Andrey Valentinov “The Grey Kite”

It’s no secret that H.L. Oldie wrote their Achaean cycle in parallel with Andrey Valentinov’s Mycenaean cycle, which is why some characters migrate from one book to another. Of course, all of them come from real mythology, but in the books, they appear specifically in the interpretations of Oldie/Valentinov. Diomedes, Son of Tydeus is considered the second novel of the cycle, and it generally tells of events parallel to the book Odysseus, Son of Laertes by H.L. Oldie, sometimes offering an alternative perspective on the same events. However, the novel The Grey Kite stands apart, telling the story of Mycenae long before the events of the Trojan War.

And while I read the second novel about Diomedes many years ago, I somehow avoided The Grey Kite. Now, having plunged once again into the history of Ancient Greece, I decided to complete the marathon in full.

This is the story of a mercenary from Babylon who, by a twist of fate, becomes the ruler of Mycenae. The locals aren’t particularly fond of having an outsider on the throne, but things are not that simple. Even the protagonist himself starts to wonder — is he really an impostor?

Andrey Valentinov, a historian by education, has consulted Oldie on many of their books. This makes his deep dive into historical realities feel quite natural. Perhaps that’s why, in his first book about Ancient Greece, he distanced himself as much as possible from mythology, essentially writing an adventure novel based on historical and mythological material.

After Oldie’s lofty Achaean cycle, Valentinov’s The Grey Kite feels like it’s dragging everything dear to Greek mythology through the mud. It’s as if the protagonist comes from civilization and arrives in some remote backwater where filth, superstition, and primitive beliefs reign. He even treads lightly on the future story of Heracles.

If Oldie’s Achaea is a blooming land of noble warriors, then Valentinov’s Greece is the filthy outskirts of civilization (which his protagonist considers to be Babylon). The hero doesn’t believe in the strange gods of his ancestors. These are not his gods, so he doesn’t see them. Even centaurs, to his eyes, are merely mounted riders. But if he wants to become a true ruler, he must understand his people and their faith.

Valentinov’s novel, full of intrigue and adventure, essentially shows the underbelly of mythological Greece, the way it was viewed from the outside at the time.

The book is entirely different from Oldie’s trilogy. It lacks the same depth of philosophy and layered meanings, but as an adventure novel with a touch of mythology, it’s quite an engaging read.

At the same time, Valentinov doesn’t forget about his recurring theme — the ancient race of the first “humans.” Dar, named Rho, who briefly appears in this novel, will make appearances in many of the author’s other works about more familiar times.

My rating: 4/5