Poetry of Reading

This is the third and final volume of David Gemmell's trilogy about the Trojan War. It is also his last book, completed and published by his wife, Stella, after his passing before its completion. In this context, the final scene in the epilogue is particularly poignant. It features an aging Andromache, surrounded by her children, as she bids a final farewell to the love of her life. She sets fire to the Xanthos, the ship on which her recently deceased husband lies, as it embarks on its last journey.

The author introduces some unique twists to the traditional story. Both Achilles and Hector meet their end, but under different circumstances than those depicted in the Iliad, and after experiencing betrayal. Helikaon (or Aeneas), like in the Iliad and Virgil's Aeneid, is the only Trojan prince to survive and seek refuge in Italy. He had already been trading there and sailing with his old friend and near-father figure, Odysseus, long before the war reached its climax.

For fans of epic fantasy, this volume offers plenty of heroic battles and intense stand-off confrontations.

I truly loved the story of Jordan and Alexandra. You could say it was love at first sight for Alexandra. Perhaps her naivety played a role, but I like to believe it was because her heart was pure. In contrast, Jordan was somewhat jaded and cold-hearted. For him, relationships with women were straightforward: they served only a physical need. He didn’t know any other way to connect.

As these two worlds collide, we witness Alexandra's growth and Jordan's transformation. Alexandra grapples with fitting into Jordan's world and fulfilling his expectations, while Jordan starts to question everything he has learned about feelings and emotions. Just when their lives begin to align, tragedy strikes, leaving Alexandra devastated and struggling to cope.

As time goes by, everything changes… and so do people. However, what becomes clear to both Alexandra and Jordan is the beauty they bring into each other's lives. They share the pain and create special moments together. There are moments of happiness and heartache, along with feelings of lust, desire, and tenderness.

The First Law Trilogy ends with a captivating and stupendous conclusion, featuring gorgeous writing, an intriguing and unique setting, and gripping drama. In this volume, the characters return home from their grand adventures, only to find that home isn't always what they expect.

Logen Bloody Ninefingers has returned to surprise the people in the North, who had believed he was dead. Logen wants to start anew, but he has made many enemies during his time as the bloodiest and deadliest man alive. Despite this, his bloodthirsty spirit is needed to take out Bethod and his allies. However, in the North, people are not quick to accept new leadership, and civilized behavior is only temporary.

Luthar returns to Adua and his surprise is welcomed as a conquering hero. He still has it bad for Ardee but knows marrying her is out of the question. Luthar has a lot of growth as he rises to the occasion only to wonder whether having all his childhood dreams come true is ever going to make him happy.

Colonel West too has to rise to the occasion of leadership. It is to him that falls the ugly task of facing Bethod and surviving the complexities of modern army hierarchy. He may long to return to wandering with a handful of barbaric Northmen, but that's not where he's needed.

Glotka, the cripple, continues to be among the most fascinating of creatures in literature. Bitter, and self-pitying, but with an odd knack for survival, Glotka figures out what it takes with palace politics and who to trust - no one.

Last Argument of Kings is epic in every possible way from the hand-to-hand battles to the Union on the brink of survival nearly engulfed by overwhelming forces. What makes it work well is that every one of these characters is fully human, burdened by their past mistakes, thrust into roles they don't feel right for, and swirling in the mists of fate and strategy, often struggling not to be supported by more powerful forces.