Tyrant: Funeral Games

Tyrant: Funeral Games is the third volume in a five-part series. The first two (Tyrant, and Tyrant: Storm of Arrows) told the story of Kineas of Athens. His exile to the Euxine, and his partnership with a Sakje (Scythian) princess that carved out a small kingdom that Kineas' heirs would rule following his death at the end of the second novel.

Tyrant: Funeral Games resumes the story into the next generation with his twin daughter and son who are now young teenagers. But the politics following the death of Alexander the Great intrude into their lives. Their mother is murdered and they are forced into exile with their loyal tutor, the Spartan warrior-philosopher, Philokles. Ultimately, they end up in Ptolemy's Egypt with assassins looming show more on every corner. As the tale unfolds, the the children grow up and start to plot their revenge. And they are turning into interesting people in their own rights.

Cameron is certainly not worried about bumping off lead characters. He killed off Kineas (the main protagonist) at the end of book 2; and this episode sees a couple of other significant and very moving deaths of key characters – at least one of whom I’d grown very fond of during the journey.

The author's interest in the period flows through the book in all sorts of details and the recreation of the final battle is tremendous with the hoplite "push of shields" as a centrepiece.

A fabulous read – and I’m picking up book 4 straight away. What a pity I’m going to have to wait for book 5! show less

Wonderful narrative and great descriptions of Alexandrian society.

Tras la muerte de Alejandro Magno en Babilonia, el mundo se ha convertido en un gigantesco campo de batalla en el que sus generales se disputan el inmenso imperio por él creado. Elegir bando, y saber cuándo cambiar, es un asunto de vida o muerte, pero a veces ni siquiera alinearse con los vencedores garantiza la supervivencia. Los gemelos Sátiro y Melita, herederos de un próspero reino a orillas del mar Negro, tienen que aprender deprisa esta lección cuando una infame traición los convierte en desesperados fugitivos. Acompañados por su preceptor, el espartano Filocles, deben emprender un peligroso viaje hacia el oeste, con unos implacables asesinos pisándoles los talones, esperando hallar refugio en Alejandría, la ciudad más show more extraordinaria del mundo antiguo. En medio de la tormenta y convertidos en peones de la enmarañada red de alianzas y conspiraciones que conducirá a un monumental enfrentamiento final Sátiro y Melita tendrán que volverse adultos sin dilación y atender a la llamada del destino. show less