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Dancing with the Lion #1
Becoming
Two boys, one heroic bond, and the molding of Greece’s greatest son.
Before he became known as Alexander the Great, he was Alexandros, the teenage son of the king of Makedon. Rather than living a life of luxury, as prince he has to be better and learn faster than his peers, tackling problems without any help. One such problem involves his increasingly complicated feelings for his new companion, Hephaistion.
When Alexandros and Hephaistion go to study under the philosopher Aristoteles, their evolving relationship becomes even harder to navigate. Strength, competition, and status define one’s fate in their world—a world that seems to have little room for the tenderness growing between them.
Alexandros is expected to command, not to crave the warmth of friendship with an equal. In a kingdom where his shrewd mother and sister are deemed inferior for their sex, and his love for Hephaistion could be seen as submission to an older boy, Alexandros longs to be a human being when everyone but Hephaistion just wants him to be a king.
First half of a duology; continue their story with Dancing with the Rise.
Before he became known as Alexander the Great, he was Alexandros, the teenage son of the king of Makedon. Rather than living a life of luxury, as prince he has to be better and learn faster than his peers, tackling problems without any help. One such problem involves his increasingly complicated feelings for his new companion, Hephaistion.
When Alexandros and Hephaistion go to study under the philosopher Aristoteles, their evolving relationship becomes even harder to navigate. Strength, competition, and status define one’s fate in their world—a world that seems to have little room for the tenderness growing between them.
Alexandros is expected to command, not to crave the warmth of friendship with an equal. In a kingdom where his shrewd mother and sister are deemed inferior for their sex, and his love for Hephaistion could be seen as submission to an older boy, Alexandros longs to be a human being when everyone but Hephaistion just wants him to be a king.
First half of a duology; continue their story with Dancing with the Rise.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2019
126 people are currently reading
1508 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne Reames
5 books91 followersMother, writer, history professor, Homer fangirl and Alexander the Great geek. Interviewed expert for The History Channel's "Ancient Empires: Alexander the Great."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
September 15, 2019
Dreaming the Lion has one major problem: it looks awful. That title is terrible and the subtitle even moreso. It sounds like a cheap romance novel, and the cover really tries to sell that idea also. I would frankly never have picked up this book had I not recognized the name of the author as a respected historian of Macedon and author of a blog I rather liked.
Aside from that it’s pretty close to perfect.
This book tells the story of the early years of Alexander the Great with a focus on the relationship between Alexander and his lover Hephaistion. This is an incredibly bold and confident step to make for a debut novel given that it immediately invites comparison with the beloved works of Mary Renault. Fire from Heaven covers the same themes and many of the same events as this book and does so with a charm that makes it still one of the best examples of historical fiction even fifty years after its publication.
So how does the book compare? Pretty well actually. I recall the author sounding not overly impressed with Renault’s book (although her main complaints had to do with Alexander’s ideals) so it surprised me just how Renaultesque the book was. Leaving aside subject matter, the book has a similar tone, writing style, and even characterizations. The book doesn’t hide from darkness, but it is still a very pleasant journey through ancient Macedon.
And the book is also able to do a number of things that Renault never could. For one thing, Macedonian studies have come a long way since the ‘60s. Renault presented us with a very Greek Macedon while this book explores the differences between Macedonian and Greek culture. And since the author is a professor of Ancient Macedon she’s perfectly positioned to do this. Another aspect is that we’ve become comfortable with a lot more explicit discussions about sex. Not that the sex here is uncomfortably pornographic (though you’re never left unclear about what’s happening) but rather Renault was forced to turn so allusive that it is often impossible to know what she’s describing. For a book focused on showing us the mores of a different time that’s a limitation.
The characterizations also show a little more depth. Olympias (or rather Myrtale) is as scary as she’s usually shown, but her more positive side is shown as well. She’s a healer and the manager of the royal household. Philip’s the same distant figure whose incapacity to show affection really screws Alexander’s life up. Alexander himself comes across very positively. Just as in with Renault he’s extremely precocious, although his childish failings are perhaps more plausibly prominent. He’s the epitome of Greek ideals in many ways: loyal, intelligent, determined to pursue excellence at every stage... and yet he still has a streak of untamable emotions that drive him. His distant and manipulative parents have left him with a need for love that is unquenchable. He has to be the best at everything and outdo everyone, but god help you if you ever let him win! And thankfully he has his best friend Hephaistion to shoulder some of the burden.
Reames basically wrote the book on Hephaistion (literally) and he gets much more developed than I’ve ever seen before. He’s a loner, a distant, moody, proud boy who has never really gotten over the death of his older brother. As she puts it, he “didn’t show feelings, he selected expressions.” He’s the anti-Alexander in many ways. His family is very close and affectionate, he has few ambitions in life, he conceals his emotions, and he’s much happier being on his own than the center of attention. It’s a classic case of opposites attracting, but also of two people who find a way to fill the emptiness inside themselves with the strengths of the other. I barely remember Renault’s Hephaistion except for his general supportiveness and great excitement at his good fortune. This one is a character I won’t forget and his troubles and conflicts seem more real as a result.
Which do I think is the better book? Well, probably still Fire from Heaven. For all this book’s strengths, it just doesn’t have a strong enough plot to work as an independent novel. This is part one of a series and it shows. If I had to summarize the plot it would be Alexander starts his tutelage under Aristotle, fights in his first battle, and falls in love with his best friend. That basic summary does the book a disservice since it’s the journey and the characters that really make it work, but it is a limitation nonetheless and a self-inflicted one at that. Book two seems like it will go up to Alexander’s exile and eventual elevation to king and this, along with the high drama of the invasion of Greece and open feuding with Philip, is what this book needed to really make its climax work. As it is, the work fizzles out with the climax (so to speak) of the love story and then throws in an (admittedly pretty awesome) initiation into the cult of Dionysus. A bildungsroman really needs to follow through to more important character developments.
So I really really liked this book. It is fully on the same level as the best books in the field, even if issues of coverage prevent it from achieving its full potential. That is absolutely astounding in a debut novel. I very much hope that she continues with the series past these books and into Alexander’s conquest of Persia (which has never really been shown well in my opinion) and the tragedy of his hubristic overreach and early death. Her review of Oliver Stone’s Alexander tells me that she understands the dramatic potential of this broader story and her handling of this smaller tale shows that she’s capable of dramatizing it.
Plot: 6 (Limited and incomplete)
Characters: 10 (Well-developed and lovable)
Accuracy: 10 (She literally wrote the book on the subject)
Aside from that it’s pretty close to perfect.
This book tells the story of the early years of Alexander the Great with a focus on the relationship between Alexander and his lover Hephaistion. This is an incredibly bold and confident step to make for a debut novel given that it immediately invites comparison with the beloved works of Mary Renault. Fire from Heaven covers the same themes and many of the same events as this book and does so with a charm that makes it still one of the best examples of historical fiction even fifty years after its publication.
So how does the book compare? Pretty well actually. I recall the author sounding not overly impressed with Renault’s book (although her main complaints had to do with Alexander’s ideals) so it surprised me just how Renaultesque the book was. Leaving aside subject matter, the book has a similar tone, writing style, and even characterizations. The book doesn’t hide from darkness, but it is still a very pleasant journey through ancient Macedon.
And the book is also able to do a number of things that Renault never could. For one thing, Macedonian studies have come a long way since the ‘60s. Renault presented us with a very Greek Macedon while this book explores the differences between Macedonian and Greek culture. And since the author is a professor of Ancient Macedon she’s perfectly positioned to do this. Another aspect is that we’ve become comfortable with a lot more explicit discussions about sex. Not that the sex here is uncomfortably pornographic (though you’re never left unclear about what’s happening) but rather Renault was forced to turn so allusive that it is often impossible to know what she’s describing. For a book focused on showing us the mores of a different time that’s a limitation.
The characterizations also show a little more depth. Olympias (or rather Myrtale) is as scary as she’s usually shown, but her more positive side is shown as well. She’s a healer and the manager of the royal household. Philip’s the same distant figure whose incapacity to show affection really screws Alexander’s life up. Alexander himself comes across very positively. Just as in with Renault he’s extremely precocious, although his childish failings are perhaps more plausibly prominent. He’s the epitome of Greek ideals in many ways: loyal, intelligent, determined to pursue excellence at every stage... and yet he still has a streak of untamable emotions that drive him. His distant and manipulative parents have left him with a need for love that is unquenchable. He has to be the best at everything and outdo everyone, but god help you if you ever let him win! And thankfully he has his best friend Hephaistion to shoulder some of the burden.
Reames basically wrote the book on Hephaistion (literally) and he gets much more developed than I’ve ever seen before. He’s a loner, a distant, moody, proud boy who has never really gotten over the death of his older brother. As she puts it, he “didn’t show feelings, he selected expressions.” He’s the anti-Alexander in many ways. His family is very close and affectionate, he has few ambitions in life, he conceals his emotions, and he’s much happier being on his own than the center of attention. It’s a classic case of opposites attracting, but also of two people who find a way to fill the emptiness inside themselves with the strengths of the other. I barely remember Renault’s Hephaistion except for his general supportiveness and great excitement at his good fortune. This one is a character I won’t forget and his troubles and conflicts seem more real as a result.
Which do I think is the better book? Well, probably still Fire from Heaven. For all this book’s strengths, it just doesn’t have a strong enough plot to work as an independent novel. This is part one of a series and it shows. If I had to summarize the plot it would be Alexander starts his tutelage under Aristotle, fights in his first battle, and falls in love with his best friend. That basic summary does the book a disservice since it’s the journey and the characters that really make it work, but it is a limitation nonetheless and a self-inflicted one at that. Book two seems like it will go up to Alexander’s exile and eventual elevation to king and this, along with the high drama of the invasion of Greece and open feuding with Philip, is what this book needed to really make its climax work. As it is, the work fizzles out with the climax (so to speak) of the love story and then throws in an (admittedly pretty awesome) initiation into the cult of Dionysus. A bildungsroman really needs to follow through to more important character developments.
So I really really liked this book. It is fully on the same level as the best books in the field, even if issues of coverage prevent it from achieving its full potential. That is absolutely astounding in a debut novel. I very much hope that she continues with the series past these books and into Alexander’s conquest of Persia (which has never really been shown well in my opinion) and the tragedy of his hubristic overreach and early death. Her review of Oliver Stone’s Alexander tells me that she understands the dramatic potential of this broader story and her handling of this smaller tale shows that she’s capable of dramatizing it.
Plot: 6 (Limited and incomplete)
Characters: 10 (Well-developed and lovable)
Accuracy: 10 (She literally wrote the book on the subject)
August 4, 2019
I've always been intrigued by Alexander the Great so requesting this was a no-brainer. Arguably the most prolific conqueror the world has ever seen and all by the age of 32! Incredible, is the only word for that sort of accomplishment. Reames, too, seems to be an ardent fan of him and she's clearly knowledgeable about not only Alexander but this period in general, something that is evident in the writing.
However, said writing is dry and for the most part unengaging. It reads like a textbook at times, cramming in details that weren't folded into the overall narrative in a cohesive or sophisticated way. Undeniably, I learned a few things while reading Dancing with the Lion but I also learned things while reading The Song of Achilles and Axios: A Spartan Tale, both of which were not only didactic but simultaneously found the balance between romance and edification. They both also consumed me and imprinted on my psyche; the same cannot be said of this novel. Nevertheless, this novel is a likable first effort at historical fiction by this author.
Reames' portrayal of Alexander and Hephaistion is both insightful and touching. Both have strengths and weaknesses and both read age appropriate. Fast friends after meeting with a connection between them that's obvious made me crave more of those moments but they were largely subsumed by the aforementioned details which stymied my connection to this narrative. However, it certainly has its moments as they slowly grow closer and feelings develop which confuses them both. There is a slight age difference with Hephaistion being the elder that was enjoyable to read from their different perspectives regarding how their disparate developmental levels affected their inchoate romantic relationship.
"Becoming" lays the foundation for what's to come between them as well as the host of secondary characters introduced. I'm hopeful their romance will be more front and center in "Rise" with more focus on their relationship development, though from the point where "Becoming" left off Alexander is on the cusp of his meteoric rise to greatness, so it'll be interesting to see what Reames does with the narrative in part two of this series.
If you are a fan of friends to lovers historical romance that's fairly chaste or young adult that's strongly historical then give "Becoming" a try.
A review copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
However, said writing is dry and for the most part unengaging. It reads like a textbook at times, cramming in details that weren't folded into the overall narrative in a cohesive or sophisticated way. Undeniably, I learned a few things while reading Dancing with the Lion but I also learned things while reading The Song of Achilles and Axios: A Spartan Tale, both of which were not only didactic but simultaneously found the balance between romance and edification. They both also consumed me and imprinted on my psyche; the same cannot be said of this novel. Nevertheless, this novel is a likable first effort at historical fiction by this author.
Reames' portrayal of Alexander and Hephaistion is both insightful and touching. Both have strengths and weaknesses and both read age appropriate. Fast friends after meeting with a connection between them that's obvious made me crave more of those moments but they were largely subsumed by the aforementioned details which stymied my connection to this narrative. However, it certainly has its moments as they slowly grow closer and feelings develop which confuses them both. There is a slight age difference with Hephaistion being the elder that was enjoyable to read from their different perspectives regarding how their disparate developmental levels affected their inchoate romantic relationship.
"Becoming" lays the foundation for what's to come between them as well as the host of secondary characters introduced. I'm hopeful their romance will be more front and center in "Rise" with more focus on their relationship development, though from the point where "Becoming" left off Alexander is on the cusp of his meteoric rise to greatness, so it'll be interesting to see what Reames does with the narrative in part two of this series.
If you are a fan of friends to lovers historical romance that's fairly chaste or young adult that's strongly historical then give "Becoming" a try.
A review copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
I have to start by acknowledging a slight bias here — I went to school for history and was enthralled by the classics. As a result, my interest in all things Alexander the Great started early and left a lasting impression. Becoming is an excellent fictionalization of Alexander’s childhood and the early days of his relationship with Hephaistion. The book is written with strong attention to detail and reads as credible in nearly every way. We know Alexander as one of the greatest military leaders of all time, but in Becoming, the author has given readers a genuinely engaging look at the boy before he became the man. It’s a brilliant read that drew me in and, save for some mild pacing issues, held my absolute attention.
At the core of the book is the story of Alexandros and Hephaistion. Historically speaking, there is nothing that specifically says the two were lovers, but their friendship was well documented. And there is no doubt the fate of the one was irrecoverably entwined with the other.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
I have to start by acknowledging a slight bias here — I went to school for history and was enthralled by the classics. As a result, my interest in all things Alexander the Great started early and left a lasting impression. Becoming is an excellent fictionalization of Alexander’s childhood and the early days of his relationship with Hephaistion. The book is written with strong attention to detail and reads as credible in nearly every way. We know Alexander as one of the greatest military leaders of all time, but in Becoming, the author has given readers a genuinely engaging look at the boy before he became the man. It’s a brilliant read that drew me in and, save for some mild pacing issues, held my absolute attention.
At the core of the book is the story of Alexandros and Hephaistion. Historically speaking, there is nothing that specifically says the two were lovers, but their friendship was well documented. And there is no doubt the fate of the one was irrecoverably entwined with the other.
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
May 19, 2019
Professor Reames is an impeccable ancient historian who, for the last twenty years, made herself the world's leading authority on Hephaestion, son of Amyntor, Alexander's foremost marshall and vizier, who had been a gay icon since the 60s only to become a hot commodity world wide after Jared Leto momentously gave him his traits and figure in Oliver Stone's Alexander movie. Unlike the traditionally sour takes on Hephaestion by experts (W. W. Tarn and Helmut Berve and Robin Lane Fox and Waldemar Heckel all picture him as a brash and temperamental courtier, a flatterer, if not a sycophant, and an incapable commander who was loved by his king rather than really exalted for his questionable aptitudes), Prof. Reames in her scholarly papers and her doctoral dissertation (1998; non vidi) weaves the nuanced tale of a complex but not outright repellent character whose greatness every Diadochus and Epigonos had more than vested interest in overshadowing as soon as Alexander and him died. From what I have been able to gauge from her nonprofessional website and academic writings, and unlike most of her fellow Classicists who have fallen well below mediocrity whenever they attempted to write fiction (François Paschoud's Le dernier païen springs to the mind), Prof. Reames seems able to express herself pellucidly and to relegate her learning to the background with flair and poise. It is therefore with high expectations, as well as a fair measure of trepidation, that I am looking forward to her popular retelling of the affair of Hephaestion with Alexander.
Read
September 15, 2020EXTRA & CUT SCENES!
For those who enjoyed the novels (book 1 Becoming and book 2 Rise), and would like more from the boys, I have several cut scenes on my website, as well as 3 others that occur between the books.
These 3 include "Moth & Flame," a bit of romantic floof, "Two Scorpions," Olympias takes on Hephaistion in a one-on-one confrontation, and finally, the novelette "For the Love of Geometry," which shows the boys from the point of view of the adults, plus a bet between King Philippos and Aristoteles.
Just click on the link above to go straight to that page on my website. They're available in both PDF and HTML formats, depending on which you prefer to read, and what device you're reading them on. While on the site, take time to explore a little. There are a number of extras, including hearing their names, a brief glossary, and even video blogs of the Macedonian countryside showing places mentioned in the books.
Hope you enjoy these titbits!
September 23, 2020
The moment , I read the blurb of Dancing with the Lion: Becoming , I was hook, line and sinker.
I always have been fascinated with Alexander the Great and this extremely well researched and crafted book gave me lots of food for thought.
I enjoyed reading this book.
I received a copy of Dancing with the Lion at my request from Riptide Publishing through NetGalley and I am giving my unbiased and voluntary review.
I always have been fascinated with Alexander the Great and this extremely well researched and crafted book gave me lots of food for thought.
I enjoyed reading this book.
I received a copy of Dancing with the Lion at my request from Riptide Publishing through NetGalley and I am giving my unbiased and voluntary review.
April 27, 2021
It’s been a while since I stayed up all night to finish a book.
There’s a lot—a whole lot—to like here. But a little I didn’t. Let’s start there. This is half a book. Reames has made clear elsewhere (Pothos.org), it’s one novel divided for publishing purposes. While I get that most people don’t read long stuff, personally, I’d have liked to see the whole thing at once. The ending worked all right for me, but I still felt like I should be turning the page to the next chapter. I’ll reserve judgment on the complete arc till I can read the second half (see second review).
But I do love what I’ve read, which is why it still gets 5 stars. Comparisons to Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles, or to Mary Renault, are probably inevitable, so I’ll just go there right off the bat. Miller is more lyrical, Reames is a lot richer and layered, emotionally. She dragged me down into the guts of these characters, so I actually preferred this one.
If, however, you like your Alexander heroic, romantic, and larger-than-life, ala Mary Renault, you won’t find that here. She makes Alexandros very human, but without going the other way and demonizing him. It seems like novelists have a hard time not taking the character to extremes, good or bad, but Reames manages to walk that line.
Yet it’s really her Hephaistion that shines. You feel for him all through this. He’s a beautiful character: wounded, cynical, but fundamentally kind. I also felt for Alexander’s sister, Kleopatra, and would’ve liked more of her. I found Aristotle surprisingly appealing.
Unsurprisingly (given who she is), the place setting was pitch-perfect compared to the bulk of novels about Macedonia. I’ve read novels set in the ancient world that used modern slang and swear words that completely threw me out of the story. Not here.
I thought the build from friendship to more was sweetly done. She gives a real sense of WHY they become lovers; it’s not just assumed. Some readers might find it slow, but I thought it realistic, especially if your crush also happens to be your best buddy. (Been there, done that, it did not end well.)
Being a military buff, I’d have liked more battles, but realize Alexander’s at school, not war. The scenes she did write produced one of my favorite lines: “Once, he’d boasted to Ptolemaios that he only feared dying with no glory to immortalize his name. But here, now, there were no half-truths. He was just plain afraid of dying.” That really brought Alexander down to earth for me. This isn’t the heroic Alexander the Great; it’s a fourteen-year-old kid facing his first combat.
The epilogue, a Dionysic initiation, was beyond cool for me, and not something many people could pull off.
There’s a lot—a whole lot—to like here. But a little I didn’t. Let’s start there. This is half a book. Reames has made clear elsewhere (Pothos.org), it’s one novel divided for publishing purposes. While I get that most people don’t read long stuff, personally, I’d have liked to see the whole thing at once. The ending worked all right for me, but I still felt like I should be turning the page to the next chapter. I’ll reserve judgment on the complete arc till I can read the second half (see second review).
But I do love what I’ve read, which is why it still gets 5 stars. Comparisons to Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles, or to Mary Renault, are probably inevitable, so I’ll just go there right off the bat. Miller is more lyrical, Reames is a lot richer and layered, emotionally. She dragged me down into the guts of these characters, so I actually preferred this one.
If, however, you like your Alexander heroic, romantic, and larger-than-life, ala Mary Renault, you won’t find that here. She makes Alexandros very human, but without going the other way and demonizing him. It seems like novelists have a hard time not taking the character to extremes, good or bad, but Reames manages to walk that line.
Yet it’s really her Hephaistion that shines. You feel for him all through this. He’s a beautiful character: wounded, cynical, but fundamentally kind. I also felt for Alexander’s sister, Kleopatra, and would’ve liked more of her. I found Aristotle surprisingly appealing.
Unsurprisingly (given who she is), the place setting was pitch-perfect compared to the bulk of novels about Macedonia. I’ve read novels set in the ancient world that used modern slang and swear words that completely threw me out of the story. Not here.
I thought the build from friendship to more was sweetly done. She gives a real sense of WHY they become lovers; it’s not just assumed. Some readers might find it slow, but I thought it realistic, especially if your crush also happens to be your best buddy. (Been there, done that, it did not end well.)
Being a military buff, I’d have liked more battles, but realize Alexander’s at school, not war. The scenes she did write produced one of my favorite lines: “Once, he’d boasted to Ptolemaios that he only feared dying with no glory to immortalize his name. But here, now, there were no half-truths. He was just plain afraid of dying.” That really brought Alexander down to earth for me. This isn’t the heroic Alexander the Great; it’s a fourteen-year-old kid facing his first combat.
The epilogue, a Dionysic initiation, was beyond cool for me, and not something many people could pull off.
September 27, 2023
Voto: 4.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
“Dancing with the Lion – L’inizio” è il primo volume di una dilogia incentrata sulla figura di Alessandro Magno.
Essendo un’amante degli storici, e avendo sempre apprezzato i libri che raccontavano le gesta di questo personaggio in particolare, ho deciso di assaggiare la penna digitale di quest’autrice che non conoscevo e devo dire che il risultato è decisamente positivo!
Jeanne Reames fa intendere la sua grande conoscenza dell’argomento senza tuttavia risultare pesante o pedante. La narrazione parla del giovane Alessandro e delle tappe della sua crescita, sempre precoce, sempre spinto a confrontarsi con i propri limiti e a superarli, per volere paterno.
Continua sul nostro blog!
RECENSIONE A CURA DI ELYXYZ
“Dancing with the Lion – L’inizio” è il primo volume di una dilogia incentrata sulla figura di Alessandro Magno.
Essendo un’amante degli storici, e avendo sempre apprezzato i libri che raccontavano le gesta di questo personaggio in particolare, ho deciso di assaggiare la penna digitale di quest’autrice che non conoscevo e devo dire che il risultato è decisamente positivo!
Jeanne Reames fa intendere la sua grande conoscenza dell’argomento senza tuttavia risultare pesante o pedante. La narrazione parla del giovane Alessandro e delle tappe della sua crescita, sempre precoce, sempre spinto a confrontarsi con i propri limiti e a superarli, per volere paterno.
Continua sul nostro blog!
December 27, 2025
3/5
this story is incredibly well-researched; the author clearly knows exactly what she's talking about as it pertains to alexander the great and this time period. however—and this could very well be my problem and not the book's, as i went into this knowing i'm far from a history expert—i felt confused at certain parts of the story as to what exactly was occurring and where. there were lots of names mentioned, and i sometimes lost track of who was who outside the main set of characters. i found myself skimming multiple times, either due to these confusions or simply because i was bored. even still, it's hard not to be impressed by the sheer amount of effort put into this novel.
i enjoy historical books that include relevant details and information, but to a certain extent. becoming was a lot more convoluted than other books in the genre i've read before, such as Axios: A Spartan Tale, The Song of Achilles, or Nova Praetorian. i found these books to be much more engaging, and they didn't feel so much like reading a history textbook.
the extensive knowledge required to write this book is impressive, but for the most part, i was bored and unengaged, and found it to drag on and on. for this reason i won't be reading the second book in the series, but i recommend this story to those who are history buffs and fans of alexander the great rather than someone simply looking for a historical romance set in an ancient time period.
this story is incredibly well-researched; the author clearly knows exactly what she's talking about as it pertains to alexander the great and this time period. however—and this could very well be my problem and not the book's, as i went into this knowing i'm far from a history expert—i felt confused at certain parts of the story as to what exactly was occurring and where. there were lots of names mentioned, and i sometimes lost track of who was who outside the main set of characters. i found myself skimming multiple times, either due to these confusions or simply because i was bored. even still, it's hard not to be impressed by the sheer amount of effort put into this novel.
i enjoy historical books that include relevant details and information, but to a certain extent. becoming was a lot more convoluted than other books in the genre i've read before, such as Axios: A Spartan Tale, The Song of Achilles, or Nova Praetorian. i found these books to be much more engaging, and they didn't feel so much like reading a history textbook.
the extensive knowledge required to write this book is impressive, but for the most part, i was bored and unengaged, and found it to drag on and on. for this reason i won't be reading the second book in the series, but i recommend this story to those who are history buffs and fans of alexander the great rather than someone simply looking for a historical romance set in an ancient time period.
June 8, 2025
Quattro stelle e mezzo, approssimate a quattro. Prima di dare la quinta stella voglio leggere anche il secondo volume e poi valutare la saga nel suo complesso.
Sono comunque molto soddisfatta di questo primo volume, la parte storica la fa da padrone, e il legame tra Alexandros e Hephaistion è raccontato in maniera squisita 💖
Sono comunque molto soddisfatta di questo primo volume, la parte storica la fa da padrone, e il legame tra Alexandros e Hephaistion è raccontato in maniera squisita 💖
October 10, 2019
I really enjoyed the book. It reminded me of Mary Renault's Fire from Heaven in that it submerged me in Alexander's world. On many levels I found it more satisfying. Dancing with the Lion is a poignant account of two young men coming of age and their commitment to one another and the context of a distant world that we still struggle to understand. In some ways it is better than the Renault books--the richness of the research reflected and the attention to questions of language and naming. (I particularly enjoy Hephaistion's accent and attitudes toward it in the text).
Mary Renault arguably might be considered to be more literary or perhaps to some be of a higher aesthetic level. Not sure how I feel about it. Reames has had more opportunities to explore a wider selection of scholarship regarding the relationship between Alexander and Hephaistion. I like this book a lot because it is freer in the sense that Reames does not self-censor in relationship to the description of the physical side of the relationship between the two young men in the way that Mary Renault does. Although it is certainly not a romance or a salacious book on any level; although it is a love story, it is so much more. One never gets the sense that the author feels constrained to the degree that Renault is--there is none of the sense that one is straining to discern or interpret a subtext, which one may feel is present in some of Renault's writing.
I found the book a real page-turner. I read it almost entirely in one sitting--did not get anything else done today. I enjoyed it enormously, loved the setting, plotting, and most of all the characterization--not only of Alexander and Hephaistion but a whole range of characters. I cannot wait to read the sequel. Highly recommend this book.
I also will be trying to locate the scholarly work the author has written on the subject. Hope is not hidden behind the ubiquitous pay-walls at make so much academic writing difficult to access.
Mary Renault arguably might be considered to be more literary or perhaps to some be of a higher aesthetic level. Not sure how I feel about it. Reames has had more opportunities to explore a wider selection of scholarship regarding the relationship between Alexander and Hephaistion. I like this book a lot because it is freer in the sense that Reames does not self-censor in relationship to the description of the physical side of the relationship between the two young men in the way that Mary Renault does. Although it is certainly not a romance or a salacious book on any level; although it is a love story, it is so much more. One never gets the sense that the author feels constrained to the degree that Renault is--there is none of the sense that one is straining to discern or interpret a subtext, which one may feel is present in some of Renault's writing.
I found the book a real page-turner. I read it almost entirely in one sitting--did not get anything else done today. I enjoyed it enormously, loved the setting, plotting, and most of all the characterization--not only of Alexander and Hephaistion but a whole range of characters. I cannot wait to read the sequel. Highly recommend this book.
I also will be trying to locate the scholarly work the author has written on the subject. Hope is not hidden behind the ubiquitous pay-walls at make so much academic writing difficult to access.
July 20, 2019
This was a fascinating read.
The author brought ancient Greece to light with such accuracy that it was clear it is an area in which she delights. I didn't even know she was a history professor till I read up on her but it made perfect sense after I did. Her attention to detail was impeccable.Unfortunately, it was this attention to detail that slowed the pace of this book considerably.
I will admit that it had something to do with my expectations. I thought it would be a fast paced book about how Alexander the Great and his friend grew up and conquered the known world(at the time) but it turned out to be an intricate first look at his just his initial formative years and ALL(and I do mean ALL) that it entailed. It wasn't bad, it just didn't go as far as I thought it would (I think that would be in subsequent books) and for that I think I only blame myself.
So, if you are in the mood for a hardcore and pretty interesting look at ancient Greece and you don't mind a slow and steady pace, Pick this up. It will be right up your alley!
***Review Copy Graciously Provided By Publisher in Exchange For an Honest Review ***
The author brought ancient Greece to light with such accuracy that it was clear it is an area in which she delights. I didn't even know she was a history professor till I read up on her but it made perfect sense after I did. Her attention to detail was impeccable.Unfortunately, it was this attention to detail that slowed the pace of this book considerably.
I will admit that it had something to do with my expectations. I thought it would be a fast paced book about how Alexander the Great and his friend grew up and conquered the known world(at the time) but it turned out to be an intricate first look at his just his initial formative years and ALL(and I do mean ALL) that it entailed. It wasn't bad, it just didn't go as far as I thought it would (I think that would be in subsequent books) and for that I think I only blame myself.
So, if you are in the mood for a hardcore and pretty interesting look at ancient Greece and you don't mind a slow and steady pace, Pick this up. It will be right up your alley!
***Review Copy Graciously Provided By Publisher in Exchange For an Honest Review ***
September 2, 2019
This review will be published on my blog on June 1, 2019.
-=-=-=-
The son of the King of Makdon – Alexandros is on track to be a leader and is battling to be treated like everyone else. Hephaistion arrives – searching for his own destiny and becomes friends with the young prince. Their relationship flourishes as they begin their education together under the trusted guidance of Aristoteles. As Alexandros battles his way through the harsh lessons facing him, his emotional attachment to Hephaistion. As a prince, Alexandros is supposed to be independent, emotionally aloof, strong and his emotional connection to his friend challenges everything.
Jeanne Reames is a self-declared Homer fangirl in addition to being a History Professor. Her life-long commitment to her field definitely plays into how fantastic this book is. As I read this novel, I was surprised to find that I was as caught up in history as much as the story about the two main characters. For obvious reasons, Reames has a fantastic grasp of the time period and it’s a pleasure to read a book that is so detailed and complete with respect to history.
The relationship between Alexandros and Hephaistion builds slowly throughout the story. These two characters are well-thought out and fully developed beyond their friendship with one another. It’s a pleasure to read a novel in which there is a pairing between two characters that is important but not the entirety of the plot.
This is a complex story of growing up with the weight of huge expectations and commitments. I am intrigued by the way Alexandros’ life will unfold as he is groomed to become a leader. The friendship between Alexandros and Hephaistion is documented historically and they were often referred to as being the best of friends. It wasn’t uncommon for young boys to be involved sexually with one another so this story is certainly not far-fetched. Reames does a fantastic job of weaving the complex relationship implications into an already-intriguing story. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
-=-=-=-
The son of the King of Makdon – Alexandros is on track to be a leader and is battling to be treated like everyone else. Hephaistion arrives – searching for his own destiny and becomes friends with the young prince. Their relationship flourishes as they begin their education together under the trusted guidance of Aristoteles. As Alexandros battles his way through the harsh lessons facing him, his emotional attachment to Hephaistion. As a prince, Alexandros is supposed to be independent, emotionally aloof, strong and his emotional connection to his friend challenges everything.
Jeanne Reames is a self-declared Homer fangirl in addition to being a History Professor. Her life-long commitment to her field definitely plays into how fantastic this book is. As I read this novel, I was surprised to find that I was as caught up in history as much as the story about the two main characters. For obvious reasons, Reames has a fantastic grasp of the time period and it’s a pleasure to read a book that is so detailed and complete with respect to history.
The relationship between Alexandros and Hephaistion builds slowly throughout the story. These two characters are well-thought out and fully developed beyond their friendship with one another. It’s a pleasure to read a novel in which there is a pairing between two characters that is important but not the entirety of the plot.
This is a complex story of growing up with the weight of huge expectations and commitments. I am intrigued by the way Alexandros’ life will unfold as he is groomed to become a leader. The friendship between Alexandros and Hephaistion is documented historically and they were often referred to as being the best of friends. It wasn’t uncommon for young boys to be involved sexually with one another so this story is certainly not far-fetched. Reames does a fantastic job of weaving the complex relationship implications into an already-intriguing story. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
May 19, 2025
I had to take some time to think before rating this one. The beginning was quite confusing, with so many different characters that it was hard to keep track of who was who. It also took me a while to get used to the writing style. However, around the 40% mark, I started to really enjoy the book. I haven’t read much about Alexander the Great before, and this story provided an interesting glimpse into his early life, before he became king. Now I’m genuinely curious to see what happens in the second half!
pre-review: I’ve had my eye on this for a while now, and I really hope it delivers!
pre-review: I’ve had my eye on this for a while now, and I really hope it delivers!
October 27, 2019
Is this, in my humble opinion, the definitive fictionalization of Alexander the Great?
Yep. It is.
At long last we slightly feral Argead nerds have an incredible, well-paced, well-characterized, ACTUALLY INTERESTING fictionalization of both Phillip and Alexander (and a significant number of other major players) that doesn't force the audience to slog through a bucket of purple prose, self-important reflections on *GLORY*, or a wooden Irishman in a truly horrible wig doing imitations of various marble statues. I'm dancing with JOY. We needed this book.
Seriously it has:
1) Stunning depictions of the ancient culture that shaped our favorite ancient blonde dude that are woven into the story in organic and interesting ways. Hugo's Sewers of Paris need to take lessons from this writing. I learned stuff without realizing I learned it. How often do you get to say that.
2) A full cast of queer characters that never hit any obnoxious queer tropes who all live in a bi-normative society. Damn that felt good to read. No gay angst and no sad gays.
3) The best fictional horse ever. I will never forget the ancient Greek word for Baby. EVER.
4) Lots of what I can only call historical Easter eggs for the rabid Alexander scholars in a book that you needn't be a scholar to read.
5) NON-GLACIAL PACING. Which is rare in the Alexander genre.
6) A whole work of fiction that doesn't ignore, trivialize, feminize or bash Hephaistion!!!!!!!!!!!! (At this point I didn't think it possible.)
7) Realized character justification for the eccentric and seemingly random shit Alexander the great is known for doing.
8) A take on ancient ways of thinking and morality that is both accurate enough and comfortably in-line with contemporary morality enough to make it an enjoyable read.
It's a fun, new take on a story that had previously become fodder for tired old ponderousness. What more can we ask for?? I need this to be the opener of a much longer series. Publishers?? Make it so??
Yep. It is.
At long last we slightly feral Argead nerds have an incredible, well-paced, well-characterized, ACTUALLY INTERESTING fictionalization of both Phillip and Alexander (and a significant number of other major players) that doesn't force the audience to slog through a bucket of purple prose, self-important reflections on *GLORY*, or a wooden Irishman in a truly horrible wig doing imitations of various marble statues. I'm dancing with JOY. We needed this book.
Seriously it has:
1) Stunning depictions of the ancient culture that shaped our favorite ancient blonde dude that are woven into the story in organic and interesting ways. Hugo's Sewers of Paris need to take lessons from this writing. I learned stuff without realizing I learned it. How often do you get to say that.
2) A full cast of queer characters that never hit any obnoxious queer tropes who all live in a bi-normative society. Damn that felt good to read. No gay angst and no sad gays.
3) The best fictional horse ever. I will never forget the ancient Greek word for Baby. EVER.
4) Lots of what I can only call historical Easter eggs for the rabid Alexander scholars in a book that you needn't be a scholar to read.
5) NON-GLACIAL PACING. Which is rare in the Alexander genre.
6) A whole work of fiction that doesn't ignore, trivialize, feminize or bash Hephaistion!!!!!!!!!!!! (At this point I didn't think it possible.)
7) Realized character justification for the eccentric and seemingly random shit Alexander the great is known for doing.
8) A take on ancient ways of thinking and morality that is both accurate enough and comfortably in-line with contemporary morality enough to make it an enjoyable read.
It's a fun, new take on a story that had previously become fodder for tired old ponderousness. What more can we ask for?? I need this to be the opener of a much longer series. Publishers?? Make it so??
July 20, 2019
A year ago, I read Ms. Reames' article on Alexander the Great's relationship with Hephaistion Amyntoros; I was looking forward to see how her conclusions translated to a work of fiction. "Dancing with the Lion" didn't disappoint.
Many authors have already put their own spins on the legend that is Alexander the Great, but I haven't read anything that humanizes this figure quite as much as "Dancing with the Lion" did. Alexandros (Reames used the original Greek names) is 13 when we meet him in the story, and for the most part, we follow him through his life in Pella, his studies in Mieza under Aristoteles, his first taste of battle, and of course, his growing friendship with Hephaistion. This is as much Hephaistion's story as it is Alexandros', and it made for a welcome change of pace. Reames added so much dimension and depth to this mostly-ignored character, which is yet another thing that sets this book apart. The rendering of the setting echoes Reames' expertise in the subject of Greek culture and history, although the Greek words (given side-by-side with their corresponding English words) tend to break the flow of the story. The narrative perambulates, glossing over some iconic moments like the taming of Boukephalas in favor of scenes of Macedonian life, explosions of adolescent angst, and other situations that brought substance to such figures as Hephaistion's father, Amyntor, and Alexandros' sister, Kleopatra. For anyone who has read a few other works on Alexander the Great, this isn't a bad trade-off.
We all know how this story ends, and yet we're here anyway. Perhaps it's a desire to piece together the enigma of the boy who grew up to conquer the world and, in this case, the man who stood beside him. While still largely incomplete (we leave Alexandros at age 16), I deeply enjoyed this fictional take on the lore of Alexander the Great.
Many authors have already put their own spins on the legend that is Alexander the Great, but I haven't read anything that humanizes this figure quite as much as "Dancing with the Lion" did. Alexandros (Reames used the original Greek names) is 13 when we meet him in the story, and for the most part, we follow him through his life in Pella, his studies in Mieza under Aristoteles, his first taste of battle, and of course, his growing friendship with Hephaistion. This is as much Hephaistion's story as it is Alexandros', and it made for a welcome change of pace. Reames added so much dimension and depth to this mostly-ignored character, which is yet another thing that sets this book apart. The rendering of the setting echoes Reames' expertise in the subject of Greek culture and history, although the Greek words (given side-by-side with their corresponding English words) tend to break the flow of the story. The narrative perambulates, glossing over some iconic moments like the taming of Boukephalas in favor of scenes of Macedonian life, explosions of adolescent angst, and other situations that brought substance to such figures as Hephaistion's father, Amyntor, and Alexandros' sister, Kleopatra. For anyone who has read a few other works on Alexander the Great, this isn't a bad trade-off.
We all know how this story ends, and yet we're here anyway. Perhaps it's a desire to piece together the enigma of the boy who grew up to conquer the world and, in this case, the man who stood beside him. While still largely incomplete (we leave Alexandros at age 16), I deeply enjoyed this fictional take on the lore of Alexander the Great.
February 26, 2021
A fantastic read ... gripped my attention from the start and kept it to the final page. The author shows obvious depth of historical knowledge to the world of Alexander the Great, producing fascinating detail to the Macedonian court at Pella as well as military campaign life for the teenage Alexandros and his steadfast friend Hephaistion; in fact the epilogue was stunning for the drama and depiction of a coming of age ritual.
The backstory of the youthful prince is outworked against the fiery power struggles between Alexandros' parents - conflicting loyalties and the struggle to please. Hephaistion's tragic family history and ties with the royal family is also well explored. Our MCs further education under Aristoteles in the town of Mieza features alliances made with fellow students (who would eventually become Alexandros' future army generals) and draws out the growing emotional bond between them ... a delicious dance of attraction (initially one-sided given Alexandros' age) which becomes increasingly evident to those surrounding them.
The battle sequences are brutal but restrained ... I did not have to flip past too much gore. Surprisingly, this book did not highlight much of the murderous intrigues and powerplays of the Macedonian /Aegean ruling dynasty (some allusion to earlier violence is referenced) so maybe there might be more to come in the second book of the series. 5 solid stars for an engaging read.
The backstory of the youthful prince is outworked against the fiery power struggles between Alexandros' parents - conflicting loyalties and the struggle to please. Hephaistion's tragic family history and ties with the royal family is also well explored. Our MCs further education under Aristoteles in the town of Mieza features alliances made with fellow students (who would eventually become Alexandros' future army generals) and draws out the growing emotional bond between them ... a delicious dance of attraction (initially one-sided given Alexandros' age) which becomes increasingly evident to those surrounding them.
The battle sequences are brutal but restrained ... I did not have to flip past too much gore. Surprisingly, this book did not highlight much of the murderous intrigues and powerplays of the Macedonian /Aegean ruling dynasty (some allusion to earlier violence is referenced) so maybe there might be more to come in the second book of the series. 5 solid stars for an engaging read.
December 18, 2023
Ever since I heard Dr Jeanne Reames was writing books on a young Alexander, I've been intrigued. It's been a long wait but a worthwhile one. I loved the first book in the series.
It's probably impossible to read an AtG novel without comparing it to the famed Mary Renault Alexander Trilogy. While Renault's literary merit was indisputable, I was much more emotionally invested and satisfied reading "Becoming". The book starts when Alexandros(AtG) was almost 13 and ends at his initiation into the Dionysos Mysteries almost three years later(which in itself read like a Greek tragedy). We see his growth through rites(hunting and military drilling), education(Aristotle), battles, friendship and young love blossomed from a prepubescent crush. A true come-of-age journey.
The historical Hephaistion was all but erased from history. As AtG's right hand man, he was mostly remembered for how he was mourned in death. Being a Hephaistion scholar, it would have been tempting for Dr. Reames to create an idealized character and justify Alexander's deep attachment. Instead her Hephaistion was a flawed teen who harbored pain and anger. Alexandros's friendship helped him grow into a confident young man. I found this deeply moving and believable. As Philalexandros Hephaistion's lifelong love and devotion to AtG had to be based on more than the status and charisma of a king and should not be taken for granted. The relationship was depicted as mutual and genuine.
Historical novels are challenging to write, especially those of well known figures like Alexander, whose history and myth have fascinated generations and every reader can pick and choose what to believe. In the author's notes Dr. Reames explained several choices regarding characters and plots for dramatic reasons but are likely historically untrue. However no compromises were made when it came to ancient culture, religion, rituals and geography nor the adolescent emotions - arrogance, trepidation, flashes of anger that formed and subsided quickly and mysteriously. The Macedonian society and hierarchy were vividly presented by the many supporting characters, which admittedly could be laboring for the less history inclined readers. However I enjoyed every bit of Philip, Olympias, Kleopatra, Aristotle, Ptolemy and Amyntor. For readers familiar with AtG, much subtext and foreshadowing could be deduced for Kleitos, Philotas, Parmenion, Harpalos, the Diadochi and others.
I look forward to reading the second book in the series and hope Dr. Reames will choose to write more on AtG's adult life.
It's probably impossible to read an AtG novel without comparing it to the famed Mary Renault Alexander Trilogy. While Renault's literary merit was indisputable, I was much more emotionally invested and satisfied reading "Becoming". The book starts when Alexandros(AtG) was almost 13 and ends at his initiation into the Dionysos Mysteries almost three years later(which in itself read like a Greek tragedy). We see his growth through rites(hunting and military drilling), education(Aristotle), battles, friendship and young love blossomed from a prepubescent crush. A true come-of-age journey.
The historical Hephaistion was all but erased from history. As AtG's right hand man, he was mostly remembered for how he was mourned in death. Being a Hephaistion scholar, it would have been tempting for Dr. Reames to create an idealized character and justify Alexander's deep attachment. Instead her Hephaistion was a flawed teen who harbored pain and anger. Alexandros's friendship helped him grow into a confident young man. I found this deeply moving and believable. As Philalexandros Hephaistion's lifelong love and devotion to AtG had to be based on more than the status and charisma of a king and should not be taken for granted. The relationship was depicted as mutual and genuine.
Historical novels are challenging to write, especially those of well known figures like Alexander, whose history and myth have fascinated generations and every reader can pick and choose what to believe. In the author's notes Dr. Reames explained several choices regarding characters and plots for dramatic reasons but are likely historically untrue. However no compromises were made when it came to ancient culture, religion, rituals and geography nor the adolescent emotions - arrogance, trepidation, flashes of anger that formed and subsided quickly and mysteriously. The Macedonian society and hierarchy were vividly presented by the many supporting characters, which admittedly could be laboring for the less history inclined readers. However I enjoyed every bit of Philip, Olympias, Kleopatra, Aristotle, Ptolemy and Amyntor. For readers familiar with AtG, much subtext and foreshadowing could be deduced for Kleitos, Philotas, Parmenion, Harpalos, the Diadochi and others.
I look forward to reading the second book in the series and hope Dr. Reames will choose to write more on AtG's adult life.
June 22, 2019
Jeanne Reames is a highly regarded scholar. Currently she the Graduate Program Chair for the History Dept at the University of Nebraska. She has published numerous papers on Macedonia at the time of Alexander the Great, on Greek and Macedonian Religion, and on Greek Gender Studies. How wonderful to have such an expert write the love story between Alexander and Hephaistion.
Becoming (Book 1) is just that. We meet Alexandros (Alexander) as a young teen. True he is the king's acknowledged son. This does not mean much in the rough, internecine life in Philippos (Philip II). Without his mother's strategic thinking, Alexandros might not have survived past childhood.
Not quite thirteen, and alternating sleeping in the women's quarters and the page's dormitory, Alexandros is struck by the beauty and the courage of Hephaistion. Hephaistion has left his home, gambling his future by petitioning to be a page in Philippo's court. The two become friends while studying with Aristoteles (Aristotle).
The novel is filled with such detail, that it almost reads like non fiction. The life of Macedonia is so vividly described, that a reader might feel comfortable preparing a meal based on ancient Macedonian cooking. Likewise, the love story between the young men is both beautiful and believable. This is not the mythic Alexander the Great, instead Reames introduces us to a very likeable, complex young man on the thresh hold of his destiny.
The novel is intended for adult readers. I believe mature young adults would appreciate the work as well
Highly recommended
Full disclosure: I received this copy from netgalley and Riptide Publications in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.
Becoming (Book 1) is just that. We meet Alexandros (Alexander) as a young teen. True he is the king's acknowledged son. This does not mean much in the rough, internecine life in Philippos (Philip II). Without his mother's strategic thinking, Alexandros might not have survived past childhood.
Not quite thirteen, and alternating sleeping in the women's quarters and the page's dormitory, Alexandros is struck by the beauty and the courage of Hephaistion. Hephaistion has left his home, gambling his future by petitioning to be a page in Philippo's court. The two become friends while studying with Aristoteles (Aristotle).
The novel is filled with such detail, that it almost reads like non fiction. The life of Macedonia is so vividly described, that a reader might feel comfortable preparing a meal based on ancient Macedonian cooking. Likewise, the love story between the young men is both beautiful and believable. This is not the mythic Alexander the Great, instead Reames introduces us to a very likeable, complex young man on the thresh hold of his destiny.
The novel is intended for adult readers. I believe mature young adults would appreciate the work as well
Highly recommended
Full disclosure: I received this copy from netgalley and Riptide Publications in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.
June 30, 2019
If you are interested in Alexander's life as a young prince, this book is definitely worth a read. I absolutely adore this book. I am very grateful for Dr. Jeanne Reames choice to use her competence of Ancient history to blow life into these old, dusty ruins of the past. In this book, she breathes new life into historical figures that are depicted as three-dimentional characters.
The writing is sophisticated, yet simple at the same time. The depictions are beautiful without being purple-prosey. The book has a good balance between humour and soberness, and it is easy to connect with the characters, each of them having their sympathetic moments.
We meet a young Alexander on the edge of adulthood; playful and naive, but mature and aware of the important role that awaits him. His relationship with Hephaistion is sincere and tender, the start of a lifelong bond between two souls.
If you are interested in reading a good historical fiction and coming of age novel, give this a try. It is a wonderful depiction of an ancient past, as well as a learning experience in itself.
I did learn a lot about Ancient Macedonian vocabulary, traditions and society, and my interest was piqued. I would recommend this book for people from age 15 and up.
The writing is sophisticated, yet simple at the same time. The depictions are beautiful without being purple-prosey. The book has a good balance between humour and soberness, and it is easy to connect with the characters, each of them having their sympathetic moments.
We meet a young Alexander on the edge of adulthood; playful and naive, but mature and aware of the important role that awaits him. His relationship with Hephaistion is sincere and tender, the start of a lifelong bond between two souls.
If you are interested in reading a good historical fiction and coming of age novel, give this a try. It is a wonderful depiction of an ancient past, as well as a learning experience in itself.
I did learn a lot about Ancient Macedonian vocabulary, traditions and society, and my interest was piqued. I would recommend this book for people from age 15 and up.
March 13, 2022
i found this book on accident. i read dr. reames research paper for an essay i was writing for uni and i googled her to find out more, and boom, there's her tumblr page. the rest unfolded itself.
i loved the book. she definitely knows how to write. and due to her expertise in the field, this was finally a historical fiction where i could absolutely trust that while the events weren't necessarily true, the represented culture and overall context was historically accurate and wonderfully incorporated into the story. i loved it, and i immediately ordered the second book. however the epilogue was a fever dream and will give me nightmares.
i loved the book. she definitely knows how to write. and due to her expertise in the field, this was finally a historical fiction where i could absolutely trust that while the events weren't necessarily true, the represented culture and overall context was historically accurate and wonderfully incorporated into the story. i loved it, and i immediately ordered the second book. however the epilogue was a fever dream and will give me nightmares.
July 4, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley
I don't know why, but I just could not really get into this book. I think part of it the fact that the pacing is sooo slooow. I don't know how many books the author has planned for this series but Alexander is still very young at the end of this one and I don't feel like a lot happened beyond 'he trained for the army for a bit and also had some lessons with Aristotle'. Also the epilogue was very weird and I didn't feel like it fit with the rest of the book at all. I assume it is setting up the next book, but I was honestly pretty out of it at that point.
I think this will still be a very enjoyable read for a lot of people, but I personally would have liked it if it had started when Alexander was a bit older I think. Also while the author obviously has a very impressive knowledge of the subject matter and general time period, it did make for rather dry reading some of the time and I could probably do without many of the random Greek words thrown into the text.
One thing I really did love about this particular retelling was Hephaestion's personality. You would think it would be the other way around but pretty much this whole book was Alexander going 'no, you're going to get in trouble!' and Hephaestion being like 'um, do I look like I care???' which I found absolutely hilarious. I guess it makes a certain amount of sense in this story with Hephaestion being several years old and having a different kind of upbringing, but it still took me by surprise.
I don't know why, but I just could not really get into this book. I think part of it the fact that the pacing is sooo slooow. I don't know how many books the author has planned for this series but Alexander is still very young at the end of this one and I don't feel like a lot happened beyond 'he trained for the army for a bit and also had some lessons with Aristotle'. Also the epilogue was very weird and I didn't feel like it fit with the rest of the book at all. I assume it is setting up the next book, but I was honestly pretty out of it at that point.
I think this will still be a very enjoyable read for a lot of people, but I personally would have liked it if it had started when Alexander was a bit older I think. Also while the author obviously has a very impressive knowledge of the subject matter and general time period, it did make for rather dry reading some of the time and I could probably do without many of the random Greek words thrown into the text.
One thing I really did love about this particular retelling was Hephaestion's personality. You would think it would be the other way around but pretty much this whole book was Alexander going 'no, you're going to get in trouble!' and Hephaestion being like 'um, do I look like I care???' which I found absolutely hilarious. I guess it makes a certain amount of sense in this story with Hephaestion being several years old and having a different kind of upbringing, but it still took me by surprise.
July 9, 2019
i dedicate my review of this book to my history professor, who kinned Philip II so hard that he once spent an entire class period making us pretend to be Macedonian nobles advising him on whether or not to attack Athens.
i read this book on the recommendation of someone whose classics and Alexander opinions i respect, and i was not even a little bit disappointed. the prose and characterization are good, and make for a delightful read. however, it is Reames’ knowledge of Greek language, history, and culture that make this book shine. i really can’t get over how good the Greek was; i had the logeion app open the whole time and was consistently delighted with the way the characters spoke to each other.
of course, the base of good historical fiction is not just good history, it must also be good fiction. the characters must inhabit the world in a way that makes sense, both in their own historical context and to the modern reader. Alexandros, Hephaistion, and the others do that well, and Reames brought the story of Alexander’s youth to life in a really vivid way. also she doesn’t hate women as much as Mary Renault does, which is nice. Dancing with the Lion is good history, and good fiction, and it’s really, really good historical fiction.
i read this book on the recommendation of someone whose classics and Alexander opinions i respect, and i was not even a little bit disappointed. the prose and characterization are good, and make for a delightful read. however, it is Reames’ knowledge of Greek language, history, and culture that make this book shine. i really can’t get over how good the Greek was; i had the logeion app open the whole time and was consistently delighted with the way the characters spoke to each other.
of course, the base of good historical fiction is not just good history, it must also be good fiction. the characters must inhabit the world in a way that makes sense, both in their own historical context and to the modern reader. Alexandros, Hephaistion, and the others do that well, and Reames brought the story of Alexander’s youth to life in a really vivid way. also she doesn’t hate women as much as Mary Renault does, which is nice. Dancing with the Lion is good history, and good fiction, and it’s really, really good historical fiction.
October 29, 2019
I’ve always been interested in the life of Alexander but never really had a clear picture of who he was. This book made it possible to imagine his everyday life with all of the typical teenage moods and behaviors, all while growing up as a prince.
I found the various descriptions of nature to be especially vibrant throughout and really made the past come alive. I felt like I was using all five senses while engaging with this story, which is what makes a novel stand out for me.
I laughed at all the childish things Alexander did that I could relate to, and I welled up during the battle scenes. Dr. Reames brings the realities of battle to life effortlessly.
As someone who is interested in the ‘human’ side of people, especially those who are famous or legendary, I found this book gave me exactly what I was hoping for.
I am excited to read Book Two and further delve into Alexander and Hephastion’s world. A fantastic first book that will be worth your time!
I found the various descriptions of nature to be especially vibrant throughout and really made the past come alive. I felt like I was using all five senses while engaging with this story, which is what makes a novel stand out for me.
I laughed at all the childish things Alexander did that I could relate to, and I welled up during the battle scenes. Dr. Reames brings the realities of battle to life effortlessly.
As someone who is interested in the ‘human’ side of people, especially those who are famous or legendary, I found this book gave me exactly what I was hoping for.
I am excited to read Book Two and further delve into Alexander and Hephastion’s world. A fantastic first book that will be worth your time!
February 9, 2025
@ god what do i have to do for this to start trending instead of the 56th copy paste greek myth retelling
February 1, 2020
A flawed jewel of a novel - but a jewel nonetheless, very much worth your time
“Only Hephaistion could be trusted to pursue him for himself, not for the favors he could grant, or from some perverse desire to conquer a prince.”
Dancing with the Lion: Becoming tells the tale of Alexander the Great as a boy when he first meets Hephaistion, and follows the course of their friendship as it grows towards love. In many ways this is a remarkable, if flawed, book. At its best, it approaches the incandescent beauty of Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles. After finishing Miller's book, an obvious comparison for this one, I floated for a few days, having been made weightless and free, as if temporarily shifted into a different reality, the novel having infiltrated every cell of my being. Dancing with the Lion doesn't reach this level, mostly because it doesn't maintain a consistent tone (as I describe in more detail below). But it's a work that has its own beauty, its own compelling gravity, and is very much worth your time.
The author uses her considerable knowledge of Ancient Greece to fill her scenes with intriguing details, developing a picture of the values, emotions, and behaviors that make the Classical age so different from our own. Her portrait of the teenaged Alexander, already a skilled court politician, is an effective mixture of immaturity and bravado with glimpses of the warrior king to come. Her Hephaistion is a lost, quiet, and brooding cynic who is returned to himself by Alexander, who in turn finds in the older boy someone who grounds and anchors him. The two together are clearly conceived here as complementary forces, each finding its completion in the other.
After the first chapter, the writing takes off. The author displays a skill for fully conceiving each scene, accounting for emotions, conflict, setting, the feel of the environment, and even the quality of the light in great detail. She moves from small details like “Dried blood made his arm itch, and he wiped it on his leg,” to metaphors like “He was a weathervane swinging in the wind of his father’s moods; he knew when to make himself nondescript and small.” Or again: “Alexandros had two sorts of anger. One was sharp and bright, bursting out only to melt away like snow on sun-warmed stone. The other froze hard and dirty like old ice. Implacable.” We get convincing images of the boys’ time with Aristotle, of the baths and stadiums of the Olympiad, and of deeply disturbing rituals, all keenly and, at times, elegantly described with literary precision.
As for the flaws, perhaps we get an indication of what is to come from the dedication, which is to her father, an academic like the author herself. Indeed, the novel begins with the tone of a professor lecturing down to dullard pupils. By insisting on the use of Greek names and terms, she creates a situation where these names constantly have to be interpreted for the reader. Providing the interpretation ends up feeling like a lecture, at worst, or disrupting our belief in the world she's trying to bring to life, at best. For instance, why exactly is it important that the reader to know the Greek name for safety pins? Moreover, how is a reader to know how to sound out these names mentally? If we can't mentally hear the words we read, the words just become ink stains on a page. Further, why is it so important to use the Latin spelling of the Greek terms only to mix in British slang - e.g. shite, arse - along the way? It adds up to a strange verbal meringue. Am I being transported back to Ancient Greece or into a BBC drama?
Beyond the irritating Greek terms and lecturing tone, the author finds other ways to annoy. Perhaps going for a Homeric tone, we’re treated to phrases such as “Morning had grayed the hill-breasted skyline.” (I’m assuming this is a reference to Homer; I’m not a Greek scholar, as is the author, and the book drops quite a few names of thinkers, playwrights, generals, and artists that span several hundred years. But, yes, there is at least one reference to rosy-fingered dawns in these pages, a reference few can miss). There are other moments when the writing justly deserves the eye-rolls it inspires. For instance, there is scene with “farmers goading balking donkeys burdened with produce like improbable hedgehogs.” Donkeys as improbable hedgehogs? That’s stretching an analogy beyond it’s limits. Then there is “the brassy taste of humiliation sympathetic on his own tongue.” I didn’t know humiliation was brassy, nor would I know how it combines with sympathy on my tongue. There is also a reference to someone “whose cynical wit he seemed to regard as the solemn antiphon to any Lydian chorus,” or the time when “the question riddled in the wool of his own lassitude.” Riiight. Got that. These passages suggest a pretentious contempt for the reader - a tone that disappears (mostly) after the first chapter. Even the over-the-top use of typeface, graphic dividers, and page borders (not original but torn from a clip-art catalog) echoes this pretentiousness.
Especially in the opening chapter, the author struggles with tone. Her writing is in a three-way tug of war, at once trying to sound mythic and grand, as if to live up to its subject matter, and also erudite and academic, as if to prove that she knows her topic, while trying to wrap it all up in the easy, wise-cracking repartee of everyday language, perhaps to prove she's hip. It falls flat. It’s hard to predict the near-majestic sweep of storytelling and the astonishing moments where her writing soars in its acute sensitivity to emotional nuance, physical sensation, the moods of nature, and the thinking of Ancient Greeks that follows.
After the book’s striking epilogue, the author provides study questions for the book. While it's presumptuous to assume that this book will be studied, they helped me reflect on the thoughtfulness and occasional elegance achieved in this novel. It’s a flawed jewel that has a promise of a brilliance it doesn’t quite achieve. But it’s a jewel nonetheless.
“Only Hephaistion could be trusted to pursue him for himself, not for the favors he could grant, or from some perverse desire to conquer a prince.”
Dancing with the Lion: Becoming tells the tale of Alexander the Great as a boy when he first meets Hephaistion, and follows the course of their friendship as it grows towards love. In many ways this is a remarkable, if flawed, book. At its best, it approaches the incandescent beauty of Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles. After finishing Miller's book, an obvious comparison for this one, I floated for a few days, having been made weightless and free, as if temporarily shifted into a different reality, the novel having infiltrated every cell of my being. Dancing with the Lion doesn't reach this level, mostly because it doesn't maintain a consistent tone (as I describe in more detail below). But it's a work that has its own beauty, its own compelling gravity, and is very much worth your time.
The author uses her considerable knowledge of Ancient Greece to fill her scenes with intriguing details, developing a picture of the values, emotions, and behaviors that make the Classical age so different from our own. Her portrait of the teenaged Alexander, already a skilled court politician, is an effective mixture of immaturity and bravado with glimpses of the warrior king to come. Her Hephaistion is a lost, quiet, and brooding cynic who is returned to himself by Alexander, who in turn finds in the older boy someone who grounds and anchors him. The two together are clearly conceived here as complementary forces, each finding its completion in the other.
After the first chapter, the writing takes off. The author displays a skill for fully conceiving each scene, accounting for emotions, conflict, setting, the feel of the environment, and even the quality of the light in great detail. She moves from small details like “Dried blood made his arm itch, and he wiped it on his leg,” to metaphors like “He was a weathervane swinging in the wind of his father’s moods; he knew when to make himself nondescript and small.” Or again: “Alexandros had two sorts of anger. One was sharp and bright, bursting out only to melt away like snow on sun-warmed stone. The other froze hard and dirty like old ice. Implacable.” We get convincing images of the boys’ time with Aristotle, of the baths and stadiums of the Olympiad, and of deeply disturbing rituals, all keenly and, at times, elegantly described with literary precision.
As for the flaws, perhaps we get an indication of what is to come from the dedication, which is to her father, an academic like the author herself. Indeed, the novel begins with the tone of a professor lecturing down to dullard pupils. By insisting on the use of Greek names and terms, she creates a situation where these names constantly have to be interpreted for the reader. Providing the interpretation ends up feeling like a lecture, at worst, or disrupting our belief in the world she's trying to bring to life, at best. For instance, why exactly is it important that the reader to know the Greek name for safety pins? Moreover, how is a reader to know how to sound out these names mentally? If we can't mentally hear the words we read, the words just become ink stains on a page. Further, why is it so important to use the Latin spelling of the Greek terms only to mix in British slang - e.g. shite, arse - along the way? It adds up to a strange verbal meringue. Am I being transported back to Ancient Greece or into a BBC drama?
Beyond the irritating Greek terms and lecturing tone, the author finds other ways to annoy. Perhaps going for a Homeric tone, we’re treated to phrases such as “Morning had grayed the hill-breasted skyline.” (I’m assuming this is a reference to Homer; I’m not a Greek scholar, as is the author, and the book drops quite a few names of thinkers, playwrights, generals, and artists that span several hundred years. But, yes, there is at least one reference to rosy-fingered dawns in these pages, a reference few can miss). There are other moments when the writing justly deserves the eye-rolls it inspires. For instance, there is scene with “farmers goading balking donkeys burdened with produce like improbable hedgehogs.” Donkeys as improbable hedgehogs? That’s stretching an analogy beyond it’s limits. Then there is “the brassy taste of humiliation sympathetic on his own tongue.” I didn’t know humiliation was brassy, nor would I know how it combines with sympathy on my tongue. There is also a reference to someone “whose cynical wit he seemed to regard as the solemn antiphon to any Lydian chorus,” or the time when “the question riddled in the wool of his own lassitude.” Riiight. Got that. These passages suggest a pretentious contempt for the reader - a tone that disappears (mostly) after the first chapter. Even the over-the-top use of typeface, graphic dividers, and page borders (not original but torn from a clip-art catalog) echoes this pretentiousness.
Especially in the opening chapter, the author struggles with tone. Her writing is in a three-way tug of war, at once trying to sound mythic and grand, as if to live up to its subject matter, and also erudite and academic, as if to prove that she knows her topic, while trying to wrap it all up in the easy, wise-cracking repartee of everyday language, perhaps to prove she's hip. It falls flat. It’s hard to predict the near-majestic sweep of storytelling and the astonishing moments where her writing soars in its acute sensitivity to emotional nuance, physical sensation, the moods of nature, and the thinking of Ancient Greeks that follows.
After the book’s striking epilogue, the author provides study questions for the book. While it's presumptuous to assume that this book will be studied, they helped me reflect on the thoughtfulness and occasional elegance achieved in this novel. It’s a flawed jewel that has a promise of a brilliance it doesn’t quite achieve. But it’s a jewel nonetheless.
July 1, 2024
J’ai découvert ce livre sur les recommendations d’une amie, et elle avait raison. Ce récit est passionnant et absolument fascinant. Tout en utilisant un style vivant, l’auteure nous immerge littéralement dans le passé. Pour être exacte dans la vie d’Alexandre le grand où celui qu’il va devenir.
Tout sonne juste et nous plonge dans sa vie en commençant par utiliser la forme grecque des prénoms. Toutes les descriptions sont minutieuses ( et j’ai dû d’ailleurs utiliser bien souvent mon dictionnaire, mon anglais historique étant plutôt basique 😊) rendant ce récit réaliste.
Tout sonne juste et nous plonge dans sa vie en commençant par utiliser la forme grecque des prénoms. Toutes les descriptions sont minutieuses ( et j’ai dû d’ailleurs utiliser bien souvent mon dictionnaire, mon anglais historique étant plutôt basique 😊) rendant ce récit réaliste.
September 22, 2024
“Someday, gods willing, he’d be king, yet he needed someone with whom he could still be Alexandros.”
3,5/5!
Dancing With the Lion: Becoming tells the story of Alexander the Great before he became king of Macedon and went on to become the legendary conqueror we know him as. He begins this book as a thirteen-year-old boy and we follow him as he navigates his parents' turbulent marriage, does everything he can to prove himself a worthy crown prince to his father's throne, becomes the pupil of Aristotle and becomes friends with another young man, Hephaistion. If you are looking for a book full of war, drama, high stakes, bloodshed and everything you might expect from a book about one of the greatest military leaders in history, this ain't the book for you. This story is heavily focused on the characters of Alexander (or Alexandros, as he is called in this novel) and Hephaistion, their friendship and its slow development into something more.
I guess the fact that this book is so heavily focused on its characters - you could argue that not much actually happens in the book - might bother some people who like their stories more plot-driven, but it didn't bother me. I liked just focusing on the characters, especially because Alexander the Great is one of my favorite historical figures and I love reading about different writers' interpretations and versions of him, and the people in his life. Reames' Alexandros was ambitious, quick to anger as well as sorrow and love, troubled by his parents' difficult relationship and even awkward at times. Her Hephaistion was closed-off, private, loyal, proud and someone who nurtures his grudges. I liked following these two a lot. I also liked the side characters - Alexandros' sister Kleopatra, his mom Olympias, his dad Philippos and his tutor, the famous Aristotle, were my absolute faves of the side characters.
The heart of the book is definitely Alexandros' love story with Hephaistion. This book is, above all, a romance. And it was an enjoyable romance. I liked how they slowly became friends and slowly began to realize that they love one another. There was no insta-love - their bond developed in a natural way. I love how to book emphasized that Hephaistion is the only one who loves Alexander purely for himself - to everyone else he is either a vessel of power, a prince or someone they must treat well in order to gain something, except to Hephaistion, who loves him as he is, and is not afraid to tell him when he is being a mess, which is the case more often than not for this version of Alexander.
One thing I also liked was the development of how people saw and viewed Alexandros, and how he, during the course of the book, became someone they admire and someone whose wrath they will avoid at all costs. I liked catching a glimpse of the future Alexandros - the one leading his armies to Persia and beyond – in his teenaged self. Other aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the exploration of Alexandros' messed up family dynamics - his relationship with his dad, his mom and his sister.
But yes, I'm only giving this book 3,5/5. I liked the romance and the characters and my over-all experience reading the book was a joy (I smiled a lot, I was entertained) but there were some things that hindered my enjoyment. The writing was a bit clunky at times - there were some very weird sayings and phrases thrown in. Reames' insults especially were odd at times. I also just didn't get that 4/5 stars feel when reading it.
But overall I did enjoy this book and its interpretation of Alexander the Great, and I will gladly pick up the second book!
3,5/5!
Dancing With the Lion: Becoming tells the story of Alexander the Great before he became king of Macedon and went on to become the legendary conqueror we know him as. He begins this book as a thirteen-year-old boy and we follow him as he navigates his parents' turbulent marriage, does everything he can to prove himself a worthy crown prince to his father's throne, becomes the pupil of Aristotle and becomes friends with another young man, Hephaistion. If you are looking for a book full of war, drama, high stakes, bloodshed and everything you might expect from a book about one of the greatest military leaders in history, this ain't the book for you. This story is heavily focused on the characters of Alexander (or Alexandros, as he is called in this novel) and Hephaistion, their friendship and its slow development into something more.
I guess the fact that this book is so heavily focused on its characters - you could argue that not much actually happens in the book - might bother some people who like their stories more plot-driven, but it didn't bother me. I liked just focusing on the characters, especially because Alexander the Great is one of my favorite historical figures and I love reading about different writers' interpretations and versions of him, and the people in his life. Reames' Alexandros was ambitious, quick to anger as well as sorrow and love, troubled by his parents' difficult relationship and even awkward at times. Her Hephaistion was closed-off, private, loyal, proud and someone who nurtures his grudges. I liked following these two a lot. I also liked the side characters - Alexandros' sister Kleopatra, his mom Olympias, his dad Philippos and his tutor, the famous Aristotle, were my absolute faves of the side characters.
The heart of the book is definitely Alexandros' love story with Hephaistion. This book is, above all, a romance. And it was an enjoyable romance. I liked how they slowly became friends and slowly began to realize that they love one another. There was no insta-love - their bond developed in a natural way. I love how to book emphasized that Hephaistion is the only one who loves Alexander purely for himself - to everyone else he is either a vessel of power, a prince or someone they must treat well in order to gain something, except to Hephaistion, who loves him as he is, and is not afraid to tell him when he is being a mess, which is the case more often than not for this version of Alexander.
One thing I also liked was the development of how people saw and viewed Alexandros, and how he, during the course of the book, became someone they admire and someone whose wrath they will avoid at all costs. I liked catching a glimpse of the future Alexandros - the one leading his armies to Persia and beyond – in his teenaged self. Other aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the exploration of Alexandros' messed up family dynamics - his relationship with his dad, his mom and his sister.
But yes, I'm only giving this book 3,5/5. I liked the romance and the characters and my over-all experience reading the book was a joy (I smiled a lot, I was entertained) but there were some things that hindered my enjoyment. The writing was a bit clunky at times - there were some very weird sayings and phrases thrown in. Reames' insults especially were odd at times. I also just didn't get that 4/5 stars feel when reading it.
But overall I did enjoy this book and its interpretation of Alexander the Great, and I will gladly pick up the second book!
July 3, 2019
I was a bit hesitant to request this because of the cover (how silly of me, but I'm not too fond of covers with faces), but the description truly captured my curiosity, reminding me of one of my favourite books, a retelling of The Iliad that focuses on the dynamics between Patroclus and Achilles. So, I came into this book with no expectation, and I'm thankful I did.
Above all, this book wonderfully shows the struggles that come with growing up under immense pressure in the Ancient Macedonian court. It follows the story of a youth that would grow to be known as Alexander the Great and his companion Hephastion. For all his life, Alexandros has been prepared to be a leader, but he also wants to be a human. Hephaistion, meanwhile, is bitter of his brothers' death, and he goes to serve as a Page in Philippos's court to seek redemption for himself. Thus, they meet and develop a close friendship, helping each other overcome their struggles along the way.
This book doesn't focus solely on the relationship. Instead, it also shows us how the two main characters develop beyond it. The characters are complex, with their own faults and virtues. We see them learn from their mistakes and deal with their own problems. Although the two characters help and complement each other, they are not dependent on each other. The relationship builds slowly throughout the book, so I get to really see why they're fit for each other.
It also deals with the side characters justly, as complex beings with their own virtues and faults. Prior to reading this, I have read a book about what happens after Alexander's death, and it's really interesting and somewhat bittersweet to see the figures from the contest for the throne here.
Discussions about subjects such as the role of women in the ancient world, the complications of the relationship, the differences of beliefs, and the effects of war are also inserted well, without feeling forced. Although, there are indeed some things that I wish the book would explore further.
The world-building is wonderful. A few descriptions feel a bit awkward or too flowery, but it's not much of a problem. I was totally drawn into the world whilst reading this, especially with the exquisite details. I'm not an expert on Macedonian history, but this book seems to be very well-researched (the author herself is a scholar that has published numerous papers on Macedonian history). It contains many fascinating bits of Macedonian history and includes a lot of Greek terms. It makes me want to learn more about it.
I wish this book is longer! However, the ending is satisfactory enough, with the conflicts neatly resolved and the characters developed without straying from their essence. I would definitely recommend this book for those who want to read a well-researched historical bildungsroman with complex characterisations and slow-burn romance.
(I received this copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
Above all, this book wonderfully shows the struggles that come with growing up under immense pressure in the Ancient Macedonian court. It follows the story of a youth that would grow to be known as Alexander the Great and his companion Hephastion. For all his life, Alexandros has been prepared to be a leader, but he also wants to be a human. Hephaistion, meanwhile, is bitter of his brothers' death, and he goes to serve as a Page in Philippos's court to seek redemption for himself. Thus, they meet and develop a close friendship, helping each other overcome their struggles along the way.
This book doesn't focus solely on the relationship. Instead, it also shows us how the two main characters develop beyond it. The characters are complex, with their own faults and virtues. We see them learn from their mistakes and deal with their own problems. Although the two characters help and complement each other, they are not dependent on each other. The relationship builds slowly throughout the book, so I get to really see why they're fit for each other.
It also deals with the side characters justly, as complex beings with their own virtues and faults. Prior to reading this, I have read a book about what happens after Alexander's death, and it's really interesting and somewhat bittersweet to see the figures from the contest for the throne here.
Discussions about subjects such as the role of women in the ancient world, the complications of the relationship, the differences of beliefs, and the effects of war are also inserted well, without feeling forced. Although, there are indeed some things that I wish the book would explore further.
The world-building is wonderful. A few descriptions feel a bit awkward or too flowery, but it's not much of a problem. I was totally drawn into the world whilst reading this, especially with the exquisite details. I'm not an expert on Macedonian history, but this book seems to be very well-researched (the author herself is a scholar that has published numerous papers on Macedonian history). It contains many fascinating bits of Macedonian history and includes a lot of Greek terms. It makes me want to learn more about it.
I wish this book is longer! However, the ending is satisfactory enough, with the conflicts neatly resolved and the characters developed without straying from their essence. I would definitely recommend this book for those who want to read a well-researched historical bildungsroman with complex characterisations and slow-burn romance.
(I received this copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
July 25, 2019
The first book of Dancing with the Lion was a fun read, and it's left me impatient for the sequel. I particularly enjoyed the characters, whom Reames sketched in distinct and human ways. The treatment of the women (especially Myrtalē) was particularly good; Reames did not ignore the rumour that surrounded her, but did not hold her guilty for them. Alexandros' teenage bluster was also enjoyable, and Hephaistion's deadpan attitude made him a magnet for the funniest scenes in the book. The historicism was expected (given that Reames is an academic in this area), and I appreciated how immersive it was. The only criticism I have is that the prose veers often towards the obvious and could have benefitted from a subtler touch. But the other elements are enjoyable, and the book is hard to put down. The ending scenes are particularly affective. Can't wait to see what happens next!
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