The Conqueror
Judith E. French
Love Spell, Dec 2003, $5.99, 320 pp.
ISBN: 0505525712

No one has come close to conquering the mountainous twin kingdoms of Bactria and Sogdiana. After Darius and the Persians fell, Bactria went next. Now Alexander the Great and his Macedonian horde have reached Sogdiana where he offers the current ruler a deal. Knowing the impossible has happened, Oxyartes is ready to negotiate terms though his warrior daughter Roxanne wants to fight to the death.

As a good soldier, Roxanne does her duty and joins Alexander as he continues to lead his armies towards the Indus River. Surprising herself, she falls in love with the Conqueror. Still she realizes his shortcomings as Alexander not only has an appetite for other women even if Roxanne is the one that grips his heart and soul, but also an inner demon to dominate the world that supersedes all his other needs including Roxanne.

THE CONQUEROR is a strong historical tale that brings to life one of the great (no pun intended) individuals. The story line is action packed and filled with Ancient Macedonian tidbits that will especially please the military subgroup as war is a prime element of the society. Roxanne is a solid counterpoint to Alexander, the ultimate hunk for the romance fan even if that subplot takes a back seat to a terrific look into the ancient world.

Harriet Klausner