Book Review: Hoplite Ridge

Reviewed by Joelene Pynnonen

An epic post-apocalyptic fantasy that pits man against gods in an age-old battle for the survival of humanity’s very soul

When Commander Ares Augustus discovers that a technologically devastating Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) is set to hit his planet, he knows that he only has hours to act. Protecting his men and their families is his first priority, and he knows that the army will take measures that will prove disastrous. But Ares intends to help as many of his people survive as possible. 

The first night after the EMP, Konaki attack. These creatures, long thought only to inhabit storybooks, are vicious, tearing through the military’s protective gear with ease. Now, Ares must make the long and difficult journey to Kydonia, a place where they may be safe.

Unbeknownst to him, the battle humanity has been plunged into goes far deeper than merely withstanding the end of advanced technology. The gods themselves are watching this disaster play out. More than that, they are calling forth players to spin the game in their favor. If humanity has a chance to survive, two heroes—both sworn enemies—will need to step forward and risk everything to protect what is left of the world.

Hoplite Ridge is a dystopian sci-fi fantasy where multiple stories converge; different characters navigate different dilemmas in the same post-apocalyptic world. This novel has all the elements of an epic tale. The characters are larger than life monoliths in stature, personality, and fighting prowess. They have the essence of the gods they are named for—beings whose focus is on achieving their tasks in any way they can.

The set-up for this novel is quite gripping. From the outset, we’re introduced to a god who wants to destroy humanity. Once we drop into the human world, there’s the excitement of preparing to survive a catastrophic event. Even before the monsters show up, the atmosphere is tense. Once night falls and the Konaki arrive, this amps up tenfold. As the novel progresses and the situation becomes more dire, the smothering, strained mood only gets heavier.

While the premise of Hoplite Ridge is unique, it draws heavily on aspects of human culture, history, and philosophy. Mythological themes and motifs permeate these pages. All major characters share their names with gods or beings from a diverse range of mythological sources. There is also a good deal of history woven into the framework of Hoplite Ridge. Some of these things are clever little nods to how the story will play out, others help unpack the philosophical questions of what humanity owes to each other. Through the novel, the themes of compassion, duty, and sacrifice appear.

Hoplite Ridge can be confusing and difficult to follow. Aside from being told in a purposefully disjointed way, jumping from fights between the god to the matters of men, vital information is frequently left out. Description is sparse and makes piecing together scenes or timelines challenging. We leave certain characters behind for long swathes of time, and by the time they show up on page again, we’ve forgotten who they are and what their goals were. 

Hoplite Ridge has the makings of an epic mythological tale. It pits men against brutal gods, has characters who stand for ideals far greater than themselves, and has an overwhelming feeling of allegory to the situations that rise in our lives. Anyone who devours mythology will likely find this a fascinating read. 

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