The Armour of Achilles

Adventures of Odysseus #3

by Glyn Iliffe

The siege of Troy is in its 10th year, in the third book continuing from King of Ithaca and The Gates of Troy The Greeks, with Achilles at their head, have inflicted numerous defeats on the Trojans, but Troy itself still stands. Dispirited, bitter, and frustrated by the war, Odysseus and his men think lovingly of home. But while Agammenon is still determined to avenge himself upon Troy for the theft of Helen by Paris, they are all trapped by the oath that Odysseus created. Eperitus, captain of Odysseus' guards, is tormented by his own oath—to protect the very man who murdered his daughter. When Agamemnon is threatened with mutiny by a disillusioned army he changes his tactics, ordering a series of attacks on the allies of Troy, thus depriving the city of reinforcements, trade, and supplies—but even this cannot draw the Trojans out from behind their walls. When Agamemnon angers the formidable Achilles, the battle for Troy seems doomed to failure. For it's only through the strength of their golden warrior that the pride of the Trojans will finally fall.  

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mythology, Fantasy, Greek Mythology, Greece, Fiction

540 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Glyn Iliffe studied English and Classics at university where he developed a passion for the ancient stories of Greek history and mythology. Well-travelled, Glyn has visited nearly 40 countries, trekked in the Himalayas, spent six weeks hitchhiking across North America, and had his collar bone broken by a bull in Pampolna.

He is married with two daughters and lives in Market Harborough.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5
Dry, but very historically accurate! (I mean, as much as you can be with a Bronze Age poem that was passed down orally for hundreds of years before it was ever written)
If only The Armour of Achilles had more emotion ,especially within the dialogue, and less stiff language, I would have been obsesssed.

This might be one of the only cases where I would say…maaaybe less Homer, and instead more voice on the author’s part?

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say at the outset that anytime an author can take a well known, pretty much been done every which way tale and imbue it with a knack of rekindling interest in the time worn saga, then said author has done something special. This is the third volume in this series and we find our mythic heroes in the tenth year of the war with no end in sight. The main participants, Odysseus, Achilles, Agamemnon, Hector, Helen; well the list goes on…they are brought to life with all of their fears and doubts as well as the twin cornerstones of the conflict, pride and honor. The conflict rages not only on the battlefields but in the hearts and minds of the combatants…so much tension…so many paths and decisions to make. The author has crafted a wonderful take on The Trojan War, a take with many plots and surprises along the way while at the same time replaying the familiar scenes, such as Achilles and Agamemnon’s feud or the battle between Achilles and Hector in a way that makes them fresh and exciting.

I mark this series as a must read….5 stars

[Katerina T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Η ασπίδα του Αχιλλέα
damn biggest greek book I have ever read..

[Kost As · Rating 5 out of 5]

Τέλειο!!

Το τρίτο βιβλίο της σειράς του Glyn Iliffe χρονικά κάνει ένα άλμα προς τα εμπρός σε σχέση με το προηγούμενο. Ενώ είχαμε αφήσει τους ήρωές μας στην αρχή της πολιορκίας της Τροίας, τώρα έχουμε μεταφερθεί στο 10ο έτος, παρόλο που ούτε εδώ αλώνεται η Τροία! Ώπα, σπόιλερ! Ναι, σιγά! Λες και δεν τα θυμόμαστε από τη Β' Γυμνασίου!

Περιγραφές;;; Μοναδικές!

Σκηνές μάχης;;; Συνεχόμενες και με φουλ δράση, χωρίς, όμως, να αναλώνεται ο συγγραφέας στη βιαιότητα και στα ζωώδη ένστικτα που επικρατούν στην εμπόλεμη ζώνη!

Χαρακτήρες;;; Εδώ είναι το κλειδί της υπόθεσης! Οι ήρωες του βιβλίου είναι πολυδιάσδατοι, με ελαττώματα και προτερήματα, με τις δικές τους εσωτερικές μάχες, τη δική τους προϊστορία και το δικό τους πεπρωμένο. Και, όταν λέω "ήρωες", εννοώ τους ήρωες και των δύο πλευρών. Οδυσσέας, Αχιλλέας, Αίας, Αγαμέμνων, Έκτωρ, Πάρις, Ανδρομάχη, Ελένη, Πρίαμος και Ηπείρητος και Αφείδας (οι δύο τελευταίοι είναι ήρωες του Iliffe και ζουν τις δικές τους αγωνίες). Μάλιστα, για να πούμε και του στραβού το δίκιο, κεντρικός ήρωας των βιβλίων θεωρείται επίσημα ο Ηπείρητος. (Άρα ξέρουμε ότι δεν υπάρχει περίπτωση να πεθάνει! Τουλάχιστον μέχρι το τελευταίο βιβλίο!! Σποϊλεράρα!!)

