Tyrant

We all tend to know a little bit about the history of these times, and the author has picked a time and place where his characters can stand tall and act like men defending their homeland from the clutches of the "monster" of Macedonia. This is a well written and well described world with no obvious concessions to "modernising" attitudes of beliefs - for example slavery is accepted as a fact of life as is the sheer chaos, savagery and dirt describe a very personal form of warfare.

The main character, Kineas, is an exiled Greek from Alexander the Great's victorious Macedonian & Greek ally army who takes the job of training the Tyrant of Olbia's cavalry in 333 BC.

The journey to his new job is an adventure in itself, then he enters the show more political and military maze of the city of Olbia, and on top of this he soon faces an even bigger threat that seems insurmountable. He is joined by a Spartan, a Scyth, a Getae, and Greeks, and the inter-cultural interactions are fascinating. Kineas is portrayed as a military man, through and through, and though heroic still human, with fears and foibles. The Scythes, who are usually portrayed as unbelievably barbaric and cruel are given a refreshing slant as brave, humorous, hospitable and trustworthy warriors. The love affair between a Greek and a Scyth warrior woman is original and believable.

The characters are well rounded and interesting - and made of real flesh and blood. Each one becomes someone that you actually care about during the combat. Whilst some inevitably die, it's a real struggle to lose them.

Luckily, the friend who loaned me this sent the whole set – so I don’t have to wait to see what happens next! show less

While Alexander of Macedon is conquering Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, (More or Less), Kineas Eumenesides is messing around the Black Sea, trying to create a future as a mercenary for Olbia. Competent historical fiction which deals with an interesting sideshow.

The novel is set in 333 BC following Greek mercenaries who have been dismissed from Alexander’s army. Overall I enjoyed this book, but it took a short while to get into it. It has a good feel about the period, better than some books I’ve read. It sticks primarily to one central character, Kineas, and follows his adventures as he leads a group of mercenaries to the city of Olbia where he is employed to train their army. Olbia is a port town, surrounded by barbarian tribes. The Greek armies are superior but their soldiers are fewer in number.

The book premise is the citizens of Olbia have to side with the barbarians to stop one of Alexander’s armies from capturing Olbia. There’s a love interest that works well. My only dislike is show more there are dream sequences of the future that don’t quite work.

There’s a good mix of characters and a believable plot. Some of the characters are likeable whereas the Tyrant himself hovers on madness. Philokles, a Spartan, is a good character and you are never sure whether he is a spy or working for Kineas.

The work would have benefited from a historical note and perhaps a map. Having said all this – it’s a good story that’s readable and keeps your interest. Not as good as Bernard Cornwell, more of a Simon Scarrow. show less

Good story with an interesting viewpoint of Alexander and his generals from an enemies perspective also a well researched picture of he Scythian peoples at that time. Great build up and battle scenes. Main character believable but a bit vague at times.

Great start to a cracking series. Cameron is the master of battle scenes. Great story too.

Como miembro del ejército de Alejandro de Macedonia, Kineas ha sido testigo de las acciones del dios de la guerra. Dos coronas de laurel, así como algunas cicatrices que perdurarán para siempre, reconocen su valor al mando de la caballería griega. Pero, al regresar a Atenas, Kineas es recompensado con la vergüenza y el exilio. Kineas accederá a conducir un grupo de veteranos hacia la ciudad de Olbia cuyo Tirano está ofreciendo dinero a quien entrene a su caballería de élite. Pronto Kineas y sus hombres se verán involucrados en las confabulaciones del Tirano contra sus propios ciudadanos, en tanto la destrucción amenaza a Olbia
Mientras Alejandro ha estado conquistando el mundo, Macedonia se ha tornado hambrienta de oro y show more grano, y Olbia está en su camino. Kineas se enfrenta entonces a la máquina de guerra más mortífera que jamás haya existido. show less

Enviado al exilio tras servir a las órdenes de Alejandro de Macedonia, Kineas se ve obligado a marchar a Olbia, ciudad cuyo tirano ofrece dinero a quien pueda entrenar su ejército de élite. Enfrentándose a las profecías de un vidente escita y al mortal amor de una guerrera deslumbrante, Kineas tendrá que batirse, mano a mano con sus hombres, contra la cruel maquinaria de Alejandro en una batalla que podría acarrearle la muerte.