The City
Stella Gemmell, who finished husband David’s historical novel Troy after he died in 2006, offers up an intriguing solo effort. Set in an eternally-at-war ancient city, the novel features a quintet of disparate characters: Fell Lee, a warrior with seriously conflicted loyalties; Indaro, daughter of one of the City’s powerful families; Bartellus, a legendary military commander who was forced into hiding in the City’s sewers; and Elija and Emly, a young brother and sister who have spent years living in the sewers. Some people believe the only way to stop the never-ending war the City has been fighting is to kill the allegedly immortal emperor, but will this free the City or plunge it once and for all into chaos? Having constructed a richly detailed world full of vividly drawn characters, Gemmell sets up a number of puzzles for the reader to solve—including whether the book is set in an alternate past, or a far-flung future—and as we move through the sprawling story, the pieces begin to fall into place. Although a sequel is not mandatory (the book can work as a stand-alone), one would be most welcome. --David Pitt