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Sea of Flames: A thrilling account of the Battle of Actium
A thrilling story of intrigue and battle in Ancient Rome! For fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden, Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.
A Greek governor strays into the vipers’ nest…
33BC
On landing in Ephesus to trade, Lachares, a Greek sea merchant, is seized and unfairly executed by Mark Antony, the triumvir of Rome’s eastern provinces.
Lachares’ crew are left to deliver the news to his son, Eurycles, the governor of a Greek trading post. Horrified, Eurycles vows to take revenge on Mark Antony.
With conflict brewing between Antony and his greatest political rival, Octavian Caesar, Eurycles is invited to work against Antony’s cause by smuggling two defectors out of his camp. Eager for an opportunity to get close to his enemy, Eurycles pledges his ship and men to Caesar.
Now embroiled in the deadly machinations of spies and defectors, Eurycles must decide who he can trust.
And when Mark Antony’s legions land in Actium and begin to prepare for an all-out war, Eurycles starts to wonder whether he will survive long enough to exact his revenge…
SEA OF FLAMES is an action-packed historical military adventure set in Ancient Rome during the Battle of Actium.
‘Murder, blood and political intrigue that will have you reaching for your gladius’ — Alistair Tosh, author of Siege
A Greek governor strays into the vipers’ nest…
33BC
On landing in Ephesus to trade, Lachares, a Greek sea merchant, is seized and unfairly executed by Mark Antony, the triumvir of Rome’s eastern provinces.
Lachares’ crew are left to deliver the news to his son, Eurycles, the governor of a Greek trading post. Horrified, Eurycles vows to take revenge on Mark Antony.
With conflict brewing between Antony and his greatest political rival, Octavian Caesar, Eurycles is invited to work against Antony’s cause by smuggling two defectors out of his camp. Eager for an opportunity to get close to his enemy, Eurycles pledges his ship and men to Caesar.
Now embroiled in the deadly machinations of spies and defectors, Eurycles must decide who he can trust.
And when Mark Antony’s legions land in Actium and begin to prepare for an all-out war, Eurycles starts to wonder whether he will survive long enough to exact his revenge…
SEA OF FLAMES is an action-packed historical military adventure set in Ancient Rome during the Battle of Actium.
‘Murder, blood and political intrigue that will have you reaching for your gladius’ — Alistair Tosh, author of Siege
- GenresHistorical Fiction
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2024
17 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Alistair Forrest
14 books19 followersAlistair Forrest was brought up in the Middle East, dashing to and from the UK for a spot of schooling. He's lived in six countries all told, and visited many of the rest.
He's worked for three UK newspapers and edited travel, photographic and natural health magazines. He ran a PR company for a decade.
Perhaps moving to Alderney in the Channel Islands with his wife Lynda in 2019 has put an end to his nomadic lust. Who knows? But at least he now lives near a beach and quite a few other creative types.
Here, he writes historical fiction (Libertas, Line in the Sand, Vipers of Rome, Sea of Flames) all published by Sapere Books in 2024. A new series, The Britannia Conspiracy, is scheduled for launch in 2025.
He also edits a UK health food magazine and is a volunteer for the Alderney Literary Trust which hosts the annual Alderney Literary Festival.
Busy guy.
He's worked for three UK newspapers and edited travel, photographic and natural health magazines. He ran a PR company for a decade.
Perhaps moving to Alderney in the Channel Islands with his wife Lynda in 2019 has put an end to his nomadic lust. Who knows? But at least he now lives near a beach and quite a few other creative types.
Here, he writes historical fiction (Libertas, Line in the Sand, Vipers of Rome, Sea of Flames) all published by Sapere Books in 2024. A new series, The Britannia Conspiracy, is scheduled for launch in 2025.
He also edits a UK health food magazine and is a volunteer for the Alderney Literary Trust which hosts the annual Alderney Literary Festival.
Busy guy.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 30, 2023
Fast and furious!
A tale of espionage, involving Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Octavian and a cast of thousands, culminating in the historic sea battle of Actium. An event where the increasingly "unhinged" Mark Antony employed irrational battle tactics and lost his fleet. This catastrophe (for Antony) ended decades of Roman civil war and foreshadowed the eventual suicide of both himself and Cleopatra. Leading up to this momentous event we had the fictionalized tale of a Greek merchant and his friends spying for Rome and extracting revenge on their enemies amongst Antony's retinue. This was an exciting tale, based on real historical events, and told with style and panache. A great read!
A tale of espionage, involving Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Octavian and a cast of thousands, culminating in the historic sea battle of Actium. An event where the increasingly "unhinged" Mark Antony employed irrational battle tactics and lost his fleet. This catastrophe (for Antony) ended decades of Roman civil war and foreshadowed the eventual suicide of both himself and Cleopatra. Leading up to this momentous event we had the fictionalized tale of a Greek merchant and his friends spying for Rome and extracting revenge on their enemies amongst Antony's retinue. This was an exciting tale, based on real historical events, and told with style and panache. A great read!
July 28, 2022
Alistair Forrest’s many fans will be familiar with his dashing Roman historical novels of the clever Agrippa and his spy network, set against the civil wars of the first century BC when the Republic of Rome became the greatest empire of the ancient world.
In Sea of Flames he gives us the story of Greek sailor Eurycles and the Amazonian Zara. The apparent heir of the assassinated Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, has joined forces with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. But his inheritance is being contested by the boy Octavian, and the epic battle for Rome is set to take place. Eurycles has the death of his father to avenge, and his recruitment by Octavian’s spymaster Agrippa embroils the doughty Spartan and his loyal ship’s crew in the iconic showdown between Antony and Octavian.
Eurycles and Zara must choose sides, and when Zara’s brother, the famous geographer Strabo, is held captive by the cruel general Publicola, Agrippa gets his new allies.
The tension ramps up as the Battle of Actium begins. Alistair Forrest knows his sea battles, and every oarstroke, every flight of fire from the bolt-throwers, every twist and turn of Eurycles’ ship rings true as the great sea battle rages. A tremendous account of a pivotal battle, with engaging characters and a breathtaking and emotional climax.
Will the lovers win out? Will Eurycles and his ship Hera survive? Read this riveting thriller to find out.
Highly recommended.
In Sea of Flames he gives us the story of Greek sailor Eurycles and the Amazonian Zara. The apparent heir of the assassinated Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, has joined forces with the Egyptian queen Cleopatra. But his inheritance is being contested by the boy Octavian, and the epic battle for Rome is set to take place. Eurycles has the death of his father to avenge, and his recruitment by Octavian’s spymaster Agrippa embroils the doughty Spartan and his loyal ship’s crew in the iconic showdown between Antony and Octavian.
Eurycles and Zara must choose sides, and when Zara’s brother, the famous geographer Strabo, is held captive by the cruel general Publicola, Agrippa gets his new allies.
The tension ramps up as the Battle of Actium begins. Alistair Forrest knows his sea battles, and every oarstroke, every flight of fire from the bolt-throwers, every twist and turn of Eurycles’ ship rings true as the great sea battle rages. A tremendous account of a pivotal battle, with engaging characters and a breathtaking and emotional climax.
Will the lovers win out? Will Eurycles and his ship Hera survive? Read this riveting thriller to find out.
Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2023
I have always enjoyed a love of history, travel and Shakespeare and the marvellous novel, Sea of Flames, engaged me on all three levels.
I have read all of Shakespeare's histories and was aware of the sea battle of Actium off the west coast of Greece where Mark Antony and Cleopatra, queen of Egypt were so decisively defeated by the Romans.
In my travels to Italy in general and the area around Rome in particular, I have walked the streets that the ancient Romans walked and imagined the sights and smells of the city then. When visiting Egypt, and cruising the Nile it is impossible not to feel close to the history of that great country and recall the idiosyncrasies of its most famous Queen.
Sea of Flames weaves a gripping story of brutal murder and ruthless revenge with a vivid account of the battle of Actium. The graphic account of the battle is beautifully written. I now plan to seek out more novels by this talented author and highly recommend Sea of Flames by Alistair Forrest to all who enjoy historical novels, excellent writing and good, old-fashioned lust for revenge.
I have read all of Shakespeare's histories and was aware of the sea battle of Actium off the west coast of Greece where Mark Antony and Cleopatra, queen of Egypt were so decisively defeated by the Romans.
In my travels to Italy in general and the area around Rome in particular, I have walked the streets that the ancient Romans walked and imagined the sights and smells of the city then. When visiting Egypt, and cruising the Nile it is impossible not to feel close to the history of that great country and recall the idiosyncrasies of its most famous Queen.
Sea of Flames weaves a gripping story of brutal murder and ruthless revenge with a vivid account of the battle of Actium. The graphic account of the battle is beautifully written. I now plan to seek out more novels by this talented author and highly recommend Sea of Flames by Alistair Forrest to all who enjoy historical novels, excellent writing and good, old-fashioned lust for revenge.
September 10, 2022
Very well researched and written book
May 27, 2023
a good read
Non stop good reading. I’ll try to find his other books now for a read this week sometime. Interesting subject
Non stop good reading. I’ll try to find his other books now for a read this week sometime. Interesting subject
February 27, 2024
Exciting Roman battle yarn
This isn’t just about the great Battle of Actium and the larger than life characters of Antony and Cleopatra that starred in it. Embedded in this historical background - which is described with energy and scholarship - are the stories of sympathetic characters on their own journeys. Exciting, empathetic and convincing.
This isn’t just about the great Battle of Actium and the larger than life characters of Antony and Cleopatra that starred in it. Embedded in this historical background - which is described with energy and scholarship - are the stories of sympathetic characters on their own journeys. Exciting, empathetic and convincing.
July 22, 2024
Best book I have read this year
So we'll written enjoyed the history and detail of the characters in this story. I look forward to many more
So we'll written enjoyed the history and detail of the characters in this story. I look forward to many more
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews