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Adventures of Odysseus #6
Return to Ithaca
The thrilling final instalment of the epic and bestselling Adventures of Odysseus Odysseus has been to Hell and back. Deserted by the Gods, and now in bitter conflict with his friend Eperitus, times look bleak. He dreams of returning to his home; to Ithaca. But back on Ithaca things look little better. His son Telemachus and wife Penelope are besieged by a gang of suitors, believing Odysseus to be dead and looking for her hand in marriage. Odysseus and Eperitus have survived everything. But now they face a last test, perhaps the most difficult of all... Can they reclaim what has been lost? For readers of David Gemmell, Christian Cameron and Simon Scarrow, Return to Ithaca is the stunning conclusion to the Adventures of Odysseus series.
394 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2017
19 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Glyn Iliffe
15 books95 followersGlyn Iliffe studied English and Classics at university where he developed a passion for the ancient stories of Greek history and mythology. Well-travelled, Glyn has visited nearly 40 countries, trekked in the Himalayas, spent six weeks hitchhiking across North America, and had his collar bone broken by a bull in Pampolna.
He is married with two daughters and lives in Market Harborough.
He is married with two daughters and lives in Market Harborough.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 15, 2017
*4.5 Stars
So here we are, Odysseus’ journey is coming to an end. I have followed his and Eperitus’ travels, trials and tribulations through the previous five books. Now we have the Return to Ithaca.
As someone who is familiar with the works of Homer, one thing has bothered me since the first chapter. If I’m spoiling anything for you, sorry, but the story has been around for three thousand years – Odysseus arrives home alone, everyone he left with for Troy is dead. But Odysseus is not our hero; it’s Eperitus. How will Glyn Iliffe reconcile these two things? Does he kill off the protagonist? Or does he completely ignore a key element of the original story? I made this a black or white question in my mind, forgetting all the shades of gray. I’ll say this, Iliffe walked this tightrope with impeccable skill.
With five books read, it’s difficult to find something new to say about the author’s writing. I think that since I am still invested in these characters after all this time it is a testament to the author’s abilities. Glyn Iliffe has created a great cast of characters that not only are respectful to the originals, but also breathe new life into such a well-known tale.
With this journey complete I am left with one nagging question. What’s next from Iliffe? Does he create new stories around Eperitus and Odysseus? Perhaps an adventure for Telemachus? There are plenty of other Greek myths that could use a modern reboot. Or…there is a certain survivor from Troy. I think his story could offer an equal amount of excitement and could benefit from Glyn Iliffe’s knowledge and skill; as a reader, I would be on board.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
So here we are, Odysseus’ journey is coming to an end. I have followed his and Eperitus’ travels, trials and tribulations through the previous five books. Now we have the Return to Ithaca.
As someone who is familiar with the works of Homer, one thing has bothered me since the first chapter. If I’m spoiling anything for you, sorry, but the story has been around for three thousand years – Odysseus arrives home alone, everyone he left with for Troy is dead. But Odysseus is not our hero; it’s Eperitus. How will Glyn Iliffe reconcile these two things? Does he kill off the protagonist? Or does he completely ignore a key element of the original story? I made this a black or white question in my mind, forgetting all the shades of gray. I’ll say this, Iliffe walked this tightrope with impeccable skill.
With five books read, it’s difficult to find something new to say about the author’s writing. I think that since I am still invested in these characters after all this time it is a testament to the author’s abilities. Glyn Iliffe has created a great cast of characters that not only are respectful to the originals, but also breathe new life into such a well-known tale.
With this journey complete I am left with one nagging question. What’s next from Iliffe? Does he create new stories around Eperitus and Odysseus? Perhaps an adventure for Telemachus? There are plenty of other Greek myths that could use a modern reboot. Or…there is a certain survivor from Troy. I think his story could offer an equal amount of excitement and could benefit from Glyn Iliffe’s knowledge and skill; as a reader, I would be on board.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2023
Thrilling end to a great series. Best book in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘖𝘥𝘺𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘴.
May 7, 2024
I’d say 4.5 stars. I enjoyed the voyage of Odysseus more, but I still flew through this book and enjoyed it thoroughly
July 3, 2017
Nearly unending grief
There's a point where I just wanted to race to the end to get it all done and over with. Humans can take only so much strife, and yet Odysseus, Telemachus, Penelope and Eperitus have a nearly endlessly perpetual measure of grief...
How does it end? Ingloriously, and yet it ends, as vividly as it begun
There's a point where I just wanted to race to the end to get it all done and over with. Humans can take only so much strife, and yet Odysseus, Telemachus, Penelope and Eperitus have a nearly endlessly perpetual measure of grief...
How does it end? Ingloriously, and yet it ends, as vividly as it begun
June 28, 2017
The only bad thing about this book is that it is the end of the series...
It is with a great sadness that I say goodbye to Odysseus and company (for the time being). This epic series, so brilliantly conceived and written, has come to it's conclusion. Throughout my life of reading I have periodically gone back and reread a book or a series of books. This practice has been decidedly put on hold the last few years as my humble book reviewing blog has garnered the attention of many authors who now ask me to read and review their work. That coupled with my own novel writing has put a crimp in going back to reread any of my favorites. The Adventures of Odysseus series may change that. Whether it is because ancient Greek history was my first love or because the author has written some damned good books, I will be rereading this series.
The story of Odysseus comes to a close as he returns to Ithaca to reclaim his home, his throne and his family. The emotional roller coaster ride the main characters experience is the highlight of this volume. Odysseus, Eperitus, Telemachus and Penelope go through the gamut of doubt and fear; hope and happiness as they battle the scheming suitors for the right to rule. The story is well known and it is a credit to the author for taking it and making it his own, giving the reader a fresh look at this ancient tale. 5 stars
It is with a great sadness that I say goodbye to Odysseus and company (for the time being). This epic series, so brilliantly conceived and written, has come to it's conclusion. Throughout my life of reading I have periodically gone back and reread a book or a series of books. This practice has been decidedly put on hold the last few years as my humble book reviewing blog has garnered the attention of many authors who now ask me to read and review their work. That coupled with my own novel writing has put a crimp in going back to reread any of my favorites. The Adventures of Odysseus series may change that. Whether it is because ancient Greek history was my first love or because the author has written some damned good books, I will be rereading this series.
The story of Odysseus comes to a close as he returns to Ithaca to reclaim his home, his throne and his family. The emotional roller coaster ride the main characters experience is the highlight of this volume. Odysseus, Eperitus, Telemachus and Penelope go through the gamut of doubt and fear; hope and happiness as they battle the scheming suitors for the right to rule. The story is well known and it is a credit to the author for taking it and making it his own, giving the reader a fresh look at this ancient tale. 5 stars
December 29, 2019
A fitting ending to a really enjoyable series. Pretty brutal from Odysseus all in all, bringing retribution down on the heads of the suitors who had made his wife’s life a misery in the last decade before his return home.
The biggest question of this story was would Eperitus forgive Odysseus for contributing to the deaths of his wife and baby son? I wasn’t completely satisfied with the way this turned out, but I think Eperitus emerged as we have come to expect - with his honour and loyalty intact.
Penelope’s character and responses were nicely portrayed as well, capturing the complexity of emotions as she tries to hold the kingdom together, keep her vow to remarry, hope for Odysseus’s return and care for her son Telemachus all at the same time! A strong female character in the mainly male lineup which was welcome.
It was nice to catch up with Helen and some of our old favourite remaining characters like Menelaus and Mentor as well before the series finished.
Thanks to the author for reimagining this classic tale in such great depth!
The biggest question of this story was would Eperitus forgive Odysseus for contributing to the deaths of his wife and baby son? I wasn’t completely satisfied with the way this turned out, but I think Eperitus emerged as we have come to expect - with his honour and loyalty intact.
Penelope’s character and responses were nicely portrayed as well, capturing the complexity of emotions as she tries to hold the kingdom together, keep her vow to remarry, hope for Odysseus’s return and care for her son Telemachus all at the same time! A strong female character in the mainly male lineup which was welcome.
It was nice to catch up with Helen and some of our old favourite remaining characters like Menelaus and Mentor as well before the series finished.
Thanks to the author for reimagining this classic tale in such great depth!
November 6, 2018
Fabulous finale!
I have been holding out reading Return to Ithaca, knowing it was the last instalment of the story of Odysseus, but not being ready for it to end. And what an amazing finale it was! The story of the return of Eperitus and Odysseus to Ithaca, 20 years after they left for the Trojan War, is an epic on its own right. Not everything is smooth sailing, friendships and love are treated to the limit. This is a blockbuster of a book and a fitting end to this fabulous series. Fast-paced, unpredictable and totally absorbing.
I have been holding out reading Return to Ithaca, knowing it was the last instalment of the story of Odysseus, but not being ready for it to end. And what an amazing finale it was! The story of the return of Eperitus and Odysseus to Ithaca, 20 years after they left for the Trojan War, is an epic on its own right. Not everything is smooth sailing, friendships and love are treated to the limit. This is a blockbuster of a book and a fitting end to this fabulous series. Fast-paced, unpredictable and totally absorbing.
February 7, 2021
The final instalment in the Adventures of Odysseus and we lost pretty much everyone who we've gotten to know over the previous five books. This is focused on Odysseus return to Ithaca, Telemachus trying to find his father with the help of a disguised Eperitus, Penelope being disgusted by the suitors, Halitherses and Mentor not doing very much. Eperitus acting completely out of character.
It takes 2/3 of the book for Odysseus and Eperitus to be reunited and then another few score of pages for them to be properly reunited and there's not much of that.
I would've given the first 2/3 of this book 2 stars and the final third 4 stars so had to compromise. It really does feel a let down after putting in so many hours and investing so much into these characters just to see them behave completely different from how they've done for the previous 13 years.
However, the end is Mr Iliffe at his battle lust best and I know the other soldiers didn't survive the Odyssey but then again Eperitus wasn't in the Odyssesy(though he does try and get around that at the end) so there could've been a way except their deaths instead of heroic and sacrificial was used as a contrivance for the argument that pretty much blunted this epic story.
Sorry Mr Iliffe.
It takes 2/3 of the book for Odysseus and Eperitus to be reunited and then another few score of pages for them to be properly reunited and there's not much of that.
I would've given the first 2/3 of this book 2 stars and the final third 4 stars so had to compromise. It really does feel a let down after putting in so many hours and investing so much into these characters just to see them behave completely different from how they've done for the previous 13 years.
However, the end is Mr Iliffe at his battle lust best and I know the other soldiers didn't survive the Odyssey but then again Eperitus wasn't in the Odyssesy(though he does try and get around that at the end) so there could've been a way except their deaths instead of heroic and sacrificial was used as a contrivance for the argument that pretty much blunted this epic story.
Sorry Mr Iliffe.
July 6, 2018
Fantastic finale
I have been reading this series from the very beginning, it has been a long twisting road, like the tales themselves. Every step has been fraught with danger,suspense and drama, this last book took it,if possible,to a whole new level. One of the best series of books I've ever read.
I have been reading this series from the very beginning, it has been a long twisting road, like the tales themselves. Every step has been fraught with danger,suspense and drama, this last book took it,if possible,to a whole new level. One of the best series of books I've ever read.
October 27, 2023
So after six tremendous books, Odysseus’s adventures come to an end, and the 5 stars for the full series. A really amazing accomplishment and ranks amongst the best historical fiction I have read. Humour and gore abound in this finale - and just wets the appetite for further reading on the subject. Well done sir, well done.
November 12, 2018
such a brilliant re-telling. it needed 6 books to do justice to it and I loved every minute of it and wish the bbc had based their latest mini series on Glyn's version instead of their horrific take.
January 3, 2018
Brilliant, a must read
January 19, 2018
A great ending to the series, its on a knife edge all the way through.
An enjoy able series of book's.
An enjoy able series of book's.
January 12, 2020
A brilliant end to an incredible story.
December 7, 2022
I've been reading this series for nearly ten years so it feels a bit weird to be finished!
May 18, 2025
Για άλλη μια φορά μπαίνω στο δίλημμα τι βαθμολογία να δώσω, καθώς δεν έχω τη δυνατότητα να δώσω 4,5 αστεράκια! Θα το παίξω κομματάκι αυστηρός και θα το στρογγυλοποιήσω προς τα κάτω και όχι προς τα πάνω!
Το τελευταίο βιβλίο μιας από τις αγαπημένες μου σειρές μάς διηγείται την τελευταία δοκιμασία του Οδυσσέα (και του Ηπείρητου και του Ηπείρητου! Ναι, και του Ηπείρητου!) πριν επανενωθεί με την Πηνελόπη και την πατρίδα του, την Ιθάκη! Έλα, δε θέλω να ακούω χαζά για σπόιλερς και τέτοια! Όλοι ξέρουμε την ιστορία του Οδυσσέα σε γενικές γραμμές! Το βιβλίο μού άφησε μια γλυκόξινη γεύση (όπως η ίδια η ζωή, άλλωστε), καθώς στο τελευταίο επεισόδιο της ιστορίας μας όλα δοκιμάζονται! Η φιλία, η αγάπη, ο πατριωτισμός, η ηθική, η τιμιότητα, η τιμή, ο ανθρωπισμός ο ίδιος! Σε καμία περίπτωση δεν έρχονται όλα ευνοϊκά για τον Οδυσσέα, ούτε αναλαμβάνουν οι θεοί και ειδικότερα η Αθηνά να τα φέρουν όλα εις πέρας για εκείνον! Πρέπει ο ίδιος να τα ξεπεράσει, κάτι το οποίο φαίνεται ανυπέρβλητο, και δεν είναι λίγες οι φορές που και ο ίδιος ο ήρωάς μας αμφιβάλλει σχετικά με το αν μπορεί να τα καταφέρει!
Μα, στα προηγούμενα βιβλία δεν έγραφες ότι ουσιαστικά ο ήρωάς μας είναι ο Ηπείρητος; Ουσιαστικά ναι, αλλά στο τελευταίο επεισόδιο, η τελική δοκιμασία είναι ξεκάθαρα άθλος του Οδυσσέα! Αλλά και ο Ηπείρητος θα παίξει το δικό του ρόλο στην κορύφωση και μάλιστα ρόλο κλειδί!
Αυτά τα ολίγα! Όποιος δεν έχει διαβάσει τα προηγούμενα βιβλία της σειράς, μη μπει σε κόπο να διαβάσει το "Return to Ithaca"! Ας τα πάρει όλα τα βιβλία από την αρχή και δε θα χάσει!!
Το τελευταίο βιβλίο μιας από τις αγαπημένες μου σειρές μάς διηγείται την τελευταία δοκιμασία του Οδυσσέα (και του Ηπείρητου και του Ηπείρητου! Ναι, και του Ηπείρητου!) πριν επανενωθεί με την Πηνελόπη και την πατρίδα του, την Ιθάκη! Έλα, δε θέλω να ακούω χαζά για σπόιλερς και τέτοια! Όλοι ξέρουμε την ιστορία του Οδυσσέα σε γενικές γραμμές! Το βιβλίο μού άφησε μια γλυκόξινη γεύση (όπως η ίδια η ζωή, άλλωστε), καθώς στο τελευταίο επεισόδιο της ιστορίας μας όλα δοκιμάζονται! Η φιλία, η αγάπη, ο πατριωτισμός, η ηθική, η τιμιότητα, η τιμή, ο ανθρωπισμός ο ίδιος! Σε καμία περίπτωση δεν έρχονται όλα ευνοϊκά για τον Οδυσσέα, ούτε αναλαμβάνουν οι θεοί και ειδικότερα η Αθηνά να τα φέρουν όλα εις πέρας για εκείνον! Πρέπει ο ίδιος να τα ξεπεράσει, κάτι το οποίο φαίνεται ανυπέρβλητο, και δεν είναι λίγες οι φορές που και ο ίδιος ο ήρωάς μας αμφιβάλλει σχετικά με το αν μπορεί να τα καταφέρει!
Μα, στα προηγούμενα βιβλία δεν έγραφες ότι ουσιαστικά ο ήρωάς μας είναι ο Ηπείρητος; Ουσιαστικά ναι, αλλά στο τελευταίο επεισόδιο, η τελική δοκιμασία είναι ξεκάθαρα άθλος του Οδυσσέα! Αλλά και ο Ηπείρητος θα παίξει το δικό του ρόλο στην κορύφωση και μάλιστα ρόλο κλειδί!
Αυτά τα ολίγα! Όποιος δεν έχει διαβάσει τα προηγούμενα βιβλία της σειράς, μη μπει σε κόπο να διαβάσει το "Return to Ithaca"! Ας τα πάρει όλα τα βιβλία από την αρχή και δε θα χάσει!!
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