For a short post summarising my thoughts on the series from Killer of Men to The Great King, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2016/04/24/the-long-war-christian-cameron/ ( )

Interesting concept of Greco-Persian War, following history as far as possible with culmination in the decisive Battle on the Marathon Plain and immediate aftermath. Not really outstanding, but a rousing action/adventure as told by the protagonist, Arimnestos of Plataea, as an old man, looking back 40 years or more, as told to a group: his family?Household? Other Plataeans? He doesn't just reminisce and dwell on his triumphs; we see interaction with his audience--at least his remarks are given, odd as some of them are....

The novel opens with a recap of events in vol. 1. I appreciated this as I had not read it, but I can see where others who are following the series in order, were probably bored. Then this novel plunges into nonstop action. Marathon was only a few pages toward the end; this title seemed like a ploy to sell more books, but we are led up to the final conflict although it took a long time to get there. Miltiades, a pirate, is introduced early on and assumes importance. Other famous names from antiquity such as Aristides and the playwright Aeschylus, fight in the war. In the first part of the story, Arimnestos grows as a more experienced fighter: at Lade and Miletus and in Part II, becomes a very effective leader of his Plataean contingent at Marathon and in the last skirmish in the olive grove, factors into the Greek success.

I enjoyed the sea warfare. Arimnestos for much for the book seemed too full of himself and I didn't like him much. But he began to change after his apology to someone; he became more engaging. He even begins to admit he has made some mistakes. The other characters seemed two-dimensional. ( )