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Aelric #6
The Curse of Babylon
615 AD. A vengeful Persian tyrant prepares the final blow that will annihilate the Empire. Aelric - the young adventurer from England - is now almost as powerful as the Emperor. Seemingly without opposition, he dominates the vast and morally bankrupt city of Constantinople. One step at a time, in his fortified palace, he is pushing forward reforms that are the Roman Empire's only hope of survival, and perhaps restoration to wealth and greatness. But his domestic enemies are only waiting for their moment to strike back. And the world's most terrifying military machine is assembling in secret beyond the mountains of the eastern frontier. The plot to destroy the English upstart begins with an ancient and apparently accursed Babylonian treasure - and continues with kidnap, revolution and a brutal invasion. Can Aelric overcome his greatest challenge yet? Can he call on new and unexpected forces to save the Empire? And can he find a personal happiness that has so far eluded him?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
496 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Richard Blake
79 books68 followersA pseudonym of Dr Sean Gabb.
Richard Blake is a writer, broadcaster and teacher. He lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.
For Hodder & Stoughton, he has written the following six historical novels: "Conspiracies of Rome" (2008), "Terror of Constantinople" (2009), "Blood of Alexandria" (2010), "Sword of Damascus" (2011), "Ghosts of Athens" (2012), "Curse of Babylon" (2013). These have been translated into Spanish, Italian, Greek, Slovak, Hungarian, Indonesian, and Chinese.
In 2015, Hodder & Stoughton republished all six novels in two omnibus volumes: "Death of Rome Saga 1" and "Death of Rome Saga 2."
As Sean Gabb, he has written these novels: "The Column of Phocas" (2006 - historical), "The Churchill Memorandum" (2011 - alternate history thriller), and "The Break" (post-apocalyptic science fiction). This novel was published in 2014, and nominated for the Prometheus Award, but has now been acquired by Caffeine Nights and withdrawn for republication in 2016 under the name Richard Blake. A further novel, "The York Deviation" (alternate history fantasy), is awaiting publication.
He also writes for Endeavour Press. His first historical novel for Endeavour, "Game of Empires," was published in May 2015. His next in this series, "Death in Ravenna," was published in August 2016. Hist next, "Crown of Empire," will be published in April 2016.
You can follow him on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/richard.blak...
You can also follow him on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BlakeTheWriter
His personal website is - http://www.richardblake.me.uk/
Richard Blake is a writer, broadcaster and teacher. He lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.
For Hodder & Stoughton, he has written the following six historical novels: "Conspiracies of Rome" (2008), "Terror of Constantinople" (2009), "Blood of Alexandria" (2010), "Sword of Damascus" (2011), "Ghosts of Athens" (2012), "Curse of Babylon" (2013). These have been translated into Spanish, Italian, Greek, Slovak, Hungarian, Indonesian, and Chinese.
In 2015, Hodder & Stoughton republished all six novels in two omnibus volumes: "Death of Rome Saga 1" and "Death of Rome Saga 2."
As Sean Gabb, he has written these novels: "The Column of Phocas" (2006 - historical), "The Churchill Memorandum" (2011 - alternate history thriller), and "The Break" (post-apocalyptic science fiction). This novel was published in 2014, and nominated for the Prometheus Award, but has now been acquired by Caffeine Nights and withdrawn for republication in 2016 under the name Richard Blake. A further novel, "The York Deviation" (alternate history fantasy), is awaiting publication.
He also writes for Endeavour Press. His first historical novel for Endeavour, "Game of Empires," was published in May 2015. His next in this series, "Death in Ravenna," was published in August 2016. Hist next, "Crown of Empire," will be published in April 2016.
You can follow him on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/richard.blak...
You can also follow him on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BlakeTheWriter
His personal website is - http://www.richardblake.me.uk/
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 26, 2014
Here is a review by John Cleal:
http://crimereview.co.uk/page.php/rev...
Review
If anyone produces historical thrillers more completely over the top than Richard Blake’s adventures of Alaric, the Kentish boy who lies, charms, cheats and murders his way the very heart of the collapsing eastern Roman empire, I’d love to read them.
His characters are always vivid, his wild plots devious beyond imagination and with lashings – probably literally – of steamy sex to suit absolutely all tastes and blood by the bucketful, these convoluted, but always fast-paced tales are absolute classics of their kind. Part of their charm is a choice of period unfamiliar to most readers. What little is known of the dying convolutions of the eastern Roman empire based on Constantine’s great city at the junction of two continents indicates Blake has picked fertile ground.
With Rome’s western power only a legend and the Holy City sacked and ruined, ineffective eastern emperors came and went with monotonous regularity – some lasted only days. Constantinople was a hotbed of conspiracies as nobles and functionaries fought each other for control – plots and political murders were a way of life, matched only in their intensity by a hedonistic lifestyle in which all kinds of excess was the norm.
In this sixth adventure, Aelric, to give him his proper English name, has conned and charmed his way to a position of high rank in the court of the emperor Heraclius. His northern distaste for the life of the pretend Romans – the eastern aristocracy was largely Greek – is matched only by his all too obvious enjoyment of their liberal sexual practices.
In what is a blend of conspiracy thriller, laced with some high Roman and Greek philosophy which disguises some sordid and brutal passages and never short of the vulgar comedy which appeals to every generation, Aelric doubles-deals then deals again, to thwart at least one plot against the emperor, mobilises a militia of farmers and peasants to halt a major Persian invasion – and meets the determined and dangerous aristocratic woman who is to be the love of his life.
You never quite know what you’ll get with an anti-hero like Aelric. There’s plenty of darkness in his character, but some surprising light. He’s unbound by any rules other than those of survival and pleasure, and can put personal considerations aside to produce badly-needed civic and financial reforms, treat his slaves like members of his own family and often behave like the legends of the old Rome that he admires.
Great writing, powerful characters, detailed and accurate backgrounds, superbly crafted and unexpected twists make this often dark story a welcome change from the norm. With a lead character like Aelric, you’re never totally certain of what you’re going to get – but what you do know is that it will be a lot of fun finding out.
Reviewed 26 July 2014 by John Cleal
John Cleal is a former soldier and journalist with an interest in medieval history. He divides his time between France and England.
http://crimereview.co.uk/page.php/rev...
Review
If anyone produces historical thrillers more completely over the top than Richard Blake’s adventures of Alaric, the Kentish boy who lies, charms, cheats and murders his way the very heart of the collapsing eastern Roman empire, I’d love to read them.
His characters are always vivid, his wild plots devious beyond imagination and with lashings – probably literally – of steamy sex to suit absolutely all tastes and blood by the bucketful, these convoluted, but always fast-paced tales are absolute classics of their kind. Part of their charm is a choice of period unfamiliar to most readers. What little is known of the dying convolutions of the eastern Roman empire based on Constantine’s great city at the junction of two continents indicates Blake has picked fertile ground.
With Rome’s western power only a legend and the Holy City sacked and ruined, ineffective eastern emperors came and went with monotonous regularity – some lasted only days. Constantinople was a hotbed of conspiracies as nobles and functionaries fought each other for control – plots and political murders were a way of life, matched only in their intensity by a hedonistic lifestyle in which all kinds of excess was the norm.
In this sixth adventure, Aelric, to give him his proper English name, has conned and charmed his way to a position of high rank in the court of the emperor Heraclius. His northern distaste for the life of the pretend Romans – the eastern aristocracy was largely Greek – is matched only by his all too obvious enjoyment of their liberal sexual practices.
In what is a blend of conspiracy thriller, laced with some high Roman and Greek philosophy which disguises some sordid and brutal passages and never short of the vulgar comedy which appeals to every generation, Aelric doubles-deals then deals again, to thwart at least one plot against the emperor, mobilises a militia of farmers and peasants to halt a major Persian invasion – and meets the determined and dangerous aristocratic woman who is to be the love of his life.
You never quite know what you’ll get with an anti-hero like Aelric. There’s plenty of darkness in his character, but some surprising light. He’s unbound by any rules other than those of survival and pleasure, and can put personal considerations aside to produce badly-needed civic and financial reforms, treat his slaves like members of his own family and often behave like the legends of the old Rome that he admires.
Great writing, powerful characters, detailed and accurate backgrounds, superbly crafted and unexpected twists make this often dark story a welcome change from the norm. With a lead character like Aelric, you’re never totally certain of what you’re going to get – but what you do know is that it will be a lot of fun finding out.
Reviewed 26 July 2014 by John Cleal
John Cleal is a former soldier and journalist with an interest in medieval history. He divides his time between France and England.
July 11, 2015
This is a really good series of books. The plots are clever and lively and the lead character is engaging. he has improved from a heartless b*****d in the first two books to a much more sympathetic figure.
I just stumbled across the first of these books by chance, and it makes me wonder how many great books receive little attention whereas utter rubbish gets both publicity, sales and more perplexingly good reviews.
I would definitely recommend this series.
I just stumbled across the first of these books by chance, and it makes me wonder how many great books receive little attention whereas utter rubbish gets both publicity, sales and more perplexingly good reviews.
I would definitely recommend this series.
March 14, 2020
It's 615 AD and Aleric faces his most deadly challenges yet. The aristocracy of the Byzantine Empire are jealous of his influence with the emperor and fearful that the monetary and land ownership reforms he champions will strip them of their power and privilege. The Persians see that the reforms Aleric is implementing will make the Romans harder to defeat in battle.
In this thrilling adventure Aleric's domestic and foreign enemies combine to destroy the young upstart and secure their interests at Constantinople's expense. The plot centers on an ancient and apparently accursed Babylonian treasure - and extends into kidnapping, rioting and a brutal invasion across an undefended portion of the frontier.
Aleric is a hands-on, cynical antihero who winds his treacherous way through dodgy Byzantine politics and intrigue with ever increasing aplomb. He believes that the end justifies the means if...
He often finds himself in fantastically, improbable situations. A simple fact finding trip turns into an adventure resembling a scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom when his meeting with astrologers to learn the nature of the Horn of Babylon is broken up by a strong force of thugs. They chase Alaric onto the roof of a five story tower and eventually onto a jury rigged plank walkway between buildings. Trapped, Alaric converts the rickety bridge into a flying trapeze and swings down smoothly through a first floor window and into a room where it just happens that Timothy, the obese chief of police is having child prostitutes defecate on him.
Alaric excuses himself and continues his escape through a mob of poor derelicts who are angry at his cost cutting measures which reduce their welfare benefits. He scatters them by throwing a fistful of gold pieces into their midst and cuts down those few still blocking his way.
And in this episode he finally finds a woman that can keep up with him.
It's indeed true love - that continues to blossom.
If you enjoy swashbuckling excitement don't pass this up. You'll get great writing, powerful characters, detailed and accurate backgrounds, along with superbly crafted and unexpected twists
In this thrilling adventure Aleric's domestic and foreign enemies combine to destroy the young upstart and secure their interests at Constantinople's expense. The plot centers on an ancient and apparently accursed Babylonian treasure - and extends into kidnapping, rioting and a brutal invasion across an undefended portion of the frontier.
Aleric is a hands-on, cynical antihero who winds his treacherous way through dodgy Byzantine politics and intrigue with ever increasing aplomb. He believes that the end justifies the means if...
"First, the end must be worth achieving as reasonably understood. Second, the means chosen must be reasonably likely to achieve the end. Third, they must be the most economic means available. Fourth, they mustn’t involve reasonably foreseeable costs that outweigh the expected benefits of the end. Answer yes to all of these, and the means are justified.’"
He often finds himself in fantastically, improbable situations. A simple fact finding trip turns into an adventure resembling a scene from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom when his meeting with astrologers to learn the nature of the Horn of Babylon is broken up by a strong force of thugs. They chase Alaric onto the roof of a five story tower and eventually onto a jury rigged plank walkway between buildings. Trapped, Alaric converts the rickety bridge into a flying trapeze and swings down smoothly through a first floor window and into a room where it just happens that Timothy, the obese chief of police is having child prostitutes defecate on him.
Alaric excuses himself and continues his escape through a mob of poor derelicts who are angry at his cost cutting measures which reduce their welfare benefits. He scatters them by throwing a fistful of gold pieces into their midst and cuts down those few still blocking his way.
And in this episode he finally finds a woman that can keep up with him.
"I watched as she brought the shining steel up and thrust it with desperate and unerring strength into the man’s right eye. I’d underestimated her in a crisis, I thought approvingly.'
It's indeed true love - that continues to blossom.
If you enjoy swashbuckling excitement don't pass this up. You'll get great writing, powerful characters, detailed and accurate backgrounds, along with superbly crafted and unexpected twists
March 9, 2016
It appears I might have just read the final book (regular printed book) in the Aelric the Barbarian series. I noticed there were some Kindle or E-books, but I prefer the old fashioned paper books.
There are twists an turns a plenty - good guys and bad guys - riots in the street and battles in the mountains - and, of course, our old friend Priscus. He is one of the most interesting characters I have ever come across.
It was a fun time reading these books. Hopefully I’ll discover a new Aelric novel some time.
There are twists an turns a plenty - good guys and bad guys - riots in the street and battles in the mountains - and, of course, our old friend Priscus. He is one of the most interesting characters I have ever come across.
It was a fun time reading these books. Hopefully I’ll discover a new Aelric novel some time.
April 13, 2020
A complicated plot, but with some familiar characters, who thrill by their bad, as well as their good, actions and reveal astonishing depths we would not have suspected. Alaric yet again displays his intelligence, his ruthless determination to succeed and his talent for finding a way to triumph against impossible odds. Yet at last he's met someone who is going to best him - and he's happy with that.
Richard Blake's story telling draws the reader into the Byzantine plots [well, they would be, wouldn't they?] and breakneck speed of events, at the same time depicting the glorious city of Constantinople, protected from invading barbarian hordes by its mighty walls. If a little past its best, it is still full of imposing ancient buildings, providing a vivid setting for a range of pompous imperial ceremonies, riots, orgies and slums where murderous villains lurk, while municipal activities proceed undeterred under the hot sun. Cruel, devious, blood-soaked and yet there's plenty to enjoy, with comedy along the way, and, as always there is evidence of Alaric's kinder side.
Richard Blake's story telling draws the reader into the Byzantine plots [well, they would be, wouldn't they?] and breakneck speed of events, at the same time depicting the glorious city of Constantinople, protected from invading barbarian hordes by its mighty walls. If a little past its best, it is still full of imposing ancient buildings, providing a vivid setting for a range of pompous imperial ceremonies, riots, orgies and slums where murderous villains lurk, while municipal activities proceed undeterred under the hot sun. Cruel, devious, blood-soaked and yet there's plenty to enjoy, with comedy along the way, and, as always there is evidence of Alaric's kinder side.
February 23, 2018
I thought that this was a fall-off from the previous books. The James Bond plot twists seemed too contrived and characters like Antonia felt too cardboardish to get a handle on. It felt as though the author had given up. This was particularly noticeable in the structure; I felt as if he had redrafted it too many times.
I don't mind Blake's libertarian attitude, but I get bored of homosexuals and drug-taking every other sentence. A bit like an `Alice Through the Looking Glass` version of looney left Eastenders Scriptwriters giving nice people AIDS &c.
Don't get me wrong, it was *readable*, just not as good as the other books in the series and it makes me less inclined to read anything more of his.
I don't mind Blake's libertarian attitude, but I get bored of homosexuals and drug-taking every other sentence. A bit like an `Alice Through the Looking Glass` version of looney left Eastenders Scriptwriters giving nice people AIDS &c.
Don't get me wrong, it was *readable*, just not as good as the other books in the series and it makes me less inclined to read anything more of his.
March 15, 2019
Dreadful. Rarely...gave up. After 2 weeks of picking up, putting down. Stilted. Poor imitation of a type, without flair or stle. No drive. V well researched.
No flow, no soul. Flat.
No flow, no soul. Flat.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews