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stargategirl82's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
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.
jennyn52779's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
corrompido's review against another edition
4.0
Good entry into the series, bit more action and I learned a lot more than I thought I would.
marystevens's review against another edition
4.0
Gallic wars and the Civil War. Engrossing and well written. Excellent maps. It’s important to have this in print because you can’t read the maps on an ebook reader.
ryner's review against another edition
5.0
Caesar, the fifth book in McCullough's Masters of Rome series (be sure to begin with The First Man in Rome), covers the time period from when Roman general Julius Caesar led the Gallic Wars through the culmination of his Civil War against Pompey's faction. I cannot recommend this series highly enough; they are huge, highly readable even if you have no previous knowledge of ancient Rome, and full of savory detail. Colleen McCullough is genius at bringing to life the figures, culture and everyday goings-on in ancient Rome. My one regret is that I allowed 7 years to pass between reading books four and five, and so had to become newly reacquainted with many of the characters. I shall now wait only two months before commencing the sixth book, The October Horse.
julis's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
In case it wasn’t obvious in the last book, in this one it’s really blatant that McCollough has a crush (academic or otherwise). Caesar’s actions are excused and justified far beyond the other characters–although since I’m no longer 17 (thank god) she does give Cato and Pompey more credit than I remembered–and the book structure is set up to make the crossing of the Rubicon seem like an acceptable response.
Which is all to say, these are writing decisions that can (and have) been justified from the sources. McCollough treats the Gauls and Germans largely abominably, and again this treatment doesn’t stand up to saying that it’s written from a Roman point of view. And again! Again! Far too long.