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Empire #5
The Wolf's Gold
Fresh from their victory in Germania, Marcus Aquila and the Tungrians have been sent to Dacia, on the north-eastern edge of the Roman Empire, with the mission to safeguard a major source of imperial power.
The mines of Alburnus Major contain enough gold to pave the road to Rome. They would make a mighty prize for the marauding Sarmatae tribesmen who threaten the province, and the outnumbered auxiliaries are entrusted with their safety in the face of a barbarian invasion.
Beset by both the Sarmatian horde and more subtle threats offered by men who should be their comrades, the Tungrians must also come to terms with the danger posed by a new and unexpected enemy.
They will have to fight to the death to save the honour of the empire - and their own skins.
The mines of Alburnus Major contain enough gold to pave the road to Rome. They would make a mighty prize for the marauding Sarmatae tribesmen who threaten the province, and the outnumbered auxiliaries are entrusted with their safety in the face of a barbarian invasion.
Beset by both the Sarmatian horde and more subtle threats offered by men who should be their comrades, the Tungrians must also come to terms with the danger posed by a new and unexpected enemy.
They will have to fight to the death to save the honour of the empire - and their own skins.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2012
99 people are currently reading
602 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 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 10, 2021
Enjoyable read. Although I could see a certain villain a mile away. Actually two villains, and they were truly repulsive.
This story took place around 183AD, and we have the Romans vs. the Sarmatians, with a goldmine thrown into the mix. Nothing brings out the worst in people quite like a massive source of wealth. Several battles ensued, and the battle on the frozen lake was certainly unique, very well-written and memorable! I don't recall ever reading about a battle on top of a frozen lake before; that was really vivid.
Some hints were given regarding the MC's family, so I suspect- and hope!- that more information will be coming in the next book or two. I bought the next, which I intend to read within the next few days.
This story took place around 183AD, and we have the Romans vs. the Sarmatians, with a goldmine thrown into the mix. Nothing brings out the worst in people quite like a massive source of wealth. Several battles ensued, and the battle on the frozen lake was certainly unique, very well-written and memorable! I don't recall ever reading about a battle on top of a frozen lake before; that was really vivid.
Some hints were given regarding the MC's family, so I suspect- and hope!- that more information will be coming in the next book or two. I bought the next, which I intend to read within the next few days.
December 23, 2023
‘There’s bold, there’s downright reckless, and then there’s Decimus Clodius Albinus.’
Marcus’s troubles are shifted even farther from Brittania include several future emperors in the cast. The usual creative solutions to unsolvable problems and derring-do by Marcus’s crowd of misfits.
‘Well done, Centurion! It seems that our last-minute reinforcement and your customary loss of reason on the battlefield have turned the day.’
Riches has found his stride for an extended series without all the stories being clones of the previous. That said, it’s as gritty as previous offerings.
‘No amount of treasure reclaimed for Commodus to spend on circuses will compensate your son if he has to grow up without you!’
Quibbles: No such thing as “four feet of legion-issue gladius.” Romans relied on slingers to disrupt enemy formations, yet Riches mentions them once in five volumes to date.
‘Right then, let’s put some hobnails on the cobbles!’
Series overview: Hardcore historical fiction told with modern English military idioms and profanity. Second-century Roman empire provides rich background of war, intrigue, and unrest to propel too-good-to-be-true protagonist to adventure. Roman grunts spoke Latin, but not that learned in school. (The whole series loses one star for profanity and violence. You’ve been warned.) Compare to Ellis Peters’ Chronicles of Cadfael or Bernard Cornwell (Author)’s Richard Sharpe series. Though episodic, best read in order.
Marcus’s troubles are shifted even farther from Brittania include several future emperors in the cast. The usual creative solutions to unsolvable problems and derring-do by Marcus’s crowd of misfits.
‘Well done, Centurion! It seems that our last-minute reinforcement and your customary loss of reason on the battlefield have turned the day.’
Riches has found his stride for an extended series without all the stories being clones of the previous. That said, it’s as gritty as previous offerings.
‘No amount of treasure reclaimed for Commodus to spend on circuses will compensate your son if he has to grow up without you!’
Quibbles: No such thing as “four feet of legion-issue gladius.” Romans relied on slingers to disrupt enemy formations, yet Riches mentions them once in five volumes to date.
‘Right then, let’s put some hobnails on the cobbles!’
Series overview: Hardcore historical fiction told with modern English military idioms and profanity. Second-century Roman empire provides rich background of war, intrigue, and unrest to propel too-good-to-be-true protagonist to adventure. Roman grunts spoke Latin, but not that learned in school. (The whole series loses one star for profanity and violence. You’ve been warned.) Compare to Ellis Peters’ Chronicles of Cadfael or Bernard Cornwell (Author)’s Richard Sharpe series. Though episodic, best read in order.
December 25, 2021
Read this book in 2014, and its the 5th volume of the wonderful "Empire" series.
After their victory in Germania, Marcus Aquila and his Tungrians are sent to Dacia with the mission to safeguard a major source of imperial power.
But what Marcus and his men will find is not only riches of gold aplenty, but several opponents who want to get their hands on it.
on the one hand there are the Sarmatians who are threatening the empire with their ferocious attacks, but also from men from within their own units of Roman soldiers, instead of fighting the barbarians they are willing to lay their hands on the gold themselves.
Also a new and unexpected enemy will make its entrance, and against all these odds the Tungrians must fight to the death to safeguard the gold but also save their own skins.
What is to follow is an intriguing and fascinating Roman adventure, in which Marcus and his men excel in their endeavours to keep the Roman Empire in tact and its resources of gold, and all this told by the author in his own enthusiastic and fabulous fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another impressive addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Glorious Wolf's Gold"!
After their victory in Germania, Marcus Aquila and his Tungrians are sent to Dacia with the mission to safeguard a major source of imperial power.
But what Marcus and his men will find is not only riches of gold aplenty, but several opponents who want to get their hands on it.
on the one hand there are the Sarmatians who are threatening the empire with their ferocious attacks, but also from men from within their own units of Roman soldiers, instead of fighting the barbarians they are willing to lay their hands on the gold themselves.
Also a new and unexpected enemy will make its entrance, and against all these odds the Tungrians must fight to the death to safeguard the gold but also save their own skins.
What is to follow is an intriguing and fascinating Roman adventure, in which Marcus and his men excel in their endeavours to keep the Roman Empire in tact and its resources of gold, and all this told by the author in his own enthusiastic and fabulous fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another impressive addition to this great series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Glorious Wolf's Gold"!
January 9, 2018
I have enjoyed all of Anthony Riches' Empire series (featuring centurion Marcus 'Two Knives' Aquila and his indomitable Tungrian cohorts) but this fifth volume in the series is sensational. There was me thinking that Fortress of Spears, the third in the series, was unbeatable and Anthony Riches proves me wrong. The Wolf's Gold has all the elements we expect from an Empire novel - thrills, great characters whether good or bad, a brotherhood of soldiers, mystery, humour, gore and solid historical and military knowledge - but there is a focus here that pulls everything together into a story that is impossible to put down.
This time we are plunged into Dacia, where threats come from every side, hardly surprising when there's a valley of gold catching everyone's eye. Needless to say, Marcus and his men run a gauntlet of battles and skirmishes, none of which they're expected to survive. And all the time, we're urging them on. This is great Roman military historical fiction!
This time we are plunged into Dacia, where threats come from every side, hardly surprising when there's a valley of gold catching everyone's eye. Needless to say, Marcus and his men run a gauntlet of battles and skirmishes, none of which they're expected to survive. And all the time, we're urging them on. This is great Roman military historical fiction!
May 10, 2016
Entry number 5 in the Empire series finds the Tungrians and their colleagues up against some devious foes as they're ordered to protect a lucrative gold mining operation. Entry number 5 also finds the author on top of his game as he spins a yarn that is full of drama, camaraderie, plot twists and surprises. It is certainly fair to say that Anthony Riches knows how to pen a battle scene from the grisly outcome to the imaginative tactics employed. The author also gives us a glimpse of the future through Centurion Corvus and his dreams along with some news from Rome concerning his family and who ordered them killed. All in all, The Wolf's Gold is a thrilling romp through some formidable terrain both in terms of the countryside and in the Imperial political scene (in other words, if the Emperor ain't happy, ain't no one safe.) :-) 4.4 stars
December 31, 2020
A battle-heavy Roman historical fiction book. Well worth a read if you enjoy war strategy, and learning lessons from inept Roman officers who use their heritage more than their brains, and even better lessons from battle-hardened Centurions and their peers.
With a higher body count than Rambo, this isn't the book for you if you want complicated storylines and well developed characters, but it was a rollicking good holiday read.
Keep your swords sharp, and your friends close.
With a higher body count than Rambo, this isn't the book for you if you want complicated storylines and well developed characters, but it was a rollicking good holiday read.
Keep your swords sharp, and your friends close.
December 8, 2012
One of the best books so far in the series. Well written and engaging throughout, with a nice twist that are becoming a hallmark of these books. The author carefully balances the accuracy of the historical setting with the need for creating an enjoyable experience for the reader,
December 5, 2014
Roman military historical fiction, done well.
September 21, 2014
No matter how much I enjoy the ‘Empire’ books, I can’t get away from the fact that Anthony Riches’ Editor is still blind. Like the bat. It’s ok, publishing people, I have bought all the books (so far) in the series (twice, actually, as I have them all in hardback and on Audible) and a decent star count still manages to poke its head above the soup of irritants but…if I were his editor, I’d have (at least) pointed out this quick selection inside five pages, early on:
P 41. ’Scaurus raised an eyebrow in recognition of the younger man’s achievement.’
P.43. ’Scaurus raised an eyebrow.’
P45. ‘Marcus raised an eyebrow at Martos, who nodded in agreement.’
Then the unnecessary repetition habit again begins again:
P45. The Roman smiled quietly at the way in which the Selgovae giant had quietly and patiently become…’
You get the picture. In the main body of the book, eyebrows are raised in a startling, not to say stunning, variety of ways to signify a wide range of emotions. Often at times, like in the middle of a frenzied battle, where one might reasonably suspect a shouted indication of surprise, acquiescence or astonishment might have been a more logical, not to say speedily and easily interpreted, means of communicating the afore-mentioned emotion.
So, we have liberally sprinkled eyebrows that are ‘knowing,’ questioning, ‘imperious,’ ’sceptical,’ and/or ‘note’ things just by their raising. There are eyebrowS raised as the unspoken answer to questionS and characters that have one eyebrow raised while walking along, into forts. Then there are amazed, ‘pitying,’ ’sardonic,’ ‘wry’ eyebrows a-plenty.
But let’s go all the way to the end and take a closer look at Chapter 10.
P332. "‘What’s down there?’
Lupus started down into the shaft.”
Why not just leave the second ‘down’ out?
P333. “The other man raised a sceptical eyebrow.”
P.333. “Marcus nodded, conceding the point.
“We are the point of the spear…”
Why not ’the tip,’ for the second ‘point’ for example?
P335. “…jerking his head for Marcus to come forward past him. Pacing silently past his friend…” I give up.
P347. “Marcus lifted a wry eyebrow…” And that in the middle of a battle!
P353. “Scaurus raised an appreciative eyebrow at the woman before him.”
And in quick succession…
P354. “He (Scaurus again) raised a questioning eyebrow at her.”
P357. “With a sudden start she realised that there were men all around them, rising from the cover of the bushes and trees around the mine’s entrance.”
P359. “…holding it up to illuminate the narrow passageway. Two hundred paces up the dimly lit passage…” We’ve already got the idea there isn’t much light, hence the need for torches?
P365. “Scaurus raised an eyebrow.”
P366. “According to the miners the transfer was carried out at night, when most of Gerwulf’s cohort were asleep guarding the miners.” Why not just ’them’ for the second ‘miners’?
P368. “Albinus raised his eyebrows in reproach.”
P370. “…happy to see Appius clinging to the neck of his father’s tunic and working his gums vigorously on a heavy gold pendant that hung around her husband’s neck.”
P370. “She looked at her husband with a gently raised eyebrow.”
P370/1. “While the senator simply berated his son to take revenge, the Tribune’s ghost was at the same time both silent and yet gorily persistent in his demands, simply scrawling…”
My favourite of them all in this book and unfortunately I didn’t make a note of the page number, is this beauty:
“With a crack of breaking bone and he flopped bonelessly to the ground.” Surely, the noise of a breaking bone would immediately suggest he isn't boneless?
The fact that there are enough of them to be noticeable, is irritating in that it distracts from the/my enjoyment of the book/story. Which is otherwise pretty reasonable. They're still on mainland Europe and have to go sort out a Roman gold mine, discovering fraud on a monumental scale is being perpetrated by errant Roman soldiers. The actual bones of the story are really rather good, with some different variations on the last-minute rescues and unexpected turns of events we’ve come to expect from Mr Riches and his main character Marcus Aquila. I will have to dare to say again, that it is actually the more secondary characters, the supporting cast again, who make the difference. Sometimes, one might be forgiven for finding them a little more interesting, even appealing, in their nature, than the oftentimes straight down the line Marcus.
