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Empires of Bronze #4
The Crimson Throne
The King of the Hittites has been slain, and a reign of terror begins…
1272 BC: Prince Hattu returns home from the battlefield of Kadesh to find his nephew on the throne, the old king’s blood dripping from his hands. Under Urhi-Teshub’s reign, the Hittite realm has become a land of fear and violent reprisals. Ancient family lines and old ways are being wiped out as the young tyrant strengthens his bronze-fisted grip on power.
Hattu’s loved ones are spared only in return for his absolute obedience. Yet he knows he must choose between his family and his burning need for restitution. The Goddess Ishtar, ever-present in his dreams, assures him that there is only one future.
A war for the throne is coming… and blood will be let.
1272 BC: Prince Hattu returns home from the battlefield of Kadesh to find his nephew on the throne, the old king’s blood dripping from his hands. Under Urhi-Teshub’s reign, the Hittite realm has become a land of fear and violent reprisals. Ancient family lines and old ways are being wiped out as the young tyrant strengthens his bronze-fisted grip on power.
Hattu’s loved ones are spared only in return for his absolute obedience. Yet he knows he must choose between his family and his burning need for restitution. The Goddess Ishtar, ever-present in his dreams, assures him that there is only one future.
A war for the throne is coming… and blood will be let.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2021
64 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Doherty
42 books293 followersI'm a Scottish writer, addicted to reading and writing historical fiction.
My love of history was first kindled by visits to the misty Roman ruins of Britain and the sun-baked antiquities of Turkey and Greece. My expeditions since have taken me all over the world and back and forth through time (metaphorically, at least), allowing me to write tales of the later Roman Empire, Byzantium, Classical Greece and even the distant Bronze Age.
All of my novels are available from good online stores in paperback and eBook format.
Happy reading!
My website: www.gordondoherty.co.uk
My Twitter: @GordonDoherty
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GordonDohert...
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybC...
My love of history was first kindled by visits to the misty Roman ruins of Britain and the sun-baked antiquities of Turkey and Greece. My expeditions since have taken me all over the world and back and forth through time (metaphorically, at least), allowing me to write tales of the later Roman Empire, Byzantium, Classical Greece and even the distant Bronze Age.
All of my novels are available from good online stores in paperback and eBook format.
Happy reading!
My website: www.gordondoherty.co.uk
My Twitter: @GordonDoherty
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GordonDohert...
My YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCybC...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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April 15, 2021When last we were with Hattu he had just returned home to find his brother dead and his nephew on the throne.. The truth only just becoming real..the evil that is Urhi-Teshub!
As we rejoin Hattu he’s subdued, his men are scattered and his loved ones used as tool to keep him in check.. meanwhile Ishtar continues to plague Hattu’s dreams with visions of blood.. but he’s stil quite reluctant to accept his fate.
Meanwhile the author transports us to Troy and explores the well-known story around Helen of Troy, Priam, Paris and Hector to name a few, but approaches this tale with his own style and direction, which I really enjoyed.
Praim, king of Troy is well liked by Hattu, and the Hittites have been Troy’s allies for a long time, each coming to the call of the other when in time of need. While on a visit Hattu confides in Praim and the path for both sides starts to become clear. Hattu cannot keep standby and let Urhi-Teshub continue his crimes but Troy is in no position to help him after losing many men at the battle of Kadesh.. Troy have their own trouble brewing. Hattu returns home and forces continue to urge him to act, to seize the throne.
Urhi-Teshub continues to torment his people and removes those he deems to have slighted him.. he’s wicked and evil, and his generals revel in the bloodshed.
How long with Hattu stand back and accept this? And what can he do to stop it? He knows the chances of success are slim…and many will die.. but each and everyone is loyal to Hattu... Urhi-Teshub must fall.
Urhi-Teshub is cunning and has lined many a pocket to buy loyalty, this earns most a slow death, even those who serve him well, but this tactic works for Urhi-Teshub and we see Hattu banished to the Well of Silence.. In the Well time becomes meaningless and here he endures the worst tortures known.
