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.