The Talisman of Troy

by Valerio Massimo Manfredi

Another historical fiction, which I'm really getting into.
This one is set in ancient greece with the central character of Diomedes waging war on the city of Troy. His quest is for the Talisman of Troy which is said to give invincibility to the nation that posseses it. Of course there is always a price.

While away at war Diomedes and his allies, the neighbouring greek cities, are plotted against by their queens. The consipiracy of the queens. These women were taken by force by their husbands and now see the opportunity to exact their revenge.

I'm about halfway through the book at the moment and, so far, Diomedes has abandoned his homeland and the other kings have been murdered. I'll keep you posted when I finish the book.

--- UPDATE ---

I didn't like this book. I felt that it lumbered on without a clear sense of direction.
We never really discovered exactly what the talisman of troy was, but as it turns out Diomedes never had it anyway. He stole a fake, designed to protect the original.

Then the story turned into the endless quest through a foreign land, looking for a home to settle in, which they never found. I suppose reality could have been like that in those times, people not really knowing where they are going or why they are doing it.

All in all, I found it to be a boring story with lots of complicated Greek words.

I'll still check out some of the other titles by the same author though.