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P.K. Lentz
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Athenian Steel (The Hellennium Book 1) Kindle Edition

by P.K. Lentz (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 858 ratings
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A Greek general fighting a war that his city is fated to lose.
A renegade traveler in time and space.
A pact that will set the ancient world ablaze.

When three travelers in time and space crash-land in the middle of the ruinous war between Athens and Sparta, the Athenian general Demosthenes claims one as his slave. As god-like in strength as she is mercurial in nature, Thalassia is a living weapon who cannot truly be owned. Although her true motives are her own, Demosthenes dares to accept her offer to alter fate and bring Athens victory.

But will madness come first to any foolish enough to believe he can wield Thalassia as a weapon?

ATHENIAN STEEL is bloody, twisted mayhem in the ancient world and Book I in an epic tale that will appeal to readers of Gene Wolfe David Gemmell, David Drake, Harry Turtledove, and other classic SF/Fantasy authors of the 1970′s to 1990′s. Fans of Bernard Cornwell, Giles Kristian, Simon Scarrow and similar will also find plenty to enjoy if they don't mind touches of cosmic SF, dark humor and explicit sex in their military historical fiction.

Join Demosthenes and Thalassia as they blaze a trail of slaughter and ruin across the ancient world in The Hellennium.

Praise for Athenian Steel from Amazon US/UK customers:

  • "It is the best book I have read in the last 15 years and easily makes it in my top 10 of all time (most of which are Hugo or Nebula award winners).
  • "This was a blood-soaked, profanity laden read of epic proportions. I loved every minute."
  • "I've read many F & SF books over the past 50 years. This is right among the best."
  • "A fabulously different storyline, history and fantasy sci-fi mixed up in a rodeo of master storytelling..."
  • "...the characterization is flawless. The detail of the period, the actions and motivations are well captured... A grown up's book - and something to make a classicist think."

CONTENT ADVISORY: Athenian Steel is not a 'clean' read. The series depicts the ancient world in a frank and explicit manner, including graphic scenes of sexuality and violence. Foul language abounds.

Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 2
    The Hellennium
  2. Print length
    444 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    October 15, 2015
  6. File size
    2699 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A few highlights from ★★★★★ customer reviews:
  • "It is the best book I have read in the last 15 years and easily makes it in my top 10 of all time (most of which are Hugo or Nebula award winners)."​​
  • "I've read many F & SF books over the past 50 years. This is right among the best... Can't wait for the next one!"
  • "Only work and family activities allowed me to put this book aside."
  • "...the characterization is flawless. The detail of the period, the actions and motivations are well captured... A grown up's book - and something to make a classicist think."
  • "Excellent period setting with good historical detail overlaid with a great science fiction story and very, very good characters."
  • "An intriguing, addictive book crafted by a master."
  • "Stunning is not an exaggeration."

From the Author

ATHENIAN STEEL is a unique, violent, and sexy blend of gritty historical fiction and cosmic SF set during the Peloponnesian War. The story is rich in historical detail, featuring bloody and brutal battles, but at its heart is the complex, dysfunctional, and ever-evolving anti-romance between Demosthenes and his star-born ally Thalassia. The book and series will appeal to fans of the classic SF and Science Fantasy of the 70's to 90's written by the likes of Gene Wolfe, David Gemmell, David Drake, Michael Moorcock, & more--or anyone looking for something that's edgy and a bit off the well-worn paths of SF/F while sticking to a classic style of epic storytelling.

The first volume of The Hellennium, ATHENIAN STEEL begins a saga of altered history that will span centuries.

Unique. Twisted. Bloody. Epic. Iron Age Sci-Fi.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B016PV1SLW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ IronAge (October 15, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 15, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2699 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 444 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 858 ratings

About the author

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P.K. Lentz

P.K. Lentz

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As of 2023, I'm writing a post-apocalyptic serial under the name ARIES NADAIYA on Amazon's Kindle Vella. You can read the first three episodes free. A 4-book series called The MX is already complete and will be released in episode format prior to its publication as novels.

ARIES NADAIYA is an anagram of my wife and two daughters' names. Search for it, Follow, and I hope to see you on Vella!

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
858 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kevin McCloy
5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly engaging characters and well researched history
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
I am not normally a fan of eBooks, much preferring to read actual print. However, Amazon Prime's Reading program allows me to download and peruse books I would normally never get to see because they never make it to a bookstore shelf near me. (In my review, the product format references a paperback, which is incorrect. I read the kindle version available on Amazon Prime Prime Reader service.)

P.K. Lentz's "Athenian Steel" was just such a risk I took, knowing nothing about the author or the series.

And I have to say I was thrilled. I am a historian by training, avocation and vocation, and I found the historical references thoroughly enjoyable. The juxtaposition of classical history and science fiction was also engaging, and the battle narratives were top-notch!

I won't bore you with a detailed description of the plot, (which I find distasteful in customer reviews anyway.) Why would potential readers want to know the plot line? Why would you want to have the narrative spoiled? (Reviewers, please stop this habit.) Instead, potential readers know this: A traveler from a far future that can navigate through many possible 'alternate universes' wherein history takes different turns arrives in Classical Greece during the earlier years of the Peloponnesian Wars. While the plot turns on the changes that then might take place, the true story (as P.K. Lentz relates) is the relationship between the major characters. I must admit that I was taken in and thoroughly manipulated in my own feelings towards the characters, (which is what any good writer wants, right?) and found myself cheering, jeering and rooting for them at different points of the novel. As the pages remaining shortened, I found myself regretting nearing the end, which to me illustrates a great book.

