Gates of Fire (Spoiler Free Review)

4/5 stars. An excellent historical fantasy that tells the story of "300" from the eyes of a servant in the Spartan army. Written by Steven Pressfield.
𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤: (I receive compensation when you sign up)
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[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

What is your favorite historical fiction book?

[@shwetmani3239]

PILLARS OF THE EARTH

[@joldomort5515]

@@shwetmani3239 same! It’s the only one I’ve read I think but it’s really good, has a slow start imo but definitely worth it

[@petervandeweyer517]

Shogun

[@thomasc9036]

A well-researched and written historical fiction can really open your eyes to the truth. Modern people don't know that the western Turkey region, Ionia, used to be a part of the Greek city-states and culture during this period in history.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah it's a great intro to some of these subjects for people who don't already know about them!

[@dinocollins720]

I just read Herodotus' Histories this year! It was actually quite an enjoyable read. Even though its a history source the stories are fantastic! It was really entertaining to read the source of these stories that we've all heard a thousand times. The battle of Thermopylae was of course one of the best!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Awesome, I'll have to check it out!

[@dinocollins720]

@@MattsFantasyBookReviews It's the original source for the 300 story and many others in Greek history.

[@Wouter_K]

Thanks for picking this one up. I've loved this book for years. As for your question regarding History and fantasy cross-over of readers, I think it is quite straightforward. First Historical fiction relies on heavily on world building for us as readers to become immersed and get fascinated by the differences with our time and culture. Second, for it to be a story rather than a dry history book, it needs a cast of characters. Just like fantasy, a good historical fiction has fantastic character writing. And last but not least, like one of the other commenters said, a lot of fantasy actually emulates historical settings.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah all very great points - thank you!

[@wesb2823]

This is my favorite historical fiction book. It's a top 5 book for me. I'm happy you liked it!

[@nikk345]

Most classic fantasy and a lot of modern fantasy are set in worlds reminiscent of history. Castles, epic battles, sword fights, court politics, royal lineages and all the rest of it. To me that's a huge part of where the crossover between the two is.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah that's a great point.

[@gabriilgabriilidis1186]

as a Greek i am proud that you read about Greek history!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I have Greek family on one side of my family so it was really fun to read with that as a backdrop.

[@spyroskampanos7965]

Great review. This book is an old favorite, it actually made me shed some tears. If you want to try some more Pressfield I would recommend the virtues of War (it's about Alexander the Great) and Killing Rommel (its about a SAS operations on northern Africa during WW2).These are good books, I still consider the gates of fires his best work though.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thank you!

[@OverratedGames]

This is easily my favorite book I've read this year, im glad to see you enjoyed it! The ending sequence brought close to tears several times. Pressfields non-fiction stuff is really good too!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I'll have to check out his other works! Is there a particular one you recommend?

[@safinan8008]

Like ur honest book review... I hope ur next read is fantastic 😊 Happy reading to you! 🎥⚔️📚🎞📽

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks Safina!

[@majic200]

I def think there's room on KZbin for somebody who reviews a book and has the added element of the audiobook vs traditional vs dramtic reading audio or whatever that's called. Personally I would like to know what books are worthy of the voice narrator on audible. See The Gentleman Bastards for a great example of the audiobook having a great added element of the Narrarator.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Yeah I'm going to start implementing that more and more. Thanks Thomas!

[@Roondawg_Valhalla]

Great review Matt! Read this last year and loved it. “Weck up to these!”

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

LOL!

[@carlosandino5524]

Enjoyed this book in the past. Some of the book was muddled. Love Steven Pressfield from his book The War of Art. Only historical fiction I have read as an adult.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I'll have to check out that one, thanks!

[@heidi6281]

Matt have your read the warlord chronicles by Bernard Cornwall? It is historical fiction/epic fantasy mix! They are currently making a tv show right now, called the Winter King, the title of the first book.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

I'm 2/3 done with Winter King and that review is the next video I am making. Spoiler, it's almost guaranteed to be a 5/5

[@liammccallion4963]

Hi Matt new to the channel, i love historical fiction as well as fantasy and hope to read this next year. my favourite historical fiction books are the julius ceaser books written by conn iggulden, amazing!

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Is there a good starting point - I'm assuming publication order?

[@Xenophon1]

I concur. It was a great read, and I'm not a big fan of historical fiction.

[@petervandeweyer517]

Hi Matt, Have you ever read any Gemmell books. I think you would really like them.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

No, but I'm reading "Legend" early 2023.

[@littlebookbin]

Added to the TBR! I like you branching out to historical Fiction, even though this is a Fantasy channel. Wouldn’t mind watching more historical Fiction content from you.

[@MattsFantasyBookReviews]

Thanks Ana!