But (and ‘everything before the but, is bullshit,’ remember that) it’s not ‘just me’ who notices the eyebrows and the repetitions and eyebrows. Other readers have eyes, same as I do (I haven't even got 20/20 vision, for chuff's sake). OK, I was involved in what one could call - at a stretch - the ‘creative arts’ (advertising), down the 25 years or more (before moving to Denmark) I worked in the UK. Part of my job(s) down those very same years, was to spot exactly this sort of thing. So, maybe they do leap out a little more readily from the page than for a regular reader, I don’t know. But, you’ve got eyes, same as me, no matter what job you do or don’t do. Like it or not, I have noticed them - and you have too. I can’t un-notice. I can’t say if other reviewers have pointed it out, I haven’t read any, but what I do know is, is that if they haven’t pointed it out, they’re not doing their job (I can immediately think of one blogger (the one who seems never to have read a bad book) who certainly won’t have mentioned it for fear of not getting sent more publisher freebies). As I buy and pay for my books with my own (hard-earned) money, I can be both immune and more objective.
In the end, is it worth buying? Maybe. If you’ve read the others before it, yes. If you are looking forward to the troop returning to Britannia *raises hand* maybe. If you are becoming allergic to eyebrows shooting hither and thither more often than a James Bond film staring Roger Moore…maybe avoid.
P 41. ’Scaurus raised an eyebrow in recognition of the younger man’s achievement.’
P.43. ’Scaurus raised an eyebrow.’
P45. ‘Marcus raised an eyebrow at Martos, who nodded in agreement.’
Then the unnecessary repetition habit again begins again:
P45. The Roman smiled quietly at the way in which the Selgovae giant had quietly and patiently become…’
You get the picture. In the main body of the book, eyebrows are raised in a startling, not to say stunning, variety of ways to signify a wide range of emotions. Often at times, like in the middle of a frenzied battle, where one might reasonably suspect a shouted indication of surprise, acquiescence or astonishment might have been a more logical, not to say speedily and easily interpreted, means of communicating the afore-mentioned emotion.
So, we have liberally sprinkled eyebrows that are ‘knowing,’ questioning, ‘imperious,’ ’sceptical,’ and/or ‘note’ things just by their raising. There are eyebrowS raised as the unspoken answer to questionS and characters that have one eyebrow raised while walking along, into forts. Then there are amazed, ‘pitying,’ ’sardonic,’ ‘wry’ eyebrows a-plenty.
But let’s go all the way to the end and take a closer look at Chapter 10.
P332. "‘What’s down there?’
Lupus started down into the shaft.”
Why not just leave the second ‘down’ out?
P333. “The other man raised a sceptical eyebrow.”
P.333. “Marcus nodded, conceding the point.
“We are the point of the spear…”
Why not ’the tip,’ for the second ‘point’ for example?
P335. “…jerking his head for Marcus to come forward past him. Pacing silently past his friend…” I give up.
P347. “Marcus lifted a wry eyebrow…” And that in the middle of a battle!
P353. “Scaurus raised an appreciative eyebrow at the woman before him.”
And in quick succession…
P354. “He (Scaurus again) raised a questioning eyebrow at her.”
P357. “With a sudden start she realised that there were men all around them, rising from the cover of the bushes and trees around the mine’s entrance.”
P359. “…holding it up to illuminate the narrow passageway. Two hundred paces up the dimly lit passage…” We’ve already got the idea there isn’t much light, hence the need for torches?
P365. “Scaurus raised an eyebrow.”
P366. “According to the miners the transfer was carried out at night, when most of Gerwulf’s cohort were asleep guarding the miners.” Why not just ’them’ for the second ‘miners’?
P368. “Albinus raised his eyebrows in reproach.”
P370. “…happy to see Appius clinging to the neck of his father’s tunic and working his gums vigorously on a heavy gold pendant that hung around her husband’s neck.”
P370. “She looked at her husband with a gently raised eyebrow.”
P370/1. “While the senator simply berated his son to take revenge, the Tribune’s ghost was at the same time both silent and yet gorily persistent in his demands, simply scrawling…”
My favourite of them all in this book and unfortunately I didn’t make a note of the page number, is this beauty:
“With a crack of breaking bone and he flopped bonelessly to the ground.” Surely, the noise of a breaking bone would immediately suggest he isn't boneless?
The fact that there are enough of them to be noticeable, is irritating in that it distracts from the/my enjoyment of the book/story. Which is otherwise pretty reasonable. They're still on mainland Europe and have to go sort out a Roman gold mine, discovering fraud on a monumental scale is being perpetrated by errant Roman soldiers. The actual bones of the story are really rather good, with some different variations on the last-minute rescues and unexpected turns of events we’ve come to expect from Mr Riches and his main character Marcus Aquila. I will have to dare to say again, that it is actually the more secondary characters, the supporting cast again, who make the difference. Sometimes, one might be forgiven for finding them a little more interesting, even appealing, in their nature, than the oftentimes straight down the line Marcus.
But (and ‘everything before the but, is bullshit,’ remember that) it’s not ‘just me’ who notices the eyebrows and the repetitions and eyebrows. Other readers have eyes, same as I do (I haven't even got 20/20 vision, for chuff's sake). OK, I was involved in what one could call - at a stretch - the ‘creative arts’ (advertising), down the 25 years or more (before moving to Denmark) I worked in the UK. Part of my job(s) down those very same years, was to spot exactly this sort of thing. So, maybe they do leap out a little more readily from the page than for a regular reader, I don’t know. But, you’ve got eyes, same as me, no matter what job you do or don’t do. Like it or not, I have noticed them - and you have too. I can’t un-notice. I can’t say if other reviewers have pointed it out, I haven’t read any, but what I do know is, is that if they haven’t pointed it out, they’re not doing their job (I can immediately think of one blogger (the one who seems never to have read a bad book) who certainly won’t have mentioned it for fear of not getting sent more publisher freebies). As I buy and pay for my books with my own (hard-earned) money, I can be both immune and more objective.
In the end, is it worth buying? Maybe. If you’ve read the others before it, yes. If you are looking forward to the troop returning to Britannia *raises hand* maybe. If you are becoming allergic to eyebrows shooting hither and thither more often than a James Bond film staring Roger Moore…maybe avoid.
November 5, 2012
This is the fifth in an excellent series, but perhaps the weakest. I don’t like making that point as I have very much enjoyed the series to date. It is in no way a bad novel, just not as strong as the others.
We now find Centurion Marcus Corvus and his fellow Tungrian Auxiliary cohorts being sent to Dacia to protect a gold mine. Not surprisingly, they come up against both barbarians and treachery and Corvus learns something that will be of great use if he survives.
Anthony Riches is a very good writer and you can tell he is trying to not just repeat previous novels. There is no-one potentially exposing Marcus (whose colleagues are hiding his true identity) and you sense that the political aspect will come for to the fore. So, why not my usual four stars? Well, it took a while to get going and felt slightly forced at the start, not helped by the need to tell the background through a character discussion and there were threads rather easily cut odd – a well-established character is killed rather too casually, as is a new character, somewhat underused.
But all the good stuff is in here too, some great character inter-action, camaraderie and some very authentic Roman action.
