Rating: 
Summary: Gate of Fire? -more like Gate of Contract Pressures
Review: I loved the Shadow of Ararat. While this book starts out OK, it suddenly crashes. A women previously described as a delicate little persian princess is transformed during a brief sea voyage into Xena, complete with battle cry. Harlan provides a long, drawn out, predictable scenario where Thyatis, a sort of Amazon, realizes that she is a lesbian with the ersatz Xena. The scene is complete with Harlequin Romance cliche sex. We learn that the princess is perhaps Mongolian and learned to pull a bow before she could walk. Well, neither the Mongols nor the Persians taught women to use weapons. So much for historical accuracy. In the next chapter, a previously shy egyptian boy is now using 20th century-style sarcastic names for companions( "Oh Buzzard (fill in a noun)"). This is only the second book I've ever returned because I felt the author was just turning out contractually required junk. At least there is new Terry Brooks novel due in September.
Rating: 
Summary: The Battle for the Empire Continues!
Review: I waited with bated breath for Book 2 of the Oath of Empire to be published. I wasn't disappointed! Once again Thomas Harlan has written a deliciously intriguing novel with most of the characters we've loved and hated from The Shadow of Ararat. Handsome and powerful Prince Maxian continues to use his magic to shape the world. Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great feel like old friends and add wit and humor to the story. Sorcerer Dahak returns, growing ever more powerful, continuing to manipulate and control an ever growing service of men. Loveable and needy Dyrin is back, abandoned once again to his own devices. And Mohammed rises up and leads readers through a spiritual experience that at times feels personel. Once again we're led through the development and execution of a war between Persia and Rome, between evil and good, between man and monster. A detailed history of those ancient days weaves throughout the story, enhancing and bringing the story to real life. Thomas Harlan has blended the best of all people through the humor, joy, sorrows and tragedy of his characters. The last 100 pages build to a climax that can only be reached when his third novel appears. As I checked and re-checked for the release of The Gate of Fire, so will I wait for the ongoing saga and full blown war sure to be found as the Oath of Empire continues!
Rating: 
Summary: Incredibly Vivid Imagery, Spinning in Circles
Review: It's not particularly *realistic*, but it sure is a great read. I still have no bloody clue where the change point is. Discussion in the first novel led me to believe that the Hebrews had never existed, but now, it seems that they did. We see the rise of Islam, while Persia reels from the devastating blow dealt to it by the combined Roman armies. The sorceror Dahak slowly builds his forces to take control of Persia, and, from there, the world, while Maxian continues his efforts to undo the Oath strangling the people of Rome. Good points are, as in the first one, very good imagery. I can see the ruins of Palmyra, the fortress of Damawand (cough)Alamut(cough), and the triumphal parade of Galen. The magic is particularly evocative; it's rather heavy on the special effects, like it's meant to be a movie. Seeing just how truly effective Khiron really is is interesting, as is the interplay between Julius Caesar and Alexander. Bad points are, well, not to be an echo, but a surprising number of people don't stay dead. I fully expect to see two people who died in the climactic battle to re-appear again, simply because we don't see their bodies; not that I mind, but, really, it reminds me too much of a comic book. Also, certain facts as presented don't stand up to logic; in particular, I'm bearing in mind how much of Rome's food came from Africa, and not from Italy. Finally, some of the scenes I'm not entirely sure what happened, and, for the life of me, I can't figure out if I'm supposed to know what's happening, or not. All in all, a pretty darn good book. Not high literature, but a nice book to read, and, you know, not all books have to be literature.
Rating: 
Summary: Rich Complex Believable
Review: Right now, there are perhaps three series that are as rich, complex, and well written: George Martin's Song of Fire and Ice; Jordan's Wheel of Time; and Mary Gentle's Secret History of Ashe. Harlan's writing is extremely skillful in that it never gets in the way, yet paints extremely complex portraits of characters and situations. He does not depend on devices such as deus ex to help him out, as he never paints himself into a corner--his plots are tight and well thought out and his characters are understandable and empathetic. They do not agree with eachother, they do not always get along, and life is not wonderful. This is a sophisticated work, with one of the main personalities gradually subverting to evil, although his intentions are the purest. Gate of Fire is the second in the series, and it is as good as the first. Do yourself a favor. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Rich Complex Believable
Review: Right now, there are perhaps three series that are as rich, complex, and well written: George Martin's Song of Fire and Ice; Jordan's Wheel of Time; and Mary Gentle's Secret History of Ashe. Harlan's writing is extremely skillful in that it never gets in the way, yet paints extremely complex portraits of characters and situations. He does not depend on devices such as deus ex to help him out, as he never paints himself into a corner--his plots are tight and well thought out and his characters are understandable and empathetic. They do not agree with eachother, they do not always get along, and life is not wonderful. This is a sophisticated work, with one of the main personalities gradually subverting to evil, although his intentions are the purest. Gate of Fire is the second in the series, and it is as good as the first. Do yourself a favor. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Rich characters, but gets bogged down in complexity
Review: Second book in a four book series continues the very dynamic and large story of a fictional alternative history novel that take place in ancient Rome and Persia. Gate of Fire picks up where Shadow of Ararat left off, but the author really needed a include a refresher on what happened in the previous novel. Why? Well, there are so many characters and plot lines it is easy to get confused on who is who and what they are doing and trying to achieve. Some of the characters are mainstays and become much more developed, however, new aspects were introduced to them that some may think seem trite. One of the characters realizes that she is a lesbian, while two other characters share an intimate homosexual experience. Why the author felt that these needed to be included are beyond me for they do nothing to advance the story. There are some comedic situations that are amusing, while other events are down right evil and chilling. As in the first novel, Thomas Harlan continues a fabulous job in description of the political climate, the physical layout of the land, and is very rich in detail. Almost too much detail. There are a few battle scenes that are very exciting and filled with adrenaline. The climatic battle with Prince Maxian was a real page turner and was very stepped in magic and the supernatural. Almost read like a good Star Wars battle. On the downside though, a few characters that were dead or thought to be dead, re-appear in this installment. The biggest problem I had with this book and the last is its complexity. Mr. Harlan truly is writing an Epic here, and unless you are skilled to keep track of dozens of characters and plotlines you may want to think twice about undertaking this. Now two books into (theoretically 1/2 way), I am still having a problem seeing what the main goal of the story is. It is basically Persia vs. Rome, and roughly three to four factions fighting for supremacy. Would have liked to see a bit more magic in this novel. In the end, the premise is good, the characters and detail rich. Has a lot of potential, just hope the 3rd one is a bit easier to read and starts tying things together.
Rating:
Summary: Rich characters, but gets bogged down in complexity
Review: Second book in a four book series continues the very dynamic and large story of a fictional alternative history novel that take place in ancient Rome and Persia. Gate of Fire picks up where Shadow of Ararat left off, but the author really needed a include a refresher on what happened in the previous novel. Why? Well, there are so many characters and plot lines it is easy to get confused on who is who and what they are doing and trying to achieve. Some of the characters are mainstays and become much more developed, however, new aspects were introduced to them that some may think seem trite. One of the characters realizes that she is a lesbian, while two other characters share an intimate homosexual experience. Why the author felt that these needed to be included are beyond me for they do nothing to advance the story. There are some comedic situations that are amusing, while other events are down right evil and chilling. As in the first novel, Thomas Harlan continues a fabulous job in description of the political climate, the physical layout of the land, and is very rich in detail. Almost too much detail. There are a few battle scenes that are very exciting and filled with adrenaline. The climatic battle with Prince Maxian was a real page turner and was very stepped in magic and the supernatural. Almost read like a good Star Wars battle. On the downside though, a few characters that were dead or thought to be dead, re-appear in this installment. The biggest problem I had with this book and the last is its complexity. Mr. Harlan truly is writing an Epic here, and unless you are skilled to keep track of dozens of characters and plotlines you may want to think twice about undertaking this. Now two books into (theoretically 1/2 way), I am still having a problem seeing what the main goal of the story is. It is basically Persia vs. Rome, and roughly three to four factions fighting for supremacy. Would have liked to see a bit more magic in this novel. In the end, the premise is good, the characters and detail rich. Has a lot of potential, just hope the 3rd one is a bit easier to read and starts tying things together.
Rating:
Summary: like it, but it is part of a 2000 page book
Review: The second book of Oath of Empire is really enjoyable to some... in particular for those who may think the failures of Rome have important lessons for today. It helps to be able to read tomes very quickly. I am curious about where the author is headed as I start the 3rd book - in particular omitting Jesus and emphasizing Mohammed is hopefully going to be an interesting speculation and food for thought. This is the 4th book I've read by the author... all suffer a bit from weak editing, silly covers, excessive length, and minor inconsistencies. The stories are still good, tho!
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