Knowles, Mark – The Bell Bookshop

Hades

Emma — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The exciting new historical novel in Mark Knowles’ Blades of Bronze series. You’ve read the myths of Ancient Greece… now see how life really was in the Age of Heroes.Decades after the voyage of the fabled Argo, the last remaining Argonauts are scattered to the corners of the Greek world, old men living on past glories.The great victory at Troy is naught but a memory. The gods have abandoned Greece. The last vestiges of once-mighty kingdoms are crumbling and the enemy is nearly at the gates.The Age of Heroes is dead. The Sea People are coming…Only one young man can rise up, channel the spirit of the Argonauts, and inspire and renew the heroism of old: Xandros, callow grandson of the great Jason. His mission is a desperate one, and it may yet be too late. Will the old world crumble and burn once and for all, or will a new hero rise to victory?Reviews for the Blades of Bronze series:‘A bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth. Knowles’s storytelling captured my imagination from the very first page. Wonderfully atmospheric.’ Daisy Dunn‘What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story.’ Sam Taw‘A deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue.’ Adam Lofthouse

Jason

Emma — Thu, 11 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Packed with action, adventure, and intrigue, Jason is a bold and thrilling historical epic steeped in Greek mythology, perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and Madeline Miller.Jason has fulfilled the mission set him by his uncle, the scheming King Pelias of Iolkos: he and the Argonauts have won the fabled Golden Fleece of Colchis. Jason dreams of glory – of taking his uncle’s throne, rightfully his – and, like his warrior shipmates, of home.But not only Pelias wishes Jason ill. Before the Argonauts can make it back to Iolkos, they must contend with a legion of foes who would see them dead – and allies who are not quite what they seem. Jason and his warriors must outwit the recondite Circe and the spies of mighty Troy, overcome hostile tribes beyond the Danube, and sail the troubled waters of the Archipelagos, where the Sirens wait to snare unwary seafarers.Yet Jason’s perils are only beginning, for he will soon discover that a truer evil lies closer to home. They may have won the prize, but will any of them make it home alive?Reviewers on Mark Knowles:‘A bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth.’ Daisy Dunn ‘A deeply researched historical epic, brilliantly brought to life.’ Adam Lofthouse ‘A spectacular triumph!’ Sam Taw

Jason

Emma — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Packed with action, adventure, and intrigue, Jason is perfect for fans of Christian Cameron and Madeline Miller.

They may have won the prize, but will any of them make it home alive?

Jason has fulfilled the mission set him by his uncle, the scheming King Pelias of Iolkos: he and the Argonauts have won the fabled Golden Fleece of Colchis. Jason dreams of glory – of taking his uncle’s throne, rightfully his – and, like his warrior shipmates, of home.

But it is not only Pelias who wishes Jason ill. Before the Argonauts can make it back to Iolkos, they must contend with a legion of foes who would see them dead – and a web of allies who are not quite what they seem.

Jason and his warriors must outwit the recondite Circe and the spies of mighty Troy, overcome hostile tribes beyond the Danube, and sail the troubled waters of the Archipelagos, where the Sirens wait to snare unwary seafarers.

Yet Jason’s perils are only beginning, for he will soon discover that a truer evil lies closer to home…

‘A bold and thrilling voyage that plunges you deep into the world of ancient myth with every stroke of Jason’s oar. Knowles’s storytelling captured my imagination from the very first page. It is wonderfully atmospheric’ Daisy Dunn, editor of ARGO: A Hellenic Review, and author of Of Gods and Men: 100 Stories from Ancient Greece & Rome

Reviewers on Mark Knowles:

‘A deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue’ Adam Lofthouse
‘What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story’ Sam Taw

Argo

Emma — Thu, 03 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

An action-filled reimagining of the famous Greek myth, Jason and the Golden Fleece, brilliantly told by classicist Mark Knowles.

He has come to take what is yours…

Iolkos, Thessaly. 1230 BC. King Pelias has grown paranoid, tormented by his murderous past and a prophecy of the man who will one day destroy him.

When a stranger arrives to compete in the Games of Poseidon, Pelias is horrified, for this young man should never have grown to manhood. He is Jason, Pelias’ nephew, who survived his uncle’s assassins as a child. Now Jason wants his revenge – and the kingdom.

But Pelias is cunning as well as powerful. He gives his foe an impossible challenge: to claim the throne, Jason must first steal the fabled Golden Fleece of Colchis.

Jason assembles a band of Greece’s finest warriors. They are the Argonauts, named for their trusty ship. But even with these mighty allies, Jason will have to overcome the brutal challenges hurled his way. His mission and many lives depend on his wits – and his sword.

PRAISE FOR ARGO AND MARK KNOWLES:

‘Mark Knowles has taken the legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece, and stripped it down to its bare bones… What is left is a deeply researched historical epic, so brilliantly brought to life I could taste the salt air on my tongue… Epic battles, well-rounded characters sailing through a brilliantly described world’ Adam Lofthouse, author of The Centurion’s Son

‘What a spectacular triumph! Knowles has taken a reassuringly familiar legend and elevated it into a new, realistic and engrossing story’ Sam Taw

‘[Knowles] has teamed his love of learning classics and childhood love of sword-and-sandals epics to accomplish something remarkable’ Boarding Schools’ Association

‘Knowles has combined historical realities with sure-footed imagination… brilliant’ Dr Paul Millett, Cambridge University (on The Consul’s Daughter)