Spoils of Olympus II: World on Fire by Christian Kachel continues from where the first volume, By the Sword, leaves off. Readers get to see Andrikos and Vettios, the two instruments of vengeance, beginning their journey to Pella, the heart of Macedon to prove they are going to take their revenge that could change the course of history. Andrikos and his mentor go on this dangerous and clandestine mission to save the surviving heirs of Alexander, and also fulfill the promise made to Mara, Andrikos’ love. The plot spans a period of about six years and also shows the coming of age of Andrikos through his battles, alliances, and many other experiences and incidents.

The story is entertaining and the compelling plot will capture the attention of readers till the very end. The descriptions are detailed and vivid, bringing alive the characters and scenes for readers. The historical references, the forgotten era of the Greek civilization, the ancient world, intrigue, danger, espionage, and love have all been woven together with expertise and it showcases the excellent writing skills and story-telling expertise of Christian Kachel. The character of Andrikos has been well developed and readers see his growth as a person as the story progresses. Along with him, the rest of the characters are strong and well portrayed; they are memorable and palpable to readers. The book is fast paced and the fluidity in expression and writing gives a good movement to the story. For all those readers who love history, excitement, adventure, battles, and intrigue, this book is a must-read.

World on Fire (Spoils of Olympus Volume 2) by Christian Kachel is the second book in the series Spoils of Olympus and continues the saga of the reign of Alexander the Great and his legacy. World on Fire begins with a brief summary of the events of Book 1, set in ancient Greece, and continues with the events set in motion after the death of Alexander. Andrikos, the protagonist in the first book, continues to play an integral part in the shaping of Greek history as he grows into a confident man, capable of shaping his own as well as the ancient empire’s history. The man who has recruited Andrikos, Vettias, also plays an important role in this saga as he and Andrikos unite to ensure the future prosperity of Greece and the protection of Alexander’s heirs. There is plenty of love, drama, intrigue, and action in this historical novel that brings the events of ancient Greece to life.

World on Fire by Christian Kachel is a well-written sequel and the writing style is engaging and rich with historical facts. I loved that Christian has provided a summary as well as a cast of characters for people who may not have read the first book. I enjoyed reading about the lives of people over 2000 years ago and the vivid descriptions of the characters and their lives almost made me believe that all of this could have happened exactly in this way. This is a great historical fiction novel that anyone would enjoy, especially people interested in the history of ancient cultures of the past.