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Rome #3
Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth
They are known as the Legion of the Damned.
Throughout the Roman Army, the brutal XIIth Legion is notorious for its ill fortune. For one young man, Demalion of Macedon, joining it will be a baptism of fire. And yet, amid all of the violence and savagery of his life as a legionary, he will come to love the Twelfth and the bloody-minded, dark-hearted soldiers he calls his brothers.
But during the punishing Judaean campaign, the Hebrew army inflict a catastrophic defeat upon the legion - not only decimating their ranks, but taking away their soul - the eagle.
There is just one final chance to save the legion's honour - to steal it back. To do that, Demalion and his legionnaries must go undercover into Jerusalem, into the very heart of their enemy, where discovery will mean the worst of deaths, if they are to recover their pride...
483 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 27, 2012
36 people are currently reading
737 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Scott
15 books113 followersaka Manda Scott
ABOUT M.C. SCOTT
MC Scott.... qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Glasgow University and spent fifteen years in Newmarket and Cambridge specialising in anaesthesia and intensive care, before turning to writing as an alternative, less sleep-deprived, profession. Of the ten novels so far published, the first four were contemporary crime thrillers. The first, 'Hen's Teeth' was short listed for the Orange prize in 1997; the third, 'Stronger than Death' was awarded an Arts Council of England prize for Literature and the fourth, 'No Good Deed', was nominated in the 'Best Crime Novel' category of the prestigious US Edgar Awards in 2003.
In 2001, the first of the internationally bestselling 'Boudica: Dreaming' series was published: 'Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle'. The last, 'Boudica: Dreaming the Serpent Spear' was published in 2006. Together, these four novels explore the life and times of Boudica, the war-leader of the Eceni who lead the revolt against Rome in 61 AD.
In 2007, 'The Crystal Skull' was published –a stand-alone contemporary thriller with a Tudor thread, which visited the Mayan end-of-world concepts (which suggest the world will end on 21/12/2012) and the myths and legends surrounding the thirteen crystal skulls which, when brought together, will either transcend the end of this age – or bring it about.It has been translated into 23 different languages, from Slovenian and Slovakian to Chinese.
The latest novel, 'Rome: The Emperor's Spy', was published on 1st January 2010.
This is a historical spy thriller set in the same universe as the Boudica cycle – three of the surviving characters from the Boudica: Dreaming books are key to the plot. A faster, sharper, harder text which examines the early decades of Christianity, it concludes that the fire was lit by the man we have come to know as St Paul, who, as a Roman agent had been sent to bring the Hebrews into the Imperial fold, but who went native, and began to believe his own fiction.
The Emperor's Spy is first in a series of at least four novels following the life of Sebastos Abdes Pantera, the spy known as the Leopard, and those who endeavour to help him.
The sequel, Rome: The Spy's Revenge, will be published in March 2011. The paperback of The Emperor's Spy will be released in January 2011
M.C. Scott runs shamanic dreaming workshops which teach the basis of the dreaming described in the Boudica series.
ABOUT M.C. SCOTT
MC Scott.... qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Glasgow University and spent fifteen years in Newmarket and Cambridge specialising in anaesthesia and intensive care, before turning to writing as an alternative, less sleep-deprived, profession. Of the ten novels so far published, the first four were contemporary crime thrillers. The first, 'Hen's Teeth' was short listed for the Orange prize in 1997; the third, 'Stronger than Death' was awarded an Arts Council of England prize for Literature and the fourth, 'No Good Deed', was nominated in the 'Best Crime Novel' category of the prestigious US Edgar Awards in 2003.
In 2001, the first of the internationally bestselling 'Boudica: Dreaming' series was published: 'Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle'. The last, 'Boudica: Dreaming the Serpent Spear' was published in 2006. Together, these four novels explore the life and times of Boudica, the war-leader of the Eceni who lead the revolt against Rome in 61 AD.
In 2007, 'The Crystal Skull' was published –a stand-alone contemporary thriller with a Tudor thread, which visited the Mayan end-of-world concepts (which suggest the world will end on 21/12/2012) and the myths and legends surrounding the thirteen crystal skulls which, when brought together, will either transcend the end of this age – or bring it about.It has been translated into 23 different languages, from Slovenian and Slovakian to Chinese.
The latest novel, 'Rome: The Emperor's Spy', was published on 1st January 2010.
This is a historical spy thriller set in the same universe as the Boudica cycle – three of the surviving characters from the Boudica: Dreaming books are key to the plot. A faster, sharper, harder text which examines the early decades of Christianity, it concludes that the fire was lit by the man we have come to know as St Paul, who, as a Roman agent had been sent to bring the Hebrews into the Imperial fold, but who went native, and began to believe his own fiction.
The Emperor's Spy is first in a series of at least four novels following the life of Sebastos Abdes Pantera, the spy known as the Leopard, and those who endeavour to help him.
The sequel, Rome: The Spy's Revenge, will be published in March 2011. The paperback of The Emperor's Spy will be released in January 2011
M.C. Scott runs shamanic dreaming workshops which teach the basis of the dreaming described in the Boudica series.
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June 21, 2015
Reread on 6/20/15. Third in M.C. Scott's four novels in her Rome series with Pantera the spy as protagonist. In this departure from the others, the hero is the young unwilling conscript, Demalion of Macedon, telling us his story of the last five years in the unlucky XII Legion : his basic training, bonding with the others in his contubernium, winter survival exercises against another legion to toughen the men. There are exciting heart-stopping battles and skirmishes against Parthians and against Jewish rebels in Judaea. The rebels steal the Eagle and Demalion, along with Pantera and others are charged to recover it. We see Demalion grow from raw recruit into experienced, blooded veteran and leader. The legion regains its honor.
Out of the whole series, I consider this volume easily the best. I could not relate to Pantera; he seemed like an unbelievable superhero, often unpleasant and I feel he was present only to further the action. The well-drawn Demalion touched me with his emotions and deep feelings. Writing was superb. The small amount of m/m romance was tastefully done. Especially poignant was the incident of one soldier's death and his comrades parceling out his possessions, thereby each man remembering him.
Highly recommended.
Out of the whole series, I consider this volume easily the best. I could not relate to Pantera; he seemed like an unbelievable superhero, often unpleasant and I feel he was present only to further the action. The well-drawn Demalion touched me with his emotions and deep feelings. Writing was superb. The small amount of m/m romance was tastefully done. Especially poignant was the incident of one soldier's death and his comrades parceling out his possessions, thereby each man remembering him.
Highly recommended.
January 10, 2022
Read this book in 2013, and its the 3rd volume of the wonderful "Rome" quartet of books.
This book is about the Twelfth Legion, the Legion of the Damned, and in this Legion our main protagonist in this tale is Demalion of Macedon.
Enjoining his life as a legionary in the Twelfth, he's soon to recognized as a soldier of renown and leader of men, in an army full of bloody-minded soldiers he call his brothers.
But soon their doom as a Legion of ill fortune will come true, when during the Judaean campaign, the Hebrew army will inflict a defeat on this Roman Legion, and not only that but worst of all their Eagle will be taken.
Determined to bring the Eagle back and save the Legion its humiliation, Demalion and his fellow legionaries will have to go undercover into Jerusalem, into the very heart of the enemy, where discovery will mean certain death, but success by stealing it back will bring heroic fame.
What is to follow is an astonishing suspenseful Roman adventure, in which Demalion of Macedon and his legionaries will show determination and grit in their effort to regain their Eagle, and by doing so in the end they will reverse their unlucky name into a lucky but most of all a heroic Twelfth Legion.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent addition to this wonderful 4 part series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Eagle Of The Twelfth"!
This book is about the Twelfth Legion, the Legion of the Damned, and in this Legion our main protagonist in this tale is Demalion of Macedon.
Enjoining his life as a legionary in the Twelfth, he's soon to recognized as a soldier of renown and leader of men, in an army full of bloody-minded soldiers he call his brothers.
But soon their doom as a Legion of ill fortune will come true, when during the Judaean campaign, the Hebrew army will inflict a defeat on this Roman Legion, and not only that but worst of all their Eagle will be taken.
Determined to bring the Eagle back and save the Legion its humiliation, Demalion and his fellow legionaries will have to go undercover into Jerusalem, into the very heart of the enemy, where discovery will mean certain death, but success by stealing it back will bring heroic fame.
What is to follow is an astonishing suspenseful Roman adventure, in which Demalion of Macedon and his legionaries will show determination and grit in their effort to regain their Eagle, and by doing so in the end they will reverse their unlucky name into a lucky but most of all a heroic Twelfth Legion.
Highly recommended, for this is another excellent addition to this wonderful 4 part series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Eagle Of The Twelfth"!
July 10, 2012
I love the first two Rome books. I've given them both a well deserved 5 of 5 stars in reviews. What I need is to give them 9 of 10, I think, so that I have somewhere new to go with Eagle of the Twelfth for, while the first two novels are excellent, this one is outstanding and deserves a little extra credit.
In a fresh, unusual, and most welcome move, Manda has taken the Rome series off at a tangent, though rather than forming a separate series along the new line, she has bent the original tales to follow.
The first two novels are essentially the tale (told in two parts) of Sebastos Abdes Pantera, an agent of Seneca in the reign of Nero, and his longstanding battle with a man of equal skill and knowledge, though twisted into something wicked and dangerous, seeking ultimate power and destruction at once. They are told in the traditional third person and follow on in a tried-and-tested chronology.
Not so, Eagle of the Twelfth. Where previously, Pantera has been the principal character with a supporting cast of fascinating others, in this tome, Pantera IS that fascinating other, while the story revolves around a fresh, new character: Demalion of Macedon. Moreover, the tale is told in first person from Demalion's point of view, lending it a personal and emotional feel way above and beyond the first two books.
I spent some time wondering why the author had settled on this new perspective. Then something clicked. Other than the new and fresh feel it lent the book, it also solved a potential problem. You see, the second book seals off one chapter in the life of Pantera, and his tale could have ended there, but for the fact that Scott left him in a somewhat untenable position from where he was unlikely to bounce back. This new direction allows the tale to become more of Demalion and his part in giving Pantera a future. I won't say that this was the reason the book was written this way, but it certainly works nicely like this.
After a rousing prologue, the story begins some years before the first Rome novel, in the territory of the King of Kings, ruler of the vast Parthian Empire, anathema of Rome. Here, Demalion, a young man fresh to the Fifth legion, has been seconded to help Pantera on a mission deep within enemy territory.
Having succeeded, he is recommended for promotion by Pantera and receives it, to his great regret. You see, the only legion he can be promoted into is the Twelfth Fulminata, a legion with a reputation for ill luck and disaster to whom no soldier wishes a transfer.
So begins the first part of the tale: a story of personal growth and trying to remake a disasterous legion once more into a proud fighting force. Unfortunately, the Twelfth is doomed to suffer setback after setback, resulting finally in the ultimate disgrace for a legion: the loss of its Eagle.
By this point, however, the tale has once more caught up with Pantera, following the events of the first two Rome books, and the second half or so of 'Eagle' tells the tale of the first great Jewish war, painting into its history the part that must be played by Pantera, the loss of the eagle and the attempt to recover it, and the growth and blossoming of the great soldier and deep person that is Demalion of the Twelfth.
This book is at least the equal of the first two in the series in Scott's ability to paint vivid and wonderful, believable characters, with all their flaws and foibles, loves and fears, and also in her masterful treatment of the animals in her stories, but this story also goes deep into what it means to be a soldier of Rome and what the legions meant to those who served in them. It is an educational tool as much as a great tale in that respect, and I cannot recommend it highly enough as both gripping tale and educational tool.
Eagle of the Twelfth is a masterpiece on an almost unprecedented scale in the world of Roman fiction. I find it mind-boggling trying to imagine how Scott planned this book without a time machine, a reenactment group, a whiteboard the size of Westminster and twelve coloured pens and half a dozen assistants.
I do believe that it is possible to read this as a start to the series, though I suspect the reader will get more out of it following the series in written order. Whether you want to read this now and see if my ravings stand up, or start with the Emperor's Spy and build up to it, give it a go. You owe it to your soul.
In a fresh, unusual, and most welcome move, Manda has taken the Rome series off at a tangent, though rather than forming a separate series along the new line, she has bent the original tales to follow.
The first two novels are essentially the tale (told in two parts) of Sebastos Abdes Pantera, an agent of Seneca in the reign of Nero, and his longstanding battle with a man of equal skill and knowledge, though twisted into something wicked and dangerous, seeking ultimate power and destruction at once. They are told in the traditional third person and follow on in a tried-and-tested chronology.
Not so, Eagle of the Twelfth. Where previously, Pantera has been the principal character with a supporting cast of fascinating others, in this tome, Pantera IS that fascinating other, while the story revolves around a fresh, new character: Demalion of Macedon. Moreover, the tale is told in first person from Demalion's point of view, lending it a personal and emotional feel way above and beyond the first two books.
I spent some time wondering why the author had settled on this new perspective. Then something clicked. Other than the new and fresh feel it lent the book, it also solved a potential problem. You see, the second book seals off one chapter in the life of Pantera, and his tale could have ended there, but for the fact that Scott left him in a somewhat untenable position from where he was unlikely to bounce back. This new direction allows the tale to become more of Demalion and his part in giving Pantera a future. I won't say that this was the reason the book was written this way, but it certainly works nicely like this.
After a rousing prologue, the story begins some years before the first Rome novel, in the territory of the King of Kings, ruler of the vast Parthian Empire, anathema of Rome. Here, Demalion, a young man fresh to the Fifth legion, has been seconded to help Pantera on a mission deep within enemy territory.
Having succeeded, he is recommended for promotion by Pantera and receives it, to his great regret. You see, the only legion he can be promoted into is the Twelfth Fulminata, a legion with a reputation for ill luck and disaster to whom no soldier wishes a transfer.
So begins the first part of the tale: a story of personal growth and trying to remake a disasterous legion once more into a proud fighting force. Unfortunately, the Twelfth is doomed to suffer setback after setback, resulting finally in the ultimate disgrace for a legion: the loss of its Eagle.
