Tyrant

I picked this book up on a recommendation from a friend and I'm glad I did. It's a very fast read, the kind of book you simply don't want to put down. The pacing is excellent, with time given to shape most characters and really given them life. I got about 100 pages into it before reading the authors bio at the front the book. It list him as a former naval intelligence officer. When I read that my first thought was that it made sense. There is a great attention to detail, historical detail, but also just how the cavalry men and soldiers work in the field. Little details that make the story more vivid and are often the catalyst for the interactions between the characters. It's a very enjoyable read. I'm glad I bought this book and will be pleased to buy the sequel.

Christian Cameron's writing reminds me very much of Patrick O'Brian. Tyrant is full of rich historical detail and deep relationships between characters. The book is not simply an excuse to race from one battle to the next. Christian is a living history reenactor (and former military officer)and these experiences come through in the vivid depictions of camp life and the relationships that develop between brothers in arms. Tyrant is one of the finest historical fiction novels I have read.

"Tyrant" is the second novel of historical fiction author Christian Cameron ("Washington and Caesar")."Tyrant"'s conquering Alexandrian Age heros-turned-mercenaries for hire find their futures "balanced on the knife's edge", when every decision could force a meeting of the Fates. Christian Cameron has embued his self-reflective characters with an extraordinary sense of identity, loyalty and religious reverance. We ride with the Scythians and Slavic peoples as they battle for the "sea of grass" of their homelands, and we stand at the firesides of the citizenless band of Greeks who must set aside their Homeric ideals to ally with unlikely compatriots. "Tyrant" is a rewarding read that brings mysticism, military strategy, ever-shifting cultural boundaries, and halting romance together in an immersive, richy detailed novel.

Oddly enough there were none of those reviewers who say "wow what a great book" on the back. Don't know why, but i thought it was a really enjoyable, interesting read. Can't wait for the next one....Kinda in the Jack Whyte, Conn Iggulden type writing style...

Got ahold of a British copy (not released here yet) - As with my previous fave by this author (_Washington and Caesar_) love the campaign feel of the story - the telling little details and the companionable interrelationships between leader and follower. The writing is fast paced and easy to gulp down. I am not particularly knowledgeable about the period, but was fascinated by the many references and the interplay of cultures. Loved the Scythians and the Spartan Philokles too. I really prefer books like this to have a glossary of names and pronunciations. Was a little disappointed that one of the relationships did not more explicitly (wink wink) resolve itself at the end, but the flyleaf says that a second book is in the works!!