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Alexander's Legacy #3
An Empty Throne
The third installment in a huge, bloody, and brutal new series from Robert Fabbri, set after the death of Alexander the Great.
Who will win the fight to control the largest empire the world has ever seen? Let the battles begin...
The cause of Alexander the Great's sudden death is no longer in doubt - it was murder. But by whom? As his former followers struggle for power, the bonds of family, friendship, and political loyalties are tested to the limit. As is the strength of the formidable empire that Alexander had wrought. Never before has the Western world seen such turmoil, such a threat to civilization.
As battles rage, armies, cities, and thousands of lives are destroyed by the ruthless scheming of those who would be King. Or Queen. Could a marriage be the one thing to bring the broken strands of the empire back together, preventing years of further warfare? Will a woman succeed where no man can?
Who will win the fight to control the largest empire the world has ever seen? Let the battles begin...
The cause of Alexander the Great's sudden death is no longer in doubt - it was murder. But by whom? As his former followers struggle for power, the bonds of family, friendship, and political loyalties are tested to the limit. As is the strength of the formidable empire that Alexander had wrought. Never before has the Western world seen such turmoil, such a threat to civilization.
As battles rage, armies, cities, and thousands of lives are destroyed by the ruthless scheming of those who would be King. Or Queen. Could a marriage be the one thing to bring the broken strands of the empire back together, preventing years of further warfare? Will a woman succeed where no man can?
304 pages, Hardcover
Published May 15, 2022
39 people are currently reading
170 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 14, 2024
The third outing in the series about Alexander the Greats empire post-death where the in-fighting amongst his would-be successors is fierce/brutal after no single successor was named by him. I nearly went back to read book two again as in places I drifted through that book (a bad period) but may as well push forwards onto book 3 with what has proven to be a complex web to follow at times with so many ever changing POV's.
From the get-go it seemed simpler to follow this time, perhaps less names being bandied about helps, now that a few have been killed off. It also allows for more scheming/plotting to be revealed rather than flitting off to another POV before you have settled into the rhythm of this one & fully understood the premise of their schemes, I think that’s where I suffered in book 2, too much going on too fully absorb (all) the nuances of each character/plot plus it was fairly bitty at times.
The opening chapters stay firmly in Macedon as the campaign to rule in the West reaches a climatic episode which gives the read more continuity & flow.
As one campaign is resolved (to a degree) we then flow towards the mid-East & reacquaint ourselves with all the players that are left from Mesopotamia to Babylon & further East (Susa) switching between their POV’s as the campaign map is revealed via the strategos’s direction of his allies/troops all heading towards the concluding set piece battle involving nigh on 100,000 men, horses & elephants. A battle which is relayed in great detail with the focus on the strategy / fog of war rather than the gore & bloodshed.
And of course, not forgetting Ptolemy in Egypt, who makes a belated appearance to the script where of all the players his position is the most comfortable after defending his lot with ease in the prior chapter. Content to sit & watch everything unfold before declaring his hand & then along comes the Carthaginians to add to the intrigue…..
There is a lot to absorb but in truth I found it a more manageable read, even with several players still left. The factions are firmly shaped, some by design whilst others are by perhaps necessity alone. Some even slip comfortably from one to another as circumstances suit……
We loose less players in this book although we do loose one whose inner machinations (in italics) had become a firm favourite….
I must mention that despite the obvious temptation, (so far) I’ve resisted looking at the actual history of this period, not wanting any spoilers. And with that in mind I can’t say much more.
Going to give it 5 stars as I can’t really fault it.
From the get-go it seemed simpler to follow this time, perhaps less names being bandied about helps, now that a few have been killed off. It also allows for more scheming/plotting to be revealed rather than flitting off to another POV before you have settled into the rhythm of this one & fully understood the premise of their schemes, I think that’s where I suffered in book 2, too much going on too fully absorb (all) the nuances of each character/plot plus it was fairly bitty at times.
The opening chapters stay firmly in Macedon as the campaign to rule in the West reaches a climatic episode which gives the read more continuity & flow.
