Scan barcode
olurin's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dbevvers63's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
4.0
I'm amazed I haven't become bored by the series yet. Great adventure story set in a very interesting time
eososray's review
3.0
I think I am seeing a theme with my ratings in this series. Politics equals higher ratings and blood/gore & battles equal less.
I don't think I'm the targeted audience for these books but I am still finding them highly entertaining.
I don't think I'm the targeted audience for these books but I am still finding them highly entertaining.
katya_s's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
reachersaid_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
5.0
To think that I imagined pulling the plug on this amazing series, madness!
Cato and Macro after the getting a much needed posting away from the vicious politicking in Rome, return to Brittania where the flames of rebellion are still being fanned by Caratacus and tribes to the west. But it appears distance is no hindrance to their newly won enemy, Palas, both men are pushed to the tip of the spear against the Britons. They must take charge of the fort at Bruccium, under the temporary command of Quertus, a man deadly enough to strike fear into the heart of the meanest of barbarian.
Experiencing this series in audiobook is like adding fine wine to an already sumptuous meal, and I admit it has elevated my rating of it. Jonathan Keeble was just as good as Gareth Armstrong in the previous book, but there was a bit more steel his narrative, I especially liked his voice for Macro which I thought lacked some bass in Praetorian. Quertus was another one well done, pure evil he was and Keeble managed to convey that perfectly.
The story itself was maybe not unique in the series itself, twelve books in and there have been lots of sieges and seeming last stands, but Scarrow continues to sustain a high quality in writing that makes boredom impossible.
I appreciated the return to the field, barracks and soldiers, matches in wild terrain, barbarians and bloody grit, just...all that makes roman military historical fiction wonderful.
When I have had problems with this series, it was usually as a result of the absence of good action or good character work. Both elements were fully present here however, for the second book in a row, Scarrow has built up great antagonists and opposition to the two heroes, a situation that always brings out the best in them. In this book especially, they were both so touched by evil of their opponents that they have moved into the realm of the grey character, and I so look forward to seeing how they develop in this light.
The action was as always vividly described, intense, heart pounding, and perfectly choreographed, you almost feel like you are right in the thick of things. Quertus and his Blood Crows are without a doubt the darkest elements in the series so far. I almost ripped my earphones out when listening to the graphic descriptions of their work, bloody hell!
Fine writing and character work, and a very noticeable improvement in the quality of the series.
Cato and Macro after the getting a much needed posting away from the vicious politicking in Rome, return to Brittania where the flames of rebellion are still being fanned by Caratacus and tribes to the west. But it appears distance is no hindrance to their newly won enemy, Palas, both men are pushed to the tip of the spear against the Britons. They must take charge of the fort at Bruccium, under the temporary command of Quertus, a man deadly enough to strike fear into the heart of the meanest of barbarian.
Experiencing this series in audiobook is like adding fine wine to an already sumptuous meal, and I admit it has elevated my rating of it. Jonathan Keeble was just as good as Gareth Armstrong in the previous book, but there was a bit more steel his narrative, I especially liked his voice for Macro which I thought lacked some bass in Praetorian. Quertus was another one well done, pure evil he was and Keeble managed to convey that perfectly.
The story itself was maybe not unique in the series itself, twelve books in and there have been lots of sieges and seeming last stands, but Scarrow continues to sustain a high quality in writing that makes boredom impossible.
I appreciated the return to the field, barracks and soldiers, matches in wild terrain, barbarians and bloody grit, just...all that makes roman military historical fiction wonderful.
When I have had problems with this series, it was usually as a result of the absence of good action or good character work. Both elements were fully present here however, for the second book in a row, Scarrow has built up great antagonists and opposition to the two heroes, a situation that always brings out the best in them. In this book especially, they were both so touched by evil of their opponents that they have moved into the realm of the grey character, and I so look forward to seeing how they develop in this light.
The action was as always vividly described, intense, heart pounding, and perfectly choreographed, you almost feel like you are right in the thick of things. Quertus and his Blood Crows are without a doubt the darkest elements in the series so far. I almost ripped my earphones out when listening to the graphic descriptions of their work, bloody hell!
Fine writing and character work, and a very noticeable improvement in the quality of the series.
nigelbrown's review against another edition
4.0
I certainly found no complacency like you sometimes find from authors who have written this many books. This being Cato and Macro's thirteenth tale together, I am still transfixed by the scrapes they find themselves in. Great fun.
chrudos's review against another edition
4.0
One of the solid books from the Eagle series. What I realized after reading quite a bit of HF books recently is how well the dynamic between the two main characters works. It really makes the series stand out.
ghostmuppet's review
4.0
The nest instalment in the series sees Macro and Cato return to Britannia. They are sent to the wild area (in modern day Wales). They take command of a fort that has essentially turned native, with a nasty centurion, who has the men cowed.
You have read to here, so you know what to expect. It is essentially by the numbers, but it is a fun and enjoyable read.
You have read to here, so you know what to expect. It is essentially by the numbers, but it is a fun and enjoyable read.
traveller1's review
4.0
Cato and Macro are back in Britannia—ass end of the Empire, in 51 CE. The newly conquered province is proving recalcitrant in its appreciation of all that Rome has to offer, and King Caratacus has successfully and skilfully led the opposition to the legions. Now, the governor of the province is determined to put an end to resistance, and launches a new offensive. All good, but our two friends find themselves at the centre of the war, and in grave danger.
They take command of a fort deep in enemy territory, where a rouge Roman officer carries out acts of mass slaughter (Colonel Krutz anyone). They are faced with potential mutiny and assassination, as well as the might of Caratacus' army. Only by the skin of their teeth do they survive.
The novel reads well, fast moving, entertaining, and provides that look into the life of historical characters that is the hallmark of good histfic. I thought I might have grown tired of the two men, but Scarrow ages them well, showing their hopes, fears, and humanity. Recommended.
They take command of a fort deep in enemy territory, where a rouge Roman officer carries out acts of mass slaughter (Colonel Krutz anyone). They are faced with potential mutiny and assassination, as well as the might of Caratacus' army. Only by the skin of their teeth do they survive.
The novel reads well, fast moving, entertaining, and provides that look into the life of historical characters that is the hallmark of good histfic. I thought I might have grown tired of the two men, but Scarrow ages them well, showing their hopes, fears, and humanity. Recommended.