Customer Reviews

Conflict of Empires (Eskkar Saga)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Both of Sam Barone's previous books are fun to read, historical fiction. This one doesn't disappoint. They take place before there was much recorded history so who knows if they are historically accurate? But, based on what historians and anthropologists do think they know, it is a very believable story.

Lots of violence and political intrigue as the main characters exhibit wisdom and leadership skills that would be wholly appropriate today. In fact, I'm certain we would all be better off if these folks ran our government instead of the jokers we've elected.

If you are one of those people that hates to wait 2 years for the next Wilbur Smith book, pick up one or both of these books in the mean time. I'm not saying that Barone is as famous and widely read as Smith yet, but if you liked Sunbird or any of the Taita / River God / Quest series, you'll definitely enjoy these books about a pair of Taita's contemporaries. The stories take place in roughly the same time frame and across the desert from Taita's Egypt.......

Conflict of Empire is a great 3rd book in the series from Mr. Barone about Akkad in ancient Mesopotamia, which starts off in 3154 BC. If you haven't already done so, start with Dawn of Empire and finish Empire Rising before picking up Conflict. If you enjoyed the first two books, Conflict will not disappoint with more politics, intrigue, action, and a fast pace that really brings this world to life.

The writing is more mature than the early books, with less micro-details thought out from start to finish, which I found to be a welcome change. Eskkar and Trella are back and dealing with the rapid growth of Akkad on the Tigris. In the previous books Akkad was threatened by a horde of nomads who had never faced a walled city. In Conflict, Akkad faces a new threat from rival Sumer, which adds a rich new layer to this fascinating series.

Without spoiling too much of the story, some armchair generals may take issue with Eskkar's tactics in the big battle. I certainly had my questions. At the end of the book Barone compares his battle to Alexander's actions and the odds against him at Gaugamela. This is an unfair comparison because Alexander's army was significantly more advanced than the armies of ancient Mesopotamia, and the Akkadians and Sumerians were on a more equal footing than Macedonians and Persians. That aside, I would look forward to a 4th installment, but unfortunately Mr. Barone did not offer any clues to his future plans. Enjoy!

I received this book on Thursday, and for the next four nights I didn't turn the lights off before 2:00 AM in the morning. That's how good this book was, and in a week or so, I will savor it again but at a slower pace. I have read the first two books in the Eskkar and Trella series, and I believe that this one is the best of the three. There are many things to like about this epic, and the first one I can think of is that at over 600 pages, Sam Barone gives you a huge bang for your buck. The enjoyment of a good read is VERY prolonged, and I like that! Secondly, the battle scenes are extended and very well done. The action flows and is exciting as the reader experiences the haze of battle from a half dozen characters. Conflict of Empires is not a one man show, and through the eyes of many characters, a fluid battlefield unfolds before one's eyes. Next, the detail is excellent. As I read the story, the visual imagery was very strong, and the actions and planning done by the main characters followed very logical courses. Lastly, the endings of Sam Barone's stories tend to be uplifting. When you finish reading one of his novels you feel like life is hard but good with a bright future ahead. Criticisms? Publishers should make any 600+ page book available in hardcover since they need the extra strength and just plain look and feel better. I'm laughing as I write this, but in book one, I liked Jalen's character and look what happened to him. In book three, Oh Mr. Barone, how could you? And to..............and.............and a few others. I'm just kidding, you know. Really, thanks for the hours of happy reading.

Same Barone started writing this series in retirement. That said, I wish he had given up his day time job earlier. I have all three of his novels and they just get better and better. This one ups the scales in terms of action and battle preparation which has been a central theme of the series as Eskkar and Trella again find themselves plotting to save Akkad. But this time the plots and subplots behind the "save Akkad campaign"are far more enthralling. You can sense the fun just from the writing, that the author must have had planning the course that Eskkar and co would take to unravel their way out of what at first appears to be hopeless odds. If you like both an engrossing, well written story that holds the attention, has buckets of action and allows you to play armchair general, and has some excellent doses of humor then its definately a must read.

The only downside for me (and I am not purile) was I didn't care too much for the multitude of sexual romps that are depicted at various intervals in the book. I get the picture where they are married and in love a long time. If it adds to the plot(in some cases it did but not always) then fair enough. But there were times, a simple "though his hunger gnawed at him, more basic urges needed satisfying first." would do. Occasionally we digress back to how a character came to be where they were in the world of Akkad or Sumer in a plot sense, only to revisit it again later (in slightly different wording). Again, you notice it, and think "haven't we been there before" but its nothing that ruins the flow. Personally anything that could rate as a "negative" to me had as much impact on my joy for the story as spotting a light bulb in "Gone with the Wind". Besides, I gather the author took 7 years to research and write his first work. This one to me is his best, and put together in a much shorter time frame (publishing contracts tend to do that I imagine)so its awesome to see how its turned out just great despite that restraint.

Roll on book 4. And beyond with the Sargon Saga.

For all those readers who have become enamored of Lady Trella, this latest novel by Mr. Barone will not disappoint. Yes, Eskkar is a terrific fighter, although he is beginning to lose a step and must count on crafty tricks. But, I savored the moments that she was 'on stage.' Everyman's perfect woman, and I'm sure quite a model for the female reader as well. She intuitively knows how to persuade him that her brilliant ideas were really his.
This is historical 'fiction'; anyone picking on specific details that don't match the era exactly should relax and give the author some license. Overall, the scenarios are in the realm of the possible. There's quite a lot of solid research on the use of various weaponry. The topic of horses in battle is quite interesting. I always figured a horse was like a vehicle; a mode of transportation that required maintenance and fuel.
The chapters covering the overall planning and training for the war were masterfully done. They were comprehensive and a major part of the book. Quite exciting with action scenes woven into the story.
Like any major work with many characters, the disposition of all the characters at the conclusion may or may not satisfy every reader. I have one in particular in mind that I hoped might survive and appear in the next book. Oh well! If I think I can do better, I should write a book.
I agree with previous reviewers. Each book has improved. The writing style, the dialogue, the flow have all matured. Keep them coming, Sam.

The Empire series is fast becoming a favorite of mine. Each novel gets bigger and bolder and this latest installment does not disappoint. Weaving historical fact with fiction Sam Barone creates a vastly sweeping epic that you wont be able to put down. Pact with political intrigue and grand battles you will be gripped as the book reaches its stunning conclusion. I cannot recommend this book enough and if you are not yet a fan of this series you soon will be.

just a few words. again one of the best authors I have read. could not finish quick enough. Stayed up way longer than I wanted, but could not put down. just awesome. emmette

I read the first two books in the series and I enjoyed them very much. I think this one is even better than the others. The systematic planning that was done to try and ensure that Akkad would win the inevitable war was extremely well thought out and makes this book different from other war novels. The description of the battle itself was also well done.

Sam Barone chose an underserved era of history, and created a three-part story of Eskkar and Trella. Eskkar rises to be the first undisputed king of the Two Rivers. Trella is as strong as her husband, taking the initiative where he is absent or unskilled. The secondary characters grow and change as well. I suggest this series to anyone hungry for good historical writing.

In Quest For Honour, the city of Akkad and it's surrounding towns are under threat from the young King of Sumer, a rival city to the south. It is up to Eskkar and Trella to try and save Akkad and their people.

If you have read the other two books in this series (Dawn Of Empire and Empire Rising) you will pretty much what to expect, e.g. political scheming, violent battles etc. The plot is much the same in all three books...the city of Akkad under threat of invasion by evil forces. Still, I found it quite an enjoyable read. I think the second book is the best in the series so far.