Usurpers

Embers of Empire #2

by Q.V. Hunter

In this second volume of the "Embers of Empires" series, Roman intelligence agent Marcus must escape the court of Emperor Constans when he uncovers the humiliating secret of the young ruler's vice-ridden entourage. His flight pitches him into a more dangerous assignment—to investigate a military conspiracy to usurp Constans' throne. Worse, this mission means spying on the very man whose trust Marcus craves more than anything.

Moving from the Late Roman imperial courts to Mursa, the bloodiest battleground of fourth century Europe, the ex-slave must outwit Gallo-Roman rebels, vicious imperial siblings and ruthless espionage rivals--all of them embers of an empire blindly smoldering toward extinction.

Packed with action and intrigue, "Usurpers" is sure to delight fans of Steven Saylor, Robert Harris and Bernard Cornwell.

Genres: Roman

370 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2013

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another exciting installment in the Marcus Numidianus adventure/espionage series. It is set in 350 AD, after the death of Constantine, with the Roman Empire divided between two of his sons. The Western part is led by Constans, a degenerate with unusual sexual proclivities, which our hero witnesses for himself on a boar hunt, in the very first chapter, and the East by his brutal brother, the Arian Constantius. Marcus is charged by his superior in the agens in rebus courier/spy network, successor to the earlier frumentarii, to investigate rumors of a possible usurpation of Constans's throne by General Magnentius. Marcus is plunged into court intrigue, treachery and double-dealing, with like-minded generals following Magnentius. Actually, there are two other usurpers but they get knocked out of the game and Magnentius is the one left standing. Marcus's ex-master, Manlius Gregorius, also feels he [Magnentius] might be a better emperor. Gregorius tries to keep to the high road but his advice is not listened to. The climax is a very well-written battle at Mursa, Pannonia [present-day Croatia] between [at first] evenly-matched forces but with Constantius's advantage of cataphracts [armored men mounted on armored horses] and also a defector, General Silvanus and his troops adding to his number. The greedy Magnentius, not satisfied with controlling only three provinces in the West is determined to invade the East despite overtures of peace from Constantius. A family secret of the Manlius familia, in which Marcus had once been a slave, is revealed. Although now a freedman and on his own, Marcus still feels responsibility for the family.

This was certainly a breathless page-turner and crackled with thrills and suspense aplenty. I liked best Marcus's escape from the evil torture-master, Paul "the Chain", using some of his agens in rebus training and then the whole battle section. There were a few anachronisms like "pencil and paper" or Velvet [not invented until the Middle Ages] but they did not spoil my enjoyment of the novel.

[Tony Giannattasio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Even better than the first volume.

SPOILER ALERT! This was a great read. It deals with the later Roman Empire,subsequent to the Emperor Constantine. There are realistic twists and turns aplenty. a very powerful Western military man proclaims himself Emperor of the Western part of the empire, backed up by two very strong Legions. The question is who will back him? Which Legions, what about the Senate of Rome, and which spies are just spies or double or triple agents. At that time failure to back the wrong leader meant not just losing your job but very likely your head. The protagonists are well drawn and their choices are never easy , but difficult due to the circumstances. Definitely worth your time and money.

[sherry revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Legions Are at it Again

Excellent historical novel that follows the death of the Roman empire as seen through the eyes of a former slave who went on to win his freedom and became keeper of his family's secrets.