By this point, however, the tale has once more caught up with Pantera, following the events of the first two Rome books, and the second half or so of 'Eagle' tells the tale of the first great Jewish war, painting into its history the part that must be played by Pantera, the loss of the eagle and the attempt to recover it, and the growth and blossoming of the great soldier and deep person that is Demalion of the Twelfth.
This book is at least the equal of the first two in the series in Scott's ability to paint vivid and wonderful, believable characters, with all their flaws and foibles, loves and fears, and also in her masterful treatment of the animals in her stories, but this story also goes deep into what it means to be a soldier of Rome and what the legions meant to those who served in them. It is an educational tool as much as a great tale in that respect, and I cannot recommend it highly enough as both gripping tale and educational tool.
Eagle of the Twelfth is a masterpiece on an almost unprecedented scale in the world of Roman fiction. I find it mind-boggling trying to imagine how Scott planned this book without a time machine, a reenactment group, a whiteboard the size of Westminster and twelve coloured pens and half a dozen assistants.
I do believe that it is possible to read this as a start to the series, though I suspect the reader will get more out of it following the series in written order. Whether you want to read this now and see if my ravings stand up, or start with the Emperor's Spy and build up to it, give it a go. You owe it to your soul.
May 14, 2012
Review:
There are many Roman era Historical Fiction books and authors on the market now and they explore differing facets of the Roman world and the roman army. What the majority of them have in common is that the culmination, the pièce de résistance of the story is the great battle, the pulling together of all the threads so the hero wins, or survives to fight another day over coming terrible odds. All this is what most of us readers want in a novel, something of great power and motivation, coupled with great story telling and that touch of escapism to take us beyond the borders of our lives into another time and place, to maybe give us a little piece of that heroic feeling.
With Manda Scott’s Eagle of the Twelfth you get all the usual accomplished parts of a roman novel, but then you get something more, something that I always felt I got touches of in Simon Scarrow’s early eagle novels, but In Manda’s to a much greater depth. You get to be the hero, to feel the heroes thoughts, cares concerns, you ride along in his skin rather than as an observer, but you experience it as a real person doing heroic deeds rather than a prefab hero.
Eagle of the Twelfth is not just Manda’s triumph, Demalion of Macedon is her triumph.
For those readers who are expecting a swords and sandals heroic ride with a Scarrow or Riches style swagger, its there, but expect also for the legion to finally be stripped back to its real warts and all self. Because Eagle of the Twelfth gives an expose on just why these men conquered the world, how they were so tough, why they fought so much as a unit and how they used that comradeship, that family of the eagle to survive the cold the heat, the rain the hell of war, Life in the ancient world.
The cover of the book proudly states on a sticker, “as good as Conn Iggulden or your money back”, And I have to say Conn in the case of this book, I think Manda has you beat (well maybe not Wolf of the Plains) but Rome for Rome.
This book captures not just the epic scale of Rome’s legions, but its core, its heart, its soul, its very essence, what made the men tick.
This book is going right up there as one of my best for 2012 Very Highly recommended, not just for those who like Historical fiction, but for those whole love great fiction told by a great story teller.
(Parm)
There are many Roman era Historical Fiction books and authors on the market now and they explore differing facets of the Roman world and the roman army. What the majority of them have in common is that the culmination, the pièce de résistance of the story is the great battle, the pulling together of all the threads so the hero wins, or survives to fight another day over coming terrible odds. All this is what most of us readers want in a novel, something of great power and motivation, coupled with great story telling and that touch of escapism to take us beyond the borders of our lives into another time and place, to maybe give us a little piece of that heroic feeling.
With Manda Scott’s Eagle of the Twelfth you get all the usual accomplished parts of a roman novel, but then you get something more, something that I always felt I got touches of in Simon Scarrow’s early eagle novels, but In Manda’s to a much greater depth. You get to be the hero, to feel the heroes thoughts, cares concerns, you ride along in his skin rather than as an observer, but you experience it as a real person doing heroic deeds rather than a prefab hero.
Eagle of the Twelfth is not just Manda’s triumph, Demalion of Macedon is her triumph.
For those readers who are expecting a swords and sandals heroic ride with a Scarrow or Riches style swagger, its there, but expect also for the legion to finally be stripped back to its real warts and all self. Because Eagle of the Twelfth gives an expose on just why these men conquered the world, how they were so tough, why they fought so much as a unit and how they used that comradeship, that family of the eagle to survive the cold the heat, the rain the hell of war, Life in the ancient world.
The cover of the book proudly states on a sticker, “as good as Conn Iggulden or your money back”, And I have to say Conn in the case of this book, I think Manda has you beat (well maybe not Wolf of the Plains) but Rome for Rome.
This book captures not just the epic scale of Rome’s legions, but its core, its heart, its soul, its very essence, what made the men tick.
This book is going right up there as one of my best for 2012 Very Highly recommended, not just for those who like Historical fiction, but for those whole love great fiction told by a great story teller.
(Parm)
July 20, 2012
ROME: THE EAGLE OF THE TWELFTH by Manda Scott
There are times when you pick up a book with extreme reluctance when you are an author. Because you already know the writer personally.
My friend Ruth Dudley Edwards has an easy answer to the dilemma of a friend giving her a book. With great politeness she will refuse, because she wouldn’t want to mislead her readers with a review that is not genuinely her opinion, and likewise wouldn’t want to offend a friend by giving an honestly sharp critique.
But with Manda Scott’s books, I never have to worry.
This, the latest in her ROME series, is, basically, about as good as it can get. If you like historical adventure, and you’re interested in the Roman period, you have to get into her series.
So far her leading character Pantera has spied for Rome all over the known world. In this book, he is less of a key character, because the main portion of the book is the story of Demalion, son of a horse trader, who joined the Twelfth Legion. It is not a unit to inspire. Dogged by bad luck and poor leadership, the men have much to prove. But here they prove their value to each other and to their commanders.
But a campaign in Judea shatters the Legion. Not only are almost all their men killed in a short but ferocious series of battles, the ultimate humiliation is inflicted: they lose their eagle.
I believe that there is a genuine story about the loss of the 12th's eagle - because I overheard Ben Kane talking to Manda. Personally, I don't care. This story grips like superglue. I couldn't put it down.
It held me spellbound even though I should have been working on my own next book – which is always a proof of good quality writing and storytelling.
Manda has produced a superb story that deserves its place on the bestseller lists.
There are times when you pick up a book with extreme reluctance when you are an author. Because you already know the writer personally.
My friend Ruth Dudley Edwards has an easy answer to the dilemma of a friend giving her a book. With great politeness she will refuse, because she wouldn’t want to mislead her readers with a review that is not genuinely her opinion, and likewise wouldn’t want to offend a friend by giving an honestly sharp critique.
But with Manda Scott’s books, I never have to worry.
This, the latest in her ROME series, is, basically, about as good as it can get. If you like historical adventure, and you’re interested in the Roman period, you have to get into her series.
So far her leading character Pantera has spied for Rome all over the known world. In this book, he is less of a key character, because the main portion of the book is the story of Demalion, son of a horse trader, who joined the Twelfth Legion. It is not a unit to inspire. Dogged by bad luck and poor leadership, the men have much to prove. But here they prove their value to each other and to their commanders.
But a campaign in Judea shatters the Legion. Not only are almost all their men killed in a short but ferocious series of battles, the ultimate humiliation is inflicted: they lose their eagle.
I believe that there is a genuine story about the loss of the 12th's eagle - because I overheard Ben Kane talking to Manda. Personally, I don't care. This story grips like superglue. I couldn't put it down.
It held me spellbound even though I should have been working on my own next book – which is always a proof of good quality writing and storytelling.
Manda has produced a superb story that deserves its place on the bestseller lists.
January 10, 2014
Just before reading this, I read Harry Sidebottom's Fire in the East, which I enjoyed because it was interesting and exciting -- in the way that an action movie is exciting -- but which suffered from certain flaws: the main one being that it read like a detached description of the engineering ins and outs of siege warfare. The characters were nothing more than two-dimensional and were there just to carry the plot. The death toll was enormous but you didn't care, because neither did the characters seem to. Best friends' heads were taken clean off by giant missiles in front of their very eyes, and that impacted characters' emotional state afterwards not at all.
The reason I am mentioning all this is because The Eagle of the Twelfth triumphantly succeeds on all points where Fire in the East failed. And I feel they are directly comparable, because both focus almost exclusively on warfare and soldiers. Here, the soldiers are people, not cardboard cut-outs or caricatures, and the horror of war has an impact on them, even when it is battle-hardened veterans that we are talking about. And that makes it all very real, so if you are of a delicate disposition, I do not advise reading this.
Considering the context, I do not believe this is a spoiler, so I will say it: The death toll, here too, is enormous.
If, on the other hand, you think you can deal with this, I wholeheartedly recommend this book, because, as always, the language and the imagery is simply beautiful, the violence and the people real, and the story gripping and exciting. It is, I believe, the best of the current four in the Rome series.
The reason I am mentioning all this is because The Eagle of the Twelfth triumphantly succeeds on all points where Fire in the East failed. And I feel they are directly comparable, because both focus almost exclusively on warfare and soldiers. Here, the soldiers are people, not cardboard cut-outs or caricatures, and the horror of war has an impact on them, even when it is battle-hardened veterans that we are talking about. And that makes it all very real, so if you are of a delicate disposition, I do not advise reading this.
Considering the context, I do not believe this is a spoiler, so I will say it: The death toll, here too, is enormous.
If, on the other hand, you think you can deal with this, I wholeheartedly recommend this book, because, as always, the language and the imagery is simply beautiful, the violence and the people real, and the story gripping and exciting. It is, I believe, the best of the current four in the Rome series.
April 3, 2013
Demalion of Macedon accompanies Sebastos Panthera, a Roman spy, to Parthia but their mission is soon concluded. Then he is made to join the Twelfth Legion, notorious for its ill fortune, always facing the harshest of postings, the toughest of campaigns, the most vicious of opponents. Additionally, the Legion is also given a very bad, inexperienced commander - a politician not a soldier.
However, amid all of the violence and savagery of his life as a legionary, Demalion realizes he has discovered a vocation - as a soldier and a leader of men. He is made a centurion and has come to love the Twelfth and all the bloody-minded, dark-hearted soldiers he calls his brothers. One of them, a young, beautiful Greek called Heraclides with a nickname of Tears, becomes even somebody closer than that.
When Demalion thinks he has found a place in the world, all that he cares about is ripped from him. First his Legion is defeated by the Parthians due to the supreme ignorance and ineptitude of his commander - they have to retreat in shame, just happy to be alive. Then they are ordered to quench the brutal Judaean uprising and the Hebrew army inflicts humiliating defeat upon the legion - not only decimating their ranks, but taking away their soul, the eagle, the symbol of their pride and identity.
There is one final chance to save the legion's honour - to steal back the eagle. To do that, Demalion and his fellow legionary scout called Horgias must go undercover into Jerusalem, into the very heart of their enemy - where discovery will mean the worst of deaths. Will they survive a mission which resembles very closely a suicide?
What I liked:
I haven't read a good historical fiction set in the times of Roman Empire for a long time so when awesome Mel from Mel's Random Reviews sent me this one I was overjoyed. It is the thrid and final installment of a series but you can read it as a standalone without any problems. I found it original and interesting mainly because it depicts Roman wars with Parthia, a relatively less known campaing which took place in the first century A.D. during the reign of Nero. Well, I suppose most of people have heard of Nero, his poems and antics which led to the burning of Rome and persecution of first Christians, but few heard about his wars.
Parthia roughly corresponds to the western half of Khorasan region in northeastern Iran. It bordered Media on the west, Hyrcania on the north west, Margiana on the north east, and Aria on the south east. I really enjoyed the fact that it was a completely new setting, as far from Rome and Nero's corrupt court as it could only be.
Most of the action is described directly from Demalions’s perspective and there is a real sense that he is right in the midst of these frenetic, bloody encounters. I was really surprised when I found out that the author is actually a woman - Scott perfectly captures the chaos of each engagement as well as the emotions that a soldier must have experienced. Demalion's attitudes toward constant training and bloodshed evolve and he becomes far more comfortable on the battlefield. The initial fear of being in a life threatening situation never disappears but he also learns the raw elation of surviving. After a while he feels most alive when surrounded by chaos of the battle and death.The relationships between soldiers are tight and any losses are horrible.
I also liked very much the character of Sebastos Abdes Pantera, also called the Leopard. He was a spy extraordinaire who never revealed more than he should about himself and his missions, often surprising poor Demalion and not always in a good way but also arousing grudging respect. I really regretted we weren't shown the whole world from his POV at least once. In fact I would be perfectly happy if Pantera was given a series on his own. For him I might read the first two parts which, as far as I know, tell his previous adventures as a spy and pupil of Seneca.
What I didn't like:
The whole novel is set among the Roman soldiers; I certainly understand that there weren't many places for women in such a company but really in this book there is only ONE female character, Hypatia, introduced very late, in the second part of the book, and never properly presented, acting as a prop. I am really disappointed.
Apart from that I wish I could find out more about the final fate of Pantera.
Final verdict:
If you like really good historical fiction books I recommend you this one. It captures not just the epic scale of Rome’s legions, but its core, its heart, its very essence; it strives to show what made the men behind the armour tick. It is also a page-turning military history but notably without women.
However, amid all of the violence and savagery of his life as a legionary, Demalion realizes he has discovered a vocation - as a soldier and a leader of men. He is made a centurion and has come to love the Twelfth and all the bloody-minded, dark-hearted soldiers he calls his brothers. One of them, a young, beautiful Greek called Heraclides with a nickname of Tears, becomes even somebody closer than that.
When Demalion thinks he has found a place in the world, all that he cares about is ripped from him. First his Legion is defeated by the Parthians due to the supreme ignorance and ineptitude of his commander - they have to retreat in shame, just happy to be alive. Then they are ordered to quench the brutal Judaean uprising and the Hebrew army inflicts humiliating defeat upon the legion - not only decimating their ranks, but taking away their soul, the eagle, the symbol of their pride and identity.
There is one final chance to save the legion's honour - to steal back the eagle. To do that, Demalion and his fellow legionary scout called Horgias must go undercover into Jerusalem, into the very heart of their enemy - where discovery will mean the worst of deaths. Will they survive a mission which resembles very closely a suicide?
What I liked:
I haven't read a good historical fiction set in the times of Roman Empire for a long time so when awesome Mel from Mel's Random Reviews sent me this one I was overjoyed. It is the thrid and final installment of a series but you can read it as a standalone without any problems. I found it original and interesting mainly because it depicts Roman wars with Parthia, a relatively less known campaing which took place in the first century A.D. during the reign of Nero. Well, I suppose most of people have heard of Nero, his poems and antics which led to the burning of Rome and persecution of first Christians, but few heard about his wars.
Parthia roughly corresponds to the western half of Khorasan region in northeastern Iran. It bordered Media on the west, Hyrcania on the north west, Margiana on the north east, and Aria on the south east. I really enjoyed the fact that it was a completely new setting, as far from Rome and Nero's corrupt court as it could only be.
Most of the action is described directly from Demalions’s perspective and there is a real sense that he is right in the midst of these frenetic, bloody encounters. I was really surprised when I found out that the author is actually a woman - Scott perfectly captures the chaos of each engagement as well as the emotions that a soldier must have experienced. Demalion's attitudes toward constant training and bloodshed evolve and he becomes far more comfortable on the battlefield. The initial fear of being in a life threatening situation never disappears but he also learns the raw elation of surviving. After a while he feels most alive when surrounded by chaos of the battle and death.The relationships between soldiers are tight and any losses are horrible.
I also liked very much the character of Sebastos Abdes Pantera, also called the Leopard. He was a spy extraordinaire who never revealed more than he should about himself and his missions, often surprising poor Demalion and not always in a good way but also arousing grudging respect. I really regretted we weren't shown the whole world from his POV at least once. In fact I would be perfectly happy if Pantera was given a series on his own. For him I might read the first two parts which, as far as I know, tell his previous adventures as a spy and pupil of Seneca.
What I didn't like:
The whole novel is set among the Roman soldiers; I certainly understand that there weren't many places for women in such a company but really in this book there is only ONE female character, Hypatia, introduced very late, in the second part of the book, and never properly presented, acting as a prop. I am really disappointed.
Apart from that I wish I could find out more about the final fate of Pantera.
Final verdict:
If you like really good historical fiction books I recommend you this one. It captures not just the epic scale of Rome’s legions, but its core, its heart, its very essence; it strives to show what made the men behind the armour tick. It is also a page-turning military history but notably without women.
May 11, 2012
The reputation of Rome’s Twelfth Legion is in tatters. Notorious for its defeats and famous for its unhappy postings, it is the last legion to which an ambitious young soldier of Rome would wish to be attached. When Demalion of Macedon, returning from a secret, dangerous assignment deep in the territory of the King of Kings of Parthia, is handed over to the unlucky Twelfth, you can feel his shoulders drop with the misery of it. And yet it is not too long before Demalion is ready to exchange his own life for the survival of this legion and the protection of its eagle. Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth shows us why.
This is the considerable and powerful achievement of this wonderful novel. M.C. Scott places us within the heart of a legionary, turning the legion inside out, and giving the reader an in depth insight into what being a legionary meant. We might be in history here – the reign of Nero – but nothing about its impact on Demalion, on his fellow legionaries or on the legion itself is predictable. It’s edge of the seat military historical fiction – we have as many battles as you would wish – combined with a realistic, naturalistic portrayal of a set of men in extraordinary circumstances, allowing themselves to be defined by their allegiance to their legion.
Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth is the third in M.C. Scott’s Rome series but this novel is slightly at a tangent. It is set before the previous novels and, tantalisingly, gives us a glimpse of the familiar, central figure of the spy Pantera before his character-defining mission in Britannia which precedes the other two novels. But, although Pantera plays an important role here, our interest is focused on Demalion of Macedon and his colleagues in the Twelfth – Tears, Lupus, Cadus, Syrion, Proclion, Horgias, Rufus, Sarapammon,the Rabbit – Demalion’s tent unit, the building block that held a Roman legion together. Each man has his own job, such as holding the standard, but their principle task is to look after one another.
Just as well because The Eagle of the Twelfth shows the legion in the worst of situations – whether training in the freezing, snow-covered mountains, pitted against rival legions for months on end, or fighting a guerilla warfare in the mountains of Syria, across rivers, or pitched battles or sieges in Israel – Demalion and his companions have no choice but to depend on one another. The relationships are tight and any losses are horrible. But this is what it would have been like. Death would have been sudden and violent, men would have mourned. There are scenes here, especially when the soldiers, apparently casually but in reality with much thought, share out the belongings of a fallen friend, that will tear your heart out.
Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth is a page-turning military history – these are dangerous times. Nero is exerting his pressure on the generals, leaving the legions vulnerable to the worst of leaders, while the good are removed. Other familiar names from history are on the rise, notably Vespasian. And so the story of Demalion plays out against one of the most fascinating times in history. It brings us close to well-known events in Judaea in the 60s AD and my only consolation when I closed the final page was that I knew there would be so much more to come in future novels.
M.C. Scott writes brilliantly. Her characters are consistently intriguing and are always surprising. There are characters here that we know from other novels but in this book they are different. Perspectives move about, loyalties are different and goals shift.
Without doubt, Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth is among my very favourite works of historical fiction that I have ever read. But, as any superb, rewarding novel should, it pushes beyond its genre and excels across the board. Demalion of Macedon is a fascinating character, flawed but heroic and all the more likeable for it. It’s rather astonishing and very pleasing to contemplate what M.C. Scott has in store for Demalion and for us. I’ll be waiting.
This is the considerable and powerful achievement of this wonderful novel. M.C. Scott places us within the heart of a legionary, turning the legion inside out, and giving the reader an in depth insight into what being a legionary meant. We might be in history here – the reign of Nero – but nothing about its impact on Demalion, on his fellow legionaries or on the legion itself is predictable. It’s edge of the seat military historical fiction – we have as many battles as you would wish – combined with a realistic, naturalistic portrayal of a set of men in extraordinary circumstances, allowing themselves to be defined by their allegiance to their legion.
Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth is the third in M.C. Scott’s Rome series but this novel is slightly at a tangent. It is set before the previous novels and, tantalisingly, gives us a glimpse of the familiar, central figure of the spy Pantera before his character-defining mission in Britannia which precedes the other two novels. But, although Pantera plays an important role here, our interest is focused on Demalion of Macedon and his colleagues in the Twelfth – Tears, Lupus, Cadus, Syrion, Proclion, Horgias, Rufus, Sarapammon,the Rabbit – Demalion’s tent unit, the building block that held a Roman legion together. Each man has his own job, such as holding the standard, but their principle task is to look after one another.
Just as well because The Eagle of the Twelfth shows the legion in the worst of situations – whether training in the freezing, snow-covered mountains, pitted against rival legions for months on end, or fighting a guerilla warfare in the mountains of Syria, across rivers, or pitched battles or sieges in Israel – Demalion and his companions have no choice but to depend on one another. The relationships are tight and any losses are horrible. But this is what it would have been like. Death would have been sudden and violent, men would have mourned. There are scenes here, especially when the soldiers, apparently casually but in reality with much thought, share out the belongings of a fallen friend, that will tear your heart out.
Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth is a page-turning military history – these are dangerous times. Nero is exerting his pressure on the generals, leaving the legions vulnerable to the worst of leaders, while the good are removed. Other familiar names from history are on the rise, notably Vespasian. And so the story of Demalion plays out against one of the most fascinating times in history. It brings us close to well-known events in Judaea in the 60s AD and my only consolation when I closed the final page was that I knew there would be so much more to come in future novels.
M.C. Scott writes brilliantly. Her characters are consistently intriguing and are always surprising. There are characters here that we know from other novels but in this book they are different. Perspectives move about, loyalties are different and goals shift.
Without doubt, Rome: The Eagle of the Twelfth is among my very favourite works of historical fiction that I have ever read. But, as any superb, rewarding novel should, it pushes beyond its genre and excels across the board. Demalion of Macedon is a fascinating character, flawed but heroic and all the more likeable for it. It’s rather astonishing and very pleasing to contemplate what M.C. Scott has in store for Demalion and for us. I’ll be waiting.
May 23, 2012
Eagle of the Twelfth is the third book in the Rome series but is a sort of prequel to Rome: The Emperor’s Spy and Rome: The Coming of the King and in it we meet the spy Pantera, star of the first two books. While he is a important character, this book focuses on Demalion, a young and somewhat reluctant legionary conscript. After surviving the perils and intrigues of the Parthian court with Pantera, Demalion is posted to the Twelfth legion.
This is the worst legion in the East and its reputation amongst the other legions is rock bottom. Demalion, along with his centurion Lupus decide that they are going to turn, first their century and then the rest of the legion into the best fighting force they can. Along the way we meet the rest of Demalion’s tent unit, Tears, Cadus, Lupus, the Rabbit, Proclion, Horgias, Sarapammon, Syrion, and Rufus.
They then embark on the brutal training needed to redeem the reputation of the Twelfth and foster a fighting spirit and a love for their eagle. They must face snow, wind and rain as they struggle to turn the Twelfth into a fighting force capable of standing up to the Parthian Cataphracts. Along the way they face unbelievable hardships and disasters as they try to turn the Twelfth into a legion they can be proud of. Demalion and his tent unit then lead from the front as they face Parthian hordes and Jewish rebels, facing impossible odds and heartbreaking loss but also learning to love each other and more importantly they learn to love and cherish ‘The Eagle of the Twelfth’.
As I stated at the beginning of this review, I loved this book, I have always been a fan of M.C Scott but this is easily her best book so far. The thing that set this book apart from all of the other Roman fiction books on the market is M.C. Scott’s ability to create believable relationships between her characters. She shows how men from different backgrounds and temperaments forge, through hardship and adversity the strength and togetherness to withstand every obstacle thrown at them.
We see how the men first learn to trust one another, love each other and then ultimately, how they deal with the loss of their comrades and Scott isn’t scared of showing the sometimes complex relationships that form between the men.
This is a seriously good book and is pushing to be my book of the year so far. If you like fiction (Roman or otherwise) with real emotions and feelings and a cracking good story then this is the book for you!
This is the worst legion in the East and its reputation amongst the other legions is rock bottom. Demalion, along with his centurion Lupus decide that they are going to turn, first their century and then the rest of the legion into the best fighting force they can. Along the way we meet the rest of Demalion’s tent unit, Tears, Cadus, Lupus, the Rabbit, Proclion, Horgias, Sarapammon, Syrion, and Rufus.
They then embark on the brutal training needed to redeem the reputation of the Twelfth and foster a fighting spirit and a love for their eagle. They must face snow, wind and rain as they struggle to turn the Twelfth into a fighting force capable of standing up to the Parthian Cataphracts. Along the way they face unbelievable hardships and disasters as they try to turn the Twelfth into a legion they can be proud of. Demalion and his tent unit then lead from the front as they face Parthian hordes and Jewish rebels, facing impossible odds and heartbreaking loss but also learning to love each other and more importantly they learn to love and cherish ‘The Eagle of the Twelfth’.
As I stated at the beginning of this review, I loved this book, I have always been a fan of M.C Scott but this is easily her best book so far. The thing that set this book apart from all of the other Roman fiction books on the market is M.C. Scott’s ability to create believable relationships between her characters. She shows how men from different backgrounds and temperaments forge, through hardship and adversity the strength and togetherness to withstand every obstacle thrown at them.
We see how the men first learn to trust one another, love each other and then ultimately, how they deal with the loss of their comrades and Scott isn’t scared of showing the sometimes complex relationships that form between the men.
This is a seriously good book and is pushing to be my book of the year so far. If you like fiction (Roman or otherwise) with real emotions and feelings and a cracking good story then this is the book for you!
April 14, 2012
Once again, M.C Scott writes an absolutely superb book on the Roman Empire, following on, eventually, to her two previous books in the series. It was good to meet some of the main characters from books 1 & 2, and to meet new ones. Every part of the book is so believable, as M.C Scott researches well, and had the idea of a lost Roman Eagle from Rosemary Sutcliff's seminal novel, 'The Eagle of the Ninth'.
Here's a taster from the back cover, "Throughout the Roman Army, the Twelfth Legion is notorious for its ill fortune. It faces the harshest of postings, the toughest of campaigns, the most vicious of opponents. For one young man, Demalion of Macedon, joining it will be a baptism of fire. And yet, amid the violence and savagery of his life as a legionary, he realises he has discovered a vocation - as a soldier and a leader of men. He has come to love the Twelfth and all the bloody-minded, dark-hearted soldiers he calls his brothers."
There's more, much more, and I urge you, dear reader, to read and enjoy - I did!
Here's a taster from the back cover, "Throughout the Roman Army, the Twelfth Legion is notorious for its ill fortune. It faces the harshest of postings, the toughest of campaigns, the most vicious of opponents. For one young man, Demalion of Macedon, joining it will be a baptism of fire. And yet, amid the violence and savagery of his life as a legionary, he realises he has discovered a vocation - as a soldier and a leader of men. He has come to love the Twelfth and all the bloody-minded, dark-hearted soldiers he calls his brothers."
There's more, much more, and I urge you, dear reader, to read and enjoy - I did!
Read
January 24, 2013I love Manda Scott and this latest Rome series didn't disappoint. I recommend her books to anyone into historical fiction. brilliant read!
June 30, 2021
The story of a legion .
I particularly liked the battle training giving a feeling of being part of a developing camaraderie and a toughening up for battle vital for survival. As in the previous books the characters are vividly brought to life. Solid four stars.
I particularly liked the battle training giving a feeling of being part of a developing camaraderie and a toughening up for battle vital for survival. As in the previous books the characters are vividly brought to life. Solid four stars.
August 23, 2015
6 stars
I am spinning this series out because once it's over I will be bereft. Manda Scott takes writing to an art form, for me at least. Luscious prose. Very emotive, beautiful writing, nothing wasted. Fabulous detail, wonderful action scenes. And yet Pantera remains an enigma, just as he should. I fall in love with her characters and never want to see them go. And they stay with me in my head.
I know I will re-read all 8 volumes of these 2 connected series'. I wish there were more. If I had to nominate an all time favourite, I would consider these books for the (impossible choice to make) role
I am spinning this series out because once it's over I will be bereft. Manda Scott takes writing to an art form, for me at least. Luscious prose. Very emotive, beautiful writing, nothing wasted. Fabulous detail, wonderful action scenes. And yet Pantera remains an enigma, just as he should. I fall in love with her characters and never want to see them go. And they stay with me in my head.
I know I will re-read all 8 volumes of these 2 connected series'. I wish there were more. If I had to nominate an all time favourite, I would consider these books for the (impossible choice to make) role
September 11, 2015
Ok, so, way too military for me. First person perspective of these tough as nails legionaries killing other people, with little regard for life, including their own. The backdrop, the eastern Roman Empire in the time of Nero. War with Armenia/Parthia then the Jewish revolt.
May 20, 2012
Absolutely superb!
December 8, 2025
Demalion of Macedon and the Eagle standard, beautiful writing about ancient Rome
Feb 57 CE, Hyrcania on the Caspian Sea. The Vth Macedonica faces Vardanes II and seventeen client kings. Demalion of Macedon, our narrator, clerks for Sebastos Abdes Pantera, his commander. Pantera shoots an arrow killing Vardanes, allowing Vologases to reclaim the throne of Parthia. Pantera gets Demalion and Cadus promoted to positions in the XIIth.
They dye their tunics with madder to mark a successful training manoeuvre in the mountains, giving their cohort a nickname, the Bloody First. They come under the command of Corbulo, governor of Syria, a good leader; then Lucius Caesennius Paetus, governor of Cappadocia, a poorer one. Paetus sends them into a Thermopylae-like defeat at the Battle of Rhandeia.
Book 2 left us breathless with a new king of Israel anointed and Roman legions on the march.
Now, Demalion and the disgraced XIIth suffer another devastating defeat at Beth Horon in Judaea under Cestius Gallus, another poor general. What’s worse, the rebels have stolen their eagle standard, the symbol of their military pride. Retrieving it is almost more important than victory.
Three-fourths of the book follow Demalion’s military life, then the last fourth brings Pantera back into the story. I found this disjunct a bit disconcerting, and after all those pages, we’d forgotten Pantera’s motivation.
As with the first two books, Scott crafts the known history into an entirely new plot, with deep understanding of the culture.
I’m not normally a fan of ‘military fiction’, but the gorgeous writing makes it worth it, full of drama and emotion, like: ‘looking down on to the tops of their helmets… they seemed to ooze towards us, thickly, like so much mercury poured into a dish; a river of shimmering metal, dancing under the sun’; ‘the parade ground did not so much rock to our entrance as titter, and it was clear that at night we would be cold for lack of men around us.’ I loved Pantera’s assessment of Britannia, ‘a swamp surrounded by sea and full of women who fight like harpies’.
I’m excited to finally find a historical novel about the Jewish Revolt, albeit, unlike my novel, one from the Roman point of view.
Feb 57 CE, Hyrcania on the Caspian Sea. The Vth Macedonica faces Vardanes II and seventeen client kings. Demalion of Macedon, our narrator, clerks for Sebastos Abdes Pantera, his commander. Pantera shoots an arrow killing Vardanes, allowing Vologases to reclaim the throne of Parthia. Pantera gets Demalion and Cadus promoted to positions in the XIIth.
They dye their tunics with madder to mark a successful training manoeuvre in the mountains, giving their cohort a nickname, the Bloody First. They come under the command of Corbulo, governor of Syria, a good leader; then Lucius Caesennius Paetus, governor of Cappadocia, a poorer one. Paetus sends them into a Thermopylae-like defeat at the Battle of Rhandeia.
Book 2 left us breathless with a new king of Israel anointed and Roman legions on the march.
Now, Demalion and the disgraced XIIth suffer another devastating defeat at Beth Horon in Judaea under Cestius Gallus, another poor general. What’s worse, the rebels have stolen their eagle standard, the symbol of their military pride. Retrieving it is almost more important than victory.
Three-fourths of the book follow Demalion’s military life, then the last fourth brings Pantera back into the story. I found this disjunct a bit disconcerting, and after all those pages, we’d forgotten Pantera’s motivation.
As with the first two books, Scott crafts the known history into an entirely new plot, with deep understanding of the culture.
I’m not normally a fan of ‘military fiction’, but the gorgeous writing makes it worth it, full of drama and emotion, like: ‘looking down on to the tops of their helmets… they seemed to ooze towards us, thickly, like so much mercury poured into a dish; a river of shimmering metal, dancing under the sun’; ‘the parade ground did not so much rock to our entrance as titter, and it was clear that at night we would be cold for lack of men around us.’ I loved Pantera’s assessment of Britannia, ‘a swamp surrounded by sea and full of women who fight like harpies’.
I’m excited to finally find a historical novel about the Jewish Revolt, albeit, unlike my novel, one from the Roman point of view.
May 8, 2023
Historical fiction set in the Jewish Revolt (AD 66-70). Overall, another great book in this series.
This book a little different than the first two, since the point of view is now fixed to one character who isn't one of the previous main characters, and this time, using the first person 'I'. The author was kind enough to reassure the reader that those characters would be back later in the book, which I welcomed.
The story is parallel to and meets the 2nd book's story, but instead of being a mix of spy, mystic and epic events, this one focuses on the Roman legion, seen through the eyes of a legionary of the XIIth Fulminata who dislikes then starts to love his military profession.
Manda Scott does a very good job at describing the daily life of a legionary, the organization of the legion, the thrill of combat, and the joy of victory or the shame of defeat. The style is slightly different; slightly less mystic / poetic and more intense in action, which fits the story. Don't worry, her rich, evocative and inimitable style is still present, but I found it less pronounced - maybe it's subjective and I was simply too absorbed in the suspense of the action to notice it.
The effect of meeting previous main characters as if they were now minor felt a little strange, and I missed the multiple points of view, but on the other hand, it was more impersonating and gave a more visceral feeling of the story. I also missed the more in-depth historical notes at the end, though there are a few notes and a few interesting references, which is always appreciated.
I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars. I opted for 4 in comparison to the 2nd book that I found outstanding on so many levels, but it's really closer to 5 than 4.
This book a little different than the first two, since the point of view is now fixed to one character who isn't one of the previous main characters, and this time, using the first person 'I'. The author was kind enough to reassure the reader that those characters would be back later in the book, which I welcomed.
The story is parallel to and meets the 2nd book's story, but instead of being a mix of spy, mystic and epic events, this one focuses on the Roman legion, seen through the eyes of a legionary of the XIIth Fulminata who dislikes then starts to love his military profession.
Manda Scott does a very good job at describing the daily life of a legionary, the organization of the legion, the thrill of combat, and the joy of victory or the shame of defeat. The style is slightly different; slightly less mystic / poetic and more intense in action, which fits the story. Don't worry, her rich, evocative and inimitable style is still present, but I found it less pronounced - maybe it's subjective and I was simply too absorbed in the suspense of the action to notice it.
The effect of meeting previous main characters as if they were now minor felt a little strange, and I missed the multiple points of view, but on the other hand, it was more impersonating and gave a more visceral feeling of the story. I also missed the more in-depth historical notes at the end, though there are a few notes and a few interesting references, which is always appreciated.
I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars. I opted for 4 in comparison to the 2nd book that I found outstanding on so many levels, but it's really closer to 5 than 4.
June 12, 2017
This is a brilliant book of life in the Roman legions in the Eastern Roman Empire roaming from Armenia and the wars there and the brutal siege of Jerusalem. It is from the perspective of Demalion of Macedonia, a reluctant conscript who longs for his life as a horse trader. We bond with Demalion as the members of this cohort become his family. And the battle frenzy and adrenaline of war is detailed as well as the pain, mud and blood of the battlefield. M.C. Scott is a gifted novelist - with great research and a story that moves as Demalion matures and becomes a strategist as well as an active player in the wars of Rome. I can see why Pantera (the protagonist in her other Rome books) is such a fascinating character - a master spy who serves Rome, the overarching idea of Rome not necessarily the tyrannical mad rule of the Emperor Nero. Roman historical fiction has a special place in my reading universe from Robert Graves masterpiece I Claudius, to John Williams' Augustus and Conn Iggudden's Emperor series as well as Robert Harris' Cicero series - this is another type of book, the travels of the ordinary soldier who rises in the legion from the ignominy of defeat and dishonour. Absolutely brilliant.
August 11, 2017
War! Blood and dust! I hurried straight on to the next book in Manda Scott’s Rome series which, again, took me to a place I wasn’t expecting. Disconcertingly, after two novels focused on Pantera, we step away from him completely for much of this volume and instead follow Demalion of Macedon, a young horse-trader turned legionary in the XIIth Legion. If the first book centred on Rome and the second on Judea, this volume takes us to even more exotic regions: to Armenia and Hyrcania under the rule of the Parthian King of Kings. Knowing that I was in good hands, I pushed impatience about Pantera to the back of my mind, and let Scott unfold her story in her own compelling time.
For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/08/11/r...
For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/08/11/r...
October 14, 2021
The focus of this book shifts from Pantera to a new character Demalion, a soldier in the legions. At first, his story doesn't seem to have any connection with the rest of the series, but stick with it and it does connect by the end. The author really gives us a vivid picture of what life was like in the legions, and on a larger scale, how Roman leaders had to try and navigate the ever-shifting internal politics of the various lands and peoples they were dealing with.
Demalion is an interesting character - he didn't really want to be a soldier, but wasn't given any choice in the matter, and there's an emotional, internal journey as well as the physical, geographical ones. Supporting characters are also given enough time and development that you come to care about them as well as Demalion.
I'm enjoying this series and already have the next book out from the library, ready to read.
Demalion is an interesting character - he didn't really want to be a soldier, but wasn't given any choice in the matter, and there's an emotional, internal journey as well as the physical, geographical ones. Supporting characters are also given enough time and development that you come to care about them as well as Demalion.
I'm enjoying this series and already have the next book out from the library, ready to read.
October 6, 2024
A gripping read that pulls you deep into the experiences of the men of the Twelfth Legion, 62 AD. Told from the main character, Demalion’s viewpoint, the story takes us from his reluctant inception into the legion to his rescuing of the eagle, symbol of the legion’s very soul. Along the way are the toughening drills, conflicts and the revelation of an enduring love.
The characters are finely drawn and believable, the narrative historically accurate and the action absorbing. I found myself tearing up in places as I became emotionally invested in the book. I felt Demalion’s sense of loss at the death of friends or companions. I put the book down at the ending with reluctance.
I found this a book I could barely pause in reading, and felt that sense of “what if?” at the end, wanting to know more of that world and the characters.
The characters are finely drawn and believable, the narrative historically accurate and the action absorbing. I found myself tearing up in places as I became emotionally invested in the book. I felt Demalion’s sense of loss at the death of friends or companions. I put the book down at the ending with reluctance.
I found this a book I could barely pause in reading, and felt that sense of “what if?” at the end, wanting to know more of that world and the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2023
The preface states that MC Scott was inspired in childhood by the books of Rosemary Sutcliff, and I was therefore not surprised to find echoes of my early memories of those books too, but I think Manda Scott has excelled in her portrait of a reluctant conscript to the legions, and his story unfolds with such detail and such personalities that it is an unputdownable book. I began it on Saturday and finished it on Sunday evening, all 400 pages.
I shall certainly look out for more of her writing. I gather that she began writing crime fiction before turning to historical novels. I'm so glad she did, as I'm not a great fan of crime fiction so it's good to have her historically researched and accurate works with so much personal involvement.
I shall certainly look out for more of her writing. I gather that she began writing crime fiction before turning to historical novels. I'm so glad she did, as I'm not a great fan of crime fiction so it's good to have her historically researched and accurate works with so much personal involvement.
April 28, 2019
Completely different from the other 2 books in the series , told first hand by one of the twelfth , Demalion , it follows their path towards the rest of the series , the story joins up after about 350 pages.
It reads more like a Simon Scarrow Rome book ( Though no where near as good as that series.)
It reads more like a Simon Scarrow Rome book ( Though no where near as good as that series.)
July 27, 2020
First I love historical fiction,and I usually don’t like female authors when it comes to battle and marshal awareness. I did not know I was reading a female writer,four years later I was trying to figure out why I kept this book so I read it again,got the sequels, pantara character remained me of my first martial arts instructor.
March 2, 2018
La decimo segunda legión romana está maldita. En su defensa de la frontera con el imperio Partio en Siria, Armenia y Mesopotamia perderá la batalla y en la insurrección de Jerusalem perderá su águila. Le costará mucho trabajo recuperarla por la fuerza y el ingenio.
March 29, 2021
Another great read
Continuing on from the earlier novel, the tale twists and turns. New characters emerge,and are cast aside. The narative, is a little flowery at times, but only adds to the storyline.
Continuing on from the earlier novel, the tale twists and turns. New characters emerge,and are cast aside. The narative, is a little flowery at times, but only adds to the storyline.
November 8, 2021
So good!
Another tour De force from Manda Scott. So interesting to see the same conflict from different points of view, joined by Pantera's complex manoevering. Truly worth the read.
Another tour De force from Manda Scott. So interesting to see the same conflict from different points of view, joined by Pantera's complex manoevering. Truly worth the read.
May 27, 2017
Not the best of her works in the series, but good enough to recommend it. I would give it a 3.5 on 5.
February 9, 2019
I love this author. I love this series and especially her Boudica series, which I am on book 3 of that series. I look forward to reading more works from her as time passes.
March 17, 2019
good en joyed the tale of roman life
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