Book #64: Marius' Mules, The Invasion of Gaul

I've been really slack recently with my reviews, and find myself well behind. The last one I did, I had something crazy like 5cm left to read my height. So I'd best get a crack on with these!

Another new author, and therefore, another new series! This one came recommended on another blog post of the best Roman fiction books out there, so I thought to myself 'why not'.

It's quite a thick book, and another which started off quite slowly for me. It focuses around the campaigns of Julius Caesar, told through the eyes of one of his commanders, Marcus Falerius Fronto. Whilst the storyline appears to be based on the written history of the Campaigns.

The book itself is pretty formulaic in itself, but it works, and keeps the pace going well. Briefing - Battle - Debrief - Downtime, rinse and repeat. Each time is different, but follows the same pattern.

There are no real antagonists in this book, it follows the histories written by Caesar instead. Although, you could argue that Caesar himself is an antagonist in himself, but even that's a massive push. Instead Caesar provides the events of the books, whilst those around him provide the details.

The characters are very well written, and I enjoyed getting to know the Legates of the various legions in Caesar's army. Their subordinates were very likeable as well. I'm not 100% sure that the class divide in Rome would've meant that the banter between the ranks would've been quite as the book describes. It's possibly the books biggest flaw. But I'll overlook that because it was enjoyable!

Marius' Mules: The Invasion of Gaul: 3.5cm

Total Read so Far: 64 books, 191cm

Total left to read: 56 books, 2cm