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stuckonamber's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic historical novel from Iggulden. The tale of a Greek army's journey into the Persian empire and home again, surrounded by hostile forces. Knowing it is a true story makes it even more enjoyable. I found myself wrong footed by the author about the direction the story was going a few times.
emmajcmt's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this novel.
The only reason why I give it only 3 stars is because we already know from the back of the book, from history (if we look just a little bit before picking up this novel about who Cyrus is ) and the sums up that the battle will be lost and that the Greeks will be left leaderless.
That battle happens pretty late in the book, making part two (page 262) actually about the 10,000 walk, part 1 being the set up to it.
I loved reading part one too, however it was a little slow at times and I missed some action. However I really enjoyed this book and did want to know what was going to happen, especially when part 2 kicked in, a lot happened and it did get me on the edge of my seat.
I love how this Author writes and I learned a lot through this novel and highly appreciated the historical notes at the end of it.
Now about to start the first book of “wars of the roses” by the same author, and I honestly can not wait.
The only reason why I give it only 3 stars is because we already know from the back of the book, from history (if we look just a little bit before picking up this novel about who Cyrus is ) and the sums up that the battle will be lost and that the Greeks will be left leaderless.
That battle happens pretty late in the book, making part two (page 262) actually about the 10,000 walk, part 1 being the set up to it.
I loved reading part one too, however it was a little slow at times and I missed some action. However I really enjoyed this book and did want to know what was going to happen, especially when part 2 kicked in, a lot happened and it did get me on the edge of my seat.
I love how this Author writes and I learned a lot through this novel and highly appreciated the historical notes at the end of it.
Now about to start the first book of “wars of the roses” by the same author, and I honestly can not wait.
peritract's review
4.0
Ataxerxes, newly-crowned king of Persia, seeks to secure his throne. Following his father’s advice and example, he seeks to eliminate the threat posed by his younger brother, Cyrus.
Incensed by his brother’s betrayal, the formerly-loyal Prince Cyrus gathers an army to depose his tyrant brother. Against the vast might of the Achaemenid Empire, he brings an army composed of Persian troops and Greek mercenaries, spearheaded by Spartans, soldiers who are famed the world over for their discipline and prowess.
Xenophon, an Athenian no longer welcome in his own city, joins Cyrus’s army. As the two brothers war over the fate of an empire, he looks for a new purpose and sense of identity.
As is possibly already clear, this book starts slowly. There’s a lot of necessary setup to run through and a lot of characters to be introduced before the story gets rolling. I don’t think that’s a fault in the book so much as an unfortunate necessity of writing historical fiction set in an area that doesn’t receive as much popular attention as many others. I read rather a lot of historical fiction, and I’d consider my knowledge of history to be at least average, but I’m still much more au fait with Imperial Rome or Napoleonic France than I am with the incredibly complex history of Persia.
Once all the introductions have been made, the novel picks up pace. Armies move across vast distances and politicians engage in Byzantine machinations. For a book about a war, The Falcon of Sparta has surprisingly little focus on the actual battles. They take place, of course, and are described, but the meat of the story is about movement and supplies. It’s good to read a book that takes a view higher above the battlefield, and is probably a lot more true to life than stories where every plot point is resolved through skill of arms and firmness of purpose.
Iggulden has clearly done a lot of research into the period. Everything drips with detail and the prose is evocative, bringing the ancient world to life. It is, admittedly, archetypal, and some necessary gaps in historical knowledge have been filled in, but it is hard to begrudge any of that, given the distance in time and the way that almost everyone agrees on the broad strokes.
The book is, of course, based on a true story, and one that was completely unfamiliar to me. I nobly didn’t look up any of the characters until the end, and my suppositions about what was going on and how this connected to my limited understanding turned out to be almost totally wrong. That’s not a criticism, but it did make me realise that I should spend more time reading history itself.
This is proper historical fiction – fiction grounded in history rather than just using it as a backdrop. It’s not heart-pounding action, but that’s not what you want. I find the best historical fiction leaves you with sadness and awe – the amazing things people managed to do are always so much more impressive than the things we imagine they might. Humans are capable of truly astonishing things, and reminding us of that is, to my mind, one of the key duties of the genre.
The Falcon of Sparta is fascinating, and unusual, and enriching. I enjoyed reading it, and I understand more about a fascinating set of cultures than I did before I started. I recommend this book.
Incensed by his brother’s betrayal, the formerly-loyal Prince Cyrus gathers an army to depose his tyrant brother. Against the vast might of the Achaemenid Empire, he brings an army composed of Persian troops and Greek mercenaries, spearheaded by Spartans, soldiers who are famed the world over for their discipline and prowess.
Xenophon, an Athenian no longer welcome in his own city, joins Cyrus’s army. As the two brothers war over the fate of an empire, he looks for a new purpose and sense of identity.
As is possibly already clear, this book starts slowly. There’s a lot of necessary setup to run through and a lot of characters to be introduced before the story gets rolling. I don’t think that’s a fault in the book so much as an unfortunate necessity of writing historical fiction set in an area that doesn’t receive as much popular attention as many others. I read rather a lot of historical fiction, and I’d consider my knowledge of history to be at least average, but I’m still much more au fait with Imperial Rome or Napoleonic France than I am with the incredibly complex history of Persia.
Once all the introductions have been made, the novel picks up pace. Armies move across vast distances and politicians engage in Byzantine machinations. For a book about a war, The Falcon of Sparta has surprisingly little focus on the actual battles. They take place, of course, and are described, but the meat of the story is about movement and supplies. It’s good to read a book that takes a view higher above the battlefield, and is probably a lot more true to life than stories where every plot point is resolved through skill of arms and firmness of purpose.
Iggulden has clearly done a lot of research into the period. Everything drips with detail and the prose is evocative, bringing the ancient world to life. It is, admittedly, archetypal, and some necessary gaps in historical knowledge have been filled in, but it is hard to begrudge any of that, given the distance in time and the way that almost everyone agrees on the broad strokes.
The book is, of course, based on a true story, and one that was completely unfamiliar to me. I nobly didn’t look up any of the characters until the end, and my suppositions about what was going on and how this connected to my limited understanding turned out to be almost totally wrong. That’s not a criticism, but it did make me realise that I should spend more time reading history itself.
This is proper historical fiction – fiction grounded in history rather than just using it as a backdrop. It’s not heart-pounding action, but that’s not what you want. I find the best historical fiction leaves you with sadness and awe – the amazing things people managed to do are always so much more impressive than the things we imagine they might. Humans are capable of truly astonishing things, and reminding us of that is, to my mind, one of the key duties of the genre.
The Falcon of Sparta is fascinating, and unusual, and enriching. I enjoyed reading it, and I understand more about a fascinating set of cultures than I did before I started. I recommend this book.
shinydiscoballx's review
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tezzarudge's review
5.0
A fantastic read. Not on the same level as the series of books. (in particular Genghis) but a brilliant story, excellently told
jmatkinson1's review
3.0
When the great king Darius dies his eldest son Artaxerxes succeeds him to the throne of the great Persian empire. However when Artaxerxes tries to kill his brother Cyrus he makes an enemy. Cyrus is nominally the leader of the army and he amasses a great force in the West including thousands of Spartan and Greek mercenaries. When Artaxerxes cuts off Cyrus' funds Cyrus is stung to action and a decisive battle is fought. Cyrus is killed and the Greeks and Spartans are stranded, thousands of miles from home and facing death.
I have really enjoyed Iggulden's work in the past and, at times, this book was up there with the best. However after a lively start I found it very slow to progress and this put me off a little. The final half of the book was great, the journey back to Greek territory and clever tactics used were excellent. As ever this book was meticulously researched although the main primary source, the book by Xenophon, is probably biased.
I have really enjoyed Iggulden's work in the past and, at times, this book was up there with the best. However after a lively start I found it very slow to progress and this put me off a little. The final half of the book was great, the journey back to Greek territory and clever tactics used were excellent. As ever this book was meticulously researched although the main primary source, the book by Xenophon, is probably biased.
jo_k_frisch's review
4.0
A story of two parts, one preparing for war, another fleeing from it. Not a legend I knew before, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning/reading about it
peter_xxx's review against another edition
3.0
A nice book about an interesting event in history. To bad the text on the back of the book spoils the first 250 or so pages of a 370 page book.
So I would suggest: buy this book like me based on the author, title and nice book cover, but don't read the summary on the back. Other that that, this is a nice book about war, honor and perseverance against all odds. Exactly the things I like to read about in historical novels.
I would have expected a bit more descriptions of battles and felt the book was rushed somewhat. But other than that, this was a cool read.
So I would suggest: buy this book like me based on the author, title and nice book cover, but don't read the summary on the back. Other that that, this is a nice book about war, honor and perseverance against all odds. Exactly the things I like to read about in historical novels.
I would have expected a bit more descriptions of battles and felt the book was rushed somewhat. But other than that, this was a cool read.
kjkg's review
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
samerulesapply's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25