Alexander Cole

Colossus by Alexander Cole is an alternative history that assumes that Alexander the Great didn’t perish in Babylon 323 BC. It follows the story of Alexander the Great to Carthage, where he undertakes a campaign in Sicily against a rebellious army. It also includes the stories of Gajendra – an Indian mahout – and Mara – daughter of the Carthaginian general Hanno – on a journey that revolves around the conquests of a military mastermind as well as the rise and fall of Alexander the Great.

There are some beautiful descriptions in Colossus, great imagery, some intriguing characters and just for good measure, we have some large elephants (Alexander the Great’s signature war machines) just to balance everything out. Of course, it did start off a bit slow and I constantly had to push away the thought that this was not Circles in a Forest by Dalene Matthee (when I hear ‘elephants’, my mind almost always go to that book). However, when you get into the groove of reading the book, Colossus is a good read, especially if you enjoy alternative history. Personally, alternative history is a hit/miss genre for me. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad, sometimes it reminds me just a little too much of fan-fiction… Colossus on the other hand was unique in its ability to captivate me from beginning to end.

I would like to see what else Alexander Cole is able to do. There’s a lot of talent here that just needs a bit of harassing.

So, keep your eyes open for this book and author. Colossus is not exactly a must-read, especially if you’re not into alternative history, but I have a sneaky suspicion that Alexander Cole – otherwise known as Colin Falconer – has a few tricks up his sleeves.

(review originally posted on www.killeraphrodite.com)… (meer)