In short, this book had everything that I love in a good sci-fi/speculative fiction novel, and I highly recommend it. I am ordering the next books in the series as soon as I finish this review.

Well done Mr. Lentz! Well done.
3 people found this helpful
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BJ
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting idea executed brilliantly
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
A woman from the future brings two crewmates back to a specific past to destroy a common enemy. Geneva works for the Caliate and was seduced into a relationship of six years. She is ashamed and embarrassed that they were the best six years of her life. She is branded a traitor, but forgiven. She conceives of a plan to destroy her lover by going back in time. Her leader and her lover are unique in that they are only present in one reality. She travels back in time in that reality bringing two more than human crew members with her. They all die in the crash, but end up on separate sides of a war between Athens and Sparta.

What I liked about this book: Accurate Science and good history showing someone did their home work. The story moved well, gave simple explanations that did not slow down the narrative and used language an educated man of that period would understand. I loved the character of Geneva. She started out damaged, was broken when she became the wormwhore, but ultimately was a character who faced her short comings and fears with her own brand of honor.

What I didn't care for: All the male characters including the hero were tools. The main hero was obnoxious and self centered. The younger hero was that as well, but in a playful not so serious way.

I recommend this book for the skillful execution of an interesting idea.
8 people found this helpful
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I Liao
5.0 out of 5 stars I have spent the last several months reading through the best selling works of the genre and the Hellenium series ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
Athenian Steel and Spartan Beast (Hellenium Books 1 & 2) completely surprised me with their sophistication both as historical fiction and sci-fi/fantasy world building. I have spent the last several months reading through the best selling works of the genre and the Hellenium series rates among the best. Lentz generates the historical and military drama of Pressfield's Gates of Fire and combines it with the engrossing sci fi/fantasy world building of Brown's Red Rising. His blending of pre-technology worlds with super advanced beings is masterful and far better integrated than Gene Wolfe's Complete Book of the New Sun. Where Lentz truly excels by the standards of the genre is in the complexity of his characters. Lentz reimagines the Peloponnesian War as altered by the unexpected arrival of two super women warriors from the distant future who mirror the bitter enmity of the Spartans and Athenians. This story does not follow the usual sci-fi/fantasy story arc of unlikely hero battles unspeakable evil to save the world. Rather Lentz tells the story from both the Athenian and Spartan viewpoints and has his protagonists wrestle with how to preserve their humanity when war requires one to be a monster. He does this wholly within the classical context and without any jarring 21st century values creeping in. His characters also grapple with other weighty issues like love vs duty and tradition vs change. The characters are well drawn, feel real, make mistakes and are unpredictable. Lentz wraps these character explorations within a plot that drives forward relentlessly making the books hard to put down. There is more than enough action to satisfy any fan of the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Lentz shows an impressive grasp of the classical world and does an excellent job of bringing alive the domestic, military and political worlds of his characters. Judged as straight classical era historical fiction, Lentz equals Robert Harris or Steven Pressfield in command of historical detail . As part of this the books do contain extensive scenes illustrating famously permissive Greek sexual practices which the super women from the future also embrace. As such these books might not be appropriate for younger readers.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Linus
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in Germany on February 8, 2021
Verified Purchase
Well written history-science fiction. Convincing characters that do not let you put the book down but keep you up reading. The book is a gem and a pleasant surprise. Already on the second part
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Mara Nightingale
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in Canada on August 2, 2019
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When I first started reading this book I was a bit confused, but the further I got the better it became. By the end, I didn't want it to be over. I couldn't put this book down. I just had to keep reading and reading until I finished it and now I just want more. I am getting the next book as soon as I can!
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Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars Superbly written historical fiction with a twist. A must read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2017
Verified Purchase
I knew that I would like this book even before I started it. I love scifi. And I love history, particularly ancient history. What I didn't know was just how wonderfully well-written this story would be.

In many ways, this is a straight up historical fiction and is full of accurate historical details and authenticity, bringing ancient Athens and her people to life. In other ways, it is an alternate history. A look at what might have been, if the terrible power struggle of the Peloponnesian War had gone a bit differently - if, for example, a visitor or three from the future / space / another dimension turned up and started poking about with their knowledge and willpower.

Historically speaking, I'm no expert but I've studied this period, I have a well-thumbed copy of Thucydides within arms reach at all times in case of emergency and I know, to varying degrees, about the warfare, art, domestic life and mindset of these people. It became clear almost immediately that I was reading someone who knew his stuff, far more than I, and could be trusted to get it right. And the detail is just... "there", it's never pointed out and works seamlessly to create a believable world for the characters to inhabit.

Ultimately, this is a character driven story about two flawed people from very different places and times and how they are drawn to each other. Their relationship is dysfunctional and very far from the obvious. They feel like real people. People who commit errors that make their victories all the sweeter. It's not a happy story, by any means but I enjoyed it enormously and I can't wait to read the next book in the series - Spartan Beast - which is out now.

I have no hesitation in recommending it wholeheartedly.
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Jack Harris351
5.0 out of 5 stars Athenian Steel
Reviewed in Australia on December 24, 2019
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What an awesome read. A clever blend of history and artistic licence with strong characters and flowing ideas. I will enjoy rereading it again...after The Spartan Beast. YOU WONT BE DISSAPPOINTED.
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Tanya j
4.0 out of 5 stars Builds to a real page turner
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
Not my usual type of book, I was slow to see the appeal. However, the characters and setting soon caught my interest. I finished up staying up late and eagerly waiting to see how the plot evolved. Looking forward to reading the sequel.
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