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Para Bellum: an exciting tale of war and revenge set in the Roman Empire
A powerful new novel set in the fourth-century Roman Empire by critically acciaimed historical novelist Simon Turney, Para Bellum will delight fans of Scarrow, Kane and Cornwell.
AD 381. Five years have gone by since a Roman governor ordered the deaths of a Gothic king and his attendants at a feast in their honour. This disastrous act led to warfare in the Roman Empire and the death of the Emperor Valens.
Now, the Empire is calm once more, but for the eight legionaries who committed the killings, the bloodshed is only just beginning. Fritigern, brother of the murdered king, has sworn revenge on his brother's killers. Now king of a powerful Gothic tribe, he will not rest until the men are hunted down.
Flavius Focalis is one of those legionaries. Surviving an attack at his villa, he realises the danger he and his family are in, and seeks to warn his former comrades, for he knows Fritigern will give them no quarter. So begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across the Empire, as, by land and sea, the former soldiers face the wrath of their implacable enemy, and return to the scene of the greatest battle of their Adrianople. For war is coming again – and the only question is, do they die now, or die later?
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2023
193 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 6, 2024
Review to follow
July 15, 2023
The author describes Para Bellum as a story of revenge and a very compelling one it is too. Taking advantage of the fact that little is known about the fate of Fritigern following the murder of his brother, the author imagines him embarking on a single-minded mission to track down and kill the legionaries involved. It’s a scenario Flavius Focalis, along with his fellow legionaries, has been preparing for for years, fortifying his home, keeping weapons close at hand and ensuring his son Martius is trained to defend himself. And it’s just as well because when Fritigern’s men come they do so with deadly intent.
Flavius Focalis, although battle hardened, was never a cold-blooded ruthless killer, just a loyal soldier carrying out orders that he now realises were at best foolish and at worst the product of ruthess ambition. He is haunted by memories of the event and, being a Christian, wonders if he deserves to be punished for his sins. What trumps that though is his determination to honour the memory of his dead wife by keeping his son safe whatever the cost, even if that means him sacrificing his own life in the process. As it turns out, Martius has inherited a lot of his father’s fighting spirit.
Much like The Magnificent Seven, each member of the group brings different skills, whether that’s a prowess with artillery, the ability to come up with a cunning plan or expertise in creating ingenious defensive mechanisms. And, of course, there’s something to be said for sheer muscle even if it does result in some rather grisly encounters. (Those who are squeamish might want to skip some of the deadlier skirmishes.) And like The Magnificent Seven, not all of them will survive the cat-and-mouse game and be there as the final credits roll. Having said that, don’t underestimate the author’s ability to spring a surprise or two.
Para Bellum has all the full-on bone-crunching action and meticulous historical detail you’d expect from a Simon Turney novel but with the feel and pace of a thriller. As Para Bellum is a standalone novel, you don’t need to have read any of Simon’s previous books to enjoy it, although you’ll probably want to after this. And he leaves us with the prospect of another standalone to come, saying ‘there is another tale that I am twitching to tell’. If it’s as good as Para Bellum, I can’t wait.
Flavius Focalis, although battle hardened, was never a cold-blooded ruthless killer, just a loyal soldier carrying out orders that he now realises were at best foolish and at worst the product of ruthess ambition. He is haunted by memories of the event and, being a Christian, wonders if he deserves to be punished for his sins. What trumps that though is his determination to honour the memory of his dead wife by keeping his son safe whatever the cost, even if that means him sacrificing his own life in the process. As it turns out, Martius has inherited a lot of his father’s fighting spirit.
Much like The Magnificent Seven, each member of the group brings different skills, whether that’s a prowess with artillery, the ability to come up with a cunning plan or expertise in creating ingenious defensive mechanisms. And, of course, there’s something to be said for sheer muscle even if it does result in some rather grisly encounters. (Those who are squeamish might want to skip some of the deadlier skirmishes.) And like The Magnificent Seven, not all of them will survive the cat-and-mouse game and be there as the final credits roll. Having said that, don’t underestimate the author’s ability to spring a surprise or two.
Para Bellum has all the full-on bone-crunching action and meticulous historical detail you’d expect from a Simon Turney novel but with the feel and pace of a thriller. As Para Bellum is a standalone novel, you don’t need to have read any of Simon’s previous books to enjoy it, although you’ll probably want to after this. And he leaves us with the prospect of another standalone to come, saying ‘there is another tale that I am twitching to tell’. If it’s as good as Para Bellum, I can’t wait.
July 16, 2023
BLURB
A powerful new novel set in the fourth-century Roman Empire by critically acciaimed historical novelist Simon Turney, Para Bellum will delight fans of Scarrow, Kane and Cornwell.
AD 381. Five years have gone by since a Roman governor ordered the deaths of a Gothic king and his attendants at a feast in their honour. This disastrous act led to warfare in the Roman Empire and the death of the Emperor Valens.
Now, the Empire is calm once more, but for the eight legionaries who committed the killings, the bloodshed is only just beginning. Fritigern, brother of the murdered king, has sworn revenge on his brother's killers. Now king of a powerful Gothic tribe, he will not rest until the men are hunted down.
Flavius Focalis is one of those legionaries. Surviving an attack at his villa, he realises the danger he and his family are in, and seeks to warn his former comrades, for he knows Fritigern will give them no quarter. So begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across the Empire, as, by land and sea, the former soldiers face the wrath of their implacable enemy, and return to the scene of the greatest battle of their Adrianople. For war is coming again – and the only question is, do they die now, or die later?
REVIEW
It comes as no surprise that the author has yet again blown me away. Yet again, my peeps and fellow readers, Simon Turney has produced an engrossing, attention grabbing tale. The intensity of the action, the sheer drama that drips from the pages, the unrelenting anticipation of what can happen next...yes, the master craftsman has spun a glorious tale....yet again. 😊 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A powerful new novel set in the fourth-century Roman Empire by critically acciaimed historical novelist Simon Turney, Para Bellum will delight fans of Scarrow, Kane and Cornwell.
AD 381. Five years have gone by since a Roman governor ordered the deaths of a Gothic king and his attendants at a feast in their honour. This disastrous act led to warfare in the Roman Empire and the death of the Emperor Valens.
Now, the Empire is calm once more, but for the eight legionaries who committed the killings, the bloodshed is only just beginning. Fritigern, brother of the murdered king, has sworn revenge on his brother's killers. Now king of a powerful Gothic tribe, he will not rest until the men are hunted down.
Flavius Focalis is one of those legionaries. Surviving an attack at his villa, he realises the danger he and his family are in, and seeks to warn his former comrades, for he knows Fritigern will give them no quarter. So begins a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across the Empire, as, by land and sea, the former soldiers face the wrath of their implacable enemy, and return to the scene of the greatest battle of their Adrianople. For war is coming again – and the only question is, do they die now, or die later?
REVIEW
It comes as no surprise that the author has yet again blown me away. Yet again, my peeps and fellow readers, Simon Turney has produced an engrossing, attention grabbing tale. The intensity of the action, the sheer drama that drips from the pages, the unrelenting anticipation of what can happen next...yes, the master craftsman has spun a glorious tale....yet again. 😊 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
July 7, 2023
I would like to thank NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
I found Para Bellum outstanding and I am very much looking forward to devouring this author's backlist now that I have discovered him! I loved everything about this, and after I get my thoughts together I'll improve on this review. But for now, heart eyes will have to suffice 😍
I found Para Bellum outstanding and I am very much looking forward to devouring this author's backlist now that I have discovered him! I loved everything about this, and after I get my thoughts together I'll improve on this review. But for now, heart eyes will have to suffice 😍
July 6, 2023
AD 381, five years after a Roman governor, Lupicinus, ordered the slaying of a king of the Goths & his attendants at a feast in their honour. This act led to war within the Roman Empire & Emperor Valens was burned alive after taking refuge in an abandoned building following defeat in battle. Now the Goths have embraced Christianity & become part of the Empire, except for Fritigern, brother of the murdered king. He has sworn that he will have vengeance on those responsible for his brother's death.
After one of the soldiers involved, Flavius Focalis now retired, is ambushed at his villa in the middle of the night, he & his young son, Martius, barely escape with their lives. Focalis has been expecting retribution ever since he followed Lupicinus's orders & he sets out to warn his former comrades of the danger. As Fritigern pursues them across the Empire, Focalis races to save his friends - will they have to run for their lives forever or should they make one last desperate stand?
I love the author's "Damned Emperor" series so when I saw this standalone set in the later Roman Empire I had to read it. Unlike the 'DE' books, this one is set in a time when Rome is no longer at its zenith, its territory is contracting rather than expanding, the once glorious towns are starting to crumble, & paganism is beginning to fade into memory as Christianity is the main religion of the Empire now. The author's attention to detail is so good that the reader feels as if they were actually there. The main characters are a band of antiheroes who admit that their actions were wrong & one could almost empathise with Fritigern's point of view as he seeks revenge for his fallen brother if he weren't so determined to sacrifice hundreds of his own men to get it. This is a book of almost non-stop action & it is very very violent in parts (it's about former Roman legionaries what would you expect?). It's a gripping, non-stop chase & I couldn't put it down. If it ever gets made into a film there's a role in here with Dave Bautista's name on it.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
After one of the soldiers involved, Flavius Focalis now retired, is ambushed at his villa in the middle of the night, he & his young son, Martius, barely escape with their lives. Focalis has been expecting retribution ever since he followed Lupicinus's orders & he sets out to warn his former comrades of the danger. As Fritigern pursues them across the Empire, Focalis races to save his friends - will they have to run for their lives forever or should they make one last desperate stand?
I love the author's "Damned Emperor" series so when I saw this standalone set in the later Roman Empire I had to read it. Unlike the 'DE' books, this one is set in a time when Rome is no longer at its zenith, its territory is contracting rather than expanding, the once glorious towns are starting to crumble, & paganism is beginning to fade into memory as Christianity is the main religion of the Empire now. The author's attention to detail is so good that the reader feels as if they were actually there. The main characters are a band of antiheroes who admit that their actions were wrong & one could almost empathise with Fritigern's point of view as he seeks revenge for his fallen brother if he weren't so determined to sacrifice hundreds of his own men to get it. This is a book of almost non-stop action & it is very very violent in parts (it's about former Roman legionaries what would you expect?). It's a gripping, non-stop chase & I couldn't put it down. If it ever gets made into a film there's a role in here with Dave Bautista's name on it.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
August 2, 2023
Another great read from Simon Turney. This time in the form of a standalone novel set in the late Roman Empire. The historical period was later than Simon’s other Roman novels which makes this stand out. The book is action packed and tells the story of a unit of Roman soldiers living with the consequences of their actions and the vengeful rage of a Gothic King. Recommended for fans of Simon’s other novels or those who wish to sample one of his books to see if they appeal to them.
August 21, 2023
Awesome Read
I was very impressed with this tale and its cinematic unfolding of this epic tale of revenge and redemption. I will be reading more of Simon Turney.
I was very impressed with this tale and its cinematic unfolding of this epic tale of revenge and redemption. I will be reading more of Simon Turney.
July 9, 2023
Focalis awakes one night.. his solider senses tingling.. all is not right.
The past has come back to haunt him.. he knows why.. he’s been waiting for this day all his life… he would have accepted his fate, but not today, he has his son to think about.
It’s been many years since Focalis and his bunk mates acted on behalf of the empire but its time now to get everyone back together to come up with a plan.. there has to be a way out of this mess..the issue is it’s the Goths that are after them and they won’t give up easily.
We don’t learn quickly the events that have led to the Goth’s vengeance.. Focalis is struggling with his part in something.. but what? And what could they have done to earn the Goth’s attention? I loved the development.. perfectly paced with intrigue.
Innocents pay a heavy price along the way and we see a shift in Focalis.. vengeance is the word for this tale.. but who will have the last sword strike?
As Focalis and his son set out to round everyone up things quickly sour.. it’s clear quickly not everyone will make it out alive and the past has taken its toll on many.. but they aren’t done for yet!
What we end up with is a desperate fight of some of the legions finest.. against hundreds of Goths… the twist hit’s hard now and the truth of what happened years ago becomes clear.. is there anywhere safe for Focalis?
I’ve deliberately tried to keep the review spoiler free.. it’s too good to spoil.. but truth be told Simon Turney is a master at his craft. Historical fiction is his era but plots are his bread and butter. You can tell the effort put in to set the scene, tp pick the right moment in time but what Turney’s talent is, is to weave such a fascinating tale within that period setting, it’s the characters, the progression and depth, the energy.. the laughs… the torment..
Turney hints in the authors note around his own knowledge of the era, but that’s what makes him so good at writing.. so prolific..he knows how to expand on history.. there’s no point rehashing what’s been done..he gets the detail in but it’s all about the characters he creates.
What I really loved was the characters development, each man has their own talent and those scenes when they got to shine were brilliant..the enthusiasm bounced off the page!
Simon is a firm fav here on David’s Book Blurg.. and continues blow me away with his work. 5/5 stars.
