The New Achilles by Christian Cameron

 

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 1032 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Publisher: Orion (18 April 2019)
• Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B07GNMKFFB

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

Alexanor is a man who has seen too much blood. He has left the sword behind him to become a healer in the greatest sanctuary in Greece, turning his back on war.

But war has followed him to his refuge at Epidauros, and now a battle to end the freedom of Greece is all around him. The Mediterranean superpowers of Rome, Egypt and Macedon are waging their proxy wars on Hellenic soil, turning Greek farmers into slaves and mercenaries.

When wounded soldier Philopoemen is carried into his temple, Alexanor believes the man’s wounds are mortal but that he is not destined to die. Because he knows Philopoemen will become Greece’s champion. Its last hero. The new Achilles.

 

Review

I have always had a fascination with Ancient Greece and Rome, and studied classics at A Level, and The New Achilles fed into this fascination.  228BC Alexanor has turned away from war and fighting to become a priest and healer at Epidauros, a place where family and status don’t matter, everyone is equal.  Into this sanctuary comes a group of soldiers from Megalopolis, with their leader Philopoemen who is badly injured.  In him, Alexon recognises a great soldier  and leader, and as as he treats Philopoemen they become friends and Alexon travels with him in his many battles and victories.

The New Achilles had me gripped from the opening chapter where the ship Alexon is travelling on is attacked by pirates.  This opens the way for a book that is action packed, full of historical detail and wonderful characters.  The book is set during an interesting period of classical history; a time of political intrigue and allegiances constantly changing due to the constant wars.  At this time the main players were Sparta, Macedonia, Egypt and the Achaean League for whom Philopoemen fights. This can all be complex to follow with the changing allegiances and leaders of the different factions, but Christian Cameron makes this easy to  comprehend with his detailed prose and there are notes at the back that you can check if you need to.

Philopoemen is an interesting character.  His prowess on the battlefield is admires by many and it is this that earns him the time of the ‘New Achilles’ by his fellow soldiers; they see him as the saviour of Greece and in particular the Achaean League.  He was also quite forward thinking in that women could be made citizens like men and have rights and even considers the emancipation of slaves, both very controversial in the patriarchal society at the time. In him Alexon sees a fellow soul, with similar ideas and military prowess.  Alexon may have turned his back on war, but he is a confident and advisor to Philopoemen and is useful in his healing capacity.

The New Achilles is a fascinating read that takes you back to the Classical world of heroes, wars and amazing settings.  Christian Cameron packs in the action and Greek military history, whilst a the same time making it accessible and enjoyable.  I thought this a fabulous read, with wonderful characters and I learnt quite a lot about that period which is always a plus for me. A brilliant read!

Thank you for taking the time to read my review, I hope you liked it. I have made changes so that it is now easier to leave comments, so please let me know your thoughts.

I would like to thank Orion Books and Tracy Fenton for asking me to be part of the blog tour and supplying me with a copy of the book.