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The Macht #1
The Ten Thousand
Tough, gritty fantasy to compete with George R.R. Martin, Steven Erikson, and David Gemmell. By a critically acclaimed and highly praised author. The start of a brand new epic series. Retelling of the classic Greek history from Xenophon. Supported by targeted marketing, including ARCs, advertising in the genre press and online support.
On the world of Kuf, the Macht are a mystery, a seldom-seen people of extraordinary ferocity and discipline whose prowess on the battlefield is the stuff of legend. For centuries they have remained within the remote fastnesses of the Harukush Mountains. In the world beyond, the teeming races and peoples of Kuf have been united within the bounds of the Asurian Empire, which rules the known world, and is invincible. The Great King of Asuria can call up whole nations to the battlefield.
On the world of Kuf, the Macht are a mystery, a seldom-seen people of extraordinary ferocity and discipline whose prowess on the battlefield is the stuff of legend. For centuries they have remained within the remote fastnesses of the Harukush Mountains. In the world beyond, the teeming races and peoples of Kuf have been united within the bounds of the Asurian Empire, which rules the known world, and is invincible. The Great King of Asuria can call up whole nations to the battlefield.
His word is law.
But now the Great King's brother means to take the throne by force, and in order to do so he has sought out the legend. He hires ten thousand mercenary warriors of the Macht, and leads them into the heart of the Empire.
473 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 26, 2008
82 people are currently reading
6152 people want to read
About the author
Paul Kearney
47 books528 followersPaul Kearney was born in rural County Antrim, Ireland, in 1967. His father was a butcher, and his mother was a nurse. He rode horses, had lots of cousins, and cut turf and baled hay. He often smelled of cowshit.
He grew up through the worst of the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland, a time when bombs and gunfire were part of every healthy young boy's adolescence. He developed an unhealthy interest in firearms and Blowing Things Up - but what growing boy hasn't?
By some fluke of fate he managed to get to Oxford University, and studied Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon and Middle English.
He began writing books because he had no other choice. His first, written at aged sixteen, was a magnificent epic, influenced heavily by James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Robert E Howard, and Playboy. It was enormous, colourful, purple-prosed, and featured a lot of Very Large Swords.
His second was rather better, and was published by Victor Gollancz over a very boozy lunch with a very shrewd editor.
Luckily, in those days editors met authors face to face, and Kearney's Irish charm wangled him a long series of contracts with Gollancz, and other publishers. He still thinks he can't write for toffee, but others have, insanely, begged to differ.
Kearney has been writing full-time for twenty-eight years now, and can't imagine doing anything else. Though he has often tried.
He grew up through the worst of the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland, a time when bombs and gunfire were part of every healthy young boy's adolescence. He developed an unhealthy interest in firearms and Blowing Things Up - but what growing boy hasn't?
By some fluke of fate he managed to get to Oxford University, and studied Old Norse, Anglo-Saxon and Middle English.
He began writing books because he had no other choice. His first, written at aged sixteen, was a magnificent epic, influenced heavily by James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Robert E Howard, and Playboy. It was enormous, colourful, purple-prosed, and featured a lot of Very Large Swords.
His second was rather better, and was published by Victor Gollancz over a very boozy lunch with a very shrewd editor.
Luckily, in those days editors met authors face to face, and Kearney's Irish charm wangled him a long series of contracts with Gollancz, and other publishers. He still thinks he can't write for toffee, but others have, insanely, begged to differ.
Kearney has been writing full-time for twenty-eight years now, and can't imagine doing anything else. Though he has often tried.
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July 16, 2020
I've been in a reading slump of late. I think I'm harder to please now, maybe I've just read too many books over too many years I don't know. Now I look for a book to draw me in at some basic emotional and intellectual level. I don't care if it's deep or if it's brain candy it seems that somehow I need to connect or something.
So, I've had a lot of mediocre reads and not a few disappointments lately. This happily isn't one of them
I've had this book on my shelves for some time, I've nominated it for group reads in a couple of fantasy groups but it's never won so I just kept putting it off. Last week I decided I'd go ahead and read it (I have the next 2 in the series setting on my shelves). I'm glad I did.
This is an excellent read. First let me say this is not a light book. You won't find jokes and a snarky hero, you won't find a jaunty adventure. What you will find is a gritty, realistic story of war. In the beginning there are really no good guys or bad guys here. This is the story of mercenary troops in war. These are men who fight for pay are dangerous to even be around and are described by one of their commanders as "the scum of the Earth"....when not at war.
The book is very much a retelling of the story in Anabasis by Xenophon. He tells the story of 10,000 Greek mercenaries hired by Cyrus the Younger in 401 BC to overthrow his brother. In an ironic twist the Greeks won the war but in the last battle their employer Cyurs was killed leaving the Greek army alone in hostile Persian territory. They had to fight their way back to the sea. Xenophon relates how he was elected one of the new leaders of this army.
Here the Macht is/are a legendary people who live across the sea from the Great King's Empire of Kuf. This is a fantasy retelling and the Empire is populated by three species different from each other and humans. Inside these are different castes of people. The Kufr rule here, at least the top caste do. They are taller than humans with golden skin. The Macht are thought of as barbarians, but also they are seen as horribly dangerous warriors.
The Great King's brother hires a great army of Macht to overthrow his brother and take the throne. This is the greatest army of Macht ever brought together, and they must cross the empire.
I....LIKE....THIS....BOOK.
This is a fantasy story with fantasy races set in a fantasy world. If however you like your fantasy full of overt magic you probably won't care for this one. There are no wizards shooting fire-bolts (or fireballs) across the battle field. No one has a healing potion. There is really only one piece of what I'd call overt magic in the book and it's simply described. It could end up being/turn out to be a piece of lost technology from a past age of the world (see Arthur C. Clarke's statement, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic..."). I'd call this "military fantasy" and have established a shelf for that. The story is told with lots of sweat, swearing, blood, viscera, stink and violence. The story breaks out of the gate at a full run and seldom slows down. The characters are there and I think very well filled out, but it's largely done on the run as is our outline of the world.
The story isn't openly hopefully. The people in it are flatly human (even the other races/species of humanoids). You'll see the worst on humanity here but oddly you'll also see other things. See there's an odd truth about "us humans" and that is that pressure...struggle, brings out what we really are. Like the "super-soldier serum" that Captain America took, pressure, struggle, hardship makes us "more of what we already are". The craven, the selfish, the ambitious become more so. The noble, the honorable, the brave also become more so.
The book has an almost anticlimactic ending (though I won't say how) yet it's also oddly satisfying and apropos.
I'm giving this book 5 stars and enthusiastically recommending it. Be aware going in that it's a military book full of fighters. Anyone who's ever been in the military (or probably had family in the military) will know to expect crudity and foul language...and as I said, blood, sweat, tears and stink. The book almost seems to wreak of unwashed bodies, excrement, fear sweat, urine, blood and the battlefield covered with sun bloated corpses. It pulls no punches. But it tells an enthralling story. Know that going in and you'll get an exceptional book.
Recommended.
So, I've had a lot of mediocre reads and not a few disappointments lately. This happily isn't one of them
I've had this book on my shelves for some time, I've nominated it for group reads in a couple of fantasy groups but it's never won so I just kept putting it off. Last week I decided I'd go ahead and read it (I have the next 2 in the series setting on my shelves). I'm glad I did.
This is an excellent read. First let me say this is not a light book. You won't find jokes and a snarky hero, you won't find a jaunty adventure. What you will find is a gritty, realistic story of war. In the beginning there are really no good guys or bad guys here. This is the story of mercenary troops in war. These are men who fight for pay are dangerous to even be around and are described by one of their commanders as "the scum of the Earth"....when not at war.
The book is very much a retelling of the story in Anabasis by Xenophon. He tells the story of 10,000 Greek mercenaries hired by Cyrus the Younger in 401 BC to overthrow his brother. In an ironic twist the Greeks won the war but in the last battle their employer Cyurs was killed leaving the Greek army alone in hostile Persian territory. They had to fight their way back to the sea. Xenophon relates how he was elected one of the new leaders of this army.
Here the Macht is/are a legendary people who live across the sea from the Great King's Empire of Kuf. This is a fantasy retelling and the Empire is populated by three species different from each other and humans. Inside these are different castes of people. The Kufr rule here, at least the top caste do. They are taller than humans with golden skin. The Macht are thought of as barbarians, but also they are seen as horribly dangerous warriors.
The Great King's brother hires a great army of Macht to overthrow his brother and take the throne. This is the greatest army of Macht ever brought together, and they must cross the empire.
I....LIKE....THIS....BOOK.
This is a fantasy story with fantasy races set in a fantasy world. If however you like your fantasy full of overt magic you probably won't care for this one. There are no wizards shooting fire-bolts (or fireballs) across the battle field. No one has a healing potion. There is really only one piece of what I'd call overt magic in the book and it's simply described. It could end up being/turn out to be a piece of lost technology from a past age of the world (see Arthur C. Clarke's statement, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic..."). I'd call this "military fantasy" and have established a shelf for that. The story is told with lots of sweat, swearing, blood, viscera, stink and violence. The story breaks out of the gate at a full run and seldom slows down. The characters are there and I think very well filled out, but it's largely done on the run as is our outline of the world.
The story isn't openly hopefully. The people in it are flatly human (even the other races/species of humanoids). You'll see the worst on humanity here but oddly you'll also see other things. See there's an odd truth about "us humans" and that is that pressure...struggle, brings out what we really are. Like the "super-soldier serum" that Captain America took, pressure, struggle, hardship makes us "more of what we already are". The craven, the selfish, the ambitious become more so. The noble, the honorable, the brave also become more so.
The book has an almost anticlimactic ending (though I won't say how) yet it's also oddly satisfying and apropos.
I'm giving this book 5 stars and enthusiastically recommending it. Be aware going in that it's a military book full of fighters. Anyone who's ever been in the military (or probably had family in the military) will know to expect crudity and foul language...and as I said, blood, sweat, tears and stink. The book almost seems to wreak of unwashed bodies, excrement, fear sweat, urine, blood and the battlefield covered with sun bloated corpses. It pulls no punches. But it tells an enthralling story. Know that going in and you'll get an exceptional book.
Recommended.
July 3, 2021
"El escarlata es nuestro símbolo. Lo llevamos durante toda la vida, mientras podemos sostener una lanza y ponerla en venta. El color es el de nuestra sangre, nuestra profesión. No importa quién sea el patrón, lo llevamos hasta la muerte, y nos envuelven en él sobre nuestra pira"
Los Diez Mil primera entrega de la trilogía de los Macht. Llegué a este libro y a este autor por lo que he podido leer, infravalorado pero cargado de calidad, gracias a la reseña de, Javir11 en ella pone claramente lo que es el libro y lo que podéis esperaros de él. Sin duda con las estrellas que le han caído sobra decir que continuaré con los dos siguientes, además el autor consta de otra saga llamada, "Las Monarquías de Dios" consta de cinco libros que acabarán cayendo también ya que captó mi atención, gracias a las reseñas de, Xabi y Cornapecha.
La manera más simple de definir este libro, es que ha sido una excelente lectura. Me ha encantado. Es pura acción. No es un libro ligero. No es un libro que se centre en el mundo que nos presenta con una historia compleja o en unos personajes muy bien trabajados y su desarrollo al detalle, aunque debo decir que lo que tiene en lo referente a estos tres puntos es aceptable y aprueba comparándolo con lo que verdaderamente destaca. Aquí no hay héroes agradables y encantadores, ni una aventura mágica y alegre llena de palabras bonitas. Lo que os vais encontrar será una historia 100% bélica, cuya base se centra en su totalidad en la guerra, cargada de crudeza y realismo. Esta es la historia de unos mercenarios griegos. Luchan, sangran y sudan por una paga, son peligrosos y son descritos por algunos como "La escoria de la Tierra" descripción que se les da... cuando no están en guerra.
La narrativa de, Paul Kearney me ha parecido muy buena y bastante descriptiva en las batallas, usa un lenguaje muy visual en los momentos de acción, que son muchos. Solo en esto se lleva un notable alto, un gran trabajo. Tiene un estilo narrativo brutal, poderoso, rebosante de emociones y una acción que en ningún momento rehuye de mostrar la brutalidad de las guerras y lo que se llega a hacer para sobrevivir.
"Había hombres tumbados con gusanos arrastrándose sobre su carne, con los ojos hundidos en cuencas ennegrecidas por el dolor. Sus camaradas permanecían con ellos mientras podían soportarlo, pero su destino estaba escrito en sus ojos; ya podían ver las tierras de detrás del velo"
El libro sigue con exactitud la historia de Anábasis de Jenofonte. La historia de 10.000 mercenarios griegos contratados por Ciro el Joven en el 401 a. C. para derrocar a su hermano. En un giro irónico de la mano del destino, los griegos ganaron la guerra, pero en la última batalla su empleador murió, dejando al ejército griego solo en territorio persa hostil. Tuvieron que luchar para volver al mar. Jenofonte relata cómo fue elegido uno de los nuevos líderes de este ejército.
Quizás si conocéis esta historia muy bien y os gusta la trama de este libro no logre sorprenderos o llega a perder algunas de sus sorpresas, convirtiéndose más en un recuento que en un concepto original en sí mismo. Yo la conozco y la verdad es algo que le di cero importancia. Estaba enfrascado en el libro, sobretodo gracias a la narrativa de, Paul Kearney en las batallas, hace que lo disfrutes, os aseguro que como mínimo este libro si te va la histórica, que trate sobre la guerra de principio a fin y con algún ligero toque de fantasía, este libro no os aburrirá.
"Fue consciente del batir de sus alas. El ábaco de la muerte, cuyas cuentas sonaban cada vez más despacio. Un instante de extraña felicidad, de comprender que todas las cosas eran iguales, o al menos que podían serlo. La lucidez ebria del dolor y la intrepidez. Era algo realmente grande no tener miedo en aquel momento"
Tenemos a los Macht es un pueblo legendario que vive al otro lado del mar. Los Macht se les considera bárbaros, pero también guerreros y mercenarios terriblemente peligrosos. Tenemos el imperio de Kuf del Gran Rey. Son una casta superior con algunos rasgos distintivos del resto de humanos. Este Imperio está habitado también por otras especies.
"He descubierto que hay dos formas de tratar con los hombres. O los tratas con respeto o los matas. Cualquier cosa intermedia simplemente genera resentimiento y deseo de venganza"
Aquí se denominan, Macht en vez de griegos y Hufr en vez de Persas. El protagonista, Rictus es Iscano lo que viene siendo, Espartano xD. Paul Kearney se enfoca sobretodo en las batallas, dedica muchas páginas a describir la lucha, ya sea de manera individual a través de un soldado o a través de un ejercito entero, también se centra mucho en los movimientos tácticos. Aquí lanzo el mismo aviso que, Javir11 en su reseña, si no os atrae leer sobre la guerra, militar, los efectos y la crudeza de las batallas en cada individuo y todos los que los rodean, puede que este libro os aburra y no sea una lectura ligera.
Los dos únicos puntos negativos a mencionar y lo que hizo que le bajara una estrella son: Primero, algo que no entendí, crea razas no humanas y luego solo son no humanas solo de nombre, no hay muchos elementos fantásticos en general en esta historia, tiene algunos toques (que le quedan genial) y ya está, me hubiera gustado más, podría haberles dado más uso, se queda en histórico bélico. Eso si, tiene una batalla contra una especie de bestias que dio unas escenas épicas. Segundo y a nivel más personal y para gustos, el final del libro se me hizo un poco predecible, si sabes leer entre líneas, me dejo un sabor agridulce entre algo de satisfacción y un poco de decepción.
Tenemos una historia que se cuenta con mucho sudor, lágrimas, crudeza, maldiciones, sangre, miedo, vísceras, hedor y violencia. La historia ya empieza por la puerta grande a toda velocidad y rara vez se ralentiza. Tenemos buenos personajes sin esperar ninguna maravilla, pero creo que están bien hechos y van evolucionando, todo se desarrolla sobre la marcha, como pasa con la ambientación de este mundo. Muestra una verdad sobre nosotros los seres humanos.. la lucha saca a relucir lo que realmente somos y de los que somos capaces. Las penurias, el dolor y el sufrimiento sacan a los cobardes, a los egoístas y sacan también la nobleza y la valentía. En cuanto a la figura del protagonista y algunos secundarios está bien definida, así como su crecimiento a lo largo del libro.
"Le habían criado para creer en la victoria y la muerte. No sabía demasiado bien qué debía hacer en caso de derrota, por lo que se quedó inmóvil como un buey en el matadero mientras lo ataban, no con rabia sino como hombres fatigados y deseosos de llegar a casa. Hombres heridos. El olor a sangre se elevó incluso por encima del hedor de la mierda"
Resumiendo, vale la pena. Es un libro notable, que engancha, se disfruta, especialmente las batallas y sus descripciones sin hacer de menos el resto claro. Y con suficientes elementos y potencial como para prometer otros dos libros a un nivel superior a este primero, por no hablar de la otra saga con la que cuenta. Una buena historia de mercenarios que pasaron a convertirse en leyenda. No dudéis en meterlo a vuestra pila de pendientes y leerlo, esté es un autor que promete. Aquellos que ya conocéis a este autor ya os hacéis una idea de la calidad con la que cuenta esta saga. A ver que tal sigue.
"Contempló la muerte de su ciudad, cuyo resplandor empezaba a iluminar el cielo oscuro. Tales cosas ocurrían aproximadamente una vez cada generación"
Los Diez Mil primera entrega de la trilogía de los Macht. Llegué a este libro y a este autor por lo que he podido leer, infravalorado pero cargado de calidad, gracias a la reseña de, Javir11 en ella pone claramente lo que es el libro y lo que podéis esperaros de él. Sin duda con las estrellas que le han caído sobra decir que continuaré con los dos siguientes, además el autor consta de otra saga llamada, "Las Monarquías de Dios" consta de cinco libros que acabarán cayendo también ya que captó mi atención, gracias a las reseñas de, Xabi y Cornapecha.
La manera más simple de definir este libro, es que ha sido una excelente lectura. Me ha encantado. Es pura acción. No es un libro ligero. No es un libro que se centre en el mundo que nos presenta con una historia compleja o en unos personajes muy bien trabajados y su desarrollo al detalle, aunque debo decir que lo que tiene en lo referente a estos tres puntos es aceptable y aprueba comparándolo con lo que verdaderamente destaca. Aquí no hay héroes agradables y encantadores, ni una aventura mágica y alegre llena de palabras bonitas. Lo que os vais encontrar será una historia 100% bélica, cuya base se centra en su totalidad en la guerra, cargada de crudeza y realismo. Esta es la historia de unos mercenarios griegos. Luchan, sangran y sudan por una paga, son peligrosos y son descritos por algunos como "La escoria de la Tierra" descripción que se les da... cuando no están en guerra.
La narrativa de, Paul Kearney me ha parecido muy buena y bastante descriptiva en las batallas, usa un lenguaje muy visual en los momentos de acción, que son muchos. Solo en esto se lleva un notable alto, un gran trabajo. Tiene un estilo narrativo brutal, poderoso, rebosante de emociones y una acción que en ningún momento rehuye de mostrar la brutalidad de las guerras y lo que se llega a hacer para sobrevivir.