This may be a key cross-roads in Anthony Riches’ series, I sense he will send Marcus towards Rome and somehow will have to work out if he can get the Tungrians over there too. I’ll buy it because I am a fan and hope it is a return to full form.
We now find Centurion Marcus Corvus and his fellow Tungrian Auxiliary cohorts being sent to Dacia to protect a gold mine. Not surprisingly, they come up against both barbarians and treachery and Corvus learns something that will be of great use if he survives.
Anthony Riches is a very good writer and you can tell he is trying to not just repeat previous novels. There is no-one potentially exposing Marcus (whose colleagues are hiding his true identity) and you sense that the political aspect will come for to the fore. So, why not my usual four stars? Well, it took a while to get going and felt slightly forced at the start, not helped by the need to tell the background through a character discussion and there were threads rather easily cut odd – a well-established character is killed rather too casually, as is a new character, somewhat underused.
But all the good stuff is in here too, some great character inter-action, camaraderie and some very authentic Roman action.
This may be a key cross-roads in Anthony Riches’ series, I sense he will send Marcus towards Rome and somehow will have to work out if he can get the Tungrians over there too. I’ll buy it because I am a fan and hope it is a return to full form.
December 7, 2012
c2012. FWFTB: Dacia, mines, tribesmen, Sarmatian, invasion. I now know where Dacia is/was - something that was sadly lacking in my knowledge base. There are also some very inventive ways of executing people in this book. I thought that this book was the best so far in the series. There was not so much emphasis on Corvus' personal problems although still part of the general framework and set up for the next book (I think!). I found the pacing to be much better and Scaurus plays a far more prominent part than before. I loved Scarface and Sanga and the authentic behaviour of the troops in general. Highly recommended to the normal crew. FCN: Marcus Tribulus Corvus, Sigilis (a little sign?), Felicia (Marcus' wife but perhaps the most one dimensional of the characters), Morban (a loveable rogue?), Dubnus (still around). Fuck me, it actually works. Who said all senior officers were full of shit<\i>
June 10, 2017
In Book 5 of Anthony Riches' excellent Empire Series, we find the 1st and 2nd Tungrian cohorts along with our hero Centurion Marcus Valerius Aquila, aka Marcus Tribulus Corvus, ordered to the borders of Dacia to defend one of the Roman Empire's most productive gold mines from marauding Sarmatae (also known as Sarmatians).
The Sarmatians emerged in the 7th century BC in a region of the steppe to the east of the Don River and south of the Ural Mountains in Eastern Europe. For centuries they lived in relatively peaceful co-existence with their western neighbors the Scythians. Then, in the 3rd century BC, they fought with the Scythians on the Pontic steppe to the north of the Black Sea. The Sarmatians were to dominate these territories over the next five centuries. Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) wrote that they ranged from the Vistula River (in present-day Poland) to the Danube.
"In the early first century, Sarmatians are mentioned as allies of King Mithridates VI of Pontus, the ruler of several countries near the Black Sea and one of the most dangerous enemies of the Roman empire. In 66, he was defeated by Pompey the Great and expelled from Asia Minor. Mithridates continued his war from the Crimea, still supported by the Sarmatians, but was ultimately forced to commit suicide. The Sarmatians continued the anti-Roman alliance with his son Pharnaces, who was defeated in 47 by Julius Caesar at Zela." - Livius.org
By the mid-first century CE, the Sarmatians resumed migration westward. Finding the Dacian kingdom in crisis, one of the Sarmatian's affiliated tribes, the Iazyges settled first near the mouth of the Danube in modern-day Rumania then continued into modern-day Hungary. Another affiliated tribe, the Roxolani settled in the lower reaches of the Danube. There any further advancement was checked by Legio III Gallica during the Year of the Four Emperors, 68/69 CE.
However, in the last decade of the first century, Dacia regained its strength and formed an alliance with the Sarmatians that had settled in its territory.
"One Roman legion, XXI Rapax, was destroyed in 92. To defend their empire, the Romans were forced to conquer territories on the north bank of the Danube. This happened between 102 and 106 CE when the Roman emperor Trajan subdued the Iazyges, Dacians, and Roxolani. " - Livius.org
Hadrian, Trajan's successor, though keeping control of the Dacians, subsequently granted independence to the Iazyges and Roxlolani in return for their allegiance to Rome. But peace did not last. During the reign of Marcus Aurelius, the Sarmatians joined with the Marcomanni in revolt. Ultimately, the Romans were successful in putting down the revolt but the security of Roman settlements along the Danube frontier remained precarious for the next half century. This is the timeframe and environment where our story takes place.
"Wolf's Gold" is one of the most action-packed novels in the Empire series so far. It begins with an ambush before the Tungrians even reach the gold mines. Then when the cohorts finally reach the gold mines they must hurriedly build defenses before confrontation with an almost overwhelming force of Sarmatae warriors. Then an auxiliary cohort of Quadi makes a surprise appearance.
The Quadi were a Germanic tribe that was part of the Suevi confederation. Marcus' friend Arminius, was a prince of the Quadi before his defeat and capture in battle. Arminius warmly greets the new cohort's prefect known as "The Wolf" as they were apparently friends in childhood. But not all is as it seems when an orphaned Roman child claims his family was massacred by "The Wolf".
But before things can be sorted out the Tungrians are called to another Roman fort to prevent the remaining Sarmatian warriors from crossing into the formal Roman province of Dacia, leaving "The Wolf" to protect the gold mines.
More ambushes and heart-stopping battles take place, one a suspenseful struggle on a frozen lake reminiscent of a scene from 2004's "King Arthur." (Note: the knights in that King Arthur tale were supposedly Sarmatians)
Will all of our continuing characters survive the onslaught? Is the emperor's gold really safe? Will Arminius remain loyal?
Anthony Riches once more kept me on the edge of my seat since I have become so attached to many of the characters peopling his tales. The realism of the combat scenes demonstrates once more how much research has gone into his narrative. There's not one dull moment in this book and it definitely leaves you eager to launch yourself into Book 6!
The Sarmatians emerged in the 7th century BC in a region of the steppe to the east of the Don River and south of the Ural Mountains in Eastern Europe. For centuries they lived in relatively peaceful co-existence with their western neighbors the Scythians. Then, in the 3rd century BC, they fought with the Scythians on the Pontic steppe to the north of the Black Sea. The Sarmatians were to dominate these territories over the next five centuries. Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) wrote that they ranged from the Vistula River (in present-day Poland) to the Danube.
"In the early first century, Sarmatians are mentioned as allies of King Mithridates VI of Pontus, the ruler of several countries near the Black Sea and one of the most dangerous enemies of the Roman empire. In 66, he was defeated by Pompey the Great and expelled from Asia Minor. Mithridates continued his war from the Crimea, still supported by the Sarmatians, but was ultimately forced to commit suicide. The Sarmatians continued the anti-Roman alliance with his son Pharnaces, who was defeated in 47 by Julius Caesar at Zela." - Livius.org
By the mid-first century CE, the Sarmatians resumed migration westward. Finding the Dacian kingdom in crisis, one of the Sarmatian's affiliated tribes, the Iazyges settled first near the mouth of the Danube in modern-day Rumania then continued into modern-day Hungary. Another affiliated tribe, the Roxolani settled in the lower reaches of the Danube. There any further advancement was checked by Legio III Gallica during the Year of the Four Emperors, 68/69 CE.
However, in the last decade of the first century, Dacia regained its strength and formed an alliance with the Sarmatians that had settled in its territory.
"One Roman legion, XXI Rapax, was destroyed in 92. To defend their empire, the Romans were forced to conquer territories on the north bank of the Danube. This happened between 102 and 106 CE when the Roman emperor Trajan subdued the Iazyges, Dacians, and Roxolani. " - Livius.org
Hadrian, Trajan's successor, though keeping control of the Dacians, subsequently granted independence to the Iazyges and Roxlolani in return for their allegiance to Rome. But peace did not last. During the reign of Marcus Aurelius, the Sarmatians joined with the Marcomanni in revolt. Ultimately, the Romans were successful in putting down the revolt but the security of Roman settlements along the Danube frontier remained precarious for the next half century. This is the timeframe and environment where our story takes place.
"Wolf's Gold" is one of the most action-packed novels in the Empire series so far. It begins with an ambush before the Tungrians even reach the gold mines. Then when the cohorts finally reach the gold mines they must hurriedly build defenses before confrontation with an almost overwhelming force of Sarmatae warriors. Then an auxiliary cohort of Quadi makes a surprise appearance.
The Quadi were a Germanic tribe that was part of the Suevi confederation. Marcus' friend Arminius, was a prince of the Quadi before his defeat and capture in battle. Arminius warmly greets the new cohort's prefect known as "The Wolf" as they were apparently friends in childhood. But not all is as it seems when an orphaned Roman child claims his family was massacred by "The Wolf".
But before things can be sorted out the Tungrians are called to another Roman fort to prevent the remaining Sarmatian warriors from crossing into the formal Roman province of Dacia, leaving "The Wolf" to protect the gold mines.
More ambushes and heart-stopping battles take place, one a suspenseful struggle on a frozen lake reminiscent of a scene from 2004's "King Arthur." (Note: the knights in that King Arthur tale were supposedly Sarmatians)
Will all of our continuing characters survive the onslaught? Is the emperor's gold really safe? Will Arminius remain loyal?
Anthony Riches once more kept me on the edge of my seat since I have become so attached to many of the characters peopling his tales. The realism of the combat scenes demonstrates once more how much research has gone into his narrative. There's not one dull moment in this book and it definitely leaves you eager to launch yourself into Book 6!
May 5, 2014
Starting a long-running series a few books in is always a bit daunting, which is why it’s taken me so long to actually read Anthony Riches' The Wolf's Gold, despite having a review copy since it was published in 2012. Because The Wolf's Gold is the fifth book in Riches' Empire series, which follows the trials and tribulations of Marcus Valerius Aquila, a Roman centurion who is set on the path of vengeance after his father and his family are murdered. But as I now have books five, six, and seven and this month is historical fiction month on the blog, I decided to take a leap and see how I went. And fortunately it went quite well; while there were definitely elements of the book that refer to past events, Riches does explain the bare bones for new readers and the story can be easily followed without having read the previous books. However, I did have the sense that I was missing some of the nuances of character interactions, but rather than being a nuisance, it made me want to find the previous books and get caught up on the story.
In The Wolf's Gold Marcus and his cohort have been sent far from their normal post in Britannia and we join them in Dacia. For someone who isn't that familiar with Roman history beyond the well-known facts, especially outside of Western Europe, trying to find my feet in the terminology and geography of the Roman world was a bit difficult at first, but I soon found my footing and settled into it. Riches writes with an economy of language that doesn't leave much room for lavish and detailed descriptions, but focuses more on action and dialogue. It was a style I needed to get used to especially after my last reads having been books that were quite the opposite, but which suited the story and the plot quite well. Riches doesn't waste his words and at about a third from the end I came to realise that nothing he writes is wasted; scenes that didn't seem to have a very large impact on the narrative at the time they occur turn out to be pivotal to the resolution of the plot. As a consequence the plotting is very tight and far more complex than it appears at first blush.
Marcus Aquila is quite a sympathetic main character. He's an honourable man, a leader who cares for his men and who inspires a lot of loyalty in his comrades. I really liked his friendship with his fellow centurions and his senior officers. Marcus is also a very capable character, who seems to have a natural knack for soldiering and strategy. While he is the protagonist of the series and the novel, his isn't the only point of view in the book. In fact, Riches employs many points of view, several of them recurring, such as those of Julius and Scaurus, some of them one time only such as those of Mus and Lupus. It creates a dynamic narrative allowing the author to play fast and loose with what the reader knows. Because while several points of view allow us to see things one perspective couldn't cover, it also allows Riches to keep things hidden from the reader, only to be hinted at and then later revealed with a flourish. Mostly these revelations are a welcome tada-moment in the narrative. There was only a reveal towards the end of the book for which I had missed any and all clues that left me a bit confused and grumpy as it just came out of left field for me.
I have a soft spot for military tales, be it historical, non-fiction, fantasy, or science fiction. What attracts me is not just that often these are tales of people rising to the occasion, beyond what they ever thought they were capable of, but also the cohesion and camaraderie of people serving in a unit. The loyalty a strong unit has to each other and the banter that often accompanies people being stuck at close quarters with each other, when done well, never fails to draw me in to a story. And this sense of brotherhood, connection and banter is something that Riches gets across very well. I love the way the men mock each other and joke about, only to risk life and limb for each other in the next scene. What Riches also portrayed very well is the ruthless nature of Roman politics and the way that military command and warfare was a way to get ahead in the Senate, leading to treachery and corruption quite often. These political officers are contrasted to the career officers quite starkly, as are those of Roman descent and those who are from outlying provinces. It makes life interesting for Marcus and company, since not even a victory is set in stone—it's all about how it's spun politically in Rome.
Despite some troubling finding my feet, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with Marcus and the Tungrian cohorts in Dacia. Riches tells a compelling tale that spares no one and had me blinking in shock at some of the turns of events in the book. I was completely drawn in by the men of the Tungrian cohorts and I was really glad I could crack open the next book, The Eagle's Vengeance, immediately. While The Wolf's Gold stands well enough on its own – its plot and the Tungrians' mission for the book are all resolved and completed – the overarching story is clearly still ongoing, with Marcus having received an important new piece of information to aid him in his quest for justice and revenge. I may have only joined the adventure late, but I'm glad I did and I look forward to spending many more books with Marcus, Julius, Scaurus and company.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
In The Wolf's Gold Marcus and his cohort have been sent far from their normal post in Britannia and we join them in Dacia. For someone who isn't that familiar with Roman history beyond the well-known facts, especially outside of Western Europe, trying to find my feet in the terminology and geography of the Roman world was a bit difficult at first, but I soon found my footing and settled into it. Riches writes with an economy of language that doesn't leave much room for lavish and detailed descriptions, but focuses more on action and dialogue. It was a style I needed to get used to especially after my last reads having been books that were quite the opposite, but which suited the story and the plot quite well. Riches doesn't waste his words and at about a third from the end I came to realise that nothing he writes is wasted; scenes that didn't seem to have a very large impact on the narrative at the time they occur turn out to be pivotal to the resolution of the plot. As a consequence the plotting is very tight and far more complex than it appears at first blush.
Marcus Aquila is quite a sympathetic main character. He's an honourable man, a leader who cares for his men and who inspires a lot of loyalty in his comrades. I really liked his friendship with his fellow centurions and his senior officers. Marcus is also a very capable character, who seems to have a natural knack for soldiering and strategy. While he is the protagonist of the series and the novel, his isn't the only point of view in the book. In fact, Riches employs many points of view, several of them recurring, such as those of Julius and Scaurus, some of them one time only such as those of Mus and Lupus. It creates a dynamic narrative allowing the author to play fast and loose with what the reader knows. Because while several points of view allow us to see things one perspective couldn't cover, it also allows Riches to keep things hidden from the reader, only to be hinted at and then later revealed with a flourish. Mostly these revelations are a welcome tada-moment in the narrative. There was only a reveal towards the end of the book for which I had missed any and all clues that left me a bit confused and grumpy as it just came out of left field for me.
I have a soft spot for military tales, be it historical, non-fiction, fantasy, or science fiction. What attracts me is not just that often these are tales of people rising to the occasion, beyond what they ever thought they were capable of, but also the cohesion and camaraderie of people serving in a unit. The loyalty a strong unit has to each other and the banter that often accompanies people being stuck at close quarters with each other, when done well, never fails to draw me in to a story. And this sense of brotherhood, connection and banter is something that Riches gets across very well. I love the way the men mock each other and joke about, only to risk life and limb for each other in the next scene. What Riches also portrayed very well is the ruthless nature of Roman politics and the way that military command and warfare was a way to get ahead in the Senate, leading to treachery and corruption quite often. These political officers are contrasted to the career officers quite starkly, as are those of Roman descent and those who are from outlying provinces. It makes life interesting for Marcus and company, since not even a victory is set in stone—it's all about how it's spun politically in Rome.
Despite some troubling finding my feet, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with Marcus and the Tungrian cohorts in Dacia. Riches tells a compelling tale that spares no one and had me blinking in shock at some of the turns of events in the book. I was completely drawn in by the men of the Tungrian cohorts and I was really glad I could crack open the next book, The Eagle's Vengeance, immediately. While The Wolf's Gold stands well enough on its own – its plot and the Tungrians' mission for the book are all resolved and completed – the overarching story is clearly still ongoing, with Marcus having received an important new piece of information to aid him in his quest for justice and revenge. I may have only joined the adventure late, but I'm glad I did and I look forward to spending many more books with Marcus, Julius, Scaurus and company.
This book was provided for review by the publisher.
May 31, 2021
A nice addition to the series. A fully packed booked with some sad deaths. I feel it ran through each story line quite well with a nice conclusion. Within the middle of the book, I was wondering what was happening with Gerwulf but it all came back full circle with a nice mastermind twist to summarise the plot at the end. A very well written book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2023
A return to form...I'd been starting to feel that the series had gone a little stale in Book 4 (Leopard Sword) but an excellent page turning read...with all the elements you'd expect - some genuine roman history, some military brotherhood (Roman Legions by way of 21st century special forces operatives) and some tub-thumping action.
Very enjoyable!
Very enjoyable!
May 4, 2024
I’ve mostly enjoyed this series but the last book and more so this have been a struggle. This one I found a tiresome read. It felt rushed like the author had a deadline. Character personalities seem to of changed from previous books too which is really annoying. A bit of a amateurish read if I’m honest.
November 9, 2025
Gosto sempre de livros sobre o império romano e fico sempre surpreendido pela capacidade daquele império. Foram um povo verdadeiramente fantástico!! Anthony Riches a par de Scarrow conseguem transpor para o papel essa vivência e experiência. Riches talvez consiga ser mais inovador e os livros não tão previsíveis. Gostei 😉
October 8, 2018
Another excellent book in the series
I'm reading the series as far as it's gone before I read the latest one. There are a few good writers of excellent Roman fiction well set in the historic context and Anthony Riches is one of them.
I'm reading the series as far as it's gone before I read the latest one. There are a few good writers of excellent Roman fiction well set in the historic context and Anthony Riches is one of them.
September 4, 2017
A great read.
May 5, 2018
A very good read.
April 6, 2019
Couldn't finish this book, in fact I was wondering why I started to read it. Characterisation is crude, storyline confusing. Not recommended
April 27, 2020
marcus got a little too religious in this one for my liking. the gods have always been part of this story but this book broughtnit right to the front and made our hero out to be a religious nutter 🤔
July 31, 2020
Tahle série mě baví! Římstí legionáři s ústřední postavou Marcem bojují v Dácii a hlavní darebák se jmenuje Stephenwolf nebo tak nějak. Co víc si přát!
August 16, 2020
Brilliant read , Anthony never disappoints, already downloaded the next in series.
December 7, 2022
Audiobook
April 25, 2023
Well written and very interesting period.
Very much enjoyed this book.
Very much enjoyed this book.
July 15, 2025
Excellent
This was another excellent tale in the empire series by Anthony Riches,plenty of action,and historically accurate,this comes very highly recommended.
This was another excellent tale in the empire series by Anthony Riches,plenty of action,and historically accurate,this comes very highly recommended.
October 25, 2012
I've been a fan of Tony Riches since Corvus first put in an appearance in Wounds of Honour, and I'm always pleased to pick up an 'Empire' book.
I've done reviews of the others so far, and I would reference them in this review. The first three in the series I always considered very much a single story arc over three books. Moreover, they were staunchly and solidly novels of the Roman military.
Cue Tony's curveball: The Leopard Sword. The fourth book in the series was something of a departure in style, concentrating more on an ingenious plotline of intrigues and banditry than on the military campaigns we'd come to expect. Having read reviews and spoken to people since, I'm not sure how well-received the change was. I personally thought it was a triumph and a real growth in character, style and plot crafting.
Well The Wolf's Gold should be an all-pleaser as far as I can see. In one way, it's very much a return to a military-oriented plotline, with stretches of good solid campaigning in there, which should please the die-hard 'Military Riches' fans, and yet also involves a depth, ingenuity and intricacy of plot that has been born - in my opinion - from the style of Leopard Sword.
The plot to this masterpiece moves us once more. The first three books had us in Northern Britannia, and the fourth shifted the action to the forests of Germany, while in this one, the poor beleaguered Tungrian cohorts are sent to Dacia (modern Romania) into the Carpathian mountains to provide defence for the gold mines that are essential for imperial revenue. It is here that they will meet a number of interesting and often dubious characters and fall foul of plots and tricks that will once again have them fighting for their lives and have centurion Corvus creating crazy plans that have little chance of success.
As always with Tony's writing, he sacrifices just the tiniest modicum of uptight concern for anachronistic idiom (something more authors could do with trying) in favour of something that feels realistic and appropriate to the reader and creates a flow of text that's never interrupted.
And that's a big part of this book. From the very start it races away and takes the reader with it. The flow is just too easy to read and hard to put down. As usual there is a humour among the soldiers that borders on the tasteless at times, and feels thoroughly authenic (and also happens to make me laugh out loud) combined with a brutal combative narrative that pulls no punches and coats the reader with gore, all overlaid with a few saddening scenes and thoughts.
From the might of Sarmatian hordes and their perfidious nobles to the treachery of self-serving mine owners, the untrustworthiness of border troops, the mindless buffoonery of the upper class legionary Tribunes, the madness of battles on ice, and the heart-pounding stealthy infiltrations of installations by a few good men, Wolf's Gold should win on many levels and certainly does with me.
Moreover, this novel sees a significant advance in the overall arc of Corvus' history, his murdered family and the imperial intrigues that accompany it.
As a last aside, Tony is one of few writers of Roman fiction who rarely feels the need to name-drop, his characters almost always fictional and self-created, which I find refreshing and even when he does so, it is fascinating. In this case we are introduced to not one, but two, future attempted usurpers of Imperial power.
All in all, Wolf's Gold is a storming read, and Riches' best yet. I cannot wait to see what is going to follow in book 6 following the events of this.
I've done reviews of the others so far, and I would reference them in this review. The first three in the series I always considered very much a single story arc over three books. Moreover, they were staunchly and solidly novels of the Roman military.
Cue Tony's curveball: The Leopard Sword. The fourth book in the series was something of a departure in style, concentrating more on an ingenious plotline of intrigues and banditry than on the military campaigns we'd come to expect. Having read reviews and spoken to people since, I'm not sure how well-received the change was. I personally thought it was a triumph and a real growth in character, style and plot crafting.
Well The Wolf's Gold should be an all-pleaser as far as I can see. In one way, it's very much a return to a military-oriented plotline, with stretches of good solid campaigning in there, which should please the die-hard 'Military Riches' fans, and yet also involves a depth, ingenuity and intricacy of plot that has been born - in my opinion - from the style of Leopard Sword.
The plot to this masterpiece moves us once more. The first three books had us in Northern Britannia, and the fourth shifted the action to the forests of Germany, while in this one, the poor beleaguered Tungrian cohorts are sent to Dacia (modern Romania) into the Carpathian mountains to provide defence for the gold mines that are essential for imperial revenue. It is here that they will meet a number of interesting and often dubious characters and fall foul of plots and tricks that will once again have them fighting for their lives and have centurion Corvus creating crazy plans that have little chance of success.
As always with Tony's writing, he sacrifices just the tiniest modicum of uptight concern for anachronistic idiom (something more authors could do with trying) in favour of something that feels realistic and appropriate to the reader and creates a flow of text that's never interrupted.
And that's a big part of this book. From the very start it races away and takes the reader with it. The flow is just too easy to read and hard to put down. As usual there is a humour among the soldiers that borders on the tasteless at times, and feels thoroughly authenic (and also happens to make me laugh out loud) combined with a brutal combative narrative that pulls no punches and coats the reader with gore, all overlaid with a few saddening scenes and thoughts.
From the might of Sarmatian hordes and their perfidious nobles to the treachery of self-serving mine owners, the untrustworthiness of border troops, the mindless buffoonery of the upper class legionary Tribunes, the madness of battles on ice, and the heart-pounding stealthy infiltrations of installations by a few good men, Wolf's Gold should win on many levels and certainly does with me.
Moreover, this novel sees a significant advance in the overall arc of Corvus' history, his murdered family and the imperial intrigues that accompany it.
As a last aside, Tony is one of few writers of Roman fiction who rarely feels the need to name-drop, his characters almost always fictional and self-created, which I find refreshing and even when he does so, it is fascinating. In this case we are introduced to not one, but two, future attempted usurpers of Imperial power.
All in all, Wolf's Gold is a storming read, and Riches' best yet. I cannot wait to see what is going to follow in book 6 following the events of this.
November 1, 2012
Review:
When I read Leopard Sword 6 months ago I was shocked at how much further Anthony Riches story telling depth had increased, his books have always been my favourite in terms of pace and sheer fun, but Leopard Sword took it further with twists and turns that had never been there before. Wolf's Gold keeps that improvement going and if possible squeaks past it in terms of great story telling.
I have to admit to several laugh out loud moments reading this book (and I would love to add one of the lines, but I don't want to spoil the fun for you all) my favourite concerns a beard and tickling (I laughed, and choked on my drink). It's this sheer fun and enjoyment that Tony brings to his readers as well as well thought out, well researched plot lines. Once again he is merciless with his characters, no one is safe, I was stunned by the casual death of someone who was a well established character, and how soon he was less than a memory. A chilling but honest way to portray how warriors must have been back then, how they must have been, to be able to cope with all the death around them. It's this kind of subtlety and attention to detail that puts Tony at the forefront of Historical Fiction writing , whilst still retaining his trademark writing ability that drags the reader along at breakneck spread from first page to last.
The back story of Marcus is added to in Wolf's Gold ti a greater degree than many of the other books in the series and in a very tantalising fashion, with hints of what happened, to who and by whom. Leaving many more questions, Will he go to Rome? if he does how can he retain his current position? Who will remain alive long enough to help him? (he is a dangerous man to be friends with). The scope of expansion for this series is mind bogglingly huge.
Another reason to buy this book and all of the series, is the way as each book is written Tony brings a more human element to more and more of the characters, to how we see more of each man, not just the fighter and his friends but how they've all grown from book to book, and how they have grown as a group.
I just hope that Tony can keep up the pace of writing and give me the next book in 6 months... I'm not sure I can wait much longer than that.
One of my favourite reads this year and Very Highly recommended (as is the whole series)
(Parm)
Product Description
The Tungrian auxiliary cohorts march east to the land beyond the Danube to guard a frontier which turns out to be as dangerous and lawless as northern Britannia in Anthony Riches' suspenseful new Empire novel. Fresh from their victory in Germania, Marcus Aquila and the Tungrians have been sent to Dacia, on the north-eastern edge of the Roman Empire, with the mission to safeguard a major source of imperial power. The mines of Alburnus Major contain enough gold to pave the road to Rome.
They would make a mighty prize for the marauding Sarmatae tribesmen who threaten the province, and the outnumbered auxiliaries are entrusted with their safety in the face of a barbarian invasion. Beset by both the Sarmatian horde and more subtle threats offered by men who should be their comrades, the Tungrians must also come to terms with the danger posed by a new and unexpected enemy. They will have to fight to the death to save the honour of the empire - and their own skins.
When I read Leopard Sword 6 months ago I was shocked at how much further Anthony Riches story telling depth had increased, his books have always been my favourite in terms of pace and sheer fun, but Leopard Sword took it further with twists and turns that had never been there before. Wolf's Gold keeps that improvement going and if possible squeaks past it in terms of great story telling.
I have to admit to several laugh out loud moments reading this book (and I would love to add one of the lines, but I don't want to spoil the fun for you all) my favourite concerns a beard and tickling (I laughed, and choked on my drink). It's this sheer fun and enjoyment that Tony brings to his readers as well as well thought out, well researched plot lines. Once again he is merciless with his characters, no one is safe, I was stunned by the casual death of someone who was a well established character, and how soon he was less than a memory. A chilling but honest way to portray how warriors must have been back then, how they must have been, to be able to cope with all the death around them. It's this kind of subtlety and attention to detail that puts Tony at the forefront of Historical Fiction writing , whilst still retaining his trademark writing ability that drags the reader along at breakneck spread from first page to last.
The back story of Marcus is added to in Wolf's Gold ti a greater degree than many of the other books in the series and in a very tantalising fashion, with hints of what happened, to who and by whom. Leaving many more questions, Will he go to Rome? if he does how can he retain his current position? Who will remain alive long enough to help him? (he is a dangerous man to be friends with). The scope of expansion for this series is mind bogglingly huge.
Another reason to buy this book and all of the series, is the way as each book is written Tony brings a more human element to more and more of the characters, to how we see more of each man, not just the fighter and his friends but how they've all grown from book to book, and how they have grown as a group.
I just hope that Tony can keep up the pace of writing and give me the next book in 6 months... I'm not sure I can wait much longer than that.
One of my favourite reads this year and Very Highly recommended (as is the whole series)
(Parm)
Product Description
The Tungrian auxiliary cohorts march east to the land beyond the Danube to guard a frontier which turns out to be as dangerous and lawless as northern Britannia in Anthony Riches' suspenseful new Empire novel. Fresh from their victory in Germania, Marcus Aquila and the Tungrians have been sent to Dacia, on the north-eastern edge of the Roman Empire, with the mission to safeguard a major source of imperial power. The mines of Alburnus Major contain enough gold to pave the road to Rome.
They would make a mighty prize for the marauding Sarmatae tribesmen who threaten the province, and the outnumbered auxiliaries are entrusted with their safety in the face of a barbarian invasion. Beset by both the Sarmatian horde and more subtle threats offered by men who should be their comrades, the Tungrians must also come to terms with the danger posed by a new and unexpected enemy. They will have to fight to the death to save the honour of the empire - and their own skins.
October 26, 2012
The Wolf’s Gold is the fifth book in Anthony Riches Empire series.
The Tungrian Auxiliary cohorts are recovering after their hard fought victory in Germania. Hoping to be sent home they are disappointed to be sent to Dacia to help defend the Alburnus Major Gold mine from marauding Sarmatae tribesmen who are determined to capture an Empires gold supply.
In a desperate fight to the death, Tribune Scaurus will have to lead his cohorts with all the skill and experience he has, if the Tungrians are to survive the onslaught and see their homes again.
Centurion, Marcus Corvus and his fellow officers not only have to fortify and defend the mine but they also have to deal with truculent mine owners and a new commander who as a political appointment is more of a danger to his men than the enemy.
As the Tungrians Cohorts desperately fight for survival, Centurion Corvus will learn a secret that will open a window onto the men who ordered the death of his entire family but can he survive the battle to seek revenge on them?
Knowing that failure to secure the Mine will bring down the wrath of Emperor Commodos onto them, the men will fight to the death to save the mine and the province of Dacia.
With rampaging barbarians, dubious allies and an incompetent leader, the cohorts face their toughest battle yet.
I have always enjoyed Anthony Riches books (whisper it quietly but I didn’t enjoy Leopards Sword as much!) and this book has to be his best book so far. The real joy of this book is the dialogue between the characters. It is so sharp and it flows so easily between the main characters and the banter is some of the best and funniest I have ever read. The infantry song about the cavalry had me spitting me drink all over my desk at work!
The main group of characters are now like old friends which makes reading about them so pleasurable and I like the way some of the group can fade into the background in one book and then be the main character in the next. An example is the use of Dubnus who is one of my favourite characters in the series but is hardly mentioned in this book.
In a year of great books this book has shot to the top of the leader board of my favourites! I really enjoyed it and got through it very quickly, which I always take as a sign of a good book. I don’t think I could recommend this book enough. An absolute must for any Roman histfic fan!
The Tungrian Auxiliary cohorts are recovering after their hard fought victory in Germania. Hoping to be sent home they are disappointed to be sent to Dacia to help defend the Alburnus Major Gold mine from marauding Sarmatae tribesmen who are determined to capture an Empires gold supply.
In a desperate fight to the death, Tribune Scaurus will have to lead his cohorts with all the skill and experience he has, if the Tungrians are to survive the onslaught and see their homes again.
Centurion, Marcus Corvus and his fellow officers not only have to fortify and defend the mine but they also have to deal with truculent mine owners and a new commander who as a political appointment is more of a danger to his men than the enemy.
As the Tungrians Cohorts desperately fight for survival, Centurion Corvus will learn a secret that will open a window onto the men who ordered the death of his entire family but can he survive the battle to seek revenge on them?
Knowing that failure to secure the Mine will bring down the wrath of Emperor Commodos onto them, the men will fight to the death to save the mine and the province of Dacia.
With rampaging barbarians, dubious allies and an incompetent leader, the cohorts face their toughest battle yet.
I have always enjoyed Anthony Riches books (whisper it quietly but I didn’t enjoy Leopards Sword as much!) and this book has to be his best book so far. The real joy of this book is the dialogue between the characters. It is so sharp and it flows so easily between the main characters and the banter is some of the best and funniest I have ever read. The infantry song about the cavalry had me spitting me drink all over my desk at work!
The main group of characters are now like old friends which makes reading about them so pleasurable and I like the way some of the group can fade into the background in one book and then be the main character in the next. An example is the use of Dubnus who is one of my favourite characters in the series but is hardly mentioned in this book.
In a year of great books this book has shot to the top of the leader board of my favourites! I really enjoyed it and got through it very quickly, which I always take as a sign of a good book. I don’t think I could recommend this book enough. An absolute must for any Roman histfic fan!
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