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Eagles of the Empire #10
The Legion
When the actions of a rebel gladiator in Egypt threaten the stability of the Roman Empire, Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro know he must be stopped. The locals are holding the Romans responsible for the attacks and his crew have been making along the coast and now Egypt is dangerously volatile. Tasked with tracking and defeating the renegade, Cato and Macro are soon hot on Ajax's trail, determined to destroy the enemy. But will the strength of a psychotically fatalist gladiator and his new-found allies, hell-bent on destruction, defeat the Roman warriors?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
233 people are currently reading
1781 people want to read
About the author
Simon Scarrow
171 books2,158 followersSimon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
January 7, 2022
Read this book in 2010, and its the 10th volume of the wonderful "Eagle" series.
In this tale, now Prefect Cato, and his friend Centurion Macro, are heading for Egypt, to chase to rebel gladiator Ajax, who escaped from Crete and is now making trouble in that same Egypt.
Roman soldiers and naval bases, merchant vessels and villages are attacked by Ajax and his band of ruffians.
Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro are ordered to track down this renegade leader of man before things get out of control, but this gladiator Ajax will seem to be a dangerous enemy.
Joining Legion III, especially Prefect Cato with Centurion Macro at his side, will try to get this Ajax on the battlefield, but the cunning renegade has other ideas how to handle this lethal situation.
What is to follow is a fantastic Roman adventure, in which our main protagonists, Cato and Macro, are in full flow to overcome this dangerous encounter with a desperate enemy, and in the end they will be able to bring peace to Egypt after dealing with this renegade gladiator Ajax.
Highly recommended, for this is another fabulous addition to this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Astounding Roman Legion"!
In this tale, now Prefect Cato, and his friend Centurion Macro, are heading for Egypt, to chase to rebel gladiator Ajax, who escaped from Crete and is now making trouble in that same Egypt.
Roman soldiers and naval bases, merchant vessels and villages are attacked by Ajax and his band of ruffians.
Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro are ordered to track down this renegade leader of man before things get out of control, but this gladiator Ajax will seem to be a dangerous enemy.
Joining Legion III, especially Prefect Cato with Centurion Macro at his side, will try to get this Ajax on the battlefield, but the cunning renegade has other ideas how to handle this lethal situation.
What is to follow is a fantastic Roman adventure, in which our main protagonists, Cato and Macro, are in full flow to overcome this dangerous encounter with a desperate enemy, and in the end they will be able to bring peace to Egypt after dealing with this renegade gladiator Ajax.
Highly recommended, for this is another fabulous addition to this terrific series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Astounding Roman Legion"!
December 12, 2020
Das Buch knüpft an die Ereignisse des vorangegangenen Bandes an und erzählt die Jagd nach Ajax in Ägypten.
Die Suche nach Ajax hat mir im ganzen gut gefallen und auch der Spion wurde vom Autor gut in Szene gesetzt. Doch leider muss ich auch an diesem Band einiges bemängeln.
Es gehört wohl bei Scarrow immer mehr zum guten Ton, wenn alle Militärs (ausser natürlich unsere zwei Helden) sehr inkompetent daherkommen. Der Anschein wird erweckt, dass im römischen Militär nur Laien am Werk sind.
Scarrow erzählt nun das eint oder andere Kapitel aus der Sicht von Ajax. Doch anstelle dem Antagonisten mehr Tiefe zu verleihen, sind sie eher nur dafür da, damit die Story geradlinig erzählt werden kann. Der Autor nutzt darüber hinaus die Gelegenheit nicht, seinen Figuren mehr Tiefe zu geben. Allgemein, ausser vielleicht Cato erreichte keine Figur in diesem Roman die Tiefe die nötig wäre, um mit der Figur mitzufühlen. Somit ist es dem Leser ziemlich gleichgültig ob nun jemand mehr oder weniger stirbt.
Die Suche nach Ajax hat mir im ganzen gut gefallen und auch der Spion wurde vom Autor gut in Szene gesetzt. Doch leider muss ich auch an diesem Band einiges bemängeln.
Es gehört wohl bei Scarrow immer mehr zum guten Ton, wenn alle Militärs (ausser natürlich unsere zwei Helden) sehr inkompetent daherkommen. Der Anschein wird erweckt, dass im römischen Militär nur Laien am Werk sind.
Scarrow erzählt nun das eint oder andere Kapitel aus der Sicht von Ajax. Doch anstelle dem Antagonisten mehr Tiefe zu verleihen, sind sie eher nur dafür da, damit die Story geradlinig erzählt werden kann. Der Autor nutzt darüber hinaus die Gelegenheit nicht, seinen Figuren mehr Tiefe zu geben. Allgemein, ausser vielleicht Cato erreichte keine Figur in diesem Roman die Tiefe die nötig wäre, um mit der Figur mitzufühlen. Somit ist es dem Leser ziemlich gleichgültig ob nun jemand mehr oder weniger stirbt.
July 13, 2016
-Dicen que, igual que las máquinas para hacer salchichas, las hay para hacer novelas.-
Género. Novela histórica (con muuuuuuucha ficción).
Lo que nos cuenta. Un viejo conocido de Cato y Macro se dedica ahora a rapiñar el comercio en el Nilo e incluso ataca el poder militar romano en la zona, en un momento en el que Nubia y el propio Egipto tienen la sensación de que podrían llevar a cabo movimientos en pro de sus intereses ya que Roma no parece estar en su mejor momento en el área. La pareja de oficiales tendrá la labor de tomar cartas en el asunto. Décimo libro de la serie de Quinto Licinio Cato.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....
Género. Novela histórica (con muuuuuuucha ficción).
Lo que nos cuenta. Un viejo conocido de Cato y Macro se dedica ahora a rapiñar el comercio en el Nilo e incluso ataca el poder militar romano en la zona, en un momento en el que Nubia y el propio Egipto tienen la sensación de que podrían llevar a cabo movimientos en pro de sus intereses ya que Roma no parece estar en su mejor momento en el área. La pareja de oficiales tendrá la labor de tomar cartas en el asunto. Décimo libro de la serie de Quinto Licinio Cato.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com....
August 14, 2020
Bringing Scarrow's best story arc, that of Ajax the Gladiator, to a conclusion, this is perfect light reading during a heat wave. The Egyptian flavor isn't as shading as the previous setting of Petra.
September 6, 2014
And so ends the concluding tale of The Gladiator & I have to say I really do quite enjoy these novels from time-to-time, you know what yer getting & yes its a comfort read.
The humour is spot-on, the characters realistic enough & ones that you can empathise with, the villians are sound - no melodramatics here & the storyline is plausible, laid out briefly at the start & then we're away with a Macro&Cato adventure. simple & it works!
A little about this one? Well you have to read the Gladiator first. Hot on the tail of Ajax they at first visit Egypt & then take command of a fleet to hunt the pirate down, there be some sea battles & then raids before they track him through mangrove swamp & desert..... ohhh & up n down the Nile..... yep you guessed it he gives them the slip one or thrice. Then theres the Nubians & the XXII Legion which is no better than a garrison force, one which Cato & macro become assigned too & so there's a battle! Its a new venue is Egypt for Scarrow but its fair to say he's done his homework & has come up with a decent read for followers of Roman h/f & I know he has his detractors about..... but this is good fare. Honest!
The humour is spot-on, the characters realistic enough & ones that you can empathise with, the villians are sound - no melodramatics here & the storyline is plausible, laid out briefly at the start & then we're away with a Macro&Cato adventure. simple & it works!
A little about this one? Well you have to read the Gladiator first. Hot on the tail of Ajax they at first visit Egypt & then take command of a fleet to hunt the pirate down, there be some sea battles & then raids before they track him through mangrove swamp & desert..... ohhh & up n down the Nile..... yep you guessed it he gives them the slip one or thrice. Then theres the Nubians & the XXII Legion which is no better than a garrison force, one which Cato & macro become assigned too & so there's a battle! Its a new venue is Egypt for Scarrow but its fair to say he's done his homework & has come up with a decent read for followers of Roman h/f & I know he has his detractors about..... but this is good fare. Honest!
December 8, 2020
3,5 estrellas. No es de los mejores de la serie.
No se que tiene Scarrow que me engancha a más no poder, te hace imaginar y vivir aventuras aunque con gran fantasía y ficción, ambientadas en el Imperio Romano, Cato y Macro me encantan y sus historias tan inverosímiles también.
Décimo libro de la serie.
No se que tiene Scarrow que me engancha a más no poder, te hace imaginar y vivir aventuras aunque con gran fantasía y ficción, ambientadas en el Imperio Romano, Cato y Macro me encantan y sus historias tan inverosímiles también.
Décimo libro de la serie.
September 12, 2014
Scarrow by numbers, though mercifully free of any sieges for the first time in what feels like forever in the series!
Does exactly what it says on the tin. Ajax gets ever more annoying, not because of any character development, but because he conveniently manages to constantly find some highly contrived escape route out of a seemingly endpiece finale.
I would like to go into more detail about the book, story etc, but after so long reading books in the Eagle series, there's so relatively little to set the books distinctly apart from each other that it would only be half-arsed and non-commital.
The reveal of who the spy amidst the Roman ranks turns out to be is probably the highlight of the book as it sold me like a mug with what turned out to be a feint. I'm usually pretty good at detecting things like that but, to use an English idiom, Scarrow stitched me up like a kipper!
Other than that, it's a pretty average book as far as Roman fiction goes. The Nubian leader, Prince Talmis, is woefully under-explored and a lot of the parts feel somewhat surplus to requirements but it's still an okay use of your time.
I'd liken this book, ergo the series in general, to the British drama 'Ultimate Force' which featured Ross Kemp; militarist, set-pieces, occasional attempts at bargain basement intrigue, highly episodic and only the sparest attempts character development but nothing too deep, memorable or challenging.
It gets a 3/5, not because 'I liked it', but simply because it's not the worst book in the series and arguably 3/5 or 60% is about a fair assessment of where I'd place it if we were talking percentages.
Does exactly what it says on the tin. Ajax gets ever more annoying, not because of any character development, but because he conveniently manages to constantly find some highly contrived escape route out of a seemingly endpiece finale.
I would like to go into more detail about the book, story etc, but after so long reading books in the Eagle series, there's so relatively little to set the books distinctly apart from each other that it would only be half-arsed and non-commital.
The reveal of who the spy amidst the Roman ranks turns out to be is probably the highlight of the book as it sold me like a mug with what turned out to be a feint. I'm usually pretty good at detecting things like that but, to use an English idiom, Scarrow stitched me up like a kipper!
Other than that, it's a pretty average book as far as Roman fiction goes. The Nubian leader, Prince Talmis, is woefully under-explored and a lot of the parts feel somewhat surplus to requirements but it's still an okay use of your time.
I'd liken this book, ergo the series in general, to the British drama 'Ultimate Force' which featured Ross Kemp; militarist, set-pieces, occasional attempts at bargain basement intrigue, highly episodic and only the sparest attempts character development but nothing too deep, memorable or challenging.
It gets a 3/5, not because 'I liked it', but simply because it's not the worst book in the series and arguably 3/5 or 60% is about a fair assessment of where I'd place it if we were talking percentages.
July 15, 2014
When I first started reading this excellent series, lo those many years ago, I was hoping it would continue and as it went on I kept hoping for more. Well this is the 10th one but the first one I have reviewed, so in a sense this is a review of ten books rolled into one. The author has done an admirable job of keeping the story fresh as the characters of Macro and Cato keep growing and they are called upon to perform in many different scenarios and locations in the Roman world during the reign of Claudius. Rest assured that wherever they are posted there is action and intrigue galore.
In this latest installment Cato and Macro are tasked with hunting down the fugitive gladiator Ajax who has already led one slave revolt and is now creating havoc in the Imperial Province of Egypt. There is certainly no love lost between Ajax and out two protagonists and the revenge they pursue upon each other is a major theme in The Legion.
The author continues to develop the protagonists as they rise through the ranks and the bond between them is stronger than ever even with the reversal of positions as Cato is now a superior officer to his friend and mentor Macro. Also included are plenty of plot twists and surprises one of which causes our heroes not a little anguish and remorse.
A solid entry in this entertaining series...looking forward to book 11.
In this latest installment Cato and Macro are tasked with hunting down the fugitive gladiator Ajax who has already led one slave revolt and is now creating havoc in the Imperial Province of Egypt. There is certainly no love lost between Ajax and out two protagonists and the revenge they pursue upon each other is a major theme in The Legion.
The author continues to develop the protagonists as they rise through the ranks and the bond between them is stronger than ever even with the reversal of positions as Cato is now a superior officer to his friend and mentor Macro. Also included are plenty of plot twists and surprises one of which causes our heroes not a little anguish and remorse.
A solid entry in this entertaining series...looking forward to book 11.
June 9, 2023
A good adventure, not quite the ending I was looking
for. Bit of an anticlimax.
But fantastic story telling as always.
Still nursing the wounds to my pride when my wife asks
me repetitively if I'm reading my teen fiction or comic
books again.
for. Bit of an anticlimax.
But fantastic story telling as always.
Still nursing the wounds to my pride when my wife asks
me repetitively if I'm reading my teen fiction or comic
books again.
March 9, 2022
Ein schlechtes Buch zur rechten Zeit. Mit Blick nur auf die Zweckerreichung hätte ich vier oder fünf Sterne vergeben müssen, aber eine solche Wertungsverzerrung kann ich nicht einmal den Römern zugestehen.
Man bekommt von Scarrow genau, was man bestellt: Gewaltmärsche, Kriegslisten, Schwertergeklirr und Schlachtengeschrei. Eine klassische Actionstory mit zwei Helden und zwei Feinden, einem Verräter und genau einer Frau (die nur als ferne Fantasie im Hintergrund wabert). Daneben werden die Klassiker aufgeboten, wie sie die TV Spielfilm schöner nicht anpreisen könnte: Duelle, Debatten, Hinterhalte, wilde Verfolgungsjagden und natürlich der große doppelte Entscheidungskampf. Scarrow führt die Leser zu den erwarteten klassischen Sehenswürdigkeiten, er setzt gekonnt vorsichtige Hinweise auf die Handlung des vorigen Bandes und kündigt am Schluss natürlich den nächsten an.
Auf dem Sofa begeistert das. Einer Kritik würde es aber ebensowenig standhalten wie die Schädel der Feinde dem Schwert des Zenturios Macro. Das Reflexionsniveau des Buches bewegt sich in etwa zwischen James Bond und Tatort, die Dialogqualität erinnert an Age of Empires. Sicher, es gibt ein paar kluge Momente, wo echte Männer über innere Ängste und äußere Unverwundbarkeit, wahres Soldatensein und politisches Intrigieren sowie die Königsproblematik aller Römergeschichten nachsinnen: warum sind wir eigentlich hier die Guten? Doch denkerisch gehen diese Fragemomente fleischgewordener Kriegswerkzeuge nicht über die Selbstreflexion eines schlagenden Hammers, der auf die Schraube statt auf den Nagel haut, hinaus. Daneben häufen sich die Probleme, von durchrassifizierten Fremdendarstellungen und nicht einmal in der Antike plausibler Männlichkeitsbilder bis zum völligen Fehlen eigenständig denkender Frauen. Nicht mal einen Witz gibt es. Man kann all das von einem modernen Roman verlangen. Aber dann muss man auch leserisch aktiv werden, statt die Legionäre brüllen, Ballisten krachen und Ägypter rennen zu lassen.
Ein „Boulevardroman“, für Urlaub oder Krankheit. Oder für den heimischen Bildschirm, wenn Netflix zuschlägt.
Man bekommt von Scarrow genau, was man bestellt: Gewaltmärsche, Kriegslisten, Schwertergeklirr und Schlachtengeschrei. Eine klassische Actionstory mit zwei Helden und zwei Feinden, einem Verräter und genau einer Frau (die nur als ferne Fantasie im Hintergrund wabert). Daneben werden die Klassiker aufgeboten, wie sie die TV Spielfilm schöner nicht anpreisen könnte: Duelle, Debatten, Hinterhalte, wilde Verfolgungsjagden und natürlich der große doppelte Entscheidungskampf. Scarrow führt die Leser zu den erwarteten klassischen Sehenswürdigkeiten, er setzt gekonnt vorsichtige Hinweise auf die Handlung des vorigen Bandes und kündigt am Schluss natürlich den nächsten an.
Auf dem Sofa begeistert das. Einer Kritik würde es aber ebensowenig standhalten wie die Schädel der Feinde dem Schwert des Zenturios Macro. Das Reflexionsniveau des Buches bewegt sich in etwa zwischen James Bond und Tatort, die Dialogqualität erinnert an Age of Empires. Sicher, es gibt ein paar kluge Momente, wo echte Männer über innere Ängste und äußere Unverwundbarkeit, wahres Soldatensein und politisches Intrigieren sowie die Königsproblematik aller Römergeschichten nachsinnen: warum sind wir eigentlich hier die Guten? Doch denkerisch gehen diese Fragemomente fleischgewordener Kriegswerkzeuge nicht über die Selbstreflexion eines schlagenden Hammers, der auf die Schraube statt auf den Nagel haut, hinaus. Daneben häufen sich die Probleme, von durchrassifizierten Fremdendarstellungen und nicht einmal in der Antike plausibler Männlichkeitsbilder bis zum völligen Fehlen eigenständig denkender Frauen. Nicht mal einen Witz gibt es. Man kann all das von einem modernen Roman verlangen. Aber dann muss man auch leserisch aktiv werden, statt die Legionäre brüllen, Ballisten krachen und Ägypter rennen zu lassen.
Ein „Boulevardroman“, für Urlaub oder Krankheit. Oder für den heimischen Bildschirm, wenn Netflix zuschlägt.
October 20, 2020
3.5 stars, slightly more enjoyable then the others. Decent storyline but I feelt like nothing much happened
April 7, 2022
Now amongst my favourite authors. 5+⭐️
September 18, 2012
I loved this book!! it was a great read and makes me what to read more from this series. I read this book while traveling around Europe and it made the long train journeys exciting. it was action packed with loads fighting through out the whole story. The book is about Two Romans chasing a rebelling gladiator Ajax across the top of Egypt. and the struggles they go through in order to try and catch him and bring him to justice. Is a fun entertaining book to read and i would recommend it to anyone who likes this type of genre!!
June 9, 2022
I did not identify with the Roman protagonists of this novel but I did feel sympathy for the antagonist Ajax who fought against the oppressive empire. Ajax was a pirate condemned by Macro and Cato to fight as a gladiator and later led a slave revolt as a capable leader. The antagonist did massacre villagers, priests, and soldiers but did so to protect his followers. Centurions like Macro and Cato fought for a brutal empire that bled Egypt dry with taxes and kept people in bondage. I did admire the military skills of the Romans but it was not for a just cause.
September 9, 2022
“La Legión” es el libro número 10 de la saga de ficción histórica ambientada en la antigua roma escrita por Simon Scarrow.
Llevo años leyendo estos libros, de los cuales hay nada menos que 19 publicados en español.
En este caso Cato y Macro viajan al Antiguo Egipto donde tendrán dos frentes que atender: la amenaza de un basto ejército de Nubia y a su viejo enemigo, el antiguo pirata y gladiador Áyax y sus secuaces.
Como el resto de los libros, se trata de una aventura trepidante. De los libros que me he leído ninguno me ha decepcionado ni bajado su calidad de momento.
En esta ocasión Cato se verá de nuevo ascendido de cargo debido a acontecimientos fortuitos y cuestionado por su edad y poca experiencia. No obstante, os podéis imaginar cómo acabarán las cosas y que gracias a su inteligencia y pericia, todo acabará mejor de como habría terminado si él no hubiera estado en un alto puesto en la jerarquía del ejército.
Una de las cosas que más me han gustado de la novela, y que quizás se haya quedado un poco corta, es en la ambientación de Egipto. En las notas finales del autor nos indica que estuvo visitando físicamente muchos de los lugares de la novela.
He estado en Egipto en algunos de las ubicaciones de “La Legión” y he de decir que la ambientación es increíble.
Una buena novela de ficción histórica que quizás no sorprenda tanto al tratarse de la décima entrega, pero que mantiene los niveles de calidad y es una apuesta de éxito seguro a la hora de elegir qué leer.
RECOMENDADO.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Llevo años leyendo estos libros, de los cuales hay nada menos que 19 publicados en español.
En este caso Cato y Macro viajan al Antiguo Egipto donde tendrán dos frentes que atender: la amenaza de un basto ejército de Nubia y a su viejo enemigo, el antiguo pirata y gladiador Áyax y sus secuaces.
Como el resto de los libros, se trata de una aventura trepidante. De los libros que me he leído ninguno me ha decepcionado ni bajado su calidad de momento.
En esta ocasión Cato se verá de nuevo ascendido de cargo debido a acontecimientos fortuitos y cuestionado por su edad y poca experiencia. No obstante, os podéis imaginar cómo acabarán las cosas y que gracias a su inteligencia y pericia, todo acabará mejor de como habría terminado si él no hubiera estado en un alto puesto en la jerarquía del ejército.
Una de las cosas que más me han gustado de la novela, y que quizás se haya quedado un poco corta, es en la ambientación de Egipto. En las notas finales del autor nos indica que estuvo visitando físicamente muchos de los lugares de la novela.
He estado en Egipto en algunos de las ubicaciones de “La Legión” y he de decir que la ambientación es increíble.
Una buena novela de ficción histórica que quizás no sorprenda tanto al tratarse de la décima entrega, pero que mantiene los niveles de calidad y es una apuesta de éxito seguro a la hora de elegir qué leer.
RECOMENDADO.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 4, 2017
Like the previous books in the Eagle Saga, Legion can be read as a standalone story. However, it will add more to the story context if the previous one has already been read.
This time Cato and Macro are chasing an rebellious slave throught the lands of Egypt. The formula is pretty much the same as before, as in the protagonists jump from one dire situation to another, always finding a way to reach their goals and averting some catastrophe for the Roman Empire.
The historical portions on the book seem to be getting less and less as the saga progresses, remaining an action book set in the Roman Empire.
Unlike, the previous 3 books there is no siege on this book which is somewhat refreshing and we get to have a sea battle as well as a army confrontation. The latter being somewhat absent since the characters left Britannia soil (around 5 books ago).
The writing flow and pace still makes this an enjoyable read.
It's a book that gives you what it sets to and nothing more. It won't dazzle you but it allows to kill some time reading (great to increasing numbers in reading challenges).
This time Cato and Macro are chasing an rebellious slave throught the lands of Egypt. The formula is pretty much the same as before, as in the protagonists jump from one dire situation to another, always finding a way to reach their goals and averting some catastrophe for the Roman Empire.
The historical portions on the book seem to be getting less and less as the saga progresses, remaining an action book set in the Roman Empire.
Unlike, the previous 3 books there is no siege on this book which is somewhat refreshing and we get to have a sea battle as well as a army confrontation. The latter being somewhat absent since the characters left Britannia soil (around 5 books ago).
The writing flow and pace still makes this an enjoyable read.
It's a book that gives you what it sets to and nothing more. It won't dazzle you but it allows to kill some time reading (great to increasing numbers in reading challenges).
June 13, 2023
La reseña sería más correcta un 3.5, libro que nos muestra como eran (o suponemos) que eran las persecuciones en la antigüedad. Aunque ya hemos tenido batalles campales siempre han sido en terreno irregular o bien eran escaramuzas de buen tamaño pero que terminaban rápido, el primer libro de la saga que nos da una batalla campal donde los romanos pelean en terrenos de buenas condiciones para ambos bandos, las fuerzas son diferentes pero no exageradas y en donde se muestra la capacidad de los legionarios para guerrear, experienca obtenida a base de fuego y espada.
No me gustó mucho el final de Ayax aunque es algo que pasa en la vida final y no todo tiene cierre como esperaríamos, pero lo que le baja puntos es esta actitud de moralidad elevada que tiene Cato y que a pesar de lo que ha vivido insiste en su superioridad que es más fundamentada en su ego intelectual que en un sentimiento real de honor, llega a desesperar si forma de pensas y actuar. Por suerte siempre tiene a Macro cerca para hacer balance entre razón y filosófia.
No me gustó mucho el final de Ayax aunque es algo que pasa en la vida final y no todo tiene cierre como esperaríamos, pero lo que le baja puntos es esta actitud de moralidad elevada que tiene Cato y que a pesar de lo que ha vivido insiste en su superioridad que es más fundamentada en su ego intelectual que en un sentimiento real de honor, llega a desesperar si forma de pensas y actuar. Por suerte siempre tiene a Macro cerca para hacer balance entre razón y filosófia.
October 2, 2017
Mais uma aventura, mais uma viagem pelo tempo.
April 16, 2021
Ajax escapes.
Macro & Cato almost capture him.
Ajax escapes again.
Rinse, repeat.
Macro & Cato almost capture him.
Ajax escapes again.
Rinse, repeat.
July 7, 2023
It’s about time I finished this book and I actually really enjoyed it. A nice break from the rubbish I’ve read recently.
February 15, 2013
3 stars, I liked it ;)
A lower rating than the others in this series that I've read. Why? It wasn't a bad read, it even followed on from The Gladiator with Cato and Macro hunting down Ajax and his slave renegades. It was a fairly interesting read following our hero's and villian to Egypt, then through the swamps. It just lacked something that Scarrow captured in the characters and scenery of the other books. Plus, the story was - for me - slightly weaker.
Maybe I'm just getting harder to please *smiling*... It could be. But, when I'm reading another book in a really good series, I expect it to twist and turn, to grip me, drive me to turn pages, and yearn for more. Again, it wasn't a bad read, I liked it, but it was too much of a stretched out extensional version of The Gladiator rather than an exciting new campaign. The up's and down's didn't rise and fall to the same heights and depths. But, they were only slightly out - this book is certainly far from bad in any respect.
A lower rating than the others in this series that I've read. Why? It wasn't a bad read, it even followed on from The Gladiator with Cato and Macro hunting down Ajax and his slave renegades. It was a fairly interesting read following our hero's and villian to Egypt, then through the swamps. It just lacked something that Scarrow captured in the characters and scenery of the other books. Plus, the story was - for me - slightly weaker.
Maybe I'm just getting harder to please *smiling*... It could be. But, when I'm reading another book in a really good series, I expect it to twist and turn, to grip me, drive me to turn pages, and yearn for more. Again, it wasn't a bad read, I liked it, but it was too much of a stretched out extensional version of The Gladiator rather than an exciting new campaign. The up's and down's didn't rise and fall to the same heights and depths. But, they were only slightly out - this book is certainly far from bad in any respect.
June 24, 2013
This is the first book by SS I have read, which I found, along with his Praetorian in a Chapters bargain bin. B. Cornwall's endorsement intrigued me. Yet I was soon disappointed. Predictable plot, uncomplicated main characters, few real twists or surprises. Bland writing. Occasional profanity, except no 'Jupiter's cock' just the usual F--- whatever. Repetitive blood and gore not very well done. Through it all I wondered, why do these guys spout dialogue like they were born and raised in the twenty-first century?
Cheers to the publisher for putting out this lukewarm tripe and managing to find a readership for it. Bernard C, shame on you for such a blatant lie! Either you were paid off or SS slipped you somebody else's work by mistake.
Cheers to the publisher for putting out this lukewarm tripe and managing to find a readership for it. Bernard C, shame on you for such a blatant lie! Either you were paid off or SS slipped you somebody else's work by mistake.
July 23, 2012
Getting a bit repetitive now.
December 10, 2018
I like Roman historical novels. I liked the two hero format and the relationship between them. One the old hand, rock steady and reliable, the other the ambitious over achiever come up through the ranks to prominence in a system where patronage and nepotism are the norm.
They are tasked with catching a rebel gladiator whose forces have created chaos around the empire as a rising threatens to challenge the Roman Empire in Egypt.
That all seems good and plausible. The issue is with the way the action plays out. It all seems a little repetitive.
The battle scenes are well depicted, and there is a lot of action as Macro and Cato follow their mission, as Ajax and the Nubian uprising try to thwart the will of the Empire.
Why only 3 stars? It was all a bit repetitive. There are good reveals and red herrings; there are twists and surprises, and I will certainly try another of the author's Roman Empire novels again. But 3 Stars it is.
They are tasked with catching a rebel gladiator whose forces have created chaos around the empire as a rising threatens to challenge the Roman Empire in Egypt.
That all seems good and plausible. The issue is with the way the action plays out. It all seems a little repetitive.
The battle scenes are well depicted, and there is a lot of action as Macro and Cato follow their mission, as Ajax and the Nubian uprising try to thwart the will of the Empire.
Why only 3 stars? It was all a bit repetitive. There are good reveals and red herrings; there are twists and surprises, and I will certainly try another of the author's Roman Empire novels again. But 3 Stars it is.
June 30, 2023
One of my main criticisms of this series is that most characters, aside from our heroes and their foes, are either incompetent or just plain stupid. I find it hard to believe that so many Roman officials and commanders would be so inept. The ineptitude is prevalent in this particular book, but it wasn’t as annoying as it was in the previous books of the series. Maybe that’s because it’s more interwoven into the story or maybe my expectations are simply lower, so that it doesn’t bother me as much.
I ended my review of book number nine in this series with: “Hopefully the next book will be better, because I'm not ready to give up the series.” Turns out I was for a while. 22 books (of a different genre) later I decided to give it another go and book ten was fine. Nothing special, the ending was a bit anticlimactic, but it definitely was better than the previous instalment. Since I already own the next few books I will continue the series, but I can’t say I’m a big fan.
I ended my review of book number nine in this series with: “Hopefully the next book will be better, because I'm not ready to give up the series.” Turns out I was for a while. 22 books (of a different genre) later I decided to give it another go and book ten was fine. Nothing special, the ending was a bit anticlimactic, but it definitely was better than the previous instalment. Since I already own the next few books I will continue the series, but I can’t say I’m a big fan.
January 28, 2024
Picked up this series where I left it off 10+ years ago. Not as great as I remember it-very much in the 'feel' of Bernard Cornwell's historical novels, with the blood and gore of detailed battles; only not quite as immersive a story as Cornwell is capable of creating, the characters not quite as convincing, and a little cheesy at points. Scarrow seems to enjoy following Cornwell's lead in his contempt for religion, taking a very modern cynical view of the world and those 'simplistic' and 'superstitious' belief systems; I don't believe this is a frame of mind they would have been capable of in the 1st century Rome.
That said, he does have a unique ability to communicate something of life in the military well.
I enjoyed this series when I was in my early 20s - now in my mid-thirties, I don't find myself walking away much improved as a person. I don't think I will continue with this series.
That said, he does have a unique ability to communicate something of life in the military well.
I enjoyed this series when I was in my early 20s - now in my mid-thirties, I don't find myself walking away much improved as a person. I don't think I will continue with this series.
January 11, 2021
Cato and Macro are once again thrown into a difficult situation, but this time it is a follow up to the natural disaster in Crete from the previous book in the series, Gladiator.
On the trail of the gladiator rebel Ajax, Cato and Macro scour the sea around Alexandria, Egypt, to find the renegade slave. When they find him, the blood starts to flow.
Having served in the military and undergone some physical challenges, the great descriptive passages and battle imagery made me tired just reading about it. The heat, constant sweating, tingling fear of action all made this novel a very enjoyable read, hence the five stars that I don't often give out. I have to say that given a nice twist at the end, this is probably one of the best books of the series.
Overall, this was a very entertaining and enjoyable read and was well worth the time spent reading.
On the trail of the gladiator rebel Ajax, Cato and Macro scour the sea around Alexandria, Egypt, to find the renegade slave. When they find him, the blood starts to flow.
Having served in the military and undergone some physical challenges, the great descriptive passages and battle imagery made me tired just reading about it. The heat, constant sweating, tingling fear of action all made this novel a very enjoyable read, hence the five stars that I don't often give out. I have to say that given a nice twist at the end, this is probably one of the best books of the series.
Overall, this was a very entertaining and enjoyable read and was well worth the time spent reading.
April 4, 2020
All books of Simon Scarrow are of a high standard but this one is way up. The action is continuous and yet the story moves along. Cato is now a Prefect and his former mentor and friend, Macro is a centurion. They have been tasked to rid the Mediterranean of the former gladiator Ajax, who was first encountered in the book Gladiator. Ajax is wily, immensely brave and a good leader. His ruthlessness and hatred for Rome drives him in wide ranging depredations. Driven out of the Mediterranean, he allies himself with Prince Talmis, the Nubian ruler, who's created a large Army to invade Egypt. Cato and Macro are deputed to the 22 Legion detailed to defeat the Nubians. The battle scenes are finely drawn until the last denouement. The book keeps one engrossed.
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