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Marius' Mules #15
The Ides of March
The war in Gaul is over.
The rebels are defeated.
Now the battle for Rome has begun.
The rebels are defeated.
Now the battle for Rome has begun.
453 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2023
79 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
S.J.A. Turney
95 books503 followersSimon lives with his wife and children and a menagerie of animals in rural North Yorkshire, where he sits in an office, wired on coffee and digestive biscuits, and attempts to spin engrossing tales out of strands of imagination while his children drive toys across his desk and two dogs howl as they try to share a brain cell.
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 26, 2023
A fine take on the death of Caesar and the events leading up to it.
An excellent ending to the fifteen book historical fiction series of Caesar's wars, rise and death. There is an unexpected but logical twist to the list of villains. As as been the case throughout, all is based upon what is known of Roman history. The earlier books are based heavily upon Caesar's own memoirs
An excellent ending to the fifteen book historical fiction series of Caesar's wars, rise and death. There is an unexpected but logical twist to the list of villains. As as been the case throughout, all is based upon what is known of Roman history. The earlier books are based heavily upon Caesar's own memoirs
March 21, 2023
Jupiter Best and Greatest what a series finale...full review soon
March 24, 2023
The book I did not want to finish. I did not want to finish it because that would be the end of Fronto's journey. Fifteen books of the adventures of Fronto and his familia. These are great books. And this was no different. Battles in the streets of Rome and the inevitable political intrigue. It was brilliant and I loved it. Well done Mr Turney a fitting end to a fantastic series.
March 19, 2023
What a way to end a series!!! It’s so hard to say goodbye to Fronto, but a big thank you to the author for getting to go on this journey. Each of the fifteen have been devoured as they came out, and while many series tend to be less toward the end, this one kept going strong through the whole series. I thought I “knew” Roman history, but these opened my eyes. Thank you for MM15.
March 25, 2023
Caesar ave
What a great yarn! This series of books is well researched and supremely illuminates all the pertinent characters around Caesar . I’m sure it’s not a giveaway ,as Fronton always is steadfast, blunt but loyal ,and is there on the Ides . Mr Turney weaves a compelling storyline that ties up what is a cultural volcano that ultimately when all the as lands changes western society.
What a great yarn! This series of books is well researched and supremely illuminates all the pertinent characters around Caesar . I’m sure it’s not a giveaway ,as Fronton always is steadfast, blunt but loyal ,and is there on the Ides . Mr Turney weaves a compelling storyline that ties up what is a cultural volcano that ultimately when all the as lands changes western society.
March 23, 2023
Loved the series
I want to thank Turney for doing this wonderful series. Fronto and all the great characters developed were a joy to get to know. I put this up with Cornwell’s Sharp as my favorite series.
I want to thank Turney for doing this wonderful series. Fronto and all the great characters developed were a joy to get to know. I put this up with Cornwell’s Sharp as my favorite series.
March 21, 2023
my friend Fronto
I am now bereft to think there will be no more Fronto stories he has become part of my familia i have loved each and every book especially listening to Malc Williams reading the audiobooks they are magnificent.Thank you Simon Turney for your gift of storytelling
I am now bereft to think there will be no more Fronto stories he has become part of my familia i have loved each and every book especially listening to Malc Williams reading the audiobooks they are magnificent.Thank you Simon Turney for your gift of storytelling
March 27, 2023
Awesome and sad.
Awesome because it's all action even though it's in Rome. Sad because it's the last in a brilliant series. Marcus Falerius Fronto is one of my all time favourite characters in Roman historical fiction. He is the perfect foil for the story of Julius Caesar. Even though there are no traditional battles to be fought in Rome, there are nonetheless, more huge fights as well as the infighting between Caesars supporters and the Pompeians. Essentially, Rome is a melting pot of intrigue and plots.
We all know what happened to Caesar, but there was a lot more going on that I didn't know about.
The best part of reading the final book of a series is, I can read them all again. This series is top notch. Highly recommended. Once you start this series, you won't be able to put any of the books down. S.J.A. Turney is one of the best out there.
Enjoy.
Awesome because it's all action even though it's in Rome. Sad because it's the last in a brilliant series. Marcus Falerius Fronto is one of my all time favourite characters in Roman historical fiction. He is the perfect foil for the story of Julius Caesar. Even though there are no traditional battles to be fought in Rome, there are nonetheless, more huge fights as well as the infighting between Caesars supporters and the Pompeians. Essentially, Rome is a melting pot of intrigue and plots.
We all know what happened to Caesar, but there was a lot more going on that I didn't know about.
The best part of reading the final book of a series is, I can read them all again. This series is top notch. Highly recommended. Once you start this series, you won't be able to put any of the books down. S.J.A. Turney is one of the best out there.
Enjoy.
June 9, 2024
A fantastic journey over 15 books of Caesars campaigns and political strife, viewed through the eyes of our honourable hero Fronto. I've read probably all the different authors covering this era, and this is up there with all of them. We always hear how the Romans brought civilisation and great knowledge to their ever growing empire, but the author also includes the genocide along the way.The last book covering Caesars assassination is superbly done, tying all the characters and events throughout the series together, to culminate in the well known finale, though with a brilliant and well researched thought provoking twist!!!
April 29, 2023
Great story but "overtold"
I think the author of the previous 12 or so books in this series did a brilliant job, why I kept reading (and buying). But this one sadly was worth reading about one-third of each page for me.
It was as though the pages had to be filled, a count had to be reached, thus so much irrelevant description of different streets and features in Rome that added nothing to the story, just so Caesar could be killee at the end of a book of length - that's how it felt
I think the author of the previous 12 or so books in this series did a brilliant job, why I kept reading (and buying). But this one sadly was worth reading about one-third of each page for me.
It was as though the pages had to be filled, a count had to be reached, thus so much irrelevant description of different streets and features in Rome that added nothing to the story, just so Caesar could be killee at the end of a book of length - that's how it felt
April 22, 2023
As usual, a great read. I have thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. I appreciate Mr. Turney's adherence to history. I realize that with historical novels there has to be some straying, or rewriting to fit the storyline, but I always appreciate it when it is kept to a minimum and is acknowledged in the afterword. I really enjoyed his take on the Ides of March story. It fills out the story in a way I hadn't thought of before.
Thank you.
Thank you.
March 15, 2025
Couldn't bring myself to read the.final book in one of the best series I've.read, so I decided.to start.again from book 1 finally completed.the.full set and wasn't disappointed from the.first.to the.last.it keeps you fully involved from the.first.page turn the.story telling is impeccable you are fully emersed in Fronto's story 5.stars is not enough.to give this book and a big thank you to SJA turned for letting us into his imagination
March 28, 2023
End of the Road?
I've loved this series from the beginning, well written and evocative of the Roman age.
Of course, knowing what has to happen should cheapen the plot but the author has been able to keep the tension on, with action always tap!
Some well known characters go and some stay. Read the book to find out who stays and who goes.
So we reach the end of Fronto, or do we?
I've loved this series from the beginning, well written and evocative of the Roman age.
Of course, knowing what has to happen should cheapen the plot but the author has been able to keep the tension on, with action always tap!
Some well known characters go and some stay. Read the book to find out who stays and who goes.
So we reach the end of Fronto, or do we?
July 11, 2023
Fronto is dead!
We see the last of Fronto is another magnificently written story. This book is worthy of all the books that came before it. I say goodbye to an old friend who has given me many hours of enjoyable entertainment, history, and time travel. But I will not say goodbye to the author. Well done Simon!
We see the last of Fronto is another magnificently written story. This book is worthy of all the books that came before it. I say goodbye to an old friend who has given me many hours of enjoyable entertainment, history, and time travel. But I will not say goodbye to the author. Well done Simon!
December 14, 2025
Ceaser
This book was a fantastic historical fiction it made the world of Rome so real was as of you could smell the stench of the Tiber. As it flowed past you as you stand there on the bank.
This book was a fantastic historical fiction it made the world of Rome so real was as of you could smell the stench of the Tiber. As it flowed past you as you stand there on the bank.
April 2, 2023
Ok but!
Not upto Turney's usual standard, most readers will know the history.The tale seems exceedingly long winded, too many twists and turns.
Not upto Turney's usual standard, most readers will know the history.The tale seems exceedingly long winded, too many twists and turns.
April 19, 2023
Great reading as always
I have been reading this series from the beginning. I have enjoyed every book in the series. I look forward to the next installment.
I have been reading this series from the beginning. I have enjoyed every book in the series. I look forward to the next installment.
April 29, 2023
Masterclass Turney
Great read as always. I am now going back to the beginning to remove what has been a fantastic tale by a superb story teller.
Great read as always. I am now going back to the beginning to remove what has been a fantastic tale by a superb story teller.
July 15, 2023
Brilliant
Having read a Lot of historical fiction Fronto and Co will be very difficult to better and a Huge miss.
Having read a Lot of historical fiction Fronto and Co will be very difficult to better and a Huge miss.
July 29, 2023
Alternate author
I rated all his other books 4 or 5. This book must have been written by a ghost author. Terrible
I rated all his other books 4 or 5. This book must have been written by a ghost author. Terrible
August 23, 2023
A fitting end.
I went on a journey with Fronto and Ceasar. An epic tale written beautifully. It's a shame it's over. Thanks Mr Turney
I went on a journey with Fronto and Ceasar. An epic tale written beautifully. It's a shame it's over. Thanks Mr Turney
February 15, 2024
Fantastic series
Amazing story telling. Kept me engrossed from start to finish.i would recommend to every one it is a must read
Amazing story telling. Kept me engrossed from start to finish.i would recommend to every one it is a must read
February 17, 2024
An excellent series and a believable ending to finish Fronto’s story. I’m sure he could make a come back under Octavian and not just disappear…… we’ll see
March 3, 2025
Incredible book and series gutted it's over
March 23, 2023
I have waited so long for this final book and it certainly did not disappoint. In fact Mr Turney excelled himself. No actual wars but Fronto was still almost permanently in the s*** and as previously it was only the depth that varied. I did wonder how he was going to end the tale and had my heart in my mouth at one or two points. All I will say is that it was the perfect ending and long live the Praetorian!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews