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Alexander's Legacy #2
The Three Paradises
Alexander the Great's sudden and unexpected death has left the largest, most formidable empire the world has ever seen leaderless. As the fight to take control descends into ruthless scheming and bloody battles, no one—man, woman, or child—is safe. As wars on land and sea are lost and won, and promises are made only to be broken, long-buried secrets come to light in the quest for the true circumstances surrounding Alexander's death. Was he murdered, and if so, by whom? Could he have been sowing the seeds of discord deliberately, through his refusal to name an heir? And who will eventually ascend to power at the helm of the empire—if it manages to survive that long? Can one champion vanquish all...?
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 7, 2021
76 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Robert Fabbri
55 books343 followersRobert Fabbri read Drama and Theatre at London University and has worked in film and TV for 25 years. He is an assistant director and has worked on productions such as Hornblower, Hellraiser, Patriot Games and Billy Elliot. Now, his life-long passion for ancient history, especially for that of the Roman Empire, has drawn him to write his first novel. He lives in London and Berlin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 13, 2025
4/5 Estrellas
El libro comienza donde acaba el anterior. En la derrota de Pérdicas (el casi elegido), intentando cruzar el brazo más oriental del Nilo y así poder enfrentarse a Ptolomeo que le había birlado traicioneramente el cuerpo de Alejandro, y la poca legitimidad de que podía disponer para intentarse imponerse en un Imperio macedonio que se deshacía por momentos como un gigante con pies de barro. Tras la debacle, es asesinado por su estado mayor, entre los que estaban Seleuco, Peitón o Aristonoo, generales y compañeros del Magno.
Recapitulemos. ¿Cómo estaba la situación en 221 a.c, a la muerte de Pérdicas?
-En Egipto Ptolomeo: Este lo tenía claro, quería su trocito de Imperio donde perpetuarse, pero no ambicionaba el control de todo el territorio, sabía que era misión imposible.
-En Grecia está Antípatro, el regente de Macedonia, que ha regido los destinos de la madre patria durante la aventura asiática del Rey. Tras sofocar la revuelta de las ciudades griegas, en 221 vuelve a tener el control del territorio. Además tiene la legitimidad por haber sido nombrado por el mismísimo Alejandro. Quizá todavía piensa que es posible que el inmenso Imperio tenga continuidad en los herederos con sangre argeada en sus venas. Igual ni el mismo se lo cree.
-En Tracia está Lisímaco. Preocupado por extenderse por los Balcanes, empieza a vislumbrar una amenaza terrible que se acerca a Grecia por el norte: las migraciones de los gálatas o celtas. Le preocupa más el norte que la política del imperio.....de momento.
-En Anatolia está Antígono y su hijo Demetrio. No respeta para nada la idea de la continuidad imperial. Es un señor de la guerra, que quiere construir su propio reino. El lugar elegido es Anatolia. De momento se adapta, luchando contra unos o contra otros, bajo una apariencia de legitimidad. Espera su momento.
-En Anatolia está Eumenes, antiguo secretario de Alejandro, se ha revelado como un gran general. Sin embargo, la muerte de Pérdicas, a quien apoyaba, le ha puesto en el lugar perdedor del escenario bélico. Pese a todo, va sobreviviendo y aguanta sobre el terreno, pese al acoso de Antígono.
-En las satrapías centrales del Imperio: Persia, Susania, Media, Partia, Babilonia sobreviven muchos sátrapas, unos nombrados por Perdicas, otros nombrados por Antípatro, igual queda todavía alguno nombrado por Alejandro.....pero hay un poder emergente que les tiene echado el ojo: Seleuco. Consigue se nombrado sátrapa de Babilonia y hacerse allí con el poder.
-Y muchos otros sátrapas y generales, en distintas regiones de Anatolia y Siria. La mayoría de ellos serán pronto desplazados y/o muertos por los poderes emergentes antes mencionados.
Entre todos ellos flota el aura del gran Alejandro, y sus descendientes:
-Su hijo Alejandro, nacido póstumo de la bactriana Roxana. Nombrado rey como Alejandro iV.
-Su medio hermano con incapacidad intelectual Arrideo, nombrado rey con el nombre de Filipo III y casado con otra pariente lejana de sangre iliria y coronada como Euridice.
Está claro que estos 4 personajes no tenían poder real, pero tenían un gran poder emocional sobre el ejército macedonio, la columna vertebral de todos los ejércitos en conflicto. El que los tuviera de su lado o se erigiera como su protector, contaba con un plus de legitimidad para llevar a cabo sus acciones y llevar la guerra a otros territorios. Con la escusa de proteger el imperio, la herencia de la casa real, iban yendo de un lado a otro, cuando verdaderamente ya nadie creía en ello y buscaba sus propios intereses. Vivirían mientras fueran útiles.
Entre 221 y 219 ac, Antipatro es capaz de mantener un poco el control y establece un poco de orden tras la conferencia de "los 3 paraísos" un antiguo cazadero real persa en Siria. Es el regente y el protector de los "reyes".
A su muerte en 219 ac, se desata el caos. La regencia pasa a su segundo Poliperconte, en detrimento de su hijo mayor Casandro. Este último no lo acepta y subleva a las ciudades griegas. La reina Olimpia, madre de Alejandro, vuelve a aparecer en escena desde el Epiro. Nunca ha renunciado a hacerse con el poder, y cree llegado el momento aprovechando el vacío dejado por Antípatro. Se desata la 2ª guerra de los Diadocos, cuyos principales escenarios serán, en los primeros años: Grecia, Macedonia (hasta ahora libre de conflictos civiles) y Anatolia y cuyos protagonistas serán los anteriormente mentados, más Poliperconte (regente designado por Antipatro), Cassandro (que no renuncia al poder) y Demetrio (hijo de Antígono y gran general en ciernes)...y Olimpia, nos nos olvidemos de ella.
Menudo escenario ¿No?, pues bien aprovechado da para libros, películas...... Lo que se tercie. Acciones bélicas de todo tipo, por tierra y mar. Traiciones, venganzas y alianzas siempre cambiantes. Política de alto nivel y de baja estofa. El autor nos va cambiando de escenario continuamente, poniéndonos en el foco de los principales acontecimientos. Quizá este exceso de dinamismo puede que afecte un poco a la trama, restándole continuidad, al ser muchos los que nos van contando los acontecimientos, pero nos regala un fresco extraordinario de la época.
Parece increíble que un territorio bastante pequeño, como era la Macedonia antigua, pudiera producir tal cantidad de soldados, oficiales y personajes que han pasado a la historia. Los Macedonios constituyeron la clase dirigentes durante siglos en muchos de los territorios del Imperio que conquistó Alejandro. En la época de los Diádocos no eran los componentes únicos de sus ejércitos, había también muchos griegos y habitantes de los territorios asiáticos, pero todavía constituían una parte muy importante y la que mandaba, por supuesto. La despoblación de sus territorios ancestrales ya se dejaba notar en estos años.....como me recuerda a nuestra Castilla. Cuna de soldados y conquistadores, hoy en día un yermo despoblado en muchas partes......el precio de la historia....madre que místico me he puesto....una reflexión que me viene continuamente a la cabeza.
¿Porqué 4 estrellas? Quizá al ser un formato similar a la primera entrega, ya no me ha llamado tanto la atención. Demasiada política, demasiados chanchullos, demasiadas traiciones, demasiados personajes, demasiado grande el escenario. Abarca demasiado y la acción y el entretenimiento se resienten un poco.
Deseando que traduzcan ya el tercero. Esta es una serie imprescindible para adentrarse en este periodo de la Historia.
Nos espera el desenlace del enfrentamiento entre Olimpia, Poliperconte y Casandro en Macedonia y Grecia, de Antígono y Eumenes en Anatolia y la extensión del conflicto a los territorios orientales, donde Seleuco se está erigiendo como un inmenso poder en la sombra. Ver qué hace Ptolomeo, extendiendo su influencia por Siria y a verlas venir. Quien da más.
Imprescindible.
-
El libro comienza donde acaba el anterior. En la derrota de Pérdicas (el casi elegido), intentando cruzar el brazo más oriental del Nilo y así poder enfrentarse a Ptolomeo que le había birlado traicioneramente el cuerpo de Alejandro, y la poca legitimidad de que podía disponer para intentarse imponerse en un Imperio macedonio que se deshacía por momentos como un gigante con pies de barro. Tras la debacle, es asesinado por su estado mayor, entre los que estaban Seleuco, Peitón o Aristonoo, generales y compañeros del Magno.
Recapitulemos. ¿Cómo estaba la situación en 221 a.c, a la muerte de Pérdicas?
-En Egipto Ptolomeo: Este lo tenía claro, quería su trocito de Imperio donde perpetuarse, pero no ambicionaba el control de todo el territorio, sabía que era misión imposible.
-En Grecia está Antípatro, el regente de Macedonia, que ha regido los destinos de la madre patria durante la aventura asiática del Rey. Tras sofocar la revuelta de las ciudades griegas, en 221 vuelve a tener el control del territorio. Además tiene la legitimidad por haber sido nombrado por el mismísimo Alejandro. Quizá todavía piensa que es posible que el inmenso Imperio tenga continuidad en los herederos con sangre argeada en sus venas. Igual ni el mismo se lo cree.
-En Tracia está Lisímaco. Preocupado por extenderse por los Balcanes, empieza a vislumbrar una amenaza terrible que se acerca a Grecia por el norte: las migraciones de los gálatas o celtas. Le preocupa más el norte que la política del imperio.....de momento.
-En Anatolia está Antígono y su hijo Demetrio. No respeta para nada la idea de la continuidad imperial. Es un señor de la guerra, que quiere construir su propio reino. El lugar elegido es Anatolia. De momento se adapta, luchando contra unos o contra otros, bajo una apariencia de legitimidad. Espera su momento.
-En Anatolia está Eumenes, antiguo secretario de Alejandro, se ha revelado como un gran general. Sin embargo, la muerte de Pérdicas, a quien apoyaba, le ha puesto en el lugar perdedor del escenario bélico. Pese a todo, va sobreviviendo y aguanta sobre el terreno, pese al acoso de Antígono.
-En las satrapías centrales del Imperio: Persia, Susania, Media, Partia, Babilonia sobreviven muchos sátrapas, unos nombrados por Perdicas, otros nombrados por Antípatro, igual queda todavía alguno nombrado por Alejandro.....pero hay un poder emergente que les tiene echado el ojo: Seleuco. Consigue se nombrado sátrapa de Babilonia y hacerse allí con el poder.
-Y muchos otros sátrapas y generales, en distintas regiones de Anatolia y Siria. La mayoría de ellos serán pronto desplazados y/o muertos por los poderes emergentes antes mencionados.
Entre todos ellos flota el aura del gran Alejandro, y sus descendientes:
-Su hijo Alejandro, nacido póstumo de la bactriana Roxana. Nombrado rey como Alejandro iV.
-Su medio hermano con incapacidad intelectual Arrideo, nombrado rey con el nombre de Filipo III y casado con otra pariente lejana de sangre iliria y coronada como Euridice.
Está claro que estos 4 personajes no tenían poder real, pero tenían un gran poder emocional sobre el ejército macedonio, la columna vertebral de todos los ejércitos en conflicto. El que los tuviera de su lado o se erigiera como su protector, contaba con un plus de legitimidad para llevar a cabo sus acciones y llevar la guerra a otros territorios. Con la escusa de proteger el imperio, la herencia de la casa real, iban yendo de un lado a otro, cuando verdaderamente ya nadie creía en ello y buscaba sus propios intereses. Vivirían mientras fueran útiles.
Entre 221 y 219 ac, Antipatro es capaz de mantener un poco el control y establece un poco de orden tras la conferencia de "los 3 paraísos" un antiguo cazadero real persa en Siria. Es el regente y el protector de los "reyes".
A su muerte en 219 ac, se desata el caos. La regencia pasa a su segundo Poliperconte, en detrimento de su hijo mayor Casandro. Este último no lo acepta y subleva a las ciudades griegas. La reina Olimpia, madre de Alejandro, vuelve a aparecer en escena desde el Epiro. Nunca ha renunciado a hacerse con el poder, y cree llegado el momento aprovechando el vacío dejado por Antípatro. Se desata la 2ª guerra de los Diadocos, cuyos principales escenarios serán, en los primeros años: Grecia, Macedonia (hasta ahora libre de conflictos civiles) y Anatolia y cuyos protagonistas serán los anteriormente mentados, más Poliperconte (regente designado por Antipatro), Cassandro (que no renuncia al poder) y Demetrio (hijo de Antígono y gran general en ciernes)...y Olimpia, nos nos olvidemos de ella.
Menudo escenario ¿No?, pues bien aprovechado da para libros, películas...... Lo que se tercie. Acciones bélicas de todo tipo, por tierra y mar. Traiciones, venganzas y alianzas siempre cambiantes. Política de alto nivel y de baja estofa. El autor nos va cambiando de escenario continuamente, poniéndonos en el foco de los principales acontecimientos. Quizá este exceso de dinamismo puede que afecte un poco a la trama, restándole continuidad, al ser muchos los que nos van contando los acontecimientos, pero nos regala un fresco extraordinario de la época.
Parece increíble que un territorio bastante pequeño, como era la Macedonia antigua, pudiera producir tal cantidad de soldados, oficiales y personajes que han pasado a la historia. Los Macedonios constituyeron la clase dirigentes durante siglos en muchos de los territorios del Imperio que conquistó Alejandro. En la época de los Diádocos no eran los componentes únicos de sus ejércitos, había también muchos griegos y habitantes de los territorios asiáticos, pero todavía constituían una parte muy importante y la que mandaba, por supuesto. La despoblación de sus territorios ancestrales ya se dejaba notar en estos años.....como me recuerda a nuestra Castilla. Cuna de soldados y conquistadores, hoy en día un yermo despoblado en muchas partes......el precio de la historia....madre que místico me he puesto....una reflexión que me viene continuamente a la cabeza.
¿Porqué 4 estrellas? Quizá al ser un formato similar a la primera entrega, ya no me ha llamado tanto la atención. Demasiada política, demasiados chanchullos, demasiadas traiciones, demasiados personajes, demasiado grande el escenario. Abarca demasiado y la acción y el entretenimiento se resienten un poco.
Deseando que traduzcan ya el tercero. Esta es una serie imprescindible para adentrarse en este periodo de la Historia.
Nos espera el desenlace del enfrentamiento entre Olimpia, Poliperconte y Casandro en Macedonia y Grecia, de Antígono y Eumenes en Anatolia y la extensión del conflicto a los territorios orientales, donde Seleuco se está erigiendo como un inmenso poder en la sombra. Ver qué hace Ptolomeo, extendiendo su influencia por Siria y a verlas venir. Quien da más.
Imprescindible.
-
April 25, 2021
Segundo libro de la Saga "El legado de Alejandro Magno" en el que continúan las conspiraciones, tramas y batallas por hacerse con el poder de todos los personajes más influyentes que la época que rodeaban al gran conquistador.
La verdad es que la obra es trepidante y aunque no es aconsejada para menores de edad por la dureza de algunas escenas, relata las conjuras y la manera con la que se hacían con el poder.
En esta novela es imposible aburrirse!!
La verdad es que la obra es trepidante y aunque no es aconsejada para menores de edad por la dureza de algunas escenas, relata las conjuras y la manera con la que se hacían con el poder.
En esta novela es imposible aburrirse!!
July 6, 2024
8/10
Como me fastidia no tener tiempo para hacer una reseña decente, pero así es la vida...
Segundo libro de esta saga que nos habla de los convulsos tiempos vividos por el imperio Macedonio tras la muerte del Gran Alejandro.
Me ha gustado un poco más que el primero, el cual ya me gustó, debido a que ya estoy metido en la acción, conozco a la mayoría de personajes y sus ambiciones, por lo que es más sencillo situarse.
La trama tiene un ritmo narrativo muy bueno, la acción es curiosa, porque hay muchas situaciones de guerra o batalla, pero a penas se narra nada sobre ella, y con todo, a mi que me encantan las escenas de acción, no echo en falta más espacio para las batallas. Los personajes muy bien, algunos mejores otros más regulares, pero en general de notable todos, destacando a Olympia que si la mitad de lo que se cuenta fue cierto, estaba como una puta cabra...
No le veo ningún pero a esta novela, y sino se lleva la quinta estrella es más por mis criterios que por otra cosa.
Intentaré seguir con la saga, aunque no sé si los siguientes están traducidos.
Como me fastidia no tener tiempo para hacer una reseña decente, pero así es la vida...
Segundo libro de esta saga que nos habla de los convulsos tiempos vividos por el imperio Macedonio tras la muerte del Gran Alejandro.
Me ha gustado un poco más que el primero, el cual ya me gustó, debido a que ya estoy metido en la acción, conozco a la mayoría de personajes y sus ambiciones, por lo que es más sencillo situarse.
La trama tiene un ritmo narrativo muy bueno, la acción es curiosa, porque hay muchas situaciones de guerra o batalla, pero a penas se narra nada sobre ella, y con todo, a mi que me encantan las escenas de acción, no echo en falta más espacio para las batallas. Los personajes muy bien, algunos mejores otros más regulares, pero en general de notable todos, destacando a Olympia que si la mitad de lo que se cuenta fue cierto, estaba como una puta cabra...
No le veo ningún pero a esta novela, y sino se lleva la quinta estrella es más por mis criterios que por otra cosa.
Intentaré seguir con la saga, aunque no sé si los siguientes están traducidos.
Read
December 5, 2023A little lost early on in truth will all the diffo factions in play & finding it hard to keep track of everyone, that’s stuff to do with me for the record not the book.
Not much of a review I'm afraid, stuff on-going with me....
Lots of battles, not anywhere near the intrigue of the first book as a result although i suspect I missed most (all) of the politicking that was afoot in this part of the series.
Not gonna rate this one, did finish it, my first non-review in quite a while….. ☹
Not much of a review I'm afraid, stuff on-going with me....
Lots of battles, not anywhere near the intrigue of the first book as a result although i suspect I missed most (all) of the politicking that was afoot in this part of the series.
Not gonna rate this one, did finish it, my first non-review in quite a while….. ☹
February 15, 2021
Review of the blog Alessandro III di Macedonia- Alessandro Magno & Ellenismo
4 and a half stars!
Before talking to you about this beautiful reading I must make a due premise because I don’t want to create doubts. In this period I struggle to find the right concentration to read and especially in English because I have some thoughts on my mind. So I read this book in a month but in reality it was less time because some nights I interspersed the reading of some books for children while others I didn’t really read at all. The reading time of this book doesn’t express my liking for the book – which I also found wonderful – but is simply the amount of time in which I started and finished reading it.
I’d like to thank the publisher Corvus for the free copy: thanks for this wonderful reading!
In this second book of Alexander’s Legacy series, Fabbri takes us back to the tumultuous world of succession to the reign of Alexander the Great and picks up where he left off with To the Strongest. I like Fabbri for how he writes, for how he characterizes the characters we know very well by now, for how he manages to follow – and to make us follow – from several points of view what happened in those years. After having read something more than last year about the Diadochi wars I can say that Fabbri makes some changes but he is also aware of them because he warns us at the end of the book and the changes he makes don’t distort the story but adapt it to his narration. If in the first book I liked Ptolemy very much, in this one I like all the characters a bit because, seeing the question from their point of view, he sympathizes with them, even for Kassander, when Antipater dies and leaves the regency to Polypercon and not to him, I manage to like it a little. Stories that had not particularly struck me in the first book like that of Adea in the end I like and I’m sorry for her bad end she has with Philip III Arrhidaeus.
There are many passages that I liked for the most diverse reasons:
when Antipater thinks that after twenty years he will see Seleukos again and wonders how he will have become and sees for a long time, as an old regent he knows that in the future they will have to face new emerging threats (Rome); when he thinks that he would have preferred Kassander’s death to Iollas’s; when he knew he didn’t have much time left and thinks back to his work for Philip and Alexander and returns to the idea of preserving the kingdom for little Alexander IV;
from Eumenes’ point of view he is the only one who thinks of the one great empire left by Alexander but he too has got his personal interests behind it. Later together with Antigenes he stages the farce of the throne with the diadem of Alexander in search of a legitimacy that he struggled to find since he was a Greek;
I also really liked the part played by Cleopatra, Alexander’s sister: she is smart, shrewd and decisive and the dialogue she has with Antipater is very beautiful;
it’s good how the various characters use The Last Days and Testament of Alexander depending on their game;
the first meeting of little Alexander with his grandmother Olympias was very good – for now he is too young to have his point of view but who knows if going forward in history he too will have his own personal narration. Olympias immediately sees in her grandson the features of her son but she’s hard on the child because memory and reality don’t match and she has to shape reality to make it match Alexander’s memory;
the description of the pythia rite of the oracle of Dodona when Olympias asks for help and understands what she really wants;
Thais is sometimes more cunning than Ptolemy and is a great help for him in planning what to do in the future;
Roxanna’s moment of despair is a good insight into her vulnerability because she remembers her youth and how her life has been upset several times in a very short time;
Olympias is terrible, cruel and sadistic with Antipater’s family.
In this second book Ptolemy and Seleukos remained a bit in the background and Antipater, Eumenes and Polypercon had more importance and I can’t wait to read An Empty Throne, the third book in the series but first there will also be the short story on Archias to read titled Archias the Exile-Hunter: The Issos Incident and for me now this saga with all the annexes is not to be missed!
At the end of the book there’s a list of all the characters and those in italics are the fictional ones. It’s curious to see what is reported for Alexander the Great: “the cause of all the trouble”. The Three Paradises is a compelling reading and despite the many characters you never lose the thread of the narrative because is told with skill and elegance. There are also naval battles and I’d like to read a book or a short story from Alexander’s point of view and I will read everything that Fabbri will publish on this series because I love it!
But, there is a but that doesn’t depend on the book but is important: when will it be published in Italian? Even those who cannot read English should have the opportunity to read this beautiful series and the Italian public must be able to read it! I myself would certainly re-read it in Italian too! We hope that sooner or later it will also come to us as the author is already known in Italy and would certainly like us too!
#copiaomaggio #prodottooffertoda Corvus – Atlantic Books
4 and a half stars!
Before talking to you about this beautiful reading I must make a due premise because I don’t want to create doubts. In this period I struggle to find the right concentration to read and especially in English because I have some thoughts on my mind. So I read this book in a month but in reality it was less time because some nights I interspersed the reading of some books for children while others I didn’t really read at all. The reading time of this book doesn’t express my liking for the book – which I also found wonderful – but is simply the amount of time in which I started and finished reading it.
I’d like to thank the publisher Corvus for the free copy: thanks for this wonderful reading!
In this second book of Alexander’s Legacy series, Fabbri takes us back to the tumultuous world of succession to the reign of Alexander the Great and picks up where he left off with To the Strongest. I like Fabbri for how he writes, for how he characterizes the characters we know very well by now, for how he manages to follow – and to make us follow – from several points of view what happened in those years. After having read something more than last year about the Diadochi wars I can say that Fabbri makes some changes but he is also aware of them because he warns us at the end of the book and the changes he makes don’t distort the story but adapt it to his narration. If in the first book I liked Ptolemy very much, in this one I like all the characters a bit because, seeing the question from their point of view, he sympathizes with them, even for Kassander, when Antipater dies and leaves the regency to Polypercon and not to him, I manage to like it a little. Stories that had not particularly struck me in the first book like that of Adea in the end I like and I’m sorry for her bad end she has with Philip III Arrhidaeus.
There are many passages that I liked for the most diverse reasons:
when Antipater thinks that after twenty years he will see Seleukos again and wonders how he will have become and sees for a long time, as an old regent he knows that in the future they will have to face new emerging threats (Rome); when he thinks that he would have preferred Kassander’s death to Iollas’s; when he knew he didn’t have much time left and thinks back to his work for Philip and Alexander and returns to the idea of preserving the kingdom for little Alexander IV;
from Eumenes’ point of view he is the only one who thinks of the one great empire left by Alexander but he too has got his personal interests behind it. Later together with Antigenes he stages the farce of the throne with the diadem of Alexander in search of a legitimacy that he struggled to find since he was a Greek;
I also really liked the part played by Cleopatra, Alexander’s sister: she is smart, shrewd and decisive and the dialogue she has with Antipater is very beautiful;
it’s good how the various characters use The Last Days and Testament of Alexander depending on their game;
the first meeting of little Alexander with his grandmother Olympias was very good – for now he is too young to have his point of view but who knows if going forward in history he too will have his own personal narration. Olympias immediately sees in her grandson the features of her son but she’s hard on the child because memory and reality don’t match and she has to shape reality to make it match Alexander’s memory;
the description of the pythia rite of the oracle of Dodona when Olympias asks for help and understands what she really wants;
Thais is sometimes more cunning than Ptolemy and is a great help for him in planning what to do in the future;
Roxanna’s moment of despair is a good insight into her vulnerability because she remembers her youth and how her life has been upset several times in a very short time;
Olympias is terrible, cruel and sadistic with Antipater’s family.
In this second book Ptolemy and Seleukos remained a bit in the background and Antipater, Eumenes and Polypercon had more importance and I can’t wait to read An Empty Throne, the third book in the series but first there will also be the short story on Archias to read titled Archias the Exile-Hunter: The Issos Incident and for me now this saga with all the annexes is not to be missed!
At the end of the book there’s a list of all the characters and those in italics are the fictional ones. It’s curious to see what is reported for Alexander the Great: “the cause of all the trouble”. The Three Paradises is a compelling reading and despite the many characters you never lose the thread of the narrative because is told with skill and elegance. There are also naval battles and I’d like to read a book or a short story from Alexander’s point of view and I will read everything that Fabbri will publish on this series because I love it!
But, there is a but that doesn’t depend on the book but is important: when will it be published in Italian? Even those who cannot read English should have the opportunity to read this beautiful series and the Italian public must be able to read it! I myself would certainly re-read it in Italian too! We hope that sooner or later it will also come to us as the author is already known in Italy and would certainly like us too!
#copiaomaggio #prodottooffertoda Corvus – Atlantic Books
May 28, 2021
Not sure whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. I'll say 3.5 and award 4 on the ratings bar.
This second book in the series (trilogy?) has plenty of drama as the squabbles continue over the remnants of Alexander's empire. Ptolemy has Egypt and is happy with that, but some of the others are still thinking they can emulate Alexander, even as they struggle just to avoid assassination attempts and all the other intrigues that are going on.
Once again, each chapter focuses on one character in turn, so we get a detailed look at each of the key players and their situation at that moment. This is especially helpful given how many characters there are to keep track of.
I was pleasantly surprised with the portrayal of Philip, Alexander's mentally disabled half-brother, who is presented in a more sympathetic light than perhaps would have been the case with other authors. Many of the characters have little patience for trying to understand him, and are only interested in trying to become regent of the joint king so that they can claim to be issuing commands on his behalf. Meanwhile, Philip's wife Adea is doing her best not only to manage his behaviour in public, but also to try and help him understand some of what is going on - and to try and assert herself as the only person who should speak for him. I felt sorry for Philip by the end of the book, caught up in events that he never asked for, and with everyone trying to manipulate him when he just wants to sit and play with his toy elephant.
I'm still not quite sure how accurate the portrayal of Olympias is - there are times when it seems rather far-fetched, but then I haven't read the historical sources about her. Although you wouldn't exactly blame her for possibly being mentally unstable, given the death of her son and the resulting turmoil that that's unleashed. Even some of the key characters are realising at this point that the violence is going too far, both in terms of viciousness and in terms of it becoming hard for some of them to know exactly why they're fighting their former comrades.
Even though I know enough about the era to know the general picture of how it all shakes out, I'm still enjoying this series and looking forward to reading the next part.
Also, I like that the character list at the end of the book simply lists Alexander as "The cause of all the trouble". That made me laugh.
This second book in the series (trilogy?) has plenty of drama as the squabbles continue over the remnants of Alexander's empire. Ptolemy has Egypt and is happy with that, but some of the others are still thinking they can emulate Alexander, even as they struggle just to avoid assassination attempts and all the other intrigues that are going on.
Once again, each chapter focuses on one character in turn, so we get a detailed look at each of the key players and their situation at that moment. This is especially helpful given how many characters there are to keep track of.
I was pleasantly surprised with the portrayal of Philip, Alexander's mentally disabled half-brother, who is presented in a more sympathetic light than perhaps would have been the case with other authors. Many of the characters have little patience for trying to understand him, and are only interested in trying to become regent of the joint king so that they can claim to be issuing commands on his behalf. Meanwhile, Philip's wife Adea is doing her best not only to manage his behaviour in public, but also to try and help him understand some of what is going on - and to try and assert herself as the only person who should speak for him. I felt sorry for Philip by the end of the book, caught up in events that he never asked for, and with everyone trying to manipulate him when he just wants to sit and play with his toy elephant.
I'm still not quite sure how accurate the portrayal of Olympias is - there are times when it seems rather far-fetched, but then I haven't read the historical sources about her. Although you wouldn't exactly blame her for possibly being mentally unstable, given the death of her son and the resulting turmoil that that's unleashed. Even some of the key characters are realising at this point that the violence is going too far, both in terms of viciousness and in terms of it becoming hard for some of them to know exactly why they're fighting their former comrades.
Even though I know enough about the era to know the general picture of how it all shakes out, I'm still enjoying this series and looking forward to reading the next part.
Also, I like that the character list at the end of the book simply lists Alexander as "The cause of all the trouble". That made me laugh.
March 16, 2021
An excellent second book in the series. Having read the first one and enjoyed it this one was a must read. The characters feel like old friends already and have been well brought to life by the author. The pace is good and the readers interest is kept right to the end.
It is always good to read the historical notes and find almost all of it happened!
Really enjoyed it and looking forward to the next instalment.
It is always good to read the historical notes and find almost all of it happened!
Really enjoyed it and looking forward to the next instalment.
May 15, 2021
Another chapter in the legacy of Alexander. The lack of naming a successor leads to more bitter conflicts with plenty of action and double dealings with the story moving forward. There is plenty of scope for more to come.
January 13, 2023
Alexander the Great's son is now 5 years old and the battle for control of his empire following his death continues. This is where I stop reading this series for now.
The Three Paradises was not a choice, it was part of my book Advent calendar and although I can see why it could appeal, well researched, dramatic, epic battles but it is certainly not my thing. Too much savagery and war for my taste. Maybe one day I will feel the need to finish the series and come back to it, I won't say never but not when I have a very large pile of unread books to work through.
The Three Paradises was not a choice, it was part of my book Advent calendar and although I can see why it could appeal, well researched, dramatic, epic battles but it is certainly not my thing. Too much savagery and war for my taste. Maybe one day I will feel the need to finish the series and come back to it, I won't say never but not when I have a very large pile of unread books to work through.
June 26, 2022
Natürlich habe ich wieder die deutsche Version gelesen.
Was für ein Chaos doch ein König hinterlassen kann, wenn er keinen Nachfolger benennt...
Wieder einmal toll und rasant geschrieben!
Was für ein Chaos doch ein König hinterlassen kann, wenn er keinen Nachfolger benennt...
Wieder einmal toll und rasant geschrieben!
January 31, 2022
Part 2 of the struggles and civil wars of Alexander's empire after Alexander's death. We see the same characters as in part 1, a very factual description of the powerplay between the various characters and factions. Some will survive, others will not. Looking forward to part 3, expected May this year (2022).
February 8, 2021
This is a solidly enjoyable fiction that will introduce the reader to many of the diadochi, an era normally overlooked both in studies as well as in narratives. Continuing on from the first volume, this one covers Antipatros’ death, conflicts in Greece and Syria, and the ascendancy of Eumenes. Seleukos and Ptolemaios feature, though in a narrower role than in the first volume, with the emphasis of action in Asia Minor.
Mr Fabbri’s style is still enjoyable, and though he hints at the fates people will enjoy (not sure that’s the right term for everyone…) this is more than acceptable as the journey is much more important than the result. Some of the characters (Olympias, to everyone’s everlasting regret, for one) develop through the story, and it does look as if the author’s tried to keep to the original sources that were available.
One of the things that stands out, however, is how little the author likes to portray naval combat, always skimming over this to get to a description of the result. Land-based combat is also described rarely, though more often than naval combat. This is not a negative, however, as repetitive action scenes are far more a downside than an upside, especially if nothing changes in the way of fighting (refer to the Saxon Tales where every fight in thirteen books proceeds exactly the same way).
This is a very good introduction to the diadochi, or rather the continuation to the introduction. I heartily recommend it as an enjoyable story—and perhaps some great narratives will also follow!
This review was originally posted on my blog.
Mr Fabbri’s style is still enjoyable, and though he hints at the fates people will enjoy (not sure that’s the right term for everyone…) this is more than acceptable as the journey is much more important than the result. Some of the characters (Olympias, to everyone’s everlasting regret, for one) develop through the story, and it does look as if the author’s tried to keep to the original sources that were available.
One of the things that stands out, however, is how little the author likes to portray naval combat, always skimming over this to get to a description of the result. Land-based combat is also described rarely, though more often than naval combat. This is not a negative, however, as repetitive action scenes are far more a downside than an upside, especially if nothing changes in the way of fighting (refer to the Saxon Tales where every fight in thirteen books proceeds exactly the same way).
This is a very good introduction to the diadochi, or rather the continuation to the introduction. I heartily recommend it as an enjoyable story—and perhaps some great narratives will also follow!
This review was originally posted on my blog.
February 9, 2025
DNF
I love this period of history. A narrative of the events are fodder for incredible historical events.
But I gave up on this book. Aside from the ahistorical tonal shifts littered through the book, or characters taking paragraphs to explain their motivations like it's the first chapter again, the female characters are uniquely horrific. Either megalomaniacs who bath in blood, or sex objects who have a brain.
It reads like bad constant pornography or as though it was written by someone who has never met a woman before.
I gave the first book leeway. But a scene involving an early scene about an uncontrollably murderous woman with snakes had me shut this book to never open again.
Deep shame.
I love this period of history. A narrative of the events are fodder for incredible historical events.
But I gave up on this book. Aside from the ahistorical tonal shifts littered through the book, or characters taking paragraphs to explain their motivations like it's the first chapter again, the female characters are uniquely horrific. Either megalomaniacs who bath in blood, or sex objects who have a brain.
It reads like bad constant pornography or as though it was written by someone who has never met a woman before.
I gave the first book leeway. But a scene involving an early scene about an uncontrollably murderous woman with snakes had me shut this book to never open again.
Deep shame.
January 9, 2023
Alexander
It was very well written and exhausting in its research but I found there was too much of skullduggery in the ones who wanted to rule this and that province it became pretty boring with grave lack of action from the fighting soldiers who were the finest of their era.
There needed to be stories of fighting men against each other savagely as they did.
But for those with an eye on history it would be good.
I. Prefer more personal battles between soldiers ,not fleets of ships that fire arrows would destroy easily!
But very well written ,just rather too engrossing of would be leaders for my entertainment!
It was very well written and exhausting in its research but I found there was too much of skullduggery in the ones who wanted to rule this and that province it became pretty boring with grave lack of action from the fighting soldiers who were the finest of their era.
There needed to be stories of fighting men against each other savagely as they did.
But for those with an eye on history it would be good.
I. Prefer more personal battles between soldiers ,not fleets of ships that fire arrows would destroy easily!
But very well written ,just rather too engrossing of would be leaders for my entertainment!
January 27, 2023
This second novel in Robert Fabbri's trilogy about the wars amongst the successors of Alexander the Great makes for tedious reading. It is very much a 'man's book' focusing on armed combat in battle, political strategy and deadly rivalries. The characters come across as caricatures with little emotional depth or motivation, other than sexual gratification, violence and ruthless self-promotion. However, as in the first novel, it is (the author claims) an accurate account of the actual historical events and, as such, a useful summary of the politics of this complex period in ancient Greek history. And no doubt these vicious warriors were as brutal and ruthless as portrayed.
Read
March 14, 2021Paradise indeed
This is another excellent book on a topic not often covered. It is unfair to label for fans of..... I feel. It stands in its own right and is a joy to read. It does take s little while to get used to the characters again, as many have similar sounding ones. But the style seen in Game of Thrones of characters having chapters of their own helps keep the narrative going. Not knowing who will win and what will happen I'd great to have when many old stories have familiar characters who we know of. Looking forward to Part 3. Best 99p I've spent on anything Greek.
This is another excellent book on a topic not often covered. It is unfair to label for fans of..... I feel. It stands in its own right and is a joy to read. It does take s little while to get used to the characters again, as many have similar sounding ones. But the style seen in Game of Thrones of characters having chapters of their own helps keep the narrative going. Not knowing who will win and what will happen I'd great to have when many old stories have familiar characters who we know of. Looking forward to Part 3. Best 99p I've spent on anything Greek.
March 21, 2023
2.5 stars, I had heard that this book was better than the first, and it is, no child rape scenes. I enjoy 90% of this book, but it’s the 10% that would keep me from recommending it, there is still pederasts in the book, primarily the invented character the traveling merchant who acts as spy/information source, no reason to go into his degenerices.
An interesting topic, mostly well written, spoiled, author does admit minor mistake from first book with putting in line breaks when there is a time jump, as opposed to the first book.
An interesting topic, mostly well written, spoiled, author does admit minor mistake from first book with putting in line breaks when there is a time jump, as opposed to the first book.
March 14, 2021
Autor descubierto el año pasado durante el confinamiento...
Con su primer novela sobre la Serie de Alejandro me cautivó.
Al más Fuerte, junto con Y Julia Reto a los Dioses, fue lo mejor que leí en 2020.
En esta nueva novela veremos cómo continua la historia de la familia, amigos y generales de Alejandro.
Alguno de todos ellos podrá mantener el Legado de Alejandro el Grande?
Al final, quién sobrevivirá?
Con su primer novela sobre la Serie de Alejandro me cautivó.
Al más Fuerte, junto con Y Julia Reto a los Dioses, fue lo mejor que leí en 2020.
En esta nueva novela veremos cómo continua la historia de la familia, amigos y generales de Alejandro.
Alguno de todos ellos podrá mantener el Legado de Alejandro el Grande?
Al final, quién sobrevivirá?
September 20, 2022
Part 2 of 3.
This whole series are very well written. It is a historic roman and told in a unique kind of way. Every chapter is from the eyes of one of the characters of this story.
Part 2 specifically goes more into the strive of for the throne of Macedon. One usurper after another is getting killed by their rivals. While in book 1 you had more than 8 throne pretenders you at the end of the book have around 3 big claims.
This is the real sort of Game of Thrones.
8.2/10
This whole series are very well written. It is a historic roman and told in a unique kind of way. Every chapter is from the eyes of one of the characters of this story.
Part 2 specifically goes more into the strive of for the throne of Macedon. One usurper after another is getting killed by their rivals. While in book 1 you had more than 8 throne pretenders you at the end of the book have around 3 big claims.
This is the real sort of Game of Thrones.
8.2/10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2022
Great action continues after Alexander
Really enjoyable read. The characters do take a bit of time to get around the names, but once you’re into the story it careens along at full speed. It’s a really interesting period of history, post Alexander and setting up Greece and Asia for the rise of Rome.
Really enjoyable read. The characters do take a bit of time to get around the names, but once you’re into the story it careens along at full speed. It’s a really interesting period of history, post Alexander and setting up Greece and Asia for the rise of Rome.
February 28, 2023
After Alexander his generals and his wives struggle for their part of the huge empire. The book shows the viewpoint every chapter from another character, which reflects the chaos after Alexander's dead. At the same time it makes it difficult to track who supports who and who breaks an alliance when and where.
Some knowledge on the actual history and layout of the area helps to keep track.
Some knowledge on the actual history and layout of the area helps to keep track.
August 13, 2025
A thrilling follow up to the first book this series as the wars for Alexander’s empire continue. This book is mainly focused on the dynastic struggles in Europe and Polyperchon and Aristonous were characters I really enjoyed in this area. Any chapter from Antigonous or Ptolemy’s POV is excellent. I’m very excited to continue this series.
January 22, 2021
Simply great.
Non stop action and most of it fact. A great read that just bombs along taking the reader on an unbelievable ride. Fantastic.
Non stop action and most of it fact. A great read that just bombs along taking the reader on an unbelievable ride. Fantastic.
December 3, 2021
Hands down a much more enjoyable read, I don’t have to re read paragraph. Full of formidable characters with unexpected twist and turns
Want to read
March 23, 2023In library
July 5, 2023
Increasingly enjoyable read with brilliant characters to either rally behind or curse. Brilliant and improved plot twists. However, land battles can feel repetitive on occasion.
August 20, 2023
Wow, wat een intriges weer. Super om te volgen en mee te denken naar oplossingen...
March 16, 2024
A decent run through quite a bit of history without being anything particularly thrilling
May 18, 2025
Plot - 4.00/5.00
Characters - 4.25/5.00
World - 4.00/5.00
Prose/Style - 4.00/5.00
Enjoyment - 4.00/5.00
Total: 4.05/5.00
Characters - 4.25/5.00
World - 4.00/5.00
Prose/Style - 4.00/5.00
Enjoyment - 4.00/5.00
Total: 4.05/5.00
August 14, 2025
Real game of thrones getting even more game-of-thronesy!
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