forests of the legendary Kithaeron Mountains, to the plague-ridden streets of Athens, to the dreaded Prison Pits of Syrakuse, Nikias has to use his fists, sword, and wits to defeat his enemies, and bring aid to a citadel cut off from the rest of the world by merciless invaders.

Genres: Historical Fiction, War, Historical, Adventure, Greece

336 pages, Hardcover

First published December 8, 2015

About the author

I am an award winning playwright, documentary producer, and former Franchise Narrative Director of the Xbox video game series Age of Empires.

My latest novel Draxinger is a paranormal spy-thriller set during The Great War and available as a Kindle exclusive.

My nonfiction book The Wisdom of the Shire is published by Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press, and has been translated into 8 languages. Kirkus Reviews praised it as "A life-affirming, must-have morsel for Tolkien's colossal fan base."

My historical fiction action/adventure The Nikias of Plataea Trilogy is published by Macmillan. NYT bestselling authors Michael and Kathleen Gear described it as having "Terrific action, with a wickedly brilliant plot, visceral combat, and nail-biting treachery."

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Novels on the ancient world, mostly Rome to a lesser extent, Greece, are must-reads for me. I felt this could have been given a miss though. Boring, but I kept plugging along and finished it.

[John Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series hopefully mr smith will continue it, only problem I had it left a lot of stories unfinished. did pick up free pdf short story on web site and the cover is awesome

[Martin Klekner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable series so far, and quite well historically-researched too. In my opinion, it would be better off without a lot of side tracks to different parts of the Greek world, which is especially detracting from the main storyline in this third part. The whole Syracusan adventure felt somewhat forced.
Can't wait to read the rest of the tale though and I anxiously await the fate of poor little Platea (though I already know the ending from history) and how mr Smith will depict it in the next parts.

One not though - there is maybe too many chopped off heads for my taste. Not because I amsensitive, it's simply, I do not believe it's so easy to chop off anyone's head, definitely not so, that it would happen in almost every fight. So, fewer head chopping in the sequels, please :-)

[George Gkikopoulos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately this book did not live up to the expectations the previous books had created. It ended up with many stories unfinished, and the whole book felt a little rushed towards the ending. I would love to see more battles rather than lucky adventures.
Also I would like to see the destruction of the Platei described in the book, but it ended up too soon and very abruptly.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I had forgotten just how violent and Manly Men these books are. It could be a lot. But I still enjoyed the action and the history. I liked how a lot of the threads from earlier books came together. However, I'm a little puzzled by the end -- it just sort of... ended. If this was book 3/4 I would understand, but this is the end of a trilogy, right? I need to check on this.

[Leftheris Bousdoukis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Αρκετά καλό βιβλίο. Είναι καλογραμμένο με πάρα πολλές λεπτομέρειες για το πως ζούσαν οι αρχαίοι έλληνες, τις συνήθειες τους και την καθημερινή ωμή βία. Αυτό που δεν μου άρεσε και στα τρία βιβλία είναι η απίστευτη τύχη που έχουν όλοι οι πρωταγωνιστές. Είναι 100% εμπνευσμενο από την Οδύσσεια.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series continues to amaze and is thrilling. A definite must-read!!

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, Great series. There better be another book in this series!!!

[SteVen Hendricks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Review - In book 3 of the Warrior Trilogy, “Sword of Apollo” - author Noble Smith has written another great ‘Greek Mythology’ action thriller. Since the very first book “Sons of Zeus,” I have been hugely impressed with the pace and narrative of the books, coupled with some highly engaging characters. The story has always been well set in its historical time frame but without delving into the Greek history too much. The story relies on the adventure of the plot and the interesting characters to carry the storyline. That said, the weapons, the people and the locations are well researched to give the ‘tell’ that authentic edge. In this third book the previous two stories continues, and for once its not all a punishing journey for the main character Nikias, but the young warrior still has much to learn and to experience. He will travel further from home in this story, while the reader will experience sea adventures, intense battles, disease and political shenanigans. I only wish the story hadn’t ended so suddenly. Despite being detailed as a trilogy this story is far from over, and I hope Noble Smith writes book 4 for our literary entertainment. I recommend this ‘Warrior Trilogy’ series, its great fun, highly entertaining and extremely well written.

[Robin Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

Well Noble Smith has managed it again, book 3 in this Warrior series is just an excellent read. Since the very first book Sons of Zeus i have been hugely impressed with the pace and narrative of the books, coupled with some highly engaging characters. each and every book has flown past. The story has always been well set in its historical time frame but without feeling a need to delve into the history too deeply, relying on the adventure of the plot and the people to carry the reader. That said the weapons, the people and the locations are well researched to give the story that authentic edge.

full review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike the troll who rated this as one star without apparently reading it, I have read a preview copy and can report that it is better and even more exciting than the first two books of the series. One can only hope for books four, five and six.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical fiction and action novels. This series has both. I have read all three of this series and loved them all. Smith is a great writer and I only hope he continues to write more about this time period.