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Adventures of Odysseus #2
The Gates of Troy
War is coming - and nothing can stop it... Settled in his small island kingdom, Odysseus wants nothing more than to rule Ithaca in peace. Meanwhile his warrior friend Eperitus , frustrated at his quiet life, dreams of glory in battle. But when Agamemnon's fleet appears on the horizon, Odysseus knows that war is upon him. Helen of Sparta has been abducted by a Trojan prince and the armies of Greece are gathering. As the greatest heroes flock to the crusade, only one is missing. Odysseus knows that without Achilles , the gates of Troy will never fall. He must use all his cunning to hunt him down and persuade him to join their cause... From the Greek islands to the fearsome walls of Troy, this is a novel of pulse-racing battle and intrigue, perfect for readers of Tad Williams , Ben Kane and Conn Iggulden.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2009
70 people are currently reading
485 people want to read
About the author
Glyn Iliffe
14 books96 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 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 31, 2021
Time to go back to Odysseus. The first one was interesting, when I started to become wander a little Mr. Iliffe brought something forward and recharged me, not so much this time....
While Mr. Iliffe does an admirable job following Homer and others and more importantly weaving the gods and goddesses in, I had problems with 5he telling. I’m going to open my critical assessment by saying there’s no passion here. Helen is flat and Paris is worse. What I found particularly failing was that Paris is an accomplished warrior. Oh well. What totally failed me though and set me against the book (almost causes a 2 star rating) is when Mr. Iliffe has the Spartan warrior fooled by the Trojan warriors carrying Spartan weapons while in Trojan garb (failure...). Warriors don’t look at the sword or spear being carried but the “uniform” and do they recognize the person for smaller units (like a household guard). Failure...
The combats and the situation also fails. Mr. Iliffe has Troy pulling their forces together for a future invasion of Greece implying thousands of warriors and ships which logistically Troy wouldn’t be able to maintain much less continually pay for. This amplified once the “Greeks” land and the Trojans (with Hector leading them) immediately respond with a large force that almost throws the “Greeks” back into the sea. Please Mr. Iliffe, a little military history and reality could have made this a good ending,instead it’s wasted with a Bronze Age military rapidly responding to an enemy’s landing which is doubtful in the extreme because only a limited amount of your force would be “on duty” (you could argue they were training but Mr. Iliffe had them coming out of the gates of Troy, not a training environment) and need to armor up and then get into position to attack the landing.
Ok, I rated this three stars and have bashed it, what brought it up. Honestly I’ll say this is between 2 and 3 stars for me and gave it the increase because I like the main characters and the weaving of the gods/goddesses. Odysseus, Eperitus, and Clytemnestra are nicely done and the interaction with the gods/goddesses help a lot. Without them, I’d have dropped the story early on.
While Mr. Iliffe does an admirable job following Homer and others and more importantly weaving the gods and goddesses in, I had problems with 5he telling. I’m going to open my critical assessment by saying there’s no passion here. Helen is flat and Paris is worse. What I found particularly failing was that Paris is an accomplished warrior. Oh well. What totally failed me though and set me against the book (almost causes a 2 star rating) is when Mr. Iliffe has the Spartan warrior fooled by the Trojan warriors carrying Spartan weapons while in Trojan garb (failure...). Warriors don’t look at the sword or spear being carried but the “uniform” and do they recognize the person for smaller units (like a household guard). Failure...
The combats and the situation also fails. Mr. Iliffe has Troy pulling their forces together for a future invasion of Greece implying thousands of warriors and ships which logistically Troy wouldn’t be able to maintain much less continually pay for. This amplified once the “Greeks” land and the Trojans (with Hector leading them) immediately respond with a large force that almost throws the “Greeks” back into the sea. Please Mr. Iliffe, a little military history and reality could have made this a good ending,instead it’s wasted with a Bronze Age military rapidly responding to an enemy’s landing which is doubtful in the extreme because only a limited amount of your force would be “on duty” (you could argue they were training but Mr. Iliffe had them coming out of the gates of Troy, not a training environment) and need to armor up and then get into position to attack the landing.
Ok, I rated this three stars and have bashed it, what brought it up. Honestly I’ll say this is between 2 and 3 stars for me and gave it the increase because I like the main characters and the weaving of the gods/goddesses. Odysseus, Eperitus, and Clytemnestra are nicely done and the interaction with the gods/goddesses help a lot. Without them, I’d have dropped the story early on.
January 3, 2018
Οι πύλες της Τροίας
December 26, 2013
gatesoftroy
A little about the author of this masterful series on Odysseus and The Trojan War.
I’d like to say my early years were spent in libraries and book shops, hungry for novels to feed the fires of my youthful imagination. Instead I spent most of it playing with Action Men in the back garden, knocking a cricket ball around the green in front of my house or exploring the local countryside with my cousins. I’d always enjoyed writing, though, and dreamed of being an author since primary school. The dream became an ambition after I read The Lord of the Rings at the age of 12. I tried my hand at a couple of novels in my teens and early twenties but, after getting nowhere, decided I lacked the experience necessary to write something of worth. So, with £2,000 and a ticket to Bombay, I set off to explore the world. India was a shock, but after a couple of weeks of homesickness I began to appreciate the fact I was on an adventure. Six months and several countries later I returned to England a different man – experienced, confident and broke.
The need for money drove me to a job packing tampons in a factory. It was quite a low after the highs of trekking the Himalayas and hitch-hiking across North America. But as luck would have it my neighbour on the production line had recently graduated and persuaded me to get a university education (not that he was a great advert, considering he, too, was packing tampons!) I’d seen the light, though, and after studying A-level English at night school and adding this to my other lacklustre qualifications managed to secure a place on an English and Classics degree course at Reading University. Three glorious years followed in which I was sucked into a world of Homer, Hesiod, Euripedes, Ovid, Virgil, Milton, Spencer and a host of others, as well as enjoying all the other benefits life at university can provide. But when the end came I found myself once more broke – indebted, even – and in another unhappy job (this time working in a call centre).
It was then I decided to return to my youthful ambition to be an author. The old adage is “write what you know”, so having spent three years studying Greek mythology I decided on a series of books telling the story of Odysseus. That was 1999, when there weren’t any current novels about the ancient world. After a long and bumpy journey – see the truth about being an author – I got my lucky break and King of Ithaca hit the bookshelves in 2008. It’s been a busy time since then, balancing a job, a family with two young (and demanding) daughters, and my love-hate relationship with writing. But I wouldn’t have it any other way!
http://www.glyniliffe.com/
My Review
Once again I found myself completely immersed in the lives of the heroes and the machinations of the gods as the story progresses from book 1, King of Ithaca. It is ten years later and Helen has been taken from Sparta; Odysseus is bound by an oath he suggested and so is obligated to fulfill his promise to Agamemnon. During those 10 years he has watched Ithaca thrive; has had 10 years of bliss with Penelope; has had a son born; and has no desire to leave. Eperitus, his friend and champion, on the other hand grows restless as he has an indomitable warrior's heart and spirit and longs to make an everlasting name for himself on the battlefield. These are just two of the examples of the turmoil and tension that permeates the pages of this book.
The author's treatment of Agamemnon and the sacrifice of Iphigenia is masterful and includes some nice plot twists that add to the suspense. I also enjoyed the ways in which Paris and Hector were portrayed...not the less than flattering Orlando Bloom edition nor the insular thinking Eric Bana version. Instead we find an accomplished warrior in Paris and a Hector who longs to expand his kingdom at the expense of the Greeks.
This is a most enjoyable take on the events preceding the invasion complete with Olympian interference and prophecies. My favorite take away from book 2 is that there are books 3 and 4 waiting for me. I look forward to spending the next '20 years' with Odysseus. 4 of 5 stars(well more like 4.5) :-)
A little about the author of this masterful series on Odysseus and The Trojan War.
I’d like to say my early years were spent in libraries and book shops, hungry for novels to feed the fires of my youthful imagination. Instead I spent most of it playing with Action Men in the back garden, knocking a cricket ball around the green in front of my house or exploring the local countryside with my cousins. I’d always enjoyed writing, though, and dreamed of being an author since primary school. The dream became an ambition after I read The Lord of the Rings at the age of 12. I tried my hand at a couple of novels in my teens and early twenties but, after getting nowhere, decided I lacked the experience necessary to write something of worth. So, with £2,000 and a ticket to Bombay, I set off to explore the world. India was a shock, but after a couple of weeks of homesickness I began to appreciate the fact I was on an adventure. Six months and several countries later I returned to England a different man – experienced, confident and broke.
The need for money drove me to a job packing tampons in a factory. It was quite a low after the highs of trekking the Himalayas and hitch-hiking across North America. But as luck would have it my neighbour on the production line had recently graduated and persuaded me to get a university education (not that he was a great advert, considering he, too, was packing tampons!) I’d seen the light, though, and after studying A-level English at night school and adding this to my other lacklustre qualifications managed to secure a place on an English and Classics degree course at Reading University. Three glorious years followed in which I was sucked into a world of Homer, Hesiod, Euripedes, Ovid, Virgil, Milton, Spencer and a host of others, as well as enjoying all the other benefits life at university can provide. But when the end came I found myself once more broke – indebted, even – and in another unhappy job (this time working in a call centre).
It was then I decided to return to my youthful ambition to be an author. The old adage is “write what you know”, so having spent three years studying Greek mythology I decided on a series of books telling the story of Odysseus. That was 1999, when there weren’t any current novels about the ancient world. After a long and bumpy journey – see the truth about being an author – I got my lucky break and King of Ithaca hit the bookshelves in 2008. It’s been a busy time since then, balancing a job, a family with two young (and demanding) daughters, and my love-hate relationship with writing. But I wouldn’t have it any other way!
http://www.glyniliffe.com/
My Review
Once again I found myself completely immersed in the lives of the heroes and the machinations of the gods as the story progresses from book 1, King of Ithaca. It is ten years later and Helen has been taken from Sparta; Odysseus is bound by an oath he suggested and so is obligated to fulfill his promise to Agamemnon. During those 10 years he has watched Ithaca thrive; has had 10 years of bliss with Penelope; has had a son born; and has no desire to leave. Eperitus, his friend and champion, on the other hand grows restless as he has an indomitable warrior's heart and spirit and longs to make an everlasting name for himself on the battlefield. These are just two of the examples of the turmoil and tension that permeates the pages of this book.
The author's treatment of Agamemnon and the sacrifice of Iphigenia is masterful and includes some nice plot twists that add to the suspense. I also enjoyed the ways in which Paris and Hector were portrayed...not the less than flattering Orlando Bloom edition nor the insular thinking Eric Bana version. Instead we find an accomplished warrior in Paris and a Hector who longs to expand his kingdom at the expense of the Greeks.
This is a most enjoyable take on the events preceding the invasion complete with Olympian interference and prophecies. My favorite take away from book 2 is that there are books 3 and 4 waiting for me. I look forward to spending the next '20 years' with Odysseus. 4 of 5 stars(well more like 4.5) :-)
November 20, 2024
Λοιπόν!
Εμφανή τα σημάδια βελτίωσης του κ. Iliffe!! Μου άρεσε πιο πολύ από το πρώτο βιβλίο!! Τα έχουμε πει, όμως! Δεν είμαι αντικειμενικός! Δώσε μου Αρχαία Ελλάδα και πάρε μου την ψυχή! Για δύο πράγματα νιώθω έτσι! Για την Αρχαία Ελλάδα και το κοκορέτσι! Από τη μία, λοιπόν, έχεις τον Οδυσσέα και την παλιοπαρέα του και από την άλλη έχεις την Τροία!! Έκτορας, Πάρις κτλ! Θα μου πεις "Αφού τα διαβάσαμε όλα αυτά στη Β' Γυμνασίου, γιατί να ασχοληθώ πάλι;;" Γιατί, πρώτα από όλα, μικρέ μου φίλε, Β' Γυμνασίου πηγαίναμε πριν από 20 χρόνια! Το μόνο που μπορεί να θυμάσαι από τη Β' Γυμνασίου είναι εκείνη η κοκκινομάλλα που καθόταν στο μπροστινό σου θρανίο και νόμιζες, τραβώντας της τα μαλλιά, ότι την φλερτάρεις, ενώ εκείνη γούσταρε τον καλύτερό σου φίλο, ο οποίος, όμως, ούτε να γυρίσει να την κοιτάξει, γιατί είχε μάτια μόνο για το ομορφότερο κορίτσι της τάξης, το οποίο ήταν, όμως, τελείως εκτός συναγωνισμού! Άντε, να θυμάσαι κιόλας ότι ο Αχιλλέας είχε ένα τρωτό σημείο, ο αστράγαλος ήταν, η γάμπα, θα σε γελάσω... Επιπλέον, σε αυτό το βιβλίο, ο συγγραφέας δε διηγείται απλά την Ιλιάδα! Κάτι τέτοιο θα ήταν απλά χαζό! Έχει προσθέσει και δικά του στοιχεία, όπως ένα νέο ήρωα, τον Ηπείρητο (φαντάζομαι ότι έτσι λέγεται στην ελληνική έκδοση, καθώς εγώ το διάβασα στα αγγλικά), ο οποίος είναι ένα μίγμα Arnold Schwarzenegger του Εξολοθρευτή με Arnold Schwarzenegger του Kindergarten Cop, καθώς είναι και γλυκούλης συνάμα! Επιπροσθέτως, κουβαλάει μαζί του ένα σωρό ψυχολογικά προβλήματα και μερικά κόμπλεξ, τα οποία μάλλον τα σκέφτηκε ο συγγραφέας αφού έγραψε το πρώτο βιβλίο, γιατί δε μας είχε προετοιμάσει ιδιαίτερα για αυτά!
Αρκετα γεγονότα (τα οποία δε θα τα αναφέρω, καθώς θα γεμίσει το κείμενο με σπόιλερς - και δεν εννοώ τύπου "οι Αχαιοί θα αλώσουν την Τροία ή ότι ο Αχιλλέας θα σκοτωθεί ή ότι ο Αγαμέμνων ήταν, είναι και θα είναι παπάρας", αυτά τα ξέρουμε, με αυτά μεγαλώσαμε) είναι βασισμένα στη φαντασία του συγγραφέα, τα οποία, όμως, εμένα δε με πείραξαν τόσο, κυρίως γιατί ο συγγραφέας βασίζεται στις αρχές της εποχής, τις οποίες μας περιέγραψε και ο Όμηρος, όπως το αίσθημα της τιμής, το βάρος του όρκου ή η κλασική υστεροφημία! "Πάω να πολεμήσω, γιατί δεν έχω τίποτα καλύτερο να κάνω, αφού δεν έχει εφευρεθεί ακόμα το PlayStation, αλλά δε με νοιάζει και τόσο, γιατί, αν σκοτωθώ, οι τροβαδούροι θα τραγουδούν για μένα και το όνομά μου θα μείνει γνωστό αιώνια!" Αυτό που δεν είπε κανένας στα παλικάρια που ξεσπιτώθηκαν για να περάσουν το Αιγαίο με τα μελτέμια του και να σκοτωθούν στις πεδιάδες του Ιλίου (όχι αυτού που είναι πάνω από το Περιστέρι και δίπλα στην Πετρούπολη) είναι ότι ζήτημα είναι να θυμάται κανείς 4-5 ονόματα από την Ιλιάδα, ενώ σκοτώθηκαν χιλιάδες, ρε φίλε! Και ο άλλος, αντί να προσέχει λίγο στο μάθημα να ξεστραβωθεί να μάθει τίποτα μπας και γλιτώσουν οι γονείς του κανένα χιλιάρικο που θα πάει αδικοχαμένο στα φροντιστήρια, κάθεται και χαζεύει την κοκκινομάλλα στο μπροστινό θρανίο! Ε, όχι, ρε φίλε! Όχι!!
Στα συν του βιβλίου, οι παραστατικές μάχες, καθώς και η απεικόνιση των ηρώων με τα πάθη και τα λάθη τους. Δεν έβαλα 5 αστέρια, πρώτον γιατί σήμερα η μέρα μου έχει πάει λίγο στραβά και δεύτερον γιατί ένιωσα ότι έχει ακόμα μπόλικα περιθώρια βελτίωσης! Έχουμε να διαβάσουμε και άλλα βιβλία στη συγκεκριμένη σειρά, οπότε ίδωμεν...
Εμφανή τα σημάδια βελτίωσης του κ. Iliffe!! Μου άρεσε πιο πολύ από το πρώτο βιβλίο!! Τα έχουμε πει, όμως! Δεν είμαι αντικειμενικός! Δώσε μου Αρχαία Ελλάδα και πάρε μου την ψυχή! Για δύο πράγματα νιώθω έτσι! Για την Αρχαία Ελλάδα και το κοκορέτσι! Από τη μία, λοιπόν, έχεις τον Οδυσσέα και την παλιοπαρέα του και από την άλλη έχεις την Τροία!! Έκτορας, Πάρις κτλ! Θα μου πεις "Αφού τα διαβάσαμε όλα αυτά στη Β' Γυμνασίου, γιατί να ασχοληθώ πάλι;;" Γιατί, πρώτα από όλα, μικρέ μου φίλε, Β' Γυμνασίου πηγαίναμε πριν από 20 χρόνια! Το μόνο που μπορεί να θυμάσαι από τη Β' Γυμνασίου είναι εκείνη η κοκκινομάλλα που καθόταν στο μπροστινό σου θρανίο και νόμιζες, τραβώντας της τα μαλλιά, ότι την φλερτάρεις, ενώ εκείνη γούσταρε τον καλύτερό σου φίλο, ο οποίος, όμως, ούτε να γυρίσει να την κοιτάξει, γιατί είχε μάτια μόνο για το ομορφότερο κορίτσι της τάξης, το οποίο ήταν, όμως, τελείως εκτός συναγωνισμού! Άντε, να θυμάσαι κιόλας ότι ο Αχιλλέας είχε ένα τρωτό σημείο, ο αστράγαλος ήταν, η γάμπα, θα σε γελάσω... Επιπλέον, σε αυτό το βιβλίο, ο συγγραφέας δε διηγείται απλά την Ιλιάδα! Κάτι τέτοιο θα ήταν απλά χαζό! Έχει προσθέσει και δικά του στοιχεία, όπως ένα νέο ήρωα, τον Ηπείρητο (φαντάζομαι ότι έτσι λέγεται στην ελληνική έκδοση, καθώς εγώ το διάβασα στα αγγλικά), ο οποίος είναι ένα μίγμα Arnold Schwarzenegger του Εξολοθρευτή με Arnold Schwarzenegger του Kindergarten Cop, καθώς είναι και γλυκούλης συνάμα! Επιπροσθέτως, κουβαλάει μαζί του ένα σωρό ψυχολογικά προβλήματα και μερικά κόμπλεξ, τα οποία μάλλον τα σκέφτηκε ο συγγραφέας αφού έγραψε το πρώτο βιβλίο, γιατί δε μας είχε προετοιμάσει ιδιαίτερα για αυτά!
Αρκετα γεγονότα (τα οποία δε θα τα αναφέρω, καθώς θα γεμίσει το κείμενο με σπόιλερς - και δεν εννοώ τύπου "οι Αχαιοί θα αλώσουν την Τροία ή ότι ο Αχιλλέας θα σκοτωθεί ή ότι ο Αγαμέμνων ήταν, είναι και θα είναι παπάρας", αυτά τα ξέρουμε, με αυτά μεγαλώσαμε) είναι βασισμένα στη φαντασία του συγγραφέα, τα οποία, όμως, εμένα δε με πείραξαν τόσο, κυρίως γιατί ο συγγραφέας βασίζεται στις αρχές της εποχής, τις οποίες μας περιέγραψε και ο Όμηρος, όπως το αίσθημα της τιμής, το βάρος του όρκου ή η κλασική υστεροφημία! "Πάω να πολεμήσω, γιατί δεν έχω τίποτα καλύτερο να κάνω, αφού δεν έχει εφευρεθεί ακόμα το PlayStation, αλλά δε με νοιάζει και τόσο, γιατί, αν σκοτωθώ, οι τροβαδούροι θα τραγουδούν για μένα και το όνομά μου θα μείνει γνωστό αιώνια!" Αυτό που δεν είπε κανένας στα παλικάρια που ξεσπιτώθηκαν για να περάσουν το Αιγαίο με τα μελτέμια του και να σκοτωθούν στις πεδιάδες του Ιλίου (όχι αυτού που είναι πάνω από το Περιστέρι και δίπλα στην Πετρούπολη) είναι ότι ζήτημα είναι να θυμάται κανείς 4-5 ονόματα από την Ιλιάδα, ενώ σκοτώθηκαν χιλιάδες, ρε φίλε! Και ο άλλος, αντί να προσέχει λίγο στο μάθημα να ξεστραβωθεί να μάθει τίποτα μπας και γλιτώσουν οι γονείς του κανένα χιλιάρικο που θα πάει αδικοχαμένο στα φροντιστήρια, κάθεται και χαζεύει την κοκκινομάλλα στο μπροστινό θρανίο! Ε, όχι, ρε φίλε! Όχι!!
Στα συν του βιβλίου, οι παραστατικές μάχες, καθώς και η απεικόνιση των ηρώων με τα πάθη και τα λάθη τους. Δεν έβαλα 5 αστέρια, πρώτον γιατί σήμερα η μέρα μου έχει πάει λίγο στραβά και δεύτερον γιατί ένιωσα ότι έχει ακόμα μπόλικα περιθώρια βελτίωσης! Έχουμε να διαβάσουμε και άλλα βιβλία στη συγκεκριμένη σειρά, οπότε ίδωμεν...
January 9, 2015
Spoiler Warning for this review.
This is the second book in Iliffe's Adventures of Odysseus and I think it might be my last. I still appreciate Iliffe's research and commitment to the mythology, but most ofd the book is still through the filter of Eperitus. And I just cannot bring myself to care about Eperitus or his daddy issues. I understand the author wanting to make the story his own, but I picked up these books wanting to read about the suffering and joy of my beloved characters, not some made up guy.
Where this really becomes an issue is late in the book when it comes time for Iphigenia's sacrifice. In the ancient tradition, Agamemnon is forced to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, in order to appease the goddess, Artemis, who is blocking the winds needed to sail to Troy. This causes an irreparable rift between him and his wife, Clytemnestra, who later, with the help of her new lover, murders Agamemnon upon his return from Troy. It's a heart wrenching story and Agamemnon is one of the most fascinating characters of the Trojan War. I think if I were to ever write my own Troy series, I would focus primarily on him. What Iliffe does, however, is rob us of those emotions.
Here's where the spoilers come in!
In Iliffe's version, Eperitus has an affair with Clytemnestra and in this book it is revealed that Iphigenia is secretly his daughter! So instead of the anguish of Clytemnestra as she watches the little girl she gave birth to and raised be murdered, or the tortured decision of Agamemnon as he must choose between his daughter's life or his brother's honour, we get to witness Eperitus' grief over losing a girl whom he has known for about a week. I don't even mind so much that Iphigenia is not Agamemnon's daughter in this story; at least Iliffe doesn't neuter the horror of Agamemnon's action - as far as the king is concerned, she is his daughter. What I do mind is that we don't get any real sense of Agamemnon's or Clytemnestra's grief. The moment of the sacrifice would have been much stronger if one of them had been narrating it.
My other problem with this series come in the pacing. This is the second book and they only just land on the shores of Troy in the final couple of chapters. The war hasn't even begun. I then peeked ahead at a synopsis of the next book and despite spending two books to get to the war, Iliffe does what most people retelling the story do and skip over the first 9 years of the war. That always frustrates me.
I don't know. I'm thinking I might skip ahead until he does the return journey because I'm curious how he's going to tackle the issue of Eperitus being the main character and travelling with Odysseus when Odysseus gets all his men killed and comes home alone to a house overrun with hostile suitors.
This book might appeal to someone who isn't quite as attached to the original characters as I am - I am aware that my passion for the Trojan War story will always affect any version of it that I read - and the writing and story telling are fine. Despite my low rating, I would recommend this one to some people.
-Mel
This is the second book in Iliffe's Adventures of Odysseus and I think it might be my last. I still appreciate Iliffe's research and commitment to the mythology, but most ofd the book is still through the filter of Eperitus. And I just cannot bring myself to care about Eperitus or his daddy issues. I understand the author wanting to make the story his own, but I picked up these books wanting to read about the suffering and joy of my beloved characters, not some made up guy.
Where this really becomes an issue is late in the book when it comes time for Iphigenia's sacrifice. In the ancient tradition, Agamemnon is forced to sacrifice his daughter, Iphigenia, in order to appease the goddess, Artemis, who is blocking the winds needed to sail to Troy. This causes an irreparable rift between him and his wife, Clytemnestra, who later, with the help of her new lover, murders Agamemnon upon his return from Troy. It's a heart wrenching story and Agamemnon is one of the most fascinating characters of the Trojan War. I think if I were to ever write my own Troy series, I would focus primarily on him. What Iliffe does, however, is rob us of those emotions.
Here's where the spoilers come in!
In Iliffe's version, Eperitus has an affair with Clytemnestra and in this book it is revealed that Iphigenia is secretly his daughter! So instead of the anguish of Clytemnestra as she watches the little girl she gave birth to and raised be murdered, or the tortured decision of Agamemnon as he must choose between his daughter's life or his brother's honour, we get to witness Eperitus' grief over losing a girl whom he has known for about a week. I don't even mind so much that Iphigenia is not Agamemnon's daughter in this story; at least Iliffe doesn't neuter the horror of Agamemnon's action - as far as the king is concerned, she is his daughter. What I do mind is that we don't get any real sense of Agamemnon's or Clytemnestra's grief. The moment of the sacrifice would have been much stronger if one of them had been narrating it.
My other problem with this series come in the pacing. This is the second book and they only just land on the shores of Troy in the final couple of chapters. The war hasn't even begun. I then peeked ahead at a synopsis of the next book and despite spending two books to get to the war, Iliffe does what most people retelling the story do and skip over the first 9 years of the war. That always frustrates me.
I don't know. I'm thinking I might skip ahead until he does the return journey because I'm curious how he's going to tackle the issue of Eperitus being the main character and travelling with Odysseus when Odysseus gets all his men killed and comes home alone to a house overrun with hostile suitors.
This book might appeal to someone who isn't quite as attached to the original characters as I am - I am aware that my passion for the Trojan War story will always affect any version of it that I read - and the writing and story telling are fine. Despite my low rating, I would recommend this one to some people.
-Mel
November 24, 2017
An enjoyable wander through Greek mythology involving encounters with Olympians from the Greek Pantheon along with the children of Gods and Goddesses facing off against each other. I suppose the only criticism could be that not a lot of very interesting stuff happened in this one - but every story has its beginning and this was the building second instalment before the stuff we all remember from school starts to happen.
