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Gordon Doherty

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Empires of Bronze: Son of Ishtar (Empires of Bronze 1) Kindle Edition

by Gordon Doherty (Author), Simon Walpole (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

4.2 1,269 ratings

Book 1 of 6: Empires of Bronze

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Praise for the Empires of Bronze series:

"Doherty truly brings the Hittite Empire to life" - World History Magazine
★★★★★ "An action-packed epic" - Matthew Harffy, bestselling author of the acclaimed Bernicia Chronicles
★★★★★ "Vivid, immersive... wondrous!" - SJA Turney, bestselling author of the celebrated Marius' Mules series
★★★★★ "A meticulously researched and vivid reimagining of an almost forgotten civilisation" - Douglas Jackson, bestselling author of the esteemed Gaius Valerius Verrens series

_________

Four sons. One throne. A world on the precipice.

1315 BC: Tensions soar between the great powers of the Late Bronze Age. The Hittites stand toe-to-toe with Egypt, Assyria and Mycenaean Ahhiyawa, and war seems inevitable.

More, the fierce Kaskan tribes – age-old enemies of the Hittites – amass at the northern borders.When Prince Hattu is born, it should be a rare joyous moment for all the Hittite people.

But when the Goddess Ishtar comes to King Mursili in a dream, she warns that the boy is no blessing, telling of a dark future where he will stain Mursili’s throne with blood and bring destruction upon the world

Thus, Hattu endures a solitary boyhood in the shadow of his siblings, spurned by his father and shunned by the Hittite people. But when the Kaskans invade, Hattu is drawn into the fray. It is a savage journey in which he strives to show his worth and valour.

Yet with his every step, the shadow of Ishtar’s prophecy darkens…
_________

Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden, Simon Scarrow, David Gemmell, Dan Davis and Matthew Harffy - a Bronze Age epic teeming with blood-soaked wars, haunting mysteries and far-flung adventures.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07SN67R24
Publisher ‏ : ‎ www.gordondoherty.co.uk (June 13, 2019)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 13, 2019
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 7153 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
Print length ‏ : ‎ 425 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #706,777 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,934 in Men's Adventure Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #3,375 in War & Military Action Fiction (Kindle Store)
- #5,820 in Action Thriller Fiction

Customer Reviews:
4.2 1,269 ratings

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Gordon Doherty

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Gordon is a Scottish writer, addicted to reading and writing historical fiction. His novels have been Amazon smash-hits, and have gone on to be translated and published in Russia, Italy and Greece.

Gordon's love of history was first kindled by visits to the misty Roman ruins of Britain and the sun-baked antiquities of Turkey and Greece. His expeditions since have taken him all over the world and back and forth through time (metaphorically, at least), allowing him to write tales of the later Roman Empire, Byzantium, Classical Greece and even the distant Bronze Age.

For exciting news, extracts and exclusive content from Gordon:

Visit www.gordondoherty.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @GordonDoherty

Follow his author page on www.facebook.com/gordon.doherty

Subscribe to his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/GordonDohertyAuthor

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5

1,269 global ratings

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Barb Katz

More than a fun read - an impressive study. enjoy

Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2019

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Exciting. Gripping. Most importantly- as historically accurate as possible. The characters are meticulously crafted on actual people although the names are much more pronounceable. The events flow like swift mountain rivers and the battle scenes leave nothing to the imagination. One word of caution - do not expect to be able to put this book down and take a breather - you will not be able to do so.
I eagerly await the next book.

One person found this helpful

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Jon F. Zeigler

A solid adventure story

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2020

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Son of Ishtar is a coming-of-age story about Prince Hattu, born about 1315 BCE as the fourth son of King Mursili II of the Hittite Empire. Suffering from ill health and childhood tragedy, young Prince Hattu seems to lack promise, overshadowed by his domineering father and his robust older brother, Prince Muwa. Struggling to earn respect, Hattu insists on being trained as a Hittite soldier, subjecting himself to the trials of a fierce Bronze Age boot camp. Winning over his fellow trainees, going with them to his first military campaign, he sets himself on the path that will one day lead him to the Hittite throne.

Readers will want to be aware that this is a story about a brutal and violent time. The combat scenes, in particular, are downright Homeric – recalling how lovingly the Iliad describes violent injury and death at every turn. Ethnic hatred and slavery are common to the period. There’s plenty of earthy dialogue and some implied sex as well.

I was very favorably impressed by Son of Ishtar. The production is very high quality, with clean prose and a minimum of editing mishaps. Gordon Doherty has done meticulous research, and it shows. I’m familiar with the period myself – in fact, I suspect Mr. Doherty and I have read some of the same sources – and I spotted a lot of authentic detail. Not to mention a great deal of foreshadowing, by way of a prophecy of the goddess Ishtar, of events to come. Later books in the series seem likely to cover some of the most important episodes of this critical period.

The story itself is suspenseful, and the battle scenes had me on the edge of my seat more than once. The identity of the “hidden” villain is possibly a little too obvious to the reader; I found myself grumbling at the characters once in a while for their obliviousness. Even so, I had no trouble getting through the story and reached the end wanting more. Recommended for anyone who enjoys a solid adventure story set in ancient times.

3 people found this helpful

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Paul Bennett

Imaginative creative fiction

Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2019

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Okay, my peeps and fellow readers of Mr. Doherty, we already know the dude can write, but this is the start of a new series...has his heretofore exemplary writing skills carried over? Let's have a look at the Hoover Book Review checklist - intriguing subject matter/check - characters the reader can embrace/check - a story line with twists and turns/check - obstacles overcome/check - engaging dialogue/check - tense drama/check - descriptions that invite the reader to the very walls of Hattusa...that leave the scent of battle on the pages/check. It's apparent that the author has ticked all of the boxes which I guess isn't too much of a surprise. He's taken on a period, area, and a people not well known, but who were certainly the boss of Asia Minor, and has crafted a wonderful tale of the Hittite world, a tale of overcoming the odds stacked high against success, a tale of two brothers and the growing divide between them...a tale of an empire being tested to the brink of destruction. A well done story that has me looking expectantly for the next one. 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

8 people found this helpful

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Mark McLaughlin

A Darn Fine Read!

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2021

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As a game designer and a painter of miniature figures of the era, I looked high and low for books on the Hittites (as they are represented in one of my games, and are one of the many armies I paint to game with). History books on the Hittites are finally becoming more and more common, but novels are as rare as hen's teeth. When a Hittite shows up in a book - even one with the word 'Hittite" in the title, it is usually about Uriah from the Bible (Ben Bova's recent novel "The Hittite" being a rare exception).

Gordon Doherty has read the same history books (and probably the same novels) on the Hittites as I have - and I expect a lot more. His series brings this long forgotten, long ignored civilization to life. Doherty takes us on a grand tour of everything Hittite: from temples to throne rooms, from battlefields to bedrooms (much more of the former and far less of the latter, as it is PG), and from the Nile to the mountains of northern Anatolia.

Rich in color and detail and history as this series is, it is also just a damn fine read! The novels are hard to put down (don't worry honey, I'm just going to read one more chapter before coming to bed), and a delight to read. The first two were so good that I bought the third, and will order the fourth when it comes out in a few days.

Heck, I might even spring for his Roman series after this - I've always been a sucker for a good Roman war story....Jupiter knows I've read enough of them!

One person found this helpful

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Atlantis00

Incessant action from start to finish

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2019

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As I said, non-stop action from start to finish, clever, great characters, and very well written. The only reason I gave it a 4 and not 5 was that its somewhat drawn out at the end, especially since there's a sequel. Overall an enjoyable read that keeps your attention though

2 people found this helpful

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wazzag

Enjoyable historical fiction series

Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2021

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I discovered the author after reading his Sons of Rome co authored series. I have completed this series as well as his Legionary series. I really enjoyed following Prince Hattu through his development into a man tied to the fate of his people. The author writes books that are impossible to put down, and I highly recommend them. Vivid imagery and well developed characters and settings.

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TH

A journey into....an unknown!

Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2019

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I thought Gordon Doherty (the author) bravely threw himself into an era that is relatively unknown to us today. Somehow, yet again, I managed to thoroughly enjoy reading it - as if I were living in the world in which the story was taking place. This was also the case with the other books I had read from G. Doherty. One factor I very much appreciated - also in other works by him - is the role of superhuman powers. The characters are indeed humans, like us - yes, individual beings but at the same time parts of a greater whole. I like this as I personally believe the same is true for our lives - that what we do is also part of a greater work.

4 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

Michael Lee

Great Historical Military Fiction

Reviewed in Canada on June 19, 2019

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After being lost in history for several thousand years, the mighty Hittite chariots rumble out of the mist of time in this superbly written first novel of a great new historical series. This mysterious empire is once again brought to life as the novel follows one of it's greatest generals. Action packed and historically accurate, the author has taken us to an ancient period of time where other writers of military fiction seldom go. Perfect for fans of Peter Darman, Sam Barone, Wilbur Smith and Christian Cameron.

David Baird

a brutal heart wrenching prologue which sets the tone for the story perfectly.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 9, 2019

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Wow! Where to start..

Son of Ishtar starts with a brutal heart wrenching prologue which sets the tone for the story perfectly.

Prince Hattu makes his way into the world..but the cost is great. Ishtar the Goddess claims Hattu has her man and a dark prophecy is written.

As Hattu grows up he’s shunned by many as the cursed son.. always in the shadow of his siblings but when the Kaskans attack its time for the prophecy to be fulfilled.

Hattu is a strong character.. he holds himself well, he’s selfless, loves his family and wishes only to prove himself to the King.. finally Hattu has his chance to train as a solider but it’s not going to be easy. The King expects him to fail.. but that’s not going to happen!

As Prince he’s afforded no respite..rather the opposite..he’s pushed harder than any man before him and slowly but surely you see boy become man. As he grows you see a change to how others view him as he earns their respect.. this causes its own issues though as jealously is a cruel emotion.

I’m not going to spoil the tale.. I just couldn’t ruin such an exciting and gripping read for you. Lets just say.. Hattu has something to fight for..someone to fight for, and when all is said and done his hands will be covered in Kaskan blood!

Son of Ishtar is a fast paced riveting read from the first page to the last.. it’s a dark harrowing tale of betrayal and loyalty.. of love and hate!

The battles are intense.. the deaths brutal and unforgiving..and I loved being along for the ride with the men of the Storm, the Wrath, the Fury and the Blaze!

I can say with certainty that Son of Ishtar is my recommend book of 2019! Highly anticipated and well worth the wait.

As a fan of Gordon’s I can say he’s got it spot on once again, the balance between plot, character development and detail. Never once do you feel anything is forced.. the book just flows perfectly.. plot and descriptive details mixed seamlessly.. no boring segments.. no boring characters.. no confusing sub plots.. just pure intense reading that sucks you in.

Gordon Doherty has put so much time into this book and it shows.. utterly breath-taking, heart stopping goodness that leaves you craving more!

5 people found this helpful

purdec lose

a good ripping yarn

Reviewed in Australia on December 15, 2019

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this is a well crafted fast paced book about the Hittites, a fasinating Bronze age society. The content is well researched and the details correct. Written from the warrior point of view but good reading even if you are a female and like ancient history. No weaving circles or birthing rites here but then the surviving Hittite art is not about this. They were the only civilisation to match the Egyptians and I cannot wait for the next book when we hopefully get to Kadesh.

A. Roberts

Very exciting ending.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2022

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I very much enjoyed this novel. It gave a good picture of life in Bronze Age life in the Hittite empire in an entertaining style.
The story centres round the early life of a Hittite Prince covering the campaign against the northern barbarians.
Overall an exciting and very readable novel with an cliff edge ending.

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