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Histories of Asfáleia #1
Conqueror's City
Constant, grinding warfare has brutalised Asfáleia for centuries, leaving both the land and the people scarred. In the west, the Rutik have consolidated their territories and now emerge from their barbaric past as a united and far more powerful kingdom, determined to complete the conquest of Asfáleia. In the east, an alliance of the surviving Achaean city-states fights to maintain control of land that has been theirs for generations. Their only hope is to stand together: individually they are no match for the ferocity of the Rutik, but their alliance is fragile and strained by the venal self-interest of wealthy rulers.
Tarsus is the oldest and most powerful of the Achaean cities, and the de facto leader of their precarious alliance. Its location is highly defensible, its walls high, and its armies large and well equipped and as the Rutik war machine once more turns its greedy eye towards them, the Tarseans prepare to fight to the last. Arion is the eldest son of the King of Tarsus. A cheerful, confident youth he watches the war with a naïve fascination, unable to comprehend the possibility of losing the protected life that he takes for granted. Mira is the consummate Rutik soldier. Possessing neither title nor wealth, her only value to the kingdom lies in her deeds and she is driven to constantly demonstrate her worth.
Unbeknownst to either of them, the resurgent Rutik Kingdom is only the foamy crest of a deeper and more destructive wave. Humanity was not the first race to occupy Asfáleia: for millennia the people of the Protótokos, the Firstborn, held sway. United at first, they eventually separated into five clans: Tis Thálassas, of the sea; Tis Erímou, of the desert; Tou Págou, of the ice; Tou Dásous, of the forest; and Tou Vounoú, of the mountain. As far as any human knows, the Firstborn are long gone from the world, but their ruins and relics remain, and the Rutik have somehow found a way to use them. Dark magic, demons and half-breed Avatars are unleashed upon the hapless Tarseans bringing horror and ruin to the shadowed corners of the city.
The Fall of Tarsus is the story of the last days of a great city and the violent end of an ancient kingdom. Arion and Mira are on opposing sides, separated by centuries of bitter conflict and mutual animosity but in the whirling chaos of a civilisation’s collapse, both must find a way to survive. Their paths cross and diverge throughout The Fall of Tarsus, telling the same story from very different perspectives, winding towards a dramatic conclusion as the city finally falls.
Tarsus is the oldest and most powerful of the Achaean cities, and the de facto leader of their precarious alliance. Its location is highly defensible, its walls high, and its armies large and well equipped and as the Rutik war machine once more turns its greedy eye towards them, the Tarseans prepare to fight to the last. Arion is the eldest son of the King of Tarsus. A cheerful, confident youth he watches the war with a naïve fascination, unable to comprehend the possibility of losing the protected life that he takes for granted. Mira is the consummate Rutik soldier. Possessing neither title nor wealth, her only value to the kingdom lies in her deeds and she is driven to constantly demonstrate her worth.
Unbeknownst to either of them, the resurgent Rutik Kingdom is only the foamy crest of a deeper and more destructive wave. Humanity was not the first race to occupy Asfáleia: for millennia the people of the Protótokos, the Firstborn, held sway. United at first, they eventually separated into five clans: Tis Thálassas, of the sea; Tis Erímou, of the desert; Tou Págou, of the ice; Tou Dásous, of the forest; and Tou Vounoú, of the mountain. As far as any human knows, the Firstborn are long gone from the world, but their ruins and relics remain, and the Rutik have somehow found a way to use them. Dark magic, demons and half-breed Avatars are unleashed upon the hapless Tarseans bringing horror and ruin to the shadowed corners of the city.
The Fall of Tarsus is the story of the last days of a great city and the violent end of an ancient kingdom. Arion and Mira are on opposing sides, separated by centuries of bitter conflict and mutual animosity but in the whirling chaos of a civilisation’s collapse, both must find a way to survive. Their paths cross and diverge throughout The Fall of Tarsus, telling the same story from very different perspectives, winding towards a dramatic conclusion as the city finally falls.
- GenresFantasy
391 pages, ebook
First published September 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 16, 2024
I was given a free copy for my honest review. I thought that this book was well done and interesting. I did like that there were multiple story lines, but I also felt that the transitions from one part of the story to another part were sometimes choppy.
January 14, 2023
Conqueror's City
By – Graham G Porter
Format – Kindle Edition
Print Length – 391 Pages
Genre – Fiction
My Ratings – 4.7/5
You all must have read fantasy because I have given you all numerous recommendations for fantasy books that you all enjoyed very much. However, the book I am offering to you today is unique and different from other fantasies. I'm referring to Graham G. Porter's book Conqueror's City. The thrilling first instalment of the epic fantasy series Histories of Asfaleia is titled Conqueror's City.
The setting of the tale is Asfáleia, which has endured centuries of violent warfare. The most powerful city in the Achaean region at the time, Tarsus' crown prince Arion was unable to fathom the idea of losing what he takes for granted. A subordinate officer in the Northern Army of the Rutik, Mira is driven to prove her worth and advance in the organisation.
Tarsus is the final stop for the Rutik Kingdom, which is now travelling. The Rutik have consolidated their dispersed fiefdoms in the west and have returned as a single, far more potent empire. The remaining Achaean city-states in the east struggle to keep hold of territory that has been theirs for millennia. They have little chance of defeating the Rutik alone, and while their alliance is tenuous due to the avaricious self-interest of powerful kings, they can only hope to stand united.
The Kingdom of the Rutik is back, but it's just the foamy crest of a bigger, more destructive wave. Whether the Rutik siege succeeds or fails, everything it accomplishes will be a victory for their real master. Unlucky Tarseans are attacked by dark magic, demons, and half-breed Avatars, which causes terror and destruction in the hidden areas of the city.
The novel contains a lot of drama, thrill, surprise, twists, and turns, as the title says, which kept me interested the entire time I read it. I couldn't put the book down until it was finished. And now that I've finished the book, I can't wait to read what comes next. The author's immaculate writing and knowledge of the language impressed me.
The cornerstone to any book is its characters, and in this fantasy novel I found the characters to be impactful and descriptive; it wouldn't be inaccurate to say that this book is more character-driven. Because of how skillfully the battle scenes were portrayed, I had the impression that everything was happening right in front of me and could mentally picture every circumstance. I fervently urge each and every one of you to read the book.
Happy Reading
By – Graham G Porter
Format – Kindle Edition
Print Length – 391 Pages
Genre – Fiction
My Ratings – 4.7/5
You all must have read fantasy because I have given you all numerous recommendations for fantasy books that you all enjoyed very much. However, the book I am offering to you today is unique and different from other fantasies. I'm referring to Graham G. Porter's book Conqueror's City. The thrilling first instalment of the epic fantasy series Histories of Asfaleia is titled Conqueror's City.
The setting of the tale is Asfáleia, which has endured centuries of violent warfare. The most powerful city in the Achaean region at the time, Tarsus' crown prince Arion was unable to fathom the idea of losing what he takes for granted. A subordinate officer in the Northern Army of the Rutik, Mira is driven to prove her worth and advance in the organisation.
Tarsus is the final stop for the Rutik Kingdom, which is now travelling. The Rutik have consolidated their dispersed fiefdoms in the west and have returned as a single, far more potent empire. The remaining Achaean city-states in the east struggle to keep hold of territory that has been theirs for millennia. They have little chance of defeating the Rutik alone, and while their alliance is tenuous due to the avaricious self-interest of powerful kings, they can only hope to stand united.
The Kingdom of the Rutik is back, but it's just the foamy crest of a bigger, more destructive wave. Whether the Rutik siege succeeds or fails, everything it accomplishes will be a victory for their real master. Unlucky Tarseans are attacked by dark magic, demons, and half-breed Avatars, which causes terror and destruction in the hidden areas of the city.
The novel contains a lot of drama, thrill, surprise, twists, and turns, as the title says, which kept me interested the entire time I read it. I couldn't put the book down until it was finished. And now that I've finished the book, I can't wait to read what comes next. The author's immaculate writing and knowledge of the language impressed me.
The cornerstone to any book is its characters, and in this fantasy novel I found the characters to be impactful and descriptive; it wouldn't be inaccurate to say that this book is more character-driven. Because of how skillfully the battle scenes were portrayed, I had the impression that everything was happening right in front of me and could mentally picture every circumstance. I fervently urge each and every one of you to read the book.
Happy Reading
January 13, 2023
When both of her commanding officers are killed in action fighting the migrating Baimoi barbarians, young and inexperienced Mira is unexpectedly promoted to the troop captain. She manages to bring the rest of her soldiers back to the main camp, where she's ignored by every other superior due to her low social standing. Until, that it, the shadowy League for the Restoration of Rutik intervenes and gives her a mandate and budget - as long as she does what they want her to do. Meanwhile, Arion, the Crown Prince of Tarsus and their legendary Rangers are trying to work out if the Rutik really are planning on attacking their city. They're gathering their strength and intelligence while still trying to remain strong for their subjects. The only question isn't if the Rutik will try and besiege their land for their own greed, but when.
Conqueror's City is a rich telling of siege warfare, friendships, discrimination and morality. Porter has woven a vibrant world, strong in its own mythology. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from his world's historical records, leading the reader into believing that these places are real, and the events truly happened. It's always something I particularly enjoy when reading new novels; it adds a gravitas to the work which draws me in completely.
One thing that Porter has done well, is that he has loosely based the different tribes and nations of his world of Asfáleia from real historic tribes - mainly from the Grecko/Romano era's of our own history. I think it's what lands Conqueror's City that edge of realism; you can almost imagine that this is a prehistoric Europe, from before the islands of Great Britain and Ireland fractured away from the mainland. However I did find the narrative to be somewhat long-winded for what was pretty much a battle story. As much as the characters were engaging, I didn't really fall in love with them as I have with other similar books I've read. Perhaps if Conquerer's City was a few thousand words shorter, it would have been more palatable.
S. A.
First published on Reedsy Discovery as part of their ARC program.
Conqueror's City is a rich telling of siege warfare, friendships, discrimination and morality. Porter has woven a vibrant world, strong in its own mythology. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from his world's historical records, leading the reader into believing that these places are real, and the events truly happened. It's always something I particularly enjoy when reading new novels; it adds a gravitas to the work which draws me in completely.
One thing that Porter has done well, is that he has loosely based the different tribes and nations of his world of Asfáleia from real historic tribes - mainly from the Grecko/Romano era's of our own history. I think it's what lands Conqueror's City that edge of realism; you can almost imagine that this is a prehistoric Europe, from before the islands of Great Britain and Ireland fractured away from the mainland. However I did find the narrative to be somewhat long-winded for what was pretty much a battle story. As much as the characters were engaging, I didn't really fall in love with them as I have with other similar books I've read. Perhaps if Conquerer's City was a few thousand words shorter, it would have been more palatable.
S. A.
First published on Reedsy Discovery as part of their ARC program.
January 2, 2023
A character driven story from multiple perspectives combined with exciting and multi dimensional battle scenes make for a great start to an eagerly awaited series.
Highlights of this book are definitely the fast paced battle scenes and the multitude of characters that you want to learn more about equally from both sides of the war - each person is the main character in their own story and any member of the cast of this book would be gladly followed in the next.
Highlights of this book are definitely the fast paced battle scenes and the multitude of characters that you want to learn more about equally from both sides of the war - each person is the main character in their own story and any member of the cast of this book would be gladly followed in the next.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews