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Spoils of Olympus #2
World on Fire
318 BC. The Macedonian Empire remains in chaos after the unexpected death of Alexander the Great five years earlier.
Andrikos and Vettias continue the work of the King’s Hand as the fate of their beleaguered army hangs in the balance at the mountain fortress of Nora. They receive orders to embark on a new clandestine mission that could reverse the fortunes of their army and possibly change the course of history.
It is also another rite of passage for Andrikos as he strives to take on the responsibilities and emotions of a man beyond his years. He and his mentor navigate this fascinating and dangerous world to save Alexander’s surviving heirs, fulfill the promise made to Andrikos’ love, Mara, while serving the very men who wish to usurp the Argead Dynasty.
Expect plotting, treachery and military might in Christian Kachel’s absorbing sequel to his critically acclaimed debut novel that explores the little known age of post-Alexandrian Greece. World on Fire continues the story of a young man's coming-of-age through alliances, espionage and epic battles played out over the span of the known world. Readers are sure to be captivated as they are once again drawn in by Kachel's vivid depictions of the ancient world in this thoroughly researched historical narrative.
Kachel’s first book, Spoils of Olympus: By the Sword, won First Place for Best Ancient History novel in the 2015 Chaucer Awards held by Chanticleer Book Reviews, won the Bronze Medal for Best Historical Fiction in the 2015 Reader’s Favorite Book Reviews and Award Contest, and was a finalist for Best Historical Fiction in the 2015 National Indie Excellence Awards.
Andrikos and Vettias continue the work of the King’s Hand as the fate of their beleaguered army hangs in the balance at the mountain fortress of Nora. They receive orders to embark on a new clandestine mission that could reverse the fortunes of their army and possibly change the course of history.
It is also another rite of passage for Andrikos as he strives to take on the responsibilities and emotions of a man beyond his years. He and his mentor navigate this fascinating and dangerous world to save Alexander’s surviving heirs, fulfill the promise made to Andrikos’ love, Mara, while serving the very men who wish to usurp the Argead Dynasty.
Expect plotting, treachery and military might in Christian Kachel’s absorbing sequel to his critically acclaimed debut novel that explores the little known age of post-Alexandrian Greece. World on Fire continues the story of a young man's coming-of-age through alliances, espionage and epic battles played out over the span of the known world. Readers are sure to be captivated as they are once again drawn in by Kachel's vivid depictions of the ancient world in this thoroughly researched historical narrative.
Kachel’s first book, Spoils of Olympus: By the Sword, won First Place for Best Ancient History novel in the 2015 Chaucer Awards held by Chanticleer Book Reviews, won the Bronze Medal for Best Historical Fiction in the 2015 Reader’s Favorite Book Reviews and Award Contest, and was a finalist for Best Historical Fiction in the 2015 National Indie Excellence Awards.
- GenresHistorical FictionGreece
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 28, 2017
I was so impressed with book one in this series, the author's debut book, and had given it such a glowing review that when it came to reading book two, World on Fire, I had unfairly attached too much baggage to the book. It was one of the reasons that it took me so long to actually read it, when I should have been reading it soon after the release.
Book one in the Spoils of Olympus series had its flaws. It was, after all and as mentioned, a debut, and you have to forgive debuts their training wheels....if the book shows enough promise despite them. And I thought it had ample promise. Enough ample promise that I took it personally that here was a American male author writing very well in the historical fiction sub genre of Ancient History, and what is it that I feel the United States is missing out on these days? American male authors writing very well in the historical fiction sub genre of Ancient History. The United Kingdom has plenty of successful authors in this sub genre, but where are the Americans?
Steven Pressfield did it, doesn't do it anymore, David Anthony Durham did it once over a decade ago and only recently returned to release one on Spartacus, Michael Curtis Ford did it, but where did he go?
I digress...
Yes, there was ample promise and in part it was that, and not the flaws, that made me drag my heels before jumping into World on Fire.
Sometimes, authors put everything they've got into their debut. The first book is often something they have been sitting on for a long time, years even. They write them, rewrite them, leave them, come back to them, rewrite them. Burning the candle at both ends researching, obsessing, worrying.
If they are lucky, a good solid first book pops out from this maelstrom of literary process and ritual.
Christian Kachel is one of those lucky ones. His first book was an impressive debut, but as for book two, could he do it again? Or ideally, do it better?
Book two is no longer a debut. By book two you are an author, no longer a novice. Time to be taken more seriously.
I was nervous. For the book. For him.
I need not have been.
He did just fine.
World on Fire was a more polished and readable offering from cover to cover than its predecessor. Both in storyline and in writing quality. That isn't to say that By The Sword was poor writing. It was well written, but it did fall down sometimes and it did need some fat sliced away from long protracted scenes and flashbacks. World on Fire is more professional in many ways. I really enjoyed where his head was at in this book and I was practically glowing with relief as I read it.
I think the author learned a lot about his writing after getting that debut out of the way and out of his system. He is really starting to shine as an historical fiction author and I am eager to see what is to come down the track with book three in the works.
I think Christian Kachel can stand proud, shoulder to shoulder with any of his historical fiction peers - whatever the country, whoever the publisher – that currently write in periods of Ancient history.
The book is wonderfully readable. In saying that, the love story and emotion driven elements were not written as well, but once I hit those scenes and got over that hump, the book continued to be a terrific way to while away my reading hours. His peers can make these same mistakes with love story and relationship elements. He's not alone in that. Some authors write from a different part of their mind when dealing with love and emotion and many readers can sense the shift. But, when he digs into the theatre of war and the espionage, he does it as good, if not better, than so many of those peers.
You can tell a lot from an author by his or her ability to create a battlefield in the mind's eye of the reader. It is not easy, with all that goes on, to weave it all into a nearly tangible experience.
I am not sure if this following quote conveys my meaning, because, it is pulled out of context. When you are swallowed by a story, sometimes you need the reading fug of crescendo and excitement attached. Ripped from its context the fug is washed away.
Risking that cleansing, here is a quote as example of how this author conveys his battlefield vision.
Page 122, Chapter 17, World on Fire;
“Antigonus took his usual place on the far right flank alongside his son, Demetrius, and lined his sixty-five elephants in a single rank in front of his entire army. This was an admission of our phalanx's superiority due to the Silver Shields and the old veteran hoped to bolster his phalangites with the presence of the intimidating beasts. He placed light infantry in the gaps between the animals to solidify this front rank.
As Eumenes gave the order for the horns to blow, our army lurched forward and the dust cloud expanded to a point where I had to squint my eyes.....
…..As the armies neared, I could hear the terrible shrieks of elephants engaging each other in the centre of our formation. Their brutal encounters consisted of violently locking tusks and attempting to gore one another while their mahouts rained down missiles. The front ranks of our cavalry now engaged Antigonus' right flank.
The dust had kicked up to such a point that I could not see the front line of our formation and knew we had reached the enemy only by the halt in our advance.”
On that, I have to wind up my review. All I can say to finish is, that if you like what you read there, then read the book for yourself and let me know what you thought. The author has recapped book one in this second book, so I believe you can read World on Fire without reading By The Sword first, but why would you want to?
Special shout out to Americans....if you are an American or live in America, I definitely recommend this book to you. Support your American male authors if they write in Ancient History. Good quality ones are a rare flower and should be encouraged to keep writing and keep writing well.
Maybe one day, the more influential and publishers will notice and you will start to see more Ancient History historical fiction written by male authors on the shelves of your local book stores and libraries.
(Note: I received this book from the author for review. The author understood that I value my integrity and would be completely honest. And so I was.)
Book one in the Spoils of Olympus series had its flaws. It was, after all and as mentioned, a debut, and you have to forgive debuts their training wheels....if the book shows enough promise despite them. And I thought it had ample promise. Enough ample promise that I took it personally that here was a American male author writing very well in the historical fiction sub genre of Ancient History, and what is it that I feel the United States is missing out on these days? American male authors writing very well in the historical fiction sub genre of Ancient History. The United Kingdom has plenty of successful authors in this sub genre, but where are the Americans?
Steven Pressfield did it, doesn't do it anymore, David Anthony Durham did it once over a decade ago and only recently returned to release one on Spartacus, Michael Curtis Ford did it, but where did he go?
I digress...
Yes, there was ample promise and in part it was that, and not the flaws, that made me drag my heels before jumping into World on Fire.
Sometimes, authors put everything they've got into their debut. The first book is often something they have been sitting on for a long time, years even. They write them, rewrite them, leave them, come back to them, rewrite them. Burning the candle at both ends researching, obsessing, worrying.
If they are lucky, a good solid first book pops out from this maelstrom of literary process and ritual.
Christian Kachel is one of those lucky ones. His first book was an impressive debut, but as for book two, could he do it again? Or ideally, do it better?
Book two is no longer a debut. By book two you are an author, no longer a novice. Time to be taken more seriously.
I was nervous. For the book. For him.
I need not have been.
He did just fine.
World on Fire was a more polished and readable offering from cover to cover than its predecessor. Both in storyline and in writing quality. That isn't to say that By The Sword was poor writing. It was well written, but it did fall down sometimes and it did need some fat sliced away from long protracted scenes and flashbacks. World on Fire is more professional in many ways. I really enjoyed where his head was at in this book and I was practically glowing with relief as I read it.
I think the author learned a lot about his writing after getting that debut out of the way and out of his system. He is really starting to shine as an historical fiction author and I am eager to see what is to come down the track with book three in the works.
I think Christian Kachel can stand proud, shoulder to shoulder with any of his historical fiction peers - whatever the country, whoever the publisher – that currently write in periods of Ancient history.
The book is wonderfully readable. In saying that, the love story and emotion driven elements were not written as well, but once I hit those scenes and got over that hump, the book continued to be a terrific way to while away my reading hours. His peers can make these same mistakes with love story and relationship elements. He's not alone in that. Some authors write from a different part of their mind when dealing with love and emotion and many readers can sense the shift. But, when he digs into the theatre of war and the espionage, he does it as good, if not better, than so many of those peers.
You can tell a lot from an author by his or her ability to create a battlefield in the mind's eye of the reader. It is not easy, with all that goes on, to weave it all into a nearly tangible experience.
I am not sure if this following quote conveys my meaning, because, it is pulled out of context. When you are swallowed by a story, sometimes you need the reading fug of crescendo and excitement attached. Ripped from its context the fug is washed away.
Risking that cleansing, here is a quote as example of how this author conveys his battlefield vision.
Page 122, Chapter 17, World on Fire;
“Antigonus took his usual place on the far right flank alongside his son, Demetrius, and lined his sixty-five elephants in a single rank in front of his entire army. This was an admission of our phalanx's superiority due to the Silver Shields and the old veteran hoped to bolster his phalangites with the presence of the intimidating beasts. He placed light infantry in the gaps between the animals to solidify this front rank.
As Eumenes gave the order for the horns to blow, our army lurched forward and the dust cloud expanded to a point where I had to squint my eyes.....
…..As the armies neared, I could hear the terrible shrieks of elephants engaging each other in the centre of our formation. Their brutal encounters consisted of violently locking tusks and attempting to gore one another while their mahouts rained down missiles. The front ranks of our cavalry now engaged Antigonus' right flank.
The dust had kicked up to such a point that I could not see the front line of our formation and knew we had reached the enemy only by the halt in our advance.”
On that, I have to wind up my review. All I can say to finish is, that if you like what you read there, then read the book for yourself and let me know what you thought. The author has recapped book one in this second book, so I believe you can read World on Fire without reading By The Sword first, but why would you want to?
Special shout out to Americans....if you are an American or live in America, I definitely recommend this book to you. Support your American male authors if they write in Ancient History. Good quality ones are a rare flower and should be encouraged to keep writing and keep writing well.
Maybe one day, the more influential and publishers will notice and you will start to see more Ancient History historical fiction written by male authors on the shelves of your local book stores and libraries.
(Note: I received this book from the author for review. The author understood that I value my integrity and would be completely honest. And so I was.)
August 24, 2016
More characters, more questions answered
August 4, 2016
Such an interesting time period and captivating story line. You really get a sense of how spy networks operated in Ancient Greece and the relationship dynamics between the high-born men and women and the working and fighting class, while at the same time taking the reader on a wild ride. Strikes the right balance for the intellectually curious and the thrill seeking audiences.
November 2, 2017
This review was done for Historical Novel Review.
It’s five years after the death of Alexander the Great, and his empire is in turmoil. Alexander’s generals and family vie for the throne of the splintering realm. Andrikos, still working alongside his mentor, Vettias, continues with the King’s Hand to secure the throne for Alexander’s heirs. They must leave the army in its mountain fastness of Nora in a desperate effort to save all they’ve fought for. And somehow, in the midst of it all, Andrikos must reunite with his one love, Mara, and bring her safely home.
This is the second installment of the Spoils of Olympus series. It’s a fascinating time in world history, and Kachel brings it to life. Andrikos’s rise from near-street criminal in a Macedonian town to one of the King’s Hand’s most important operators is believable and moving. As with the first novel, By the Sword, Kachel’s career as a military officer lends tremendous authenticity to both the narrative and to life while on campaign. He’s done his homework, and he manages to take the larger-than-life personalities of Alexander’s generals, men whose actions during this time altered the course of history, and make them dynamic and intriguing.
It’s five years after the death of Alexander the Great, and his empire is in turmoil. Alexander’s generals and family vie for the throne of the splintering realm. Andrikos, still working alongside his mentor, Vettias, continues with the King’s Hand to secure the throne for Alexander’s heirs. They must leave the army in its mountain fastness of Nora in a desperate effort to save all they’ve fought for. And somehow, in the midst of it all, Andrikos must reunite with his one love, Mara, and bring her safely home.
This is the second installment of the Spoils of Olympus series. It’s a fascinating time in world history, and Kachel brings it to life. Andrikos’s rise from near-street criminal in a Macedonian town to one of the King’s Hand’s most important operators is believable and moving. As with the first novel, By the Sword, Kachel’s career as a military officer lends tremendous authenticity to both the narrative and to life while on campaign. He’s done his homework, and he manages to take the larger-than-life personalities of Alexander’s generals, men whose actions during this time altered the course of history, and make them dynamic and intriguing.
August 3, 2016
‘The man I rode with was different from the man left for dead at the hands of Orontes the previous year.’
Handsome young author Christian Kachel has gathered his expertise for his debut novel SPOILS OF OLYMPUS from both training and education (University of Maryland- College Park and three Master's degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the Department of Defense) and from his three terms of US Army service in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to writing he works as a Program Manager in the Defense industry. He has stated, `The Spoils of Olympus has been a 2 1/2 year project that began in a Marriott hotel room in San Antonio, Texas while attending pre deployment training for a tour in Afghanistan in late 2011. The wars of succession immediately following the death of Alexander the Great have always fascinated me despite being overshadowed in the history books by the life and times of Alexander himself. Many great novels have been written about ancient Greece and Alexander but few fictional works have explored this forgotten era in western civilization where Alexander's generals, who were once allies, battled each other for control of the largest empire on earth.'
As a courtesy to his readers, Christian opens this SPOILS OF OLYMPUS II: WORLD ON FIRE with a recap of volume I. That is not only a well-written summary to his epic to date but also prepares the reader for the second installment at hand.
Though the plot of Volume II is complex (as complex as Greek history and mythology) Christian distills it well: ‘‘Spoils of Olympus: World on Fire begins where By the Sword leaves off. The Macedonian Empire remains in chaos after the unexpected death of Alexander the Great five years earlier. Andrikos and Vettias continue the work of the King’s Hand as the fate of their beleaguered army hangs in the balance at the mountain fortress of Nora. They receive orders to embark on a new clandestine mission that could reverse the fortunes of their army and possibly change the course of history. It is another rite of passage for Andrikos as he strives to take on the responsibilities and emotions of a man beyond his years. He and his mentor navigate this fascinating and dangerous world to save Alexander’s surviving heirs, fulfill the promise made to Andrikos’ love, Mara, while serving the very men who wish to usurp the Argead Dynasty. World on Fire continues the story of a young man's coming-of-age through alliances, espionage and epic battles played out over the span of the known world.
One of the reasons this SPOILS OF OLYMPUS is such a powerful book is Christian's sense of the battlefield: few writers of historical novels have had that experience and the anxieties and hardships endured bathe this recreation of post Alexandrian Greece with a spirit of knowing the territory. Yes, Christian has done his research well, but the manner in which he relays the rise of Andrikos is from a very human stance. This infusion of realism into the long neglected `myths' is but one of the aspects of Christian's book that elevates it to a level of importance. Wholly satisfying both as novel and as history, SPOILS OF OLYMPUS introduces and important new voice in contemporary literature.
Handsome young author Christian Kachel has gathered his expertise for his debut novel SPOILS OF OLYMPUS from both training and education (University of Maryland- College Park and three Master's degrees from Johns Hopkins University and the Department of Defense) and from his three terms of US Army service in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition to writing he works as a Program Manager in the Defense industry. He has stated, `The Spoils of Olympus has been a 2 1/2 year project that began in a Marriott hotel room in San Antonio, Texas while attending pre deployment training for a tour in Afghanistan in late 2011. The wars of succession immediately following the death of Alexander the Great have always fascinated me despite being overshadowed in the history books by the life and times of Alexander himself. Many great novels have been written about ancient Greece and Alexander but few fictional works have explored this forgotten era in western civilization where Alexander's generals, who were once allies, battled each other for control of the largest empire on earth.'
As a courtesy to his readers, Christian opens this SPOILS OF OLYMPUS II: WORLD ON FIRE with a recap of volume I. That is not only a well-written summary to his epic to date but also prepares the reader for the second installment at hand.
Though the plot of Volume II is complex (as complex as Greek history and mythology) Christian distills it well: ‘‘Spoils of Olympus: World on Fire begins where By the Sword leaves off. The Macedonian Empire remains in chaos after the unexpected death of Alexander the Great five years earlier. Andrikos and Vettias continue the work of the King’s Hand as the fate of their beleaguered army hangs in the balance at the mountain fortress of Nora. They receive orders to embark on a new clandestine mission that could reverse the fortunes of their army and possibly change the course of history. It is another rite of passage for Andrikos as he strives to take on the responsibilities and emotions of a man beyond his years. He and his mentor navigate this fascinating and dangerous world to save Alexander’s surviving heirs, fulfill the promise made to Andrikos’ love, Mara, while serving the very men who wish to usurp the Argead Dynasty. World on Fire continues the story of a young man's coming-of-age through alliances, espionage and epic battles played out over the span of the known world.
One of the reasons this SPOILS OF OLYMPUS is such a powerful book is Christian's sense of the battlefield: few writers of historical novels have had that experience and the anxieties and hardships endured bathe this recreation of post Alexandrian Greece with a spirit of knowing the territory. Yes, Christian has done his research well, but the manner in which he relays the rise of Andrikos is from a very human stance. This infusion of realism into the long neglected `myths' is but one of the aspects of Christian's book that elevates it to a level of importance. Wholly satisfying both as novel and as history, SPOILS OF OLYMPUS introduces and important new voice in contemporary literature.
August 14, 2016
A worthy sequel and an enjoyable read.
In this book we get to follow Andrikos and Vettias, the spymaster, as they work to protect the legacy of Alexander the Great. This was a more enjoyable read than the first book that, to me, introduced the characters and their motivations. In this book we get to follow along as they go out and use their new skills, in the case of Andrikos, to get things done. Wine and women for all. This book deserves a celebration!
In this book we get to follow Andrikos and Vettias, the spymaster, as they work to protect the legacy of Alexander the Great. This was a more enjoyable read than the first book that, to me, introduced the characters and their motivations. In this book we get to follow along as they go out and use their new skills, in the case of Andrikos, to get things done. Wine and women for all. This book deserves a celebration!
May 4, 2017
2.4
quite good parts here and there towards the end of the book (hence two stars), otherwise I think it is not a good match with me as a reader in terms of the level at which the story is told - quite a bit of intrigues etc., but psychology of characters is almost entirely absent.
quite good parts here and there towards the end of the book (hence two stars), otherwise I think it is not a good match with me as a reader in terms of the level at which the story is told - quite a bit of intrigues etc., but psychology of characters is almost entirely absent.
August 24, 2016
The Hand, a shadowy, secretive group of Alexander's most loyal followers, are tasked with protecting and promoting Alexander's son by Rhoxane. A task that takes Andrikos across the breadth of the Great one's crumbling empire. Crumbling at the hands of Alexander's generals, each of whom want the most territory, and who do not want Alexander IV to claim his father's throne. Filled with cunning plans, intrigue, danger and even love, the author has done a splendid job in book 2 of this series. Andrikos has come a long way since he was recruited by Vettias and Mr. Kachel has developed his character nicely from the young man in search of himself to an accomplished practitioner of the 'Dark Arts' of spy-craft. A thoroughly enjoyable read that leaves room for more in this story of an unsettled and dangerous time. 4 stars
August 29, 2016
I enjoyed this more than the first novel in the series (not sure how many are planned!)
The young Andrikos has grown up and is serving almost as an equal to his mentor Vettias. There is plenty of action and endless intrigue as Alexander's generals scrap like hyenas over the empire that the god-King created. These ego-driven megalomaniacs will stop at nothing to place themselves at the top of the food chain and cause war and slaughter of fellow Greeks in order to become top dog. Ridiculous really. No one ever thinks to consider the ordinary man in the street; I'm pretty sure none of these little people give much thought to which particular tyrant is currently lording it over them...
Anyway, good story telling and I look forward to the next instalment.
The young Andrikos has grown up and is serving almost as an equal to his mentor Vettias. There is plenty of action and endless intrigue as Alexander's generals scrap like hyenas over the empire that the god-King created. These ego-driven megalomaniacs will stop at nothing to place themselves at the top of the food chain and cause war and slaughter of fellow Greeks in order to become top dog. Ridiculous really. No one ever thinks to consider the ordinary man in the street; I'm pretty sure none of these little people give much thought to which particular tyrant is currently lording it over them...
Anyway, good story telling and I look forward to the next instalment.
September 13, 2016
excellent book love how it goes through all the successors of Alexander and love the story. The greeks were my first love in reading historical fiction and historical books the author reminds me a lot of Christian Cameron and he is one of my favorite authors cant wait for the next book in the series
August 9, 2016
Wonderful book
This book is as good as the first book in the series. The descriptions of geography and towns enabled me to see the locations in my mind's eye. I highly recommend this book.
This book is as good as the first book in the series. The descriptions of geography and towns enabled me to see the locations in my mind's eye. I highly recommend this book.
August 11, 2016
Great Novel! could not put it down
This book is one of the best historical fiction i have ever read.
It tells the story of the successor war but in such a way that it stands out from the pack.
The characters personality are so vivid that you can actually imagining being there.
This book is one of the best historical fiction i have ever read.
It tells the story of the successor war but in such a way that it stands out from the pack.
The characters personality are so vivid that you can actually imagining being there.
September 8, 2016
Fantastic sequel and well worth reading to follow on with the story of Andrikos. What a man of espionage he has become! The writing is getting better too, so kudos to the author. I'm really hoping for another one :)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews