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Rise

(Dancing with the Lion #2)

Jeanne Reames (Goodreads Author)

4.31 · Rating details · 71 ratings · 24 reviews

The story of Alexander before he became “the Great.”

Finished with schooling, Alexandros is appointed regent of Makedon while his father is away on campaign. He thrives with his new authority—this is the role he was born for—yet it creates conflict with his mother and Hephaistion. And when his soldiers, whom he leads with unexpected skill, start to call him “The Little King ...more

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ebook, 350 pages

Published October 21st 2019 by Riptide Publishing

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October 2019 MM Releases

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Alexander of Macedon, 356-323 B.C. by Peter Green

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Nov 05, 2019 Ozymandias rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction-greek, fiction-hellenistic, historical-fiction

A charming account of Alexander’s rise to power and his love for his closest friend, Hephaestion

Anyone who enjoyed the first book will likely love this one, which feels more like a completed story than that did. To recap, the last one’s arc was entirely character-driven and took us from Alexander and Hephaestion’s meeting to their eventual romance. There’s more going on, but that is the spine. This time the book’s main storyline is the conflict between him and Philip during the leadup to Philip’ A charming account of Alexander’s rise to power and his love for his closest friend, Hephaestion

Anyone who enjoyed the first book will likely love this one, which feels more like a completed story than that did. To recap, the last one’s arc was entirely character-driven and took us from Alexander and Hephaestion’s meeting to their eventual romance. There’s more going on, but that is the spine. This time the book’s main storyline is the conflict between him and Philip during the leadup to Philip’s invasion of Persia. Anyone who knows anything about the two can guess where the book ends.

With the book moving beyond Alexander’s childhood into the much broader range of adulthood, it’s interesting to see what does and does not get focused on. There aren’t really any surprises actually. The book is still focusing on character and setting. Alexander’s personality gets a little more drawn out and he’s starting to seem a bit more like I imagine him. The pride, the stubbornness, the unending, unquenchable, relentless lust for glory. It’s all here.

His relationship with Hephaestion is still a highpoint, with the two opposites providing exactly what the other needs. It’s got to be hard being a prince and dealing with all the endless sycophants struggling to get near you. But Hephaestion loves the man, he finds the prince rather a nuisance. You can see why emotionally needy Alexander would go crazy for that. The other key relationship is between Alexander and his father. This one really breaks my heart. The two are absolutely poison to each other. One is too proud to admit his emotions, the other incapable of not doing so. And both are too stubborn to back down.

Another element that is handled very well is the loving depiction of everyday Macedonian life and society. Religion continues to be strongly presented as does the love of literature and other cultural allusions. Sexuality really kicks into overdrive. Now that Alex and Phaestas are a couple they’re screwing like rabbits. It actually gets uncomfortably explicit sometimes. What’s more interesting (at least to me; other views may vary) are the mores that come with the act. Some of which are quite bizarre. Phaestas and Al are a lot like a modern gay couple compared to the strict pederasty of the time. It’s sweet, but emotionally devastating for them to come to terms with.

What continue to get very little attention are some of the elements you might expect to see more of in Alexander’s adulthood. Elements like warfare. We do get some of course, since it would be impossible to avoid. We even get a whole chapter on Chaeroneia. But the buildup to the battle (both political and military) is hardly setting the scene for the importance of the match. And the battle itself seems detached and emotionally distant. We mainly follow Hephaestion as he stumbles around trying to hold off a single warrior. The aftermath is rather more memorable than the event. Politics is also a little sidelined, although again we do get some. Most of what we see are of the family politics variety, where the interaction between marriages and the highland/lowland clans are well handled. But of foreign affairs or the alliances between Macedon and the Greek states we’re left pretty vague.

The book’s interests are not too far from my own when reading historical fiction (people who write great battle scenes or good political maneuvering often struggle to write anything else) so this is mainly there to give fair warning to people expecting this account of one of history’s greatest conquerors to include a lot of, well, conquering. If there are future books (and I certainly hope there are!) we may get a bit of that. For now, Al is still struggling to get on top.

If nothing else, I have to enjoy this book for introducing me to a whole new array of Greek obscenities. Since Liddell-Scott and other dictionaries are products of the rather puritanical 19th century and have only limited English-Greek functionality it’s rather hard to locate such expressions. ...more

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Feb 04, 2020 Optimist ♰King's Wench♰ rated it it was ok

Shelves: boys-who-like-boys, historical, lgbtq, ng, v-card

In college I took a Roman history course. It was a very detailed and in-depth study of Roman society and I LOVED it mostly because the professor sold it. They were into it and brought that energy to the classroom and it was infectious. I was actually excited to go to class, a rarity indeed during undergrad.

In my opinion, this book needs the author to tell it in person. It needs life and vitality and more fiction in this historical fiction. Alexander and Hephaistion are historical figures and whi In college I took a Roman history course. It was a very detailed and in-depth study of Roman society and I LOVED it mostly because the professor sold it. They were into it and brought that energy to the classroom and it was infectious. I was actually excited to go to class, a rarity indeed during undergrad.

In my opinion, this book needs the author to tell it in person. It needs life and vitality and more fiction in this historical fiction. Alexander and Hephaistion are historical figures and while it's clear the author knows them inside and out I don't feel like I know them. Maybe it's due to an over reliance on the presumption that they are famous historical figures and therefore known but I would've liked to know Reames' version of them. Perhaps that's anathema or verboten but there it is.

What's clear is Alexander and Hephaistion care for, trust and love each other but they never achieved fully realized status in my mind, mostly owing to an abundance of head hopping. There were so many different POVs that not only pulled me out of the story time and time again but more importantly stymied my connection to them. Their chemistry as lovers never gelled. Best friends and confidantes, yes. Soulmates, erm?

Another hurdle was the ridiculous number of names dropped throughout this novel that came across as pedantic filler. It didn't advance the story and became tiresome. Case in point:

Those who'd awaited Alexandros hailed largely from the south or midlands: Ptolemaios and Marsyas or Eordaia, Harpalos and Derdas of Elimeia, and Attalos Andromenous from Tymphaia. Hephaistion, Nearkhos, and Erigyios didn't count. Yet both Krateros and Perdikkas of Orestis soon joined them, as well as Leonnatos of Lynkestis, Lysimakhos of Thessaly, and Hector, Parmenion's son.

If there were a test I would fail, BECAUSE I. DON'T. CARE.

In this same vein, too much time was spent stringing historical events together and incorporating a multitude of secondary characters all of which served to drain this story of its lifeblood. Capitalizing on Alexander and Hephaistion's inchoate connection would've given this story a soul but sadly that connection was only briefly touched on in erratic fits and starts. Even Alexander's relationship with his father Philip skirted something that could've been brilliant. Flawed characters offer a wealth of opportunities but unfortunately none of these onions were peeled.

Yet, something compelled me to finish it and that counts for something. Reames clearly has the intellectual chops and passion for this genre as well as an affinity language; translating all that passion into an engaging tale with characters that captivate and enchant me is where this novel fell short.

However, my opinions are my own and YMMV.

A copy was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Oct 13, 2019 John rated it it was amazing

Shelves: alexander-the-great, lgbtq, greece

The second half of Reames’s novel about Alexander’s youth knocks it out of the park, concluding several long-view themes initiated in the first half. Becoming was about the burgeoning relationship between Alexandros and Hephaistion. In Rise, simmering tension explodes between Alexandros and Philippos.

Reames gets people. She captures human complexity, and in her hands, everyone seems multifaceted. Her characters do not behave in trite ways, and her dialogue is rarely pedestrian. Becoming felt in ...more

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Sep 01, 2019 Charlotte rated it really liked it · review of another edition

my review will be posted on my blog Sep 21, 2019

-=-=-=-
This was a great continuation of the Dancing With the Lion series. This book brings the author back to the world of Alexandros as he is coming into his own as a leader, a man, and a partner. It’s so difficult to read a book like this and then come up with a succinct summary. Reames is a great writer, using detail when it’s appropriate and simply letting her main characters speak through their actions.

This book is just as much about family an my review will be posted on my blog Sep 21, 2019

-=-=-=-
This was a great continuation of the Dancing With the Lion series. This book brings the author back to the world of Alexandros as he is coming into his own as a leader, a man, and a partner. It’s so difficult to read a book like this and then come up with a succinct summary. Reames is a great writer, using detail when it’s appropriate and simply letting her main characters speak through their actions.

This book is just as much about family and friendship as it is about the general military history of Alexander the Great. There are a lot of differences between Alexandros and his best friend and sometime lover Hephaistion. The most pointed difference in my mind is the way they were raised. Hephaistion’s father was loving, familiar, stern when he had to be… and offered his son advice when he thought it warranted. As the son of a king, Alexandros had a distant relationship with his father. The King has politics and ruling forefront in his mind and his familial bond with Alexandros is fragile. Like Reames, I have no doubt that Philippos loved his son, he just seemed incapable of parenting a son rather than raising an heir. I’m simplifying this greatly in light of the wonderful way that Reames has written the complicated bonds between fathers and sons in this book.

What is clear in the book is that the relationships Alexandros has with all the people in his life are what shapes him into the leader he will become. While his father challenges him at every turn, Alexandros receives more gentle parenting from Hephaistion’s father, Amyntor. And again, Hephaistion… he is Alexandros’ best friend, his brother-in-arms, his lover and in many ways his teacher. The bond between these two characters is beautiful and complex. There are moments that are poignant without being over-the-top…. and I loved that. The bonding ceremony between Alexandros and Hephaistion is beautiful and symbolic of much of the depth of their relationship.

As these two young men mature and grow, their relationship morphs. They are lovers on occasion, friends always and unfailingly dedicated to one another. Hephaistion teaches Alexandros about weakness and true strength, the bonds of love and ultimately, the way to lead.

This series was a fantastic read. Yes, it’s historical, but Reames brings Alexander the Great back to life. I thoroughly enjoyed both of these books, 4 stars from me! ...more

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Jan 28, 2020 potniathiron rated it it was amazing

Once upon a time, I used to not be able to read any fiction on Alexander the Great because of how off the characterization would seem to me. Now, I feel like I'm too spoiled; how can anything top the delight that was the Dancing with the Lion duology? This second part was a thrilling read, fast-paced and steeped in Macedonian political intrigue. In story that's been being told for millenia now, it's amazing how the author came up with such exciting twists and spins while staying close to the tru ...more

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Oct 18, 2020 W. rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, arc-from-netgalley, historical-fiction

Very good

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Oct 27, 2019 Thor Odindotter rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 20, 2019 Christine rated it it was amazing

As much as I enjoyed the first book in the series("Becoming") I really LOVED the second book of "Dancing with the lion: Rise". It continues the story of Alexandros of Macedon, from the time of being regent at the age of 16 to his ascension to the throne four years later. It includes quite a few well known historical events, but with the author's own clever interpretations which explain some of the puzzles historians have been trying to solve for centuries. Reames's academic background comes thro As much as I enjoyed the first book in the series("Becoming") I really LOVED the second book of "Dancing with the lion: Rise". It continues the story of Alexandros of Macedon, from the time of being regent at the age of 16 to his ascension to the throne four years later. It includes quite a few well known historical events, but with the author's own clever interpretations which explain some of the puzzles historians have been trying to solve for centuries. Reames's academic background comes through the finest at those moments. Comparing to "Becoming", "Rise" is more plot driven and faster paced. There isn't a dull moment.

Nonetheless all the twists and turns are not at the expense of character development and emotional depth. Alexandros and Hephaistion both come alive vividly, through joy and pain and devotion, each with his own set of virtues and faults. Their relationship is complex due to their different social standings, upbringing and personalities. One cannot help but feel deeply invested in their lives and quests for excellence(in the Aristotelian sense). As the book progresses, the intensity of events and emotions rises steadily until the final crescendo, which definitely leaves readers to crave for more.

As in the first book, the supporting cast gets much love. But the father/son dynamics have generated much emotional turmoil, with stark contrast between Philippos and Amyntor, each loving his son in his own way. There are a few new characters as well. The women get stronger voices - from royals to slaves. None is perfect, all with dignity.

Reames is an excellent writer, not just an excellent writer for a historian. The plots are well constructed, the characters well developed, the historical details authentic. While the first book may feel unfinished, the second one stands well on its own even if one skips the first. But there are some amazing parallels between the two that might take a couple reads to get. Like olives - the Greek favorite - the longer you savor, the more you'll enjoy. ...more

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Oct 21, 2019 Joyfully Jay rated it really liked it

Shelves: sue

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars

Rise is the second in the Dancing with the Lion series and, at least for now, the last. The author mentions she plans on writing more about Alexandros and Hephaistion in the future, but there’s no book currently on the horizon. And that makes Rise slightly problematic. It is a very much an “in-between” novel. Alot of things happened in the first book, Becoming, and Rise ends with a pivotal event in the life of Alexander the Great. Which leaves the bulk of Rise de ...more

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Dec 06, 2019 Jeanne added it · (Review from the author)

EXTRA & CUT SCENES!

For those who enjoyed the novels (book 1 Becoming and book 2 Rise), and would like more from the boys, I have several cut scenes on my website, as well as 3 others that occur between the books.

These 3 include "Moth & Flame," a bit of romantic floof, "Two Scorpions," Olympias takes on Hephaistion in a one-on-one confrontation, and finally, the novelette "For the Love of Geometry," which shows the boys from the point of view of the adults, plus a bet between King Phi ...more

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Jan 08, 2020 Catherine Richmond rated it it was amazing

Excellent in every respect!

Alexander and Hephaistion travel the rocky road of love, growing closer yet frightened by their need for the other, learning to trust yet accept their differences, discovering ways to guard bodies and hearts during problems with their fathers.

Hephaistion thought, "Men fought wars and played politics; women suffered the results of both." The women in this story handle the drama men cause, including new wives, arranged marriages, and exile. Please tell me there's a Book ...more

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Nov 13, 2019 Colin Smith rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A beautifully written sequel to 'Becoming', the story of Alexander's boyhood. The novel bursts with information about Macedonia and Ancient Greece and, despite the author's admitted inventions and historical acrobatics, gives a believable picture of Alexander's life and loves, friends and enemies, during the period of his adolescence, immediately prior to the start of his Asian adventure. His father, Phillippos II, is finely drawn, and shows a man, a king, a ruler, an unstable drunkard and a her ...more

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Feb 29, 2020 Saimi Korhonen rated it really liked it

Shelves: ancient-greece

“I know you didn’t want Hephaistion to come to Pella, but I think he might have saved my life. That’s not hyperbole. I had nobody, not really. Then he showed up. He cared about me, not the prince. I’ll love him forever for that.”

Dancing with the Lion: Rise continues the story of Alexander the Great before he became the legendary conqueror. This book begins as his father, Philippos, makes him the regent of Macedon and starts giving him more and more responsibilities. But, much to his father's ann “I know you didn’t want Hephaistion to come to Pella, but I think he might have saved my life. That’s not hyperbole. I had nobody, not really. Then he showed up. He cared about me, not the prince. I’ll love him forever for that.”

Dancing with the Lion: Rise continues the story of Alexander the Great before he became the legendary conqueror. This book begins as his father, Philippos, makes him the regent of Macedon and starts giving him more and more responsibilities. But, much to his father's annoyance, Alexandros quickly begins to make a name for himself and to earn the love and devotion of his future people, which creates even more friction between father and son. And as Alexandros becomes more and more powerful, his love affair with Hephaistion deepens, which brings its own problems, mainly, how to balance being a king devoted to his people and a young man deeply and passionately in love.

I liked this book a lot and preferred it to the first book in this duology. Rise had a very different feel to it than Becoming - there's much more politics, war, death and drama, which I liked. In the first book it occasionally felt like the story lacked stakes - in Rise, this is not an issue.

Rise focused very much on two things: Alexandros' relationship with Philippos, and his relationship with Hephaistion, both of which were handled very well. Alexandros and Philippos are a fascinating pair - they're very similar in many ways and they love each other in their own messed up way but are both utterly incapable of showing it. I liked how the book explored this and how Philippos wasn't written to be this one-dimensional shitty dad with no redeeming qualities - no, it is made clear that he loves his son, which makes his inability to show this and his abusive tendencies even more horrifying and frustrating. Alexandros and Hephaistion on the other hand were just wonderful. I love the way they trust one another, the way they fit together and how much they adore each other. As it says in the quote above, Hephaistion is the only one who loves Alexandros as he is - he does not want anything from the prince, he just wants to be with him. He tells him the truth as it is and I love the honesty and purity of their relationship (and by pure I mean that they just love each other, there are no ulterior motives between them). I enjoyed following them navigating their relationship at court and figuring out how to stay together when his duties start demanding more and more of Alexandros' time and despite people whispering around them and Alexandros' parents disapproving of them.

Another thing I really liked about Rise was how more time was given to female characters. Kleopatra, Alexandros' sister, got some nice scenes in this book and I liked how Reames explored the unfair position of women in Ancient cultures through her. She is a princess and has a certain amount of power, but she is still just a puppet for her father to marry off to whomever he chooses. She has no agency over her own life. Kleopatra is a nice character and I liked the stuff we got with her, and, like I already did in the first book, I loved her relationship with Alexandros. They were precious. The most notable new female character, Kampaspe, was also a nice addition into the story.

All in all, I really liked this book - and this whole duology. Becoming had some issues, but Rise was a lot better and I enjoyed it a lot. I'm kinda sad there are no more books with these versions of Alexandros, Hephaistion, Ptolemaios and the rest, but I can live with it. And a part of me does like how this duology is focused on Alexandros before he becomes Alexander the Great - they're not books about the wars he fought or the cities he conquered, they're books about his greatest love, his parents, his siblings, his struggles to gain his father's respect and him growing and becoming someone his men will follow anywhere. ...more

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Oct 16, 2019 Coltostallion rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a great continuation from the first book. Things are starting to heat up politically and there's plenty of problems getting in the way of love. The amount of research that went into this series is phenomenal. Even for those who aren't interested in this period in history, the story carry itself well!

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Mar 25, 2020 Christina Noll rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtq

I wish there were more books in the series, especially during this time of turmoil. I found myself picking up these books as a release from my worries about the pandemic.

We get a lot of insight on various characters in this book. There are some beautiful moments between Hephaistion and Alexandros and some tumultuous moments, the book ends for them tenderly. I would have liked more of those moments. They didn’t have to be romantic, but something to show the reader why they are such iconic soul ma I wish there were more books in the series, especially during this time of turmoil. I found myself picking up these books as a release from my worries about the pandemic.

We get a lot of insight on various characters in this book. There are some beautiful moments between Hephaistion and Alexandros and some tumultuous moments, the book ends for them tenderly. I would have liked more of those moments. They didn’t have to be romantic, but something to show the reader why they are such iconic soul mates to the point that real historical Alexander the Great went to such extremes upon Hephaistion’s death. I’m thinking along the lines of Wuthering Heights. That book is not romantic, Cathy and Heathcliff are a train wreck but they have an unbreakable bond that carries on past death (“If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger.” Cathy about Heathcliff). If this book gave us a bit more of the bond between Hephaistion and Alexandros, it would have been a full five stars.

Alexander the great is what this series is about but Hephaistion is my favorite. I could read a whole separate series just about Hephaistion. I would have loved to have seen more of his time with his mother and baby brother and his time with Kampaspē. He started out having a jealous hatred for her. I don't want to give spoilers but during his time with her he could have gotten even more bitter and cruel towards her or used her in other ways instead they became friends. This moment really solidified my love for him as a character:
“Thank you,” he said, face grave, “for helping my mother these past months.” She stared. One didn’t thank the slaves. “You’re welcome.” She stood on the bottom landing, looking up after him. The deep-down natures of men were revealed in small things.

Honestly, I’d love a novella just about Kampaspē.

We all know how the real story ends but I still hope there is eventually more to this series especially from Hephaistion's voice.
...more

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Nov 20, 2019 Lainey Cross rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. It’s taken me while to review, I’ve been busy with my postgrad stuff and honestly Rise was such a welcome escape from it all!

Whilst there are differences stylistically from Becoming, Reames has improved her narrative voice and we learn more about the characters, what motivates them, etc.

Alexandros and Hephaistion go through it in Rise... But like any relationship there are always going to be trials and Alexandros and Hephaistion come out of it stronger, displaying the depth of their bond.

Kampa It’s taken me while to review, I’ve been busy with my postgrad stuff and honestly Rise was such a welcome escape from it all!

Whilst there are differences stylistically from Becoming, Reames has improved her narrative voice and we learn more about the characters, what motivates them, etc.

Alexandros and Hephaistion go through it in Rise... But like any relationship there are always going to be trials and Alexandros and Hephaistion come out of it stronger, displaying the depth of their bond.

Kampaspē is such a brilliantly interesting character, I wasn’t too sure about her at first but honestly she’s fantastic. Reames writes some hecking wonderful female characters, (Kampaspē included) such as Kleopatra, Myrtalē, Kyanne, etc. We also get the pleasure of meeting Hephaistion’s mother, who doesn’t get as much page time as I’d have liked, I want to know more about her!

I was devastated by Philippos’ death, which I really didn’t expect to be so moved by, but having read the extra and cut scenes it’s so obvious that Philippos cares about his son. Philippos and Alexandros never get the chance to fix their relationship fully which is heartbreaking.

So much happens in this novel that I couldn’t possibly touch on it all but, the scene with the Theban Band’s oath will probably remain an absolute favourite!

The covers of the novels aren’t great, I feel like there’s a risk of someone avoiding it and going for a book with a pretty cover instead... BUT, remember that old saying, because really don’t judge the Dancing with the Lion books by their covers. I do
think it’s unfortunate that Becoming & Rise were written as one book and then cut into two because I suspect as one book it would have been perfect. As a side note, I’d love for both books to be made into audiobooks at some point!

Personally, I love the Dancing with the Lion books, if you don’t like them don’t read them... I hope Reames finds a way to continue with the series as I’d definitely like to read more! ...more

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Mar 07, 2020 Quinton Johansen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The continuation of the story of Alexander and Hephaistion before Alexander became king. Beautiful telling of their love for each other and its complexities in a world which allowed it, yet still had rules. I found the characterizations to be finely drawn and not continuing stereotypes of who they have been portrayed. The various viewpoints add to the story. I thoroughly love Amyntor. Jeanne Reames has written my favorite Alexander and Hephaistion novels. LOVE THEM BOTH.

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Nov 17, 2019 Samuel Samson added it

Write a review (optional) very nice book

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Sep 12, 2020 kelios rated it it was amazing

Please continue to write of Alexander journey. ;___;
I love this series much much better than Mary Renault’s.

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Nov 06, 2019 Doris Raines rated it liked it

A MUST HAVE BOOK,🤙

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Jan 25, 2020 CALVIN REAMES rated it it was amazing

Great continuation on the period in Alexander's life that most influenced who he was and would become.

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May 09, 2020 Victoria Goessling rated it it was amazing

I read both of the books back to back, and am very happy that I did so. The saga of Alexander the Great is fascinating, well-researched, and exceptionally well-written. It's nice to read such an articulate account of the time and trust the descriptions to be accurate. The characters come alive and you feel as if you are living in the times. I may not get the books back from my nephews but that's fine. I'll buy another copy in a heartbeat.

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Nov 09, 2019 Mollie rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My review of Dancing with the lion: Rise

Whoah! What I can say is that this book was an emotional rollercoaster. I had very high expectations, and the first book made me crave more. I preordered the book and waited, but I just couldn’t help but be disappointed when I finished it. In my experience, both the books were a mixed bag, but I don’t regret reading them or spending money on them. Finally, a book series that addresses and focuses on the relationship between Hephaistion and Alexandros, inst My review of Dancing with the lion: Rise

Whoah! What I can say is that this book was an emotional rollercoaster. I had very high expectations, and the first book made me crave more. I preordered the book and waited, but I just couldn’t help but be disappointed when I finished it. In my experience, both the books were a mixed bag, but I don’t regret reading them or spending money on them. Finally, a book series that addresses and focuses on the relationship between Hephaistion and Alexandros, instead of pretending Hephaistion never existed, like I’ve seen so many other times. It’s always refreshing to see bisexual and gay representation in novels.

Let it be said I have respect for what the author of the novel, Jeanne Reames, has created with her competence in her field. It shines through in her book that she is a competent historian and I’m very grateful for an actual historian that writes historical fiction and strives to be as historically accurate as possible. You can tell she has an inspiring passion for her field, and she is one of the women who have inspired me to want to aim for a history degree, being a female myself.

That being said, I am an extremely critical reader. In my opinion, there are some things in the book that worked and some that just didn’t do it for me.

I loved both Amyntor and Philippos and their roles in the story. Very few historical fiction novels that I have read have had such a big focus on father-son relationships as this duology has. It makes for a really interesting focus on family dynamics. They were fleshed out, three dimensional characters. The contrast between these two character truly makes the book an enjoyable and interesting read.

The female characters, like Kleopatra and Myrtale, are also shown to have their own stories and point of view. They are three dimensional characters that are just as fleshed out as the men, which is always lovely to see in fiction, especially historical fiction where women tend to be ignored or objectified. The relationship between Kleopatra and Alexander was realistic and they had many good scenes together.

However, the book just fell short for my expectations, mainly because of factors that I felt didn’t fit. There were elements of this book that did not really appeal to me personally, specifically the frequent explicit sexual scenes. While some readers may enjoy those scenes, it was not my cup of tea. While I do think it is great to educate the reader and discuss sexuality and sexual identity through the characters of Hephaistion and Alexandros, I do think the theme might be too prevalent in the story and, in my opinion, takes away from the emotional aspect of their relationship, in other words, their friendship. No, I don’t mean that they should have a celebate friendship and be super straight, but I just wish the focus was shifted more often to the emotional significance instead of the sexual one.

Alexander and Hephaistion’s relationship, it doesn’t at all feel like a friendship for “two souls in one body” and their relationship has gone cold since the first book. While I do believe this was intentional from the author’s side, and I don’t expect their relationship to be a perfect postcard image of happily ever after, it was still very tiring and felt unbalanced. The negatively loaded scenes came like pearls on a string. I wish it had been balanced out better. Often, the sexually explicit scenes, would distract from heavy emotional scenes, such as the fight scene between Alexander and Hephaistion, which is immediately followed by an awkward sex scene, giving me no time to breathe and reflect between the very intense emotional scenes, with characters that I am emotionally invested in.I found myself becoming frustrated with the characters more often than not.

Although I think it’s great that Reames chooses to focus on such a (for some people) controversial topic as homosexuality, I just felt exhausted that every other interaction between the two main characters were either discussions about sex, a huge argument or a sex scene. Maybe it’s because I’m too idealistic and romantic for my own good, but I wished to have seen more love between the boys, through just a hug or comforting words. I wished Alexander and Hephaistion would just talk about something else. But maybe I’m the one who missed the point.

But ultimately, I did enjoy the book series and Reames’ interpretation of Alexander and Hephaistion’s stories, and I will probably buy the next book in the series if it is written. Please note that I have nothing against the author, some of the choices she made for her own book was just not my cup of tea. As a hopeless romantic, their relationship lacked the romance I would have wished for: but still, the book is not even meant to be a romance novel, and maybe my expectations were unfair. If in doubt, you should still give it a try, maybe you'll find that you disagree with my opinions and have found your new favourite book. ...more

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