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The Ships of Minos 2: A Bronze Age Saga
A European best-selling historical adventure series since 1972, finally in English.
The next Minos raises his stone double-axe and strikes dead the sacrificial bull.
The priestesses of Great Mother, topless and wrapped in snakes, intone a hymn of praise.
The assembled subjects join in a howl of ovation. Thus, the new ruler of Eternal Crete is enthroned.
"I love you," says the new Minos to his younger brother, "but politics compels me not to trust you.
"Out of my love for you, I prefer not to kill you but to send you away to the ends of this earth to where the magical amber grows.
"It will be a long an dangerous journey from which you may never return and no one will know whither you have gone.
"Some may think this a terrible fate, but others may note that you have preserved your life and I have preserved my kingdom.
"And they shall praise my wisdom."
Whitehair, the Trojan hero of the series, enters the service of Vidvoyos, the younger brother of the new Minos.
This fateful decision will take him to the very edge of the world, where wild men sacrifice their kings and build stone circles in praise of the sun and where water turns to stone.
Open the double doors of the horizon, unlock its bronze Pick up your copy today!
The next Minos raises his stone double-axe and strikes dead the sacrificial bull.
The priestesses of Great Mother, topless and wrapped in snakes, intone a hymn of praise.
The assembled subjects join in a howl of ovation. Thus, the new ruler of Eternal Crete is enthroned.
"I love you," says the new Minos to his younger brother, "but politics compels me not to trust you.
"Out of my love for you, I prefer not to kill you but to send you away to the ends of this earth to where the magical amber grows.
"It will be a long an dangerous journey from which you may never return and no one will know whither you have gone.
"Some may think this a terrible fate, but others may note that you have preserved your life and I have preserved my kingdom.
"And they shall praise my wisdom."
Whitehair, the Trojan hero of the series, enters the service of Vidvoyos, the younger brother of the new Minos.
This fateful decision will take him to the very edge of the world, where wild men sacrifice their kings and build stone circles in praise of the sun and where water turns to stone.
Open the double doors of the horizon, unlock its bronze Pick up your copy today!
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2023
69 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Joe Alex
35 books19 followersPseudonym of Maciej Słomczyński, a translator, and main character of few detective stories under this pseudonym.
Słomczyński translated all the works of William Shakespeare (he is the only person in the world to have done this), William Blake, Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and James Joyce's Ulysses.
Słomczyński translated all the works of William Shakespeare (he is the only person in the world to have done this), William Blake, Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and James Joyce's Ulysses.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 14, 2023
So many interesting titbits, making you wonder at how deeply they thought on life. Fate was unavoidable and risk of dying something to expect if you make a living from preying on others. For instance:
"And we, pirates, not only prey upon the Cretans but also upon those who trade with them, seizing their vessels, merchandise, and men. Therefore they are right when they mean to slay us.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Men are born to die. If Kasos is meant to claim my mortal body, I shall perish there. And then the suffering of old age, the worries of having a bent back, the torment of lifeless shoulders or eyes, which look upon a world of mist and darkness, will never visit me. On the day I first glimpsed the world, the three sisters spun my thread this long and no longer. Tears and sorrow are equally useless. My forefathers await my arrival in the land of shadows.”
They also thought death was a trip to another dimension, they just had another name for it. Maybe the modern man did not change that much, except for a double dose of arrogance and half the fair-play.
I think the most important aspect of this episode in the series is the dynamic of the ruling family of Crete, including the priestess, Ariadne.
Vidvoyos, the prince, is the wise one:
"An abundance of wealth and extravagance are rendering us helpless. The inhabitants of this land, those who have dwelled here for thousands of years, will always look upon us as their conquerors, and they will unite with anyone against us as soon as we are too weak to defend ourselves."
Perilavos, the son and heir, is a loving son, looking up to his father who he wishes to please, but also coming into his own: "Perilavos smiled. “I merely wished to honor my father as is fitting for a son.”
"Even that, good prince, pleases the gods. It is they who decide the order of things, and it is they who regulate matters between parents and children.”
Together, they try to understand and accommodate each other, they were the good people:
"Yes, you are right. You would make a good sovereign, undoubtedly a better one than my brother. But is there anything strange in this that a father wishes his child to experience the greatest glory the world may offer?”
“But have you ever considered that happiness may be the thing that I desire the most?” The question came with such gravity of tone that immediately the prince looked up in astonishment and observed his slender, adolescent son now calmly contemplating his father with eyes suddenly stripped of their usual carefree innocence. “From the very first day that I saw you, tiny as you were, a wet nurse giving you suck, I have been thinking of your happiness. And today, you have spoken to the point yourself. Tell me what you mean by it, for what greater happiness is there than to become the sovereign of a vast and powerful empire and the lord of countless cities and ships? ”Perilavos shook his head. “Maybe you are right, father, but I would never regard this as happiness...” And quickly, as though afraid the infuriated prince would interrupt him and forbid him to finish, he said: “My uncle longs to see us perish, and for this reason, we have sailed from Crete. But believe me, if he were to know how jubilantly I received his command, he would undoubtedly reconsider it. For if ever I am compelled to defy him to become Minos, there is no doubt in my mind that as an experienced seafarer and warrior, toughened by many hardships and with a deeper knowledge of the world, I will appear to him as a terrifying enemy. And if he is no longer among the living when we return, I shall become sovereign at once and restore our kingdom to its former magnificence. You yourself have always maintained that Crete is falling as a result of our effeminate ways. I wish to be a man, father, and that I shall be.”
Without any comment, see here for yourself, by listening to the king and the priestess, why they had to depart on this very dangerous endeavor:
"Do your words mean what you think, Minos?” she asked with uncertainty. “I am the sovereign. And you, Ariadne, are the embodiment of the power which moves the world. Are we capable of deceiving one another? We would soon pay the ultimate penalty if we were. Maybe I have managed to convince you. I do not know. But one thing must be made clear. You must realize that this island, its fate, and its future are just as dear to me as they are to you. Vidvoyos has often spoken wisely, and many of his ideas shall be put into force. Law and order are what we want, for too much violence and the dethronement of kings lead to destruction and all too often embolden the enemy. We could breathe new life into the effeminate heart of the kingdom by strengthening the authority of its monarch. And only you can help in this, despite the generally declining faith in the gods. Both you and the double-headed axe of our forefathers are symbols capable of unifying the people, for everyone still trusts in your miraculous powers, and even the courtiers who hold everything in derision would never dare turn against you. Maybe they realize that everything would crumble to nothing without your presence. Assist me, Ariadne. Who is Vidvoyos—or anyone for that matter—compared to the sacred destiny of Crete? He must depart at once or perish! Otherwise, the entire nation will be consumed by civil war from which it may never recover. That is all. ”
Silence fell, and for some time, they did not speak. ‘‘Vidvoyos does not believe in the gods...”she said softly as though answering a question of her own. “I have always resented that. Maybe they are not as we imagine them to be, but still, they do exist and must be served and honored. What would we be without them? Indeed, would we be anything at all? Anyone who ignores the gods must find support within his own self. But there are times in life when this kind of support is not enough. Perilavos is such a feeble, capricious child... And upon many occasions have I wondered whether he would be capable of becoming king and of guiding such a powerful nation. ”Minos lowered his head in thought. Presently he looked up. ‘‘I would like you to appear in Amnissos on the day they depart so that you may step upon the altar of stone and make prophecies about their distant journey. For there is nothing to prevent you from wishing Vidvoyos a safe return and bidding him a kingly farewell.”
Like the first one, the book is beautifully written, everything comes alive in the reader's imagination, and I can't resist to give this little sample of the death of the sacrificial horse:
"Quietly and lamentably, the beast neighed once more as if aware of what must infallibly take place. Constantly it searched for some kind of support with its hooves, but the smooth surface of the altar offered none at all, so that the creature slipped back without hope and froze still. At that moment, Ariadne raised a small labrys of stone and struck the beast twice, once with one blade and once with the other, turning the axe in her hand . A dreadful, almost human cry pierced the air as the creature suddenly tensed and then relaxed its body forever."
Go ahead and read, there's much more to discover!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"And we, pirates, not only prey upon the Cretans but also upon those who trade with them, seizing their vessels, merchandise, and men. Therefore they are right when they mean to slay us.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Men are born to die. If Kasos is meant to claim my mortal body, I shall perish there. And then the suffering of old age, the worries of having a bent back, the torment of lifeless shoulders or eyes, which look upon a world of mist and darkness, will never visit me. On the day I first glimpsed the world, the three sisters spun my thread this long and no longer. Tears and sorrow are equally useless. My forefathers await my arrival in the land of shadows.”
They also thought death was a trip to another dimension, they just had another name for it. Maybe the modern man did not change that much, except for a double dose of arrogance and half the fair-play.
I think the most important aspect of this episode in the series is the dynamic of the ruling family of Crete, including the priestess, Ariadne.
Vidvoyos, the prince, is the wise one:
"An abundance of wealth and extravagance are rendering us helpless. The inhabitants of this land, those who have dwelled here for thousands of years, will always look upon us as their conquerors, and they will unite with anyone against us as soon as we are too weak to defend ourselves."
Perilavos, the son and heir, is a loving son, looking up to his father who he wishes to please, but also coming into his own: "Perilavos smiled. “I merely wished to honor my father as is fitting for a son.”
"Even that, good prince, pleases the gods. It is they who decide the order of things, and it is they who regulate matters between parents and children.”
Together, they try to understand and accommodate each other, they were the good people:
"Yes, you are right. You would make a good sovereign, undoubtedly a better one than my brother. But is there anything strange in this that a father wishes his child to experience the greatest glory the world may offer?”
“But have you ever considered that happiness may be the thing that I desire the most?” The question came with such gravity of tone that immediately the prince looked up in astonishment and observed his slender, adolescent son now calmly contemplating his father with eyes suddenly stripped of their usual carefree innocence. “From the very first day that I saw you, tiny as you were, a wet nurse giving you suck, I have been thinking of your happiness. And today, you have spoken to the point yourself. Tell me what you mean by it, for what greater happiness is there than to become the sovereign of a vast and powerful empire and the lord of countless cities and ships? ”Perilavos shook his head. “Maybe you are right, father, but I would never regard this as happiness...” And quickly, as though afraid the infuriated prince would interrupt him and forbid him to finish, he said: “My uncle longs to see us perish, and for this reason, we have sailed from Crete. But believe me, if he were to know how jubilantly I received his command, he would undoubtedly reconsider it. For if ever I am compelled to defy him to become Minos, there is no doubt in my mind that as an experienced seafarer and warrior, toughened by many hardships and with a deeper knowledge of the world, I will appear to him as a terrifying enemy. And if he is no longer among the living when we return, I shall become sovereign at once and restore our kingdom to its former magnificence. You yourself have always maintained that Crete is falling as a result of our effeminate ways. I wish to be a man, father, and that I shall be.”
Without any comment, see here for yourself, by listening to the king and the priestess, why they had to depart on this very dangerous endeavor:
"Do your words mean what you think, Minos?” she asked with uncertainty. “I am the sovereign. And you, Ariadne, are the embodiment of the power which moves the world. Are we capable of deceiving one another? We would soon pay the ultimate penalty if we were. Maybe I have managed to convince you. I do not know. But one thing must be made clear. You must realize that this island, its fate, and its future are just as dear to me as they are to you. Vidvoyos has often spoken wisely, and many of his ideas shall be put into force. Law and order are what we want, for too much violence and the dethronement of kings lead to destruction and all too often embolden the enemy. We could breathe new life into the effeminate heart of the kingdom by strengthening the authority of its monarch. And only you can help in this, despite the generally declining faith in the gods. Both you and the double-headed axe of our forefathers are symbols capable of unifying the people, for everyone still trusts in your miraculous powers, and even the courtiers who hold everything in derision would never dare turn against you. Maybe they realize that everything would crumble to nothing without your presence. Assist me, Ariadne. Who is Vidvoyos—or anyone for that matter—compared to the sacred destiny of Crete? He must depart at once or perish! Otherwise, the entire nation will be consumed by civil war from which it may never recover. That is all. ”
Silence fell, and for some time, they did not speak. ‘‘Vidvoyos does not believe in the gods...”she said softly as though answering a question of her own. “I have always resented that. Maybe they are not as we imagine them to be, but still, they do exist and must be served and honored. What would we be without them? Indeed, would we be anything at all? Anyone who ignores the gods must find support within his own self. But there are times in life when this kind of support is not enough. Perilavos is such a feeble, capricious child... And upon many occasions have I wondered whether he would be capable of becoming king and of guiding such a powerful nation. ”Minos lowered his head in thought. Presently he looked up. ‘‘I would like you to appear in Amnissos on the day they depart so that you may step upon the altar of stone and make prophecies about their distant journey. For there is nothing to prevent you from wishing Vidvoyos a safe return and bidding him a kingly farewell.”
Like the first one, the book is beautifully written, everything comes alive in the reader's imagination, and I can't resist to give this little sample of the death of the sacrificial horse:
"Quietly and lamentably, the beast neighed once more as if aware of what must infallibly take place. Constantly it searched for some kind of support with its hooves, but the smooth surface of the altar offered none at all, so that the creature slipped back without hope and froze still. At that moment, Ariadne raised a small labrys of stone and struck the beast twice, once with one blade and once with the other, turning the axe in her hand . A dreadful, almost human cry pierced the air as the creature suddenly tensed and then relaxed its body forever."
Go ahead and read, there's much more to discover!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 15, 2024
In volume 2 (which is really just the second part of what was originally a single novel), we get to the main plot of our tale: Minos--the term given to the Cretan kings--sending his younger brother and to northern Europe to find the source of the greatly coveted amber. This is--by design--a suicide mission, designed to rid the newly-installed and heirless Minos of popular rivals to his throne.
