Scan barcode
sandin954's review
3.0
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger has traveled to Gaul to serve under Caesar but still finds a mystery to solve within the Legion. Decius is as fun as usual and the historical details were fascinating. Listened to the audio version which was read by John Lee who always does a great job.
raptorimperator's review
5.0
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is far from home in this one, and the comforts of civilization. His nemesis Clodius has been elected Tribune of the People, so needing to get him out of Rome for the duration of Clodius's term in office, his family send him up (along with his slave Hermes) to Gaul to serve as an officer in Proconsul Julius Caesar's legion, the famous 10th Legion. Of course, Decius wastes no time getting himself into trouble once there, making a personal enemy in the person of Centurion Titus Vinius, First Spear of the 10th. Vinius is murdered, and Caesar orders Decius to investigate the death. At first I thought Decius would be considered the guilty party and have to work to clearing his name, but it was others, namely one of his client and his fellows whom he worked at clearing.
I always enjoy the story when it takes Decius out of Rome, and into new settings, this being the second time in the series that the story takes place out of the Eternal City. The case was actually pretty good, I thought, as I didn't see the twist at the end coming, like Decius, I had thought he'd solved the case, but there was more to it. But the vast majority of the story, from how I see it, is seeing Decius--a true city dweller--having to live and work in an army camp. Hermes accompanies this with his usually complaining and bemoaning, but even the harsh army camp life can't stifle his snark and insolences. The only downside in the setting was that we weren't treated to some witty banter between Decius and Julia Minor. Though Decius, once again, allows his weakness for the opposite sex to cloud some of his judgment in the personage of a German slave woman, whose attractive presence caused some of the problems that had got Decius in trouble with Vinius before the centurion was murdered.
Overall, this was a good, solid addition to the SPQR series, and I look forward to the next book.
I always enjoy the story when it takes Decius out of Rome, and into new settings, this being the second time in the series that the story takes place out of the Eternal City. The case was actually pretty good, I thought, as I didn't see the twist at the end coming, like Decius, I had thought he'd solved the case, but there was more to it. But the vast majority of the story, from how I see it, is seeing Decius--a true city dweller--having to live and work in an army camp. Hermes accompanies this with his usually complaining and bemoaning, but even the harsh army camp life can't stifle his snark and insolences. The only downside in the setting was that we weren't treated to some witty banter between Decius and Julia Minor. Though Decius, once again, allows his weakness for the opposite sex to cloud some of his judgment in the personage of a German slave woman, whose attractive presence caused some of the problems that had got Decius in trouble with Vinius before the centurion was murdered.
Overall, this was a good, solid addition to the SPQR series, and I look forward to the next book.
mgcco's review
5.0
The best in the series. So far :)
I've long wanted to find out how the Roman Empire became, well, an empire. This book is a perfect peek into the Roman legion—the well-known secret (pardon the oxymoron) behind Rome's rise to historical glory. Pair that with J.M. Roberts' enviable writing (a perfect blend of wit, philosophy and drollery), and you've got a solid winner in Nobody Loves a Centurion.
I know that I have been gushing nonstop about the books in JMR's SPQR. But if you are at least curious about Ancient Rome and you want to be thoroughly entertained, I strongly suggest that you give this series a try. This book can even be read as a standalone; no wonder that some fans of this series got hooked on SPQR after reading Nobody Loves a Centurion first.
My favorite lines in Nobody Loves a Centurion:
1) "Blame it all on Alexander the Great. Ever since that little Macedonian twit decided that he had to conquer the whole world before he was old enough to shave, every fool with a sword and a decent pair of boots has sought to do the same." —Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger
2) "No man can undo history. We must seize the moment and bend the present to our will." —Caius Julius Caesar
3) "Decius, here in Gaul we are playing the highest-stakes game in the world. When you set a game in motion, you must see it through, however the dice fall." —Caius Julius Caesar
I know that I've been giving JMR four stars (from The King's Gambit to Saturnalia. It's about time to give him five.
I've long wanted to find out how the Roman Empire became, well, an empire. This book is a perfect peek into the Roman legion—the well-known secret (pardon the oxymoron) behind Rome's rise to historical glory. Pair that with J.M. Roberts' enviable writing (a perfect blend of wit, philosophy and drollery), and you've got a solid winner in Nobody Loves a Centurion.
I know that I have been gushing nonstop about the books in JMR's SPQR. But if you are at least curious about Ancient Rome and you want to be thoroughly entertained, I strongly suggest that you give this series a try. This book can even be read as a standalone; no wonder that some fans of this series got hooked on SPQR after reading Nobody Loves a Centurion first.
My favorite lines in Nobody Loves a Centurion:
1) "Blame it all on Alexander the Great. Ever since that little Macedonian twit decided that he had to conquer the whole world before he was old enough to shave, every fool with a sword and a decent pair of boots has sought to do the same." —Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger
2) "No man can undo history. We must seize the moment and bend the present to our will." —Caius Julius Caesar
3) "Decius, here in Gaul we are playing the highest-stakes game in the world. When you set a game in motion, you must see it through, however the dice fall." —Caius Julius Caesar
I know that I've been giving JMR four stars (from The King's Gambit to Saturnalia. It's about time to give him five.
yowlyy's review
3.0
Enjoyable mystery! However, Decius Caecilius Metellus, the new "kid on the block", is not as fascinating and witty as Falco or Gordianus.
I probably I will be reading more by this author, if I happen to stumble on the other books of the series.
I probably I will be reading more by this author, if I happen to stumble on the other books of the series.
traveller1's review
4.0
Another entertaining read (I keep saying that). Our hero is now in Gaul, facing untold numbers of Gauls and Germans, with only a desire to be elsewhere, but maintaining well the facade of a Roman noble.
The story: a nasty first spear centurion is found murdered outside the camp of the 10th legion. A dozen legionaries are facing death, at the hands of their comrades, as the guilty parties, unless Decius can find the truth. He does so, and discovers terrible betrayal. The centurion had sold our Caesar to the Germans, but in turn had been discovered and executed by Caesar.
At the very nick of time, at the last minute, fleeing captivity by the German King, Decius races back to Caesar, blames the Druids, and secures the release of the legionaries.
Entertaining (did I say that already?).
The story: a nasty first spear centurion is found murdered outside the camp of the 10th legion. A dozen legionaries are facing death, at the hands of their comrades, as the guilty parties, unless Decius can find the truth. He does so, and discovers terrible betrayal. The centurion had sold our Caesar to the Germans, but in turn had been discovered and executed by Caesar.
At the very nick of time, at the last minute, fleeing captivity by the German King, Decius races back to Caesar, blames the Druids, and secures the release of the legionaries.
Entertaining (did I say that already?).
More...