At least we meet Achilles, Paris, Hector and Priam in this one, building up the picture of the biggest characters in the Trojan war.
At least we meet Achilles, Paris, Hector and Priam in this one, building up the picture of the biggest characters in the Trojan war.
February 11, 2024
The vivid imagery painted by the author’s words transported me to distant realms, where my senses danced amidst a symphony of colors, sounds, and emotions as each character was letting me know how she/he felt at that very moment. As I turned each page, I felt the weight of anticipation & curiosity, a sense of hope.
I think this story is worth it. The story kept pulling me deeper into the politics and drama and it somehow kept giving!:)
You will not regret reading this book, I know I didn't!
I think this story is worth it. The story kept pulling me deeper into the politics and drama and it somehow kept giving!:)
You will not regret reading this book, I know I didn't!
July 17, 2018
3.5 stars actually...some parts are lengthy, too descriptive and can get boring. Others contain quite interesting information previously unknown to me. Overall satisfactory, but then again I love this subject matter! Looking forward to the next part, the armour of Achilles.
September 14, 2018
Enjoyable
Read this in a few days, think the best thing about this book is the characters are all unique and well written even with all the warrior egos going around. Love the build up to troy so gonna be carrying on the series
Read this in a few days, think the best thing about this book is the characters are all unique and well written even with all the warrior egos going around. Love the build up to troy so gonna be carrying on the series
July 31, 2025
This thrilling adventure unfolds with a rich tapestry of vivid characters who leap off the page, drawing you into their world. The expertly crafted narrative immerses you in a journey filled with excitement and emotion, making you feel like an integral part of the unfolding story.
December 12, 2017
After reading the first in the series, I had to read the second. I would happily read this book again.
July 9, 2017
Gates of Troy
The second book in the adventures of Odysseus is just as good of a read ad the first book in the series.
The second book in the adventures of Odysseus is just as good of a read ad the first book in the series.
August 12, 2017
You can't stop reading it but it has serious issues with the historical truth. History, fiction and myth are all mixed in an awkward coktail.
December 8, 2017
Enjoyable continuation of the tale, even makes you smile in places.
April 21, 2018
I loved this book so much, the author was able to convey the realm with all its myths and brutality to me. totally loved it.
July 22, 2020
This continues to be a really enjoyable series on the adventures of Odysseus, with real characterisation and humour, mixed with the right dose of mythology and battle scenes. Well worth the read.
February 1, 2021
Grippjng the Events Leading to the Trojan War are compelling enough you want to read more .
February 13, 2021
I hate not finishing books, but I didn't enjoy this at all. I read more than half, but I didn't feel the story was going anywhere.
November 3, 2022
Just want to say can't stop reading the series
November 29, 2022
I found myself starting to skip read a little toward the end - but enjoyed it, and leads nicely into wanting to read the next in the series.
February 19, 2018
This, the sequel to the King of Ithaca, was as excellent a read as the first volume of the Adventures of Odysseus was.
June 28, 2019
So I have now re-finished the 1st and 2nd books in Glyn Iliffe's Adventures of Odysseus. I read these a few years back, before I had issues with reading books for a long time. And never got around to reading the final 4 books. My mission is as clear as Odysseus' wish to return to Penelope and Telemachus and Eperitus' wish to see Agamemnon suffer for his actions. I will finish this series,, even if it takes as long as the siege of Troy(and it nearly has since the first attempt at reading them).
The book, just like the first follows Odysseus but through the eyes of his Captain, the noble Eperitus. In thi sbook we get the lead up to the Illiad. We have Odysseus being all cunning, Paris and Helen falling in love, Meneleus vowing revenge, Agamemnon plotting for power, Achilles being Achilles like, Diomedes, Nestor and Ajax being famous Greek Heroes but with not much to do in this book. We have Philocetes getting his gammy leg and stinking up the place. Hector being all hard and gruff and Clytemnestra having her world torn apart - and you seriously do not want to peeve this lady off!
Glynn Iliffe tells this story with flair, it is a true heroic tale with people you care about and others you want to see the Gods take vengence on - who'd have thunk that Artemis could have been such a cow!
The first time I read this book, I was having trouble focusing on my reading and I went for years before and after hardly touching a book. I've been able to sort that out in the last couple of years and am so grateful that I can now immerse myself in the fantastic worlds that talented writers like Mr Iliffe creates.
If you love Greek Mythology, great writing and gripping reads, let Eperitus guide you on a journey.
The book, just like the first follows Odysseus but through the eyes of his Captain, the noble Eperitus. In thi sbook we get the lead up to the Illiad. We have Odysseus being all cunning, Paris and Helen falling in love, Meneleus vowing revenge, Agamemnon plotting for power, Achilles being Achilles like, Diomedes, Nestor and Ajax being famous Greek Heroes but with not much to do in this book. We have Philocetes getting his gammy leg and stinking up the place. Hector being all hard and gruff and Clytemnestra having her world torn apart - and you seriously do not want to peeve this lady off!
Glynn Iliffe tells this story with flair, it is a true heroic tale with people you care about and others you want to see the Gods take vengence on - who'd have thunk that Artemis could have been such a cow!
The first time I read this book, I was having trouble focusing on my reading and I went for years before and after hardly touching a book. I've been able to sort that out in the last couple of years and am so grateful that I can now immerse myself in the fantastic worlds that talented writers like Mr Iliffe creates.
If you love Greek Mythology, great writing and gripping reads, let Eperitus guide you on a journey.
January 20, 2012
Upon reading the back blurb, my husband quipped, “Another book about that guy.” Here comes Wise Odysseus again, this time in the lead-up to the Trojan War. Here, he is provided with a fictional sidekick who will provide an outside POV, the warrior Eperitus, who has been itching for a fight ever since he came to Ithaca with the King ten years ago. Mr. Iliffe knows the old story and the characters well, and the famous scenes—Odysseus pretending to be mad as he sows a field with salt, the flight of Helen and Paris, the sacrifice of Iphigenia by her power-mad father, even the visitations made by warring Olympians to the mortal players--are all included. Having cut my teeth on Mary Renault, my standards for retelling of classic myth are high, but the author does a credible job. Setting and scene always evoke period and place and in sometimes beautiful language. As expected, there is plenty of sword play, wrestling and bare-knuckle fighting. My only complaint is that occasionally I was knocked out of the story by modern language, i.e., “Forget Priam!” This novel is part of a series, The Adventures of Odysseus, so if this one is to your taste, the others should be also.
(Review First published in Historical Novel Society --)
(Review First published in Historical Novel Society --)
September 14, 2010
It was the story of the Illiad that first woke my interest in history, and this doesn't disappoint in feeding that old love. Iliffe captures the heroes we love (and don't) so very well and also adds some well developed and interesting original characters while weaving a very good and entertaining retelling of Homer's tale.
This is the second of a series and ends with the Greeks landing at Troy and the first battle. Before that, Iliffe has included many aspects of the story, including ones from several sources that really adds to the flavour of "The Illiad". While I don't always agree with his characterizations of the main players (I find his Paris too sympathetic, for example), they are well developed and given much more depth than originally. He has added some characters of his own, most notably Eperitus, who is Odysseus' Captain of the Guard. Not only is he an interesting character of his own right, but in a story that is so well known, he is the one who keeps you guessing. Some liberties have been taken, but they work well within the story. I must go and find the first book in this series
This is the second of a series and ends with the Greeks landing at Troy and the first battle. Before that, Iliffe has included many aspects of the story, including ones from several sources that really adds to the flavour of "The Illiad". While I don't always agree with his characterizations of the main players (I find his Paris too sympathetic, for example), they are well developed and given much more depth than originally. He has added some characters of his own, most notably Eperitus, who is Odysseus' Captain of the Guard. Not only is he an interesting character of his own right, but in a story that is so well known, he is the one who keeps you guessing. Some liberties have been taken, but they work well within the story. I must go and find the first book in this series
May 6, 2022
Once again, even though I knew the majority of what was going to happen, it was interesting to see how Iliffe decided to get there. I kind of wish this wasn’t just set ten years after the first book, but rather that we saw more from those years, but I understand why it was done. I just hope that the next book isn’t set ten years after this one. I’m still super excited to continue on with this series!
Read
May 19, 2015Read this book a while ago and thought that I would finally say something about it. The book is an amazingly good read as it completely engulfs the reader into a world full of adventure and bravery. A fantastic story of heroes and tragedy while not falling into the traps of boring clichés.
February 10, 2016
This is a story of a long build up to the siege of Troy, which is not reached until the last page of the book. It didn't grip or even hold much interest. It felt like page-fillers between 2 other books. Very disappointing.
March 24, 2012
I was clearly right to read more of this series as I really enjoyed this sequel to the King of Ithaca so much so that I was actively looking forward to the third book in this series.
May 12, 2014
3.4 stars
February 14, 2016
great book and series, look forward to book 3 in the series...
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