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A review by hekate24
Roman Blood by Steven Saylor
4.0
Fun historical mystery. Marred somewhat by moments of awkward writing. In particular, I refer to the passage around 75% of the way in during which the narrator drones on and on and on and on about the Social Wars and Sulla versus Marius. Prior to this moment the author had seamlessly mixed historical exposition and original plot. Docking half a point for this, I was so annoyed. My wrath, this review can haz it.
There's lots to like about this, though. Cicero is as 'gray and gray morality' as he seems to be in all fictional incarnations in which I've encountered him. It's especially fun to see him as a (reckless, arrogant) young man at very beginning of his career. As narrators go, I rather like Gordianus (his "hangover cure, do you haz one?" intro seemed overdone, but he promptly calmed down, so no real harm dine) and I'm sticking with the series on that account. Tiro was pretty great and Bethesda shows promise; withholding judgement there, because her serene attitude towards slavery and... Well, everything, all seemed a bit too convenient. The mystery itself is engaging, though sometimes feels like a prop for (surprise, shock) the larger social upheaval at hand. Frankly, I think I prefer it that way. Crimes that seem to exist in a vacuum bore me.
Overall, this is a vivid and fast read, for better or for worse. Thankfully, more of the former!
There's lots to like about this, though. Cicero is as 'gray and gray morality' as he seems to be in all fictional incarnations in which I've encountered him. It's especially fun to see him as a (reckless, arrogant) young man at very beginning of his career. As narrators go, I rather like Gordianus (his "hangover cure, do you haz one?" intro seemed overdone, but he promptly calmed down, so no real harm dine) and I'm sticking with the series on that account. Tiro was pretty great and Bethesda shows promise; withholding judgement there, because her serene attitude towards slavery and... Well, everything, all seemed a bit too convenient. The mystery itself is engaging, though sometimes feels like a prop for (surprise, shock) the larger social upheaval at hand. Frankly, I think I prefer it that way. Crimes that seem to exist in a vacuum bore me.
Overall, this is a vivid and fast read, for better or for worse. Thankfully, more of the former!