Apr 20, 2001 06:18 PM
2910 Views
This David Gemmell book is arguably his greatest to date. It portrays the life of Parmenion, a man who is constantly manipulated by Fate and the seeress Tamis. It begins in Sparta, one of the two greatest Ancient Greek city states where Parmenion or Savra as he is known at this stage in the book is being educated in one of Sparta’s military schools. Here he is derided and scorned by his classmates because he is not a pure blood Spartan. Whilst at the school he wins the Generals Games and as a result wins one of swords of the legendary Battle King Leonidas who fell at Thermopylae as one of the 300 Spartans denying the Persians the chance to crush Greece.
Shortly after winning the sword he rescues Derae, a Spartan Generals daughter from brigands and the two enter a relationship. Unfortunately Derae had already been promised to another nobles’ son who demands that Derae be sacrificed. What then happens effectively bans Parmenion returning to Sparta. During the ensuing years Parmenion is recognised as a “strategos” a general who has the ability to pull off the most amazing victories from almost impossible situations. In his thirties he is employed by Phillip of Macedon to ensure that the fledgling Macedonian nation survives its first turbulent years and not snapped up by aggressive neighbours. During his employ Phillip marries his second wife on the Samothrace, the Isle of Mysteries. It is here that Parmenion must make a far-reaching decision for his friend Phillip. This decision will continue to haunt him for the rest of his days.
This book is breathtaking in its ambition. It is a marvellous precursor to the second novel in this series entitled Dark Prince. This is a stonking read and should not be missed.
