What do you think?
Rate this book
Empires of Bronze #6
The Dark Earth
The time will come, as all times must, when the world will shake, and fall to dust…
1237 BC: It is an age of panic. The great empires are in disarray – ravaged by endless drought, shaken by ferocious earthquakes and starved of precious tin. Some say the Gods have abandoned mankind.
When Tudha ascends the Hittite throne, the burden of stabilising the realm falls upon his shoulders. Despite his valiant endeavours, things continue to disintegrate; allies become foes, lethal plots arise, and enemy battle horns echo across Hittite lands.
Yet this is nothing compared to the colossal, insidious shadow emerging from the west. Crawling unseen towards Tudha’s collapsing Hittite world comes a force unlike any ever witnessed; an immeasurable swarm of outlanders, driven by the cruel whip of nature, spreading fire and destruction: the Sea Peoples.
Every age must end. The measure of a man is how he chooses to face it.
1237 BC: It is an age of panic. The great empires are in disarray – ravaged by endless drought, shaken by ferocious earthquakes and starved of precious tin. Some say the Gods have abandoned mankind.
When Tudha ascends the Hittite throne, the burden of stabilising the realm falls upon his shoulders. Despite his valiant endeavours, things continue to disintegrate; allies become foes, lethal plots arise, and enemy battle horns echo across Hittite lands.
Yet this is nothing compared to the colossal, insidious shadow emerging from the west. Crawling unseen towards Tudha’s collapsing Hittite world comes a force unlike any ever witnessed; an immeasurable swarm of outlanders, driven by the cruel whip of nature, spreading fire and destruction: the Sea Peoples.
Every age must end. The measure of a man is how he chooses to face it.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
478 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2022
22 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Doherty
41 books292 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...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 26, 2022
Ah..where to start. I’ve loved this series from the 1st page to the last.. The fate of the Hittites is sealed in history but what Gordon Doherty offers the reader is a masterful tale of hope, glory, blood and betrayal.
The time of King Hattu has sadly come to and end and it’s time for Tudha to take up the mantel in what will be the Hittite’s biggest battle.
After the events at Troy and the internal struggles faced by the Hittites Tudha hopes for peace… a peace that is shattered into a thousand pieces. The army of Agamemnon’s might be gone but there’s new foes on the horizon as well as a dark face from the past to contend with…on top of that the ground is shaking.. drought and famine are a daily struggle… but Tudha has hope!
Development wise as much as I’ll miss Hattu it was really enjoyable and fresh to see this instalment play out through the eyes of Tudha and Kurunta.. the faces of the past disappear to let the new blood shine through and some of those characters will stay with you, I loved the impact made on me by Ibiranu, Nerikkaili and particularly Zakuli.
Reading the The Dark Earth was tough.. it’s dark and brutal and the author broke me repeatedly with the events that play out.. dangling Tudha’s hope.. ahhh.
The Dark Earth is a masterclass in grabbing a reader’s attention, there’s pivotal moments, exciting characters, conflict and surprise..a real roller-coaster of emotions.
Is this the best yet from Gordon Doherty??? Perfection can’t top perfection! It just a joy to read!
No spoilers for me.. but it’s one to remember.. relish it!
The time of King Hattu has sadly come to and end and it’s time for Tudha to take up the mantel in what will be the Hittite’s biggest battle.
After the events at Troy and the internal struggles faced by the Hittites Tudha hopes for peace… a peace that is shattered into a thousand pieces. The army of Agamemnon’s might be gone but there’s new foes on the horizon as well as a dark face from the past to contend with…on top of that the ground is shaking.. drought and famine are a daily struggle… but Tudha has hope!
Development wise as much as I’ll miss Hattu it was really enjoyable and fresh to see this instalment play out through the eyes of Tudha and Kurunta.. the faces of the past disappear to let the new blood shine through and some of those characters will stay with you, I loved the impact made on me by Ibiranu, Nerikkaili and particularly Zakuli.
Reading the The Dark Earth was tough.. it’s dark and brutal and the author broke me repeatedly with the events that play out.. dangling Tudha’s hope.. ahhh.
The Dark Earth is a masterclass in grabbing a reader’s attention, there’s pivotal moments, exciting characters, conflict and surprise..a real roller-coaster of emotions.
Is this the best yet from Gordon Doherty??? Perfection can’t top perfection! It just a joy to read!
No spoilers for me.. but it’s one to remember.. relish it!
April 10, 2023
‘𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝, 𝙈𝙮 𝙎𝙪𝙣. 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨… 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝.’
⚔️The book - 6th in the Empires of Bronze series - set in the late Bronze age, is based on the life of Tudha, as we see him witnessing the last prophecy of the Goddess Ishtar i.e. fall of the Hittite.
1237 BC, Hittite empire - once a great empire is now ravaged by endless drought, shaken by ferocious earthquakes, and starved of precious tin. Hattu's son Tudha is the new Labarna; burdened with the legacies of his father's nightmare, he will do everything to hold on to the last remnants of the empire. But as the vast horde of the Sea peoples migrates from the west, fire, and destruction will follow, allies become foes, empires will disintegrate and the old world will collapse. In the end, despite his valiant endeavors to avoid it Tudha had to choose how to face it.
‘𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙪𝙙𝙝𝙖, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙃𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙡𝙚𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙.’
⚔️After reading this book, saying Gordon is a master storyteller would be an understatement. There is so little information available about Hittites, and how they perished. But Gordon had done extensive research on it and beautifully incorporate every possible cause of their fall in the plot, and that too in such a way that I was completely immersed into the story as if I'm experiencing the story being unfolded before my very eyes.
⚔️There was not a single moment where I feel that the story is unusually lengthy/stretching/ slow pacing. From the very beginning, I was hooked. The beautiful prose, the anticipation of what will happen next, how everything will be wrapped up and the cinematic battle scenes were added bonuses that keep me glued till the last. I also enjoyed knowing the actual history behind the plot, shared in the author's note of the book, which also contained detailed maps, military diagrams, and a glossary for better understanding.
⚔️This book is centered around Tuddha entirely, but not for a single moment do I miss Hattu, that's how beautiful his characterization was. With every loss, injury, and betrayal, he came out like a shining armored warrior, making me invested in him. It was heartbreaking to bid adieu to some of my favorite characters --Puduhepa, Kurunta, and Dagon, whom I've seen grow, develop, and attached over the series. Among the new characters -- Tuddha's sons Arnu and Liuma and the Sherden leader of the Sea Peoples, Kruul caught my interest.
⚔️The climax was awesome; loved the way Gordon had given Tudha's character ending his own touch. In spite of having such a dark plot, the ending will leave you with hope, love, and a new beginning and that's what makes it a fitting conclusion to the series.
Overall, the Dark Earth was a masterpiece in itself that can be read as a standalone also. Historical fiction readers would definitely gonna love this series. It was certainly Gordon's best work as of yet, which I would love to re-read again in the future. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
⚔️The book - 6th in the Empires of Bronze series - set in the late Bronze age, is based on the life of Tudha, as we see him witnessing the last prophecy of the Goddess Ishtar i.e. fall of the Hittite.
1237 BC, Hittite empire - once a great empire is now ravaged by endless drought, shaken by ferocious earthquakes, and starved of precious tin. Hattu's son Tudha is the new Labarna; burdened with the legacies of his father's nightmare, he will do everything to hold on to the last remnants of the empire. But as the vast horde of the Sea peoples migrates from the west, fire, and destruction will follow, allies become foes, empires will disintegrate and the old world will collapse. In the end, despite his valiant endeavors to avoid it Tudha had to choose how to face it.
‘𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙪𝙙𝙝𝙖, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙃𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙡𝙚𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙙.’
⚔️After reading this book, saying Gordon is a master storyteller would be an understatement. There is so little information available about Hittites, and how they perished. But Gordon had done extensive research on it and beautifully incorporate every possible cause of their fall in the plot, and that too in such a way that I was completely immersed into the story as if I'm experiencing the story being unfolded before my very eyes.
⚔️There was not a single moment where I feel that the story is unusually lengthy/stretching/ slow pacing. From the very beginning, I was hooked. The beautiful prose, the anticipation of what will happen next, how everything will be wrapped up and the cinematic battle scenes were added bonuses that keep me glued till the last. I also enjoyed knowing the actual history behind the plot, shared in the author's note of the book, which also contained detailed maps, military diagrams, and a glossary for better understanding.
⚔️This book is centered around Tuddha entirely, but not for a single moment do I miss Hattu, that's how beautiful his characterization was. With every loss, injury, and betrayal, he came out like a shining armored warrior, making me invested in him. It was heartbreaking to bid adieu to some of my favorite characters --Puduhepa, Kurunta, and Dagon, whom I've seen grow, develop, and attached over the series. Among the new characters -- Tuddha's sons Arnu and Liuma and the Sherden leader of the Sea Peoples, Kruul caught my interest.
⚔️The climax was awesome; loved the way Gordon had given Tudha's character ending his own touch. In spite of having such a dark plot, the ending will leave you with hope, love, and a new beginning and that's what makes it a fitting conclusion to the series.
Overall, the Dark Earth was a masterpiece in itself that can be read as a standalone also. Historical fiction readers would definitely gonna love this series. It was certainly Gordon's best work as of yet, which I would love to re-read again in the future. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
𝙈𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5)
June 19, 2022
Brilliant conclusion to the Empire of Bronze series.
March 29, 2023
One of the bleakest stories I have ever read; its all about the futility of man's endeavour with a side track on the mortality of gods. The only reason not giving it 5 stars is because there were too many threads that were closed, some of it felt rushed.
June 11, 2022
The sixth book of a series in which I've read none of the first five - not that it mattered.
The story starts as if at a new beginning. The Trojan war is done, the great Hector has fought his last battle and the mighty Achilles has been brought down - the rest I'm sure you know. At the start of this we see Tudha ascend to the Hittite throne upon the death of his father. A young man, with a strong will, stepping out of his father's shadow to rule the lands he was born to. Though those lands are not once they once were.
The Hittite empire crumbles with the walls of Troy, and Tudha faces an almighty fight from enemies abroad, and some from much closer than he thinks.
No spoilers from me! But if like me you've devoured Gordon's 'Legionary' series, you'll know anything he puts out is of the highest quality. This novel has characters to root for, a plot to grip you, and elegant prose to enjoy as you journey through a dying world. Highly recommend
The story starts as if at a new beginning. The Trojan war is done, the great Hector has fought his last battle and the mighty Achilles has been brought down - the rest I'm sure you know. At the start of this we see Tudha ascend to the Hittite throne upon the death of his father. A young man, with a strong will, stepping out of his father's shadow to rule the lands he was born to. Though those lands are not once they once were.
The Hittite empire crumbles with the walls of Troy, and Tudha faces an almighty fight from enemies abroad, and some from much closer than he thinks.
No spoilers from me! But if like me you've devoured Gordon's 'Legionary' series, you'll know anything he puts out is of the highest quality. This novel has characters to root for, a plot to grip you, and elegant prose to enjoy as you journey through a dying world. Highly recommend
July 31, 2022
The Dark Earth is the sixth and final volume of Empires of Bronze, Gordon Doherty’s historical fiction series set in the ancient Hittite Empire. In the last volume (The Shadow of Troy) Mr. Doherty gave us his version of the Trojan War. This tale goes one better (or one worse): it’s set amid the Bronze Age Collapse itself.
The Dark Earth breaks with earlier books in the series, most obviously in that the central character is no longer King Hattu, but his son and heir, King Tudha of the Hittites. Climate change, civil war, and foreign invasion have whittled the once-mighty Hittite Empire down to a pale shadow of its former self. When Tudha rose to the throne, it was foretold that he would revive the kingdom’s fortunes. Unfortunately, darker prophecies dating back to his father’s youth are also in play. Tudha has very little left with which to face the challenges of his time: murder, betrayal, and a massive invasion of the so-called “Sea Peoples.”
If you know the history of this period, the end of the story will be a foregone conclusion: Tudha’s struggle will be in vain, and the Hittite Empire will fall at last. The Dark Earth works best as a story about fighting against impossible odds, and yet refusing to give up hope for the future.
Mr. Doherty continues to work well with the historical sources. This story uses a number of odd details from the final years of the Hittite kingdom – most notably, the one time that we hear of the inland-centered empire having a navy and campaigning at sea. Some elements of the story did strike me as being a little implausible, most notably the sheer size of the Sea People armies. I suspect Mr. Doherty is engaging in some exaggeration there, in order to tell a rousing blood-and-guts adventure story of almost mythical proportions.
The story has a genuinely surprising conclusion, one which escapes from the strict historical narrative to give the reader a sense of hope at the end of the journey.
Mechanically, the novel works reasonably well, although the formula of the earlier books begins to feel a little worn here. Unfortunately, Mr. Doherty got a bit careless with copy-editing in this final volume of the series. Flaws in the prose style weren’t quite enough to pull me out of the story, but after the good editorial work of the last few volumes they were a little disappointing. Workmanlike, but not remarkably so.
Readers should be aware, as always, that the story is set in a brutal and violent time. Descriptions of human cruelty and violence are common and very explicit.
I enjoyed The Dark Earth, and although there don’t appear to be any more stories planned for this series, I’m certainly likely to go looking for more of Mr. Doherty’s work. Recommended as a dark, but in the end hopeful, recounting of one of history’s worst disasters.
The Dark Earth breaks with earlier books in the series, most obviously in that the central character is no longer King Hattu, but his son and heir, King Tudha of the Hittites. Climate change, civil war, and foreign invasion have whittled the once-mighty Hittite Empire down to a pale shadow of its former self. When Tudha rose to the throne, it was foretold that he would revive the kingdom’s fortunes. Unfortunately, darker prophecies dating back to his father’s youth are also in play. Tudha has very little left with which to face the challenges of his time: murder, betrayal, and a massive invasion of the so-called “Sea Peoples.”
If you know the history of this period, the end of the story will be a foregone conclusion: Tudha’s struggle will be in vain, and the Hittite Empire will fall at last. The Dark Earth works best as a story about fighting against impossible odds, and yet refusing to give up hope for the future.
Mr. Doherty continues to work well with the historical sources. This story uses a number of odd details from the final years of the Hittite kingdom – most notably, the one time that we hear of the inland-centered empire having a navy and campaigning at sea. Some elements of the story did strike me as being a little implausible, most notably the sheer size of the Sea People armies. I suspect Mr. Doherty is engaging in some exaggeration there, in order to tell a rousing blood-and-guts adventure story of almost mythical proportions.
The story has a genuinely surprising conclusion, one which escapes from the strict historical narrative to give the reader a sense of hope at the end of the journey.
Mechanically, the novel works reasonably well, although the formula of the earlier books begins to feel a little worn here. Unfortunately, Mr. Doherty got a bit careless with copy-editing in this final volume of the series. Flaws in the prose style weren’t quite enough to pull me out of the story, but after the good editorial work of the last few volumes they were a little disappointing. Workmanlike, but not remarkably so.
Readers should be aware, as always, that the story is set in a brutal and violent time. Descriptions of human cruelty and violence are common and very explicit.
I enjoyed The Dark Earth, and although there don’t appear to be any more stories planned for this series, I’m certainly likely to go looking for more of Mr. Doherty’s work. Recommended as a dark, but in the end hopeful, recounting of one of history’s worst disasters.
September 11, 2022
wonderful series. kudos to Gordon!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. I always enjoy reading Gordon Doherty series. My only complaint in this series is I believe the last book dragged on too long. Minor complaint. Gordon is a great writer.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this series. I always enjoy reading Gordon Doherty series. My only complaint in this series is I believe the last book dragged on too long. Minor complaint. Gordon is a great writer.
July 16, 2022
The Dark Earth
(Empires of Bronze #6)
by
Gordon Doherty
BLURB
The time will come, as all times must, when the world will shake, and fall to dust…
1237 BC: It is an age of panic. The great empires are in disarray – ravaged by endless drought, shaken by ferocious earthquakes and starved of precious tin. Some say the Gods have abandoned mankind.
When Tudha ascends the Hittite throne, the burden of stabilising the realm falls upon his shoulders. Despite his valiant endeavours, things continue to disintegrate; allies become foes, lethal plots arise, and enemy battle horns echo across Hittite lands.
Yet this is nothing compared to the colossal, insidious shadow emerging from the west. Crawling unseen towards Tudha’s collapsing Hittite world comes a force unlike any ever witnessed; an immeasurable swarm of outlanders, driven by the cruel whip of nature, spreading fire and destruction: the Sea Peoples.
Every age must end. The measure of a man is how he chooses to face it.
REVIEW
The Dark Earth, my fellow peeps and fellow readers is, in my own personal dictionary, the definition of how to end an already mind-blowing series. A slew of cataclysmic events in the historical record, have been masterfully researched and turned into an engrossing look at the fall of the Hittite Empire. The reader isn't allowed a moments respite from the turmoil brought about by forces Tudha could not avoid, nor conquer. Be prepared for an amazing tale; be prepared to be surprised all the way to the end.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(Empires of Bronze #6)
by
Gordon Doherty
BLURB
The time will come, as all times must, when the world will shake, and fall to dust…
1237 BC: It is an age of panic. The great empires are in disarray – ravaged by endless drought, shaken by ferocious earthquakes and starved of precious tin. Some say the Gods have abandoned mankind.
When Tudha ascends the Hittite throne, the burden of stabilising the realm falls upon his shoulders. Despite his valiant endeavours, things continue to disintegrate; allies become foes, lethal plots arise, and enemy battle horns echo across Hittite lands.
Yet this is nothing compared to the colossal, insidious shadow emerging from the west. Crawling unseen towards Tudha’s collapsing Hittite world comes a force unlike any ever witnessed; an immeasurable swarm of outlanders, driven by the cruel whip of nature, spreading fire and destruction: the Sea Peoples.
Every age must end. The measure of a man is how he chooses to face it.
REVIEW
The Dark Earth, my fellow peeps and fellow readers is, in my own personal dictionary, the definition of how to end an already mind-blowing series. A slew of cataclysmic events in the historical record, have been masterfully researched and turned into an engrossing look at the fall of the Hittite Empire. The reader isn't allowed a moments respite from the turmoil brought about by forces Tudha could not avoid, nor conquer. Be prepared for an amazing tale; be prepared to be surprised all the way to the end.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 30, 2023
A fittingly epic and bleak conclusion to the series, yet not one without hope. The author cleaves closely to the actual ultimate fate of the Hittites, but deftly weaves artistic license together with historical events. It was good to see Tudha grow into the man that Hattu hoped he could be, fighting to sustain his loved ones for as long as he could. This series was wonderful to read and I look forward to starting Doherty's next series!
November 20, 2023
Bit disappointing end to the series. Again, like in the last books, the exact same kind of treachery, poisoning, and patricide. Too repetitive that it bores the reader. Suggestion to the author to think and fantasize a bit more and come up with new storylines and story-ends. Instead of copy pasting from the previous book(s).
July 29, 2022
Great series
Need to be read from the first book to really get into the history of this era. Really Interesting part of history.
Need to be read from the first book to really get into the history of this era. Really Interesting part of history.
October 24, 2022
Brilliant reading
Absolutely fantastic plot again so enjoy reading these books Empires of Bronze has been my favourite series of books for a long time
Absolutely fantastic plot again so enjoy reading these books Empires of Bronze has been my favourite series of books for a long time
June 30, 2023
Empires of Bronze has been an eye-opening journey into the eastern Mediterranean empires of 1400-1100 BC and their almost complete collapse. Great work!!
November 11, 2025
Riveting.
Action packed from start to finish, with both sub-plot assassins and the build-up to the climactic ending. A great read.
Action packed from start to finish, with both sub-plot assassins and the build-up to the climactic ending. A great read.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews