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The Warrior Trilogy #2
Σπαρτιάτες προ των πυλών
431 π.Χ. Μια στρατιά άγριων εισβολέων από τη Σπάρτη φτάνει στις πύλες των Πλαταιών αποφασισμένη να υποδουλώσει την πόλη και τους κατοίκους της. Οι παλαιότεροι σύμμαχοι των Πλαταιέων, οι Αθηναίοι, είναι διασκορπισμένοι στις δικές τους εκστρατείες και δεν μπορούν να στείλουν βοήθεια. Αποκομμένοι και μόνοι, οι Πλαταιείς οχυρώνονται πίσω από τα ψηλά τείχη τους και περιμένουν την πολιορκία. Ένας νεαρός πολεμιστής, ο Νικίας, φεύγει για την Αθήνα, με σκοπό να συγκεντρώσει στρατό μισθοφόρων για να υπερασπιστούν την πόλη του απέναντι στη σπαρτιατική εισβολή. Ωστόσο, εκεί στην ισχυρή πόλη των Αθηνών, ο Νικίας αντιμετωπίζει κινδύνους που αποδεικνύονται πολύ πιο θανάσιμοι από το πεδίο της μάχης.
Η συγκλονιστική συνέχεια του "Οι γιοι του Δία", ένα ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα γεμάτο δράση, που εκτυλίσσεται τον πρώτο χρόνο του αδελφοκτόνου Πελοποννησιακού Πολέμου.
Η συγκλονιστική συνέχεια του "Οι γιοι του Δία", ένα ιστορικό μυθιστόρημα γεμάτο δράση, που εκτυλίσσεται τον πρώτο χρόνο του αδελφοκτόνου Πελοποννησιακού Πολέμου.
464 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 2014
8 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Noble Smith
13 books77 followersI 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."
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."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
November 3, 2015
A tale of courage, love and sacrifice. Full of blood and gore. Great story and characters. Noble Smith is a talented writer. I was also impressed with the editing as I've read so many books lately full of mistakes. I wish there was a sequel. Could there be? Thank you Mr. Smith for this highly entertaining read. Kudos!
March 17, 2014
"Spartans at the Gate" which I eagerly awaited and was delighted to receive as an advanced copy is the exciting, action-packed sequel to "Sons of Zeus". It begins with the Spartans entrenched in a Persian Fort awaiting word that Plataea will break their alliance with Athens and sign a treaty with Sparta. Waiting for word from their ambassadors in Athens and expecting little help, the Plataeans under the leadership Arkon Menesarkus are digging in for a long siege, knowing men and women will be called on to defend their walls against the ruthless Spartans.
Aware that time is short before the Spartans attack Nikias disobeys his grandfather and races to Athens with a bag of a traitor's gold that he hopes to use to buy an army of mercenaries to protect his beloved city. But what he doesn't expect is to not only face danger as he races to Athens, but in that city to encounter the callous cruelty of those who want to undermine his plans and kill him.
The plot is well-developed and is a thrilling roller-coaster ride as the threads of the story twist and turn only to converge in a climax that still leaves questions unanswered and begs for another novel. The narrative which not only cleverly reflects highlights from the previous novel is told from different perspectives and takes the reader into a war that threatens not only Plataea but strikes at the heart of the Delian League. With artful dexterity Noble Smith brings the Peloponnesian War to life as events swirl around the characters bringing violence, cruelty and bloodshed. Yet woven into a spirit of fear and gloom that permeates Plataea and swirls around Nikias is an unrelenting spark of courage, fortitude and an indomitable will to survive. In this well-researched historical novel even romance bends to the will of the writer as youth and lust bring Nikias inner turmoil that threatens his commitment and honour.
The characters are realistic and complex, faced with their flaws and weaknesses amid a clash of wills. In a familiar cast of powerful characters is Nikias of Plataea a brave and stubborn prankator who's impetuosity and recklessness brings life-threatening danger; Kolax an expert Scythian archer who's wild, fearless and bold; Chusor a former pirate and freed slave who's level-headed, clever, and inventive; Arkon Menesarkus a shrewd leader whose compassion battles with his iron will, and spirited Kallisto whose life has been tainted by her father's crime. But it's the cold-blooded ruthless enemies like General Drako, and the deadly bitterness of Eurymakus that brings a chilling reminder of the brutality of war.
Noble Smith takes history and weaves it into a compelling plot with heart-stopping action, memorable characterization and even romance to make it a novel well-worth reading. And I can't wait to see what's in store for Nikias and the Plataeans next.
Aware that time is short before the Spartans attack Nikias disobeys his grandfather and races to Athens with a bag of a traitor's gold that he hopes to use to buy an army of mercenaries to protect his beloved city. But what he doesn't expect is to not only face danger as he races to Athens, but in that city to encounter the callous cruelty of those who want to undermine his plans and kill him.
The plot is well-developed and is a thrilling roller-coaster ride as the threads of the story twist and turn only to converge in a climax that still leaves questions unanswered and begs for another novel. The narrative which not only cleverly reflects highlights from the previous novel is told from different perspectives and takes the reader into a war that threatens not only Plataea but strikes at the heart of the Delian League. With artful dexterity Noble Smith brings the Peloponnesian War to life as events swirl around the characters bringing violence, cruelty and bloodshed. Yet woven into a spirit of fear and gloom that permeates Plataea and swirls around Nikias is an unrelenting spark of courage, fortitude and an indomitable will to survive. In this well-researched historical novel even romance bends to the will of the writer as youth and lust bring Nikias inner turmoil that threatens his commitment and honour.
The characters are realistic and complex, faced with their flaws and weaknesses amid a clash of wills. In a familiar cast of powerful characters is Nikias of Plataea a brave and stubborn prankator who's impetuosity and recklessness brings life-threatening danger; Kolax an expert Scythian archer who's wild, fearless and bold; Chusor a former pirate and freed slave who's level-headed, clever, and inventive; Arkon Menesarkus a shrewd leader whose compassion battles with his iron will, and spirited Kallisto whose life has been tainted by her father's crime. But it's the cold-blooded ruthless enemies like General Drako, and the deadly bitterness of Eurymakus that brings a chilling reminder of the brutality of war.
Noble Smith takes history and weaves it into a compelling plot with heart-stopping action, memorable characterization and even romance to make it a novel well-worth reading. And I can't wait to see what's in store for Nikias and the Plataeans next.
March 9, 2014
I was stoked to receive an advance copy of this book.
If you enjoyed the first book of this trilogy (Sons of Zeus), you’re going to love Spartans at the Gates. The action picks up right where it left off.
Though it had been awhile since reading Son of Zeus, I didn’t have any trouble diving right back into this world. I feel a lot of that has to do with how it is written. Someone who has never read the first book won’t feel clueless at all if this is the first book they read in the trilogy.
I love how the story is absorbed through many different perspectives. It paints a great picture and makes it thrilling when the character’s paths collide.
The characters are great, so much depth with most of them. There’s a couple I’d totally read a whole book about. (Kolax!!)
I feel like I actually learned about the places in this story. There were many times something would pique my interest and I’d make a little mark and Google it later. I love feeling like I’m learning something on top of enjoying a story.
Can’t wait for the next book!
If you enjoyed the first book of this trilogy (Sons of Zeus), you’re going to love Spartans at the Gates. The action picks up right where it left off.
Though it had been awhile since reading Son of Zeus, I didn’t have any trouble diving right back into this world. I feel a lot of that has to do with how it is written. Someone who has never read the first book won’t feel clueless at all if this is the first book they read in the trilogy.
I love how the story is absorbed through many different perspectives. It paints a great picture and makes it thrilling when the character’s paths collide.
The characters are great, so much depth with most of them. There’s a couple I’d totally read a whole book about. (Kolax!!)
I feel like I actually learned about the places in this story. There were many times something would pique my interest and I’d make a little mark and Google it later. I love feeling like I’m learning something on top of enjoying a story.
Can’t wait for the next book!
Read
April 12, 2021Εξαιρετική συνέχεια των γιων του Δία.
Πολύ γρήγορη δράση και καθηλωτικο.
Σχεδόν τις ζεις τις σκηνές τολμώ να πω. Καρδιοχτυπας από την αγωνία, νιώθεις την μεταλλική υφή του αίματος και του μετάλλου στο στόμα σου.
Πολιτικά παιχνίδια, γυναίκες με καταλυτικους ρόλους, δύσκολες αποφάσεις και ο θεός του πολέμου να ετοιμάζεται να σπείρει τον πανικό.
Οι Πλαταιές αφού τις αφήσαμε νικητριες επί της Θήβας, βρίσκονται τώρα πολιορκημένες από τους Σπαρτιάτες. Απεσταλμένοι έχουν πάει στην Αθήνα και το τι μέλλει γενέσθαι δεν το ξέρει κανένας.
Ταυτόχρονα, ακόμα υπάρχουν θεματακια και μέσα από τους τοίχους.
Και εδώ ακολουθούν τα *spoiler*
.
.
.
.
.
.
Κολαξ : στο μυαλό μου τον είχα γύρω στα δεκατρία. Άκου 9 και έχει σκοτώσει πιο πολλούς εχθρούς από ότι έχω χρόνο σε αναμονες.
Περιγραφές : αναλυτικοτατες. Εκτός από τις νηρεοκύστες. Ακόμα δεν βρήκα το φύκι με το οποίο μοιάζει το κεφάλι του Περικλή .
Εκεί με το χέσιμο του μικρού όμως, δεν σταμάτησα να γελάω.
Νικίας : αυτό το παιδί είναι μάλλον γόνος του Τζάκι Τσαν και του Ξανθοπούλου με λίγο Γκαστόνε μέσα, δεν εξηγείται αλλιώς. Όλα τα κακά της μοίρας του. Γυναίκα μαριονέτα του εχθρού να του αποσπάσει τις πληροφορίες βρίσκει να πέσει πάνω, εκεί που χάνει ελπίδα βρίσκεται και από ένας μηχανής θεός να τον βοηθήσει. Ξύλο, ξύλο, ξύλο, ξύλο, τρώει αλλά και δίνει και τους κάνει σκόνη με μια καρατιά. Σύγχρονος για την εποχή του Οδυσσέας.
Έλληνες : το μυαλό στο πουλί τους, ότι κινείται, γαμείται, θεόρατοι σαν ντουλάπες και όποια πέτρα και να σηκώσεις βρίσκεται από κάτω κατάσκοπος. Ε πώς να μας περιγράψει ο Σμίθ, όταν βγαίνεις από τον σταθμό στο Μοναστηράκι να δεις τα αρχαία και το μάτι πέφτει πρώτα σε ξύλινους φαλλους όλων των διαστάσεων?
Μάθαμε για τους Σκύθες, τα φραβασι και άλλα ενδιαφέροντα πράγματα.
Πολύ γρήγορη δράση και καθηλωτικο.
Σχεδόν τις ζεις τις σκηνές τολμώ να πω. Καρδιοχτυπας από την αγωνία, νιώθεις την μεταλλική υφή του αίματος και του μετάλλου στο στόμα σου.
Πολιτικά παιχνίδια, γυναίκες με καταλυτικους ρόλους, δύσκολες αποφάσεις και ο θεός του πολέμου να ετοιμάζεται να σπείρει τον πανικό.
Οι Πλαταιές αφού τις αφήσαμε νικητριες επί της Θήβας, βρίσκονται τώρα πολιορκημένες από τους Σπαρτιάτες. Απεσταλμένοι έχουν πάει στην Αθήνα και το τι μέλλει γενέσθαι δεν το ξέρει κανένας.
Ταυτόχρονα, ακόμα υπάρχουν θεματακια και μέσα από τους τοίχους.
Και εδώ ακολουθούν τα *spoiler*
.
.
.
.
.
.
Κολαξ : στο μυαλό μου τον είχα γύρω στα δεκατρία. Άκου 9 και έχει σκοτώσει πιο πολλούς εχθρούς από ότι έχω χρόνο σε αναμονες.
Περιγραφές : αναλυτικοτατες. Εκτός από τις νηρεοκύστες. Ακόμα δεν βρήκα το φύκι με το οποίο μοιάζει το κεφάλι του Περικλή .
Εκεί με το χέσιμο του μικρού όμως, δεν σταμάτησα να γελάω.
Νικίας : αυτό το παιδί είναι μάλλον γόνος του Τζάκι Τσαν και του Ξανθοπούλου με λίγο Γκαστόνε μέσα, δεν εξηγείται αλλιώς. Όλα τα κακά της μοίρας του. Γυναίκα μαριονέτα του εχθρού να του αποσπάσει τις πληροφορίες βρίσκει να πέσει πάνω, εκεί που χάνει ελπίδα βρίσκεται και από ένας μηχανής θεός να τον βοηθήσει. Ξύλο, ξύλο, ξύλο, ξύλο, τρώει αλλά και δίνει και τους κάνει σκόνη με μια καρατιά. Σύγχρονος για την εποχή του Οδυσσέας.
Έλληνες : το μυαλό στο πουλί τους, ότι κινείται, γαμείται, θεόρατοι σαν ντουλάπες και όποια πέτρα και να σηκώσεις βρίσκεται από κάτω κατάσκοπος. Ε πώς να μας περιγράψει ο Σμίθ, όταν βγαίνεις από τον σταθμό στο Μοναστηράκι να δεις τα αρχαία και το μάτι πέφτει πρώτα σε ξύλινους φαλλους όλων των διαστάσεων?
Μάθαμε για τους Σκύθες, τα φραβασι και άλλα ενδιαφέροντα πράγματα.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
I read the first book years ago and I loved it, then i subsequently forgot abt it altogether until recently. finally found this one and while it didn’t hit me the same way as I remember the first one did, it definitely was a gripping read. I wish we saw more interpersonal dialogue between characters we already met, but i feel as though we’ll see a lot of that in the last book
March 17, 2014
After awaiting its release for many months I was ecstatic to receive an advanced readers copy of Spartans at the Gates.
Reading through the book I had a recurring thought, Noble Smith may be an award winning playwright, but he is even more suited for writing historical fiction. The pace, the imagery, and the emotion that Noble conveyed through his writing is just not possible to capture in a performance, regardless of how good the playwright might be.
This book starts and ends with non-stop action, From Plataea, to Athens and all over Greece The characters in this book cannot catch a break. The battles are described with every morbid detail and, based on the plights of Nikias, kept the reader in suspense the entire time. Noble truly creates a grotesque reality of what battles would be like if we could go back in time.
And for those romantics out there, the romantic sub-plots between many of the characters add another degree of depth to the story. Women, as portrayed in this book, are not only beautiful, sensual, and desirable; they are also cunning, capable, manipulative, and play a large role in the outcome of events. (And of course there are those scenes where relationships are 'developed')
Another thing that impressed me about this book was the way in which Noble changed perspective with each new chapter. Usually this is something that I tend to shy away from, I can't recall how many times I have been disappointing with authors changing perspective at the worst possible moment. But Noble always seamed to know the perfect opportunity to change. By changing at just the right moment Noble was able to maintain a very fast, enjoyable pace and allowed the reader to connect with every character in the story.
Most series' start great and slowly become less interesting; however, this book was not only as good as the original, it was better. I rated Sons of Zeus 4.5/5, but I would rate Spartans at the Gates with a 5/5, it was an amazing book and I cant wait for the third book to be released. I wish the best to Noble and hope that he continues to produce books of such high quality.
For those who are thinking about reading this series I encourage you to read my review for the first book "Sons of Zeus."
Reading through the book I had a recurring thought, Noble Smith may be an award winning playwright, but he is even more suited for writing historical fiction. The pace, the imagery, and the emotion that Noble conveyed through his writing is just not possible to capture in a performance, regardless of how good the playwright might be.
This book starts and ends with non-stop action, From Plataea, to Athens and all over Greece The characters in this book cannot catch a break. The battles are described with every morbid detail and, based on the plights of Nikias, kept the reader in suspense the entire time. Noble truly creates a grotesque reality of what battles would be like if we could go back in time.
And for those romantics out there, the romantic sub-plots between many of the characters add another degree of depth to the story. Women, as portrayed in this book, are not only beautiful, sensual, and desirable; they are also cunning, capable, manipulative, and play a large role in the outcome of events. (And of course there are those scenes where relationships are 'developed')
Another thing that impressed me about this book was the way in which Noble changed perspective with each new chapter. Usually this is something that I tend to shy away from, I can't recall how many times I have been disappointing with authors changing perspective at the worst possible moment. But Noble always seamed to know the perfect opportunity to change. By changing at just the right moment Noble was able to maintain a very fast, enjoyable pace and allowed the reader to connect with every character in the story.
Most series' start great and slowly become less interesting; however, this book was not only as good as the original, it was better. I rated Sons of Zeus 4.5/5, but I would rate Spartans at the Gates with a 5/5, it was an amazing book and I cant wait for the third book to be released. I wish the best to Noble and hope that he continues to produce books of such high quality.
For those who are thinking about reading this series I encourage you to read my review for the first book "Sons of Zeus."
March 27, 2014
Noble has done it again! This story has a plot that is so different from his first book, but yet just interesting, enjoyable, and even more mysterious and surprising! I will not go into details of the story so that I will not reveal any spoilers, and the book already has its own plot summery on the back, so instead I just plan on telling you what makes this story so enjoyable. There are so many twists and turns in the plot, some that you can see coming, or at least think you do, and others that just flat out blind side you. I find myself staying up late into the night saying just one more chapter! One thing that Noble does very well, especially in this book, is that he has almost every chapter jump from a different character or scene. This is done expertly in that it is not confusing or chaotic, and is easy to follow. More importantly, it really does a good job on building suspense, allowing you to know whats going on at the same time in different places, and more importantly, the chapters are relatively short, giving you that suspense, but not leaving you hanging for another 30 pages. The characters are all deep and have their own personalities, some scary, some funny, and many just plain stubborn! Overall it is a great read and I would highly recommend it! This series and author rival that of Conn Iggulden, Bernard Cornwell (mentioned on the back of the book), and also some lesser known but not lesser of skill authors such as Anthony Riches and Simon Scarrow. I hope that Noble continues his work in historical fiction, teaching many people about history, yet captivating them with a wonderful plot. Thank you again Noble Smith.
March 12, 2014
Having gotten a chance to read an advanced copy of Sons of Zeus, I was pretty excited to get my hands on the sequel, Spartans at the Gates. The bar was already high, but it does not disappoint. I really enjoyed Sons of Zeus, but because most of the action takes place in Plataea, it sometimes felt a bit static. Smith goes the opposite direction in Spartans by taking the action all over Greece and to Athens as Nikias desperately tries to find a way to save his family and city. And all the things that were great about Sons of Zeus are even better here: more scheming, more action, more political intrigue, more, ahem, "romance." It has a tight, fast-paced plot, excellent writing, and historical perspective to boot.
Sometimes middle books in trilogies can feel a bit like filler but Spartans feels more like the main course. I'm hoping dessert in the form of the third book is just as good if not better.
Sometimes middle books in trilogies can feel a bit like filler but Spartans feels more like the main course. I'm hoping dessert in the form of the third book is just as good if not better.
June 28, 2014
This book is the second book in the The Warrior Trilogy which I received as an advanced copy from the author, Noble Smith. I loved the book every bit as much as I did the first book in the trilogy, Sons of Zeus.
The story takes place in several area of Greece as the Plataeans attempt to save their city from the Spartans who are camped outside of the city. The book is well written; I can visualize the actions of the characters as the story unfolds. I'm not sure why, but I adore the young Kolax who is quite the killer and has personality galore!
In addition to the story, I loved the historical aspects of Greece during that period of time. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good story, with lots of action and adventure.
The story takes place in several area of Greece as the Plataeans attempt to save their city from the Spartans who are camped outside of the city. The book is well written; I can visualize the actions of the characters as the story unfolds. I'm not sure why, but I adore the young Kolax who is quite the killer and has personality galore!
In addition to the story, I loved the historical aspects of Greece during that period of time. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a good story, with lots of action and adventure.
August 2, 2023
“The God of Battle is our Liege Lord.” A Spartan saying. Nickies was being chased by Magarian Dog Raiders. He and Colax were on the road to Athens to speak to Pericles about releasing Platea from their alliance and buying warriors to help protect Platea from the Spartans. Two weeks after the Theban defeat, the Spartans arrived in the Oxlands, too late to help their Theban allies. They took up residence in the old Persian fort, demanding that Platea break their alliance with Athens and join them or they would siege Platea. Menasarkus, now Arkon of Platea, needed warriors after the battle with the Thebans. He offered Cusar citizenship if he would stay and help them. Making his way to Athens, Nickies, as usual, gets himself in trouble, captured, and interrogated by Cleon. He managed to escape with the help of his cousin, Phoenix. They traveled by ship back to Platea. Meanwhile, Colax had found his father Osiris and convinced him to go to Platea. “The Persian Gods were strange to us, but that did not make them any less formidable.” Papyrus fragment from the lost history of the Peloponnesian War by the Exiled Scribe. The ship Nickies sailed on was attacked by the Corinthians. He swam to shore but was again captured in Tenagra where Urimicus got his revenge. Eventually, Nickies was traded for the Spartan General that Menasarkus had been keeping. In the Persian fort, the Spartans had built a battering ram to attack Platea. Piece by piece the slaves brought wood and metal from Sparta. That night, Skifian mounted archers attacked the Persian fort with their poisoned arrows, 2,000 Platean hoplites in reserve. Sparta would not forgive. As Nickies recovered, Cursar said his goodbyes and left for the sea.
February 9, 2022
Book Review - Author Noble Smith's “Spartans at the Gates” is a thrilling action-adventure novel set during the war between the great powers of ancient Greece. During the Peloponnesian War an army of merciless Spartans arrived at the gates of Plataea, bent on obliterating the city and its inhabitants. Plataea's oldest allies, the Athenians, are spread too thin in their own war campaigns to send help. Cut off and alone, the Plataeans dig in behind their high walls for the coming siege, while the ruthless Spartans gather outside. Lots and lots of twists and turns in Book Two of The Warrior Trilogy series and probably the most complex. Lots of Greek history incorporated into a fairly good historical fictional military thriller. Smith does another good job with the main character Nikias, the young Plataean warrior and the suspenseful action battle scenes. The book is not a bad read if readers are familiar with ancient Greek military history. But I can see it not being liked by the typical action thriller reader because of the extensive history with too complex of a backstory to keep ‘fast-action’ thriller readers engaged. I love ancient Spartan stories because those guys were the ultimate ‘Badasses’! But in this book they are the ‘bad guys’. Their military history is fascinating and I try to read as much as I can about them, but this is not a “Battle of Thermopylae” novel nor the “300” movie, but more of a fictional tale about a young Greek warrior who fought against the Spartans and their invasion of his city. Overall, it’s a good read - I enjoyed it…
March 25, 2024
Παρ’ ότι δεν διάβασα το πρώτο βιβλίο της τριλογίας, το βιβλίο αυτό διαβάζεται και ως αυτοτελές. Ωραία ιστορία με καλούς χαρακτήρες αλλά και με περισσή βία. Το μόνο μειονέκτημα για μένα ήταν η κραυγαλέα περιγραφή των ομοφυλοφιλικών σκηνών σεξ οι οποίες, κατά τη γνώμη μου, θα μπορούσε να είχαν μείνει έξω χωρίς να αφαιρούν κάτι από το βιβλίο.
September 12, 2018
Πολύ καλό βιβλίο. Αναλυτική γραφή, ωραίες σκηνές και φυσικά ωμή βία! Παρόλο που μεσολάβησε μεγάλο διάστημα από το πρώτο βιβλίο της τριλογίας που διάβασα δεν είχα κανένα κενό διότι φροντίζει πολύ όμορφα να σου θυμίσει όλο το ιστορικό ο συγγραφέας. Συνεχίζω με το τρίτο....
February 10, 2021
Enjoyed
I really did enjoy this book. The action, story, and merciless killing are great. The violence is top notch. The different story lines are interwoven nicely. There are parts of the book I can certainly do without though, hence the 3 stars.
I really did enjoy this book. The action, story, and merciless killing are great. The violence is top notch. The different story lines are interwoven nicely. There are parts of the book I can certainly do without though, hence the 3 stars.
September 18, 2018
I love this series, great characters and great story line!!!
February 6, 2023
I mostly enjoyed this, but after a while there were too many coincidences/lucky breaks for the main characters. The violence went on and on.
sff-ok-r
September 7, 2024Rokp
June 27, 2014
Review:
I first discovered Noble last year when i stumbled across Sons of Zeus, The concept was the bit that intrigued me despite the cover being another unfortunate US cover (sorry guys, but US publishers have an amazing skill for awful covers, Spartans at the Gates isn't really an improvement...sorry Noble). In the last five years plus I have developed a real passion for books set in ancient Greece, something driven mainly by the awesome writing of Christian Cameron. Couple that with Nobles setting of Plataea again a location at the heart of Christians writing and I was hooked in to read book one and give it a go. What i didn't expect was excellent pace and plotting of the book and its characters. My review of Sons of Zeus is here (insert link)
When I know Spartan at the Gates was ready in advance copy I was front and centre begging the author for a copy. I hadn't enjoyed a book this much in this time period since Christian Cameron's works first hooked me in. (and that really is my highest compliment). The worry of a great first book is "can the author repeat it?"
In the case of Spartan the answer is yes with a tiny quibble. The fantastic setting is there, the descriptive is there, the research is impeccable, the characters are once again sublime. Noble imbues Nikias and all his family and friends with a real passion, the protagonists are all complex bad guys, giving an amazing keep you guessing plot, who will pop up where, what are the real motives? Introduce the multitude of whisperers (spies) from all sides and factions and you don't know what will happen next. This book has Nikias thrown from one set of issues and adversity to another, testing his stamina and metal to the limit, We also fill in more of the blanks on Chusor the mysterious Smith and will Nikias young friend Kolax finally find his father, and how many people will this whirling devil of a Scythian boy kill on his journey to find him. The whole book flew by, it was over before I felt I had really got to the meat of it, and I think that was my only regret with the read, it felt like a bridging book, moving pieces on the chess board and shifting them into position for the final book in the series, its done so well that on the Amazon scale I would still give this 5/5 stars, but on a personal note I felt that bridging and plot building too keenly in its ending, that could just be a great compliment that i never wanted it to end? but in a world of hefty tomes, i felt this could have benefitted from another 100 pages of meat.
So once again from Noble Smith a truly excellent read, crammed with great characters and story telling , an engaging and fast paced writing skill and style to rival the best of them (Bernard Cornwell, , Conn Iggulden, Christian Cameron, Giles Kristian, Anthony Riches, Ben Kane, Paul Collard, Michael Arnold, Angus Donald (hope I didn't miss anyone ;-) etc..) and well worth the cover price, a book I heartily recommend.
(Parm)
I first discovered Noble last year when i stumbled across Sons of Zeus, The concept was the bit that intrigued me despite the cover being another unfortunate US cover (sorry guys, but US publishers have an amazing skill for awful covers, Spartans at the Gates isn't really an improvement...sorry Noble). In the last five years plus I have developed a real passion for books set in ancient Greece, something driven mainly by the awesome writing of Christian Cameron. Couple that with Nobles setting of Plataea again a location at the heart of Christians writing and I was hooked in to read book one and give it a go. What i didn't expect was excellent pace and plotting of the book and its characters. My review of Sons of Zeus is here (insert link)
When I know Spartan at the Gates was ready in advance copy I was front and centre begging the author for a copy. I hadn't enjoyed a book this much in this time period since Christian Cameron's works first hooked me in. (and that really is my highest compliment). The worry of a great first book is "can the author repeat it?"
In the case of Spartan the answer is yes with a tiny quibble. The fantastic setting is there, the descriptive is there, the research is impeccable, the characters are once again sublime. Noble imbues Nikias and all his family and friends with a real passion, the protagonists are all complex bad guys, giving an amazing keep you guessing plot, who will pop up where, what are the real motives? Introduce the multitude of whisperers (spies) from all sides and factions and you don't know what will happen next. This book has Nikias thrown from one set of issues and adversity to another, testing his stamina and metal to the limit, We also fill in more of the blanks on Chusor the mysterious Smith and will Nikias young friend Kolax finally find his father, and how many people will this whirling devil of a Scythian boy kill on his journey to find him. The whole book flew by, it was over before I felt I had really got to the meat of it, and I think that was my only regret with the read, it felt like a bridging book, moving pieces on the chess board and shifting them into position for the final book in the series, its done so well that on the Amazon scale I would still give this 5/5 stars, but on a personal note I felt that bridging and plot building too keenly in its ending, that could just be a great compliment that i never wanted it to end? but in a world of hefty tomes, i felt this could have benefitted from another 100 pages of meat.
So once again from Noble Smith a truly excellent read, crammed with great characters and story telling , an engaging and fast paced writing skill and style to rival the best of them (Bernard Cornwell, , Conn Iggulden, Christian Cameron, Giles Kristian, Anthony Riches, Ben Kane, Paul Collard, Michael Arnold, Angus Donald (hope I didn't miss anyone ;-) etc..) and well worth the cover price, a book I heartily recommend.
(Parm)
April 18, 2014
When I was a kid we used to go to the movies on Saturday. One of the features were the Saturday morning serials with a hero like Flash Gordon. These were cliffhangers where, at the end of each episode, Flash found himself in a predicament that seemed inescapable. Yet, he would always escape in imaginative and surprising ways.
Nikias, the hero of The Warrior Trilogy (Sons of Zeus was part one and Spartans at the Gates is part two) takes cliffhangers to a new level and does it in an historical setting that rivals science fiction. Ancient Greece with it’s myriad city-states and unique cultures and tribes is stranger than the planet Dune. You will marvel at the weirdness of Spartans, Megarians and Skythians and other strange peoples who aid or obstruct Nikias’s quest to Athens to raise a troop of warriors to return with him to fight against the Spartans and their mercenaries who are marshaling a scary army at the gates of Platea, (Nikias’s home city) ready to lay siege as part of the Spartans’ war with Athens.
Nikias, trained almost from birth as a pankrator (martial artist), is waylaid, tricked, chased, duped, seduced, imprisoned, tortured and nearly drowned as he makes his way through the capital. Somehow he manages to wriggle out of every dilemma but not without a great deal of suffering and agony and even, shockingly, the loss of a …
You won’t find any spoilers in this review but I will predict you will be anxious for the third installment due out in June of 2015—The Sword of Apollo.
Spartans at the Gates is a wild and breathless ride through Ancient Greece which will leave you gasping and slapping your forehead in amazement of the ways Nikias is able to dodge the bullet (or, in this case the sword, dagger or arrow) and make his way toward his end goal.
Spartans at the Gates is a page turner.
April 21, 2014
**I Won this book as an Advanced Read Copy**
Set in ancient Greece, one city is determined to survive no matter the costs. Nikias is the son of the leader of the Platean city where they dwell. After a brutal surprise attack left the city reeling and the threat of another attack on its way, Nikias makes his decision, against his grandfather's wishes, to travel to Athens to search for warriors to come and defend his city from the Spartan attack.
As the old addage goes, if you go in search of trouble, trouble will find you. Almost from the beginning of the journey, Nikias is beset by troubles, those who are looking to kill him or those looking to use him to further their own cause. Although there are a few friends along the way, he he must be wary everywhere he looks and steps to avoid as much trouble as possible.
Eventually he is ready to make his way home, but will he get there in time to save his city from the Spartan Army?
I really enjoyed reading through this book. The story line was wonderful and it draws the reader in. You feel as though you become a part of the story itself, and you find yourself unable to put the book down. Noble Smith knows how to weave a story, and draw each character in to where they are all part of the tapestry. The one downside to the book for me was the blatant homosexuality that played through the entire story. Although in Greece it was not uncommon for some men to practice it to a point, it was played up in this book, and that is the only reason I could not give it five stars. Even without it, the book would have stood on its own. I really enjoyed the story line and the story of Nikias.
Set in ancient Greece, one city is determined to survive no matter the costs. Nikias is the son of the leader of the Platean city where they dwell. After a brutal surprise attack left the city reeling and the threat of another attack on its way, Nikias makes his decision, against his grandfather's wishes, to travel to Athens to search for warriors to come and defend his city from the Spartan attack.
As the old addage goes, if you go in search of trouble, trouble will find you. Almost from the beginning of the journey, Nikias is beset by troubles, those who are looking to kill him or those looking to use him to further their own cause. Although there are a few friends along the way, he he must be wary everywhere he looks and steps to avoid as much trouble as possible.
Eventually he is ready to make his way home, but will he get there in time to save his city from the Spartan Army?
I really enjoyed reading through this book. The story line was wonderful and it draws the reader in. You feel as though you become a part of the story itself, and you find yourself unable to put the book down. Noble Smith knows how to weave a story, and draw each character in to where they are all part of the tapestry. The one downside to the book for me was the blatant homosexuality that played through the entire story. Although in Greece it was not uncommon for some men to practice it to a point, it was played up in this book, and that is the only reason I could not give it five stars. Even without it, the book would have stood on its own. I really enjoyed the story line and the story of Nikias.
October 5, 2014
I was a bit afraid of a let down after the literary high that Noble Smith put me on in Sons Of Zeus, book one of his historical fiction trilogy set in ancient Greece. Spartans at the Gates delivers and in astonishing ways. Smith paints an amazingly detailed picture of the intricate politics, military drum beating and alliances among the Greek states at the start of the Peloponnesian War.
At the heart, however, is a truly human story of the nobility of his central characters' struggle against adversity and love (perhaps) conquering all. Smith's characters are at once believable and surprising. There are twists, bloody clashes, and political intrigue aplenty for this to be considered an action spy/thriller that renders the Jason Bourne series dull and slow.
True to history, the ancients – good and bad guys – are merciless with their enemies and have few qualms about using extreme methods to extract information. Suffice to say, waterboarding isn't among their techniques.
It was tough for me to get over my admiration of ancient Spartans and to view them as bad guys but Smith had me rooting every time a red cape went down.
I'm a stickler about neat endings and, again, Spartans at the Gates concludes in a smart and satisfying way. I'm reminded of James Clavell's clever and possibly best writing coming at the end of his best-selling historical fiction adventures. There are lots of places to go with the third and final part of the series but for now Smith has shown he respects the reader's need to keep things today before allowing all hell to break loose in the next adventure.
Well done.
At the heart, however, is a truly human story of the nobility of his central characters' struggle against adversity and love (perhaps) conquering all. Smith's characters are at once believable and surprising. There are twists, bloody clashes, and political intrigue aplenty for this to be considered an action spy/thriller that renders the Jason Bourne series dull and slow.
True to history, the ancients – good and bad guys – are merciless with their enemies and have few qualms about using extreme methods to extract information. Suffice to say, waterboarding isn't among their techniques.
It was tough for me to get over my admiration of ancient Spartans and to view them as bad guys but Smith had me rooting every time a red cape went down.
I'm a stickler about neat endings and, again, Spartans at the Gates concludes in a smart and satisfying way. I'm reminded of James Clavell's clever and possibly best writing coming at the end of his best-selling historical fiction adventures. There are lots of places to go with the third and final part of the series but for now Smith has shown he respects the reader's need to keep things today before allowing all hell to break loose in the next adventure.
Well done.
February 11, 2015
Noble Smith has done it yet again with the 2nd installment in his "Warrior Trilogy", "Spartans at the Gates". In this 2nd installment we the reader have a three-fold story going with Nikias headed to Athens to try to recruit some mercenaries to help defend Platea along with his friend Kolax who ends up looking for his father. There's also Chusor along for the ride as he tries to locate a former conquest in Athens. Each harrowing step of the way Smith keeps us in a page-turner that has us back in the 5th century B.C. as we the reader witness battles, betrayals as well as love & loss with a historical accuracy that is a hallmark of this series. Of the 3 story lines which eventually intersect after a climactic end, it's the stories of Nikias & Kolax that to me remain the most intriguing. With Kolax, its the reunion with his father who nearly has him killed that is one of the most striking moments in this story. With Nikias, though, we see him grow as a character & witness every emotion imaginable under the sun as he is drugged & tortured amongst other things & remains a big part of this series. Overall, another solid middle entry in this series which has this reader looking forward to the finale.
July 21, 2016
There's no downtime in this rollicking adventure, a follow-up to Smith's Sons of Zeus. Spartans picks up where Zeus left off, with our young Greek hero, Nikias, racing to Athens to recruit mercenary forces to protect his besieged home city of Plataea. Nikias takes a veritable smorgasbord of beatings at the hands of many gruesome, ruthless enemies, but dude's like a Timex-- he takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
I loved how the stories of some of the secondary characters were further developed in Spartans, especially that of Chusor the metalsmith, who is up to his own mischief while Nikias is off getting his face rearranged.
Non-stop action, twists, turns, and a surprise at the end make this historical adventure a winner. Forget the wrathful Dog Raiders and Eurymakus with his freaky dagger. Waiting for the next installment in the Warrior Trilogy? That is truly torturous.
I loved how the stories of some of the secondary characters were further developed in Spartans, especially that of Chusor the metalsmith, who is up to his own mischief while Nikias is off getting his face rearranged.
Non-stop action, twists, turns, and a surprise at the end make this historical adventure a winner. Forget the wrathful Dog Raiders and Eurymakus with his freaky dagger. Waiting for the next installment in the Warrior Trilogy? That is truly torturous.
September 18, 2015
If you liked HOB's "Rome", you'll love this book!
I didn't know . it was part of a series until the very end, but it would have been a great stand alone book nonetheless. The sex scenes were a bit graphic for my taste & could have been left out in my opinion, but the rest of the story was great! I'll definitely be going back to read or listen to the previous books as well as the next one(s). The only audiobook complaint I have is that the reader unnecessarily pronounced silent H's (whip, whirl, etc), which was kind of annoying.
I didn't know . it was part of a series until the very end, but it would have been a great stand alone book nonetheless. The sex scenes were a bit graphic for my taste & could have been left out in my opinion, but the rest of the story was great! I'll definitely be going back to read or listen to the previous books as well as the next one(s). The only audiobook complaint I have is that the reader unnecessarily pronounced silent H's (whip, whirl, etc), which was kind of annoying.
Read
April 18, 2015Wow. Started Sons of Zeus last night, and finished before noon today. Could not put it down....very compelling. As someone once said, "A good book invites you in, but a great book gives you no choice." Headed out to find the next book in the trilogy now. Compelling non-stop action. Move over Tom Clancey, Vince Flynn,and John Birmingham. Going out to find Spartans at the Gates now.
August 11, 2016
ARC Giveaway... I was a bit thrown off because I am unsure if I should have started with the 1st book of the trilogy to have better understood the storyline. But I will give this book another try later this summer.
July 5, 2014
very good book very quick read cant wait for the third one to come out
May 30, 2014
Review forthcoming...
September 12, 2016
The story was okay, but it was predictable and the characters needed more depth.
August 31, 2014
Fantastic continuation of the Warrior Trilogy. Brilliantly written!
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