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assaphmehr's review against another edition
5.0
After enjoying Ovid so much, I'm binge reading the Marcus Corvinus series.
What to Expect
Picking up about a year after the events in Ovid, Wishart continues with a similar tale of treachery and intrigue, this time regarding the death of Germanicus (who was the heir apparent to the emperor Tiberius). Again, the protagonist Corvinus is doing his best after the fact to unravel backroom deals, treachery, betrayals, plots, and underhanded killings at Rome's highest levels.
While this is the second novel in the series and there is some continuity in Corvinus' life from the first, there is no pressing need to read them in order. It's a matter pf preference.
What I liked
Wishart's writing is exceedingly well researched, and he presents all the personas of the period - from the very top to those lesser known figures who made the city and the empire work - as living characters. He goes beyond the 'bare facts' as they are known from (nearly) contemporary reports, and weaves them together into a plausible tale of intrigue that places people and events in a logical causal chain. I personally love going down the rabbit hole of historical research (as broader understanding increases my enjoyment), but it's not needed to follow and enjoy the story.
Stylistically, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. And it works!
What to be aware of
Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to the Forum as Market Square). While I understand the reasoning, this is still ancient Rome - I find this affectation a bit diluting his otherwise excellent prose.
Summary
The novel was a pleasure to read. If you liked works by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read Wishart as well. I am now planning to binge-read the rest of the series.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.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.
What to Expect
Picking up about a year after the events in Ovid, Wishart continues with a similar tale of treachery and intrigue, this time regarding the death of Germanicus (who was the heir apparent to the emperor Tiberius). Again, the protagonist Corvinus is doing his best after the fact to unravel backroom deals, treachery, betrayals, plots, and underhanded killings at Rome's highest levels.
While this is the second novel in the series and there is some continuity in Corvinus' life from the first, there is no pressing need to read them in order. It's a matter pf preference.
What I liked
Wishart's writing is exceedingly well researched, and he presents all the personas of the period - from the very top to those lesser known figures who made the city and the empire work - as living characters. He goes beyond the 'bare facts' as they are known from (nearly) contemporary reports, and weaves them together into a plausible tale of intrigue that places people and events in a logical causal chain. I personally love going down the rabbit hole of historical research (as broader understanding increases my enjoyment), but it's not needed to follow and enjoy the story.
Stylistically, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. And it works!
What to be aware of
Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to the Forum as Market Square). While I understand the reasoning, this is still ancient Rome - I find this affectation a bit diluting his otherwise excellent prose.
Summary
The novel was a pleasure to read. If you liked works by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read Wishart as well. I am now planning to binge-read the rest of the series.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.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.
plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
3.0
Who killed Germanicus is the question asked by this entry in the Marcus Corvinus series. Marcus is commissioned by Augustus' widow, Livia, to find the answer to that question. He can hardly say no when she makes her "request" and once committed to the investigation, he follows it wherever it leads. In this case, to Syria and then back to Rome. He finds the answer in the end, of course. Along the way, he smart talks himself into and out of trouble time and time again. And there's the rub for me.
I find Marcus' manner of speaking - calling everyone "pal," his constant "uh-huhs," always referring to his servant as "little guy" - very annoying. At some point, I think it may become more annoying than my pleasure in the story itself. I'm not sure I'll ever finish reading the entire series.
I find Marcus' manner of speaking - calling everyone "pal," his constant "uh-huhs," always referring to his servant as "little guy" - very annoying. At some point, I think it may become more annoying than my pleasure in the story itself. I'm not sure I'll ever finish reading the entire series.
badesaba's review against another edition
4.0
you know what they say, the second book in a series is always good. wishart knows his stuff, but the first book was ultimately bogged down with it rather than uplifting the intrigue. im excited to get into germanicus though
kake's review
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
traveller1's review
4.0
I am giving this novel 4 stars, not because it is quiet so great, but because of the explanation of the Germanicus mystery. The cause of the death of Germanics, and the ramifications have been debated for two millennia. The belief that he was a traitor actively plotting against the emperor , well... Tantalising. The remainder of the novel is well written, though I find the supporting characters just a little too two dimensional. The protagonist is the only introspective characters, others enter and leave stage left. An enjoyable read, entertaining, fast-paced, not to be ignored if you indulge in historical who-dun-its from time to time.
assaphmehr's review
5.0
After enjoying Ovid so much, I'm binge reading the Marcus Corvinus series.
What to Expect
Picking up about a year after the events in Ovid, Wishart continues with a similar tale of treachery and intrigue, this time regarding the death of Germanicus (who was the heir apparent to the emperor Tiberius). Again, the protagonist Corvinus is doing his best after the fact to unravel backroom deals, treachery, betrayals, plots, and underhanded killings at Rome's highest levels.
While this is the second novel in the series and there is some continuity in Corvinus' life from the first, there is no pressing need to read them in order. It's a matter pf preference.
What I liked
Wishart's writing is exceedingly well researched, and he presents all the personas of the period - from the very top to those lesser known figures who made the city and the empire work - as living characters. He goes beyond the 'bare facts' as they are known from (nearly) contemporary reports, and weaves them together into a plausible tale of intrigue that places people and events in a logical causal chain. I personally love going down the rabbit hole of historical research (as broader understanding increases my enjoyment), but it's not needed to follow and enjoy the story.
Stylistically, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. And it works!
What to be aware of
Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to the Forum as Market Square). While I understand the reasoning, this is still ancient Rome - I find this affectation a bit diluting his otherwise excellent prose.
Summary
The novel was a pleasure to read. If you liked works by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read Wishart as well. I am now planning to binge-read the rest of the series.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.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.
What to Expect
Picking up about a year after the events in Ovid, Wishart continues with a similar tale of treachery and intrigue, this time regarding the death of Germanicus (who was the heir apparent to the emperor Tiberius). Again, the protagonist Corvinus is doing his best after the fact to unravel backroom deals, treachery, betrayals, plots, and underhanded killings at Rome's highest levels.
While this is the second novel in the series and there is some continuity in Corvinus' life from the first, there is no pressing need to read them in order. It's a matter pf preference.
What I liked
Wishart's writing is exceedingly well researched, and he presents all the personas of the period - from the very top to those lesser known figures who made the city and the empire work - as living characters. He goes beyond the 'bare facts' as they are known from (nearly) contemporary reports, and weaves them together into a plausible tale of intrigue that places people and events in a logical causal chain. I personally love going down the rabbit hole of historical research (as broader understanding increases my enjoyment), but it's not needed to follow and enjoy the story.
Stylistically, Wishart uses a modern language to bring the characters to life. He's also using a time-honoured trope of representing the Roman patriarchy similar to British aristocracy. The result is a novel that reads as a cross between Sam Spade and Downton Abbey, on a backdrop of ancient Rome. And it works!
What to be aware of
Though Wishart's prose is excellent, he avoids all Latin terms to the point where it's a bit much (like referring to a toga as a mantle, or to the Forum as Market Square). While I understand the reasoning, this is still ancient Rome - I find this affectation a bit diluting his otherwise excellent prose.
Summary
The novel was a pleasure to read. If you liked works by Lindsey Davis, Steven Saylor, Ruth Downie and the like, you really need to read Wishart as well. I am now planning to binge-read the rest of the series.
--
[a:Assaph Mehr|14422472|Assaph Mehr|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1518065419p2/14422472.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.
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