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Empire #14
Clash of Legions
Two emperors - one must fallMarcus Aquila and his patron Rutlius Scaurus have fought a superior enemy force to a standstill in Thracia, gaining the favour of the gods but paying a grievous cost in their family's blood.Battle-weary and mourning their losses, they are tasked with rooting out a spy ring operating in the lands into which their imperial master Severus's armies are advancing.Hunting down informers operating under the skilled and ruthless command of their sworn enemy Sartorius, spymaster to the usurper Niger, will not be easy. But the potential to turn his intelligence network, and thereby deceive and distract the enemy, might land a war-winning blow on the army of the east. The quest to find and subvert their foes' informers will place the two friends at great risk, with torture and death the price of any mistake. While success will put them in the front rank of a bitter battle against battle hardened legions, hungry for revenge, in a bloody struggle to determine the fate of Asia's loyalty. And Scaurus is a man with a powerful threat still hanging over him, a curse imploring the gods to fell him at the very moment of his greatest victory.'A master of the genre' The Times
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2024
85 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Riches
51 books359 followersAnthony Riches began his lifelong interest in war and soldiers when he first heard his father's stories about World War II. This led to a degree in Military Studies at Manchester University. He began writing the story that would become Wounds of Honour after a visit to Housesteads in 1996. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 7, 2024
**Read 3.5 STARS!**
This straightforward historical roman novel is the 14th volume of the otherwise very enjoyable "Empire" series.
At the front of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of the "War in Asia" in AD193, as featured in this book.
At the end of the book you'll notice a Historical Note, where the historical details concerning this period of history within this book are very well documented.
Storytelling is quite excellent, but for me the real spirit and spark of this book is lacking somewhat in comparison to the author's previous at least first ten books in this series, and not to forget in this book there are quite some editing errors, all in order to fit the lines in properly and so make the book presentable.
It's AD193 and Emperor Septimius Severus's army is invading Asia in an attempt to beat the usurper Percennius Niger, and with him are our main protagonists Marcus Aquila and Rutilius Scaurus.
To cut a long story short, the big first part of the book is about piracy and the "easy" dismantling of Sartorius's spy network, who's Niger's Spymaster, while the much shorter second part is heading towards and finally fought Battle of Nicaea in AD193.
What is to follow is quite a short historical Roman novel, sadly they are getting shorter all the time, and its my believe that what is lacking here is the author's standing enthusiasm for his otherwise great series, and so I hope that the author will find the spark again to come up with another tremendous addition to this series in such a astounding way he can certainly produce.
Recommended to everyone who likes a straightforward but still likeable Roman historical read, but in my opinion this is certainly not the author's very best, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "An Average Roman Clash"!
This straightforward historical roman novel is the 14th volume of the otherwise very enjoyable "Empire" series.
At the front of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of the "War in Asia" in AD193, as featured in this book.
At the end of the book you'll notice a Historical Note, where the historical details concerning this period of history within this book are very well documented.
Storytelling is quite excellent, but for me the real spirit and spark of this book is lacking somewhat in comparison to the author's previous at least first ten books in this series, and not to forget in this book there are quite some editing errors, all in order to fit the lines in properly and so make the book presentable.
It's AD193 and Emperor Septimius Severus's army is invading Asia in an attempt to beat the usurper Percennius Niger, and with him are our main protagonists Marcus Aquila and Rutilius Scaurus.
To cut a long story short, the big first part of the book is about piracy and the "easy" dismantling of Sartorius's spy network, who's Niger's Spymaster, while the much shorter second part is heading towards and finally fought Battle of Nicaea in AD193.
What is to follow is quite a short historical Roman novel, sadly they are getting shorter all the time, and its my believe that what is lacking here is the author's standing enthusiasm for his otherwise great series, and so I hope that the author will find the spark again to come up with another tremendous addition to this series in such a astounding way he can certainly produce.
Recommended to everyone who likes a straightforward but still likeable Roman historical read, but in my opinion this is certainly not the author's very best, and that's why I like to call this latest episode: "An Average Roman Clash"!
September 1, 2024
3.5
As with a lot of historical fiction, this story was heavily weighted into the final third. This unfortunately meant at times this book wasn't overly exciting and I was desperate to see some action.
This series does have brilliant characters and that carried the book through. In particular the double crossing and usual "calvery arriving" worked really well at the end.
Now to wait for book 15
As with a lot of historical fiction, this story was heavily weighted into the final third. This unfortunately meant at times this book wasn't overly exciting and I was desperate to see some action.
This series does have brilliant characters and that carried the book through. In particular the double crossing and usual "calvery arriving" worked really well at the end.
Now to wait for book 15
June 16, 2025
The Clash Revived
Another excellent outing, read in one session, showing that nothing beats Roman historical fiction. No plot spoilers or tales of woe. A good rollicking read.
Another excellent outing, read in one session, showing that nothing beats Roman historical fiction. No plot spoilers or tales of woe. A good rollicking read.
March 18, 2025
On reflection, my review for Empire 13 was a little too harsh. After all it had the hallmarks of the series as well as an intriguing battle where it was uncertain how the solitary legion could survive being a gambit thrown at the enemy as a distraction before the war began in earnest.
This has no such hooks, no such questions, and indeed no tension whatsoever. The ease with which the Familia tackle the spy network is laughable and the ease with which they extricate themselves from problems disappointing. Sadly the series has gone from having a superhero-esque edge to being boring and dull.
The final battle is also another poor reflection on the writer. Having seen the heroes trample the enemy spy network (I'd warn it's a spoiler, but given the tone, plot and writing in general, that's obvious from chapter 1...) Riches then tries to inject some tension and uncertainty into the final battle. The problem is both the narrative and gist of the book has undone any tension, plus any uncertainty or putting the sides on an even footing for the final battle seems utterly contradictory to what the Familia have waltzed around the Eastern Empire doing.
Wish Riches had stopped with a happily ever after escape after book 12 as this series has really gone down hill.
This has no such hooks, no such questions, and indeed no tension whatsoever. The ease with which the Familia tackle the spy network is laughable and the ease with which they extricate themselves from problems disappointing. Sadly the series has gone from having a superhero-esque edge to being boring and dull.
The final battle is also another poor reflection on the writer. Having seen the heroes trample the enemy spy network (I'd warn it's a spoiler, but given the tone, plot and writing in general, that's obvious from chapter 1...) Riches then tries to inject some tension and uncertainty into the final battle. The problem is both the narrative and gist of the book has undone any tension, plus any uncertainty or putting the sides on an even footing for the final battle seems utterly contradictory to what the Familia have waltzed around the Eastern Empire doing.
Wish Riches had stopped with a happily ever after escape after book 12 as this series has really gone down hill.
February 22, 2024
Number 14 in the "Empire" series.
This book is centered on the Year of Five Emperors, around AD 193. Like the previous book we're still dealing with Severus and Niger.
The bulk of the story is set-up for the showdown between the legions of each contender. Some of these scenes were still quite good! Particularly the sneaking into enemy camps, pulling fast ones on legates, or the awful Sartorius. Severus and Niger have fought before, but matters weren't definitively settled. This time the battle takes place in Nicea.
I enjoyed the characters as usual, but there really wasn't any deep growth this time. Another minor complaint: Dubnus wasn't given sufficient page time. I always liked him! But there IS a terrific new First Spear named Draco and he stole every scene he was in.
The author said he's going to be writing more books in this series for some time to come, so that's good news!
This book is centered on the Year of Five Emperors, around AD 193. Like the previous book we're still dealing with Severus and Niger.
The bulk of the story is set-up for the showdown between the legions of each contender. Some of these scenes were still quite good! Particularly the sneaking into enemy camps, pulling fast ones on legates, or the awful Sartorius. Severus and Niger have fought before, but matters weren't definitively settled. This time the battle takes place in Nicea.
I enjoyed the characters as usual, but there really wasn't any deep growth this time. Another minor complaint: Dubnus wasn't given sufficient page time. I always liked him! But there IS a terrific new First Spear named Draco and he stole every scene he was in.
The author said he's going to be writing more books in this series for some time to come, so that's good news!
March 13, 2024
Reminded me of the older Empire Books (in the best ways)
The character work was brilliant, and, at least to my mind, had many callbacks to the earlier books in the series. The comradery and bonhomie of the characters is as endearing as ever, and the tension in the final battle ratchets up brilliantly. Well done Riches!
The character work was brilliant, and, at least to my mind, had many callbacks to the earlier books in the series. The comradery and bonhomie of the characters is as endearing as ever, and the tension in the final battle ratchets up brilliantly. Well done Riches!
February 25, 2024
Battles so real you smell the blood
I was genuinely concerned, having followed Marcus since Wounds of Honour that once revenge had been had any subsequent tales would suffer.
Delighted to be proved wrong, the Scaurus familia leap back into another fantastic story.
I was genuinely concerned, having followed Marcus since Wounds of Honour that once revenge had been had any subsequent tales would suffer.
Delighted to be proved wrong, the Scaurus familia leap back into another fantastic story.
March 2, 2024
Yet again I’m left wanting more. This series hit a high on book one and continues to maintain that high. The next instalment can’t come soon enough
January 27, 2025
A page turning way to step into the Roman Army. The character development is fantastic and it's a great way to learn history.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews