Every now and then it is nice to discover that you can be wrong about an author. Based on his Tyrant series, I had Christian Cameron pegged as one of those historical fiction authors that was so caught up in the historical detail that the story got lost. You know the kind, detail after excruciating detail and then once every 100 or so pages something happens! Well believe me, this series is different!

Picture a young Greek boy whose life is his father’s bronzesmith forge and the farm and that is all he ever wanted. Then some priest from a neighbouring city spots his intelligence and encourages his parents to educate him. The education he receives is far more than reading, mathematics and philosophy, but also includes military and survival skills. Then while squiring for his older brother during a battle, the brother is killed and suddenly Arimnestos finds himself in the middle of a phalanx. When a dishonest relative spots a chance to inherit everything, the poor boy is sold into slavery and sailing off to what is now Turkey. This book is about his life, or at least the early years, and his eventual return to his homeland.

Cameron could so easily been caught up in the historical detail, but this time he kept the action happening. Revolutions, piracy, personal vendetta’s, this book has it all. And believe me there was so much action happening that it was very difficult to put aside. I will admit that I have very little idea about ancient Greek history, especially the Ionian Greeks living on the west coast of Turkey at the time of the Persians, but Cameron provides enough detail to keep the story logical without getting boring.

The sequel is supposed to be released in October. I’ll be watching for it.