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angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
3.0
As with most Wolfe stuff I’m definite there was a host of convoluted allusions and narrative mystery that I missed. I was thinking this would be more of a traditional historical fiction story; however, place names have occasionally been changed to stuff which I frankly couldn’t figure out why (i.e. Rope, Thought, etc). And then other place names are real. There’s even a map. That aspect didn’t really add anything for me. I just enjoyed the background story of an ancient soldier with amnesia writing a narrative scroll to help himself remember things the next day.
arthurbdd's review against another edition
5.0
Wolfe's other finest moment, next to The Book of the New Sun. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/2024/05/15/latro-from-the-wars-to-the-games/
annashiv's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty weird book. I love the concept and it was interesting and well played, but I struggled as I don't know much about Greek/Roman history or geography or even mythology. I feel it would have been easier and more interesting if I had been able to interpret the names of places and people. I managed a couple, but most I couldn't. Maybe I'm just stupid, but I wish the glossary in the back had been more clear and helpful in that sense.
Still, I liked Latro and Io, and enjoyed his adventures through an ever forgetful lense, but I won't be continuing I think.
Still, I liked Latro and Io, and enjoyed his adventures through an ever forgetful lense, but I won't be continuing I think.
bugmandan34's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
felix_matteo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
beefmaster's review against another edition
3.0
The worst parts about Wolfe's fiction is that things happen to the protagonists and then they lie about it, whether or not it benefits the character to obfuscate. They do it because that's what Wolfe likes. The protagonists trip merrily along while characters come and go. With the Book of the New Sun, the reader at least enjoys the thrill of recognition when faced with one of Wolfe's little mendacious creations (such as when you realize the Citadel at the beginning is probably an old spaceship). In Soldier of the Mist, the recognition is a bit dulled because who doesn't know that Athens = Athena = Thought (the name by which the characters refer to the polis). Latro goes about things, tripping along merrily, and I never quite got the sense of the larger picture. Why should I care that Demeter is using him as a pawn? For what? But luckily, it's as well written and polished and exacting as anything else I've read by Wolfe.
tani's review against another edition
3.0
This one started out really strong for me, but tapered off. I think I got caught up in Latro's perpetual confusion about what is happening and what has happened before, and the book just lost momentum for me when I did.
farawaystories's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75