Against All Gods: The Age of Bronze: Book 1

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A vibrant and powerful epic set against an alternate Bronze Age, this tale of gods, men and monsters, conspiracy and war, is a rich, compelling and original read from a master of the historical and fantasy genres. The sea people analogue is intriguingly terrifying, the Thera style set-piece is cinematic, who – or what – are the gods? If you’re interested in a general sweeping history of the period be sure to read van der Mieroop’s A History of the Ancient Near East: ca 3000-323 BC.

I cannot say that any is entirely likeable (though I do love Druku), but all are fascinating, right from the opening scene in ‘Heaven’ where the gods dwell, and we witness the wrath of the Storm-God upon his not-so-competent subjects. Zos’ combination of charisma, world-weary skepticism, and bravado, made for a really dynamic character as well. Era, a Godborn dancer and entertainer who travels with mysterious child Daos who seems to receive prophetic messages from his toy bear.Determined not to be mere pawns in a cosmic game of immortal gods, the rebels will decide to do the impossible: go up against all the gods and win! In his dreams a blue woman brought him bolts of silver lightning, and he gave them to the most unsuitable people: a slave with a bull's head tattoo, a dancing woman; a warrior; a scribe, but most of all a smith and his apprentice.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Orion Publishing Group and Miles Cameron for an advanced copy of Agains All Gods. Ok, look: Against All Gods is anime outrageous, absolutely over-the top, balls-to-the-walls story about group of ragtags taking on gods. I mean, I couldn't be away from this book for more than a couple of hours before I wanted to jump right back in. Reading Christian (or, in this case, Miles) Cameron books always makes me want to read EVEN MORE Christian Cameron books.I very rarely continue series -- I have no problem dropping series at the slightest hint of me not having fun reading them -- but this is one of the few where I'm looking forward to seeing how book 2 turns out.

Brought together by circumstance and the meddling of higher powers, and disillusioned by the uncaring gods, an unlikely group of mortals set out to take a stand, aware that they’re being manipulated but determined to find room for their own choices. Things definitely pick up after that, but overall I'm left feeling that it's a bit flat for an epic fantasy. Pollon, a scribe and Atosa, a Chief jeweller whose honourable nature led to their imprisonment and punishment.Sadly, with such a long "prologue" and quite a lot of chapters set in the domain of the gods there's not as much time for the interaction between the characters as I would have liked.

While Cameron falls for a few typical fantasy conventions that I'm not fond of -- he introduces way too many characters who don't really meet up until at least half way through this 500 page book -- he mostly succeeds in delivering a great book. Alone, he would be doomed to fail, but a gift of iron ore from beyond the stars and the fellowship of others similarly scorned may give him a chance. All told this is a brilliant introduction to a vivid, fascinating world and a series that promises to only grow in scope, excitement and intrigue – a great first book that leaves you wanting more. Black et al’s The Literature of Ancient Sumer (seriously there are a lot of editors here) is most comprehensive collection of humanity’s earliest literature. The plot was intriguing and the world building done quite well, but I think the character development and pacing is what threw this off for me.

Excellent overall for the characters (the gods take top billing here, Enkul-Annu, Druku, and Nisroch especially, though Zos, Pollon, Era, and the Hakran crew are also close), twists and turns, and action that makes one turn pages until the end. For those who are fans of the author's earlier "Traitor Son" and "Masters and Mages" series, there are hints of linkage revealed late in the novel, and of course, if you read the protagonists' names carefully, some interesting hints of what might lie ahead.