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lararunningwild's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
The most historical historical fiction I’ve ever read. Excellent battle scenes.
willrefuge's review against another edition
5.0
9.5 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/07/04/killer-of-men-by-christian-cameron-review/
It is the killers who are dangerous. The rest of war is very like a sport—like pushing and pulling and spear-fencing altogether—but when the killers come, it is nothing like a sport.
—
Killer of Men begins the Long War series, detailing the story of Arimnestos of Plataea, general of the Greek army and hero of the Greco-Persian wars, before eventually culminating in the Battle of Plataea. Released by Christian Cameron back in 2010, the Long War has spanned a total of six novels thus far, with a seventh due out later this year. While I’d read some of the author’s high fantasy before—published under the pseudonym Miles Cameron—I’d not yet explored his historic stuff.
Which was a mistake. A big mistake.
This book was AMAZING—more so considering that (in its essence, at least, its basic skeleton) it really happened. The story of Arimnestos of Plataea—from slave to soldier to Greek hero—really happened. You can read all about it on Wikipedia, or in the history books. Or in (greater detail, though certainly while taking a bit of liberty with history) the Long War. Arimnestos’s journey is amazing; his time growing up in Plataea, his time standing in the ranks, time as a slave, then later as a freed man. Love and loss. Hardship and triumph. The lowest low and the highest high, sometimes done back-to-back.
The story is told, well, as a story—from Arimnestos to his daughter (or possibly granddaughter), and as such it involves a lot of personal narrative. At times the elder Arimnestos explains tactics, terms, or events in hindsight, even hinting at later events to compare them to. He also routinely asks for more wine, and calls his descendant “honey”. It took me very little time to get sick of honey, but little more before I was too immersed in the story to care. “Honey” aside, these moments of reflection are an excellent way for the author to explain unfamiliar terms, historical (prior historical) events, or his younger-self’s thought process at the time—all without really breaking character or yanking the reader from the depths of immersion.
I had but a few minor issues with Killer of Men, and bought the second book immediately upon finishing the first. I cannot wait to continue Arimnestos’s journey in Marathon, Book #2 of the Long War, and cannot recommend Killer of Men highly enough. And if the following books prove just as entertaining as the first, there’s so much more available from Cameron: Tyrant, Chivalry, and Tom Swan series; as well as Masters & Mages, the aforementioned Traitor Son Cycle, and the Age of Bronze (published under the pseudonym Miles Cameron); along with even scifi and thrillers.
TL;DR
Killer of Men is just the start of Arimnestos’ journey from farm boy to slave to soldier to hero. An excellent historical fiction (or novel that transports its reader back to ancient Greece, just before the breaking of the Greco-Persian Wars that catapulted Arimnestos of Plataea to fame. And as the events would suggest, I feel like it’s not a spoiler to say that although the main character is now dead (the events of the series were over two millennia ago)—and although it is likely embellished—it is a story that deserves the telling. This is not a happy story; there is death and sex and violence and language and so much blood—but it is a damned good one. I loved this read so much that I immediately bought the second book, Marathon, upon completion. And I can’t wait to get into it!
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2023/07/04/killer-of-men-by-christian-cameron-review/
It is the killers who are dangerous. The rest of war is very like a sport—like pushing and pulling and spear-fencing altogether—but when the killers come, it is nothing like a sport.
—
Killer of Men begins the Long War series, detailing the story of Arimnestos of Plataea, general of the Greek army and hero of the Greco-Persian wars, before eventually culminating in the Battle of Plataea. Released by Christian Cameron back in 2010, the Long War has spanned a total of six novels thus far, with a seventh due out later this year. While I’d read some of the author’s high fantasy before—published under the pseudonym Miles Cameron—I’d not yet explored his historic stuff.
Which was a mistake. A big mistake.
This book was AMAZING—more so considering that (in its essence, at least, its basic skeleton) it really happened. The story of Arimnestos of Plataea—from slave to soldier to Greek hero—really happened. You can read all about it on Wikipedia, or in the history books. Or in (greater detail, though certainly while taking a bit of liberty with history) the Long War. Arimnestos’s journey is amazing; his time growing up in Plataea, his time standing in the ranks, time as a slave, then later as a freed man. Love and loss. Hardship and triumph. The lowest low and the highest high, sometimes done back-to-back.
The story is told, well, as a story—from Arimnestos to his daughter (or possibly granddaughter), and as such it involves a lot of personal narrative. At times the elder Arimnestos explains tactics, terms, or events in hindsight, even hinting at later events to compare them to. He also routinely asks for more wine, and calls his descendant “honey”. It took me very little time to get sick of honey, but little more before I was too immersed in the story to care. “Honey” aside, these moments of reflection are an excellent way for the author to explain unfamiliar terms, historical (prior historical) events, or his younger-self’s thought process at the time—all without really breaking character or yanking the reader from the depths of immersion.
I had but a few minor issues with Killer of Men, and bought the second book immediately upon finishing the first. I cannot wait to continue Arimnestos’s journey in Marathon, Book #2 of the Long War, and cannot recommend Killer of Men highly enough. And if the following books prove just as entertaining as the first, there’s so much more available from Cameron: Tyrant, Chivalry, and Tom Swan series; as well as Masters & Mages, the aforementioned Traitor Son Cycle, and the Age of Bronze (published under the pseudonym Miles Cameron); along with even scifi and thrillers.
TL;DR
Killer of Men is just the start of Arimnestos’ journey from farm boy to slave to soldier to hero. An excellent historical fiction (or novel that transports its reader back to ancient Greece, just before the breaking of the Greco-Persian Wars that catapulted Arimnestos of Plataea to fame. And as the events would suggest, I feel like it’s not a spoiler to say that although the main character is now dead (the events of the series were over two millennia ago)—and although it is likely embellished—it is a story that deserves the telling. This is not a happy story; there is death and sex and violence and language and so much blood—but it is a damned good one. I loved this read so much that I immediately bought the second book, Marathon, upon completion. And I can’t wait to get into it!
paddybejesus's review against another edition
1.0
no character development, the worst narrator and a nothing of a plot. I can't believe how highly rated this book is.
kolymaarasto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rossbm's review against another edition
3.0
Killer of Men by Christian Cameron is good historical novel that bring the history of ancient Greece to life. The book is told from the first person point of Arimnestos, who starts off as a young boy growing up in a farm in the city of Plataea, close to Athens. The conceit is that Arimnestos is relating this story to his daughter (who he calls “thaughter”) many years after the events that are described. This way of narration leads to many asides to his daughter and other members of the audience that can be a bit annoying but I got used to it..
Arimnestos is the eponymous “killer of men”, a real Achilles. He Forest Gumps his way into many historical events and becoming friends with real historical characters such as Militiades of Athens. The focus on real history and the immersion are great and makes me want to learn more about the period.
Overall, I enjoyed Killer of Men and give it a 3.5/5.
Arimnestos is the eponymous “killer of men”, a real Achilles. He Forest Gumps his way into many historical events and becoming friends with real historical characters such as Militiades of Athens. The focus on real history and the immersion are great and makes me want to learn more about the period.
Overall, I enjoyed Killer of Men and give it a 3.5/5.
larade's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
patremagne's review against another edition
4.0
http://abitterdraft.blogspot.com/2013/06/review-killer-of-men-by-christian.html
Killer of Men is the first in Christian Cameron's The Long War series, which outlines the conflict between the Greeks and the Persians around the 5th century BC. Killer of Men is centered primarily around the Ionian Revolt, and it makes for a great story.
The story is told in the first person, though it's one where the protagonist narrates from old age. There seems to be an influx of novels that do this and it can be very hit or miss as to whether they turn out well. Some, like Pat Rothfuss's Kingkiller series, are narrated in the same way, but the narrator, Kvothe in this case, begins his tale and it essentially turns into a normal first person perspective until a new chapter where the Chronicler has run out of ink or some such thing and the novel returns to the present. In Killer of Men, Arimnestos of Plataea is the narrator, telling his story to his thugater, or daughter, and a group of her friends. Arimnestos interrupts himself in his telling many times each chapter, primarily to ask for wine or to comment on his daughter's blushing, and this annoyed me a little because it broke up the narration. The further in the novel I progressed, the more the style grew on me. Some stories are better told through a direct first person rather than a narration, and I think I really would have enjoyed this more if it weren't a narration. Despite this, Killer of Men only got better as the story moved along.
We see Arimnestos develop from a young farm boy into a brutal killer of men, and from the moment he was betrayed and sold into slavery his development is kickstarted. Killers of men, as Cameron describes them, are very similar to David Gemmell's baresarks from his novel Legend - as soon as they have the scent of blood, they're a completely different person - and we see this in Arimnestos's often brutal recollections as well as how it affected him then and especially in the present. Throughout his time as a slave, he sees the stark contrast between his home of Plataea and Ionia. Cameron is adept at his worldbuilding, painting a superb picture of ancient Greece.
Quick pacing - even in the parts that seem like they would be dull, great worldbuilding, and strong characters made Killer of Men a thoroughly entertaining read for me and should do the same for anyone even remotely interested in ancient Greece. Marathon: Freedom or Death is the second in the series, and as it was one of the most important battles of the era, I am very eager to read it and other works by Christian Cameron.
Killer of Men is the first in Christian Cameron's The Long War series, which outlines the conflict between the Greeks and the Persians around the 5th century BC. Killer of Men is centered primarily around the Ionian Revolt, and it makes for a great story.
The story is told in the first person, though it's one where the protagonist narrates from old age. There seems to be an influx of novels that do this and it can be very hit or miss as to whether they turn out well. Some, like Pat Rothfuss's Kingkiller series, are narrated in the same way, but the narrator, Kvothe in this case, begins his tale and it essentially turns into a normal first person perspective until a new chapter where the Chronicler has run out of ink or some such thing and the novel returns to the present. In Killer of Men, Arimnestos of Plataea is the narrator, telling his story to his thugater, or daughter, and a group of her friends. Arimnestos interrupts himself in his telling many times each chapter, primarily to ask for wine or to comment on his daughter's blushing, and this annoyed me a little because it broke up the narration. The further in the novel I progressed, the more the style grew on me. Some stories are better told through a direct first person rather than a narration, and I think I really would have enjoyed this more if it weren't a narration. Despite this, Killer of Men only got better as the story moved along.
We see Arimnestos develop from a young farm boy into a brutal killer of men, and from the moment he was betrayed and sold into slavery his development is kickstarted. Killers of men, as Cameron describes them, are very similar to David Gemmell's baresarks from his novel Legend - as soon as they have the scent of blood, they're a completely different person - and we see this in Arimnestos's often brutal recollections as well as how it affected him then and especially in the present. Throughout his time as a slave, he sees the stark contrast between his home of Plataea and Ionia. Cameron is adept at his worldbuilding, painting a superb picture of ancient Greece.
Quick pacing - even in the parts that seem like they would be dull, great worldbuilding, and strong characters made Killer of Men a thoroughly entertaining read for me and should do the same for anyone even remotely interested in ancient Greece. Marathon: Freedom or Death is the second in the series, and as it was one of the most important battles of the era, I am very eager to read it and other works by Christian Cameron.
alex_robins's review against another edition
4.0
Killer of Men, the first in the Long War series, is a historical fiction by Christian Cameron, who is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors thanks to his uncanny ability to mix interesting characters and well-documented historical events without getting bogged down with over-descriptive prose or lyrical sentimentalism.
Killer of Men follows Arimnestos, son of a metalsmith, who becomes embroiled in the increasingly fraught international relations between Persia and Greece, first as a slave, then as a soldier, partaking in the Ionian revolt and the sacking of Sardis which kicked off the invasion of Greece by Darius and the beginning of the Greco-Persian Wars.
As is often the case with historical fiction, the reader knows full well how things are going to end, so it’s important that the journey to get to those immovable plot points is one worth taking. And I think Cameron has managed to do so here, for the most part. Arimnestos is a fascinating character, honourable and courageous, but with an underlying layer of violence that he has great difficulty controlling and leads to some unfortunate situations. He’s not especially likeable, but I still managed to empathise with him despite his many flaws.
Cameron also knows how to write a great action scene. His military background and love of Greco-Roman re-enactment are on full display here, as he deftly describes troop formations, hierarchy, weapons, and armour. Both the individual duels and larger battles are fast-paced and well-described, making for a captivating read.
There are a few minor issues I had with the pacing. The story takes a while to get going and lingers for far too long in Ephesus, where we are dragged through an almost “Meet the Kardashian” level of family squabbles. I was also not a fan of the constant interruptions by Arimnestos’s daughter, which broke the flow of the story and drew me out of the narration.
Overall, Killer of Men is an interesting, immersive read which should tick all the boxes of those looking for action-packed Ancient Greek historical fiction.
Killer of Men follows Arimnestos, son of a metalsmith, who becomes embroiled in the increasingly fraught international relations between Persia and Greece, first as a slave, then as a soldier, partaking in the Ionian revolt and the sacking of Sardis which kicked off the invasion of Greece by Darius and the beginning of the Greco-Persian Wars.
As is often the case with historical fiction, the reader knows full well how things are going to end, so it’s important that the journey to get to those immovable plot points is one worth taking. And I think Cameron has managed to do so here, for the most part. Arimnestos is a fascinating character, honourable and courageous, but with an underlying layer of violence that he has great difficulty controlling and leads to some unfortunate situations. He’s not especially likeable, but I still managed to empathise with him despite his many flaws.
Cameron also knows how to write a great action scene. His military background and love of Greco-Roman re-enactment are on full display here, as he deftly describes troop formations, hierarchy, weapons, and armour. Both the individual duels and larger battles are fast-paced and well-described, making for a captivating read.
There are a few minor issues I had with the pacing. The story takes a while to get going and lingers for far too long in Ephesus, where we are dragged through an almost “Meet the Kardashian” level of family squabbles. I was also not a fan of the constant interruptions by Arimnestos’s daughter, which broke the flow of the story and drew me out of the narration.
Overall, Killer of Men is an interesting, immersive read which should tick all the boxes of those looking for action-packed Ancient Greek historical fiction.