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mokiethe_dog34's review against another edition
4.0
Historically accurate and a good read. Didn’t enjoy it as much as the others and am very upset with the stuff between Sapho and bostar lacking a real ending. But otherwise Ben Kane is a great author👌👌
avalydia's review against another edition
3.0
I was so close to giving this a 3.5. The summary on the back of the book says Syracuse was "one of the most famous and brutal sieges of all time" - but apart from the occasional skirmish between the Romans and Syracusans, nothing actually happens until the last seventy pages, when
Now, part of the problem may be that I had assumed this was the last book in the series, and it turns out there's at least one to go. But it honestly came off like the author was starting to get to the end of the siege, realized the book was already approaching the desired page count, and decided to wrap everything up as quickly as possible. Why didn't this book finish the story? Why wasn't the end of the siege depicted in its entirety? It almost seems like the book should have begun on the eve of the Romans' attack, or at least should have done a much quicker job of getting to that point, so that there would have been enough time to depict the events that followed.
I also thought it was odd that Hannibal, such a prominent figure in the first two books, was barely present in this one. Hanno didn't seem to spend too much time thinking about him or the Carthaginian cause, either, at least not once he .
I will say that I enjoyed the rest of the book, but there was simply no payoff at the end, and I was very unsatisfied by the "epilogue," which was more like a quick history lesson that occasionally mentioned fictional characters. I was even more disappointed to read in his author's note that he doesn't plan on returning to this series until he finishes a new one, which means I'll have completely forgotten everything by the time the next book comes out.
Spoiler
the Romans break into the city. But then, just when the action is beginning, we cut away to an epilogue... where the fate of Syracuse is described in a very anticlimactic manner, leaving one to wonder just what was so "famous and brutal" about these events.Now, part of the problem may be that I had assumed this was the last book in the series, and it turns out there's at least one to go. But it honestly came off like the author was starting to get to the end of the siege, realized the book was already approaching the desired page count, and decided to wrap everything up as quickly as possible. Why didn't this book finish the story? Why wasn't the end of the siege depicted in its entirety? It almost seems like the book should have begun on the eve of the Romans' attack, or at least should have done a much quicker job of getting to that point, so that there would have been enough time to depict the events that followed.
I also thought it was odd that Hannibal, such a prominent figure in the first two books, was barely present in this one.
Spoiler
We just never saw him again after he gave Hanno his orders?Spoiler
reunited with AureliaI will say that I enjoyed the rest of the book, but there was simply no payoff at the end, and I was very unsatisfied by the "epilogue," which was more like a quick history lesson that occasionally mentioned fictional characters. I was even more disappointed to read in his author's note that he doesn't plan on returning to this series until he finishes a new one, which means I'll have completely forgotten everything by the time the next book comes out.
speesh's review
4.0
I don't know if you're (like me) thinking that Clouds of War is a strange title for a final part in a trilogy? And then, as you're reading, you begin to think 'maybe he should hurry up and get to the end of Hannibal's story or he ain't got enough space to write it properly!' I went through all that and more, then realised, later backed up by Ben's 'afterword' this isn't the end. It's the start of the end, maybe. But, don't worry little brother - there are more. Relief all round.
So what then, is Clouds of War doing, if it's not a conclusion? Well, it's taking a slight detour from the Punic War, to concentrate, in many places I think you could say 'hone in on' the various sub-plots there have been up until now. Aurelia's marriage, her love for Hanno, Hanno's love for her and Quintus' undercover struggles in the Roman foot-soldier's world. Once I was settled and not panicking because this wasn't a final part of a trilogy, I relaxed and enjoyed what the good Mr. Kane is up to here. If it was to showcase his writing of other things than huge, fuck-off great battle scenes, that is. If it was, he passes with flying colours. I will admit to investing some personal experience into the scenes, but the final third and Hanno and Aurelia's attempts at taking their love further, away from Syracuse, as it were, as the Romans close in, had me misty-eyed on the edge of tears. It is really that good.
Strangely then, for the man with his name above the door, Hannibal isn't really in it, much. He sends Hanno away from Italy to go see how Syracuse is getting on, but that's about it. So, I'm putting my hat and coat on the next one being more on Hannibal and the Carthaginians' attempts to put the Romans in their place. As we know what happened, anyone who has been awake in their life so far that is, Ben's job won't be easy. He needs to get us on the edge of our seats hoping, hoping, hoping that just once, maybe this time, Hannibal will win. That's because, Quintus apart, I'm guessing the readers sympathies are indeed with the plucky underdogs here. If anyone can do it, that isn't called Frederick Forsyth, can do it, Ben Kane can. It's going to be unmissable!
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So what then, is Clouds of War doing, if it's not a conclusion? Well, it's taking a slight detour from the Punic War, to concentrate, in many places I think you could say 'hone in on' the various sub-plots there have been up until now. Aurelia's marriage, her love for Hanno, Hanno's love for her and Quintus' undercover struggles in the Roman foot-soldier's world. Once I was settled and not panicking because this wasn't a final part of a trilogy, I relaxed and enjoyed what the good Mr. Kane is up to here. If it was to showcase his writing of other things than huge, fuck-off great battle scenes, that is. If it was, he passes with flying colours. I will admit to investing some personal experience into the scenes, but the final third and Hanno and Aurelia's attempts at taking their love further, away from Syracuse, as it were, as the Romans close in, had me misty-eyed on the edge of tears. It is really that good.
Strangely then, for the man with his name above the door, Hannibal isn't really in it, much. He sends Hanno away from Italy to go see how Syracuse is getting on, but that's about it. So, I'm putting my hat and coat on the next one being more on Hannibal and the Carthaginians' attempts to put the Romans in their place. As we know what happened, anyone who has been awake in their life so far that is, Ben's job won't be easy. He needs to get us on the edge of our seats hoping, hoping, hoping that just once, maybe this time, Hannibal will win. That's because, Quintus apart, I'm guessing the readers sympathies are indeed with the plucky underdogs here. If anyone can do it, that isn't called Frederick Forsyth, can do it, Ben Kane can. It's going to be unmissable!
All my reviews in one handy place, you say? Speesh Reads
Why not try Speesh Reads' exciting new Facebook Page
lindzy's review
5.0
Having read some Ben Kane before, I knew I was developing a taste for his novels. Not just his writing style, but the era his work is set in as well. This trilogy was no exception. The blend between `normal` language and phrases from those times reveals his knowledge of the time period and helps the reader become involved with the trilogy.
All three books are as intense and gripping as each other. I couldn’t pick out a favourite. All three had moments that made me laugh out loud – the quote is from the second book and caught me by surprise – and all three had moments of sadness or deaths that had me yelling at the pages. Kane knows how to keep his readers in suspense and blend these moments effortlessly so the death and destruction taking place never becomes too overwhelming.
All the books have a split narration between Hanno, Quintus and Aurelia. The technique is effective, especially throughout battles because it increases the tension switching narrations at a crucial point. All three characters also develop in their own right and the reader is taken on the journey to adulthood with them all. As all three are likeable, it’s extremely difficult to predict how you want the trilogy to end because someone has to be on the losing side.
The language in the books gets progressively worse as the trilogy continues in regards to profanities. However, Kane never over uses them to the point of irritation. Considering the tension is increased throughout the books, the change in language works. The characters are not the naïve children they were at the beginning, but battle-hardened soldiers who have seen and been through things from their worst nightmares.
The only let-down point was the ending. There were a few things I wanted to see happen to round it off and give it a close and Kane denies the reader these. When it involves a much-loved character, it feels like a disappointment. However, I found this point with his other trilogy as well – Kane leaves them open. Perhaps in case of more? It is the only annoying point in an extremely well written trilogy.
Full Review Here
All three books are as intense and gripping as each other. I couldn’t pick out a favourite. All three had moments that made me laugh out loud – the quote is from the second book and caught me by surprise – and all three had moments of sadness or deaths that had me yelling at the pages. Kane knows how to keep his readers in suspense and blend these moments effortlessly so the death and destruction taking place never becomes too overwhelming.
All the books have a split narration between Hanno, Quintus and Aurelia. The technique is effective, especially throughout battles because it increases the tension switching narrations at a crucial point. All three characters also develop in their own right and the reader is taken on the journey to adulthood with them all. As all three are likeable, it’s extremely difficult to predict how you want the trilogy to end because someone has to be on the losing side.
The language in the books gets progressively worse as the trilogy continues in regards to profanities. However, Kane never over uses them to the point of irritation. Considering the tension is increased throughout the books, the change in language works. The characters are not the naïve children they were at the beginning, but battle-hardened soldiers who have seen and been through things from their worst nightmares.
The only let-down point was the ending. There were a few things I wanted to see happen to round it off and give it a close and Kane denies the reader these. When it involves a much-loved character, it feels like a disappointment. However, I found this point with his other trilogy as well – Kane leaves them open. Perhaps in case of more? It is the only annoying point in an extremely well written trilogy.
Full Review Here
matthewlang's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
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