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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't read much military historical fiction but I am interested in ancient Greece, and this book was low-priced so I decided to give it a try. Beyond being military fiction, Killer of Men turned out to be a coming-of-age story as well, which gripped my interest well through the book’s 400+ pages.
Arimnestos of Plataea is a young farmer boy, the son of a bronze smith, who wants to please his somewhat emotionally-distant father and become a man who does his part for his family and polis. When Plataea becomes allies with Athens and Arimnestos is thrust into the battle lines against their enemies at a too-young age, he eventually ends up being captured and sold as a slave in Asia Minor. However Arimnestos is not one to give into despair for long. Having received warrior training as a child by a reclusive priest with a taste for blood and battle, Arimnestos comes to recognize that he too is a killer of men who not only goes to war as all men must, but in the moment actually enjoys it. Again and again these killer instincts both protect him and help he advance as he goes from slave to soldier, to pirate, and eventually to avenger of his family and himself for having been made a slave through unexpected betrayal.
Killer of Men is full of many vivid adventures and battles on both land and sea through many different parts of the Greek world, and amidst its ongoing political turmoil against the Persian empire. Arimnestos makes friends with philosophers, commanders, his fellow soldiers, and even his rivals in their shared brotherhood of men under arms, although he also manages to damage a key friendship with a man he was sworn to protect, a situation that continues to haunt him as his oath remains unfulfilled. He also continues to feel a deep yearning for home that he can never quite push down no matter how high he ascends from his humble origins.
I do feel that Cameron was soft on slavery in this book, that outside of the initial waiting period when Arimnestos was first captured, his experience of being a slave was portrayed positively under the control of a kind master and his son. Indeed, although it is mentioned a number of times how various other enslaved people had cruel masters, all of the slaves who are key characters in the story were all treated well and are well-adjusted in spite of the experience, thus seeming to suggest that ancient slavery "wasn't really that bad". For this I deducted a star, for although ancient slavery generally wasn't considered to be as horrific as that in the antebellum southern United States, it was still horrific and represented a complete lack of personal and bodily autonomy. A balanced representation would have been more realistic and respectful to those who endured/endure the institution of slavery during any time period.
I also didn't care for the framing device of the protagonist as an old man recounting the story to his daughter, with numerous asides and jokes that break the fourth wall and serve no real purpose than to remind the reader that Arimnestos didn’t die during any of his battles (something we already know because the story is narrated in first person). But I’ll give the author credit for at least being consistent with this frame and carrying it through the entire story (I've read other books that begin with this style only to abandon it midway through).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and plan to read on in the series, of which there are five more equally lengthy installments.
Arimnestos of Plataea is a young farmer boy, the son of a bronze smith, who wants to please his somewhat emotionally-distant father and become a man who does his part for his family and polis. When Plataea becomes allies with Athens and Arimnestos is thrust into the battle lines against their enemies at a too-young age, he eventually ends up being captured and sold as a slave in Asia Minor. However Arimnestos is not one to give into despair for long. Having received warrior training as a child by a reclusive priest with a taste for blood and battle, Arimnestos comes to recognize that he too is a killer of men who not only goes to war as all men must, but in the moment actually enjoys it. Again and again these killer instincts both protect him and help he advance as he goes from slave to soldier, to pirate, and eventually to avenger of his family and himself for having been made a slave through unexpected betrayal.
Killer of Men is full of many vivid adventures and battles on both land and sea through many different parts of the Greek world, and amidst its ongoing political turmoil against the Persian empire. Arimnestos makes friends with philosophers, commanders, his fellow soldiers, and even his rivals in their shared brotherhood of men under arms, although he also manages to damage a key friendship with a man he was sworn to protect, a situation that continues to haunt him as his oath remains unfulfilled. He also continues to feel a deep yearning for home that he can never quite push down no matter how high he ascends from his humble origins.
I do feel that Cameron was soft on slavery in this book, that outside of the initial waiting period when Arimnestos was first captured, his experience of being a slave was portrayed positively under the control of a kind master and his son. Indeed, although it is mentioned a number of times how various other enslaved people had cruel masters, all of the slaves who are key characters in the story were all treated well and are well-adjusted in spite of the experience, thus seeming to suggest that ancient slavery "wasn't really that bad". For this I deducted a star, for although ancient slavery generally wasn't considered to be as horrific as that in the antebellum southern United States, it was still horrific and represented a complete lack of personal and bodily autonomy. A balanced representation would have been more realistic and respectful to those who endured/endure the institution of slavery during any time period.
I also didn't care for the framing device of the protagonist as an old man recounting the story to his daughter, with numerous asides and jokes that break the fourth wall and serve no real purpose than to remind the reader that Arimnestos didn’t die during any of his battles (something we already know because the story is narrated in first person). But I’ll give the author credit for at least being consistent with this frame and carrying it through the entire story (I've read other books that begin with this style only to abandon it midway through).
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and plan to read on in the series, of which there are five more equally lengthy installments.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
4 1/2 stars. Good historical fiction, the setting of the Greco-Persian wars is very interesting. Looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.
I put off too long starting The Long War series by Christian Cameron. Killer of Men is the first installment of the epic story of East vs West, pitting the Greek city-states against the might of the Persian King of Kings. That is the backdrop to this thoroughly entertaining tale of one man's journey from his home in Plataea becoming a feared warrior, a killer of men. The author deftly constructs the world of Miltiades of Athens and Darius the Persian; the descriptions of everyday life, the detail in the battle scenes, the scope of heroism and betrayal displayed by well written characters - besides the protagonist, I especially enjoyed the portrayals of Briseis, a woman who will scheme with the best of them and of the philosopher Heraclitus (a personal aside - one of my favorite philosophical aphorisms comes from Heraclitus, the one about not being able to step into the same river twice). All of those elements propel Arimnestos from a lowly farm existence to his eventual status as a hero. As far as the war is concerned, this volume is an excellent stage setter for the next book, Marathon and I will not put off reading that one. 5 stars for Killer of Men.
Крисчън Камерън определено е познавач както на историята, така и на практическата й част, наречена експериментална археология, че е и активен участник в съвременни исторически възстановки на събития и битки. Така, че подробностите в живота и битието на един античен или средновековен войник са му пределно ясно и не робува на популярните митове в историческите и фентъзи книги относно отминалото време. Дотук добре.
Като писател обаче, определено не се справя добре (поне според мен де, не и според множеството му читатели...). Всичките му книги, независимо от историческия период, който описват, са толкова еднотипни, че мога да ви ги представя тука всичките с помощта на няколко точки:
- Главният герой е младеж от скромен произход, проследяваме как израства и постепенно се оказва в центъра на някакви събития;
- В началото не може да се бие, но постепенно разбира, че има талант за тая работа;
- Много е важно да описва най-различни случки, в които героите/ините започват сексуалния си живот на 12-13 години;
- По някое време спасява жена от изнасилване, като пребива/осакатява насилника й. Това е за да разберем колко добър и морален е той;
- Имаше и още, ама съм ги забравил.
Нататък не съм чел, нямах нерви. Също така, това ревю е еднакво за всичките му книги, то и в книгите разлика няма.
Като писател обаче, определено не се справя добре (поне според мен де, не и според множеството му читатели...). Всичките му книги, независимо от историческия период, който описват, са толкова еднотипни, че мога да ви ги представя тука всичките с помощта на няколко точки:
- Главният герой е младеж от скромен произход, проследяваме как израства и постепенно се оказва в центъра на някакви събития;
- В началото не може да се бие, но постепенно разбира, че има талант за тая работа;
- Много е важно да описва най-различни случки, в които героите/ините започват сексуалния си живот на 12-13 години;
- По някое време спасява жена от изнасилване, като пребива/осакатява насилника й. Това е за да разберем колко добър и морален е той;
- Имаше и още, ама съм ги забравил.
Нататък не съм чел, нямах нерви. Също така, това ревю е еднакво за всичките му книги, то и в книгите разлика няма.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Journey through ancient Greece and Asia at a pivotal moment in history where Arimnestos of Platea takes part in major battles of the Greek/Persian long war.Superb story and writing.have read the whole series 6 times
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
The most historical historical fiction I’ve ever read. Excellent battle scenes.
9.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/07/04/killer-of-men-by-christian-cameron-review/
It is the killers who are dangerous. The rest of war is very like a sport—like pushing and pulling and spear-fencing altogether—but when the killers come, it is nothing like a sport.
—
Killer of Men begins the Long War series, detailing the story of Arimnestos of Plataea, general of the Greek army and hero of the Greco-Persian wars, before eventually culminating in the Battle of Plataea. Released by Christian Cameron back in 2010, the Long War has spanned a total of six novels thus far, with a seventh due out later this year. While I’d read some of the author’s high fantasy before—published under the pseudonym Miles Cameron—I’d not yet explored his historic stuff.
Which was a mistake. A big mistake.
This book was AMAZING—more so considering that (in its essence, at least, its basic skeleton) it really happened. The story of Arimnestos of Plataea—from slave to soldier to Greek hero—really happened. You can read all about it on Wikipedia, or in the history books. Or in (greater detail, though certainly while taking a bit of liberty with history) the Long War. Arimnestos’s journey is amazing; his time growing up in Plataea, his time standing in the ranks, time as a slave, then later as a freed man. Love and loss. Hardship and triumph. The lowest low and the highest high, sometimes done back-to-back.
The story is told, well, as a story—from Arimnestos to his daughter (or possibly granddaughter), and as such it involves a lot of personal narrative. At times the elder Arimnestos explains tactics, terms, or events in hindsight, even hinting at later events to compare them to. He also routinely asks for more wine, and calls his descendant “honey”. It took me very little time to get sick of honey, but little more before I was too immersed in the story to care. “Honey” aside, these moments of reflection are an excellent way for the author to explain unfamiliar terms, historical (prior historical) events, or his younger-self’s thought process at the time—all without really breaking character or yanking the reader from the depths of immersion.
I had but a few minor issues with Killer of Men, and bought the second book immediately upon finishing the first. I cannot wait to continue Arimnestos’s journey in Marathon, Book #2 of the Long War, and cannot recommend Killer of Men highly enough. And if the following books prove just as entertaining as the first, there’s so much more available from Cameron: Tyrant, Chivalry, and Tom Swan series; as well as Masters & Mages, the aforementioned Traitor Son Cycle, and the Age of Bronze (published under the pseudonym Miles Cameron); along with even scifi and thrillers.
TL;DR
Killer of Men is just the start of Arimnestos’ journey from farm boy to slave to soldier to hero. An excellent historical fiction (or novel that transports its reader back to ancient Greece, just before the breaking of the Greco-Persian Wars that catapulted Arimnestos of Plataea to fame. And as the events would suggest, I feel like it’s not a spoiler to say that although the main character is now dead (the events of the series were over two millennia ago)—and although it is likely embellished—it is a story that deserves the telling. This is not a happy story; there is death and sex and violence and language and so much blood—but it is a damned good one. I loved this read so much that I immediately bought the second book, Marathon, upon completion. And I can’t wait to get into it!
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/07/04/killer-of-men-by-christian-cameron-review/
It is the killers who are dangerous. The rest of war is very like a sport—like pushing and pulling and spear-fencing altogether—but when the killers come, it is nothing like a sport.
—
Killer of Men begins the Long War series, detailing the story of Arimnestos of Plataea, general of the Greek army and hero of the Greco-Persian wars, before eventually culminating in the Battle of Plataea. Released by Christian Cameron back in 2010, the Long War has spanned a total of six novels thus far, with a seventh due out later this year. While I’d read some of the author’s high fantasy before—published under the pseudonym Miles Cameron—I’d not yet explored his historic stuff.
Which was a mistake. A big mistake.
This book was AMAZING—more so considering that (in its essence, at least, its basic skeleton) it really happened. The story of Arimnestos of Plataea—from slave to soldier to Greek hero—really happened. You can read all about it on Wikipedia, or in the history books. Or in (greater detail, though certainly while taking a bit of liberty with history) the Long War. Arimnestos’s journey is amazing; his time growing up in Plataea, his time standing in the ranks, time as a slave, then later as a freed man. Love and loss. Hardship and triumph. The lowest low and the highest high, sometimes done back-to-back.
The story is told, well, as a story—from Arimnestos to his daughter (or possibly granddaughter), and as such it involves a lot of personal narrative. At times the elder Arimnestos explains tactics, terms, or events in hindsight, even hinting at later events to compare them to. He also routinely asks for more wine, and calls his descendant “honey”. It took me very little time to get sick of honey, but little more before I was too immersed in the story to care. “Honey” aside, these moments of reflection are an excellent way for the author to explain unfamiliar terms, historical (prior historical) events, or his younger-self’s thought process at the time—all without really breaking character or yanking the reader from the depths of immersion.
I had but a few minor issues with Killer of Men, and bought the second book immediately upon finishing the first. I cannot wait to continue Arimnestos’s journey in Marathon, Book #2 of the Long War, and cannot recommend Killer of Men highly enough. And if the following books prove just as entertaining as the first, there’s so much more available from Cameron: Tyrant, Chivalry, and Tom Swan series; as well as Masters & Mages, the aforementioned Traitor Son Cycle, and the Age of Bronze (published under the pseudonym Miles Cameron); along with even scifi and thrillers.
TL;DR
Killer of Men is just the start of Arimnestos’ journey from farm boy to slave to soldier to hero. An excellent historical fiction (or novel that transports its reader back to ancient Greece, just before the breaking of the Greco-Persian Wars that catapulted Arimnestos of Plataea to fame. And as the events would suggest, I feel like it’s not a spoiler to say that although the main character is now dead (the events of the series were over two millennia ago)—and although it is likely embellished—it is a story that deserves the telling. This is not a happy story; there is death and sex and violence and language and so much blood—but it is a damned good one. I loved this read so much that I immediately bought the second book, Marathon, upon completion. And I can’t wait to get into it!