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carlossu's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
willdowney's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
showell's review against another edition
4.0
At last! A book from Colleen McCullough that both has great characters and a storyline that keeps my attention. Although I am slightly sad that I can no longer write McCollough off as someone who creates amazing characters who whisper in my mind for weeks, yet whose books are dull enough I can put them down for a month mid-read and not feel that I've lost anything when the characters finally convince me to put the books back up. It was such an interesting phenomenon.
atlas_snuggled's review against another edition
3.0
I started the Masters of Rome series with First Man in Rome in an attempt to find a book that would take me longer than a day or two to finish. Having succeeded, and being moderately excited by the Ancient Roman Empire, I decided to pursue the next challenge in the series: The Grass Crown. It took much longer to finish. Not because it's longer, but because the story didn't pull me in as much as First Man in Rome. And because there was far more politics and war - I found the tragedy more difficult to bear in The Grass Crown as well. I guess I just had my fill of Ancient Rome.
This is still a great story that picks up where First Man in Rome left off (approximately), but I think it is much more for die-hard fans of historical fiction set in Ancient Rome. I just don't fall into that category.
This is still a great story that picks up where First Man in Rome left off (approximately), but I think it is much more for die-hard fans of historical fiction set in Ancient Rome. I just don't fall into that category.
pachypedia's review against another edition
4.0
Este libro me ha costado un poco más que el canterior, aunque tiene dos cosas muy buenas: conocer al joven Julio César y ver el final de Cayo Mario.
michellel123's review against another edition
3.0
A HUGE book, and I think it took me until at least half way through to get used to the names and work out who was who. Perhaps it would have been easier if I had more background knowledge of Ancient Rome. Focusing on Sulla and Marius and their ambitions to be great military leaders of Ancient Rome. The research that has gone into this is truly mind-blowing, and the violence is awful!
Took a long time to read due to its length and complexity, the kind of book that feels like a real achievement when you have finished it.
Took a long time to read due to its length and complexity, the kind of book that feels like a real achievement when you have finished it.
pillywiggin's review against another edition
5.0
The best historical fiction treatment of the turbulent times from the life of Sulla to the ascension of Octavius. One of the best historical fiction series ever, but be prepared to read all of the books once you start, because you won't be able to put them down.
sweetpavement's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed all of McCullough's Masters of Romer series, and this was certainly no exception. From the rich historical detail to the wonderful characterization, these books brought history to life. I feel like I learned as much as taking a college course on Rome, while also getting to speculate on the motivations and utterly human drives of some of the "Great Men" (and women) of history.
This book (as all in the series are) is very dense and requires some commitment (and possibly note taking) to get through. The one complaint I have is that there's a lot of focus on battles and wars (which makes sense because the Romans were obsessed with documenting them) and so I sometimes wish she would have written more about day to day life in the Empire.
Her loss was a blow to the world of literature, but I am grateful we have her books to read.
This book (as all in the series are) is very dense and requires some commitment (and possibly note taking) to get through. The one complaint I have is that there's a lot of focus on battles and wars (which makes sense because the Romans were obsessed with documenting them) and so I sometimes wish she would have written more about day to day life in the Empire.
Her loss was a blow to the world of literature, but I am grateful we have her books to read.
bryan8063's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one almost as well as the first book. McCullough's writing style is fluid and her characters are still interesting.