David Gemmell and Stella Gemmell, Troy: Fall of King

Troy: Fall of King

David Gemmell and Stella Gemmell

Ballantine, Dec 2007, $25.95

ISBN: 9780345477033

King Agamemnon of Mykene has lined up some powerful allies in his war with King Priam of Troy. Priam also has an alliance to help him in the hostility, the powerful sea captain Helikaon of Dardania, who runs the most powerful ship known to man and Gods. Odysseus regrets the oath he made to Agamemnon as he now knows the monarch is totally greedy, only interested in looting the treasures of Troy; many have died and more will for his greed. Helen who is either an abducted prisoner or a willing lover depending on which king speaks is irrelevant except as propaganda. The great warrior Achilles also loathes the deceitful ruthless Agamemnon, but like Odysseus is trapped by his pledge.

Meanwhile Priam's sons take over defending their city-state as he shows signs of senile incompetence. As the war closes in on Troy itself, Helikaon escorts Prince Hektor's wife Princess Andromache on a quest to Thera. Soon all will meet on the plains outside of Troy with Odysseus coming up with the brilliant stratagem of the Trojan Horse.

With the death of David Gemmell, fantasy fans lost one of the best historical fantasists of the past decade. His Troy trilogy comes to a mighty conclusion (his wife Stella smoothly completed the project) that will please those who read the previous two books (TROY: LORD OF THE SILVER BOW and TROY: SHIELD OF THUNDER). The key players from Virgil's epic poem The Aenid and Homer's Odyssey and Iliad come alive due to the creativity of the Gemmell duo. Although newcomers should start with the first tale, the final story is a stupendous ending to a strong retelling of the classic saga.

Harriet Klausner