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radella_hardwick's review against another edition
3.5
Yikes! This is very much a reminder of how alien Ancient Rome is to our modern world
silkmoth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Far too long. I'm sorry working my way through the Didius Falco series, and this wasn't one of the better ones. The story would have benefited from some tighter editing, and a plot strand or two removing.
There are several narrators for this series, and Gordon Griffin is not my favourite.
There are several narrators for this series, and Gordon Griffin is not my favourite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
murphyc1's review against another edition
4.0
The plot might be too convoluted by half; the novel may be too long by a quarter; but the climax and ending of the 10th Falco mystery is brilliant, shocking, and stunning!!
rosannelortz's review against another edition
4.0
Two for the Lions sees Marcus partnering up with his old nemesis Anacrites as Census fraud investigators. Anacrites (who had tried to arrange for our hero’s death in Last Act in Palmyra) attracted the sympathy of Falco’s ma when he received a severe knock on the head in A Dying Light in Corduba. Much to Falco’s chagrin, the Chief Spy now boards at his mother’s house and considers himself part of the Didius family. The money-grubbing Emperor Vespasian hires the two men to investigate the estates of those who claimed a suspiciously low income during the Census. Vespasian means to have every last denarius due him, and if Marcus and Anacrites can prove tax fraud, they will get a large cut of the profits.
Dovetailing nicely with the previous book, the investigation focuses on the sporting world and, specifically, the purveyors of men and animals. The new amphitheater Vespasian is constructing (i.e. the Coliseum) has produced great tension between rival purveyors. Who will get the contract to supply the gladiators and wild beasts for the huge arena? When a man-eating lion meets with a mysterious accident, Falco decides to investigate the death. His inquiries leads him as far afield as Carthage and onto the sand of the arena where no man is safe.
Two for the Lions is an engaging story, particularly the subplot following Helena’s brother Justinus and the bride he stole from his brother in the previous book. The deserts of North Africa have proved a very unromantic location to elope to. Does Claudia Rufina still have any affection for her new husband, and did Justinus ever have anything else in mind besides her large fortune?
Dovetailing nicely with the previous book, the investigation focuses on the sporting world and, specifically, the purveyors of men and animals. The new amphitheater Vespasian is constructing (i.e. the Coliseum) has produced great tension between rival purveyors. Who will get the contract to supply the gladiators and wild beasts for the huge arena? When a man-eating lion meets with a mysterious accident, Falco decides to investigate the death. His inquiries leads him as far afield as Carthage and onto the sand of the arena where no man is safe.
Two for the Lions is an engaging story, particularly the subplot following Helena’s brother Justinus and the bride he stole from his brother in the previous book. The deserts of North Africa have proved a very unromantic location to elope to. Does Claudia Rufina still have any affection for her new husband, and did Justinus ever have anything else in mind besides her large fortune?
raeanne's review against another edition
1.0
I give up. This series is added to my short list of books/series I just can't finish. I only stuck it out this long to see what happens with the relationship and characters. I don't even care anymore about the characters. They can all go die in a fire and I'd only sigh in relief. The mysteries often weren't engaging to me. It was just a very bland drag to find out if Marcus gets the girl and gets a better status.
lswan321's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
didactylos's review against another edition
5.0
Very cleverly plotted and the intertwined characters from previous books add a whole other layer to this. A tourists trip round Northern Africa
assaphmehr's review against another edition
4.0
Falco (and Davis) explore and expose the life and death of gladiators.
Expect a lot of Anacrites, the antagonist we all love to hate, travelling to Northen Africa, some fighting action, and a general behind-the-scenes look at glafiator training and shows. Davis touches about the ambivalent attitudes of Romans towards gladiators: love the show, despise the performers. Notorious gladiators might enjoy some celebrity status, but generally all participants are despised as the dregs of society. This places an extra stress on Falco, because though he does not technically sell himself for appearance in the arena, being involved in this trade is still enough to damage his good name.
Be aware that while it's not necessary to read the books in order, it certainly helps - certainly so far into the series.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445823325p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
Expect a lot of Anacrites, the antagonist we all love to hate, travelling to Northen Africa, some fighting action, and a general behind-the-scenes look at glafiator training and shows. Davis touches about the ambivalent attitudes of Romans towards gladiators: love the show, despise the performers. Notorious gladiators might enjoy some celebrity status, but generally all participants are despised as the dregs of society. This places an extra stress on Falco, because though he does not technically sell himself for appearance in the arena, being involved in this trade is still enough to damage his good name.
Be aware that while it's not necessary to read the books in order, it certainly helps - certainly so far into the series.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445823325p2/14422472.jpg], author of [b:Murder In Absentia|29500700|Murder In Absentia (Felix the Fox, #1)|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1457914061s/29500700.jpg|46845657]: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
cmbohn's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly this series is just so good. The ending was nice and bloody. Can't wait for the next book.
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Falco comes up with a plan to earn money by working on Vespasian's 'Great Census' of AD73. It seems a perfect job for him, checking up on those who seem to be trying to put one over on the Emperor by not declaring all their taxable assets, but the fly in the ointment is his partner in the venture is Anacrites - Chief Spy & general pain in the proverbial. Their first case sees them investigating a lanista (someone who owned a group of gladiators & imported wild animals for the arena) named Calliopus. His trained man-eating lion, Leonidas, used for criminal executions is found dead in his cage, & Falco is interested to see that Calliopus is more interested in hushing things up than finding out who killed the lion.
It's been a while since I read the first 9 books, so it was good to return to the series. Falco & Helena still make a wonderful couple, & now they have baby Julia Junilla. I have rated this 3 stars as although it was an interesting read with the sly humour I have come to expect, the gladiatorial games are not one of the things I like about Roman history, especially involving animals. I therefore can't say I enjoyed it exactly.
It's been a while since I read the first 9 books, so it was good to return to the series. Falco & Helena still make a wonderful couple, & now they have baby Julia Junilla. I have rated this 3 stars as although it was an interesting read with the sly humour I have come to expect, the gladiatorial games are not one of the things I like about Roman history, especially involving animals. I therefore can't say I enjoyed it exactly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Violence
Moderate: Infidelity