I picked up another book in the genre recently in which there is an almost Marvel comic book attitude to combat – this is all to common. Having read some of his historical work and the fantastic SF novel: Artifact Space, he continues to develop rich characters and environments. So by the time one of them breaks down everything at the end, it just feels like the author was throwing the final twist to make you go "wow! If it becomes more character driven, as opposed to solely plot driven, then I'll likely give it a shot! Gamash turns to a mysterious blacksmith and his apprentices for aid, to fashion weapons made of a substance that can possibly slay a god.

I love mythology and books that mix fantasy, history, and mythology in particular and was excited to read this book! The three are scattered across the map when we meet them, but right from the start they are being pulled towards one another by the machinations of the Huntress – also known as the Black Goddess, the Enemy, and Temis – who is always plotting against the other gods. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a rich new epic fantasy to anyone who loves the genre.

Whispers eventually make it to the gods ears that star-metal has fallen from the sky in an area of the mortal-inhabited lands and all hell breaks loose to put it bluntly. In saying that, it's only the first book so I'm sure the author was limited in the foundation he needed to lay for the rest of the series, but I just didn't feel strongly connected to any character or found any of them a bit likeable. I am entirely conflicted about this, because I was baffled by some things, and then there were some parts I was absolutely enthralled with and wanted to know more. Every time I think I have my "best books of the year" list sorted, here comes a book like "Against All Gods" to throw a wrench in my well-made plans. This time we're in a bronze age epic fantasy, with gods and demigods walking the earth and oppressing mortals.

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. And that's where Miles Cameron is truly great at blurring the lines, making you doubt every assumption, he really keeps the reader on their toes with every intense scene and passage of dialogue. Cameron has drawn from a number of the mythologies present in our own history, but the pantheon he has created is entirely unique, and each deity bursts with character.

Zos’ combination of charisma, world-weary skepticism, and bravado, made for a really dynamic character as well. The gods feel the humans are beneath contempt, just playthings, but necessary to feed their existence, and the humans become equally contemptuous of the gods, due to the god's oppressive treatment of their mortal subjects.

You know what the storyline is, revenge against the gods but the plot throughout the book was non-existent for so long that many parts just felt sluggish to get through (on top of the huge chapters). Finally, Aanat, a master captain, and trader, wants to keep his ship, and his family who are its crew, safe from harm. While this book is sometimes zany, often irreverant, the themes Cameron explores are very dire, including canibalism, ritual human sacrifice, slavery, betrayal, unmitigated greed, torture, sexual assault and murder, to name a few, so reader be warned. It should be an explosive story about mortals clashing with gods but unfortunately this fell short of the mark. Since plot offers nothing particularly new and characters were a bit stereotypical, I have to mention the world-building.She reveals how everything humans think they know is a lie, and shares the secret that will save and condemn them all. Once this happens, and the humans open their eyes to how badly the gods behave, it seems war is unavoidable, because without mutual respect, neither party can value the lives of the other. They talked and behaved in very "modern" ways and I had difficulties at time reconciling their characters with the setting of a bronze-age world. To celebrate the arrival of Maz Evans’ latest masterpiece, VI SPY: LICENCE TO CHILL, and to maybe lend a helping hand to all of you teaching at the moment (both professionally and other! Pollon, a scribe and Atosa, a Chief jeweller whose honourable nature led to their imprisonment and punishment.

A huge theme is whether or not humans have been tricked all their lives, ascribing virtue to gods who are by no means worthy of such adoration.

This is a minor quibble, as I said, the world feels alive, and the language is just as often astute: Narmer will bring to mind Egypt, Mykoax somehow both the Mycenaeans and the Minoans, Dardanians can’t but help allude to the broader Troad etc. Godborn is a descendant of Gods or humans appointed by Gods who prolonged their life by giving them ambrosia). Just when you think maybe someone has emerged that can fill that role, something happens that makes you question your assessment.