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The Falcon of Sparta

The gripping and battle-scarred adventure from The Sunday Times bestselling author of Empire

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The Falcon of Sparta

By: Conn Iggulden
Narrated by: Michael Fox
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Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Falcon of Sparta by Conn Iggulden, read by Michael Fox.

In the Ancient World, one army was feared above all others.

401 BC. The Persian king Artaxerxes rules an empire stretching from the Aegean to northern India. As many as fifty million people are his subjects. His rule is absolute.

The sons of Sparta, those whose fathers and grandfathers fell at Thermopylae and perished in the Peloponnesian Wars, work as mercenaries for Persian princes eager to play the game of thrones. When Cyrus the younger, brother to the Great King, lays claim to his father's crown, he does so with an elite army of Spartans at his side.

Yet battles can be won - or lost - with a single blow. Princes fall. And when the dust of civil war settles, the Spartans are left stranded in the heart of an enemy's empire, without support, without food and without water. Far from home, surrounded by foes, it falls to the young soldier Xenophon to lead the survivors against Artaxerxes' legendary Persian warriors.

Drawing on one of history's most epic stories of adventure, The Falcon of Sparta masterfully depicts the ferocity, heroism, and savage bloodshed that was the ancient World.

 Action & Adventure Ancient Fantasy Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Science Fiction War & Military Fiction Ancient History Ancient Greece
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Critic reviews

His finest novel to date, brings alive the extraordinary world of ancient Persia, as well as the ruthless nobility of the Spartans. The battle scenes are thrilling and the men who fight in them are impeccably portrayed
Iggulden is in a class of his own when it comes to epic, historical fiction
Iggulden tells an absolutely cracking story. The pace is nail-biting and the set dressing magnificent
One of our finest historical novelists
Pacey and juicy, and packed with action
All stars
Most relevant
The most disappointing of Igguilden’s novels. I couldn’t get into the story until about two thirds of it. I almost returned it when the main character was killed. Narrator very good even if his Greek pronunciation was often dodgy. I wouldn’t recommend this book.

Decent ending, shame about the rest.

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I knew I was going to enjoy this book straight away and it doesn't disappoint. from a period of history where I didn't know what was coming. This is a must read.

Currently my Favourite Conn Iggulden book epic.

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Michael Fox brought this story to life. a great performance. Yet another epic story from Conn Iggulden. Fully enjoyed this book from the first word till the last. Never guessing the next twist. Brilliant.

Another must read .

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I’m quite a fan of Iggulden. However, this one is weak compared with his other output. I find it annoying to invest in principal characters that change, and move about. Plot line ultimately goes nowhere. The narrator performance is average seeming like it was the first time he was reading the story. Characterisation was weak and often it was difficult to know who was saying what during conversations. All of this is unusual in other Iggulden books.. disappointing.

Far from his best

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I have read everything by Conn and really enjoyed every book Have to say this was the least enjoyable.

Not one of his best.

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