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Empire #13
Storm of War: Empire XIII
Marcus Aquila and his allies spearhead a daring attack into enemy territory, as three generals claim to be the true Roman Emperor.
A new civil war has with the emperor Pertinax's murder Marcus and his protector Scaurus have escaped Rome, seeking sanctuary for their familia in the East.
But they are soon pressed back into service by Septimus Severus, the ruthless commander who has seized the imperial capital and who holds the military balance of power over his two rivals.
Niger, the would-be emperor in the East, is on the march with six legions, and Scaurus's legion is ordered to Thrace as a sacrificial advance guard, tasked with delaying them. Whatever the cost . . .
A new civil war has with the emperor Pertinax's murder Marcus and his protector Scaurus have escaped Rome, seeking sanctuary for their familia in the East.
But they are soon pressed back into service by Septimus Severus, the ruthless commander who has seized the imperial capital and who holds the military balance of power over his two rivals.
Niger, the would-be emperor in the East, is on the march with six legions, and Scaurus's legion is ordered to Thrace as a sacrificial advance guard, tasked with delaying them. Whatever the cost . . .
352 pages, Paperback
Published December 12, 2023
62 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Riches
51 books359 followersAnthony Riches began his lifelong interest in war and soldiers when he first heard his father's stories about World War II. This led to a degree in Military Studies at Manchester University. He began writing the story that would become Wounds of Honour after a visit to Housesteads in 1996. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 6, 2023
4.5 stars
August 26, 2024
It's pretty incredible to be 13 books in, and this series is still delivering nerve jingling moments and had me on the edge of my seat.
Riches wastes no pages familiarising you with the cast and you really do need to have read the books that proceed this, however as an avid fan of this series I was so excited to be thrown straight back into the thick of it
I regret waiting some time before getting this but it does allow me to jump straight onto book 14
Riches wastes no pages familiarising you with the cast and you really do need to have read the books that proceed this, however as an avid fan of this series I was so excited to be thrown straight back into the thick of it
I regret waiting some time before getting this but it does allow me to jump straight onto book 14
February 27, 2023
The author can’t let this series go, thank Goodness. This is, astonishingly, number 13 in the series.
There are a few reasons for the success of the series, great writing, a turbulent period in Roman history and a brilliant cast of main characters. Back in 2009 when the series started, it was about a young Roman joining the army battling in Britain to hide him from an Emperor taking down his family.
Young Marcus and his colleagues have changed and evolved through the books, (and have seen off a few Emperors too!) and the last book saw our band of brothers out of the army and keen for relaxation and retirement.
Sadly at the start of this book they return, almost home, right in the middle of an “emperor” power struggle between Severus, Niger and Albinus. Drafted into Severus’s’s forces they are given commissions to work with a legion spearheading an attack on Roman forces at thrace where they will be heavily outnumbered and it is clearly a diversionary suicide mission.
This has everything you could want, the author retains his touch.
There are a few reasons for the success of the series, great writing, a turbulent period in Roman history and a brilliant cast of main characters. Back in 2009 when the series started, it was about a young Roman joining the army battling in Britain to hide him from an Emperor taking down his family.
Young Marcus and his colleagues have changed and evolved through the books, (and have seen off a few Emperors too!) and the last book saw our band of brothers out of the army and keen for relaxation and retirement.
Sadly at the start of this book they return, almost home, right in the middle of an “emperor” power struggle between Severus, Niger and Albinus. Drafted into Severus’s’s forces they are given commissions to work with a legion spearheading an attack on Roman forces at thrace where they will be heavily outnumbered and it is clearly a diversionary suicide mission.
This has everything you could want, the author retains his touch.
October 20, 2023
The Emperor Commodus is dead, his successor also. The new Emperor is holed up in Rome, with the decadent Praetorians from whom he auctioned the title his only protection. Whilst he sits on an uncertain throne, the massed armies of Septimius Severus march on Rome. In the east and west, two other claimants to the throne prepare their forces.
The familia of Marcus Valerius Aquila are now trying to escape the intrigues of empire and live a peaceful retirement. But, of course, Fortuna will not allow this.
Riches is back with a bang. As with his previous novels set within the Roman heartland, he has chosen not to provide long passages of information about the culture and customs of the local populace. This means the action rarely pauses. Even when it does, the tension is palpable and the reader knows that it is a mere break in the storm.
At book 13, there could be a risk that the series becomes stale or repetitive. However, this is certainly not the case. Of course, Riches has the benefit of history: this is a very chaotic and action-packed period in Roman history. But he ensures that his characters continue to develop in a very realistic way.
A relatively minor complaint would be that I noticed a few clunky sentences and a few spelling mistakes which were by the editors. Equally, he has a stock of phrases which are recycled (there seems to be a ‘knowing smile’ on every third page). There also seems to be some confusion re. the cardinal directions - but you can just refer to the map. These don’t detract from the storyline.
It was good that there was a brief explanation in the first chapter of their exploits. However, a glossary of the characters (with brief explanations of each) or a summary of the previous books is much-needed. After reading this series for well over a decade, and being now at book 13 I can’t remember much of what happened in the first 10 or so novels.
The book is full of the typical military language and humour we expect from Riches. It adds a colour to the characters and their scenarios. The descriptions of the horror of battle, the deaths of soldiers, and the loss when soldiers see their friends die - sometimes meaninglessly - are vivid. You can almost feel as though you have been thrown back 1800 years to the battlefield.
Riches says this is the first book of the second cycle within the series. If this means we can look forward to another 11 books, then more the better. This is my favourite series. If you are interested in military fiction, historical fiction, excellent storylines, and a real depth to the characters, then read the Empire series.
The familia of Marcus Valerius Aquila are now trying to escape the intrigues of empire and live a peaceful retirement. But, of course, Fortuna will not allow this.
Riches is back with a bang. As with his previous novels set within the Roman heartland, he has chosen not to provide long passages of information about the culture and customs of the local populace. This means the action rarely pauses. Even when it does, the tension is palpable and the reader knows that it is a mere break in the storm.
At book 13, there could be a risk that the series becomes stale or repetitive. However, this is certainly not the case. Of course, Riches has the benefit of history: this is a very chaotic and action-packed period in Roman history. But he ensures that his characters continue to develop in a very realistic way.
A relatively minor complaint would be that I noticed a few clunky sentences and a few spelling mistakes which were by the editors. Equally, he has a stock of phrases which are recycled (there seems to be a ‘knowing smile’ on every third page). There also seems to be some confusion re. the cardinal directions - but you can just refer to the map. These don’t detract from the storyline.
It was good that there was a brief explanation in the first chapter of their exploits. However, a glossary of the characters (with brief explanations of each) or a summary of the previous books is much-needed. After reading this series for well over a decade, and being now at book 13 I can’t remember much of what happened in the first 10 or so novels.
The book is full of the typical military language and humour we expect from Riches. It adds a colour to the characters and their scenarios. The descriptions of the horror of battle, the deaths of soldiers, and the loss when soldiers see their friends die - sometimes meaninglessly - are vivid. You can almost feel as though you have been thrown back 1800 years to the battlefield.
Riches says this is the first book of the second cycle within the series. If this means we can look forward to another 11 books, then more the better. This is my favourite series. If you are interested in military fiction, historical fiction, excellent storylines, and a real depth to the characters, then read the Empire series.
March 16, 2023
Number 13 in the "Empire" series.
This deals with the historical Year of Five Emperors, around AD 193. For our purposes we are dealing specifically with Severus and Niger duking it out for the purple. Commodus was murdered. His successor, Pertinax, was betrayed and killed by the Praetorian Guard. They then auctioned off the throne to Julianus; he didn't last long before he, too, was murdered. So now we're down to Severus and Niger. Severus the opportunist was the closest to Rome, so he hightailed it there to place his keester on the throne. He bullied the Senate into supporting him, so he's in the more powerful position. Sheesh...It's no wonder why Rome is no more.
The first half of the book was slow as molasses. It was nice meeting back up with Marcus, Dubnus, Morban, Qadir, etc, but my gosh they seemed to do nothing but talk! I can't recall anything of particular substance happening in the first half. Once that point was reached things started happening. One of which was a certain death. (I had liked him!) Then the legions started moving around in earnest, and by 75% the story became much more engrossing. Then another upsetting death. (I liked him, too!)
The clash of the two would-be emperors' legions was a good section. I would have hated to have been involved back then picking sides, because there was a 50/50 chance of backing the wrong guy. The contenders were vicious, too. The losing side- and their families- were usually slaughtered. None of the emperors were known for their sunny dispositions! Anyway, this battle took place in Thrace, and it was an all-day affair. It was also a draw.
Despite the overabundance of conversations, this was a good entry to an enjoyable series. The characters are terrific. Rumor has it that there will be more coming, and I plan to keep reading them!
This deals with the historical Year of Five Emperors, around AD 193. For our purposes we are dealing specifically with Severus and Niger duking it out for the purple. Commodus was murdered. His successor, Pertinax, was betrayed and killed by the Praetorian Guard. They then auctioned off the throne to Julianus; he didn't last long before he, too, was murdered. So now we're down to Severus and Niger. Severus the opportunist was the closest to Rome, so he hightailed it there to place his keester on the throne. He bullied the Senate into supporting him, so he's in the more powerful position. Sheesh...It's no wonder why Rome is no more.
The first half of the book was slow as molasses. It was nice meeting back up with Marcus, Dubnus, Morban, Qadir, etc, but my gosh they seemed to do nothing but talk! I can't recall anything of particular substance happening in the first half. Once that point was reached things started happening. One of which was a certain death. (I had liked him!) Then the legions started moving around in earnest, and by 75% the story became much more engrossing. Then another upsetting death. (I liked him, too!)
The clash of the two would-be emperors' legions was a good section. I would have hated to have been involved back then picking sides, because there was a 50/50 chance of backing the wrong guy. The contenders were vicious, too. The losing side- and their families- were usually slaughtered. None of the emperors were known for their sunny dispositions! Anyway, this battle took place in Thrace, and it was an all-day affair. It was also a draw.
Despite the overabundance of conversations, this was a good entry to an enjoyable series. The characters are terrific. Rumor has it that there will be more coming, and I plan to keep reading them!
January 29, 2025
Got to say whilst being a fan of the series, this was one of the weaker ones.
I think there's a few reasons for this. Riches is an excellent action writer but outside of that is less skilled, and the politics and intrigue sections of the novel are much weaker. Given this takes the first half of the book, this makes it one of the weaker ones.
Another issue is the loss of the Tungarian First. Sure, a lot of the surviving characters are there, but there was something about being invested in and following the Tungarian First that appealed in the novels. It was their story as well as the familia's. Added in Riches flippant humour and jocular straight talking characters, which has a certain winsome quality, gets very waring when everyone you meet adopts the same tone. (In fact it's the biggest weakness of his centurions trilogy.) In an auxillary cohort everyone being like that is understandable and gives them a quirky unique feel. When everyone in the Roman Empire is like that - it just becomes tiring and loses its effect.
Add in that there's little in this novel that isn't in others. From Marcus's magnanimous triumph over those who hate him, winning them round, to licking a group into shape, it seems like it had all been done before. Even the strength of no character bar the superhero Marcus being off limits for being killed was a negative in this; the death of one character was utterly at odds at how they were portrayed in the series.
That said it's a simple easy read and the action when it came to it was good. Add in that it's a period less covered by historians and it's not a dud of a novel. But at 13 books in this series is getting tired and it shows. 2 stars.
I think there's a few reasons for this. Riches is an excellent action writer but outside of that is less skilled, and the politics and intrigue sections of the novel are much weaker. Given this takes the first half of the book, this makes it one of the weaker ones.
Another issue is the loss of the Tungarian First. Sure, a lot of the surviving characters are there, but there was something about being invested in and following the Tungarian First that appealed in the novels. It was their story as well as the familia's. Added in Riches flippant humour and jocular straight talking characters, which has a certain winsome quality, gets very waring when everyone you meet adopts the same tone. (In fact it's the biggest weakness of his centurions trilogy.) In an auxillary cohort everyone being like that is understandable and gives them a quirky unique feel. When everyone in the Roman Empire is like that - it just becomes tiring and loses its effect.
Add in that there's little in this novel that isn't in others. From Marcus's magnanimous triumph over those who hate him, winning them round, to licking a group into shape, it seems like it had all been done before. Even the strength of no character bar the superhero Marcus being off limits for being killed was a negative in this; the death of one character was utterly at odds at how they were portrayed in the series.
That said it's a simple easy read and the action when it came to it was good. Add in that it's a period less covered by historians and it's not a dud of a novel. But at 13 books in this series is getting tired and it shows. 2 stars.
August 10, 2024
It's 193 AD and Septimius Severus has just marched into Rome with his 16 Legions to take over the throne from Didius julianus who bought his throne from the Practhorian Guard after the assasination of the rightful emporer was killed. Our heroes were trying to get away from Rome, but fate and a greedy ship's captain brought them right back into the events of Severus marching on Rome. After having taken care of some issues for Severus in Rome, our heroes were given the dubious honor to be the first Severus legion to face one of two Severus rival. A man by the name of Niger. Along with an important Roman senator, Clio they are sent off to face Niger's legions by themselves. Lots of great adventures befall them before they have to face Niger's legions. Fate and an eagle decide their final battle. So if you have enjoyed of reading about Marcus and the gang, this book won't let you down.
February 20, 2023
I love this series! And, as the author informs us, this is the start of 'cycle 2', the next phase of the adventures to star Marcus, Scaurus, Dubnus and their comrades, which means we have much more to come. Definitely a cause for celebration. Rome is at war with itself and Scaurus etc have been hijacked into the army by the new emperor Septimus Severus and sent eastwards to deal with rival imposter emperor Niger. It's a suicide mission, which suits Scaurus and Marcus best. The author likes to take us to the limit of what we can endure with these deeply loved characters and I will admit I was as traumatised as I was gripped! This is a great story about a time of Roman history I know relatively little and the author certainly knows his stuff when it comes to Roman military action and keeping his readership on the edge of its seat. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
March 3, 2023
Awesome.
I had forgotten how brilliant a writer Anthony Riches is. Yet another book I couldn't put down. It seems ages since I read about the familia. Scaurus, the genius commander, Julius, the first spear, Dubnus, a terrifying centurion, Marcus, also known as 2 knives for his incredible fighting ability with 2 swords. You also have Saratos, Sanga, Arminius and Lupus. They are as close as family and each and every one of them will die for each other. To be fair, they usually win, but on occasion, do lose a member of the family and when they do, it's heartbreaking.
I love this group of extremely dangerous men. Brilliant.
I had forgotten how brilliant a writer Anthony Riches is. Yet another book I couldn't put down. It seems ages since I read about the familia. Scaurus, the genius commander, Julius, the first spear, Dubnus, a terrifying centurion, Marcus, also known as 2 knives for his incredible fighting ability with 2 swords. You also have Saratos, Sanga, Arminius and Lupus. They are as close as family and each and every one of them will die for each other. To be fair, they usually win, but on occasion, do lose a member of the family and when they do, it's heartbreaking.
I love this group of extremely dangerous men. Brilliant.
March 1, 2023
Takes the reader into a time and situation where blood is real !!!
A thoroughly enjoyable read .
Anthony Riches once again delivers hours of fiction sprinkled with anecdotes of fact in a hugely entertaining and educational style.
I had to stay reading till 04:00 hours in order to discover the ending .
Please get the next saga out on Kindle , soonest .
A thoroughly enjoyable read .
Anthony Riches once again delivers hours of fiction sprinkled with anecdotes of fact in a hugely entertaining and educational style.
I had to stay reading till 04:00 hours in order to discover the ending .
Please get the next saga out on Kindle , soonest .
October 16, 2025
well written and researched historical fiction.
As the heading suggests this penultimate book in the series is a well written and researched example of historical ‘fiction’. The series has just enough embellishments to make exciting reading, I’m looking forward to the last book and hope the Mr Riches has a few more series up his long sleeves!
As the heading suggests this penultimate book in the series is a well written and researched example of historical ‘fiction’. The series has just enough embellishments to make exciting reading, I’m looking forward to the last book and hope the Mr Riches has a few more series up his long sleeves!
March 10, 2023
Relief
I thoroughly enjoyed the last book but was gutted at the end, I thought, of a fantastic series. How relieved I was and how delighted with this new storyline. Absolutely brilliant, cannot recommend highly enough
I thoroughly enjoyed the last book but was gutted at the end, I thought, of a fantastic series. How relieved I was and how delighted with this new storyline. Absolutely brilliant, cannot recommend highly enough
February 18, 2023
Having had this book less than 2 days i could not put it down . This book is amazing ad is the whole series i cant wait to read the next instalment
March 1, 2023
good book. easy to read. well researched
March 13, 2023
Another excellent novel from Mr Riches. The battle scene is truly great and absorbing. Long live Aquila and the Familia. Thank you Mr Riches.
March 13, 2023
Brilliant
Loved the whole story from the beginning to the end another spellbinding read from this brilliant author cannot wait for the next installment.
Loved the whole story from the beginning to the end another spellbinding read from this brilliant author cannot wait for the next installment.
February 4, 2024
Fucking Brilliant!!
How can a book be read so quickly, I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for the next one.
How can a book be read so quickly, I didn't want it to end. Can't wait for the next one.
August 26, 2024
Nothing new, same old, same old, still ok tho!
June 1, 2025
Going down a storm.
Another excellent adventure with Marcus and the usual sad events to provide a balance between a genuine victory and a pyrrhic one.
Another excellent adventure with Marcus and the usual sad events to provide a balance between a genuine victory and a pyrrhic one.
October 15, 2023
I knew this book was part of a long running series but I hoped it would work as a stand alone novel. It doesn’t really. I haven’t read any of the preceding novels so perhaps this is on me, but it felt there was far too little character development and numerous small background characters who were given too prominent a role given their limited involvement in the plot itself.
This book felt like what it is. A meandering segment of a much wider story. It slowly builds towards a climax that never comes with such a level or description to merit the extent of the build up. You are left feeling the denouement of this episode is yet to come.
This book felt like what it is. A meandering segment of a much wider story. It slowly builds towards a climax that never comes with such a level or description to merit the extent of the build up. You are left feeling the denouement of this episode is yet to come.
November 4, 2024
This eventful Roman adventure is the 13th volume of the engaging "Empire" series.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps of the "March to Battle" and "War by Sea", while at the back you'll notice a well documented Historical Note, as well as an explanation about the Roman Army as from AD182.
Storytelling is of a very good quality, but the story is in my opinion just all about fighting and political actions and no more domestic social life for our main protagonists, while the story is a bit short with only 296 pages instead of the usual 350 till around 400 like its predecessors, and most but not all characters are convincing and believable in their dealings with life and death.
The story is about our main protagonists, Scaurus, Marcus Aquila and the rest of the Familia, now acting more as a kind of Roman A-Team, and they are on the move to the East for a life in peace after a personal "Vengeance", which would have been a most fitting end to this series, which was followed by the assassination of Emperor Pertinax and the subsequent unrest, and while travelling by sea they will have to embark at a place called Classis and there they will meet their old comrade Varus.
Together they will march back to Rome with the likely new Emperor called, Septimius Severus, and having arrived in Rome the useless usurper Emperor Didius Julianus will be assassinated, and after that killing our Familia along with the influential Senator, Legatus Lucius Fabius Cilo, will set sail towards the Propontis with one Legion to fight the three Legions from the usurper Emperor Niger.
In these actions two of our Familia will sadly meet their ends and will enter the Underworld, while the rest of the Legion and the Familia will have to fight for their lives to survive this civil war for supremacy and rule as the Emperor.
What is to follow is an action-packed Roman adventure with loads of political scheming, personal combats and battles, but with hardly any domestic social life worked out in this tale, and all packed in 296 pages to make this book a somewhat meagre and disappointing addition to this series.
Really recommended to anyone who'll like continuing fighting action without any real life social action, and although the writing is really very good I'm somewhat disappointed, in comparison to his former 12 books, for the author can do so much better, but still I will give it 4 stars in the hope that the series will improve to its usual great standard, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Good Roman Sequel"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps of the "March to Battle" and "War by Sea", while at the back you'll notice a well documented Historical Note, as well as an explanation about the Roman Army as from AD182.
Storytelling is of a very good quality, but the story is in my opinion just all about fighting and political actions and no more domestic social life for our main protagonists, while the story is a bit short with only 296 pages instead of the usual 350 till around 400 like its predecessors, and most but not all characters are convincing and believable in their dealings with life and death.
The story is about our main protagonists, Scaurus, Marcus Aquila and the rest of the Familia, now acting more as a kind of Roman A-Team, and they are on the move to the East for a life in peace after a personal "Vengeance", which would have been a most fitting end to this series, which was followed by the assassination of Emperor Pertinax and the subsequent unrest, and while travelling by sea they will have to embark at a place called Classis and there they will meet their old comrade Varus.
Together they will march back to Rome with the likely new Emperor called, Septimius Severus, and having arrived in Rome the useless usurper Emperor Didius Julianus will be assassinated, and after that killing our Familia along with the influential Senator, Legatus Lucius Fabius Cilo, will set sail towards the Propontis with one Legion to fight the three Legions from the usurper Emperor Niger.
In these actions two of our Familia will sadly meet their ends and will enter the Underworld, while the rest of the Legion and the Familia will have to fight for their lives to survive this civil war for supremacy and rule as the Emperor.
What is to follow is an action-packed Roman adventure with loads of political scheming, personal combats and battles, but with hardly any domestic social life worked out in this tale, and all packed in 296 pages to make this book a somewhat meagre and disappointing addition to this series.
Really recommended to anyone who'll like continuing fighting action without any real life social action, and although the writing is really very good I'm somewhat disappointed, in comparison to his former 12 books, for the author can do so much better, but still I will give it 4 stars in the hope that the series will improve to its usual great standard, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Good Roman Sequel"!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews