4 out of 4 stars
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The Last Shades of Scarlet: Wolves of Laconia is a story of a young lad in Ancient Greece. Adronikos’s tale begins at the tender age of 7 when he is sent to the agoge to train as a warrior. Adronikos takes the reader through training, missions, loves and thoughts of a man in Ancient Greece. This story is a young lad who transforms into an honorable man.
The Last Shades of Scarlet: Wolves of Laconia is a beautifully written story told in the first person about a young boy coming of age. The first sentences captured my love of reading. The writing style is smooth and easy to read. As Adronikos tells his story, I become engrossed in his life. William A. Lamon does a fantastic job of allowing the reader to understand Ancient Greece in a period that has long passed. The story filled with historical facts is an entertaining read. I have nothing to say against this book other than I want to know more about Adronikos.
Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will enjoy this book. However, I would suggest anyone giving this book a try. The writing style is appealing in itself. The writing captured my attention before the story drew me in. The details about the life of a Spartan soldier and warfare were intriguing. Lamon gives Adronikos philosophical insight about life. “ Every experience, good or ill, is an opportunity to gain knowledge about yourself and the world around you.” That is one of the philosophies of Adronikos.
The Last Shades of Scarlet: Wolves of Laconia receives a 4 out of 4 rating. The novel offers a compelling storyline. The characters are exciting and draw the reader into the story. The details on life as a Spartan shows pride and a true warrior. The writing style is easy to read and flows poetically. This novel is one of those to read to the end in a short time. However, reaching the end, there is a little sadness because the characters seem to come alive, and I want to continue into their lives.
The language in the book contains what some readers may find strong words. This book is about a soldier’s life in ancient times. I found myself wondering if a particular word would be used during that time, or would the language be much harsher than what the author uses. Therefore, the words do not seem out of place or overly used. The editing was professional.
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Wolves of Laconia
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