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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well written, but did not enjoy the historical inaccuracy
Story was well done, but as the author notes, grossly inaccurate historically. I would have much preferred that the real history been preserved better.
Story was well done, but as the author notes, grossly inaccurate historically. I would have much preferred that the real history been preserved better.
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
1.5 stars, rounded to 2.
I just wasn't keen on this one - I ended up skim reading the second half of the book and skipping to the end. I can't really fault anything, I think it was just a book I didn't like.
I usually like a book with strong female characters and I think this book delivered on it - Alexandria is a wonderful addition to the novel (it's interesting that she is called Alexandria - when Alexander the Great conquered many cities in the East, he used to call them all 'Alexandria' after himself. The character Alexandria is one who has been forced into slavery [invaded, in a way?] and demonstrates integrity as she works to free herself.) It's a shame she wasn't featured much throughout the novel but I am guessing she in introduced again later in the series.
I might try and reread this later in the summer. I just don't think I was feeling it - there was a lot of intense dissection of what makes a man "a man" and how his brutal force of killing and strength makes the Empire great and impenetrable. I have always disagreed with this kind of masculinity, thinking it quite primitive and obsolete (I rolled my eyes so hard when it was mentioned how murdering and conquering were the most important things in life for an intelligent man, I'm surprised none of you heard it tbh). Although, you have to remember these are attitudes of the Roman Empire and to make it otherwise would just be inaccurate. Still annoys me, though. This first book is big on story set up for the series - I genuinely want to finish the series to see how these characters develop into what history has recounted them to be.
I just wasn't keen on this one - I ended up skim reading the second half of the book and skipping to the end. I can't really fault anything, I think it was just a book I didn't like.
Spoiler
I loved this perspective of the childhood and teen years of Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus, however. I did not know Brutus and Salla were in conspiracy to kill Caesar and the fact Brutus and Caesar grew up together as blood brothers makes me want to reread this maybe later.I usually like a book with strong female characters and I think this book delivered on it - Alexandria is a wonderful addition to the novel (it's interesting that she is called Alexandria - when Alexander the Great conquered many cities in the East, he used to call them all 'Alexandria' after himself. The character Alexandria is one who has been forced into slavery [invaded, in a way?] and demonstrates integrity as she works to free herself.) It's a shame she wasn't featured much throughout the novel but I am guessing she in introduced again later in the series.
I might try and reread this later in the summer. I just don't think I was feeling it - there was a lot of intense dissection of what makes a man "a man" and how his brutal force of killing and strength makes the Empire great and impenetrable. I have always disagreed with this kind of masculinity, thinking it quite primitive and obsolete (I rolled my eyes so hard when it was mentioned how murdering and conquering were the most important things in life for an intelligent man, I'm surprised none of you heard it tbh). Although, you have to remember these are attitudes of the Roman Empire and to make it otherwise would just be inaccurate. Still annoys me, though. This first book is big on story set up for the series - I genuinely want to finish the series to see how these characters develop into what history has recounted them to be.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 stars.
Is this historically accurate? Not particularly. Is it fun as hell? Absolutely. I love Igguldan’s prose. It’s workmanlike, but very satisfying. And the “twist” at the end is *chef’s kiss*
Is this historically accurate? Not particularly. Is it fun as hell? Absolutely. I love Igguldan’s prose. It’s workmanlike, but very satisfying. And the “twist” at the end is *chef’s kiss*
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Excellent book if you like historical fiction.
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thoughly enjoyed this book. The characters are written well and you. Want to see the characters succeed.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fantastic storytelling that just immerses readers into the ancient world.