Broederschap van de Kruising

Crossroads Brotherhood #0.5

by Robert Fabbri, Henk Moerdijk (Translator)

Broederschap van de Kruising vertelt wat vooraf ging aan het eerste deel in de Vespasianus-serie van Robert Fabbri: Tribuun van Rome. We maken kennis met de personages uit de serie en worden meegenomen naar de criminele onderwereld van Rome in het jaar 25 voor Christus waar aan het eind van het boek de jonge Vespasianus zijn opwachting maakt.

Marcus Salvius Magnus, patroon van de Broederschap van de Kruising heeft een probleem. Of eigenlijk twee. Eén van de bordelen waar hij beschermheer van is, is geplunderd door een rivaliserende Broederschap, en waardevolle goederen zijn daarbij ontvreemd. Magnus kan geen gezichtsverlies lijden en de aanval onbestraft laten, maar hij kan onmogelijk terugslaan zonder een onderlinge oorlog te veroorzaken.

Vrouw Antonia, de schoonzus van de keizer, heeft senator Gaius Vespasianus Pollo laten weten dat ze een geschil heeft dat alleen door middel van bloedvergieten beslecht kan worden, en de senator staat nog bij Magnus in het krijt. Een simpele moord zou geen enkel probleem zijn voor een man als Magnus maar hij krijgt de instructie dat hij dit keer wat inventiever moet zijn dan de gewoonlijke mes-in-de-rug-in-een-donker-steegje-moord. Misschien kan de patroon van de Broederschap van de Kruising twee vliegen in een klap slaan.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Roman, Historical, Short Stories, Ebooks

88 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Robert Fabbri read Drama and Theatre at London University and has worked in film and TV for 25 years. He is an assistant director and has worked on productions such as Hornblower, Hellraiser, Patriot Games and Billy Elliot. Now, his life-long passion for ancient history, especially for that of the Roman Empire, has drawn him to write his first novel. He lives in London and Berlin.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting side line from the Vespasian series. Gruesome favours, the patronage of the highly placed and powerful, gang warfare.

[Mr. Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for something good to read and was curious about Robert Fabbri and how he compared with Cornwell, Scarrow and Cameron. The $1.50 price was too good to pass up and it was a $1.50 well spent. Wow. What a great little story. The characters were very real, the plot good, the writing crisp and the action quick. My only gripe was the ending. It just sort of came to an end. Very abrupt. I was very pleasantly surprised by this book (short story really) and highly recommend it.

[S.J.A. Turney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have to say that I was an enormous fan of the first Vespasian novel and am looking forward to the second. I read the Crossroads Brotherhood in a fit of short-story-ness on holiday, and it was pretty damn good, hitting 4 of 5 stars for me.

Acting very much as a prequel to certain events in the first Vespasian novel from the POV of one of the supporting characters, this is a totally separate story based around the fraternity of organised crime in the ancient city of Rome.

The reason for the missing fifth star (for me)? I'm not a crime reader or lover of gangster movies etc, and my moral code makes me itch when I read stories where the protagonists perpetrate truly wicked and unpleasant things for personal gain. I realise that this story is about criminals, but it becomes much seedier and unpleasant than the same characters in the main series.

Above this (which is all based on my personal tastes admittedly) the story is well constructed and well written and the characters are believable. There was nothing awful in the tale - not enough to put me off reading and enjoying it (and awarding it the 4 stars) but it just didn't sit well enough with me to catch that 5th.

I expect my tiny misgivings about the book will send a number of you running to read it. If so: good on you. Robert's a terrific writer and anything that draws you to his Vespasian series is worthwhile.

[Tom D'Hauwer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A relaxing short story.

[Miles Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set just before Vespasian's arrival in Rome as chronicled in 'Tribune of Rome', this gritty little story introduces you to Magnus and his associates of the South Quirrinal Brotherhood. With a population of around a million people crammed inside its walls, crime was a fact of life in early imperial Rome. To paraphrase Terry Pratchett, the street gangs made sure that it was organised crime. If you've read the main series, this depiction of Magnus and company may come as a bit of a shock. The action is seedier, grittier and a good deal more unpleasant as the South Quirrinal gang stage a well-planned sting on a rival outfit. Power, politics and corruption all play a major part in this.
Fabbri doesn't glamourise these men - they are violent and dangerous people in a violent and dangerous city. That said, they have their own code of honour and Magnus ensures that 'his lads' stick to it - or else.

[Tchipakkan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but it seemed to be about an ancient Roman mob, and I do like to have a character I can admire for something more than cleverness and pragmatism. Perhaps they come off better in the Vespasian series. I think the characters may turn out to be the best thing about them.

[Hko · Rating 1 out of 5]

Genummerd als Vespasianus 0.5 en dat cijfer klopt wel. Het lijkt of met geweld en sex de lezer naar de serie gelokt wordt terwijl dat niet nodig is. Zinloos en nutteloos en gelukkig dun boekje.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it as much as the Vespasianus series but it was very very short. A bit unexpected. Nevertheless a nice quick read.

[Roman Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little story about the underworld of Rome and the life of Magnus before he met Vespasianus.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short prequel to the Vespasian series of Fabbri. Well written, and entertaining. We learn that Magnus, who will quickly become the young Vespasian's right hand man, is a quick witted and connected individual (though that was always apparent). Magnus is the boss of a 'brethren', who govern an area of working class Rome, and charge for this service. In this story we see several tricky situations resolved to everyone's (at least that of the good people) advantage. Fabbri is not hesitant to show lots of dead bodies and the chopping off of limbs.

[Chris Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful short story, and for just under $2, it was money well spent. It tied in really well with the first Vespasian book. Although it would have been interesting to know how he became the leader of the brotherhood he was in.

[Aeshna Juncea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good taster for serious would have preferred later books to keep the 'grittiness' displayed in this one. Also a short read, so maybe put this out as a free book to encourage reading and purchasing the others in series.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was an entertaining book up until the last page. It didn't end it just stopped.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable short story centred around Magnus one of my favourite characters from the first book.

[Patrick Raftery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good short story

[Craydon Burrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

not bad

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short story which ties in nicely with the Vespasian series. Sometimes a bit brutal, but good plot and characters.

[Robert Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

tooshort

[William Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. A little short but it's quality. Making Rome's underworld come alive is a nice change to the usual Roman stories. I really liked it.