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Ashes of Olympus #2
The Ivory Gate
Shatter the peace.
Summon the Furies.
The Underworld awaits…
Realising his quest for a homeland is not complete, Aeneas must forsake happiness and love to lead his people into the mist-shrouded land of Italia. The words of prophecy say this is where the children of Troy belong. Yet the fiery Princess Lavinia will not allow Aeneas to settle in her country and rallies her people to war. Facing an impossible choice, Aeneas must descend to the world of the dead to learn a dark truth. No longer able to escape his destiny, Aeneas must become what he has always feared.
The next instalment in a trilogy based on Virgil’s epic poetry, Ashes of Olympus: The Ivory Gate is a tale of war, sacrifice and triumph.
Summon the Furies.
The Underworld awaits…
Realising his quest for a homeland is not complete, Aeneas must forsake happiness and love to lead his people into the mist-shrouded land of Italia. The words of prophecy say this is where the children of Troy belong. Yet the fiery Princess Lavinia will not allow Aeneas to settle in her country and rallies her people to war. Facing an impossible choice, Aeneas must descend to the world of the dead to learn a dark truth. No longer able to escape his destiny, Aeneas must become what he has always feared.
The next instalment in a trilogy based on Virgil’s epic poetry, Ashes of Olympus: The Ivory Gate is a tale of war, sacrifice and triumph.
250 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2019
14 people want to read
About the author
Julian Barr
8 books18 followersJulian Barr first fell in love with all things Greek and Roman in childhood, when he staged the epic tale of the Emperor Claudius using sock puppets. After his PhD in Classics, he did a brief stint as a schoolteacher, hated being called ‘sir,’ and dived into storytelling. Although he remains open to the possibilities of sock puppet theatre, historical fantasy is his passion. He has published scholarly research on Roman medicine and the gastronomic habits of Centaurs but prefers to think of himself as an itinerant bard. Ashes of Olympus: The Way Home is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 24, 2019
"This is no game .. Zeus means for the Trojan bloodline to join that of the Latins. His empire will mean starvation for all gods. Go now. Shatter the peace, turn brother against brother.’ Hera to Athena and Ares."
In 'The Way Home', the first book of 'The Ashes of Olympus' trilogy, the survivors of Troy flee the Greeks and take to the wind dark sea to find a new home. You might like to read my review also on Goodreads.
Now in 'The Ivory Gate' Julian Barr continues this emotive and action packed story. We are reminded that Aeneas’ troubles, the fate of the Trojan’s and of the Latins, all arise from the feud between the goddesses Aphrodite and Hera. I like how Julian Barr gives us gods you can not only fear but also feel for. Hera’s machinations, for instance, are driven by her quite understandable desire to protect her daughter, Queen Dido of Karkhedon (later known as ‘Carthage’).
Aphrodite recruits the Furies, Poseidon, Cyclops and Hephaestus, god of fire and forger of weapons. Hera ramps up this arms race by summoning not only the warrior Athena but also the war god himself, Ares. And this is no mere spat among the Olympians. This is for their survival.
As the narrative moves from Karkhedon to Scilia and on to Italia, the mortals struggle on, protecting their loves and striving for their destinies even as the Olympians wreak havoc. Julian Barr brings to life Dido's anguish at being abandoned by her lover Aeneas, his clumsy attempts to connect with his son Julos who in turn resents being pulled away from Dido, the only mother figure he has known, Lavinia's attempts to live up to her father's memory, Beroe's smouldering grief at the loss of her partner.
There are many reasons for me to give this trilogy my whole hearted recommendation: it brings to life the misty times of legend, it delivers Virgil's stories in an exciting form to a modern audience, it contains maps and superb illustrations, and anyway I simply love stories like this.
In 'The Way Home', the first book of 'The Ashes of Olympus' trilogy, the survivors of Troy flee the Greeks and take to the wind dark sea to find a new home. You might like to read my review also on Goodreads.
Now in 'The Ivory Gate' Julian Barr continues this emotive and action packed story. We are reminded that Aeneas’ troubles, the fate of the Trojan’s and of the Latins, all arise from the feud between the goddesses Aphrodite and Hera. I like how Julian Barr gives us gods you can not only fear but also feel for. Hera’s machinations, for instance, are driven by her quite understandable desire to protect her daughter, Queen Dido of Karkhedon (later known as ‘Carthage’).
Aphrodite recruits the Furies, Poseidon, Cyclops and Hephaestus, god of fire and forger of weapons. Hera ramps up this arms race by summoning not only the warrior Athena but also the war god himself, Ares. And this is no mere spat among the Olympians. This is for their survival.
As the narrative moves from Karkhedon to Scilia and on to Italia, the mortals struggle on, protecting their loves and striving for their destinies even as the Olympians wreak havoc. Julian Barr brings to life Dido's anguish at being abandoned by her lover Aeneas, his clumsy attempts to connect with his son Julos who in turn resents being pulled away from Dido, the only mother figure he has known, Lavinia's attempts to live up to her father's memory, Beroe's smouldering grief at the loss of her partner.
There are many reasons for me to give this trilogy my whole hearted recommendation: it brings to life the misty times of legend, it delivers Virgil's stories in an exciting form to a modern audience, it contains maps and superb illustrations, and anyway I simply love stories like this.
December 5, 2019
Julian Barr does it again with this sequel to The Way Home, the first in his Ashes of Olympus series. Aeneas struggles with accepting his destiny due to the high cost he knows he will have to pay to make it happen. Full of great characters and thrilling adventure, this story will not disappoint. A great story if you are looking for a retelling of the Aeneid.
One this I did struggle with was the large cast of characters introduced at the beginning, especially as many of them had names that started with A. (What's with all those gods, Athena, Aphrodite, Ares...)
Overall, a great story, and I can't wait until the third part is released.
One this I did struggle with was the large cast of characters introduced at the beginning, especially as many of them had names that started with A. (What's with all those gods, Athena, Aphrodite, Ares...)
Overall, a great story, and I can't wait until the third part is released.
December 5, 2019
More Marvellous Myth
A great continuation of the tale of Aeneas and the other Trojan refugees. More divine machinations, plans unfolding whilst the mortal pawns have to take stock of the situation and make difficult choices. More great development, dialog with relevance, all helping the story move forward; plus some interesting locations.
I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment, hence the 5 stars, a solid addition to the series. Whilst I was gifted this book, I scored the first book 5stars, so I feel you can ignore this aspect 😉 I look forward to the next book.
A great continuation of the tale of Aeneas and the other Trojan refugees. More divine machinations, plans unfolding whilst the mortal pawns have to take stock of the situation and make difficult choices. More great development, dialog with relevance, all helping the story move forward; plus some interesting locations.
I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment, hence the 5 stars, a solid addition to the series. Whilst I was gifted this book, I scored the first book 5stars, so I feel you can ignore this aspect 😉 I look forward to the next book.
January 5, 2020
A riveting first chapter tipped me right back into the world of the Trojan hero, Aeneas. Like the first in the series, The Ivory Gate has plenty of action, but this sequel also found room for a few more reflective moments.
After several years of ‘soft living’ in Karkhedon, the Trojans leave to search for their ultimate home. Meanwhile the gods plot and scheme in the background, moving in and out of the story with consummate ease.
This well-told tale boasts a wide cast of characters, with some of my favourites the mute Lavinia, Beroe the strong fisherwoman, and the royal Dido. Each character, major or minor, was drawn with the utmost care and felt achingly real. Aeneas himself is driven by destiny but burdened by guilt, and has to deal with the choices he has made thus far. The abandonment of his lover Dido was a particularly poignant scene, as were those showing the hero’s true tenderness and concern for his son, Julos.
The end of the story is an intriguing one and hints at an epic battle to come. Julian Barr’s writing goes from strength to strength and I'm excited to see how the trilogy wraps up!
After several years of ‘soft living’ in Karkhedon, the Trojans leave to search for their ultimate home. Meanwhile the gods plot and scheme in the background, moving in and out of the story with consummate ease.
This well-told tale boasts a wide cast of characters, with some of my favourites the mute Lavinia, Beroe the strong fisherwoman, and the royal Dido. Each character, major or minor, was drawn with the utmost care and felt achingly real. Aeneas himself is driven by destiny but burdened by guilt, and has to deal with the choices he has made thus far. The abandonment of his lover Dido was a particularly poignant scene, as were those showing the hero’s true tenderness and concern for his son, Julos.
The end of the story is an intriguing one and hints at an epic battle to come. Julian Barr’s writing goes from strength to strength and I'm excited to see how the trilogy wraps up!
November 20, 2019
Aeneas pushes on…
Plagued with nightmares, Aeneas is driven to take his people home. This book raises the stakes as the hero makes choices that have major consequences. The gods are wickedly meddlesome. The lines of friend and foe are blurred. Honestly, at times I wanted to slap Aeneas. The second book in a trilogy is always a little difficult because it’s more story building than action. The pace is definitely slower than The Way Home but Julian sets up the pieces beautifully, and the conclusion left me thirsting for book three and the end of the story.
Plagued with nightmares, Aeneas is driven to take his people home. This book raises the stakes as the hero makes choices that have major consequences. The gods are wickedly meddlesome. The lines of friend and foe are blurred. Honestly, at times I wanted to slap Aeneas. The second book in a trilogy is always a little difficult because it’s more story building than action. The pace is definitely slower than The Way Home but Julian sets up the pieces beautifully, and the conclusion left me thirsting for book three and the end of the story.
June 9, 2020
Review to follow.
Update 09.06.2020
Originally published at Hina Loves To Read
Once I had finished the first book in this trilogy, I wanted to start this one ASAP but obviously that was not to be and it took me some time to get to this one and it was a very adventurous ride.
The action packed journey continued as the Trojans tried to find a home for themselves as everyone made a life for themselves amidst the games and enmities of the gods.
The emotions, too, run high as Dido tries to forge a relationship while Aeneas keeps holding back. As Dido and Julos bond survives a parting turning Julos bitter towards his father for having been snatched from the only mother Julos had known.
That’s not the only family struggling. We have Lavinia who has her own battles to fight as she continues to make a place for herself and keeping claim to that place without a voice.
The best part about reading this trilogy? It is written in a way that transports you to the days of Olympus and you could feel having a front row seat in all the ensuing drama.
Waiting impatiently to get the third book in my hands.
Highly recommended if you are into Mythology and / or Fantasy.
Update 09.06.2020
Originally published at Hina Loves To Read
Once I had finished the first book in this trilogy, I wanted to start this one ASAP but obviously that was not to be and it took me some time to get to this one and it was a very adventurous ride.
The action packed journey continued as the Trojans tried to find a home for themselves as everyone made a life for themselves amidst the games and enmities of the gods.
The emotions, too, run high as Dido tries to forge a relationship while Aeneas keeps holding back. As Dido and Julos bond survives a parting turning Julos bitter towards his father for having been snatched from the only mother Julos had known.
That’s not the only family struggling. We have Lavinia who has her own battles to fight as she continues to make a place for herself and keeping claim to that place without a voice.
The best part about reading this trilogy? It is written in a way that transports you to the days of Olympus and you could feel having a front row seat in all the ensuing drama.
Waiting impatiently to get the third book in my hands.
Highly recommended if you are into Mythology and / or Fantasy.
November 26, 2019
A modern retelling of ancient tales
Barr does a brilliant job of evoking the smells, tastes, and sounds of the ancient world while at the same time making the characters' emotions and motivations clear.
Barr does a brilliant job of evoking the smells, tastes, and sounds of the ancient world while at the same time making the characters' emotions and motivations clear.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews