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kitkat24601's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hekate24's review against another edition
4.0
Fun historical mystery. Marred somewhat by moments of awkward writing. In particular, I refer to the passage around 75% of the way in during which the narrator drones on and on and on and on about the Social Wars and Sulla versus Marius. Prior to this moment the author had seamlessly mixed historical exposition and original plot. Docking half a point for this, I was so annoyed. My wrath, this review can haz it.
There's lots to like about this, though. Cicero is as 'gray and gray morality' as he seems to be in all fictional incarnations in which I've encountered him. It's especially fun to see him as a (reckless, arrogant) young man at very beginning of his career. As narrators go, I rather like Gordianus (his "hangover cure, do you haz one?" intro seemed overdone, but he promptly calmed down, so no real harm dine) and I'm sticking with the series on that account. Tiro was pretty great and Bethesda shows promise; withholding judgement there, because her serene attitude towards slavery and... Well, everything, all seemed a bit too convenient. The mystery itself is engaging, though sometimes feels like a prop for (surprise, shock) the larger social upheaval at hand. Frankly, I think I prefer it that way. Crimes that seem to exist in a vacuum bore me.
Overall, this is a vivid and fast read, for better or for worse. Thankfully, more of the former!
There's lots to like about this, though. Cicero is as 'gray and gray morality' as he seems to be in all fictional incarnations in which I've encountered him. It's especially fun to see him as a (reckless, arrogant) young man at very beginning of his career. As narrators go, I rather like Gordianus (his "hangover cure, do you haz one?" intro seemed overdone, but he promptly calmed down, so no real harm dine) and I'm sticking with the series on that account. Tiro was pretty great and Bethesda shows promise; withholding judgement there, because her serene attitude towards slavery and... Well, everything, all seemed a bit too convenient. The mystery itself is engaging, though sometimes feels like a prop for (surprise, shock) the larger social upheaval at hand. Frankly, I think I prefer it that way. Crimes that seem to exist in a vacuum bore me.
Overall, this is a vivid and fast read, for better or for worse. Thankfully, more of the former!
aliciacaroline's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
5.0
Fun and easy reads through which to learn Roman History
annika2304's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
readers_block's review against another edition
2.0
Probably had about 70 pages left and just couldn't finish this one.
Absolutely LOVED Saylor's Roma's series so was super psyched for this one and just could not get into it. Kept putting it down and picking it back up before finally deciding that life is too short. I just couldn't feel anything for any of the characters, plus I had no idea what was going on for some of it, and just didn't feel any sense of suspense or mystery.
Chalk it up to me and not this book on this one. Still a huge fame of Saylor and can't wait to read the third Roma and potentially even more of this series.
Absolutely LOVED Saylor's Roma's series so was super psyched for this one and just could not get into it. Kept putting it down and picking it back up before finally deciding that life is too short. I just couldn't feel anything for any of the characters, plus I had no idea what was going on for some of it, and just didn't feel any sense of suspense or mystery.
Chalk it up to me and not this book on this one. Still a huge fame of Saylor and can't wait to read the third Roma and potentially even more of this series.
koorte's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
hoperu's review against another edition
4.0
I have been meaning to read this for quite a while, but just never got around to it. I'm glad I finally did. An interesting historical mystery set in Rome at the time of Sulla. While I am not exactly an expert, the characterization and descriptions of Rome seemed pretty accurate, and the mystery was intriguing as well. Not one where you can guess the truth, since you don't have all the clues, but that's OK.
jbleyle63's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed historical setting and characters very much, even if the plotting was not particularly memorable. Definitely plan to read more in this series!