Book #14: Emperor's Sword

After two fantastic murder mysteries, I find myself venturing back into a familiar genre, Historical Fiction. A new series this time, and anew author, but an altogether familiar period. One of my favourite series of books is the Eagle Series by Simon Scarrow, I find them thoroughly brilliant and unputdownable. Like with one of my other favourite series, Sharpe, they follow a predominantly two character team, Cato and Macro, or Sharpe and Harper.

Emperor's Sword is another Roman series, the Roman Empire is a period that I find incredibly interesting; so this new series, I hoped that this new series wouldn't disappoint! So eagerly I turned to page one and ploughed straight into the book, and I tried. I tried and tried to get into the book, but for some reason, I just couldn't get into it. I have absolutely no idea why, but I knew that I couldn't give up with this, as I'd taken myself out of my comfort zone with this challenge already, and pushed through and loved it.

So I pushed through 10, 20, 30 pages and something finally clicked. What was it that clicked? I have no idea, but suddenly I was engrossed and the next thing I know, page 30 turned into page 150! Within a day I'd finished it!

So, enough of my struggles reading the book and onto the actual book itself! It follows an Auxilliary Legionary turned Spy and Assassin named Silus, and his fellow soldier, Atius. It's a tale of revenge on both the hero (Silus) and the antagonist's (Maglorix) part. Silus is sent on a scouting mission and kills the father (and chief of his tribe) of Maglorix. What follows is a brutal revenge on the Romans, as Maglorix leads a raid against the Romans, murdering Silus' family in front of him. Revenge part 1 finished! Silus vows revenge and the book follows this course of revenge.

What I really liked is how vivid the book is, it paints some brilliant pictures of the wilderness in Scotland before civilisation appeared. The action is brutal in places, but once again paints a vivid picture, giving the reader a real sense of being a part of the several battles throughout.

I really found myself rooting for Silus and Atius, despite Atius' impulsive, and at times dangerous thoughts and actions. These actions have consequences, sometimes good for the pair, but sometimes putting them in mortal danger which they have to fight their way out of. I particularly enjoyed the addition of Atius' religion within the book, in a break from the usual Roman worship of deities, Atius is a follower of a religion that is slowly, verrrry slowly, gaining followers and credence across the Empire, but whose followers are still persecuted by the Romans, that of Christos, the first Christians. It is great to see Atius portrayed in such a strong light, as opposed to cowering and being sacrificed in the arena for their beliefs. I'm intrigued to see just how his beliefs will develop and reactions to it throughout the series!

All in all, despite struggling at first, I enjoyed the book thoroughly, and cannot wait to read the next books in the series! Onto book 15!

Emperor's Sword: 3cm

Total Read so far: 14 books, 36.5cm

Total left to read: 156.5cm