The Well of Silence for me cemented this book as incomparable and I do not think there is anything that has been, or will be, written that will outshine these scenes!
Hattu battles to survive and sees freedom but there’s no respite.. it’s time for war! Allies make themselves known as they emerge from unlikely sources and together they will face Urhi-Teshub..he will fall..
Now, you may know or may not know the outcome for the Hittites already but the ending of The Crimson Throne is depicted so perfectly, Troy is on the verge of defeat…but where are the Hittites? I really enjoyed the author notes on this bit too linking back to well known sources and the lack of Hittite involvement, enabling the author to weave his tale in such a deliciously amazing way!
Gordon Doherty continues to shine in the historical fiction genre, his passion seeps through the pages and you cannot help but feel his energy in what has to be his best work to date. Fans of the author or the genre will not be disappointed!
As we rejoin Hattu he’s subdued, his men are scattered and his loved ones used as tool to keep him in check.. meanwhile Ishtar continues to plague Hattu’s dreams with visions of blood.. but he’s stil quite reluctant to accept his fate.
Meanwhile the author transports us to Troy and explores the well-known story around Helen of Troy, Priam, Paris and Hector to name a few, but approaches this tale with his own style and direction, which I really enjoyed.
Praim, king of Troy is well liked by Hattu, and the Hittites have been Troy’s allies for a long time, each coming to the call of the other when in time of need. While on a visit Hattu confides in Praim and the path for both sides starts to become clear. Hattu cannot keep standby and let Urhi-Teshub continue his crimes but Troy is in no position to help him after losing many men at the battle of Kadesh.. Troy have their own trouble brewing. Hattu returns home and forces continue to urge him to act, to seize the throne.
Urhi-Teshub continues to torment his people and removes those he deems to have slighted him.. he’s wicked and evil, and his generals revel in the bloodshed.
How long with Hattu stand back and accept this? And what can he do to stop it? He knows the chances of success are slim…and many will die.. but each and everyone is loyal to Hattu... Urhi-Teshub must fall.
Urhi-Teshub is cunning and has lined many a pocket to buy loyalty, this earns most a slow death, even those who serve him well, but this tactic works for Urhi-Teshub and we see Hattu banished to the Well of Silence.. In the Well time becomes meaningless and here he endures the worst tortures known.
The Well of Silence for me cemented this book as incomparable and I do not think there is anything that has been, or will be, written that will outshine these scenes!
Hattu battles to survive and sees freedom but there’s no respite.. it’s time for war! Allies make themselves known as they emerge from unlikely sources and together they will face Urhi-Teshub..he will fall..
Now, you may know or may not know the outcome for the Hittites already but the ending of The Crimson Throne is depicted so perfectly, Troy is on the verge of defeat…but where are the Hittites? I really enjoyed the author notes on this bit too linking back to well known sources and the lack of Hittite involvement, enabling the author to weave his tale in such a deliciously amazing way!
Gordon Doherty continues to shine in the historical fiction genre, his passion seeps through the pages and you cannot help but feel his energy in what has to be his best work to date. Fans of the author or the genre will not be disappointed!
May 27, 2021
Gordon Doherty is an excellent action writer and his Hittite series novels don't disappoint. Packed with cruel villians noble heroes and thrilling events the Hittite empire can at last stand shoulder to shoulder with the Egyptians, Assyrian etc who predated Rome. A good series
July 25, 2021
BLURB
The King of the Hittites has been slain, and a reign of terror begins…
1272 BC: Prince Hattu returns home from the battlefield of Kadesh to find his nephew on the throne, the old king’s blood dripping from his hands. Under Urhi-Teshub’s reign, the Hittite realm has become a land of fear and violent reprisals. Ancient family lines and old ways are being wiped out as the young tyrant strengthens his bronze-fisted grip on power.
Hattu’s loved ones are spared only in return for his absolute obedience. Yet he knows he must choose between his family and his burning need for restitution. The Goddess Ishtar, ever-present in his dreams, assures him that there is only one future.
A war for the throne is coming… and blood will be let.
REVIEW
Oh my, what a vivid imagination does this author possess. How else to explain the pages and pages that make up this tale, when the historical record is scant enough to fill only a few of those pages. Perhaps he relies on a Muse for inspiration. Might that Muse be Ishtar filling his head with dreams and visions? Whatever it is that spurs his fingers along the keyboard, the result is another thrill ride of a story, though I do believe I see Ishtar's hand in all of the drama, anguish, pain, and suffering as she goads Hattu with dire prophecies. Actually that is one of the strengths of this tale, the fact that the author made all of those prophecies flesh out exactly as stated, but with results sometimes different than what Hattu imagined. Yes my fellow peeps and fellow travelers along the ancient Anatolian road, this episode highlights the resulting effects of the Thunder at Kadesh, and the changing political landscape from Troy to Hattusa. Old allies are now enemies, old enemies are now allies. The struggle for Hattu to rise above the bleak forecast of the future is a compelling journey, and one that does not end yet. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The King of the Hittites has been slain, and a reign of terror begins…
1272 BC: Prince Hattu returns home from the battlefield of Kadesh to find his nephew on the throne, the old king’s blood dripping from his hands. Under Urhi-Teshub’s reign, the Hittite realm has become a land of fear and violent reprisals. Ancient family lines and old ways are being wiped out as the young tyrant strengthens his bronze-fisted grip on power.
Hattu’s loved ones are spared only in return for his absolute obedience. Yet he knows he must choose between his family and his burning need for restitution. The Goddess Ishtar, ever-present in his dreams, assures him that there is only one future.
A war for the throne is coming… and blood will be let.
REVIEW
Oh my, what a vivid imagination does this author possess. How else to explain the pages and pages that make up this tale, when the historical record is scant enough to fill only a few of those pages. Perhaps he relies on a Muse for inspiration. Might that Muse be Ishtar filling his head with dreams and visions? Whatever it is that spurs his fingers along the keyboard, the result is another thrill ride of a story, though I do believe I see Ishtar's hand in all of the drama, anguish, pain, and suffering as she goads Hattu with dire prophecies. Actually that is one of the strengths of this tale, the fact that the author made all of those prophecies flesh out exactly as stated, but with results sometimes different than what Hattu imagined. Yes my fellow peeps and fellow travelers along the ancient Anatolian road, this episode highlights the resulting effects of the Thunder at Kadesh, and the changing political landscape from Troy to Hattusa. Old allies are now enemies, old enemies are now allies. The struggle for Hattu to rise above the bleak forecast of the future is a compelling journey, and one that does not end yet. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 8, 2021
Fantastic read as always. One of my top favourite book series. Sad and exciting with twists and turns, had to reread some pages just to see how that happened again. I do hope that Ramesses book might be happening, would interesting to read.
Highly recommend series and author
Highly recommend series and author
May 7, 2023
The Hittite Empire falls into civil war and rivals, east and west, are poised to take advantage. This series is among the best historical fiction you can read.
February 19, 2023
𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙊𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚, 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚, 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙙. 𝙃𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙, 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙬𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣.
👑The book - 4th in the Empires of Bronze series - set in the ancient Bronze age, follows the Hittite civil war that ultimately tore the empire apart.
1272 BC, After returning from the battle of Kadesh, prince Hattu found his brother slain and his own nephew, the murderer on the Hittite throne. Urhi-Teshub, the new Labarna brings a reign of fear and terror by tormenting his own people and removing those he deems to have slighted him. Hattu's hands are tied as his own family is taken hostage and his friends are scattered all over the empire. Now Goddess Ishtar's prophecy of civil war is inevitable and there is no way Hattu could deny his fate.
‘𝘼 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩, 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨,
𝘼 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙨,
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚,
𝘼 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚…'
👑Gordon is a master craftsman in writing historical fiction and the way he has wovens the tales out of the scant available information about the Hittite empire is outstanding. His evocative narrative, vivid description, graphic battle scenes, and the constant palpable tension in the plot make me wonder, Goddess Ishtar surely had guided his hands. It was so mesmerizing that I was hooked from the start as if I'm experiencing the entire story with my own eyes. I also liked how he added Tory's perspective to the story and blended it perfectly with the original plot.
👑Each and every character is well-written and immaculately developed. I just loved Hattu's character development in this book. There is no word to describe the hardship he faced, the pain he endured and the struggles he undergo to survive and fight back against his nephew. Uri-Teshub's character arc is also equally captivating. I don't remember I hated a character so much that just to see his fall I read a book in one setting. In one word he was a perfect villain. Other characters like Danuhepa, Sirtaya, Kurunta, Priam, etc were also interesting, but sadly some of them won't be seen in the next book.
👑In the climax of the book Ishtar's prophecy is fulfilled. Being historical fiction, it was already known, but how it all materialized is what makes it so satisfying to read. The ending also leaves hints of Hattu's next adventure, which will be the fall of Tory and I'm all ready to delve into it.
Overall, The Crimson Throne was a masterpiece and every historical fiction lover should read it. If you like Conn Iggulden, Robert Fabbri, Simon Scarrow, and Berned Cronwell then you're definitely gonna love this book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
👑The book - 4th in the Empires of Bronze series - set in the ancient Bronze age, follows the Hittite civil war that ultimately tore the empire apart.
1272 BC, After returning from the battle of Kadesh, prince Hattu found his brother slain and his own nephew, the murderer on the Hittite throne. Urhi-Teshub, the new Labarna brings a reign of fear and terror by tormenting his own people and removing those he deems to have slighted him. Hattu's hands are tied as his own family is taken hostage and his friends are scattered all over the empire. Now Goddess Ishtar's prophecy of civil war is inevitable and there is no way Hattu could deny his fate.
‘𝘼 𝙗𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩, 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨,
𝘼 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙢 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙨𝙩, 𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙨,
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙨𝙝𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚,
𝘼 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚…'
👑Gordon is a master craftsman in writing historical fiction and the way he has wovens the tales out of the scant available information about the Hittite empire is outstanding. His evocative narrative, vivid description, graphic battle scenes, and the constant palpable tension in the plot make me wonder, Goddess Ishtar surely had guided his hands. It was so mesmerizing that I was hooked from the start as if I'm experiencing the entire story with my own eyes. I also liked how he added Tory's perspective to the story and blended it perfectly with the original plot.
👑Each and every character is well-written and immaculately developed. I just loved Hattu's character development in this book. There is no word to describe the hardship he faced, the pain he endured and the struggles he undergo to survive and fight back against his nephew. Uri-Teshub's character arc is also equally captivating. I don't remember I hated a character so much that just to see his fall I read a book in one setting. In one word he was a perfect villain. Other characters like Danuhepa, Sirtaya, Kurunta, Priam, etc were also interesting, but sadly some of them won't be seen in the next book.
👑In the climax of the book Ishtar's prophecy is fulfilled. Being historical fiction, it was already known, but how it all materialized is what makes it so satisfying to read. The ending also leaves hints of Hattu's next adventure, which will be the fall of Tory and I'm all ready to delve into it.
Overall, The Crimson Throne was a masterpiece and every historical fiction lover should read it. If you like Conn Iggulden, Robert Fabbri, Simon Scarrow, and Berned Cronwell then you're definitely gonna love this book. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
December 2, 2024
This series has sparked a whole new interest in the Bronze Age that I had never had before. Doherty does an excellent job of weaving together historical fiction and history, telling the tale of Hattusili III and his struggles against his nephew, Urhi-Teshub, alongside such epic tales as the Battle of Kadesh and the Trojan War.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews