Customer Reviews

The Warrior

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

 

 

I bought this on impulse from the grocery store, despite the ugliest cover art for the year 2005 gracing the cover. I have read Judith French before & basically enjoyed her writing, so I thought I couldn't go far wrong. And this is a good historical novel, and less a romance novel than one would initially think from reading the back cover blurb. The subplots enrich & enhance the main story of Kiara, the kidnapped Irish slave girl, and Alexander (son of Alexander the Great). I had a few problems with Alexander; he's not such a great "hero", being rather self-absorbed and shallow at times, but he did improve by the end of the story. However, Kiara was a well-drawn heroine, and I enjoyed all the subplots, though I regretted the seemingly abrupt ending of Shashi's romance (don't want to write a spoiler, but the loss of a certain character was regretable).

A solid three stars, because as much as I unexpectedly enjoyed this novel, I don't think I want to read it again & again, the way I want to read my keepers. Well written, well plotted, with more depth than the usual historical romance, but just not a keeper for me.

The son of Alexander the Great and his beloved Roxanne has come of age, and now goes to Egypt to claim his former step-brother's half sister for his bride, making a powerful alliance for the Twin Crowns. However, Roxanne's worst fears come to pass and Alexander IV finds betrayal in Egypt. He also finds an Irish priestess who becomes his source of hope and help in his hour of need, and perhaps more than that. Back home, there is chaos as well. Angry with Roxanne for risking her life in an attempt to give him a son, Kayan has taken their youngest daughter on a military mission while Roxanne's pregnancy runs its course. He and the girl are heading into terrible peril. Roxanne's health is uncertain, and their other daughter is forced to decide whether to hide in the safety of the temple or rise to the duty of her heritage. It may be Roxanne's darkest hour as every one of her loved ones is on the brink of death, or it may be her finest hour.

**** Multiple stories weave together into a seamless saga that is thrilling and heartwarming at once. If you have read the first two books, then this is a must read. ****

Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer

I read the Alexander trilogy in 3 days...found myself compelled to continue on...The Warrior was awesome but I found myself wanting more of Kiara and Alexander together. My biggest disappointment is of course Prince Val...perhaps a fourth installment can be added titled The Resurrected or The Returned Soldier?
I found myself hating Queen Artakama all over again, finding King Ptolemy despicable, and their daughter Mereret a horror.
Admittedly, while I enjoyed this book, I found myself skipping over some of the "landscape" details and going past the Ava subplot as quickly as I could. I found myself longing for more "relationship" interaction between Shahi and Val and Kiara and Alexandra.
The ending was full of action and suspense...though admittedly, I would have preferred for one more character to prevail and am hopeful he will yet. All in all, a good read. Additionally, I liked Alexander's ghost making his appearance again...whether as a guide or a conscience, it did add to the story.

Judith E. French has written a truly superior historical romance. This author paints vivid pictures that have stayed with me long after I finished the novel. Beautiful prose, exciting story. You will not be disappointed.

The Warrior is the 3rd book in the trilogy of Alexander the Great, and it's just as great a read as the first two. My opinion of sequels has never been high, but Ms. French has made each of these books unique, interesting and exciting to read. The characters come alive and you become caught up in their story. Plan to read The Warrior in one
sitting because you won't want to put it down!

Judith French delivers another great, exciting read. Loved The Conqueror and The Barbarian. Just like those wonderful books, this fabulous tale is well worth your reading time!

In Alexandria Pharaoh Ptolemy informs his Queen Artakama that their daughter Mereret will marry his nephew Alexander, son of the Great. Though Artakama objects that her only child is too young to wed the offspring of a barbarian and Mereret says never to an alliance marriage with the barbarian that will take her away from her home, Ptolemy invites Alexander to his kingdom. In Bactria, ignoring the advice of his mother Roxanne not to trust the Egyptian ruler, the son of a Macedonian bandit, Alexander accepts the invitation and sails to Egypt where his half-brother Paris resides.

Mereret appeases Alexandra's sexual appetite by gifting him with a pleasure slave Kiara of the Misty Isles. Alexandra enjoys the tryst and informs her she is his exclusively until he leaves for his kingdom with his bride. When Mereret tries a sexual betrayal of Alexander, Kiara saves his life. As they fall in love, Alexander does trust his intended with his life; besides he wants to spend forever with Kiara. However, running off with her could cause an international crisis but marrying Mereret means courting death.

THE WARRIOR, the final tale in the "Alexander" trilogy (see THE CONQUEROR and THE BARBARIAN) is a fabulous ancient historical romance starring the shrewd son of the Great one and an intelligent Irish sex slave. Readers will feel the royal intrigue on almost every page as Ptolemy battles with his scheming Queen and their daughter to cement the alliance with his nephew; Paris does his own plotting with the target of everyone's machinations being Alexander. Judith French closes her superb miniseries with a powerful insightful look at fourth century BC mostly at Egypt and the Kingdom of Bactria ad Sogdiana.

Harriet Klausner

When I first realized that the book was about Alexander the Great's son, I immediately bought it, hoping for a few pieces about Alexander the Great.

Historical accuracy is somewhat null and void in this book, especially since Alexander IV was murdered at the age of 12 or 13, along with his mother Roxane. One also wonders why a CGI'ed version of Brad Pitt in Troy is on the cover, but that's neither here nor there.

I had trouble reading this book mainly because Roxane was never a warrior, and Alexander sometimes came across as a spoiled brat, something I doubt his father would have approved of, had he lived.

The pieces concerning Kiara and Eire/Ireland were fascinating, and were what made the book worthy of finishing it.

There were a few grammatical errors and typos, and the historical inaccuracies also drew my eye. However, both prose and dialogue flowed beautifully.

For those looking for Alexander the Great, look elsewhere. For those who want a different flavor of historical romance, this may be the book for you.