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Andrew Levkoff grew up on Long Island, New York, got a BA in English from Stanford, then put that hard-earned degree to dubious use in the family packaging business. After a decade of trying to convince himself to think 'inside' the box (lots of them), he fled to Vermont where he attempted to regain his sanity by chopping wood and shoveling snow off his roof for 8 years. Like a fine cocktail, he was by then thoroughly chilled; what could be better after this than no sunshine for 13 years. That's right - Seattle.
Since 2005 he has been taking the cure in Arizona, where his skin has darkened to a rich shade of pallid. Here it was that he finally realized, under the heading of hopefully-better-late-than-never, that he needed to return to his first love - writing. Andrew lives in Phoenix with Stephany and their daughter, Allison, crowded into close proximity by hundreds of mineral specimens they have collected while rockhounding. "They're just a bunch of rocks," says Allison. Ouch.
Follow Andrew's blog at andrewlevkoff.com/blog.
Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite
"The Other Alexander: Book One of The Bow of Heaven" was written by Andrew Levkoff. This is a historical novel with a touch of romance, mystery, suspense and intrigue. The setting is 20BCE, Siphnos, Greece. Alexander was taken captive and given to Crassus. Alexander faces the many humiliations that come with the role of a slave. The former Greek philosophy student was intelligent and compassionate; he came to terms with his plight and came to care for his master. The master’s house was filled with intrigue and murder. Alexander had a difficult decision to make and either way he could be the one to pay the price. Levkoff draws on an actual person in his account. I was curious about the “real” Crassus and did a little research. Marcus Lionius Crassus was a Roman General and a politician. He was famous for his role in the Battle of the Colline Gate. Crassus crushed the slave rebellion that was led by Spartacus. He also financed Julius Caesar. The author has created a multilayered character in Crassus. This tale is told from Alexander’s point of view giving the reader a unique opportunity to see the real nature of the great emperor.
Levkoff is an expert at character development. I found the bits of Greek life fascinating. The author utilizes philosophy and history throughout this tale. The cast of characters could have gotten out of control but the author wisely stuck with a small group. Levkoff is a very talented author. He has plans for 'The Bow of Heaven' to be a trilogy. If the next two books are as well done as Book 1, Levkoff’s name will soon be rolling off the lips of the fans of historical fiction.
