The Macedonian

The Macedonian by Nicholas Guild

*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

On a cold, snow-swept night in the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, a son is born to the king’s principal wife. His mother hates him for being his father’s child. His father hardly notices him. With two elder brothers, obscurity seems his destiny. The boy is sent off to be nursed by the chief steward’s wife.
Yet, in a moment of national crisis, when Macedon is on the verge of being torn apart, the prince raised by a servant finds himself proclaimed the king.

This is the story of Philip, prince and king, the forgotten boy who rose to save his country and became a legend in his own lifetime. His extensive military conquests across the Greek peninsula would pave the way for expansion under his son, Alexander the Great.

Review

I was initially drawn this book because I'm a lover of ancient history, and I wanted to know more about this period in ancient Greece. I received this book back in November, but I found it hard to get into. I set it aside, especially as the busy holiday season came around, not sure if I would finish it. But I went back to it, pushed through the first few chapters, and around 35%, I found myself drawn in to the story of Philip and his character and quickly finished it from there. While most people only know his son, Philip of Macedon was instrumental in Greek history. His battle strategies revolutionized war. He united the Greek city-states before pushing beyond those borders, a mantle that Alexander the Great took up.

This book covers Philip’s life from his birth to his victory over the Illyrians, which cemented his place as a strong leader and a general to be feared. I felt like the writing was a mix between a novel and a history book, which perhaps is why it took me awhile to get into it. The author vividly brought ancient Greece to life: the religion, the culture, the food, the politics. Battle strategies and formations were discussed in detail, and while I couldn't quite picture the specifics, it was enough for me to understand the significance of how those tactics ensured victory. 

Guild focuses on the character and personality of Philip, and how Philip never aspired to be king, but rather strove to support his two elder brothers in their kingship. Indeed, it supports the idea that those best suited for power are those who don't necessarily want it. The author also delves into the other characters that lived alongside Philip: his brothers, his enemies, and other significant people along his path in life who taught him the essential skills he would need one day to unite his people and be a king. While I don't know how much is based on historical fact or is pure speculation, the characters came alive in the pages of the book and it was easy to see them as true living, breathing people, rather than just names in a history book.

Overall, not a book I think I would have picked up on my own, but ended up being a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the intimate look into the life and character of one of history's more influential men. I would recommend for lovers of ancient history!

Rating

3.5 stars

Details

Genre: Historical Fiction.

Language: Moderate to strong.

Sex: A number of scenes of mildly explicit sex. Sex and rape are discussed among characters.

Violence: Lots of battle scenes and fights. Moderately graphic.