Στα θετικά, όπως πάντα, οι γνώσεις του συγγραφέα σχετικά με τα ήθη της εποχής, καθώς οι ήρωες δε μοιάζουν με ήρωες τύπου Ηρακλή Κέβιν Σόρμπο με πέτσινο παντελόνι ή τύπου Μπραντ Αχιλλέα Πιτ, αλλά πραγματικά θυμίζουν ακριβώς τους ήρωες του Ομήρου. Τέλος, βλέπουμε αρκετές διαφορές στη νοοτροπία και κοσμοθεωρία των ηρώων σε σχέση με τα προηγούμενα βιβλία. Η αλλαγή αυτή δεν επέρχεται ξαφνικά, αλλά μέσω της καθημερινότητας και βάσει των κακουχιών του πολέμου. Με άλλα λόγια, η αλλαγή αυτή είναι που, σε τελική ανάλυση, καθιστά τους ήρωές μας ρεαλιστικούς και ανθρώπινους.

Εύγε, κ. Glyn! Σκέφτομαι ήδη, όταν με το καλό τελειώσω τη σειρά, να την αρχίσω ξανά από την αρχή! Να μου θυμίσεις να σου στείλω μια ευχετήρια κάρτα τα Χριστούγεννα! Θαμπζ απ!

[Sravya Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I thought I was reading the last book in the trilogy - a beautifully adapted story from Iliad! I'm glad there is more but not so glad that google does not know when it will be out!!!

Keep it coming Glynn ;)

[Gavin Wask · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Armour of Achilles – Glyn Iliffe

The retelling of the classic story continues, in this book, we skip about ten years of the war and find ourselves in what Odysseus was promised would be the final year of the war. But, for our heroes that is not looking very likely.

Over this story, we cover a lot of hugely important events, Agamemnon making an enemy of Achilles, Patroclus borrowing Achilles armour, Hector and Achilles, Penthesilea – The Queen of the Amazons, the competition for Achilles armour, Ajax displeasing the Gods, Ajax’s madness, Athena and Apollo making decisive moves, Memnon of Ethiopia, Achilles anger and Odysseus’ scheming and not in that order!

However, Mr Iliffe adds to these fantastical stories by focusing on our true hero, Eperitus, we see how he has grown and changed over the years, how he has developed in his role as the Ithacans Captain, he finds love, he finds family, he finds a vision of what he wants his future to be. But, as always things are never as simple as all that! His life is linked to Odysseus and he has to make some very difficult decisions for both of them.

The other Ithacans are also there and much more grown up, Polites, Antiphus, Arcesius, Omeros and Eurybates make up the Magnificent Seven, but if you know your films, you know what happens to at least 4 of the Magnificent Seven and there is still three books to go!

I love Greek Mythology and I love characters that develop together and Mr Iliffe writes his characters, both famous and not so with such depth, that you cannot help but to care about them.
And Mr Iliffe, I have just done some research and I frickin love where you got our heroes names from, you have made my day! Did you know, that Arcesius is the name of Odysseus Grandfather and Polites is both mentioned as Odysseus closest friend and a Prince of Troy, Antiphus was one of Priam’s sons who was killed by Agamemnon, Omeros is a poem that references The Iliad and Eurybates was actually Odysseus’ squire. And this is the best one of all. Odysseus at first introduces himself as Eperitus, son of this Apheidas, when he comes to see Laertes after having done away with the suitors of Penelope.

[Nathan Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one - proper vintage mythology with a lot of the biggest action contained within this episode of the series. Achilles’ rise and ultimate downfall alongside those of Ajax and Hector were also chronicled superbly and the sense of hopelessness that the interminable war won’t end in the 10th year as the prophet said it would casts a dark cloud over the whole tale.

Eperitus’s character continues to develop as he falls in love with a Trojan but is ultimately betrayed by his lover as well as his father, who he dared to consider trusting when it seemed that his closest friend and King Odysseus was letting him down.

I just wish I could get Brad Pitt as Achilles out of my head while reading this!

[Despina · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF horrible. Inexcusable. I can forgive adding some fictional scenes and characters to the pre-existing ones, but I cannot even tolerate the thought of placing a fictional character in every single pivotal scene and crediting your protagonists with deeds and actions of other heroes (Odysseus convincing Patroclus to fight in Achilles' place). And I hated the overly dramatic romances especially Paris and Helen's, along with Helen's character. Patroclus was a horrible excuse of a caricature who is suddenly and inexplicably called Achilles' cousin in the middle of the book. Just bad.

[Patrik Stasek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good retelling of Iliad

Good retelling of classic Iliad, action packed and battle frenzy historical fiction, with interesting twists and well balanced characters. I suspect the movie Troy has been influence or the book, recommend to watch the movie and make your own opinion about it. I am just about to open next book of Glyn in the series,looking forward for more adventure of my favorite heroes.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the previous books, it was really interesting to see the events on the Trojan War in one narrative. And while I did enjoy it mostly, I feel like it could have done more, but what that could have been, I don’t know. Also, the editorial issues (namely the lack of pov breaks within chapters) was really annoying, and also, I don’t care as much about the fighting parts than the other aspects. Still excited to continue on!

[Soul · Rating 5 out of 5]

just gonna fill this with quotes that made me cryyyyy

he died with your name on his lips ❤️😭😭

the walls of troy will not outlast his love for you. an oracle led him to you, and though all the oceans of the world and hades itself might lie between, he will come back to you.

“it was the fear of confronting something so integral to his exsistance for so many years that in destroying it he might destroy himself.”

[Marié Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addictive and compelling Reading

Since I started reading book 1of this series I have neglected my chores and spend every possible moment with my nose in the books. Book 3 did not disappoint The the author has managed to create compelling characters that bring the events of the well known but confusing legends alive and plausible

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greek Mythology Come to Life

I could not drop this book once I started. The writer draws you in keeping you eager to find out what happened next in the different storylines. I love!

[Paul Kerr · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books in Troy and Odysseus’s tales require a fair bit of invested time, but they continue to be well worth the read. Great, solid historical fiction with excellent battle scenes and some neat takes on Achilles, Ajax and all those other warriors, kings and gods..

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Armour of Achilles is the third of six books written by Iliffe on the life of Odysseus. It covers most of the events described in Homer's Iliad, and ends with the prophecy that the Greeks will need the Arrows of Heracles to kill Prince Paris of Troy.

To be continued...

[Maureen Trent · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written telling of part of the Trojan War. The reader is not spared the horror of the fighting and the awful retribution Achilles exacts on Hector for the loss of Patroclus. It is the third book of four; the Trojan Horse must be in the next book.

[Sophie Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Greek Mythology book ever!! This made such a known tale be told in such an interesting way that allows the reader to almost learn for the first time. Featuring Eperitus was such an amazing choice and I love it so much.

[Sisyphus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story telling and a very addictive book. You just can't stop reading it. The problem is that while you are reading the book, it becomes obvious that it is 90% fiction and only 10% history.

[Martin Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

We've moved on but the story us still entertaining, and I am enjoying the saga.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skipped my way thru this long, long one. Nicely written, but that still leave the thoroughly dislikable Helen about whom too much has already been written.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far, far more interesting than the Gates of Troy, thoroughly enjoyed!

[Athena✧･ﾟ: * · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Glyn Iliffe? A cliffhanger? Why? WHY?

[Daniel Jobling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

It takes a brilliant storyteller to make a story we all know so fresh and engaging looking forward to the next book now

[Christopher Kyle Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched and a good pace

I've been really impressed with this series and it keeps getting better, book after book. Ive become a huge Odysseus fan.

[David Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love them all

Excellent books full of battles heroes and legends. I can't recommend them enough
If you like Greek myths you will love this series

[Glyka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Μάχες, μάχες, μάχες και πάλι μάχες. Η ιστορία δεν είχε να προσφέρει τίποτα το καινούριο και ιδιαίτερο στον μύθο. Μονοδιάστατοι χαρακτήρες, άκαμπτοι διάλογοι και ουσία καμιά. Πολύ κρίμα.

[David Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and Reviting at times. Well corth the read.

[Arindam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like i said, just can't stop reading the series.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another enjoyable book by Glyn. A different way of telling the story with a lot of descriptive detail.
You get to love the characters and pray that each one survives ....

[Peter Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 3rd in his series about the legend of the events that surrounded the war at Troy, this novel continues an excellent narrative that will satisfy most readers and lovers of the ancient myth as told by Homer.