Meanwhile, our hero Whitehair, captive on a Sea People's pirate ship, in turn is captured by the Minoan prince but he and the pirate captain save the young princeling and sea and so find themselves suddenly attached to the young heir as bodyguards and confidants....and part of this suicide mission whether they like it or not. But the cult of Sobek is still on Whitehair's trail and wants revenge...
The plot of volume 2 is even pulpier than volume 1 with lots of mustache-twirling villains, some interesting new secondary characters, and a meta-plot that owes a bit to the story of the Argo and the Golden Fleece, only in this case, our great ship is bound for the Baltic. The world-building is excellent and the Minoan culture vividly portrayed.
Once again, Whitehair remains the weak-link of the story. In Volume 2 he is actually often a secondary character to royal princes, Egyptian merchants, plotting priests, and Minos himself. But more, for a young man who was suddenly whisked away from his family and will now be sailing right past his home, he never seems to show the slightest interest in letting his family know he lives: one would think that someone who has gained the favor of a royal prince might at least ask if a messenger could be sent as they sail into Troy...
A lot happens in this novel, but less cleanly than in its predecessor, feeling more like a set-up. It's probably 3.5 stars that I've rounded up here for the world-building and remembering that the translator/publisher is presenting this as separate novels when that was not the original author's choice.
Meanwhile, our hero Whitehair, captive on a Sea People's pirate ship, in turn is captured by the Minoan prince but he and the pirate captain save the young princeling and sea and so find themselves suddenly attached to the young heir as bodyguards and confidants....and part of this suicide mission whether they like it or not. But the cult of Sobek is still on Whitehair's trail and wants revenge...
The plot of volume 2 is even pulpier than volume 1 with lots of mustache-twirling villains, some interesting new secondary characters, and a meta-plot that owes a bit to the story of the Argo and the Golden Fleece, only in this case, our great ship is bound for the Baltic. The world-building is excellent and the Minoan culture vividly portrayed.
Once again, Whitehair remains the weak-link of the story. In Volume 2 he is actually often a secondary character to royal princes, Egyptian merchants, plotting priests, and Minos himself. But more, for a young man who was suddenly whisked away from his family and will now be sailing right past his home, he never seems to show the slightest interest in letting his family know he lives: one would think that someone who has gained the favor of a royal prince might at least ask if a messenger could be sent as they sail into Troy...
A lot happens in this novel, but less cleanly than in its predecessor, feeling more like a set-up. It's probably 3.5 stars that I've rounded up here for the world-building and remembering that the translator/publisher is presenting this as separate novels when that was not the original author's choice.
March 9, 2023
Against all odds
Young Whitehair has survived sea monsters, storms, pirates and captivity in Egypt. His escape has now landed him in even more difficulty - the pirate who stole him from Egypt has fallen to the mighty Cretan fleet, and Whitehair's desperate adventures get wilder and scarier. He again faces adventure, challenge and death, but the youth is now a young man, with strength, cunning, skills with weapons as well as seamanship, and a penchant for making friends of his enemies. He once again turns adversity into opportunity, this time in the service of the Prince of Crete. All the excitement and danger continues, and expands to include treachery and royal intrigue, as well as the return of an old enemy. There is no part of the Mediterranean world where Whitehair will not venture, and no desperate gamble he will not take for his life, and the lives of his new friends. There are thrills and twists of plot in every chapter, and the excitement kept me reading past bedtime. If cliffhangers annoy you, be aware that this one is a doozy - but honestly, the book is worth it. This is a voluntary ARC review
Young Whitehair has survived sea monsters, storms, pirates and captivity in Egypt. His escape has now landed him in even more difficulty - the pirate who stole him from Egypt has fallen to the mighty Cretan fleet, and Whitehair's desperate adventures get wilder and scarier. He again faces adventure, challenge and death, but the youth is now a young man, with strength, cunning, skills with weapons as well as seamanship, and a penchant for making friends of his enemies. He once again turns adversity into opportunity, this time in the service of the Prince of Crete. All the excitement and danger continues, and expands to include treachery and royal intrigue, as well as the return of an old enemy. There is no part of the Mediterranean world where Whitehair will not venture, and no desperate gamble he will not take for his life, and the lives of his new friends. There are thrills and twists of plot in every chapter, and the excitement kept me reading past bedtime. If cliffhangers annoy you, be aware that this one is a doozy - but honestly, the book is worth it. This is a voluntary ARC review
March 6, 2023
a strong sequel in the Ships of Minos series, it does everything that I was looking for in from the sequel. Tom Pinch has a great idea in this series and I enjoyed it as a historical novel. The characters worked well in this universe and can't wait to read more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 22, 2023
This series is becoming more interesting with each book. I enjoy the descriptions of the lands, the people, the ships, the fatherly love, the buildings and the betrayals of trust.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews