David Gemmell's Troy series

[Daemon Lord]

Hello all, I'm new here but I did join for a reason!

Has anyone read the 'Troy' sequence? Ive recieved it for Christmas and I'vee just finished reading 'Lord of the Silver Bow', and I must say it was totally awesome! Anyone else like it?

 

[Reading_fanatic]

Yes I loved the series as it is quite a good story and I loved the way he mixed the history and epic storyline to the fantasy parts and kept it believable at the same time (But I still gotta get round to reading the last book)

 

[sanityassassin]

I've read the first 2 also waiting for the paperback release so I have a matching set of books, his mixture of history and fantasy works very well and I like the way he looks at major events from a different perspective

 

[nj1]

I really enjoyed all three Troy books,
Gemmells take on the story was first class. Everyone basically knows the story of Troy and just to take on such a well known story takes some Balls.
The fact that gemmell only used the basics of the original story kept me reading as I didn't know where he was going to go next.
The third book is probably the best of the three IMO. Enjoy.

 

[Chairman7w]

I loved 'em!!! They are a real treasure of my book collection, I'm really looking forward to reading them all again.

I didn't really get the whole "Kalkheus" part though - ???? Can anybody help shed any light on that for me?

And while the Gershom part was certainly cool, and clever, I think it was a bit superflous. Just an amazing trilolgy anyway though.

 

[nj1]

The more i think about it, the more I feel that gemmell was going to do a book about 'Gershom' in Eygypt, otherwise it was a bit pointless adding this part to the story.

Can't remember the 'Kalkheus' part since I've read a few books since. What was it about?

 

[Chairman7w]

The more i think about it, the more I feel that gemmell was going to do a book about 'Gershom' in Eygypt, otherwise it was a bit pointless adding this part to the story.

Can't remember the 'Kalkheus' part since I've read a few books since. What was it about?

I think he made the first steel sword. Remember, he had that HUGE forge, and was working with space rocks or something...

 

[Uylsse]

the Troy books are brilliant.just finishing Shield of Thunder and the way Gemmell keeps the reader interested in every twist and turn is second to none! only a few other authors have done this for me,and it is sad these were the last ever books he would write.

 

[ShrubChucker]

I have read the first two. New to the board as well.... but they are very well written and it really seems like he put some time into researching how things were back then. Anyones thoughts on the last book even though it was finished by the Mrs.?

 

[nj1]

I thought The Fall Of Kings was the best of the three, don't want to give anything away, but the fight between Achiles and Hector was one of the best fights I've read. Nothing like every other story written about Troy. As I said before DG's only stuck to the basics of the story.

 

[Uylsse]

I have read the first two. New to the board as well.... but they are very well written and it really seems like he put some time into researching how things were back then. Anyones thoughts on the last book even though it was finished by the Mrs.?

yes Stella Gemmell did finish Fall of Kings but i heard most of what she added was from David's own blueprints. can't wait to start reading this one

 

[nj1]

I think he made the first steel sword. Remember, he had that HUGE forge, and was working with space rocks or something...

I think this part of the story was just to add to the point that this was the end of an era? Bronze weapons were on the way out with the invetion of steel and this was probably the last big war where bronze was the primary weapon?
Although by reading other books on this timeframe, I thought that the steel sword was invented by the Barbarians who later invaded Greece? Maybe one of the other people on this site will know where steel was invented?

 

[sanityassassin]

just finished 'The Fall of Kings' after re-reading the first 2 and all I can say is wow.

And while the Gershom part was certainly cool, and clever, I think it was a bit superflous. Just an amazing trilolgy anyway though.

This was the introduction of the new religion appearing in the world Gershom is Moses as can be seen in the refrences of the burning bush, the baby in the rushes/egyptian royal family, the desert people/prophet it would have made a good starting point for DG to create another story based on the old testament.

This is one of the very few stories that have the 'good guys' on both sides of a fight which gives the story more complexity

In the story you expect certain things to happen if you know the story of Troy but as usual David puts his own twists to what you know and keeps surprising you things you don't expect, and I am glad he didn't use the cliched 'wooden horse of troy' which would have been disapointing

 

[daddy]

a quality trilogy. i defo think gemmells version of the trojan horse is the most beleivable, in fall of kings. awsome fights!

 

[Joel007]

I'm halfway through The Fall of Kings (having read the first two already), and I'm really enjoying it. Gemmell's books always read like something that might have really happened

 

[ladyflorange]

'Fall of Kings' was absolutely awesome, as were the other two, but I found it really really sad as I knew it was the last time that I would ever be able to read a DG book for the first time I have read a lot about Troy, as it's something I'm specifically interested in, and I reckon his take on it is the most interesting, and done from a really unique point of view. It's like things everyone knows, and then he'll just throw in something and you'll be like... wow...
this is why Gemmell was the master.

 

[Shacklock]

Finished the Third Book a few days ago and damn...Yea it's deppresing to know it's the last David Gemmel book you're ever going to read for the first time

I agree the whole Gershom thing at the end seemed a little...random, maybe he did plan to write a new series, and I think I guessed Seven Hills was Rome from when it was first mentioned for some reason. One thing that's been nagging me, I found it hard to figure out where he stopped and his wife started the writing, anyone mind putting my mind at ease?

 

[ladyflorange]

yeah i was wondering about that too. when i bought the book i expected the change to be really obvious, but it totally wasn't. I couldn't tell at all, and it's been bugging me ever since, so if anyone knows, please tell me!

 

[Zaxafreon]

Hi 1st post.

Read the first two books and think they are stunning! Absolutely amazing how weves the historical/mythological and his own ideas together.

By the way like others I have done a bit of "Googling" and found the Anaeus link to Rome. However I think according to the standard "Troy" history Andromache' son was thrown from the walls of Troy.

One thing I would say (apologies for any Classics specialists) that DG has improved on is his treatment of Hector which seems to be more consistent. Homers version seems to be jump about all over the place with Hectors character! One moment stating that he was known for his bravery, integrity and compassion and then having him act like a amorral coward!

 

[deb1960]

Yep, read all 3....waited on hot coals for the 3rd no knowing how long it would be because our literary God died....Ate the book up in 2 days..cried when i finished becaue there was no more...........