HF April Read - Fall of Kings

[Srividya]

Chosen unanimously for the month of April, this is the first volume of an epic retelling of the Trojan War. David Gemmell is renowned for his taut prose, excellent characterization and plot development.

Join us as we take on and discuss this epic in detail in April.

Please note: Use spoiler tags where necessary to ensure spoiler free discussions!

[Ahtims]

Started.
Epilogue was confusing...
Chapters 1-3 started making sense. I have certain doubts brewing. Am patiently waiting to bombard others when they start. :P

[Srividya]

Will start this tonight.

Anirudh is the best person to bombard for this as he has already read it! ;) :P

[Ahtims]

He might have forgotten too :P
7% through and am enjoying it now. Hopefully the pace and interest will be maintained throughout.

[Srividya]

Hahaha that's quite possible. Although for our sake, I hope not! :P

[Anirudh]

PSmith wrote: "Started.
Epilogue was confusing...
Chapters 1-3 started making sense. I have certain doubts brewing. Am patiently waiting to bombard others when they start. :P"

If I remember I will tell you. You can ask just use spoiler tag :)

[Srividya]

Reading chapter 3 now and I agree with you Smitha, the pace is definitely good and the story interesting. I loved the beginning but I have a feeling that I would need to brush up on the original tale to appreciate this retelling. I remember it vaguely!

[Ahtims]

This is great so far. Am into Chap. 11, roughly one third through. Finishing it sooner as I may not get enough time in April.
Itching to discuss.

[Anirudh]

At this rate this will be march read :P

[Ahtims]

I solemnly promise to discuss only in April . :P

[Anirudh]

If this book is a success perhaps we can read/discuss next books

[Ahtims]

I am game to discuss other books. Liking this one a lot.

[Anirudh]

PSmith wrote: "I am game to discuss other books. Liking this one a lot."

How is the writing?

[Srividya]

Let's read the whole trilogy! I am quite liking it, although I had to take time off yesterday to finish a long pending one..but this one is just superb! :)

[Anirudh]

Srividya wrote: "Let's read the whole trilogy! I am quite liking it, although I had to take time off yesterday to finish a long pending one..but this one is just superb! :)"

I liked it too. You need to know the original Troy story to understand this

[Srividya]

I do know the original story, having read it long back. Did a little bit of refreshing when starting this one..so I guess it is okay till now! :)

[Anirudh]

Srividya wrote: "I do know the original story, having read it long back. Did a little bit of refreshing when starting this one..so I guess it is okay till now! :)"

That's good :)

[Ahtims]

Yes, Srividya
Yes, Anirudh. I know the original Troy story, though
(view spoiler)[
Priam is shown in glowing light in that one.
Hector and Paris are handsome.
Priam's other sons are not mentioned.
The queen is more kindhearted.
I forgot who Hector's wife is in the original story- if it is Andromache, she is really subdued in the movie version.
(hide spoiler)]

[Anirudh]

That's kind of the point Psmith, he wrote a more realistic version of Troy where everybody is a normal person with flaws and limits

[Ahtims]

Finished. It was GOOD.
*****

[Srividya]

I hope to finish it by tomorrow. Had to finish two other books, which I did..now concentrating on this one :)

5 stars good eh Smitha? :) Good.. I really need that kind of book now! :D

[Ahtims]

I loved it. Perhaps because I am partial to mythology twisters. :)

[Srividya]

I love those too..so I think I will love this one as well :)

[Srividya]

About 25% into the book now - and -

I am loving how the various myths and legends are incorporated in this book, for instance (view spoiler)[the one about Poseidon or even Medusa are all so beautifully incorporated in the form of tales being told by the characters. (hide spoiler)]

Also (view spoiler)[I love the way they have traced down the story of Helikaon and his past while weaving Odysseus in between. Keeping the original tale intact but weaving it with a more real approach, something that you can relate to, instead of simply believing. Reminds me of Ashok Banker's mythological series of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Not many have liked those but I felt that they were pretty logical in their approach, especially his Krishna series. Quite an interesting take on Hindu mythology. Am experiencing something similar here. (hide spoiler)]

[Srividya]

I also finished this and loved it.. now will patiently wait for the great ones to finish and start discussing! :P

[Ahtims]

Srividya wrote: "About 25% into the book now - and -

I am loving how the various myths and legends are incorporated in this book, for instance [spoilers removed]

Also [spoilers removed]"

Exactly :)

[Anirudh]

What is your first impression of the writing style? Can you recognise any characters from Greek myths or other books?

[Ahtims]

(view spoiler)[Regarding narrative, the style is crisp, taut and attention seeking. I liked the way the Greek legends were intervowen.
Regarding characters, I am familiar with Agamemnon, Helen, Priam, Hektor and Paris. Hector's wife and mother, whose existence, I knew of, are given much importance here.
But behaviour wise, all characters are unrecognisable.
Especially the queen, hektor's to be bride, Paris, Priam as well as Helen, the lady who launched 1000 ships, who here is described as plain and studious. (hide spoiler)]
There are a few more things which I will elaborate upon tomorrow.
I have to refresh the names as well as utilise PC keyboard. Tedious on mobile app.

[Em Lost In Books]

Anirudh wrote: "What is your first impression of the writing style? Can you recognise any characters from Greek myths or other books?"

Writing is straight forward at least that's what I felt after three chapters.

I have no knowledge of Greek myths except Zeus and Hercules (watched a cartoon show).

I loved the first chapter. Prophecies and all.

[Anirudh]

@Psmith, Yes (view spoiler)[ That is kind of the theme of the series. He tries to look past the myth and grand larger than life images of the legendary characters like Helen and portrays all of them as ordinary people like any other. (hide spoiler)]

@Manju, What do you mean? I told you the whole story :P

The writing is pretty much the same for the whole book. He does not waste time on description. That is why it is a fast read. He cuts to the point.

Are you reading it tonight?

[Em Lost In Books]

82% done. will finish it by evening.

[Em Lost In Books]

Finished. Loved it.

Characters were crisp specially the leading ones. Helikoan, Andromache and Argurios.

I also liked the writing style, very straightforward.

What you all think of end and epilogue?

[Anirudh]

Manju wrote: "Finished. Loved it.

Characters were crisp specially the leading ones. Helikoan, Andromache and Argurios."

Great!!! :) Which was your favourite scene? :)

[Ahtims]

Manju wrote: "Finished. Loved it.

Characters were crisp specially the leading ones. Helikoan, Andromache and Argurios.

I also liked the writing style, very straightforward.

What you all think of end and epilo..."

Cliffhanger end.
I already knew it is a series. But if I had not known, I would have suspected that book 2 is in the lines.

[Em Lost In Books]

@Anirudh:

(view spoiler)[first when Helikoan tricked Kolanas by exchanged clothes with a soldier.

Second, Andromache's bow contest and also when she went to Priam for her maid.

Third, Argurios's end fights. (hide spoiler)]

Yours?

[Em Lost In Books]

@Smitha: I was expecting a happy ever after.:(

[Anirudh]

@Psmith, yes book 2 and 3 are direct continuations and focus on the war.

@Manju, Haha nice choices :) I liked some of the scenes too :)

I don't think I have any favourtes which I remember from book 1. But I did like the whole earthquake thing :)

[Ahtims]

@ Manju, 1 and 2 my favourite scenes too.
3rd I have already forgotten. -_-

[Em Lost In Books]

PSmith wrote: "@ Manju, 1 and 2 my favourite scenes too.
3rd I have already forgotten. -_-"

I remember them only because I read them this evening. Am sure by next week I will be right there with you.;)

[Em Lost In Books]

What you think of female characters in the book?

[Anirudh]

Manju wrote: "What you think of female characters in the book?"

I think comparatively the female character gets more role. Andromache I liked :) There are other small roles too which were interesting.

[Ahtims]

Manju wrote: "What you think of female characters in the book?"

(view spoiler)[
Andromache, of course. Her character was chalked such that the reader likes her instantly - she was brave, unconventional, compassionate, just - all these qualities speak much more than mere physical beauty
Paodike was almost her opposite in that she was shy, with low self esteem, but courageous enough to fall in love and stand up for the wrong man
Priam's ailing wife - forgot her name - not very likeable, but a forceful character
(hide spoiler)]

[Anirudh]

Reading about the Xanthos was amusing. It was such a tiny ship compared to now but it was such a big deal for them at that time :)

I din't know they could not spend the night in Sea. I guess that came after during the Galley age

[Ahtims]

started book 2. At page 70, this seems as interesting as the previous one with nary a boring moment.

[Anirudh]

Great. All 3 books are fast paced with almost no bore parts :)

[Ahtims]

Good. At least this series I will complete. :P

[Purvika]

I finished book one just few days ago ... And I loved it a lot. I am going to read second book pretty soon as well.

How many of you have finished the series ?

[Karolina Kat]

I'm starting 2nd part today. The Lord of the Silver Bow was great! I enjoyed every bit of narration.

[Purvika]

Karolina wrote: "I'm starting 2nd part today. The Lord of the Silver Bow was great! I enjoyed every bit of narration."

Who was your favorite character among all ? And what were your thoughts about the (view spoiler)[ time when Helikoan burn all those men alive ? (hide spoiler)]

[Karolina Kat]

I really enjoyed Zidantas even though (view spoiler)[hist time in the novel was short (hide spoiler)] and Argurios - he's story and the way he handled it was remarkable! Staying true to himself and his belief despite so many difficulties. (view spoiler)[The twist of the swans' prophecy teared me up, it was remarkable narrated in my opinion. (hide spoiler)]

I have mixed feelings about Helikaon but I suppose that was the goal. He is the embodiment of the struggle between the good and the evil, and it's so often coined in the text. (view spoiler)[Burning the bystanders in the revenge was terrible and proved that the Golden One isn't really that Golden. But I felt his pain and I enjoyed Zidantas, so the whole act did some justice to my feelings as well. (hide spoiler)]