The past has come back to haunt him.. he knows why.. he’s been waiting for this day all his life… he would have accepted his fate, but not today, he has his son to think about.
It’s been many years since Focalis and his bunk mates acted on behalf of the empire but its time now to get everyone back together to come up with a plan.. there has to be a way out of this mess..the issue is it’s the Goths that are after them and they won’t give up easily.
We don’t learn quickly the events that have led to the Goth’s vengeance.. Focalis is struggling with his part in something.. but what? And what could they have done to earn the Goth’s attention? I loved the development.. perfectly paced with intrigue.
Innocents pay a heavy price along the way and we see a shift in Focalis.. vengeance is the word for this tale.. but who will have the last sword strike?
As Focalis and his son set out to round everyone up things quickly sour.. it’s clear quickly not everyone will make it out alive and the past has taken its toll on many.. but they aren’t done for yet!
What we end up with is a desperate fight of some of the legions finest.. against hundreds of Goths… the twist hit’s hard now and the truth of what happened years ago becomes clear.. is there anywhere safe for Focalis?
I’ve deliberately tried to keep the review spoiler free.. it’s too good to spoil.. but truth be told Simon Turney is a master at his craft. Historical fiction is his era but plots are his bread and butter. You can tell the effort put in to set the scene, tp pick the right moment in time but what Turney’s talent is, is to weave such a fascinating tale within that period setting, it’s the characters, the progression and depth, the energy.. the laughs… the torment..
Turney hints in the authors note around his own knowledge of the era, but that’s what makes him so good at writing.. so prolific..he knows how to expand on history.. there’s no point rehashing what’s been done..he gets the detail in but it’s all about the characters he creates.
What I really loved was the characters development, each man has their own talent and those scenes when they got to shine were brilliant..the enthusiasm bounced off the page!
Simon is a firm fav here on David’s Book Blurg.. and continues blow me away with his work. 5/5 stars.
April 5, 2024
"Para Bellum" is an exhilarating journey back to the fourth-century Roman Empire, where revenge and betrayal lurk around every corner. Simon Turney's narrative grips you from the first page with its action-packed plot and relentless pacing. The sense of urgency is palpable as Flavius Focalis, one of the legionaries responsible for a disastrous act, finds himself hunted by the vengeful brother of a Gothic king. As Focalis races against time to warn his former comrades, the tension builds, leading to a deadly game of cat-and-mouse across the Empire.
What sets "Para Bellum" apart is its fantastic sense of place and vivid dialogue, which transport readers to the heart of ancient Rome. Turney masterfully captures the essence of the era, immersing readers in a world of political intrigue, treacherous alliances, and epic battles. From the streets of Rome to the battlefields of Adrianople, every scene is vividly depicted, creating a rich tapestry of historical detail that adds depth and authenticity to the story.
While "Para Bellum" delivers on adrenaline-fueled excitement and thrilling action, it falls short in terms of character depth. While the main characters are compelling and well-developed, I found myself craving more insight into their motivations and inner conflicts. Nevertheless, this minor flaw does little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel. With its gripping storyline, memorable characters, and immersive setting, "Para Bellum" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and epic adventures.
What sets "Para Bellum" apart is its fantastic sense of place and vivid dialogue, which transport readers to the heart of ancient Rome. Turney masterfully captures the essence of the era, immersing readers in a world of political intrigue, treacherous alliances, and epic battles. From the streets of Rome to the battlefields of Adrianople, every scene is vividly depicted, creating a rich tapestry of historical detail that adds depth and authenticity to the story.
While "Para Bellum" delivers on adrenaline-fueled excitement and thrilling action, it falls short in terms of character depth. While the main characters are compelling and well-developed, I found myself craving more insight into their motivations and inner conflicts. Nevertheless, this minor flaw does little to detract from the overall enjoyment of the novel. With its gripping storyline, memorable characters, and immersive setting, "Para Bellum" is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and epic adventures.
July 8, 2023
Escaping plots & revenge
Pulse-pounding action as the past catches up with Flavius Focalis, & he must find his Roman Scholae tent brothers to keep his son Martius alive. Old soldiers prove their worth & experience as they battle treachery, unstoppable forces, & fight to survive.
BRILLIANT!
Pulse-pounding action as the past catches up with Flavius Focalis, & he must find his Roman Scholae tent brothers to keep his son Martius alive. Old soldiers prove their worth & experience as they battle treachery, unstoppable forces, & fight to survive.
BRILLIANT!
August 1, 2023
Reading a Simon Turney's novel it's a good way to learn about less known or obscure part of the history.
The last century of the Roman Empire, ante 481 AC, are quite complex and this novel is a grippeing and action packed way to learn about part of it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The last century of the Roman Empire, ante 481 AC, are quite complex and this novel is a grippeing and action packed way to learn about part of it.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 8, 2025
I read almost 60% of this. It isn't bad. It feels vaguely historically accurate as it can be given the source material. There's no reason I shouldn't have liked this more. I just had a hard time because the "good" guys are more or less the bad guys, and the bad guys were pretty screwed over. So I felt like I was being asked to cheer on the wrong lot of
July 8, 2023
It is different
I have enjoyed the world of this author. This one is different, and as he says it is a stand alone book. Less of an historical novel, more of a special forces early ad. But well written, and edited, and a great yarn
I have enjoyed the world of this author. This one is different, and as he says it is a stand alone book. Less of an historical novel, more of a special forces early ad. But well written, and edited, and a great yarn
July 26, 2023
Another great Turney story twist & turn,riveting
This is a tale with a great story suspense action, twists , and .... well I wont give the story away. I thought O yea another Roman story. This is one of his classics, loved it.
This is a tale with a great story suspense action, twists , and .... well I wont give the story away. I thought O yea another Roman story. This is one of his classics, loved it.
August 22, 2023
Durn Good Book
Fast paced, I couldn't put it down. The, father, Focalis, is torn between pride in his son and worry for him. The son acts much like my own would have in similier circumstances. I really enjoyed the book.
Fast paced, I couldn't put it down. The, father, Focalis, is torn between pride in his son and worry for him. The son acts much like my own would have in similier circumstances. I really enjoyed the book.
September 13, 2023
A Corker
I’ve always been a fan of ancient Roman historical fiction. The crescendo of action holding off the hordes of Gauls in the Palace was a marvel of pacing. The text was proofread well, and in this genre a pleasant surprise.
I’ve always been a fan of ancient Roman historical fiction. The crescendo of action holding off the hordes of Gauls in the Palace was a marvel of pacing. The text was proofread well, and in this genre a pleasant surprise.
April 29, 2025
great revision history tale
Great unique storyline which uses historical facts to guide us through an interesting age. Love the characters and subplot. Much better than the usual solider and battle storyline. Write more unique tales please.
Great unique storyline which uses historical facts to guide us through an interesting age. Love the characters and subplot. Much better than the usual solider and battle storyline. Write more unique tales please.
July 16, 2025
Entertaining but lacked something having a hard time to put my finger on the problem. Felt like the setting and time period seemed to be not essential to that story. Feels the baby would like that cute I mean that if they like unicorns, I don’t know feels like I read the story before.
July 29, 2023
Honestly absolutely fantastic read from start to finish. I could but this book down
September 5, 2023
Un bel libro, incentrato sulla sopravvivenza e sulla vendetta. A tratti ti sembra di percepire l’ansia dei protagonisti braccati dal nemico. Direi che l’autore ha fatto centro.
October 21, 2023
What a wild ride! I absolutely loved this book with its twists and turns. The descriptions, characters and plots definitely made it hard to put down. Political intrigue and the fallout from poor decisions started long ago!
December 31, 2023
The original Red Wedding and the ghosts are back to haunt Focalis and his comrades
January 11, 2024
very well written & appears to have a solid knowledge, of this period. I liked the book & would recommend it.
April 24, 2024
An excellent stand alone Novel with plenty of action.
November 20, 2024
I had to scroll all the time
November 28, 2024
Definitely a worthy read, characters gritty and brought to life on each page, enjoyed the storyline
October 24, 2025
Revenge on steroids. Not your usual historical fiction; a bit of 'western' with a touch of organized crime in a 4th century environment.
January 17, 2024
Confession time: I haven't read much about the late Roman Empire apart from Alison Morton's Julia Prima and Gore Vidal's Julian, so this was an interesting experience for me. The setting being the eastern half of the empire just added to the uniqueness. The exploration of vengeance, xenophobia, and survival against the odds in the midst of an action packed thriller was amazing. Particularly recommended for people who want atypical Ancient Roman stories and compelling anti-heroes.
April 11, 2025
Breathlessly exciting and fast-paced. Descriptions of some deaths a bit over the top and graphic for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews