Julian Barr

Tooth and Blade is a collection of 3 Norse fantasy-inspired YA novellas. Dota is a girl brought up by trolls in their subterranean cave, who discovers she is in fact human. She enters the human realm and is soon drawn into clan and kingdom battles there, whilst also seeking to protect them against Grethor, her bloodthirsty troll brother. There is a sense of menace in the book, but the violence is never graphically described, and the themes of identity, loyalty and family predominate. There is also a queer subtext which is never laboured but is an integral part of the story. I found this a gripping story grounded in research (I enjoyed spotting nods to the Icelandic sagas), which kept my interest until the end. The ending of the third novella is satisfyingly complete, but leaves the door open to further installments.… (mer)

The Way Home begins with one of the most dramatic events in history – the pillage and destruction of Troy - and it is in the midst of this carnage that we are introduced to the main character, eighteen-year-old Aeneas. As Troy burns, Aeneas is forced to flee his beloved city, along with other citizens seeking refuge. His efforts to lead and protect them are heroic, but the gods are quick to meddle, making for plenty of action and suspense. True to form, the immortals are vengeful, disdainful of humans and willing to use their absolute powers to achieve their aims.

However, Aeneas, a legend in the making, has powers of his own, which come into play during the hazardous journey ahead. The source of these is slowly revealed as we learn more about the gods and their schemes. The author's light touch and engaging style makes The Way Home immensely readable and I was left wanting more. This is a story sure to appeal to those who enjoy myth and adventure.… (mer)

Julian Barr's debut novel The Way Home (Ashes of Olympus) is the first in the Ashes of Olympus trilogy, a modern retelling of Virgil's Aeneid. The action starts just after the Greeks have entered Troy in the Trojan Horse and destroyed the city, and Aeneas and the remnant of the Trojan people escape, steal some Greek boats and sail away to try and find a new homeland. Behind the scenes - and sometimes centre stage - the gods are scheming. Battles earthly and heavenly ensue. This book finishes with the Trojans arriving at Queen Dido's Karkhedon. The next in the trilogy, The Ivory Gate, has just been released recently, and I'm really looking forward to carrying on with the story.… (mer)

"This is no game .. Zeus means for the Trojan bloodline to join that of the Latins. His empire will mean starvation for all gods. Go now. Shatter the peace, turn brother against brother.’ Hera to Athena and Ares."

In 'The Way Home', the first book of 'The Ashes of Olympus' trilogy, the survivors of Troy flee the Greeks and take to the wind dark sea to find a new home. You might like to read my review also on Library Thing.

Now in 'The Ivory Gate' Julian Barr continues this emotive and action packed story. We are reminded that Aeneas’ troubles, the fate of the Trojan’s and of the Latins, all arise from the feud between the goddesses Aphrodite and Hera. I like how Julian Barr gives us gods you can not only fear but also feel for. Hera’s machinations, for instance, are driven by her quite understandable desire to protect her daughter, Queen Dido of Karkhedon (later known as ‘Carthage’).

Aphrodite recruits the Furies, Poseidon, Cyclops and Hephaestus, god of fire and forger of weapons. Hera ramps up this arms race by summoning not only the warrior Athena but also the war god himself, Ares. And this is no mere spat among the Olympians. This is for their survival.

As the narrative moves from Karkhedon to Scilia and on to Italia, the mortals struggle on, protecting their loves and striving for their destinies even as the Olympians wreak havoc. Julian Barr brings to life Dido's anguish at being abandoned by her lover Aeneas, his clumsy attempts to connect with his son Julos who in turn resents being pulled away from Dido, the only mother figure he has known, Lavinia's attempts to live up to her father's memory, Beroe's smouldering grief at the loss of her partner.

There are many reasons for me to give this trilogy my whole hearted recommendation: it brings to life the misty times of legend, it delivers Virgil's stories in an exciting form to a modern audience, it contains maps and superb illustrations, and anyway I simply love stories like this.… (mer)