As one campaign is resolved (to a degree) we then flow towards the mid-East & reacquaint ourselves with all the players that are left from Mesopotamia to Babylon & further East (Susa) switching between their POV’s as the campaign map is revealed via the strategos’s direction of his allies/troops all heading towards the concluding set piece battle involving nigh on 100,000 men, horses & elephants. A battle which is relayed in great detail with the focus on the strategy / fog of war rather than the gore & bloodshed.
And of course, not forgetting Ptolemy in Egypt, who makes a belated appearance to the script where of all the players his position is the most comfortable after defending his lot with ease in the prior chapter. Content to sit & watch everything unfold before declaring his hand & then along comes the Carthaginians to add to the intrigue…..
There is a lot to absorb but in truth I found it a more manageable read, even with several players still left. The factions are firmly shaped, some by design whilst others are by perhaps necessity alone. Some even slip comfortably from one to another as circumstances suit……
We loose less players in this book although we do loose one whose inner machinations (in italics) had become a firm favourite….
I must mention that despite the obvious temptation, (so far) I’ve resisted looking at the actual history of this period, not wanting any spoilers. And with that in mind I can’t say much more.
Going to give it 5 stars as I can’t really fault it.
April 19, 2022
Worth the wait ... the number of characters becomes less and less as most of them die (and not to natural causes). One advantage is that the storyline becomes more and more clear now that just a few characters survive. Leaves me wishing for more.
Read in Dutch
Read in Dutch
January 6, 2023
Best interessant, want doordat ik dit boek uit wilde lezen sliep ik pas om half vier
February 11, 2022
This is a solid continuation of the series though for established readers there is little new: the characters continue on in their established patterns though of course it remains to be seen how exactly each of them meet their end. As the events depicted are history (even if not very popular history), I don’t think that “spoilers” in general terms apply so some of the things mentioned below refer to events which happen in the book and are, perhaps, unexpected.
My favourites in the series have been Ptolemaios and Eumenes. For Eumenes, this volume is fatal. Yet, the manner of his perishing is well put together—though some of the specific details about the battle which . Regrettably, few of the other characters have grown on me as much and those who I expected to like–primarily Seleukos–haven’t really displayed themselves as very interesting people. In general, it looks as if Mr Fabbri needs controversy—Eumenes’ Greek heritage or Olympias’ rage against the world—to make characters interesting. Antigonos, possibly the most straightforward person in the books with his attitude of a frontal assault against everything, almost never has a particularly interesting chapter.
Ptolemaios barely features in this book though the author is clearly setting him up for future conquests. This is a pity because, aside from Eumenes, Ptolemaios was one of the few who seemed to think actions through (in Mr Fabbri’s version) instead of charging in. A little contrast to this is provided by Thessalonike who gets her own POV chapters towards the end of this book; it seems however that with Thessalonike the author has deviated most from historical knowledge. I don’t think this is a big problem given the afterword describes what the author knows and where he has deviated, as well as how he’s deviated, but it’s still a choice—without which the plot could have been more interesting, it looks like.
Overall, I enjoy this as I enjoyed the prior volumes in this series but possibly because there’s so little available on the Diadochi. Nevertheless, the book was amusing!
This review was originally posted on my blog.
My favourites in the series have been Ptolemaios and Eumenes. For Eumenes, this volume is fatal. Yet, the manner of his perishing is well put together—though some of the specific details about the battle which . Regrettably, few of the other characters have grown on me as much and those who I expected to like–primarily Seleukos–haven’t really displayed themselves as very interesting people. In general, it looks as if Mr Fabbri needs controversy—Eumenes’ Greek heritage or Olympias’ rage against the world—to make characters interesting. Antigonos, possibly the most straightforward person in the books with his attitude of a frontal assault against everything, almost never has a particularly interesting chapter.
Ptolemaios barely features in this book though the author is clearly setting him up for future conquests. This is a pity because, aside from Eumenes, Ptolemaios was one of the few who seemed to think actions through (in Mr Fabbri’s version) instead of charging in. A little contrast to this is provided by Thessalonike who gets her own POV chapters towards the end of this book; it seems however that with Thessalonike the author has deviated most from historical knowledge. I don’t think this is a big problem given the afterword describes what the author knows and where he has deviated, as well as how he’s deviated, but it’s still a choice—without which the plot could have been more interesting, it looks like.
Overall, I enjoy this as I enjoyed the prior volumes in this series but possibly because there’s so little available on the Diadochi. Nevertheless, the book was amusing!
This review was originally posted on my blog.
November 14, 2022
Deze recensie werd eerder gepubliceerd op mijn blog GraagGelezen.
In De verlaten troon, het derde deel in de Alexanders erfenis-serie van bestsellerauteur Robert Fabbri, gaan we verder met het verhaal rond de dood van Alexander de Grote. In dit deel begint de zoektocht naar de moordenaar.
Want zoals gebleken is, is Alexander de Grote niet plotseling gestorven maar werd meedogenloos vermoord. De vraag is: wie is de moordenaar? Terwijl zijn volgelingen worstelen om de macht in eigen hand te houden, worden vriendschappen, familiebanden en politieke loyaliteit flink op de proef gesteld.
De beschaving van het Westen werd nooit eerder zo geplaagd door chaos en bedreiging.
Levens, steden en legers worden stuk voor stuk vernietigd door wraakzuchtige aanstaande koningen. Of koninginnen. Zou een huwelijk de enige oplossing kunnen zijn om harmonie in het Rijk te brengen?
Fabbri weet de gebeurtenissen die soms vreselijk zijn, te beschrijven op een manier waarop je verder kunt lezen. Dat is een van zijn sterke eigenschappen.
‘De verlaten troon’ is een boek voor de liefhebbers van historische thrillers waar je veel van opsteekt; je leert over de gebruiken van die tijd en wat als normaal en abnormaal werd beschouwd.
Deze thriller is een stuk geschiedenis in de vorm van fictie, gebaseerd op geschriften uit het verleden. Hier heeft Fabbri voor ons het een en ander aangepast tot een spannend verhaal, dat sfeervol maar ook heftig, bruut en bloedstollend is.
De gebeurtenissen worden zo duidelijk beschreven dat het lijkt alsof je naar een film kijkt en de personages zijn niet meer fictief maar komen voor je ogen tot lezen. Het is duidelijk dat Fabbri werkervaring heeft in de film- en televisiewereld.
“Kassandros keek belangstellend toe terwijl de poort in de belegeringsmuur openging en er een klein gezelschap haveloze soldaten, geleid door de boodschapper, binnenkwam, met Thessalonike in hun midden. Op het eerste gezicht zag ze eruit of ze zich in het koninklijk paleis van Pella op de ontmoeting had voorbereid en niet in een stad die al jaren werd belegerd. Ze was mooi, haar haar zat in een ingewikkeld gevormde knot met een vlecht die om haar achterhoofd was gewonden, terwijl aan weerszijden van haar gezicht een gekrulde gouden lok hing; ze droeg gouden, met edelstenen ingelegde snoeren rond de knot en in elk oor glinsterende een bijpassende oorbel. Een gewaad van het fijnste linnen hing rond haar lichaam, dat nog redelijk welgevormd en ferm was, ondanks de ontberingen van de voorafgaande maanden.”
Zoals steeds in zijn boeken het geval is, zijn ook hier weer een flink aantal personages die het verhaal maken. Boven ieder hoofdstuk staat in de titel welk personage daar de aandacht krijgt, samen met een treffende karikatuur.
Om het voor de lezers wat gemakkelijker te maken om alles te kunnen volgen staat voor in het boek een landkaart en een overzicht van de belangrijkste personages met de daarbij passende karikatuur.
Op het voorblad staat nog een verklarende woordenlijst en achter in het boek een lijst met personages, waarin de namen van de fictieve personages zijn aangegeven.
Ik heb genoten van ‘De verlaten troon’.
In De verlaten troon, het derde deel in de Alexanders erfenis-serie van bestsellerauteur Robert Fabbri, gaan we verder met het verhaal rond de dood van Alexander de Grote. In dit deel begint de zoektocht naar de moordenaar.
Want zoals gebleken is, is Alexander de Grote niet plotseling gestorven maar werd meedogenloos vermoord. De vraag is: wie is de moordenaar? Terwijl zijn volgelingen worstelen om de macht in eigen hand te houden, worden vriendschappen, familiebanden en politieke loyaliteit flink op de proef gesteld.
De beschaving van het Westen werd nooit eerder zo geplaagd door chaos en bedreiging.
Levens, steden en legers worden stuk voor stuk vernietigd door wraakzuchtige aanstaande koningen. Of koninginnen. Zou een huwelijk de enige oplossing kunnen zijn om harmonie in het Rijk te brengen?
Fabbri weet de gebeurtenissen die soms vreselijk zijn, te beschrijven op een manier waarop je verder kunt lezen. Dat is een van zijn sterke eigenschappen.
‘De verlaten troon’ is een boek voor de liefhebbers van historische thrillers waar je veel van opsteekt; je leert over de gebruiken van die tijd en wat als normaal en abnormaal werd beschouwd.
Deze thriller is een stuk geschiedenis in de vorm van fictie, gebaseerd op geschriften uit het verleden. Hier heeft Fabbri voor ons het een en ander aangepast tot een spannend verhaal, dat sfeervol maar ook heftig, bruut en bloedstollend is.
De gebeurtenissen worden zo duidelijk beschreven dat het lijkt alsof je naar een film kijkt en de personages zijn niet meer fictief maar komen voor je ogen tot lezen. Het is duidelijk dat Fabbri werkervaring heeft in de film- en televisiewereld.
“Kassandros keek belangstellend toe terwijl de poort in de belegeringsmuur openging en er een klein gezelschap haveloze soldaten, geleid door de boodschapper, binnenkwam, met Thessalonike in hun midden. Op het eerste gezicht zag ze eruit of ze zich in het koninklijk paleis van Pella op de ontmoeting had voorbereid en niet in een stad die al jaren werd belegerd. Ze was mooi, haar haar zat in een ingewikkeld gevormde knot met een vlecht die om haar achterhoofd was gewonden, terwijl aan weerszijden van haar gezicht een gekrulde gouden lok hing; ze droeg gouden, met edelstenen ingelegde snoeren rond de knot en in elk oor glinsterende een bijpassende oorbel. Een gewaad van het fijnste linnen hing rond haar lichaam, dat nog redelijk welgevormd en ferm was, ondanks de ontberingen van de voorafgaande maanden.”
Zoals steeds in zijn boeken het geval is, zijn ook hier weer een flink aantal personages die het verhaal maken. Boven ieder hoofdstuk staat in de titel welk personage daar de aandacht krijgt, samen met een treffende karikatuur.
Om het voor de lezers wat gemakkelijker te maken om alles te kunnen volgen staat voor in het boek een landkaart en een overzicht van de belangrijkste personages met de daarbij passende karikatuur.
Op het voorblad staat nog een verklarende woordenlijst en achter in het boek een lijst met personages, waarin de namen van de fictieve personages zijn aangegeven.
Ik heb genoten van ‘De verlaten troon’.
March 28, 2022
Read most of this yesterday. The dialogue occasionally feels a bit clunky, like the characters are over-explaining what's going on in order to bring the reader up to speed in case you've forgotten where things stand after the second book - or haven't read the previous ones.
Apart from that, it's an interesting read. With some characters, you may already know what will happen with them if you know the history of the era, but others are not so well-known so there's still a sense of tension and some unknowns.
With the number of factions decreasing through the series, it makes the politics easier to follow as the battles are whittling down to a handful of main players, who should be familiar if you've read the previous two books. The maps are useful for keeping track of locations, as is the list of characters at the end. It still makes me giggle seeing the listing of "Alexander: the cause of all the trouble", and I like that the author's notes direct you to the ancient sources that write about this era so that we can read the accounts that have been passed down the centuries. This also allows for the inclusion in the novel of the character of Hieronymus, a historically-attested writer who produced a now-lost history of the conflict that a lot of later classical authors quoted from.
I'm enjoying this series and look forward to the fourth book in due course.
Apart from that, it's an interesting read. With some characters, you may already know what will happen with them if you know the history of the era, but others are not so well-known so there's still a sense of tension and some unknowns.
With the number of factions decreasing through the series, it makes the politics easier to follow as the battles are whittling down to a handful of main players, who should be familiar if you've read the previous two books. The maps are useful for keeping track of locations, as is the list of characters at the end. It still makes me giggle seeing the listing of "Alexander: the cause of all the trouble", and I like that the author's notes direct you to the ancient sources that write about this era so that we can read the accounts that have been passed down the centuries. This also allows for the inclusion in the novel of the character of Hieronymus, a historically-attested writer who produced a now-lost history of the conflict that a lot of later classical authors quoted from.
I'm enjoying this series and look forward to the fourth book in due course.
February 19, 2023
This is the third in Robert Fabbri's series of novels about the wars between the successors of Alexander the Great. It deals with the rise of Kassandros to power in Macedon, the fate of Alexander's mother, Olympias, and the mutually destructive contest for power in Asia between Antigonos and Eumenes. But, in the process, it shows up these generals as scheming and ruthless killers, laying waste the lands of the Near East with their huge armies in pursuit of their lust for power. Not that the author is concerned about this. He revels in the politics and strategies of war, the battle tactics, and the violence of armed conflict. Only Ptolemy in Egypt is seen to be honouring Alexander's legacy of civilised integration of Greek and Asian cultures, as he oversees the construction of the beautiful city of Alexandria, and plans its future as a great centre of learning and trade. The short sections of the novel which focus on his activities provide a welcome relief from the otherwise viciousness of the action. I thought I would have finished a trilogy by reading this book, but have just discovered there is a fourth in the series, "Babylon". However, I don't think I have the patience to wade through more of the same!
April 16, 2022
Brilliant again.
I am loving this series. I knew next to nothing about Alexander the Great and his generals. I am surprised he didn't name a successor because his empire was torn asunder after his death with all the infighting. From Alexander's mother, ( not a nice person. ), to the sly little Greek Eumenes, probably my favourite character, to all the generals who mistakenly think the empire should be theirs. The best part is, all these characters existed in real life. Superb. Buy this series, you won't be disappointed. Once you've caught up, check out Roberts previous books. All about Vespasian, Also superb.
I am loving this series. I knew next to nothing about Alexander the Great and his generals. I am surprised he didn't name a successor because his empire was torn asunder after his death with all the infighting. From Alexander's mother, ( not a nice person. ), to the sly little Greek Eumenes, probably my favourite character, to all the generals who mistakenly think the empire should be theirs. The best part is, all these characters existed in real life. Superb. Buy this series, you won't be disappointed. Once you've caught up, check out Roberts previous books. All about Vespasian, Also superb.
October 5, 2022
A okay to good series.
The problem I face with this series is the way it is written (I have the Dutch translated version, but maybe English has the same kind of problem).
The parts in the books where you go inside the thoughts of the characters mostly spoil what will happen and are written sort of Childish. In the first book of this series this was fun and original but by now it is kind of boring and frustrating to get spoiled so much. They tell you exactly what you think will happen.
7.5/10
The problem I face with this series is the way it is written (I have the Dutch translated version, but maybe English has the same kind of problem).
The parts in the books where you go inside the thoughts of the characters mostly spoil what will happen and are written sort of Childish. In the first book of this series this was fun and original but by now it is kind of boring and frustrating to get spoiled so much. They tell you exactly what you think will happen.
7.5/10
June 4, 2022
The first book was thoroughly enjoyable - interesting. well-rounded characters etc etc Second book was good - sufficiently good that I ordered the third book (this one) from the library... Well, in my 'umble opinion it ain't anything like as good as the other two and I found myself speed-reading towards the end. I believe there's a fourth book, but I won't reading that one. I distinctly got the impression (probably erroneously) that Mr Fabbri was running out of steam... it happens.
July 5, 2023
Fantastic continuation of the series. Robert maintains a consistently engaging writing style while developing the core of the main characters. The descriptive detail and elegancy of complex battles have peaked finally in this third book of the series. The only negative I can think of is the lack of input from characters outside of the main core group; Kassandros, Eumenes, Antigonos, Olympias. I would have liked to have read more from Ptolemy.
January 18, 2024
Hard to get past first chapter because of the confusing names of people and things, but will get used to them after a while. Love the storytelling, has a great mix of action, strategy, and fillers. Characters came alive with author's description, by 3rd chapter I couldn't put the book down. Learnt quite a bit regarding human nature, and refreshing to learn about another time period in history. Highly recommend.
April 9, 2025
W porównaniu z wcześniejszymi tomami mam wrażenie że działo się tutaj nieco mniej, być może wynika to z faktu że zmniejszeniu uległa liczba bohaterów z których perspektywy śledzimy wydarzenia. Gdy przez kila rozdziałów naprzemiennie przeplatają się dwa punkty widzenia to skala całości wydaje się być mniejsza. Wiedziałem że do tego dojdzie, ale nadal jest mi smutno że jedna z moich ulubionych postaci pojawiła się po raz ostatni, będzie mi jej brakowało w dalszych częściach.
February 13, 2023
These were the best books I’ve read so far about the Wars of the Diodochi! Well- paced and thoroughly researched, with characters that come alive. I would have liked a bit more description…for some reason, a few short sentences about the weather, the smells and sounds, really make individual scenes come alive for me.
January 29, 2022
A carrying read!
From page to page, this is Fabbri at his best as he carries the reader, activating all senses through the scenery, settings and the symphony of struggle for power among the diadochi
From page to page, this is Fabbri at his best as he carries the reader, activating all senses through the scenery, settings and the symphony of struggle for power among the diadochi
August 31, 2025
Another action packed instalment in this series, the cat and mouse campaign in the East between Antigonous and Eumenes is very interesting, as is the political intrigue in both the Eastern Satrapies alliance and in the court at Macedon. I look forward to continuing this series.
July 2, 2022
Indifference
It is interesting as to how characters of yesteryear are no difference to the dictators of today.The story is an excellent read with intrigues and the retribution.
It is interesting as to how characters of yesteryear are no difference to the dictators of today.The story is an excellent read with intrigues and the retribution.
November 29, 2022
Sehr gelungene Fortsetzung!
Habe natürlich die deutsche Version gelesen.
Habe natürlich die deutsche Version gelesen.
May 8, 2023
A tale that is told as if Robert Fabbri was there all the time
July 2, 2023
The third volume covers the rise and downfall of Olympias, Alexander's mother who uses that Antipater shockingly leaves the regency to his second in command rather than to his oldest son, while technically not having the power to bestow the regency on anyone, so opening another huge can of worms. Unfortunately despite advice from all her councilors, Olympias is set on revenge and those (and there are many) who belittled and minimized her. In Asia, Antigonous continues his ascension, as he holds the most armies and more and more, that rather any legalistic arguments is what actually counts
June 17, 2025
Plot - 4.00/5.00
Characters - 4.50/5.00
World - 4.50/5.00
Prose/Style - 4.00/5.00
Enjoyment - 4.25/5.00
Total: 4.25/5.00
Characters - 4.50/5.00
World - 4.50/5.00
Prose/Style - 4.00/5.00
Enjoyment - 4.25/5.00
Total: 4.25/5.00
September 12, 2023
Weer epische intriges! Komt er nog een vervolg?
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews