GEMMELL/LION OF MACEDONIA
Lion Of Macedon
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Book Description
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Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
This enjoyable historical fantasy set in ancient Greece spans three decades in the career of Parmenion, a Spartan of mixed ancestry whose life is being shaped and monitored by an aging seeress. Scorned as a half-breed by the Spartans, he leaves vowing to wreak vengeance--which he does, at the head of a victorious Theban ar- my. Parmenion goes on to become Greece's preeminent soldier of fortune, a brilliant military strategist and tactician. Eventually, he hires on to Philip, the beleaguered king of Macedonia. Parmenion provides the young king with military help but, more importantly, intervenes in a ceremony meant to secure the siring of a child whose birth might signal the ultimate triumph of evil. Parmenion's final--and most meaningful--battle takes place not in this world but in Hades, where the forces of evil are held at bay long enough to deny the Dark God dominion over the newly born soul of Alexander the Great. Particularly enchanting in Gemmell's ( Legend ) ambitious book is the appearance of Aristotle as a wizard and guide through the underworld, a Greek combination of Arthur's Merlin and Dante's Virgil.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
An ancient seeress foresees the rise of a dark god whose rule will mean destruction and whose future is linked, for good or ill, with a half-Spartan, half-Macedonian warrior named Parmenion. Pre-Alexandrian Greece provides a rich background for Gemmell's novel of magic and destiny as Parmenion defies the fates to become the right-hand man of Philip of Macedon and plays his part in the struggle against the forces of chaos. Fans of ancient history will enjoy this mythic adventure.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By Max de Bruyn
Format:Paperback
I devour David Gemmell Books. Much like I used to devour the Lone Ranger and Wild Bill Hickock comic books. There will be those of the Literary who will purport that this Genre is nothing but a glorified series of comics anyway. So be it. I like to be entertained once in a while without having to "work" my way through a volume of writing and up till now, a Gemmell novel was always the ticket for a ready escape.
This one did not do that and the more I read, the less I came to see the author to whom I had devoted a lot of time/money because all of his books in hard cover stay on my bookshelves.
This one did not read like nor did it feel at all like a Gemmell Novel.
It is not a bad book, it is an OK read and perhaps it's just me or because this series has an altered locale from what we are used to.
Missing, was what I had come to sense in his previous work. Missing was the ingredient that made his work standout from all the others in this genre.
I did not keep this book. It now resides in a hospital library.
This one did not do that and the more I read, the less I came to see the author to whom I had devoted a lot of time/money because all of his books in hard cover stay on my bookshelves.
This one did not read like nor did it feel at all like a Gemmell Novel.
It is not a bad book, it is an OK read and perhaps it's just me or because this series has an altered locale from what we are used to.
Missing, was what I had come to sense in his previous work. Missing was the ingredient that made his work standout from all the others in this genre.
I did not keep this book. It now resides in a hospital library.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars
32 reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gemmell at his best
Jan 15 2006
By Dan
- Published on Amazon.com
Here we have another masterpiece of the fantasy genre. This David Gemmell book is arguably his greatest to date. A book filled of action, passion, betrayal, and love, Lion of Macedon has become, without doubt, a jewel worth reading for all Gemmell, and fantasy fans. The book portraits the life of Parmenion "The Death of Nations", a man who is constantly manipulated by Fate and the seeress Tamis. Hated by all others because he is "mix-blooded"-half Spartan, and half Macedonian- who will raise among all the Spartiates, developing "strategos" capabilities never seeing before, showing the world no mercy in battle, and becoming the nightmares of his enemies.
The book is breathtaking in its ambition; it is a marvelous precursor to the second novel of the series entitled Dark Prince. This is a splendid read and should not be missed.
Pros: Very detailed and researched novel.
Cons: Not for somebody who is new to David Gemmell's style of writing.
The book is breathtaking in its ambition; it is a marvelous precursor to the second novel of the series entitled Dark Prince. This is a splendid read and should not be missed.
Pros: Very detailed and researched novel.
Cons: Not for somebody who is new to David Gemmell's style of writing.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bullied youth makes good...
Aug 3 2006
By Mason Sorgdrager
- Published on Amazon.com
Gemmell's ambitious book takes an intimate look at a name that is associated with Alexander the Great, but not much else is known about him.
He is Parmenion, called the Death of Nations.
This is a very underrated book within David Gemmell's ever-increasing back catalouge. As guessed, it is situated in ancient Greece, several decades before the emergence of the great conqueror Alexander the Great.
We get to meet the main character, Parmenion, when he is just a young boy. He is a half-Spartan who is victimised, bullied, and despised by the Spartans. The Spartans are a warrior race who value military skills above all others. Their prejudice towards outsiders is just as legendary as their prowess on the battlefield.
Will Parmenion be able to rise above this, will he become bitter and twisted, will there be any joy in the life of this sorrowful, but brilliant boy? These are the kind of questions you will ask yourself as you read through the novel. I couldn't put it down! In the best of Greek tradition, the story is essentially a tragedy. Just when you thik good things will happen for our character, they will be just as quickly snatched away.
I think anybody who had a rough childhood would really relate to Parmenion. David Gemmell gives him life through the pages without descending into maudlin sentimentality. The reader can appreciate the motives for his actions, you are swept into his world and will cheer his triumphs against the odds, and you may shed a tear or two when things just don't work out for him.
I loved this book. Read it if you enjoyed the new Troy novel, or the films Alexander or Troy. Or just read it if you want to read about a boy rising past the abuse of his peers to become one of the greatest generals yet known.
He is Parmenion, called the Death of Nations.
This is a very underrated book within David Gemmell's ever-increasing back catalouge. As guessed, it is situated in ancient Greece, several decades before the emergence of the great conqueror Alexander the Great.
We get to meet the main character, Parmenion, when he is just a young boy. He is a half-Spartan who is victimised, bullied, and despised by the Spartans. The Spartans are a warrior race who value military skills above all others. Their prejudice towards outsiders is just as legendary as their prowess on the battlefield.
Will Parmenion be able to rise above this, will he become bitter and twisted, will there be any joy in the life of this sorrowful, but brilliant boy? These are the kind of questions you will ask yourself as you read through the novel. I couldn't put it down! In the best of Greek tradition, the story is essentially a tragedy. Just when you thik good things will happen for our character, they will be just as quickly snatched away.
I think anybody who had a rough childhood would really relate to Parmenion. David Gemmell gives him life through the pages without descending into maudlin sentimentality. The reader can appreciate the motives for his actions, you are swept into his world and will cheer his triumphs against the odds, and you may shed a tear or two when things just don't work out for him.
I loved this book. Read it if you enjoyed the new Troy novel, or the films Alexander or Troy. Or just read it if you want to read about a boy rising past the abuse of his peers to become one of the greatest generals yet known.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lion of Macedon was one of the best books I've read
Dec 7 1999
By Mike Reho
- Published on Amazon.com
I am a 15-year-old freshmen in high school, and an avid sci-fi and fantasy reader. I have read a myriad of classic science fiction and fantasy, Lord of the Rings for example, and this book ranks right up there with these classics. I went through this book in about 10 hours... straight. I am about to order the second of this series, the book intrigued me so much. I recomend this book to any fantasy, sci-fi readers, or any people who love ancient greece, I know I fall into all these catagories, and I loved it. Happy Reading!
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 32 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
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