"Había hombres tumbados con gusanos arrastrándose sobre su carne, con los ojos hundidos en cuencas ennegrecidas por el dolor. Sus camaradas permanecían con ellos mientras podían soportarlo, pero su destino estaba escrito en sus ojos; ya podían ver las tierras de detrás del velo"
El libro sigue con exactitud la historia de Anábasis de Jenofonte. La historia de 10.000 mercenarios griegos contratados por Ciro el Joven en el 401 a. C. para derrocar a su hermano. En un giro irónico de la mano del destino, los griegos ganaron la guerra, pero en la última batalla su empleador murió, dejando al ejército griego solo en territorio persa hostil. Tuvieron que luchar para volver al mar. Jenofonte relata cómo fue elegido uno de los nuevos líderes de este ejército.
Quizás si conocéis esta historia muy bien y os gusta la trama de este libro no logre sorprenderos o llega a perder algunas de sus sorpresas, convirtiéndose más en un recuento que en un concepto original en sí mismo. Yo la conozco y la verdad es algo que le di cero importancia. Estaba enfrascado en el libro, sobretodo gracias a la narrativa de, Paul Kearney en las batallas, hace que lo disfrutes, os aseguro que como mínimo este libro si te va la histórica, que trate sobre la guerra de principio a fin y con algún ligero toque de fantasía, este libro no os aburrirá.
"Fue consciente del batir de sus alas. El ábaco de la muerte, cuyas cuentas sonaban cada vez más despacio. Un instante de extraña felicidad, de comprender que todas las cosas eran iguales, o al menos que podían serlo. La lucidez ebria del dolor y la intrepidez. Era algo realmente grande no tener miedo en aquel momento"
Tenemos a los Macht es un pueblo legendario que vive al otro lado del mar. Los Macht se les considera bárbaros, pero también guerreros y mercenarios terriblemente peligrosos. Tenemos el imperio de Kuf del Gran Rey. Son una casta superior con algunos rasgos distintivos del resto de humanos. Este Imperio está habitado también por otras especies.
"He descubierto que hay dos formas de tratar con los hombres. O los tratas con respeto o los matas. Cualquier cosa intermedia simplemente genera resentimiento y deseo de venganza"
Aquí se denominan, Macht en vez de griegos y Hufr en vez de Persas. El protagonista, Rictus es Iscano lo que viene siendo, Espartano xD. Paul Kearney se enfoca sobretodo en las batallas, dedica muchas páginas a describir la lucha, ya sea de manera individual a través de un soldado o a través de un ejercito entero, también se centra mucho en los movimientos tácticos. Aquí lanzo el mismo aviso que, Javir11 en su reseña, si no os atrae leer sobre la guerra, militar, los efectos y la crudeza de las batallas en cada individuo y todos los que los rodean, puede que este libro os aburra y no sea una lectura ligera.
Los dos únicos puntos negativos a mencionar y lo que hizo que le bajara una estrella son: Primero, algo que no entendí, crea razas no humanas y luego solo son no humanas solo de nombre, no hay muchos elementos fantásticos en general en esta historia, tiene algunos toques (que le quedan genial) y ya está, me hubiera gustado más, podría haberles dado más uso, se queda en histórico bélico. Eso si, tiene una batalla contra una especie de bestias que dio unas escenas épicas. Segundo y a nivel más personal y para gustos, el final del libro se me hizo un poco predecible, si sabes leer entre líneas, me dejo un sabor agridulce entre algo de satisfacción y un poco de decepción.
Tenemos una historia que se cuenta con mucho sudor, lágrimas, crudeza, maldiciones, sangre, miedo, vísceras, hedor y violencia. La historia ya empieza por la puerta grande a toda velocidad y rara vez se ralentiza. Tenemos buenos personajes sin esperar ninguna maravilla, pero creo que están bien hechos y van evolucionando, todo se desarrolla sobre la marcha, como pasa con la ambientación de este mundo. Muestra una verdad sobre nosotros los seres humanos.. la lucha saca a relucir lo que realmente somos y de los que somos capaces. Las penurias, el dolor y el sufrimiento sacan a los cobardes, a los egoístas y sacan también la nobleza y la valentía. En cuanto a la figura del protagonista y algunos secundarios está bien definida, así como su crecimiento a lo largo del libro.
"Le habían criado para creer en la victoria y la muerte. No sabía demasiado bien qué debía hacer en caso de derrota, por lo que se quedó inmóvil como un buey en el matadero mientras lo ataban, no con rabia sino como hombres fatigados y deseosos de llegar a casa. Hombres heridos. El olor a sangre se elevó incluso por encima del hedor de la mierda"
Resumiendo, vale la pena. Es un libro notable, que engancha, se disfruta, especialmente las batallas y sus descripciones sin hacer de menos el resto claro. Y con suficientes elementos y potencial como para prometer otros dos libros a un nivel superior a este primero, por no hablar de la otra saga con la que cuenta. Una buena historia de mercenarios que pasaron a convertirse en leyenda. No dudéis en meterlo a vuestra pila de pendientes y leerlo, esté es un autor que promete. Aquellos que ya conocéis a este autor ya os hacéis una idea de la calidad con la que cuenta esta saga. A ver que tal sigue.
"Contempló la muerte de su ciudad, cuyo resplandor empezaba a iluminar el cielo oscuro. Tales cosas ocurrían aproximadamente una vez cada generación"
April 25, 2017
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
The Ten Thousand is a grimdark fantasy penned by Paul Kearney. Inspired by the historical journey of ten thousand Greek warriors in the Persian Empire circa 401 BC, this tale is a gritty, bloody, and brutal look at the realities of ancient war (especially civil war) and its undeniable horrors. With more than a few fantastical elements added, Kearney turns this into far more than historical fiction, but magic does not play as large a role in the narrative as some would like. However, if realistic and unabashed looks at ancient warfare and its consequences are what you love, then this is a can’t-miss grimdark.
On the world of Kuf, the Asurian Empire reigns supreme. The tall, golden skinned Kufr ruling a realm which stretches across the world and has subjugated every race — except for the barbaric Macht.
The Macht are stuff of legends to the people of the Asurian Empire. Yes, they are viewed as a barbaric race which lives a simple life across the sea in the Harukush Mountains, but they are also seen as the most horrible, most fearsome, most lethal warriors in the world.
And this is why the Great King’s brother assembles the greatest army of Macht the world has ever seen, making them the centerpiece of a grand force he leads across the world to unseat his brother. The Kafr and their subjects introduced to the Macht way of fighting and finding they are not prepared for it.
Yet, wars are won by chance as much as force of arms, and soon the Macht find themselves in the most unenviable of positions: The fickle gods forcing them to do the unthinkable, the impossible to survive!
Grimdark at its best is a mixture of many elements. It is graphic, shocking, and horrible at times. It shows the less-than-beautiful face of humanity. Characters are sketched in numerous shades of grey. Victory might be sweet, but it is never easy, comes with a huge cost, and leaves everyone involved traumatized by the experiences they have lived through. Good people die. Bad people live. Not all good causes are quite so good as they first appear, and the bad ones aren’t always wrong. Grimdark pushes a reader past the boundary lines of modern sensibilities, forces them to confront the beastly side of mankind, and demands that they accept that all is not what it seems — even heroes, saviors, or grand crusades of righteousness.
With The Ten Thousand, Paul Kearney clearly shows that he is a master of harnessing the deep, dark passion of grimdark, integrating all these elements, and delivering an impressive story. This book a powerful narrative, overflowing with emotions, and never shying away from viewing the brutality of wars and what they make good people do to survive. Yes, it is depressing at times, bloody in spots, and makes one want to look away from the things being done. But that also its strength and its power: The Ten Thousand a grimdark that accepts what it is and embraces it.
If I wished to criticize this novel (which I don’t), the only element I would point to is its faithfulness to the ancient Greek story of the Ten Thousand. A rousing tale by itself, I admit, but if a reader is familiar with Xenophon’s Anabasis, then Kearney’s version loses many of its surprises, becoming more of a retelling than an original concept all its own. Even then, it is still an enjoyable experience, but a foreknowledge of what is about to occur does deprive it of much of its suspense and power.
The Ten Thousand is a grimdark among grimdarks, a tale filled with passion, realism, and brutality. For lovers of the genre, they need look no further than here for their next fix. For newcomers, there are few grims more accessible, fast-paced, and easy to digest than this narrative. And, for me, this novel was a reinforcement of that nagging belief that no matter how many books I read there is yet another great book out there that I haven’t found yet, because this was my first Kearney grimdark, but it will not be my last.
The Ten Thousand is a grimdark fantasy penned by Paul Kearney. Inspired by the historical journey of ten thousand Greek warriors in the Persian Empire circa 401 BC, this tale is a gritty, bloody, and brutal look at the realities of ancient war (especially civil war) and its undeniable horrors. With more than a few fantastical elements added, Kearney turns this into far more than historical fiction, but magic does not play as large a role in the narrative as some would like. However, if realistic and unabashed looks at ancient warfare and its consequences are what you love, then this is a can’t-miss grimdark.
On the world of Kuf, the Asurian Empire reigns supreme. The tall, golden skinned Kufr ruling a realm which stretches across the world and has subjugated every race — except for the barbaric Macht.
The Macht are stuff of legends to the people of the Asurian Empire. Yes, they are viewed as a barbaric race which lives a simple life across the sea in the Harukush Mountains, but they are also seen as the most horrible, most fearsome, most lethal warriors in the world.
And this is why the Great King’s brother assembles the greatest army of Macht the world has ever seen, making them the centerpiece of a grand force he leads across the world to unseat his brother. The Kafr and their subjects introduced to the Macht way of fighting and finding they are not prepared for it.
Yet, wars are won by chance as much as force of arms, and soon the Macht find themselves in the most unenviable of positions: The fickle gods forcing them to do the unthinkable, the impossible to survive!
Grimdark at its best is a mixture of many elements. It is graphic, shocking, and horrible at times. It shows the less-than-beautiful face of humanity. Characters are sketched in numerous shades of grey. Victory might be sweet, but it is never easy, comes with a huge cost, and leaves everyone involved traumatized by the experiences they have lived through. Good people die. Bad people live. Not all good causes are quite so good as they first appear, and the bad ones aren’t always wrong. Grimdark pushes a reader past the boundary lines of modern sensibilities, forces them to confront the beastly side of mankind, and demands that they accept that all is not what it seems — even heroes, saviors, or grand crusades of righteousness.
With The Ten Thousand, Paul Kearney clearly shows that he is a master of harnessing the deep, dark passion of grimdark, integrating all these elements, and delivering an impressive story. This book a powerful narrative, overflowing with emotions, and never shying away from viewing the brutality of wars and what they make good people do to survive. Yes, it is depressing at times, bloody in spots, and makes one want to look away from the things being done. But that also its strength and its power: The Ten Thousand a grimdark that accepts what it is and embraces it.
If I wished to criticize this novel (which I don’t), the only element I would point to is its faithfulness to the ancient Greek story of the Ten Thousand. A rousing tale by itself, I admit, but if a reader is familiar with Xenophon’s Anabasis, then Kearney’s version loses many of its surprises, becoming more of a retelling than an original concept all its own. Even then, it is still an enjoyable experience, but a foreknowledge of what is about to occur does deprive it of much of its suspense and power.
The Ten Thousand is a grimdark among grimdarks, a tale filled with passion, realism, and brutality. For lovers of the genre, they need look no further than here for their next fix. For newcomers, there are few grims more accessible, fast-paced, and easy to digest than this narrative. And, for me, this novel was a reinforcement of that nagging belief that no matter how many books I read there is yet another great book out there that I haven’t found yet, because this was my first Kearney grimdark, but it will not be my last.
July 23, 2021
Podrían haber sido 5 estrellas si no hubiese leído justo antes otro de griegos (macedonios más bien) y su lucha mediante falanges.
Porque estos 10.000 match no son sino los 10.000 griegos que se quedaron colgados en medio del imperio persa allá por Jenofonte, pero maqueado para dejar la cosa en pura acción.
Me faltan personajes femeninos y me sobra un poco de grimdark y sangre.
Solo decir que la saga de las Monarquias De Dios de este mismo autor es tan buena o mejor (mejor para mí) que este comienzo. Eso sí, el libro se devora.
Y si queréis leer mejor review leed las de Javir11, o Overhaul, o Cornapecha o AntonioTL, que están muy curradas y completitas.
Cuando veo reseñas como esas me da pereza escribir para no contar nada nuevo.
Por cierto, ya voy al 75% de la segunda parte, Corvus (y otra vez demasiada sangre y demasiado grimdark. Ya contaré).
Porque estos 10.000 match no son sino los 10.000 griegos que se quedaron colgados en medio del imperio persa allá por Jenofonte, pero maqueado para dejar la cosa en pura acción.
Me faltan personajes femeninos y me sobra un poco de grimdark y sangre.
Solo decir que la saga de las Monarquias De Dios de este mismo autor es tan buena o mejor (mejor para mí) que este comienzo. Eso sí, el libro se devora.
Y si queréis leer mejor review leed las de Javir11, o Overhaul, o Cornapecha o AntonioTL, que están muy curradas y completitas.
Cuando veo reseñas como esas me da pereza escribir para no contar nada nuevo.
Por cierto, ya voy al 75% de la segunda parte, Corvus (y otra vez demasiada sangre y demasiado grimdark. Ya contaré).
October 29, 2021
Hey, I have a booktube channel (youtube for book reviews, etc.), and I include The Ten Thousand/Paul KEarney in my Top 10 Underrated Books list here. Please subscribe if I earned it!
The Macht are a people out of legend in the land of the Kufr. A hardened mercenary-centered people that live for war and make a living through it. Where would be a better place to go when you're looking to overthrow a kingdom?
And to be honest, the plot has a couple twists and turns, but this is basically it. The Ten Thousand reminded me a lot of Steve Erikson's Deadhouse Gates. There's an epic force that has to make it's way through an entire continent,which is the only way to safety, but which encounters one obstacle after the next.
Throughout the book, we follow Rictus, from the legendary Isca, which is no more. Early in the book, he finds himself in a mercenary company and heading to the land of Kuf to fight among what becomes known as The Ten Thousand. Being from Isca, Rictus has developed a fighting prowess that is matched by few. Rictus is young and cocky, but a really fun protagonist to follow. He makes mistakes, but he's easy to root for and has reasonably explained talents.
Paul Kearney has a knack for plotting and although I alluded to it being simple, that's not entirely the case. It's definitely straight forward, but Kearney does a great job setting up a great climax, but leaving you with enough loose ends that the ending is just as rewarding and extremely surprising in this case.
In addition, Kearney doesn't bog down the narrative with info-dumps. He keeps the world flowing around the characters, so we're let into his highly imaginative story one step at a time. I mean, there's even a glossary and a number of interesting races that he explores, but Kearney does it with such ease, the pace is kept nicely.
Why Should You Read The Ten Thousand?
If you like low magic, and really there's none, but high military action with multiple imaginative races, you'll really enjoy The Ten Thousand. It's fast-paced, it can be gory at times, but the world is all it's own and the story is epic while keeping the epicness of the page count low.
4 out of 5 Stars
The Macht are a people out of legend in the land of the Kufr. A hardened mercenary-centered people that live for war and make a living through it. Where would be a better place to go when you're looking to overthrow a kingdom?
And to be honest, the plot has a couple twists and turns, but this is basically it. The Ten Thousand reminded me a lot of Steve Erikson's Deadhouse Gates. There's an epic force that has to make it's way through an entire continent,which is the only way to safety, but which encounters one obstacle after the next.
Throughout the book, we follow Rictus, from the legendary Isca, which is no more. Early in the book, he finds himself in a mercenary company and heading to the land of Kuf to fight among what becomes known as The Ten Thousand. Being from Isca, Rictus has developed a fighting prowess that is matched by few. Rictus is young and cocky, but a really fun protagonist to follow. He makes mistakes, but he's easy to root for and has reasonably explained talents.
Paul Kearney has a knack for plotting and although I alluded to it being simple, that's not entirely the case. It's definitely straight forward, but Kearney does a great job setting up a great climax, but leaving you with enough loose ends that the ending is just as rewarding and extremely surprising in this case.
In addition, Kearney doesn't bog down the narrative with info-dumps. He keeps the world flowing around the characters, so we're let into his highly imaginative story one step at a time. I mean, there's even a glossary and a number of interesting races that he explores, but Kearney does it with such ease, the pace is kept nicely.
Why Should You Read The Ten Thousand?
If you like low magic, and really there's none, but high military action with multiple imaginative races, you'll really enjoy The Ten Thousand. It's fast-paced, it can be gory at times, but the world is all it's own and the story is epic while keeping the epicness of the page count low.
4 out of 5 Stars
October 2, 2019
I’ve toyed with reading this before but was never fully committed until recently when i read a 10/10 review on a fantasy fiction website.
Based on a real campaign way back when just after the dinosaurs died out, The Ten Thousand is a retelling of when Cyrus the Younger attempted a coup on his brother who ruled the Persian Empire in 401BC. In the book Brother ‘A’ hires a mercenary army from across the sea to aid in his attempt to overthrow his King brother. Brother ‘B’ learns of the impending attack and takes his even bigger army to meet them half way. What follows is a brutal, bloody and dirty war. The Macht mercenaries could give Gerard Butler and his 300 a run for their money as they carve up the opposition as if they were Star Wars droids.
There is very little depth to the story. The hiring of the Macht and the invasion all happen within the first hundred-odd pages with little regard for character development, emotional interest, world building and no back story of the two brothers. I understand one wants to overthrow the other to reign supreme but a bit of family history would have been nice. So instead of a deep, intriguing plot the book is full of battles, rape and manly banter which becomes repetitive. I found The Ten Thousand a tedious read, which struggled to hold my interest. I won’t be bothering with the other two books in the series.
Based on a real campaign way back when just after the dinosaurs died out, The Ten Thousand is a retelling of when Cyrus the Younger attempted a coup on his brother who ruled the Persian Empire in 401BC. In the book Brother ‘A’ hires a mercenary army from across the sea to aid in his attempt to overthrow his King brother. Brother ‘B’ learns of the impending attack and takes his even bigger army to meet them half way. What follows is a brutal, bloody and dirty war. The Macht mercenaries could give Gerard Butler and his 300 a run for their money as they carve up the opposition as if they were Star Wars droids.
There is very little depth to the story. The hiring of the Macht and the invasion all happen within the first hundred-odd pages with little regard for character development, emotional interest, world building and no back story of the two brothers. I understand one wants to overthrow the other to reign supreme but a bit of family history would have been nice. So instead of a deep, intriguing plot the book is full of battles, rape and manly banter which becomes repetitive. I found The Ten Thousand a tedious read, which struggled to hold my interest. I won’t be bothering with the other two books in the series.
Read
September 16, 2017Kearney can certainly write. His descriptions are rich and fluid, and he creates a strong sense of another time and place (which is a common failure of some Fantasy writers).
Readers should go into this book prepared for a non-Fantasy tale, regardless of the marketing label. We could spend hours arguing about what is (and isn't) a "real Fantasy" story, but the common expectations of the genre will not be met for most. For me, this is only a 'Fantasy' novel in that it's not taken from some direct historical setting. Aside from the invented place and race names, this doesn't feel anything like a Fantasy tale. That's not necessarily bad in my case, because I love historical fiction, and that is what this book feel like to me. Go back to the era of Ancient Sumeria, add some races, and that's the extent of the 'Fantasy' elements.
Many other readers will be bothered at just how 'Macro' this story is. Authors commonly write along a spectrum with the emphasis being on characters on one end and the plot on the other end (with exceptions, of course). The Ten Thousand is extremely far on the plot end of that line. While there are characters who are important (and who feel real), each of them ultimately feel minor. In fact, you could see this book as actually lacking in a protagonist. This is a detriment to the novel, I think. I think it's so far to the edge of that scale, that readers lose interest in the fate of the Macht (the army at the center of the story).
Lastly, readers should go into this knowing that this almost exclusively an Ancient World war-story. If you dislike that sub-genre, avoid it.
I think that this mixture of his talent as a great writer but let-down due to the type of tale he has written leaves me too conflicted to give a Star-Rating, so I am leaving it blank.
Readers should go into this book prepared for a non-Fantasy tale, regardless of the marketing label. We could spend hours arguing about what is (and isn't) a "real Fantasy" story, but the common expectations of the genre will not be met for most. For me, this is only a 'Fantasy' novel in that it's not taken from some direct historical setting. Aside from the invented place and race names, this doesn't feel anything like a Fantasy tale. That's not necessarily bad in my case, because I love historical fiction, and that is what this book feel like to me. Go back to the era of Ancient Sumeria, add some races, and that's the extent of the 'Fantasy' elements.
Many other readers will be bothered at just how 'Macro' this story is. Authors commonly write along a spectrum with the emphasis being on characters on one end and the plot on the other end (with exceptions, of course). The Ten Thousand is extremely far on the plot end of that line. While there are characters who are important (and who feel real), each of them ultimately feel minor. In fact, you could see this book as actually lacking in a protagonist. This is a detriment to the novel, I think. I think it's so far to the edge of that scale, that readers lose interest in the fate of the Macht (the army at the center of the story).
Lastly, readers should go into this knowing that this almost exclusively an Ancient World war-story. If you dislike that sub-genre, avoid it.
I think that this mixture of his talent as a great writer but let-down due to the type of tale he has written leaves me too conflicted to give a Star-Rating, so I am leaving it blank.
September 13, 2015
I almost gave it 4.5 stars, but I figured I'd round up since this book was so good.
A fair warning, this is COMPLETELY a military fantasy book. If you don't enjoy large battles, guts, blood, and death, then look elsewhere because this book is chalk full of all the above.
Technically you could almost call this a historical fantasy, since it purposefully mirrors events in Greek history. This book follows a large group of mercenaries as they fight for an usurper to the throne of the largest empire around. There are many large scale battles and Mr. Kearney does an astounding job writing them. Too many times authors glaze over the battles or leave you scratching your head after a convoluted fight scene, but not Paul.
This books has many things that surprised me. The whole world was fairly fleshed out with many different cultures. There was even a romance subplot which I didn't expect from a military fantasy book whatsoever. There are twists and turns that take you by surprise, both good and bad.
The only thing I had an issue with was the POV setup. It starts off with many different POVs and then slowly focuses down to the most important characters. This makes it a little hard to follow for the first third of the book but once the view narrows, it gets a lot better.
Overall, a beautiful military fantasy book that is probably in my top 5 for that sub-genre, which for me, is saying a lot.
A fair warning, this is COMPLETELY a military fantasy book. If you don't enjoy large battles, guts, blood, and death, then look elsewhere because this book is chalk full of all the above.
Technically you could almost call this a historical fantasy, since it purposefully mirrors events in Greek history. This book follows a large group of mercenaries as they fight for an usurper to the throne of the largest empire around. There are many large scale battles and Mr. Kearney does an astounding job writing them. Too many times authors glaze over the battles or leave you scratching your head after a convoluted fight scene, but not Paul.
This books has many things that surprised me. The whole world was fairly fleshed out with many different cultures. There was even a romance subplot which I didn't expect from a military fantasy book whatsoever. There are twists and turns that take you by surprise, both good and bad.
The only thing I had an issue with was the POV setup. It starts off with many different POVs and then slowly focuses down to the most important characters. This makes it a little hard to follow for the first third of the book but once the view narrows, it gets a lot better.
Overall, a beautiful military fantasy book that is probably in my top 5 for that sub-genre, which for me, is saying a lot.
November 30, 2015
This was my first read by author Paul Kearney and I will say that I enjoyed his writing style. Kearney presents a nice balance of description without getting too verbose, and the story was easy to follow. "The Ten Thousand" is a fantasy version of the real life march of Xenophon's army through ancient Greece, and the military conflicts in this book mirror the style of the popular Greek phalanx.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys military fantasy, and would also recommend Michael Curtis Ford's novel by the same name.
Things to consider before reading this book: this is a zero-magic GRITTY setting detailing battles and conquest....so this might not be the book for you if you are offended by fiction showcasing extreme violence, harsh language, and rape.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys military fantasy, and would also recommend Michael Curtis Ford's novel by the same name.
Things to consider before reading this book: this is a zero-magic GRITTY setting detailing battles and conquest....so this might not be the book for you if you are offended by fiction showcasing extreme violence, harsh language, and rape.
July 20, 2021
La novela de Paul Kearney, "Los Diez Mil", es lo que debería ser la fantasía épica: épica en su alcance, épica en sus horribles y desgarradoras batallas y, lo más importante, épica en su ejecución. Kearney ha creado una joya de novela, un fantástico tour-de-force militar que saqueará tu imaginación y conquistará tu alma.
El ritmo de "Los Diez Mil" es tan implacable como la campaña de Macht. La acción es fascinante, brutal y fea, una vista de la batalla en primera persona, directamente desde el frente. Kearney sobresale al describir gráficamente las batallas, sumergiendo al lector en los estrechos confines de la falange para vadear la sangre y el sudor. La prosa se destaca por encima de la fantasía más épica, volviéndose poética en algunos puntos, pero sin perder nunca su caracter. Como escribe Kearney:
“Eran soldados, criaturas de apetito y rutina con un núcleo de indefinible inquietud en el corazón. Eran insensibles, brutales, sentimentales, sardónicos. Eran egoístas y desinteresados. Apuñalarían a un hombre por un obol de cobre y compartirían con él lo que les quedaba de agua. Pisotearían una obra maestra de arte en la tierra y llorarían con la voz de un veterano alzada en una canción. Eran la escoria de la tierra. Eran Macht ".
Las caracterizaciones están todas estupendamente hechas. Jason y Rictus (los dos protagonistas principles) se destacan particularmente por la mayor profundidad emocional que les da Kearney. La rabia de Rictus y su posterior indiferencia por sobrevivir a una matanza que ocurre al comenzar (no soy muy spolier, no es muy relevante la escena y son las primeras páginas) suena escalofriante y verdadera, y uno siente una profunda empatía por Jason y su cruzada relación con Tiryn. Kearney incluso logra transmitir las personalidades de los personajes secundarios a través de pequeños pasajes debido a sus magistrales descripciones y a su diálogo. Sin embargo, no se equivoquen, los Macht son hombres delgados, duros, estoicos en su disposición, y Kearney es capaz de clavar este aspecto de ellos sin dejar que se conviertan en una caricatura.
En pocas palabras, centrándose en el nacimiento de la leyenda de Macht, la novela es una creación de mitos en su máxima expresión, una historia emocionante y adictiva de la lucha de los Macht para superar una adversidad increíble
Una joya 5 estrellas. Probablemente terminaré leyendo la trilogía.
El ritmo de "Los Diez Mil" es tan implacable como la campaña de Macht. La acción es fascinante, brutal y fea, una vista de la batalla en primera persona, directamente desde el frente. Kearney sobresale al describir gráficamente las batallas, sumergiendo al lector en los estrechos confines de la falange para vadear la sangre y el sudor. La prosa se destaca por encima de la fantasía más épica, volviéndose poética en algunos puntos, pero sin perder nunca su caracter. Como escribe Kearney:
“Eran soldados, criaturas de apetito y rutina con un núcleo de indefinible inquietud en el corazón. Eran insensibles, brutales, sentimentales, sardónicos. Eran egoístas y desinteresados. Apuñalarían a un hombre por un obol de cobre y compartirían con él lo que les quedaba de agua. Pisotearían una obra maestra de arte en la tierra y llorarían con la voz de un veterano alzada en una canción. Eran la escoria de la tierra. Eran Macht ".
Las caracterizaciones están todas estupendamente hechas. Jason y Rictus (los dos protagonistas principles) se destacan particularmente por la mayor profundidad emocional que les da Kearney. La rabia de Rictus y su posterior indiferencia por sobrevivir a una matanza que ocurre al comenzar (no soy muy spolier, no es muy relevante la escena y son las primeras páginas) suena escalofriante y verdadera, y uno siente una profunda empatía por Jason y su cruzada relación con Tiryn. Kearney incluso logra transmitir las personalidades de los personajes secundarios a través de pequeños pasajes debido a sus magistrales descripciones y a su diálogo. Sin embargo, no se equivoquen, los Macht son hombres delgados, duros, estoicos en su disposición, y Kearney es capaz de clavar este aspecto de ellos sin dejar que se conviertan en una caricatura.
En pocas palabras, centrándose en el nacimiento de la leyenda de Macht, la novela es una creación de mitos en su máxima expresión, una historia emocionante y adictiva de la lucha de los Macht para superar una adversidad increíble
Una joya 5 estrellas. Probablemente terminaré leyendo la trilogía.
April 26, 2017
"It is stubbornness, Vorus realised. That is what sets us apart. We Macht will fight on when there is no hope of victory. We are stubborn bastards, worse than mules. It is not even a matter of courage."
Hacía tiempo que tenía agregado este libro en mi lista y menos mal que decidí leerlo, fue el mejor libro de fantasía que leí en lo que va del año.
A grandes rasgos, el libro es protagonizado por los Macht, una raza de soldados sin igual (similares a los espartanos) que se emplean como mercenarios para luchar en diferentes guerras. La historia comienza cuando el hermano del emperador de una tierra lejana contrata una fuerza de diez mil Macht para comenzar una guerra que le permitirá hacerse con el trono (la trama es muchísimo más compleja que este burdo resumen, obviamente).
En The Ten Thousand Paul Kearney nos presenta un mundo que toma elementos de la antigua Grecia para construir una brillante historia de fantasía oscura.
Eso fue lo primero que me llamó la atención, el worldbuilding de este autor es comparable al de *me pongo de pie* Brandon Sanderson *aplaudo y me vuelvo a sentar*; las diferentes leyendas son muy interesantes y a la vez se sienten reales porque se ven reflejadas en la forma de actuar de muchos personajes.
El hecho de que el autor tome cosas de la antigua Grecia también le juega mucho a favor, ya que es como leer una reformulación de los antiguos mitos: los nombres de los protagonistas, las tácticas de batalla, las armas que utilizan; todos llevan nombres tomados del griego antiguo. Esto último es lo que le da ese tono de "fantasía realista" a este libro. A pesar de que se mencionan ciertos aspectos sobrenaturales y de fantasía (como armaduras legendarias, razas humanoides y dioses), es una historia en la que no hay magia.
Pero sin lugar a dudas lo que más disfruté de estos libros fueron sus personajes. The Ten Thousand es protagonizada por varios personajes complejos que crecen mucho a lo largo del libro: Rictus, un joven que lo pierde todo y se une al ejército para terminar su vida de forma honorable; Gasca, otro chico bonachón que busca labrarse una reputación como soldado; Jason, comandante del ejército Macht; y Vorus, un Macht renegado al mando de los ejércitos del emperador.
Estos personajes son impresionantes y permiten conocer las diferentes perspectivas dentro de los ejércitos; además, ninguno de ellos está a salvo en ningún momento (prepárense para llorar mucho).
Para terminar, The Ten Thousand es uno de los mejores comienzos de trilogía que he leído. Es una novela que no te da respiro ya que prácticamente todo el libro narra la interminable lucha de los Macht por conquistar el imperio. Los personajes son brillantes y complejos, y esa combinación de fantasía y mitos griegos resulta excelente. Hay muchísimos giros inesperados y ningún personaje está a salvo, George R.R Martin estaría orgulloso de lo que logró Kearney con la crudeza de muchas escenas. Si están buscando una historia al estilo Game of Thrones, entonces lean este libro. No se van a arrepentir.
Voy a escribir una reseña completa de toda la trilogía en cuanto la termine.
Toda la trilogía está disponible en español.
June 17, 2016
I'm glad I started this. I went in to it not expecting much but I loved everything about this book.
The story revolves around the Macht army, who are hired by a rebel self proclaimed King with an eye on his brother's Empire. Let's just say if the Macht got even a glimpse of what awaited them across the Sea they would have declined this contract with a 'no, thank you'...but then where would the epic story be?
This was beautiful writing, where every sentence had meaning. The world building is superb, and I loved the whole different races thing. I love how the book was true to the map, i'm a sucker for stuff like that. The battle scenes were some of the best I've come across in fantasy. Paul Kearney chooses to tell the story through multiple character POV's, from the King's themselves down to the foot soldiers.
Notable characters; [Rictus of Isca], probably the main character of the book, his character started out a young lad but by the end, due to what he saw and went through, all innocence got washed off him. (this could be said for many of the others)
[Jason], my best character, just an awesome character all round. We see the politicking of the leaders of the Macht through him.
[Gasca], friend of Rictus, young lad looking for adventure, looking for brotherhood that he didn't get from his real brothers, finding it in the army with men dying of thirst but who'll share their last water with him. We see the lives of the foot soldiers through him.
[Tiryn], Concubine to the rebel prince, a really complex character.
[Vorus], A former Macht, now loyal servant to the High king, who is faced with exterminating his original people for his new King. Another very complex character.
He was compared to George Martin? yes, no character is safe major or minor. Compared to Erikson? yes, he gets you attached to his characters, he pulls your feel strings, I was fighting back tears in the middle and the end of this book. Give Paul Kearney a try if you haven't yet, i'm definitely a fan of his now.
The story revolves around the Macht army, who are hired by a rebel self proclaimed King with an eye on his brother's Empire. Let's just say if the Macht got even a glimpse of what awaited them across the Sea they would have declined this contract with a 'no, thank you'...but then where would the epic story be?
This was beautiful writing, where every sentence had meaning. The world building is superb, and I loved the whole different races thing. I love how the book was true to the map, i'm a sucker for stuff like that. The battle scenes were some of the best I've come across in fantasy. Paul Kearney chooses to tell the story through multiple character POV's, from the King's themselves down to the foot soldiers.
Notable characters; [Rictus of Isca], probably the main character of the book, his character started out a young lad but by the end, due to what he saw and went through, all innocence got washed off him. (this could be said for many of the others)
[Jason], my best character, just an awesome character all round. We see the politicking of the leaders of the Macht through him.
[Gasca], friend of Rictus, young lad looking for adventure, looking for brotherhood that he didn't get from his real brothers, finding it in the army with men dying of thirst but who'll share their last water with him. We see the lives of the foot soldiers through him.
[Tiryn], Concubine to the rebel prince, a really complex character.
[Vorus], A former Macht, now loyal servant to the High king, who is faced with exterminating his original people for his new King. Another very complex character.
He was compared to George Martin? yes, no character is safe major or minor. Compared to Erikson? yes, he gets you attached to his characters, he pulls your feel strings, I was fighting back tears in the middle and the end of this book. Give Paul Kearney a try if you haven't yet, i'm definitely a fan of his now.
December 7, 2015
Wasn't going to a written review for this, but it as a book its bugging me.
Good points are its well written, great battle scenes.
bad points not much in way of character building at all in this story.
Theres enough goodness in this to make me want to read the next one to see how that pans out.
Good points are its well written, great battle scenes.
bad points not much in way of character building at all in this story.
Theres enough goodness in this to make me want to read the next one to see how that pans out.
December 30, 2014
The Ten Thousand was a difficult book to rate. I was thinking of giving it four stars, but in the end I ended up giving three. Although it is considered a fantasy book, I believe it is military fiction, as there are very few fantasy elements in the book.
The story: I found the story interesting and it managed to keep my attention until the half of the book. After reaching 50% give or take, I was a little bored and I started to read quickly to finish it. There were parts where the writer focused on the description of war and marching and not on specific characters and these parts bored me. A disadvantage of the book is that it is fairly predictable.
The characters: I liked most of the characters I think the main reason I'm going to read the next one is Rictus.
Note number 1: I get the feeling that many fantasy or military fantasy authors believe they have to kill everyone or nearly everyone by the end of the book because it's the latest trend in writing or because they want to shock the audience. It's not shocking anymore. It is getting old and I hope it will change in the future.
Note number 2: the book didn't have female characters, except one. The women were there only to be raped, killed or raped and killed. Raping is another trend in fantasy and military fantasy. Please give women larger roles. They can be great warriors too. You don't have to rape everyone to make the book dark. There's a limit to how many such scenes I can read before they stop affecting me.
The story: I found the story interesting and it managed to keep my attention until the half of the book. After reaching 50% give or take, I was a little bored and I started to read quickly to finish it. There were parts where the writer focused on the description of war and marching and not on specific characters and these parts bored me. A disadvantage of the book is that it is fairly predictable.
The characters: I liked most of the characters I think the main reason I'm going to read the next one is Rictus.
Note number 1: I get the feeling that many fantasy or military fantasy authors believe they have to kill everyone or nearly everyone by the end of the book because it's the latest trend in writing or because they want to shock the audience. It's not shocking anymore. It is getting old and I hope it will change in the future.
Note number 2: the book didn't have female characters, except one. The women were there only to be raped, killed or raped and killed. Raping is another trend in fantasy and military fantasy. Please give women larger roles. They can be great warriors too. You don't have to rape everyone to make the book dark. There's a limit to how many such scenes I can read before they stop affecting me.
March 7, 2022
I used to read a lot of fantasy, but as all things considered, my appetite for books changed. The fantasy genre became stale, and I started reading other genres of note. I had never heard of this book before, and therefore I stumbled on a gem of the rare kind. I cannot fathom why this book isn't widely acclaimed. It should be! It's based on a historical story--one true story I'm not yet accustomed to. It reads like heroic fantasy but revolves around military strategy; the Phalanx and its superior mechanism are dominant in this book and brotherly bonds between men who share death. This book is underrated and should be read by more people who enjoy books/series like Malazan, Gemmell's work, and Historical Fiction.
The best bit about this book is when the Ten Thousand march in the land of the Kufr, and they make contact with the Emperor's army. Oh boy, I got gooseflesh all over just thinking about it
The best bit about this book is when the Ten Thousand march in the land of the Kufr, and they make contact with the Emperor's army. Oh boy, I got gooseflesh all over just thinking about it
July 25, 2024
This is a stunning work; raw, grim…dark. It is based on the tale told by Xenophon in his book Anabasis. In that historical book, 10,000 Greeks who were known for their expertise at arms, were hired by Cyrus the Great to overthrow the Persian ruler. Cyrus himself was killed at the major battle and the surviving Greeks had to fight their way from Persia back to Greece.
As this story is retold as a military/fantasy novel, the Macht, the greatest fighters in this world, are hired to do the same against the Kfur, a side-species of humans, who rule the continent. The Macht are an island nation. The story very much follows the Anabasis, yet is novelized to introduce to thrilling characters on both sides of the conflict.
The battle scenes are amongst some of the best I’ve ever read and lead you to feel the struggles of warfare.
This is the first book of a trilogy, one that I look forward to completing.
As this story is retold as a military/fantasy novel, the Macht, the greatest fighters in this world, are hired to do the same against the Kfur, a side-species of humans, who rule the continent. The Macht are an island nation. The story very much follows the Anabasis, yet is novelized to introduce to thrilling characters on both sides of the conflict.
The battle scenes are amongst some of the best I’ve ever read and lead you to feel the struggles of warfare.
This is the first book of a trilogy, one that I look forward to completing.
May 31, 2011
This is perhaps my first real taste into the sub-genre of "military fantasy" and I don't know, maybe it's just not for me. I realize the story is directly based on the historical events from Xenophon's Anabasis, so it's hard to really feel much suspense when you know what's going to happen already.
Still, even Kearney's own embellishments felt kind of predictable and slightly irksome, the one that stood out to me most being Jason's relationship with the Kufr woman, and his constant reiteration of how after the war, the two of them were going to settle down to a quiet life on a farm and raise their family in peace and quiet and happiness and everything is going to be just absolutely perfect, perfect I tell you...wow, seriously? You just knew something unfortunate was going to befall him before it's over, and I saw it coming a mile away along with Tiryn's revelation to Rictus at the end.
Maybe it wouldn't have felt so awkward if the characters and their relationships had been more developed, but it did feel like most of the effort was poured into the book's martial elements. I wish just as much could have been focused on the novel's fantasy aspects which was what made this book intriguing -- such as the mysterious armor pieces worn by the Cursebearers. That said, the battles and the descriptions of them were very well done; Paul Kearney does have a way with writing combat sequences.
Still, even Kearney's own embellishments felt kind of predictable and slightly irksome, the one that stood out to me most being Jason's relationship with the Kufr woman, and his constant reiteration of how after the war, the two of them were going to settle down to a quiet life on a farm and raise their family in peace and quiet and happiness and everything is going to be just absolutely perfect, perfect I tell you...wow, seriously? You just knew something unfortunate was going to befall him before it's over, and I saw it coming a mile away along with Tiryn's revelation to Rictus at the end.
Maybe it wouldn't have felt so awkward if the characters and their relationships had been more developed, but it did feel like most of the effort was poured into the book's martial elements. I wish just as much could have been focused on the novel's fantasy aspects which was what made this book intriguing -- such as the mysterious armor pieces worn by the Cursebearers. That said, the battles and the descriptions of them were very well done; Paul Kearney does have a way with writing combat sequences.
September 10, 2016
Estamos delante de un libro repleto de épica que nos muestra desde dentro y con mucho realismo lo más crudo de la guerra.
Kearney siempre ha destacado a la hora de plantear batallas, estrategias militares etc...Y de nuevo hace gala de esos grandes conocimientos en esta historia basada en la Grecia clásica (en concreto en la Anábasis )
Conociendo esta historia, uno se da cuenta que Kearney casi la sigue al pie de la letra, por lo que quizás la trama quede algo sosa y carente de un mayor número de elementos que la diferencien un poco de la original, ya que al final y a pesar de ser una novela fantástica, este termino es bastante secundario en la propia trama.
A pesar de lo anterior, la novela está bien escrita y el tanto el ritmo de narración como la prosa enganchan bastante, por lo que se le puede perdonar un poco a Kearney la falta de originalidad.
Resumiendo, este es un gran libro si te gusta la temática bélica, pero si no es el caso, al final podrías aburrirte y echar en falta una historia más compleja y unos personajes algo más trabajados.
Como siempre os dejo el enlace a mi blog donde analizo la novela de una forma un poco más amplia.
http://fantasiascifiymuchomas.blogspo...
Kearney siempre ha destacado a la hora de plantear batallas, estrategias militares etc...Y de nuevo hace gala de esos grandes conocimientos en esta historia basada en la Grecia clásica (en concreto en la Anábasis )
Conociendo esta historia, uno se da cuenta que Kearney casi la sigue al pie de la letra, por lo que quizás la trama quede algo sosa y carente de un mayor número de elementos que la diferencien un poco de la original, ya que al final y a pesar de ser una novela fantástica, este termino es bastante secundario en la propia trama.
A pesar de lo anterior, la novela está bien escrita y el tanto el ritmo de narración como la prosa enganchan bastante, por lo que se le puede perdonar un poco a Kearney la falta de originalidad.
Resumiendo, este es un gran libro si te gusta la temática bélica, pero si no es el caso, al final podrías aburrirte y echar en falta una historia más compleja y unos personajes algo más trabajados.
Como siempre os dejo el enlace a mi blog donde analizo la novela de una forma un poco más amplia.
http://fantasiascifiymuchomas.blogspo...
January 10, 2012
WOW!, WOW! and WOW!
I literally could not stop reading once I started and this was not a small book, I finished in two sittings. Just Amazing, Paul Kearney just became a favorite of mine. This is the kind of stuff I've been wanting to read, stuff thats gets your blood pumping. Impeccable characterization and the battle ummmph the battles amazing amazing read.
I literally could not stop reading once I started and this was not a small book, I finished in two sittings. Just Amazing, Paul Kearney just became a favorite of mine. This is the kind of stuff I've been wanting to read, stuff thats gets your blood pumping. Impeccable characterization and the battle ummmph the battles amazing amazing read.
June 14, 2017
The book was so intense I had to take a break a few times while reading it. Okay, I didn't know what happened to those ten thousand Greek mercenaries in the Persian Empire on whose story the author based this book, and I didn't want to know beforehand, so, every turn of the events was a surprise for me and I was biting my nails all the way. The story was awesome, shocking and touching at the same time, and the book was dark, powerful, emotional and full of beautiful imagery. I loved how it was building, starting from a narrow point, a story of one man, then two, then adding more and more focal characters, until it spread into an epic picture. The fantasy element was so low-key it made me wonder why it was not a historic novel; but then fantasy genre allows an author such freedom as no other one does, and an opportunity to tell a story unrestricted by anything.
I loved Rictus, too -
I loved Rictus, too -
June 22, 2018
The Ten Thousand is my tenth original English fantasy ficiton!!
The whole story include little magic element and multitude of military strategies.It is not disppoint because of little magic in this book.Many battle scene make you want to keep readig.One of military fantasy i`ve read this year which is so gorgeous.
The whole story include little magic element and multitude of military strategies.It is not disppoint because of little magic in this book.Many battle scene make you want to keep readig.One of military fantasy i`ve read this year which is so gorgeous.
March 26, 2020
A (slightly) fantastical retelling of the historical journey of ten thousand Greek warriors into the Persian empire, as found in Xenophon. If you enjoy dark, gritty military fantasy, Kearney writes some of the best.
We follow Rictus, an Iscan whose city has been razed and his family slain after his Spartan people fell in a large-scale battle with a neighboring city-state (“Spartan” is not only an apt adjective here, but also representative). He falls in with Gasca, a fellow warrior-hopeful, and joins an elite group of mercenaries-for-hire called the Macht, who are amassing for a strategic push into the neighboring Empire.
This is a bloody, action-packed book, and Kearney is an adept at setting a vivid battle scene. While the characters are sketched well, I didn’t see quite as much development as I would like, and the fantasy elements are thin (a little more embellishment wouldn’t have gone amiss—indeed, it would have added to the suspense, as the fate of the Macht can be easily derived from Xenophon’s historical account). But despite my reservations, it kept me captivated throughout.
All in all, an exciting, well-written, page-turner of an adventure. Solid four stars.
We follow Rictus, an Iscan whose city has been razed and his family slain after his Spartan people fell in a large-scale battle with a neighboring city-state (“Spartan” is not only an apt adjective here, but also representative). He falls in with Gasca, a fellow warrior-hopeful, and joins an elite group of mercenaries-for-hire called the Macht, who are amassing for a strategic push into the neighboring Empire.
This is a bloody, action-packed book, and Kearney is an adept at setting a vivid battle scene. While the characters are sketched well, I didn’t see quite as much development as I would like, and the fantasy elements are thin (a little more embellishment wouldn’t have gone amiss—indeed, it would have added to the suspense, as the fate of the Macht can be easily derived from Xenophon’s historical account). But despite my reservations, it kept me captivated throughout.
All in all, an exciting, well-written, page-turner of an adventure. Solid four stars.
August 19, 2020
Part fantasy part historical fiction based on the 400BC historical journey of ten thousand Greek warriors across the Persian Empire. Plenty of well-scripted battle scenes which did not shy away from the blood, mud, desperation and horrific injuries.
The 10,000 were mercenaries whose employer lost the plot and they find the need to transverse the empire to get to the sea and escape to their homeland. The author explored the dynamics of leadership, the way an army can lose its discipline and descend into a mob and the inevitable bickering between comrades. Pleasingly for the first book in a series this one could be read as a stand-alone novel.
The 10,000 were mercenaries whose employer lost the plot and they find the need to transverse the empire to get to the sea and escape to their homeland. The author explored the dynamics of leadership, the way an army can lose its discipline and descend into a mob and the inevitable bickering between comrades. Pleasingly for the first book in a series this one could be read as a stand-alone novel.
July 13, 2021
Llegué a este libro gracias a la propuesta del compañero Overhaul. La invitación no era difícil de aceptar porque desde que leí la saga de Las monarquías de Dios tengo a Paul Kearney en gran estima y lo considero un escritor de fantasía bastante más competente que la mayoría de sus colegas. Podría decirse, siendo muy bruto, que Kearney es como R.R. Martin pero quitando toneladas de paja. Es una definición un poco exagerada, pero indica al que no lo haya leído nunca por donde se mueve este autor que no ha recibido ni la mitad del reconocimiento que en mi opinión se merece.
Así que esta trilogía de Los Macht ya estaba en mi lista de pendientes, y en las posiciones de arriba, que es donde se suelen fosilizar muchos libros que apetece leer. Y entre la duda de qué leer a continuación y la oportuna sugerencia de Overhaul, siempre certero, pues poco había que pensar. A por los macht de cabeza.
En esta ocasión Kearney sigue con ese estilo directo y sin floripondios que tanto me gusta. Aquí tampoco hay decenas de secundarios dando vueltas sólo para acabar muriendo. Ni descripciones de casas, familias ni reinos variados. Están los 10.000 macht, está el Imperio y está la guerra. Tal vez se quede corto en la descripción de personajes y su desarrollo dramático, pero aquí no hemos venido a divagar sobre la naturaleza humana, aquí estamos para ver como trabajan estos trasuntos de las terribles falanges griegas que fueron la maquinaria de guerra más poderosa de su mundo y su tiempo, como los macht lo son del mundo creado por Kearney.
Mezclando historia y fantasía, el autor compone una narración muy interesante, que destaca especialmente cuando se trata de describir las batallas. Ahí sale el mejor Kearney, el que consigue que el lector sienta directamente el poder de aquellas formaciones cerradas de infantería pesada, que experimente el terror que sienten sus enemigos al enfrentarse a un muro de lanzas y escudos, la forma de vivir y morir de quienes componen los macht. No soy precisamente un experto en el género, pero Kearney me parece de los autores que mejor escriben sobre batallas de los que he ido leyendo.
Por lo demás, es un libro que se lee muy rápido, en el que toda la parte fantástica se inserta de una forma tan natural que hasta a alguien a quien no le atraiga la fantasía puede gustarle. Muy recomendable en cualquier caso.
Así que esta trilogía de Los Macht ya estaba en mi lista de pendientes, y en las posiciones de arriba, que es donde se suelen fosilizar muchos libros que apetece leer. Y entre la duda de qué leer a continuación y la oportuna sugerencia de Overhaul, siempre certero, pues poco había que pensar. A por los macht de cabeza.
En esta ocasión Kearney sigue con ese estilo directo y sin floripondios que tanto me gusta. Aquí tampoco hay decenas de secundarios dando vueltas sólo para acabar muriendo. Ni descripciones de casas, familias ni reinos variados. Están los 10.000 macht, está el Imperio y está la guerra. Tal vez se quede corto en la descripción de personajes y su desarrollo dramático, pero aquí no hemos venido a divagar sobre la naturaleza humana, aquí estamos para ver como trabajan estos trasuntos de las terribles falanges griegas que fueron la maquinaria de guerra más poderosa de su mundo y su tiempo, como los macht lo son del mundo creado por Kearney.
Mezclando historia y fantasía, el autor compone una narración muy interesante, que destaca especialmente cuando se trata de describir las batallas. Ahí sale el mejor Kearney, el que consigue que el lector sienta directamente el poder de aquellas formaciones cerradas de infantería pesada, que experimente el terror que sienten sus enemigos al enfrentarse a un muro de lanzas y escudos, la forma de vivir y morir de quienes componen los macht. No soy precisamente un experto en el género, pero Kearney me parece de los autores que mejor escriben sobre batallas de los que he ido leyendo.
Por lo demás, es un libro que se lee muy rápido, en el que toda la parte fantástica se inserta de una forma tan natural que hasta a alguien a quien no le atraiga la fantasía puede gustarle. Muy recomendable en cualquier caso.
March 14, 2014
This one has been on my list for quite some time now, and with comparisons to Steven Erikson and George R.R. Martin how could I not give this one a try? Well after finishing book 1 of the Macht trilogy I can say that the comparisons ring true. This is top notch military fantasy overflowing with blood, sweat, and tears.
The Macht are a mercenary group that dwells in the mountains of the Harukush. To put it simply they are like Spartans for hire. They fight in tight formations using spear and shield and are notorious for their ferociousness in battle. The famed Macht have been hired by King Arkamenes, who intends to take the throne from his brother. Two young recruits stumble into the mad ranks of the Macht, Rictus the survivor of a civil war, and Gasca, a young lad looking for adventure. These are the two main characters of the story, but we also get to view the upper echelon of the Macht command through the eyes of one of the generals named Jason. Gasca gets assigned to the front lines of the battle, giving us the perspective of a spear wielding Macht infantryman. Rictus leads a rag tag group of skirmishers whose job it is to scout ahead and survey, and Jason gives us a glimpse into the command center of the army. The ten thousand Macht eventually set sail for war.
When the epic confrontation goes south for the Macht they are forced to retreat, but the only problem is they are a world away from home with very few supplies. The story really centers around this epic retreat, with the enemy forces hot on their tails. From the pursuing army we get a point of view from a prior Macht soldier named Vorus who is in service to the Great King. After his brother’s betrayal, his King has ordered that the very memory of the Macht army be erased. Knowing the strategies of the Macht, Vorus pursues his prior brethren on behalf of his King. Vorus’s chapters were surprisingly well done, and it was interesting to read about the inner conflict he faces when he’s tasked with hunting his brethren.
This is a manly man’s fantasy story right here ladies and gentlemen. While there are a few female perspectives littered throughout the book, at the end of the day this is a story surrounding a group of battle hardened men. What I most appreciated about this book was that Paul Kearney really captured the spirit of a military campaign. The soldiers talking shit to one another, the boredom, the groans and moans, and the whispers of mutiny that can be found in any army all paint a wonderful picture of the realities of being in a campaign.
I think fans of fantasy will have plenty to love here, as well as those interested in military tactics. Grab your spear, stretch your legs, and be ready to march! I have book 2 waiting beside me and I can’t wait to dive back into this sweaty, bloody, brutal world.
The Macht are a mercenary group that dwells in the mountains of the Harukush. To put it simply they are like Spartans for hire. They fight in tight formations using spear and shield and are notorious for their ferociousness in battle. The famed Macht have been hired by King Arkamenes, who intends to take the throne from his brother. Two young recruits stumble into the mad ranks of the Macht, Rictus the survivor of a civil war, and Gasca, a young lad looking for adventure. These are the two main characters of the story, but we also get to view the upper echelon of the Macht command through the eyes of one of the generals named Jason. Gasca gets assigned to the front lines of the battle, giving us the perspective of a spear wielding Macht infantryman. Rictus leads a rag tag group of skirmishers whose job it is to scout ahead and survey, and Jason gives us a glimpse into the command center of the army. The ten thousand Macht eventually set sail for war.
When the epic confrontation goes south for the Macht they are forced to retreat, but the only problem is they are a world away from home with very few supplies. The story really centers around this epic retreat, with the enemy forces hot on their tails. From the pursuing army we get a point of view from a prior Macht soldier named Vorus who is in service to the Great King. After his brother’s betrayal, his King has ordered that the very memory of the Macht army be erased. Knowing the strategies of the Macht, Vorus pursues his prior brethren on behalf of his King. Vorus’s chapters were surprisingly well done, and it was interesting to read about the inner conflict he faces when he’s tasked with hunting his brethren.
This is a manly man’s fantasy story right here ladies and gentlemen. While there are a few female perspectives littered throughout the book, at the end of the day this is a story surrounding a group of battle hardened men. What I most appreciated about this book was that Paul Kearney really captured the spirit of a military campaign. The soldiers talking shit to one another, the boredom, the groans and moans, and the whispers of mutiny that can be found in any army all paint a wonderful picture of the realities of being in a campaign.
I think fans of fantasy will have plenty to love here, as well as those interested in military tactics. Grab your spear, stretch your legs, and be ready to march! I have book 2 waiting beside me and I can’t wait to dive back into this sweaty, bloody, brutal world.
July 8, 2008
Second modern retelling of Xenophon Anabasis after MC Ford's The Ten Thousand of 2001.
With a little bit of fantasy trappings rather than straight historical, but superb nonetheless. Even though we know most of the action, Mr. Kearney's energetic prose drives the book and I could not put it down.
The battles and especially the heavy infantry fighting typical of the Greek - Macht here - phalanx is extremely well done and several characters stand out.
I've read all 3 including the original, and while Xenophon's tale has the patina of legend and history, Mr. Kearney is the best writer by far and his book is the one I would recommend first as being so un-puttable down, while if your appetite is whetted you can have another go at the brutal but heroic Greeks in Xenophon or MC Ford after.
Highly, highly recommended.
With a little bit of fantasy trappings rather than straight historical, but superb nonetheless. Even though we know most of the action, Mr. Kearney's energetic prose drives the book and I could not put it down.
The battles and especially the heavy infantry fighting typical of the Greek - Macht here - phalanx is extremely well done and several characters stand out.
I've read all 3 including the original, and while Xenophon's tale has the patina of legend and history, Mr. Kearney is the best writer by far and his book is the one I would recommend first as being so un-puttable down, while if your appetite is whetted you can have another go at the brutal but heroic Greeks in Xenophon or MC Ford after.
Highly, highly recommended.
July 31, 2011
For the first 180 pages I thought this book was surprisingly good, but then it got surprisingly boring. I don't read fantasy fiction for battles 'men of bronze'/early Mediterranean-style where there really isn't anything that defines it as different to an historical fiction. I like fantasy fiction to feel like fantasy. This was like reading a Steven Pressfield historical fiction.
There was nothing wrong with the author's writing. He is talented in that respect (despite his overuse of the fictional word 'pasang').
3 stars, because up until a point I was totally into it.
There was nothing wrong with the author's writing. He is talented in that respect (despite his overuse of the fictional word 'pasang').
3 stars, because up until a point I was totally into it.
January 6, 2022
Men. Covered in bronze and blood. They fight. They march. They fight again and march again. They impress even foreigners with how awesome they are. They get really muddy and sometimes thirsty, but still they march and fight. They do as they must. They are men. They are the Ten Thousand.
Also, one woman.
Also, one woman.
November 13, 2024
Military stories aren't really my thing, but I liked several other novels by Kearney so I thought I'd try it. I have all three books so I might continue and see how it goes. If military fantasy is your thing, this is probably a very good book. To me, reading about war is about as interesting as watching sport.
January 21, 2024
Part of me wants to give this 3 stars. After Divided We Fall though, I'm just glad to read something where the author understands when the heroes are being awful people.
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