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aminakara's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
srreid's review against another edition
4.0
I received a free copy from Readers First in exchange for an honest review.
I love this period of history, even though i haven't read many books from the era, strong omission on my part, but the tv shows are always superb. I was a bit hesitant when i found out this was book 8 of a series, but on finishing it i don't think you are missing anything from not reading them in series. It is a period of history that has been so well documented you probably know most of what happened in the previous books too, just not whatever fictional elements Robert Fabbri used to tie them together with our titular hero Vespasian.
This one is in several distinct parts, starting off in Africa with a slave rescue and escape across an unforgiving dessert, before moving back to Rome and the inner circle of probably the craziest emperor of Rome there ever was - Nero. Everyone knows the myth about him fiddling while Rome burned, but i enjoyed the different take on it here where Nero was responsible for the fire starting in the first place - was it true, who knows.
Vespasian is an excellent character and definitely makes me want to check out the earlier books in the series now as it was an excellent adventure in political machinations in ancient Rome and just how fickle Nero was, one minute you are in favour the next he is having you commit suicide as you displeased him in some way.
I love this period of history, even though i haven't read many books from the era, strong omission on my part, but the tv shows are always superb. I was a bit hesitant when i found out this was book 8 of a series, but on finishing it i don't think you are missing anything from not reading them in series. It is a period of history that has been so well documented you probably know most of what happened in the previous books too, just not whatever fictional elements Robert Fabbri used to tie them together with our titular hero Vespasian.
This one is in several distinct parts, starting off in Africa with a slave rescue and escape across an unforgiving dessert, before moving back to Rome and the inner circle of probably the craziest emperor of Rome there ever was - Nero. Everyone knows the myth about him fiddling while Rome burned, but i enjoyed the different take on it here where Nero was responsible for the fire starting in the first place - was it true, who knows.
Vespasian is an excellent character and definitely makes me want to check out the earlier books in the series now as it was an excellent adventure in political machinations in ancient Rome and just how fickle Nero was, one minute you are in favour the next he is having you commit suicide as you displeased him in some way.
countessvale's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
mw2k's review against another edition
4.0
On par with the previous seven in regards to entertainment and sheer readability. The novel is divided into a number of disparate sections, and while the others were too, it really jars this time. I found the section in the kingdom of the Garamantes to be more fascinating (and enlightening) than the series of intrigues and debaucheries that follow. I didn't even know Garama existed, and it had me running for Wikipedia to bone up on it all. Well done.
Bring on Emperor Vespasian!
Bring on Emperor Vespasian!
traveller1's review against another edition
4.0
The next step in Vespasian's long, slow, but sure march to the purple. Here we see the dark side of Roman rule, the insane emperor Nero, who terrorises and murders his subjects. Vespasian, by luck and design, navigates these waters, though not without loss. At the conclusion of the novel is newly appointed to the east to crush the revolt of the Jews.
I wonderfully written story, cannot put it down.
I wonderfully written story, cannot put it down.
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