TITLE: The Olympic Charioteer
AUTHOR/EDITOR: Helena P. Schrader
INFO: Paperback, Fiction, 398 pages
PUBLISHED: iUniverse, 2010
ISBN#: 978-0-595-36782-5
HOW'D I GET IT: Received from publisher for review
FROM THE COVER/PUBLISHER: Set in archaic Greece, and based on incidents recorded in Herodotus, this is the tale of a young man's journey from tragedy to triumph - and the story of the founding of the first non-aggression pact in recorded history: the Peloponnesian League.
Award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader has again created a novel full of rich and realistic characters while providing readers a remarkable insight into Archaic Spartan society. Well-researched and intelligently interpolated from recorded facts, Schrader's Sparta is a refreshing change from the stereotypes in much modern literature.
MY TAKE: I must admit it took me just a bit to get into this book. The author was very thorough in setting up the backdrop and getting necessary information in place before continuing into the story. BUT, once that groundwork was laid - this story moved faster than the horses pulling the chariots!
I was very impressed with the historical figures, events and places that the author wove into her saga. The characters were very believable and several were extremely likable - making you really care about them and their fate. Of course, I was drawn to this book initially because of the horses and the racing. Ms. Schrader didn't disappoint on that front either. She obviously did just as much research on the care and training of horses as she did the historical elements.
INFO: Paperback, Fiction, 398 pages
PUBLISHED: iUniverse, 2010
ISBN#: 978-0-595-36782-5
HOW'D I GET IT: Received from publisher for review
FROM THE COVER/PUBLISHER: Set in archaic Greece, and based on incidents recorded in Herodotus, this is the tale of a young man's journey from tragedy to triumph - and the story of the founding of the first non-aggression pact in recorded history: the Peloponnesian League.
Award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader has again created a novel full of rich and realistic characters while providing readers a remarkable insight into Archaic Spartan society. Well-researched and intelligently interpolated from recorded facts, Schrader's Sparta is a refreshing change from the stereotypes in much modern literature.
MY TAKE: I must admit it took me just a bit to get into this book. The author was very thorough in setting up the backdrop and getting necessary information in place before continuing into the story. BUT, once that groundwork was laid - this story moved faster than the horses pulling the chariots!
I was very impressed with the historical figures, events and places that the author wove into her saga. The characters were very believable and several were extremely likable - making you really care about them and their fate. Of course, I was drawn to this book initially because of the horses and the racing. Ms. Schrader didn't disappoint on that front either. She obviously did just as much research on the care and training of horses as she did the historical elements.
This was a very enjoyable read that I came away from feeling a little more educated and extremely satisfied. I highly recommend this book.
***Thank you to the author and Paula at AME for the review copy. I was under no obligation to provide a review. My words and opinions are 100% my own.
MY RATING: 4/5
WHERE TO BUY IT: The Olympic Charioteer
on Amazon.comHappy Reading!
i love this setting!! sounds like its a good book :)
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie, it really was a good book. She did an oustanding job with the details. Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeleteJules,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review!
Writing about horses was a pleasure. I have owned three horses over time, and I hot-walked race horses at Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, Kentucky to help put myself through college.
Readers who want to know more about ancient Sparta can visit my website: "Sparta Reconsidered" at http://elysiumgates.com/~helena/index.html - or just read one of my other novels set in Sparta. Two other novels are already on the market, "Are They Singing in Sparta?" and "Spartan Slave, Spartan Queen." Also, the first part of a three part biography of Leonidas, who commanded the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae, and his wife Gorgo will be released later this month.
Thanks again for the good review. Helena
Hi Helena, thank you so much for stopping in!
ReplyDeleteI grew up on a horse ranch and have had horses my entire life. It was very refreshing to read a story with such accurate details regarding life with horses. I tend to pick a book apart when it comes to our equine buddies and their care. Yours was excellent!
We're thrilled to hear that you have more books on Sparta and will be checking them out right away. (The hubby is reading this book now and really enjoying it as much as I did.)
Thanks again for dropping in on us and for the great book!
I'm about to start this one too, and I'm pretty excited for it! Your review makes me even more anxious to start! It's also really cool that Helena stopped by your blog!
ReplyDeleteAshley, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I was really tickled to get that message from her! I'm looking forward to getting her other books too.
ReplyDeleteHave a good one!