What do you think?
Rate this book
Imperium #5
The Fires of Vulcan
An Empire in the Balance
War has come to the continent and Lieutenant Commander Ky, a test pilot from the far future and Consul of the Britannic Empire, leads armies scattered across Germania and Hispania to liberate them from Carthaginian rule. The Carthaginians , however, refuse to surrender without a fight. Led by a seasoned commander, new armies with weapons from the far east are sent to counter the Britannians, with the entirety of Europe as the ultimate prize.
Meanwhile, in Britannia, Lucilla faces her own challenges as she grapples with the challenges of leading her people after her father's death. She must find the resources for their legions to fight while facing forces conspiring to undermine her rule, sowing seeds of dissent that threaten to unravel the empire from within.
Will the fledgling Britannians free the continent from Carthaginian power or will the they be reduced to a footnote of history?
War has come to the continent and Lieutenant Commander Ky, a test pilot from the far future and Consul of the Britannic Empire, leads armies scattered across Germania and Hispania to liberate them from Carthaginian rule. The Carthaginians , however, refuse to surrender without a fight. Led by a seasoned commander, new armies with weapons from the far east are sent to counter the Britannians, with the entirety of Europe as the ultimate prize.
Meanwhile, in Britannia, Lucilla faces her own challenges as she grapples with the challenges of leading her people after her father's death. She must find the resources for their legions to fight while facing forces conspiring to undermine her rule, sowing seeds of dissent that threaten to unravel the empire from within.
Will the fledgling Britannians free the continent from Carthaginian power or will the they be reduced to a footnote of history?
346 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2025
173 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Travis Starnes
42 books89 followersTravis writes science fiction, fantasy, and thriller novels (and the occasional coming-of-age story), with the hope of transporting and enthralling readers. Publishing novels since 2015, Travis’s passion is creating worlds and characters that live and breathe, and experiencing the joy of those stories with his readers.
When not writing, Travis enjoys connecting with readers and other writers, managing the popular Complete Marvel Reading Order website, where he works on his other passion for comics and graphic novels, and spending time with his family.
When not writing, Travis enjoys connecting with readers and other writers, managing the popular Complete Marvel Reading Order website, where he works on his other passion for comics and graphic novels, and spending time with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 30, 2025
This one was the best one since the first book. Finally some bigger conflicts go the way of the Carthagians, and of course we had some inner issues as well. I continue to just fall into this series with ease, this alternate universe the author has written is captivating and intriguing throughout. Really enjoyable listen. Agree with some other reviews that’s the character names tend to blend together a bit so a list would be nice.
May 7, 2024
I'm enjoy the series BUT -
Things needed -
Cast of characters - some of the names are very similar. They appear in several books, but their backstories and relationships can get lost.
Glossary of military terms - Roman, Carthagian, and Brittanian names of officers, battle groups, weapons
Maps and modern equivalent place names.
For my own enjoyment I'd like to see more interaction between characters on a personal level. These books read a little like the battle memoirs of the Napoleonic wars I had to read at school. This is supposed to be a novel not a battle primer. 8-)
Things needed -
Cast of characters - some of the names are very similar. They appear in several books, but their backstories and relationships can get lost.
Glossary of military terms - Roman, Carthagian, and Brittanian names of officers, battle groups, weapons
Maps and modern equivalent place names.
For my own enjoyment I'd like to see more interaction between characters on a personal level. These books read a little like the battle memoirs of the Napoleonic wars I had to read at school. This is supposed to be a novel not a battle primer. 8-)
June 26, 2024
Excellent mix of sci-fi and historical military action
I like how the author blends the weapons and military techniques of the old, the more recent, and a possible future. I appreciate that the protagonists don't magically win every time and that there are meaningful setbacks that they have to overcome.
It is also good that he does not go into excruciating detail on each battle, leaving it up to the reader to fill in the blanks.
Sometimes the internal, explanatory dialog gets long winded, but it is not obvious how this could be summarized while still adequately building this interesting world.
I like how the author blends the weapons and military techniques of the old, the more recent, and a possible future. I appreciate that the protagonists don't magically win every time and that there are meaningful setbacks that they have to overcome.
It is also good that he does not go into excruciating detail on each battle, leaving it up to the reader to fill in the blanks.
Sometimes the internal, explanatory dialog gets long winded, but it is not obvious how this could be summarized while still adequately building this interesting world.
September 30, 2023
Loved it
Very good storytelling of an alternate history, starting in the first volume with a semicyborg supersoldier from an orwellian future crashing through a wormhole two thousand years in the past, on a Roman conquered British island, which in this historical variant is under siege, and losing, by a death-worshipping Carthage. The main character introduces enough technology to turn the tables, and in this book tries to push the front lines across the Channel, into Europe.
I'm looking forward to the next books in this series!
Very good storytelling of an alternate history, starting in the first volume with a semicyborg supersoldier from an orwellian future crashing through a wormhole two thousand years in the past, on a Roman conquered British island, which in this historical variant is under siege, and losing, by a death-worshipping Carthage. The main character introduces enough technology to turn the tables, and in this book tries to push the front lines across the Channel, into Europe.
I'm looking forward to the next books in this series!
September 14, 2024
Although the basic story is interesting, there have been minor issues with all of the books in the series, but this one has more than most. I realise compressing the time scale is part of keeping the story going, but it has become ridiculous, not just for the development of technology, but also during manoeuvres and battles both at on land and especially at sea.
Another problem with ‘alternative’ history books is the way authors pick and choose the bits they change, for example the Carthaginians suddenly acquire gunpowder from the ‘East’, but the Chinese didn’t invent gunpowder until the ninth century.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
Another problem with ‘alternative’ history books is the way authors pick and choose the bits they change, for example the Carthaginians suddenly acquire gunpowder from the ‘East’, but the Chinese didn’t invent gunpowder until the ninth century.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars.
October 14, 2023
Entertaining Read
Ky as Counsel of the Britannia Empire is defending the existence of his wife's empire, trying to drive the enemy Carthaginians off the continent and end their threat to Britannia. Battle, subterfuge, and intrigue ensue. I like the action, humor, time twists, and love. I look forward to the next book.
Ky as Counsel of the Britannia Empire is defending the existence of his wife's empire, trying to drive the enemy Carthaginians off the continent and end their threat to Britannia. Battle, subterfuge, and intrigue ensue. I like the action, humor, time twists, and love. I look forward to the next book.
January 1, 2024
Continue to keep it rolling!
Some of these types of stories just like to show the "superiority" of the weapons and the designer. Starnes has adroitly avoided that by showing how cunning and ruthless the enemy can and will be. This is an excellent example of that as the Brittans faced several setbacks throughout the story. No plan survives the enemy!
Some of these types of stories just like to show the "superiority" of the weapons and the designer. Starnes has adroitly avoided that by showing how cunning and ruthless the enemy can and will be. This is an excellent example of that as the Brittans faced several setbacks throughout the story. No plan survives the enemy!
October 19, 2023
Yes it is the only way
This one was just the same size as I am not sure what the difference is that I have indigestion the same as a single one for me to get a new one for the help desk and stuff like that and turn it back
This one was just the same size as I am not sure what the difference is that I have indigestion the same as a single one for me to get a new one for the help desk and stuff like that and turn it back
February 7, 2024
Good series
This is a well thought out alternate history series. The inclusion of a man from the future and an AI add to the story line. I am thoroughly enjoying it and look forward to the nest book.
This is a well thought out alternate history series. The inclusion of a man from the future and an AI add to the story line. I am thoroughly enjoying it and look forward to the nest book.
November 29, 2025
An OK continuation of the series. Some military decision that end up feeling foolish and pointless, but mostly just lots of battles, a fair number of which end in Carthaginian victories, so it's not all Roman successes. The book doesn't really move the story along much, though.
October 4, 2023
Great addition!
This was a great part in the imperium series. Just wish they would come out faster! Well written, good pace!
This was a great part in the imperium series. Just wish they would come out faster! Well written, good pace!
October 5, 2023
Another good one
Another long awaited book in the series. This one is great, just like the previous books in this series. I will patiently await the next installment.
Another long awaited book in the series. This one is great, just like the previous books in this series. I will patiently await the next installment.
October 5, 2023
Continues the fight, now on the continent
Like the fast pace of the story. Keeps the reader updated on the various battle fronts, intrigues and key characters.
Like the fast pace of the story. Keeps the reader updated on the various battle fronts, intrigues and key characters.
April 11, 2024
Exciting Story
Never have thought much about time travel bit it is an interesting concept. I like KY who uses his abilities wisely. I
Never have thought much about time travel bit it is an interesting concept. I like KY who uses his abilities wisely. I
May 25, 2024
4.5 stars. Good continuation. More action in this book as Britannia takes the fight to the Carthaginians on the European continent.
June 19, 2024
A very good continuation of the series
Well thought out and well told with lots of action. The problems with the introduced technology being developed are mostly realistic.
Well thought out and well told with lots of action. The problems with the introduced technology being developed are mostly realistic.
August 25, 2024
Continues to be an enjoyable series. I look forward to making it to the end and seeing how this world wraps up.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews