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Hannibal #1.5
La patrulla (Aníbal): Precuela de Aníbal: campos de sangre
Invierno de 218 a. C. En la Galia Cisalpina, una patrulla cartaginesa se mueve sigilosamente en la espesura de los bosques. Esta patrulla está dirigida por Hanno, uno de los jóvenes oficiales de Aníbal, y por Mutt, su segundo al mando. Hambrientos y muertos de frío, necesitan encontrar una población en la que haya alimento. Pero en los galos no se puede confiar y, además, los romanos, aunque derrotados, todavía conservan patrullas en la zona. Rodeados de peligros y previendo una posible emboscada, ni Hanno ni Mutt tienen la certeza de lograr sobrevivir.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2013
21 people are currently reading
601 people want to read
About the author
Ben Kane
50 books1,109 followersBen Kane is a bestselling Roman author and former veterinarian. He was born in Kenya and grew up in Ireland (where his parents are from). He has traveled widely and is a lifelong student of military history in general, and Roman history in particular. He lives in North Somerset, England, with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 4, 2020
This is a short story that takes place between the first and second book. You could read this short story without reading the first book. The war is on between the Carthaginians and the Romans. In this one we see the patrol of Hanno's division thru the eyes of his second in command Mutt and whatever battles they fight.
For a short story there is plenty of carnage in this one as our characters meet up with both Gauls and Romans. I do love how this author portrays battles and I could read about them all day. As for the actual story there isn't much here and I don't think it adds much to the overall story arc. This offering is just a gap stopper in between the first and second book.
Like I said not much here but I did enjoy it. It is worth the price just for the battle scenes. I actually think this would be a great introduction for readers to this author as it shows what is in store for the reader if you decide to read his books. His books can be graphic but it just adds to the realism of the battles. This short story carries that tradition.
For a short story there is plenty of carnage in this one as our characters meet up with both Gauls and Romans. I do love how this author portrays battles and I could read about them all day. As for the actual story there isn't much here and I don't think it adds much to the overall story arc. This offering is just a gap stopper in between the first and second book.
Like I said not much here but I did enjoy it. It is worth the price just for the battle scenes. I actually think this would be a great introduction for readers to this author as it shows what is in store for the reader if you decide to read his books. His books can be graphic but it just adds to the realism of the battles. This short story carries that tradition.
May 9, 2014
An odd little animal, this. This is an excellent way to ease yourself into Ben Kane’s best-selling ‘Hannibal' series proper. Which is what I’m doing.
However, calling it a ‘short story', does suggest it is more of a completeness than it actually is. It is like a sketch, a series of incidents and ideas that could possibly be further developed into a novel, if Ben had wished. Though, what it seemed like to me to be most like was, an outtake. A passage that didn’t make the cut - for whatever reason - to the final book. If ’Hannibal’ were a film (now, there’s an idea) released on DVD or BluRay, then this would be in the elongated not released in cinema’s director’s cut version on the second disc.
It’s also more about Mutt, than Hannibal or even Hanno (and brief though my time with him was, it was long enough to build up a liking for the character). The Carthagenians - and remember, they’re not Romans - are on the afore-mentioned patrol through Cisalpine Gaul and stumble across some of the afore-mentioned Gauls. The wrong type of Gauls, as it turns out. Their bacon is saved by the right kind of Gauls and they get taken to sample Gaulish hospitality (stop thinking of Asterix!). Then they themselves run into a Roman patrol. And there is ends. One minute here, next minute gone.
It’s a thoroughly entertaining, teaser for Ben’s Hannibal series and while I have the whole series (so far) sitting poised to be read on the shelf over there *points over there* I may have inadvertently done the right thing here. I listened to the Audiobook version. So now reading this I have the very wonderful Michael Praed’s voice in my head for when I get stuck into the proper thing. And that, based on this, is a very good thing.
I’ll recommend it as a good taster for the main Hannibal course, but no more.
However, calling it a ‘short story', does suggest it is more of a completeness than it actually is. It is like a sketch, a series of incidents and ideas that could possibly be further developed into a novel, if Ben had wished. Though, what it seemed like to me to be most like was, an outtake. A passage that didn’t make the cut - for whatever reason - to the final book. If ’Hannibal’ were a film (now, there’s an idea) released on DVD or BluRay, then this would be in the elongated not released in cinema’s director’s cut version on the second disc.
It’s also more about Mutt, than Hannibal or even Hanno (and brief though my time with him was, it was long enough to build up a liking for the character). The Carthagenians - and remember, they’re not Romans - are on the afore-mentioned patrol through Cisalpine Gaul and stumble across some of the afore-mentioned Gauls. The wrong type of Gauls, as it turns out. Their bacon is saved by the right kind of Gauls and they get taken to sample Gaulish hospitality (stop thinking of Asterix!). Then they themselves run into a Roman patrol. And there is ends. One minute here, next minute gone.
It’s a thoroughly entertaining, teaser for Ben’s Hannibal series and while I have the whole series (so far) sitting poised to be read on the shelf over there *points over there* I may have inadvertently done the right thing here. I listened to the Audiobook version. So now reading this I have the very wonderful Michael Praed’s voice in my head for when I get stuck into the proper thing. And that, based on this, is a very good thing.
I’ll recommend it as a good taster for the main Hannibal course, but no more.
August 12, 2019
I have to agree with another review posted here: this feels more like a sketch than a story. Still, somewhat entertaining. This is the first time I have read Kane, and it has not decided me on whether to commit to more or not.
November 22, 2024
Excelente, la trama se desarrolla rapidamente, te atrapa y te lleva a vivir la lucha de guerreros hacia la batalla.
October 4, 2024
Very Exciting Short Story
I haven’t read any of the author’s other works so I did t know what to expect, but having read this I am now eager to read the rest of the series! I enjoyed the characters, the dialogue, the setting, the pacing, the action, etc. In short, it completely sucked me in and I was sad when it finished!
I haven’t read any of the author’s other works so I did t know what to expect, but having read this I am now eager to read the rest of the series! I enjoyed the characters, the dialogue, the setting, the pacing, the action, etc. In short, it completely sucked me in and I was sad when it finished!
August 20, 2022
Una pequeña extensión de la saga que permite agregar otro episodio vivido a uno de los personajes del libro. Se siente de relleno y no aporta nada a la saga. Talves conoces un poco más sobre la personalidad de los personajes pero nada nuevo que no hayas analizado en los libros anteriores.
September 14, 2025
Buenos combates...
May 13, 2025
Un libro muy interesante que cuenta la historia de Aníbal desde otra perspective a la de Publio Cornelio Escipión
July 7, 2016
A decent enough short story, and a nice introduction to Kane's work (of which I've read several). I gave it only 3 stars, however, because I came across far too many typos and editing errors for an author of Kane's standing. Whoever is his editor should be taken to task for sleeping on the job.
January 5, 2015
Loved this little short that kept me going on a short train trip... Definitely need to re-read Hannibal
September 10, 2015
Muy corto!!!!
Buen libro pero es demasiado corto. Parece un cuento para niños. Me quedé buscando el resto del libro y no está!!!!
Buen libro pero es demasiado corto. Parece un cuento para niños. Me quedé buscando el resto del libro y no está!!!!
December 21, 2016
Loved this little short that kept me going on a short train trip... Definitely need to re-read Hannibal
January 12, 2021
Very good short story and packed with action. I do, however, feel it could have been included in one of the books in the trilogy instead of having to acquire it separately.
August 9, 2022
Exageradamente corto, pero buen cierre
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews