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An epic which draws on the Greek mythology of gods and heroes, this new trilogy is a must read for fans of Dan Simmons and Madeline Miller alike. Literate, intelligent, and well-throughout . . . a pleasingly complex and greatly satisfying novel' SFF World on The Red Knight But most of Enkul-Anu’s headaches are about to come of the human variety, in largely the form of the following players:
Against All Gods by Miles Cameron | Waterstones
Pollon a scribe, and his friend Atosa, a jeweller, are wrongfully imprisoned and tortured for trying to do the right thing. There’s a real feel of the classic fantasy ensemble story, but with a fresh and engaging perspective on the genre which blends mythology, historical accuracy and a modern tone of voice. Mortals curse the gods, gods curse the ineptitude of other gods, and it’s all very mythological except it’s delivered in deadpan modern vernacular which somehow feels totally appropriate and often drily funny. Cameron’s deep love and knowledge of Bronze Age Greece comes through in incredibly detailed and utterly absorbing world building (everything from writing and cooking to sailing and fighting just feels so believable, a clear sign of a writer who genuinely understands this time period), tied together in a fascinating blend of historical fiction and fantasy. Cameron doesn’t pull any punches either, portraying the hardships of life in this sort of period in blunt, often gruesome detail – violence, slavery, death, human sacrifice, it’s all here, but balanced out by compassion and understanding too.Meanwhile, performer Era, uses all her wits, athleticism, and courage, to flee death and destruction, and along the way adopts an enigmatic young orphan boy, whose stuffed bear seems to predict the future. An epic which draws on the Greek mythology of gods and heroes, this new trilogy is a must read for fans of Dan Simmons and Madeline Miller alike. Free Stories A vibrant and powerful epic set against an alternate Bronze Age, this tale of gods, men and monsters, conspiracy and war, is a rich, compelling and original read from a master of the historical and fantasy genres. The people caught up in toils of the gods are merely trying to survive. Victims of vicious whims, trapped by their circumstances or pushed beyond what the mortal frame can bear, a handful of god-touched mortals - a scribe, a warlord, a dancer and a child - are about to be brought together in a conspiracy of their own. The humans, who Cameron clearly identifies as the protagonists, are also really humorous. But they also have heart, complex motivations, and most are at least somewhat morally grey, save for the Harkans, who I found to be very noble overall. Era was my favourite: uncompromisingly proud of and comfortable with her sexuality, resourceful, tough, full of life, lust, and the kind of friend you want in your corner. Zos’ combination of charisma, world-weary skepticism, and bravado, made for a really dynamic character as well. The odd little boy Daos, and his relationship with his foster mother, Era, will melt your heart, and Cameron will also force you to care, a lot, about the donkey!
Against All Gods : The Age of Bronze: Book 1 - Google Books Against All Gods : The Age of Bronze: Book 1 - Google Books
Scheming, megalomaniacal, utterly egotistical gods, caring for nothing but their own pleasures, indulgences, and cruelties, and holding onto and increasing that power, at the expense of all other life, and using mortals as their pawns. But the mortals are tired of the game, and the bravest among them, aspire to overthrow the gods, and be free from their despotism. The world-building was incredible, inspired by ancient Greek mythology, filled with magic, mythical creatures and diverse races, lofty temples, and sword and sandal heroes. Bronze age technology, marauding cannibalistic tribes, horrifying monsters, half-god / half-human offspring of the gods, indiscriminate liaisons with mortals running rampant, and hey – A REALLY DANGEROUS DRAGON, what more could you want? Many thanks to Miles Cameron and Gollancz for sending me an advance copy of Against All Gods in exchange for my honest opinions. Enkul–Anu is a shrewd, calculating leader, who rules with a heady mix of tyranny and manipulation. Still, the ruler of the gods likes his carnal pleasures, and fiendishly delights in pain to those who oppose him. This lord of gods cannot rest easy on his throne, however, as he and his followers overthrew the previous divine regime to ascend to their current heights. They are considered “The New Gods”, having successfully rebelled and replaced “The Old Gods”. Christian Cameron (otherwise known by pen names that include Miles Cameron, and Gordon Kent) is one of my all-time favourite authors. This prolific, best-selling author of over 40 novels, has penned one of my top ten fantasy series ever: “The Traitor Son Cycle”.Finally, Aanat, a master captain, and trader, wants to keep his ship, and his family who are its crew, safe from harm. He and his people are also pacifists, and take an oath not to harm others. But in a particularly savage world of gods, monsters, and barbaric humans, keeping that oath has never been more difficult. While this book is sometimes zany, often irreverant, the themes Cameron explores are very dire, including canibalism, ritual human sacrifice, slavery, betrayal, unmitigated greed, torture, sexual assault and murder, to name a few, so reader be warned. As expected with a writing master such as Cameron, these themes are handled with aplomb, dark humour, and a glimmer of real hope. Yet, the gods have MAJOR internal issues, and they may just tear themselves apart before the mortals can have their day, destroying the world in the process. For me, every book begins with the characters, and the characters in this book were absolutely fabulous.
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