Trying War

Hero Trilogy #2

by S.D. Gentill

Like it’s prequel, Trying War pulls together tales from Greek mythology. These stories do not contradict legend but provide another story/alternate explanation within ancient Greek history.

Most importantly, this is a great adventure story. It continues to follow the journeys of the four young protagonists, Hero and her three brothers (Mac, Cad, and Lycon). Trying War is darker than Chasing Odysseus.

In writing a series for young adults (as well as adult fiction), S. D Gentill follows in the footsteps of other acclaimed writers, such as Emily Rodda/Jennifer Rowe and Kate Forsyth.

While her fast-moving quest is loosely based on Homer’s mythical The Odyssey and the infamous fall of the ancient city of Troy, S. D Gentill creates twist after extraordinary twist for her four heroes that will keep today’s young readers gripped and enthralled from start to finish.

Genres: Mythology, Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Greek Mythology

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2012

Reviews

[Romi (likes books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Pantera Press for this review copy!

I really enjoyed Trying War. This is a series I remember how much I loved when I slip back into it, and I so enjoyed Hero's character expansion, seeing just how much her brothers adored her, in this novel- quite possibly it's my favourite out of all the books. Hero being my favourite character, she really blossomed in this book and I loved the journey they all took.

[TheMadHatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You think simply, son of Agelaus," Ares retorted.
"Without war how will tyranny be resisted, how will freedom be won? The spirit of man is determined by those things for which he is willing to fight."

Even though this series was released over 10 years ago and is written by a very well known and respected Aussie Author it only has 93 ratings on goodreads as I am writing this. That I don't understand.....

This idea for this series is so clever and is a must for anyone who even slightly enjoys stories about the Greek Gods. Book #1 (Chasing Odysseus) was a re-telling of events from the Odyssey as told by the herdmen who lived on the hills surrounding Troy. The story focused on three brothers and their sister Hero. The second book starts with Hero being abducted by the Amazons and her brothers setting off to rescue her. The book has action and adventure. It has Gods and well known characters from mythology and is so beautifully written that I scream how can this only have 93 ratings. I will definitely pick up book #3 at some stage as this was a lovely read and I hope that more people come across this little bit of magic.

Reading Challenge
Aussie Readers 2023 Aussie Author "Opposites Attract" challenge: Read an ebook and read a physical book
Aussie Readers 2023 A-Z Title Challenge: Read a book with a title starting with T
Aussie Readers 2022-23 Summer Challenges: Read books where the first letter of the title spells out the title of your favourite book Finnikin of the Rock (T = Trying)
Aussie Readers 2023 Colour Challenge: "Orange" - Read a book with an orange cover
Aussie Readers 2023 February "Kate Forsyth" Challenge: Read books with titles/authors that spell out Fantasy (t = Trying)

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story in this trilogy. Plenty of ancient characters, mortal and immortal, make an appearance in this exciting adventure. Vivid action scenes, quests and rescues make for page-turning reading.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying War takes up the story of Hero and her brothers right where Chasing Odysseus leaves off. The reader is taken first into an atmospheric, evocative prologue in the viewpoint of Pan, the goat-footed god, who reflects on the events of Chasing Odysseus. It's an inventive, interesting way to remind the reader of what has happened up to now.

Without any more preamble, the reader is swept into the siblings' next wild adventure. After the culmination of their encounter with Odysseus, they sail for Troy. As they approach their homeland in the magical Phaeacian ship Pan leant them, they can't even land in peace--they fall under attack as they enter the bay. It's the Amazons, who have come to fetch (kidnap) Pentheselia's child, Hero, though she was discarded as an infant for being "flawed." (Her eyes aren't very strong.) Now, all of a sudden, they apparently require her again, and they're willing to kill thousands in order to achieve their aim. They call Hero "Bremusa," which must have been the name Pentheselia gave her when she was born. Needless to say, the Amazons, a fierce fighting tribe, overpower the other Herdsmen and Hero's brothers, who are held captive. Seconds only remain until every one of them is slaughtered. Hero steps in and offers herself, if the attackers will spare the others. The Amazons accept her offer and off she goes, leaving her brothers broken-hearted, terrified for their sister's safety, and resolved to get her back.

Hero, or Bremusa, has been taken with the intent of becoming lover to the war-god, Ares, because the Amazons are convinced their god has abandoned them. Machaon, Lycon, and Cadmus, with the aid of their dead brother Paris's first wife, Oenone, sail after Hero.

Oenone has been largely forgotten in the myths that have come down through the centuries, in favor of the more glamorous tale of Paris and Helen. But yes, Paris was committed to another woman before Helen came along. In Trying War, Oenone is brought to glorious life. She almost steals the story! We get to know her in a wonderfully detailed way, her endless grief, her continuing love for Paris, her anger and rage at him too. All are in the pages of Trying War, and she is fleshed out so beautifully that her character alone makes the book worth reading. BUT, there's much more to Trying War.

The reader will also be exposed to (I don't know how else to put it) Medea, yes, the very same who was abandoned by Jason (of the Golden Fleece). She is gorgeous, and delightfully evil. Also the Erinyes, who are spine-chillingly described: "Taller and larger than most men they stood naked to the waist. Withered breasts hung low and pendulous over folds of flaking skin. Serpents sprang from their scalps like hair, and fought, devoured and regurgitated one another without pause or concern for their hosts. The Erinyes' crude features were stained with the blood and gore of losing vipers." Poor Machaon, Hero's eldest brother, falls victim to Medea and the Erinyes; the outcome of this betrayal concerns all the protagonists. Trying War also contains (barely) Electra, Orestes, and Oedipus! Besides entwining with the stories of all these famed mythical characters with whom we've grown up, we actually encounter the gods and goddesses themselves in Trying War, for Ares himself is put on trial (Trying War!) by his Immortal brothers and sisters. And who finds their way right smack dab in the middle of this earth-shaking event? Yes, Hero, Machaon, Cadmus, Lycon and Oenone.

Trying War holds many twists and turns. Good battles evil and the outcome is never a foregone conclusion. I was swept along with the siblings as they literally fight for their lives against Zeus and his Immortal companions.

I found this sequel addicting, and couldn't wait to get back to it when I had to do other things. I just received "The Blood of Wolves," book 3 (and I think the conclusion of this story) a few days ago, and will be reading it as soon as I finish my current read.

[Courtney Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided to give the second book in this trilogy a go, after loving the conceit of the first, but not entirely enjoying the result.

I finished the book last week, amidst KiwiFoo/Webstock exhaustion, and I'm ashamed to say I forget what happened to start the action, and I had to reopen the book to find out.

So, to recap. It's a re-take on the Iliad told from the point of view of the Herdsmen, who lived in the hills of Mt Ida outside Troy and supported the Trojans. In particular, it's the story for four teenagers, adopted brothers of the King of the Herdsmen, Machaon, Cadmus and Lycon and their adopted sister Hero. All are abandoned offspring of the Amazons; the boys because they are unneeded, Hero because she has poor eyesight and is considered deficient; a sub-standard warrior woman.

Things are not going well among the Amazons however, and they make the decision to raid Troy and kidnap Hero (who, in addition to being deficient, is the daughter of Pentheseleia, Queen of the Amazons, who died in the Trojan war).

And so the questing that was the centre of 'Chasing Odysseus' begins again, with the three heroic teenage boys ripping off (carting Paris's first wife, the nymph Oenone, in tow, and collecting the witch-princess and granddaughter of Helios, Meda, along the way) to save her. Like 'Chasing Odysseus', it's a rollicking tale with plenty of humour and spiced with grisly danger and horror. The cloying aspects of the first book that turned me off have been reduced, and the personalities of the three boys com through more strongly, as they become the chief focus of the book.

It's not quite thrilling or moving enough, or sufficiently well-written to move up to four stars - I won't read it again, and I didn't dog-ear a single page. But as solid YA action saga, with a good deep Ancient Grecian flavour, it's hard to fault.

[kim hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Loved it!

The characters relationships. Machaon, Cadmus and Lycon's love for Hero is just sweet and beautiful. Oenone's love for Paris is undying and she definitely deserved better. A father's love for his daughter. It's just so beautiful.

The plot was just interesting and leaves you always wanting to know more! The suspense of what's going to happen to everyone next, how everyone is connected.

I'm looking forward to reading the last book of the series. I'm not sure I want to part with these characters yet though :( I'll be sad to say goodbye.

I guess we'll just have to see.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story... Like the first the beautiful and kind hearts of the main characters drive the story... and I can never pass up on Greek mythology! A beautiful ending to the second instalment - can't wait to start the third and final book...

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one (though I really liked that one too). But why did Oenone have to die! I mean, I kind of expected it but still! And is it just me but I really liked her relationship with Machaon.

[Claire Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my favourite so far. A well written story that I love. It put a twist on the old Greek myths and I loved the way the author has intricately woven details from these myths. She included every detail from the old texts and told them in a way that puts things in perspective.

[Yvonne Boag · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the series that you recommend when someone says " I really enjoyed Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. What should I read next?"

[mary do · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, that hint of romance. The story was fantastic and I am happy with relief after such a plot.