Hades: the third in the thrilling Blades of Bronze historical adventure series set in Ancient Greece
£3.99
Decades after the voyage of the fabled Argo, the last remaining Argonauts are scattered to the corners of the Greek world, old men living on past glories.
The great victory at Troy is naught but a memory. The gods have abandoned Greece. The last vestiges of once-mighty kingdoms are crumbling and the enemy is nearly at the gates.
The Age of Heroes is dead. The Sea People are coming…
Only one young man can rise up, channel the spirit of the Argonauts, and inspire and renew the heroism of old: Xandros, callow grandson of the great Jason. His mission is a desperate one, and it may yet be too late. Will the old world crumble and burn once and for all, or will a new hero rise to victory?
Reviews for the Blades of Bronze series:
‘A bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth. Knowles’s storytelling captured my imagination from the very first page. Wonderfully atmospheric.’ Daisy Dunn
‘What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story.’ Sam Taw
‘A deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue.’ Adam Lofthouse
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Additional information
| Publisher | Head of Zeus — an Aries Book, 1st edition (9 Nov. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 4473 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 548 pages |
by Mrs C OShea
I’ve not read the first two books in this series and can tell you that you really don’t need to but you (like me) might wish to after reading Hades.
The book tells the story of Xandros, the much maligned son of Euneus (a son of Jason). His father generally dismisses him and following an attack on their neighbours, the Moudrians and a personal affront against Ekhinos (son of the Moudrian king) Xandros sets out to gather the Argonauts together to save his island and others from the marauding Sea People (Persians). Throughout his travels Xandros finds his courage and on his return he sets about galvanising the island into battle readiness.
The story is a good one and you don’t need to know much about Greek myth to follow it easily. The only part I found a little dull was the actual fighting which, whilst probably historically accurate, was pretty repetitive. But if you like a fight scene or two then you’ll love it.
I thought the characters were believable and sympathetically drawn. Even the ageing Argonauts were wonderful. Such a great plot twist to involve them in the lives of possible progeny.
The story itself was easy to follow and not packed with useless detail (great in a history book, not that exciting in fiction). All in all I’d definitely go back and read the first two books, Argo and Jason.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Aria & Ares for the advance review copy.
by Amanda Kay Smith
“Hades” is an enchanting voyage into the realm of mythology, a literary gem that captivated my imagination from start to finish. Mark Knowles, the author, demonstrates a masterful ability to interweave mythological themes, historical context, and a gripping narrative, creating a reading experience that keeps the audience thoroughly engrossed.
The book’s most outstanding feature is the author’s capacity to introduce readers to the intricate tapestry of history and myth. Knowles’s storytelling not only informs but also immerses the reader in the fascinating world of ancient legends. The manner in which he breathes life into these timeless tales is nothing short of extraordinary.
Knowles’s writing style is nothing short of elegant and evocative, which effortlessly transports readers into the universe of gods, heroes, and legendary creatures. It beautifully captures the essence of the myths and conveys the awe-inspiring nature of these age-old stories.
In summary, “Hades” seamlessly blends mythology, history, and captivating storytelling into a literary masterpiece. The book’s mythological themes, the author’s skill in introducing readers to history and myth, and the exquisite writing style are all elements that make it a must-read for anyone who appreciates the timeless allure of mythology. Mark Knowles has achieved something truly remarkable with this book, making it a compelling addition to the world of mythological literature.
by Kindle Customer
This is the first Mark Knowles book I have read and also the first Greek mythology book from a male author I have read, although over the past two years I have read over 10 different retellings, all female writers and predominately from a females perspective (Circe, Medusa’s sisters etc) and this is where I found the book to be different. It is definitely more action based and less character driven and once I had got my head round this, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book and feels like I learnt a lot!
The book is about power, will, strength, bravery and of course it wouldn’t be a true Greek myth without the usual savagery, action, brutishness and a teeny tiny little bit of love mixed in.
Jason and Medea are old enemies and I loved exploring the story telling of their history.
I liked that it was told from various points of view including Orpheus the famous great bard.
I feel like I got to know Xandros and wanted to carry on reading to find out if he is successful in his voyage to reunite the Argonauts – the originals on board the famous Argo – his Grandad Jason included.
Mark is very knowledgeable and yes there is a lot going on with the names and places, having a previous knowledge of a lot of the myths definitely helped me here. I will be looking out for more from this author.
by Lexi Mitchell
Absolutely fantastic. I admit this is one of my favourite periods of history but it was a fantastic read. Historical detail spot on & characters meaningful. First class.