It's a hugely clever book – blending philosophy with elements of science fiction, fantasy, and greek legend. Very interesting philosophical questions are raised – about the nature of the human soul, the issues regarding time travel, mortality versus deity. I certainly don't hate it – there are excellent ideas here, and some great characters and the plot certainly picks up pace – In fact the book opens with one of the main characters from the previous book dying, and this book continues in a fascinating manner – with Apollo leaving the island and discovering several other civilisations around them. In fact, I think I still may not be used to it, despite being on the second book – I never seem able to fully engage. It's an odd mix – and it takes a while to get used to it. Various issues occur, lots of things are debated, and there are robots.

She takes people from various periods in time in order to fill the islands, as well as various philosophical figures, and her brother Apollo decides to stay on the island as a human, in order to learn and grow. Athene decides she wants to create an island, in order to test Plato's idea of a republic (an ideal community ruled by Philosophers). So, to summarise the concept of the previous book (which you really need to have read before picking this up), the Greek Gods exist – although out of time, meaning they can dip in and out of our history as and when they choose. Beset by grief and a need for revenge, Apollo sets sail to find the man who caused him such pain, but discovers something that may change everything… Now married, and the father of several children, the man/god struggles to cope when tragedy befalls his family. The god Apollo is still living there, albeit in human form. Twenty years have passed since the Goddess Athene founded the Just City. Whilst not a read that gripped me, the philosophical ideas debated here make this book far cleverer than first glances may suggest Summary: The sequel to The Just City, The Philosopher Kings takes the complicated ideas of its predecessor, and builds on them skillfully.

The philosopher kings jo walton