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Leopard King Saga #1
The Leopard Vanguard
The Saga Begins....
Set during the early years of the reign of the Mad Emperor Caligula, this first installment of the Leopard King Saga introduces us to Tullus, a gifted Roman Centurion who resigns his elite position in the Praetorian Guard to join a troupe of circus performers and learn more about his hidden magical talents. Along with his new partner, a magical Leopardess named Celestra, he re-invents himself as The Leopard King, the most famous entertainer in all the Roman Empire. But when Tullus' friend and Circus Ringmaster, Paullus Gabinius, is killed, Tullus and Celestra find themselves immersed in political intrigue and up against Paullus' killers. Their struggle to avenge Paullus will also cause them to cross paths with corrupt Roman politicians, who know Paullus' deadly secret-which has the power to destroy the Roman Empire.
Set during the early years of the reign of the Mad Emperor Caligula, this first installment of the Leopard King Saga introduces us to Tullus, a gifted Roman Centurion who resigns his elite position in the Praetorian Guard to join a troupe of circus performers and learn more about his hidden magical talents. Along with his new partner, a magical Leopardess named Celestra, he re-invents himself as The Leopard King, the most famous entertainer in all the Roman Empire. But when Tullus' friend and Circus Ringmaster, Paullus Gabinius, is killed, Tullus and Celestra find themselves immersed in political intrigue and up against Paullus' killers. Their struggle to avenge Paullus will also cause them to cross paths with corrupt Roman politicians, who know Paullus' deadly secret-which has the power to destroy the Roman Empire.
349 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2013
12 people are currently reading
1947 people want to read
About the author
T.A. Uner
22 books536 followersDear Reader,
My writing adventure started in 2003. Ten years later, I published my first novel. A few more followed, with a few novellas thrown in for good measure. After releasing 10+ works, I took a break, which brings me to my next venture.
I now have ten serials on Kindle Vella: A YA Fantasy called THE HARPY RISES; a Space Opera called THE NIGHTMARE SHIP; an Urban Fantasy Thriller called THE ISOLATION MIRROR; a Fantasy Romance called THE TOMORROW QUEEN; and another Fantasy Romance called THE YESTERDAY CURSE; a Dark Romance called CONCUBINE OF THE DARK SOVEREIGN; a Sci-Fi Erotica called MOON GIRLS, a Fantasy Romance called THE FALCON KING'S LADY; a comedy called PUMPERNICKEL THE HAMSTER; a Contemporary Fantasy called THE LAST AMERICAN DRAGON; and an upcoming Dark Fantasy called THE IRON SEA HORSE.
Any questions about my Kindle Vella stories?Contact me at: tuvan.uner@yahoo.com
My writing adventure started in 2003. Ten years later, I published my first novel. A few more followed, with a few novellas thrown in for good measure. After releasing 10+ works, I took a break, which brings me to my next venture.
I now have ten serials on Kindle Vella: A YA Fantasy called THE HARPY RISES; a Space Opera called THE NIGHTMARE SHIP; an Urban Fantasy Thriller called THE ISOLATION MIRROR; a Fantasy Romance called THE TOMORROW QUEEN; and another Fantasy Romance called THE YESTERDAY CURSE; a Dark Romance called CONCUBINE OF THE DARK SOVEREIGN; a Sci-Fi Erotica called MOON GIRLS, a Fantasy Romance called THE FALCON KING'S LADY; a comedy called PUMPERNICKEL THE HAMSTER; a Contemporary Fantasy called THE LAST AMERICAN DRAGON; and an upcoming Dark Fantasy called THE IRON SEA HORSE.
Any questions about my Kindle Vella stories?Contact me at: tuvan.uner@yahoo.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
July 6, 2016
An electronic version of this novel was provided free of charge by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Tullus Acilius Ulixes, senior Centurion of Rome's 3rd Legion, saves the life of Tribune Norbanus Forticus during battle. As a reward Tullus is given a leadership position in elite Praetorian Guard, tasked with keeping the emperor himself safe. Little does Tullus know that by accepting this position he'll find himself in the middle of a world of dangerous political intrigue, magic and betrayal.
First, I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction. The story was slow to start as the author introduced the characters and his version of Rome. At first I didn't really buy the whole magical side of the story. But about 40% into the story, I have to admit I was hooked. I didn't care that it was historical fiction. I didn't care that the characters used unfamiliar Roman names. The magical side of the story became more and more fascinating.
Now I'm finished with the first book, I can't wait to start the second book to see what happens next. Hummm, maybe I should be more historical fiction...
Tullus Acilius Ulixes, senior Centurion of Rome's 3rd Legion, saves the life of Tribune Norbanus Forticus during battle. As a reward Tullus is given a leadership position in elite Praetorian Guard, tasked with keeping the emperor himself safe. Little does Tullus know that by accepting this position he'll find himself in the middle of a world of dangerous political intrigue, magic and betrayal.
First, I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction. The story was slow to start as the author introduced the characters and his version of Rome. At first I didn't really buy the whole magical side of the story. But about 40% into the story, I have to admit I was hooked. I didn't care that it was historical fiction. I didn't care that the characters used unfamiliar Roman names. The magical side of the story became more and more fascinating.
Now I'm finished with the first book, I can't wait to start the second book to see what happens next. Hummm, maybe I should be more historical fiction...
Read
July 16, 2017UPDATE 10/7/14: A fully-revised 2nd edition of The Leopard Vanguard is now available.
Readers were curious: Was there anything wrong with the 1st edition of The Leopard Vanguard? Not really. I was still receiving positive reviews, but the constructive criticism brought to my attention by the public needed to be addressed. I care about my readers and am dedicated to providing them my best work.
I would like to thank all the people who've read The Leopard Vanguard and offered helpful feedback. Your dedication to my writing has helped make this Tome an even better read, which will entertain future readers.
With my deepest thanks,
T.A. Uner
Readers were curious: Was there anything wrong with the 1st edition of The Leopard Vanguard? Not really. I was still receiving positive reviews, but the constructive criticism brought to my attention by the public needed to be addressed. I care about my readers and am dedicated to providing them my best work.
I would like to thank all the people who've read The Leopard Vanguard and offered helpful feedback. Your dedication to my writing has helped make this Tome an even better read, which will entertain future readers.
With my deepest thanks,
T.A. Uner
February 1, 2016
*I kindly received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
DNF
I don't think this book was bad, but I just wasn't able to get into it. Everything was overly descriptive and the writing didn't pull me along in the story. It was clearly very well researched and maybe I'll try picking it up again at a later date, but as of now it just wasn't something I was interested in. The world felt very real but I couldn't get attached to any of the characters and I often found myself having to reread the same passage multiple time in order to grasp what was going on.
The cover is absolutely stunning though!
DNF
I don't think this book was bad, but I just wasn't able to get into it. Everything was overly descriptive and the writing didn't pull me along in the story. It was clearly very well researched and maybe I'll try picking it up again at a later date, but as of now it just wasn't something I was interested in. The world felt very real but I couldn't get attached to any of the characters and I often found myself having to reread the same passage multiple time in order to grasp what was going on.
The cover is absolutely stunning though!
November 16, 2016
Review copy kindly provided by author and GR friend T.A. Uner.
This novel, the first in a series, is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy. Set during the turbulent transition between Tiberius and Caligula, it follows the adventures of Tullus, who is disillusioned both in his army career and in love. He retreats from both and has a chance meeting with Paullus, who introduces him to a group of wandering performers. Soon Tullus forms an unusual bond with Celestra the Leopardess, an animal with extraordinary intelligence and abilities. With a little help from his new friends, he begins to do something about the crime and injustice that plagues Rome.
The novel is well researched and recreates the Roman Empire vividly and realistically. The characters, including many of the minor ones, are carefully drawn and nicely fleshed out. While it's quite clear who the heroes and villains are, the major characters have a bit of moral ambiguity to them which saves them from being one-dimensional stick figures. There are a number of plot twists and startling revelations that keep the reader hooked.
This novel, the first in a series, is a blend of historical fiction and fantasy. Set during the turbulent transition between Tiberius and Caligula, it follows the adventures of Tullus, who is disillusioned both in his army career and in love. He retreats from both and has a chance meeting with Paullus, who introduces him to a group of wandering performers. Soon Tullus forms an unusual bond with Celestra the Leopardess, an animal with extraordinary intelligence and abilities. With a little help from his new friends, he begins to do something about the crime and injustice that plagues Rome.
The novel is well researched and recreates the Roman Empire vividly and realistically. The characters, including many of the minor ones, are carefully drawn and nicely fleshed out. While it's quite clear who the heroes and villains are, the major characters have a bit of moral ambiguity to them which saves them from being one-dimensional stick figures. There are a number of plot twists and startling revelations that keep the reader hooked.
December 6, 2014
2.75 stars: The book was entertaining but couldn’t get me excited.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
A stolen treasure that hides a secret more valuable than gold itself, a recreated Roman Empire full of political intrigue where magic has been forbidden and almost forgotten, and a hero that will slowly unravel all the secrecy and mysteries.
From the very start of the book, our protagonist, Senior Centurion of the Roman Legion Tullus, will be riding into battle, what is nothing but promising. The particular turning of events will give him an unrefusable opportunity which will lead him to Rome and the possibility of a better life.
This is probably a good moment to insert a warning: if you haven’t read the synopsis of this book, please DON’T. Let’s say that it is a little bit too informative.
So, unfortunately, after that very well written first battle the plot soothes and left me reading a quasi-predictable story (at least until half the book), spiced up with gore and sex scenes, and with a bunch of characters I couldn’t really relate to:
- Tullus is a hero who is honest and does not so honest things to achieve the goals that he thinks are honest.
- The women, Ana and Eliana, are both portrayed as strong characters, but they both have a slightly neurotic side.
- Norbanus, the tribune, is the best developed character in my opinion. He lets us see his past and what exactly fuels his actions and his greed for power.
- Scorpio is that bad man that does bad thing. It would have been cooler if there was some development or a little more information about his past.
- Celestra, the incantra leopardess, that is as intelligent as any human being and posses the power of summoning thought provoked spells. She’s pretty awesome, I can’t deny.
In general, there is a palpable sense of drama that, for my personal liking, goes a little over the top drenching everything: the plot, dialogues, characters and the actions they take, making it all seem a little absurd at times (example: the whole leopard king disguise and act). But, of course, that’s a pretty subjective opinion.
Regarding the historical settings, I’m no Roman history expert, but it does feel really good. We set off from the prologue with the Tacfarinas rebellion, through the ascension of Emperor Caligula and until the actual change of mind during his rule which inspired lots and very interesting rumors that the author uses fully. It’s pretty clear that the author did a good share of investigation for this book.
As for the plot, there seems to be a separation between the trilogy plot and the actual plot of this book. This book establishes a well conformed, good paced story with a begining, middle and ending, but the trilogy plot seems to barely advance reveling very little about, for example, what happened to magic and air paladins or what is exactly the value of the stolen treasure.
Concluding, I would say The Leopard Vanguard has everything needed for a light, entertaining read: adventure, action, gore, sex and romance, with a strong point on historical setting. I wouldn’t jump into this looking for fantasy and lots of magic, complex plot or political intrigue (as it’s quite transparent to the reader).
A final thanks to T.A Uner for allowing me to read his books and being so very attentive during the whole process.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
A stolen treasure that hides a secret more valuable than gold itself, a recreated Roman Empire full of political intrigue where magic has been forbidden and almost forgotten, and a hero that will slowly unravel all the secrecy and mysteries.
From the very start of the book, our protagonist, Senior Centurion of the Roman Legion Tullus, will be riding into battle, what is nothing but promising. The particular turning of events will give him an unrefusable opportunity which will lead him to Rome and the possibility of a better life.
This is probably a good moment to insert a warning: if you haven’t read the synopsis of this book, please DON’T. Let’s say that it is a little bit too informative.
So, unfortunately, after that very well written first battle the plot soothes and left me reading a quasi-predictable story (at least until half the book), spiced up with gore and sex scenes, and with a bunch of characters I couldn’t really relate to:
- Tullus is a hero who is honest and does not so honest things to achieve the goals that he thinks are honest.
- The women, Ana and Eliana, are both portrayed as strong characters, but they both have a slightly neurotic side.
- Norbanus, the tribune, is the best developed character in my opinion. He lets us see his past and what exactly fuels his actions and his greed for power.
- Scorpio is that bad man that does bad thing. It would have been cooler if there was some development or a little more information about his past.
- Celestra, the incantra leopardess, that is as intelligent as any human being and posses the power of summoning thought provoked spells. She’s pretty awesome, I can’t deny.
In general, there is a palpable sense of drama that, for my personal liking, goes a little over the top drenching everything: the plot, dialogues, characters and the actions they take, making it all seem a little absurd at times (example: the whole leopard king disguise and act). But, of course, that’s a pretty subjective opinion.
Regarding the historical settings, I’m no Roman history expert, but it does feel really good. We set off from the prologue with the Tacfarinas rebellion, through the ascension of Emperor Caligula and until the actual change of mind during his rule which inspired lots and very interesting rumors that the author uses fully. It’s pretty clear that the author did a good share of investigation for this book.
As for the plot, there seems to be a separation between the trilogy plot and the actual plot of this book. This book establishes a well conformed, good paced story with a begining, middle and ending, but the trilogy plot seems to barely advance reveling very little about, for example, what happened to magic and air paladins or what is exactly the value of the stolen treasure.
Concluding, I would say The Leopard Vanguard has everything needed for a light, entertaining read: adventure, action, gore, sex and romance, with a strong point on historical setting. I wouldn’t jump into this looking for fantasy and lots of magic, complex plot or political intrigue (as it’s quite transparent to the reader).
A final thanks to T.A Uner for allowing me to read his books and being so very attentive during the whole process.
November 11, 2014
Ancient Roman history comes to life with a fantasy flavor as a mysterious cloaked hero steps from the circus ring into a cunning journey of revenge, retribution and so much more. Caligula is in power, wallowing in his debaucheries, spending the gold in the coffers of Rome. Political ambition, black mail and greed are padding the coin purses of Rome’s leaders. Meanwhile, one of Rome’s Elite Praetorian Guards wishes for more, and being spurned by his wealthy love, setting out on a journey to find happiness and family. What Tullus finds is a small troupe of entertainers and its leader, Paullus, a quiet and honorable man who keeps his past buried beneath his friendly façade. Enter Celestra, a leopardess with mystical abilities who bonds with Tullus, becoming his friend, protector, ally and partner in entertainment. She also becomes an extension of Tullus and together after the murder of Paullus by hired thugs in Rome.
Larger than life, the aptly named Leopard King becomes a hero for the middle and lower class, putting the upper, ruling class on the run. What wrath will rain down on those he is helping? Will he avenge his friend’s killer and live, or will his anger overpower his skill as a soldier and get his troupe murdered one by one? What secret was Paullus hiding about his past?
The Leopard Vanguard by T. A. Uner is on the road to epic historical fantasy, filled with intense detail, battles, intrigue and exposing the over indulgences of the era. As these characters act out the action, what becomes memorable is the difference between those who should be acting in the interest of the people and their true motives and wicked machinations. For Tullus, his own high code of honor and desire for right to overpower evil might, he makes the perfect legend to pass on through the generations. Celestra, well she is simply amazing, powerful and wise, a brave partner for Tullus in his mission.
T. A. Uner gives readers larger-than-life heroes, black-hearted villains and one crazed ruler who will keep you trapped in an era from long ago. Be prepared for the sights, sounds and smells that will bring each scene and each battle to life in this volatile time. Will you hear the swords? The screams and chaos of battle? The pain of love unrequited? The uncertainty of love re-found? Yes, this is an emotional treasure chest that will leave fantasy lovers calling for more!
I received a copy from T. A. Uner in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Leopard King Saga - Book 1
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: T.A. Uner
ISBN: 149125534X
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Print Length: 405 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Larger than life, the aptly named Leopard King becomes a hero for the middle and lower class, putting the upper, ruling class on the run. What wrath will rain down on those he is helping? Will he avenge his friend’s killer and live, or will his anger overpower his skill as a soldier and get his troupe murdered one by one? What secret was Paullus hiding about his past?
The Leopard Vanguard by T. A. Uner is on the road to epic historical fantasy, filled with intense detail, battles, intrigue and exposing the over indulgences of the era. As these characters act out the action, what becomes memorable is the difference between those who should be acting in the interest of the people and their true motives and wicked machinations. For Tullus, his own high code of honor and desire for right to overpower evil might, he makes the perfect legend to pass on through the generations. Celestra, well she is simply amazing, powerful and wise, a brave partner for Tullus in his mission.
T. A. Uner gives readers larger-than-life heroes, black-hearted villains and one crazed ruler who will keep you trapped in an era from long ago. Be prepared for the sights, sounds and smells that will bring each scene and each battle to life in this volatile time. Will you hear the swords? The screams and chaos of battle? The pain of love unrequited? The uncertainty of love re-found? Yes, this is an emotional treasure chest that will leave fantasy lovers calling for more!
I received a copy from T. A. Uner in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Leopard King Saga - Book 1
Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: T.A. Uner
ISBN: 149125534X
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction
Print Length: 405 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
January 20, 2015
| Digital copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, author! |
I needed to sit down and let evrything sink because holy crap that was amazing. I've read historical fiction before and have a little knowledge on how Rome was at that time but Uner decribes it so beautifuly. And by beautifuly I mean bloody, rough and cruel. I felt like pointing that out.
Alright so The Leopard Vanguard follows the story of our main character named Tullus Acilius Ulixes who one of Rome's Elite Praetorian Guards but he wants more in life than dying in a battlefield and so when he meets Eliana and asks her to drop everything and run away with him she says no. A broken-hearted Tullus goes and travels out of Rome searching for something until he crosses paths with Pallus who takes Tullus under his wings and introduces him to the circus life where he befriends a leopardess called Celestra and dicovers a world of hidden magic but shit hits the fan when Pallus is killed and the circus crew decides avenge his friend/Yoda's death.
Ok, first of all: what a pretty cover. I mean I look at it and all I can think is how nice it should feel, can you just see it? CAN YOU PLEASE? I'm a sucker for pretty covers, okay? Okay.
Second of all: what an amazingly well written fist battle. It blew me away. All the details and the action and ugh I just wanted to keep reading.
I didn't know what to expect of this book at all other than having a pretty cover so finishing this book wwas like the best way to start this reading year.
Tullus was such a strong character with a passion for life and what it's right and I love how every good character in this book has defects because that lets relate to them. So that's one of the main reasons why this book worked so much for me, I found really great characters with deep issues and great storylines. Do I need more?
And now we shall talk about Celestra
I LOVED her so much. She's amazing. She's tough and so intelligent and loyal and I mean you just cannot love her, okay? I spent a lot of time giggling like a five-years-old just because of her.
But let's get to Rome, yes? Take ancient Rome, full of blood, blackmail, murders, sex, money, greed and power and throw some magic on it and you got yourself a hot mess which was well written hot mess. The intensity I felt while reading this book was so great and I'm so excited for The Leopard Stratagem. I'm dying to read what Uner is going to bring to us.
I needed to sit down and let evrything sink because holy crap that was amazing. I've read historical fiction before and have a little knowledge on how Rome was at that time but Uner decribes it so beautifuly. And by beautifuly I mean bloody, rough and cruel. I felt like pointing that out.
Alright so The Leopard Vanguard follows the story of our main character named Tullus Acilius Ulixes who one of Rome's Elite Praetorian Guards but he wants more in life than dying in a battlefield and so when he meets Eliana and asks her to drop everything and run away with him she says no. A broken-hearted Tullus goes and travels out of Rome searching for something until he crosses paths with Pallus who takes Tullus under his wings and introduces him to the circus life where he befriends a leopardess called Celestra and dicovers a world of hidden magic but shit hits the fan when Pallus is killed and the circus crew decides avenge his friend/Yoda's death.
Ok, first of all: what a pretty cover. I mean I look at it and all I can think is how nice it should feel, can you just see it? CAN YOU PLEASE? I'm a sucker for pretty covers, okay? Okay.
Second of all: what an amazingly well written fist battle. It blew me away. All the details and the action and ugh I just wanted to keep reading.
I didn't know what to expect of this book at all other than having a pretty cover so finishing this book wwas like the best way to start this reading year.
Tullus was such a strong character with a passion for life and what it's right and I love how every good character in this book has defects because that lets relate to them. So that's one of the main reasons why this book worked so much for me, I found really great characters with deep issues and great storylines. Do I need more?
And now we shall talk about Celestra
I LOVED her so much. She's amazing. She's tough and so intelligent and loyal and I mean you just cannot love her, okay? I spent a lot of time giggling like a five-years-old just because of her.
But let's get to Rome, yes? Take ancient Rome, full of blood, blackmail, murders, sex, money, greed and power and throw some magic on it and you got yourself a hot mess which was well written hot mess. The intensity I felt while reading this book was so great and I'm so excited for The Leopard Stratagem. I'm dying to read what Uner is going to bring to us.
May 9, 2015
I was given a digital copy of this book free from the author, T.A. Uner in exchange for an honest review. (Thank you, author!) :)
I didn't know what to expect from this book the moment I first had a glimpse on it. But instantly I was captivated by its cover. It looks nice and mysterious.
This book talks about the main character Tullus Acilius Ulixes, a Praetorian guard that lives during the ancient Roman years who happened to defy the insatiable politics around him by leaving his work and leaving Rome at the same time. While he journeyed outside Rome, he discovered something more interesting than life in Rome -- magic and power. Together with Celestra, he experienced adventure which later on made him become stronger.
This book is historically-driven and with a blend of fantasy and well, romance. At first, I was a bit puzzled because of its numerous characters, but in the end I did have a good time reading it. I enjoyed Tullus' exciting journey towards finding out his hidden skill in the world of magic. Of course, it became even more interesting because of his companion Celestra, who by the way, surprised me from the start.
By the time I finally got the real scope of this book, I found out that the author's creativity with the plot and the world building itself is outstanding. T.A. Uner has an impeccable and unpredictable pacing which basically left me guessing what would happen next.
The ending is also fantastic and satisfying, yet I end up wondering what would happen in the next book, The Leopard Stratagem.
As a whole, the entire book is fantastic. It is simply original, spot on, and it evokes thrill and action-packed adventures. It very well deserves an applause. For those readers who appreciate books that are themed with history, action, and fantasy, The Leopard Vanguard is truly a must-read! :)
My Rating for this Book: 4 Stars
Book review also posted on my blog: http://bibliopearl.wordpress.com/2014...
I didn't know what to expect from this book the moment I first had a glimpse on it. But instantly I was captivated by its cover. It looks nice and mysterious.
This book talks about the main character Tullus Acilius Ulixes, a Praetorian guard that lives during the ancient Roman years who happened to defy the insatiable politics around him by leaving his work and leaving Rome at the same time. While he journeyed outside Rome, he discovered something more interesting than life in Rome -- magic and power. Together with Celestra, he experienced adventure which later on made him become stronger.
This book is historically-driven and with a blend of fantasy and well, romance. At first, I was a bit puzzled because of its numerous characters, but in the end I did have a good time reading it. I enjoyed Tullus' exciting journey towards finding out his hidden skill in the world of magic. Of course, it became even more interesting because of his companion Celestra, who by the way, surprised me from the start.
By the time I finally got the real scope of this book, I found out that the author's creativity with the plot and the world building itself is outstanding. T.A. Uner has an impeccable and unpredictable pacing which basically left me guessing what would happen next.
The ending is also fantastic and satisfying, yet I end up wondering what would happen in the next book, The Leopard Stratagem.
As a whole, the entire book is fantastic. It is simply original, spot on, and it evokes thrill and action-packed adventures. It very well deserves an applause. For those readers who appreciate books that are themed with history, action, and fantasy, The Leopard Vanguard is truly a must-read! :)
My Rating for this Book: 4 Stars
Book review also posted on my blog: http://bibliopearl.wordpress.com/2014...
July 16, 2015
3.5 stars
*** I received I free copy from the author in exchange of an honest review ***
I have always loved Roman history and this book was full of it. A hidden treasure, magic , and historical setting; This book had it all. The book is written very nicely combining Roman history with fiction beautifully. I have a little complain and that is that the antagonists seemed very weak compared to the protagonist Tullus. They just didn't have that dangerous feel to them that a reader gets while reading and secondly I didn't even like Eliana that much. I was team Anna all the way. Eliana just seemed like a spoiled brat to me frankly speaking.Though I wished that the author had revealed a little more about the secret behind the hidden treasure. Apart from that everything was really good.
Thus if you are looking for a nice historical fiction with drama, fight and magic than you must definitely give this book a try. Thank you T.A.Uner for giving me your book to read. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
*** I received I free copy from the author in exchange of an honest review ***
I have always loved Roman history and this book was full of it. A hidden treasure, magic , and historical setting; This book had it all. The book is written very nicely combining Roman history with fiction beautifully. I have a little complain and that is that the antagonists seemed very weak compared to the protagonist Tullus. They just didn't have that dangerous feel to them that a reader gets while reading and secondly I didn't even like Eliana that much. I was team Anna all the way. Eliana just seemed like a spoiled brat to me frankly speaking.Though I wished that the author had revealed a little more about the secret behind the hidden treasure. Apart from that everything was really good.
Thus if you are looking for a nice historical fiction with drama, fight and magic than you must definitely give this book a try. Thank you T.A.Uner for giving me your book to read. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
August 25, 2016
* I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
3.5 stars
This review will be posted(soon) on my blog as number 28 at: www.bookbloggerz.weebly.com
Tullus, a roman Centurion, and Decimus, a roman Optio, save Tribune Norbanus' life after a bloody but victorious battle resulting in their promotion to the Praetorian Guard. A couple months later, Tullus resigns because he wants to start a family with Eliana, a young noblewoman that he met at a party but when he asks her to run away with him, she refuses. Broken-hearted and disappointed, he takes his mule and heads for Pesae. On the way to his destination, he meets Paullus Gabinius who introduces him to the life of the circus. Tullus learns about his magic powers, befriends a leopardess named Celestra and renames himself the Leopard King. But one day when Paullus comes back from an errand in the city, dead, the circus group decides to avenge Paullus by confronting his killers but ends up getting tangled instead in a very messy political situation where the odd are against them.
Good debut novel. I think that Uner did a very good job with the excellent world-building. He depicted very well what the Roman Empire was all about: sex, corruption and power. He also seemed very knowledgeable on the subject of the Roman Empire and he made me feel like I was actually living in the 1st century. I really liked the way that he wrote his story in the POV of every character so you know how they all think. I felt like I was living in their heads. The writing was very fluent and the incredibly rich vocabulary only made the book even better. The plot was very well planned and written without confusion all the while keeping it exciting and mysterious. However, I have to admit, The Leopard Vanguard started off very slow and info-dumpy and only got interesting at about 25%. In addition to that, I found the connection between Anna and Tullus very fake. To me it was more like a relationship where they were like "I'm single. You're single. Want to be together?" and while they were together,I had the impression that his heart still belonged to Eliana since he practically ran to her after Anna was out of the picture . I would've wished for perhaps more development on the magic because we really didn't see a lot of it. Although there were several typo mistakes and punctuation missing, in general it was a pretty good book and an enjoyable read (Update: I have been notified by the author that the issue has been resolved in the second edition).
I will certainly read the sequels.
Like.A.Boss. Hahaa I love Remus.
3.5 stars
This review will be posted(soon) on my blog as number 28 at: www.bookbloggerz.weebly.com
Tullus, a roman Centurion, and Decimus, a roman Optio, save Tribune Norbanus' life after a bloody but victorious battle resulting in their promotion to the Praetorian Guard. A couple months later, Tullus resigns because he wants to start a family with Eliana, a young noblewoman that he met at a party but when he asks her to run away with him, she refuses. Broken-hearted and disappointed, he takes his mule and heads for Pesae. On the way to his destination, he meets Paullus Gabinius who introduces him to the life of the circus. Tullus learns about his magic powers, befriends a leopardess named Celestra and renames himself the Leopard King. But one day when Paullus comes back from an errand in the city, dead, the circus group decides to avenge Paullus by confronting his killers but ends up getting tangled instead in a very messy political situation where the odd are against them.
Good debut novel. I think that Uner did a very good job with the excellent world-building. He depicted very well what the Roman Empire was all about: sex, corruption and power. He also seemed very knowledgeable on the subject of the Roman Empire and he made me feel like I was actually living in the 1st century. I really liked the way that he wrote his story in the POV of every character so you know how they all think. I felt like I was living in their heads. The writing was very fluent and the incredibly rich vocabulary only made the book even better. The plot was very well planned and written without confusion all the while keeping it exciting and mysterious. However, I have to admit, The Leopard Vanguard started off very slow and info-dumpy and only got interesting at about 25%. In addition to that, I found the connection between Anna and Tullus very fake. To me it was more like a relationship where they were like "I'm single. You're single. Want to be together?" and while they were together,I had the impression that his heart still belonged to Eliana
I will certainly read the sequels.
Gemellus' face turned red. "May I remind you Senator, that I am still a member of the imperial family, so a little more respect would be appreciated."
"Respect is earned," Remus said. "Not given."
Like.A.Boss. Hahaa I love Remus.
November 18, 2014
*I was kindly provided a free copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
First things first, this book was not for me. While I DID enjoy the book it only piqued my interest half way through when the real plot progression began. Everything before that was REALLY hard to read --- mostly because it was overly descriptive and didn't have much dialogue. Heaps of dialogue is a A+++++ (for me).
So as I was saying after the half way mark, things got better and I enjoyed where the author was taking Tullus (the main character). After leaving the Praetorian Guard he sets off and some how ends up joining a circus troup, there he discovers new things about himself and life. I thought his character development was fantastic! In the beginning I found him to be naive in thinking Eliana (the love interest) to just run away with him. After he joins the troupe you see his character mature more and realise there's more to life than just being a soldier or Eliana.
Eliana was a very, very frustrating character to read. I feel as though her annoying love for Tullus and her nativity held back her potential to be a good character. Just when I thought she was going to be some kick-ass "justice for the people!" type character we get these neverending mentions of her love for Tullus and how she regrets her decision etc. -- I do hope she matures/develops more in the following books.
Overall I thought the concept of the book was really creative. I've never read a fiction about Caligula before. [Side note:] Can I mention I was really impressed about some of Caligula's historical accuracies in the book from his weird behavior (although I have a feeling he'll get even weirder since he's recovered from the illness!) to the lavish entertainment and his rumored relationship with Drusilla. So props to the author for that! [Side note: end] But the book just wasn't for me, the writing style wasn't my cup of tea therefore the reason as to why I couldn't really get into it.
Recommended? Read it and make your own your own judgement! -- But highly if like historical fiction, magic or Roman-related stuff.
First things first, this book was not for me. While I DID enjoy the book it only piqued my interest half way through when the real plot progression began. Everything before that was REALLY hard to read --- mostly because it was overly descriptive and didn't have much dialogue. Heaps of dialogue is a A+++++ (for me).
So as I was saying after the half way mark, things got better and I enjoyed where the author was taking Tullus (the main character). After leaving the Praetorian Guard he sets off and some how ends up joining a circus troup, there he discovers new things about himself and life. I thought his character development was fantastic! In the beginning I found him to be naive in thinking Eliana (the love interest) to just run away with him. After he joins the troupe you see his character mature more and realise there's more to life than just being a soldier or Eliana.
Eliana was a very, very frustrating character to read. I feel as though her annoying love for Tullus and her nativity held back her potential to be a good character. Just when I thought she was going to be some kick-ass "justice for the people!" type character we get these neverending mentions of her love for Tullus and how she regrets her decision etc. -- I do hope she matures/develops more in the following books.
Overall I thought the concept of the book was really creative. I've never read a fiction about Caligula before. [Side note:] Can I mention I was really impressed about some of Caligula's historical accuracies in the book from his weird behavior (although I have a feeling he'll get even weirder since he's recovered from the illness!) to the lavish entertainment and his rumored relationship with Drusilla. So props to the author for that! [Side note: end] But the book just wasn't for me, the writing style wasn't my cup of tea therefore the reason as to why I couldn't really get into it.
Recommended? Read it and make your own your own judgement! -- But highly if like historical fiction, magic or Roman-related stuff.
October 31, 2014
Thank you to the author, T.A. Uner, for gifting me with a copy of The Leopard Vanguard in exchange for an honest review!
Now, I'm not exactly an expert on Rome but from what I do know, this was a pretty darn accurate portrayal of Rome back in the day. And from the dozens of research papers I've written, I know how difficult it can be to make something completely historically accurate. So for all historical writers, a round of applause!
So the review. I've always been a huge fan of historical fiction and this book is no exception. The politics and blackmail kept the story-line twisting and turning and the added magical element kept me wondering what exactly it was all building up to. Overall, I felt like the magic could have incorporated more but it still assisted the story.
I also loved Tullus' sense of justice. He's a true Roman warrior and doesn't get sucked into the power cycle. He stays true to himself and his friends/people. Going along with that, Celestra was amazing as well. It added such a different aspect into the story that I haven't seen in many other books.
There were a couple of things that caught my attention that kept this from becoming a 5 star book. One, some chapters seemed like they were a bit too convenient (for example when Eliana becomes aware of the merchants predicament). It felt like a very short and plain bridge to where the author wanted to go so I think that could have been developed a bit more. Also, Paullus' 'secret' became a bit muddled at the end and I was kind of confused as to what exactly it was. I had an idea... perhaps that will be remedied in the sequel which I will be reading!
The Final Verdict:
A very good novel with amazing elements of blackmail, politics, and perfect characters. Sometimes, the plot was a bit too convenient and Paullus' 'secret' was a bit muddled near the end.
4 stars
The Ultimate Quote:
“Every day you live is a lesson in itself.”
Now, I'm not exactly an expert on Rome but from what I do know, this was a pretty darn accurate portrayal of Rome back in the day. And from the dozens of research papers I've written, I know how difficult it can be to make something completely historically accurate. So for all historical writers, a round of applause!
So the review. I've always been a huge fan of historical fiction and this book is no exception. The politics and blackmail kept the story-line twisting and turning and the added magical element kept me wondering what exactly it was all building up to. Overall, I felt like the magic could have incorporated more but it still assisted the story.
I also loved Tullus' sense of justice. He's a true Roman warrior and doesn't get sucked into the power cycle. He stays true to himself and his friends/people. Going along with that, Celestra was amazing as well. It added such a different aspect into the story that I haven't seen in many other books.
There were a couple of things that caught my attention that kept this from becoming a 5 star book. One, some chapters seemed like they were a bit too convenient (for example when Eliana becomes aware of the merchants predicament). It felt like a very short and plain bridge to where the author wanted to go so I think that could have been developed a bit more. Also, Paullus' 'secret' became a bit muddled at the end and I was kind of confused as to what exactly it was. I had an idea... perhaps that will be remedied in the sequel which I will be reading!
The Final Verdict:
A very good novel with amazing elements of blackmail, politics, and perfect characters. Sometimes, the plot was a bit too convenient and Paullus' 'secret' was a bit muddled near the end.
4 stars
The Ultimate Quote:
“Every day you live is a lesson in itself.”
May 12, 2015
This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 Stars
I'm having difficulty writing this review, I'm not quite sure where to begin so I figure I will split it into the aspects I liked and those I had troubles with.
"Our lives aren't filled with great riches but what we make is enough; we have each other, and possess the greatest wealth one can ask for - friendship"
Ok, so what I enjoyed about this book:
The first thing I took note of where the battle scenes, well - written they flowed and formed some of the best scenes in the story. Though I'm no expert on Roman history or have much of any knowledge about ancient cultures, the book did seem to be well researched and as you read along little facts like these add to the story as a whole.
The main protagonist, Tullus, though not without flaws, was still a good character and I enjoyed reading from his POV.
What I felt the book lacked in or had troubles with:
So, looking back over my notes, the main problem that I can see I had were mostly small things; stuff the characters did that didn't make sense, odd reactions to events, hypocritical statements etc. I'm not going to get knit picky and go through every little thing, I'll just say that as a whole these things lowered my enjoyment of the book. Another thing was that the writing didn't always flow and sometimes seemed choppy and disjointed.
Overall I did like this book. It did take me a while to read but I can see myself giving it a re - read.
3.5 Stars
I'm having difficulty writing this review, I'm not quite sure where to begin so I figure I will split it into the aspects I liked and those I had troubles with.
"Our lives aren't filled with great riches but what we make is enough; we have each other, and possess the greatest wealth one can ask for - friendship"
Ok, so what I enjoyed about this book:
The first thing I took note of where the battle scenes, well - written they flowed and formed some of the best scenes in the story. Though I'm no expert on Roman history or have much of any knowledge about ancient cultures, the book did seem to be well researched and as you read along little facts like these add to the story as a whole.
The main protagonist, Tullus, though not without flaws, was still a good character and I enjoyed reading from his POV.
What I felt the book lacked in or had troubles with:
So, looking back over my notes, the main problem that I can see I had were mostly small things; stuff the characters did that didn't make sense, odd reactions to events, hypocritical statements etc. I'm not going to get knit picky and go through every little thing, I'll just say that as a whole these things lowered my enjoyment of the book. Another thing was that the writing didn't always flow and sometimes seemed choppy and disjointed.
Overall I did like this book. It did take me a while to read but I can see myself giving it a re - read.
October 5, 2014
"received a copy in exchange for an honest review"
Muszę przyznać, że bawiłam się setnie przy tej lekturze:-)
Zdecydowanie polecam osobą lubiącym klimaty rzymskie jak i świat fantastyczny.
Już zakupiłam 2 tom na amazonie:-)
Muszę przyznać, że bawiłam się setnie przy tej lekturze:-)
Zdecydowanie polecam osobą lubiącym klimaty rzymskie jak i świat fantastyczny.
Już zakupiłam 2 tom na amazonie:-)
April 29, 2015
This is the first book in the saga of The Leopard King. There isn’t a cliff hanger at the end of this book.
So this book started out a little slow for me, however did pick up it. This book is full of political intrigues with people seeking and trying to maintain their power at the beginning of Caligula’s reign. Mr. Uner did a wonderful job in portraying Ancient Rome with everyday life for the common person, criminal organizations along with the upper class citizens. There are several gory scenes, so readers beware if violence in books is an issue. It is amazing how one event, the gold being stolen from Dacrius, affected so many lives.
At the heart of the book, it is about a man named Tullus and how his life changed when he went to Rome and then later after meeting Paullus, a man entrusted with the gold stolen from Decrius and banished Scorpio to the desert to die. Tullus is a battle seasoned solider who saves the life of the Tribune, then receives a coveted position with the Praetorian Guard in Rome. With wanting something more than just fighting he accepts the position even though he is not sure if he can trust the Tribune Norbanus (the nephew of Dacrius).
Though Tullus’ time with the Guard is short, he does meet a young woman who he feels he could start a family with. I have mixed feelings about Eliana. She is young and spoiled. There were a couple of times it made me think of when someone says, “Do you know who I am”. Even though Tullus did love her, I don’t think she is the right person for him. She was not willing to leave her life of luxury for a life outside of Rome with Tullus, and that to me shows that she truly didn’t love him. At this point I don’t even want them to have a second chance at love.
After leaving Rome, he meets Paullus and Celestra, a leopardess. Paullus and Celestra help him with finding a place to belong within their troupe and to move into the next chapter of his life in becoming a performer. Celestra and Tullus form a strong bond and become partners. I really enjoyed reading about Tullus and Celestra and see their bond and trust grow in addition to when he became The Leopard King.
While he finds success in performing, it seems he winds up back in Rome to avenge Paullus’s death. While he is on his quest for vengeance, he finds out things about Paullus that makes him question the man that he knew. He has a hard time accepting the fact that his friend is a deserter and then helped the rebel Tacfarinas steal gold from Dacrius. During this time, at least he was able to help people who desperately needed help against Scorpio.
I love how the author shows the complexity of the characters in the book, especially the villains in the story. With taking in account with the way things were at the time, it is hard to say that all of the villains were truly evil. Yes, there were some sadistic men within Scorpio’s organization. I find it hard to see Scorpio as a completely horrible man. He was always concerned about protecting his family. His quest for finding Paullus was completely understandable. Even though Paullus’s death was untimely, some would say was justifiable with what he did to Scorpio. The same goes with Norbanus. I do not condone his behavior; however desperate men will do terrible things in order to keep their power.
This was a wonderful story about Ancient Rome and is worth reading to anyone who loves that era of time.
So this book started out a little slow for me, however did pick up it. This book is full of political intrigues with people seeking and trying to maintain their power at the beginning of Caligula’s reign. Mr. Uner did a wonderful job in portraying Ancient Rome with everyday life for the common person, criminal organizations along with the upper class citizens. There are several gory scenes, so readers beware if violence in books is an issue. It is amazing how one event, the gold being stolen from Dacrius, affected so many lives.
At the heart of the book, it is about a man named Tullus and how his life changed when he went to Rome and then later after meeting Paullus, a man entrusted with the gold stolen from Decrius and banished Scorpio to the desert to die. Tullus is a battle seasoned solider who saves the life of the Tribune, then receives a coveted position with the Praetorian Guard in Rome. With wanting something more than just fighting he accepts the position even though he is not sure if he can trust the Tribune Norbanus (the nephew of Dacrius).
Though Tullus’ time with the Guard is short, he does meet a young woman who he feels he could start a family with. I have mixed feelings about Eliana. She is young and spoiled. There were a couple of times it made me think of when someone says, “Do you know who I am”. Even though Tullus did love her, I don’t think she is the right person for him. She was not willing to leave her life of luxury for a life outside of Rome with Tullus, and that to me shows that she truly didn’t love him. At this point I don’t even want them to have a second chance at love.
After leaving Rome, he meets Paullus and Celestra, a leopardess. Paullus and Celestra help him with finding a place to belong within their troupe and to move into the next chapter of his life in becoming a performer. Celestra and Tullus form a strong bond and become partners. I really enjoyed reading about Tullus and Celestra and see their bond and trust grow in addition to when he became The Leopard King.
While he finds success in performing, it seems he winds up back in Rome to avenge Paullus’s death. While he is on his quest for vengeance, he finds out things about Paullus that makes him question the man that he knew. He has a hard time accepting the fact that his friend is a deserter and then helped the rebel Tacfarinas steal gold from Dacrius. During this time, at least he was able to help people who desperately needed help against Scorpio.
I love how the author shows the complexity of the characters in the book, especially the villains in the story. With taking in account with the way things were at the time, it is hard to say that all of the villains were truly evil. Yes, there were some sadistic men within Scorpio’s organization. I find it hard to see Scorpio as a completely horrible man. He was always concerned about protecting his family. His quest for finding Paullus was completely understandable. Even though Paullus’s death was untimely, some would say was justifiable with what he did to Scorpio. The same goes with Norbanus. I do not condone his behavior; however desperate men will do terrible things in order to keep their power.
This was a wonderful story about Ancient Rome and is worth reading to anyone who loves that era of time.
November 25, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
The moment the synopsis of The Leopard Vanguard mentioned the Roman Empire and Caligula, I knew I had to read this one. And it even has tons of Latin! I took Latin classes at college, and I’m a huge fan of the Roman Empire and the matching era, so of course I wanted to dive into the world of the Leopard King Saga. It certainly didn’t dissapoint.
We’re introduced to Tullus, a Roman Centurion has only recently been promoted to be a member of the Praetorian Guard, but just a few months later, he already wants to resign, and start a new life with a woman he fell in love with. Things don’t go as planned though, and Tullus ends up setting out ofr his new life all on his own. He decides to join the circus and learn more about his magical talents. He befriends a man named Paullus, the circus ringmaster, and a magical leopardess Celestra who becomes his new partner in the circus. Tullus re-invents himself as the Leopard King, a famous entertainer.
But then, Paullus is killed, and the other members of the circus swear they’ll figure out who was behind the murder. Before he very well realizes it, Tullus and Celestra are immersed in layers of polictical intrigue, and have to face Paulllus’ killers, while they search for a deadly secret with the power to destroy the Empire.
I pride myself on my knowledge about the Roman Empire thanks to hours and hours of classes on the subject, but the knowledge T.A. Uner possesses about that era, is truly astonishing. Everything works: from the corruption, the political intrigue, to the day-to-day tasks. The portrayal is so accurate it’s almost scary, and I could certainly imagine living in that era along with Tullus, Celestra and everyone else.
It’s the little details that make this book shine, like the historical accuracy, the Latin, the names. It all works well – so bonus points for excellent world building.
The plot and characters are solid too, and some of them turned out to be quite surprising, showing more depth than I’d thought at first, or showing their hidden colors as the book progressed. The writing was good too, slightly wordy at the start but that seems to match the genre (with it being fantasy), so no real complaints there either.
I look forward to reading the sequel. Highly recommended to anyone who’s a fan of the Roman Empire.
The moment the synopsis of The Leopard Vanguard mentioned the Roman Empire and Caligula, I knew I had to read this one. And it even has tons of Latin! I took Latin classes at college, and I’m a huge fan of the Roman Empire and the matching era, so of course I wanted to dive into the world of the Leopard King Saga. It certainly didn’t dissapoint.
We’re introduced to Tullus, a Roman Centurion has only recently been promoted to be a member of the Praetorian Guard, but just a few months later, he already wants to resign, and start a new life with a woman he fell in love with. Things don’t go as planned though, and Tullus ends up setting out ofr his new life all on his own. He decides to join the circus and learn more about his magical talents. He befriends a man named Paullus, the circus ringmaster, and a magical leopardess Celestra who becomes his new partner in the circus. Tullus re-invents himself as the Leopard King, a famous entertainer.
But then, Paullus is killed, and the other members of the circus swear they’ll figure out who was behind the murder. Before he very well realizes it, Tullus and Celestra are immersed in layers of polictical intrigue, and have to face Paulllus’ killers, while they search for a deadly secret with the power to destroy the Empire.
I pride myself on my knowledge about the Roman Empire thanks to hours and hours of classes on the subject, but the knowledge T.A. Uner possesses about that era, is truly astonishing. Everything works: from the corruption, the political intrigue, to the day-to-day tasks. The portrayal is so accurate it’s almost scary, and I could certainly imagine living in that era along with Tullus, Celestra and everyone else.
It’s the little details that make this book shine, like the historical accuracy, the Latin, the names. It all works well – so bonus points for excellent world building.
The plot and characters are solid too, and some of them turned out to be quite surprising, showing more depth than I’d thought at first, or showing their hidden colors as the book progressed. The writing was good too, slightly wordy at the start but that seems to match the genre (with it being fantasy), so no real complaints there either.
I look forward to reading the sequel. Highly recommended to anyone who’s a fan of the Roman Empire.
November 4, 2014
I received this book for free from author for an honest review.
I wasn't sure what to expect with The Leopard King. I knew it took place in Ancient Rome which was a brutal and harsh time to live. Some of the scenes were pretty detailed and gory but believable. From the beginning I was truly hoping the Tribune would get some kind of punishment for his acts. This book was good for me not only bc it had some pretty accurate historical facts, which I'm an ancient history buff, but it also had just the right touch of fantasy.
As for The Leopard King himself, he wasn't what I was expected. I was imagining a man that somehow found some kind of magic properties that would have him change into a leopard. I just loved his leopard friend Celestra though. I'd love to have a leopard friend like that. As I kept reading Tullus, The Leopard King started to grow on me and I was happy for the way he punished the criminal. The fight scenes at the end were written very well and very easy to get into.
Thank you for letting me read your book:)
I wasn't sure what to expect with The Leopard King. I knew it took place in Ancient Rome which was a brutal and harsh time to live. Some of the scenes were pretty detailed and gory but believable. From the beginning I was truly hoping the Tribune would get some kind of punishment for his acts. This book was good for me not only bc it had some pretty accurate historical facts, which I'm an ancient history buff, but it also had just the right touch of fantasy.
As for The Leopard King himself, he wasn't what I was expected. I was imagining a man that somehow found some kind of magic properties that would have him change into a leopard. I just loved his leopard friend Celestra though. I'd love to have a leopard friend like that. As I kept reading Tullus, The Leopard King started to grow on me and I was happy for the way he punished the criminal. The fight scenes at the end were written very well and very easy to get into.
Thank you for letting me read your book:)
May 2, 2015
Digital copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Reading this book was mesmerizing,-like setting things aside, putting on gladiators, an armlet, letting my hair loose and snatching the curtain off the rack to drape it around me and go on a journey into a different era, an ancient Rome where a mighty soldier, Tullus was making his way.
First of, there are some books in which you are an spectator, and some where you are present and you live through it. I lived this.
The writing was beautiful and fluent, there were colors, smells, views, sounds... and everything captured me.
I found myself wishing I had a long interesting name! I want to be part of the Troupe! I want to battle for the rights of the people!
I loved how many details are actually real and how good they were mixed with fantasy. This is a book that has everything. Action. Romance. Magic!
I am so happy that the journey is just beginning. Oh, Fortuna!
T.A. Uner... Genius!
Reading this book was mesmerizing,-like setting things aside, putting on gladiators, an armlet, letting my hair loose and snatching the curtain off the rack to drape it around me and go on a journey into a different era, an ancient Rome where a mighty soldier, Tullus was making his way.
First of, there are some books in which you are an spectator, and some where you are present and you live through it. I lived this.
The writing was beautiful and fluent, there were colors, smells, views, sounds... and everything captured me.
I found myself wishing I had a long interesting name! I want to be part of the Troupe! I want to battle for the rights of the people!
I loved how many details are actually real and how good they were mixed with fantasy. This is a book that has everything. Action. Romance. Magic!
I am so happy that the journey is just beginning. Oh, Fortuna!
T.A. Uner... Genius!
May 12, 2015
Roman adventure with a different brand of mysticism, as of now what drew me to this novel is....... when in Rome, just read, be decadent and lots of gratuitous S E X, even with the third reason omitted, who doesn't love the Romans one of the most respected culture, the best in warfare(legionnaires), hope I'm spelling it correctly, brilliant minds/horrendous killers.......what else??? Oh the story.....amidst my ramblings is the story.
Honestly I am having second thoughts to this series, it lacks something......uuuummm maybe I need more of that roast pork with sausages disguised as it's innards!!!!!! If you like your Roman history albeit with a twist, pick up this book........have to remember, it is just starting!!!!
Honestly I am having second thoughts to this series, it lacks something......uuuummm maybe I need more of that roast pork with sausages disguised as it's innards!!!!!! If you like your Roman history albeit with a twist, pick up this book........have to remember, it is just starting!!!!
March 23, 2015
"The Leopard Vanguard" by T.A Uner is a step back into the Roman Empire with political intrigue, romance, a few twists along the way. I would say it's a pretty good epic adventure if you're looking for something along that line. It starts out a little slow in the beginning but sucks you after a few chapters.
This isn't normally my type of read, but it kept my interest long enough to finish the story, so for that I praise T.A.'s writing skills.
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This isn't normally my type of read, but it kept my interest long enough to finish the story, so for that I praise T.A.'s writing skills.
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2015
The author offered me a copy of his story in exchange for a review, being a book whore I said "OF COURSE"
It took me a while, but apparently Mr. Uner knows what floats my boat, this is a great fantasy/historical fiction tale, if you haven't read it and thats your thing, give the man your money, its worth your time.
It took me a while, but apparently Mr. Uner knows what floats my boat, this is a great fantasy/historical fiction tale, if you haven't read it and thats your thing, give the man your money, its worth your time.
October 1, 2015
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange of a review
I love Roman history so i really loved this book . the mix between romance ,fantasy and history was very exciting.I enjoied reading it , loved the characters Tullus ,Anna and Eliana and of course Celestra
thank you T.A. Uner .
I love Roman history so i really loved this book . the mix between romance ,fantasy and history was very exciting.I enjoied reading it , loved the characters Tullus ,Anna and Eliana and of course Celestra
thank you T.A. Uner .
October 18, 2020
Romans, magic, big cats... it was going to be tough to live up to the expectations made by those words. However, T.A. Uner pulls it off with a certain amount of style and flair and delivers a cracking story. I didn't like many of the characters, but that didn't make any difference to my enjoyment of the story. I found the writing to be engaging and it was hard to stop reading at several points. "The Leopard Vanguard" is a great beginning to what promises to be an even greater series!
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
March 28, 2015
Ještě jednou děkuji autorovi za e-book. :)
Hned na začátek se musím přiznat, že žánr "historické fantasy" nijak zvlášť nevyhledávám. Avšak musím říct, páni, tahle knížka byla vážné dobrá.
Během prvních pár stran se seznámíme s hlavním hrdinou Tullusem, který se zúčastnil mnoha krvavých bitev. Za své hrdinské činy a pomoc Norbanusovi byl povýšen. Společně se svým přítelem Decimusem cestuje do Říma, kde je svědkem korupce, bojů o moc a snah získat trůn. Mimo to se zamiluje do Eliany - dcery senátora, avšak láska netrvá věčně. Zhrzený Tullus opouští Řím. Díky svému novému příteli objeví své magické schopnosti a stane se Leopardím králem (The Leopard King) - potulným kejklířem, který se později rozhodne se pomstít za smrt svých přátel a zjednat právo i pořádek.
“But that’s where you are wrong, my love, this
isn’t justice. You’ve turned our happy little Troupe into a merciless band of
bloodthirsty rovers.”
Krvavým scénám se v této knize rozhodně nevyhnete. Krev teče v litrech (ne-li v hektolitrech), části lidských těl všude kolem hrdinů. Zdá se vám to málo? Přidejte ještě mučení, nečekanou smrt několika (ne)podstatných postav a držíte v ruce knihu právě The Leopard Vanguard. Autor vše dokonale popisuje, nevynechává detaily. Vše skvěle podtrhuje historický popis prostředí, kde se právě děj odehrává - Řím za vlády císaře Caliguli. Krev, sex, politické intriky a nástrahy. Takhle má správně historická kniha vypadat.
Celá kniha je rozdělena na tři části. Velmi se mi líbí styl číslování každé kapitoly (One/Unus, Two/Duo, Three/Tres...) a citát na začátku každé části.
Co se týká děje, tak začátek je trošku pomalejší. Čtenář je seznamován s jednotlivými postavami, z jejichž pohledu pak bude celý děj sledovat.
K dalším výrazným postavám kromě Tulluse a Eliany patří rozhodně Anna.
Kromě těchto tří hrdinů jsem si oblíbila i Norbanuse. On je takový zlý, zákeřný... zkrátka skvělý záporák :D
Nejvíc mě však překvapila Celestra. Nečekala jsem totiž, že Tullusovým doprovodem bude zrovna ona. A co je na ní tak speciálního? Tak za prvé, je to levhartice. Za druhé dokáže nějakým způsobem komunikovat s Tullusem. A za třetí je úžasná. (Asi si pořídím lehvarta)
Sečteno a podtrženo. Nikdy jsem nic podobného nečetla a tahle kniha mě vážně překvapila. Pomalejší děj na začátku vystřídalo krveprolití, zvraty, politické intriky a nečekaná úmrtí. Za mě 4/5.
__________________________________________________
Thank you T.A.Uner for a free copy :)
First of all I have to say, that historic fiction is not my cup of tee. I've read some books from this genre, but I usually don't search for them. However I have to say, wow, this book is great.
During the first few pages, you'll meet the main character - Tullus, who took part in many bloody battles. For his bravery and saving Norbanus life, he promotes.Tullus together with his friend Decimus travel to Rome, where he's a witness of the corruption, fights for power and throne. Besides he falls in love with Eliana - senator's daughter. However the love doens't last too long. Lovelorn Tullus is leaving Rome. Thanks to his new friend, he discovers his magical power and he become The Leopard King. After Paulus death, he starts to revenge for his death and he tries to bring justice to Rome.
“But that’s where you are wrong, my love, this
isn’t justice. You’ve turned our happy little Troupe into a merciless band of
bloodthirsty rovers.”
In this book you can't avoid bloody scenes. Blood flows in litres (even in hectolitres), pieces of human bodies are everywhere. Do you think that it's not enough? Add torturing, unexpected deaths of few (un)important people, and you're holding in your hands this book - The Leopard Vanguard. Author described everything into details. It all complementing description of ancient Rome during Caligula's reign. Blood, sex, intrigues and snares. That's how great historic fantasy book looks like.
Whole book is divided into three parts. I really like the idea of numbering of the chapters (one/unus, two/duo, three/tres...) and quotes on new part.
As concern as story, the beginning is little bit slowly. Readers get acquainted with characters, from whose point of view they'll see the whole story.
To strong characters belong Anna (except Tullus and Eliana). I also like Norbanus. He's such vicious, such evil... just a great villian. :D
The biggest suprise for me was Celestra. I didn't assume that she'll go everywhere with Tullus. And what is so special about her? First of all, she's a leopardess. Secondly, she can comunicate with Tullus without words. Thridly, she's amazing. (I think I'll bring home leopardess).
To cut a long story short. I have never read anything similar and this book suprised me. 4/5.
Hned na začátek se musím přiznat, že žánr "historické fantasy" nijak zvlášť nevyhledávám. Avšak musím říct, páni, tahle knížka byla vážné dobrá.
Během prvních pár stran se seznámíme s hlavním hrdinou Tullusem, který se zúčastnil mnoha krvavých bitev. Za své hrdinské činy a pomoc Norbanusovi byl povýšen. Společně se svým přítelem Decimusem cestuje do Říma, kde je svědkem korupce, bojů o moc a snah získat trůn. Mimo to se zamiluje do Eliany - dcery senátora, avšak láska netrvá věčně. Zhrzený Tullus opouští Řím. Díky svému novému příteli objeví své magické schopnosti a stane se Leopardím králem (The Leopard King) - potulným kejklířem, který se později rozhodne se pomstít za smrt svých přátel a zjednat právo i pořádek.
“But that’s where you are wrong, my love, this
isn’t justice. You’ve turned our happy little Troupe into a merciless band of
bloodthirsty rovers.”
Krvavým scénám se v této knize rozhodně nevyhnete. Krev teče v litrech (ne-li v hektolitrech), části lidských těl všude kolem hrdinů. Zdá se vám to málo? Přidejte ještě mučení, nečekanou smrt několika (ne)podstatných postav a držíte v ruce knihu právě The Leopard Vanguard. Autor vše dokonale popisuje, nevynechává detaily. Vše skvěle podtrhuje historický popis prostředí, kde se právě děj odehrává - Řím za vlády císaře Caliguli. Krev, sex, politické intriky a nástrahy. Takhle má správně historická kniha vypadat.
Celá kniha je rozdělena na tři části. Velmi se mi líbí styl číslování každé kapitoly (One/Unus, Two/Duo, Three/Tres...) a citát na začátku každé části.
Co se týká děje, tak začátek je trošku pomalejší. Čtenář je seznamován s jednotlivými postavami, z jejichž pohledu pak bude celý děj sledovat.
K dalším výrazným postavám kromě Tulluse a Eliany patří rozhodně Anna.
Kromě těchto tří hrdinů jsem si oblíbila i Norbanuse. On je takový zlý, zákeřný... zkrátka skvělý záporák :D
Nejvíc mě však překvapila Celestra. Nečekala jsem totiž, že Tullusovým doprovodem bude zrovna ona. A co je na ní tak speciálního? Tak za prvé, je to levhartice. Za druhé dokáže nějakým způsobem komunikovat s Tullusem. A za třetí je úžasná. (Asi si pořídím lehvarta)
Sečteno a podtrženo. Nikdy jsem nic podobného nečetla a tahle kniha mě vážně překvapila. Pomalejší děj na začátku vystřídalo krveprolití, zvraty, politické intriky a nečekaná úmrtí. Za mě 4/5.
__________________________________________________
Thank you T.A.Uner for a free copy :)
First of all I have to say, that historic fiction is not my cup of tee. I've read some books from this genre, but I usually don't search for them. However I have to say, wow, this book is great.
During the first few pages, you'll meet the main character - Tullus, who took part in many bloody battles. For his bravery and saving Norbanus life, he promotes.Tullus together with his friend Decimus travel to Rome, where he's a witness of the corruption, fights for power and throne. Besides he falls in love with Eliana - senator's daughter. However the love doens't last too long. Lovelorn Tullus is leaving Rome. Thanks to his new friend, he discovers his magical power and he become The Leopard King. After Paulus death, he starts to revenge for his death and he tries to bring justice to Rome.
“But that’s where you are wrong, my love, this
isn’t justice. You’ve turned our happy little Troupe into a merciless band of
bloodthirsty rovers.”
In this book you can't avoid bloody scenes. Blood flows in litres (even in hectolitres), pieces of human bodies are everywhere. Do you think that it's not enough? Add torturing, unexpected deaths of few (un)important people, and you're holding in your hands this book - The Leopard Vanguard. Author described everything into details. It all complementing description of ancient Rome during Caligula's reign. Blood, sex, intrigues and snares. That's how great historic fantasy book looks like.
Whole book is divided into three parts. I really like the idea of numbering of the chapters (one/unus, two/duo, three/tres...) and quotes on new part.
As concern as story, the beginning is little bit slowly. Readers get acquainted with characters, from whose point of view they'll see the whole story.
To strong characters belong Anna (except Tullus and Eliana). I also like Norbanus. He's such vicious, such evil... just a great villian. :D
The biggest suprise for me was Celestra. I didn't assume that she'll go everywhere with Tullus. And what is so special about her? First of all, she's a leopardess. Secondly, she can comunicate with Tullus without words. Thridly, she's amazing. (I think I'll bring home leopardess).
To cut a long story short. I have never read anything similar and this book suprised me. 4/5.
October 19, 2014
I was given this book by the author for free under the grounds that they'd receive an honest review upon my completing it.
There is a distinct relationship between time and history. History is the passage of time before the present. Time is the medium that history uses until it reaches the present. Of course, there are people that would argue that history is a process, and time is a completely different dimension. Ignore them. They don’t matter, right now. Now, historians, as a society, do not know what happened every single moment of every single year in the past. They try their best to map events out, but in the end, only major occurrences are jotted down on the “timeline” that is history.
The Leopard Vanguard, as a historical fiction piece, understands that. Each Part is carried out in a span of months. In these months, multiple events occur that change the plot of the tale. The story arc is essentially altered in a way that I find admirable. Uner did this in the very beginning. Tullus and Decimus were first introduced in a war scene. Suddenly, an unexpected meeting with Norbanus―scum of the Earth, by the way―takes the two away from the grit of battle and into a sophisticated setting: Rome. I honestly, loved this. Time jumps allow me to keep track of events far more easily, and they work best in a historical setting.
Another aspect of The Leopard Vanguard that struck me was the story behind it. Something horrible happened to the people of Rome. They lost their heroes: the Air Paladins. Now, Uner does not explain who these warriors are, nor does he elaborate on their impact on the society of Rome. This, I feel, is one of the greatest pitfalls of this story.
However, I’m getting ahead of myself. Time and history. Two tools that make up historical fiction. While they are used expertly throughout the story, I feel that Uner was trying a little too hard to give the readers the feeling that they were within Rome. The first sections of the story were completely unnecessary, and―to be completely honest―boring. There were pivotal scenes interweaved with moments I couldn’t care less about. Tullus’s experience with the Guard and Eliana would have been better presented with flashbacks, or in a prequel novella. It was an odd choice to put this into The Leopard Vanguard as a part of the overall book. Since there were barely enough time jumps, I felt trapped within Rome. Uner did a remarkable job with making Rome feel like the empire that is taught in schools, with details one could only find with thorough research. This, I found was unnecessary. The Leopard Vanguard is a part of the Fantasy genre as well as Historical Fiction.
I identify such a book as this: Fantasy | Historical Fiction. With Fantasy in the beginning, I expect to find the magic taking a stronger role than the setting does. Instead, I found that the most fantastical moment was when Tullus made a tree talk! The book turned into Historical Fiction | Fantasy. The Fortis I spells had such potential, and I feel that Uner focused less on them, and more on the time period. I can only assume that this is because the magic will take on a bigger role in future novels. I love Fantasy and Science Fiction. It feels like a large letdown to see the possible sorcery that Tullus could have used play such a minor part in the story.
The book ended with Tullus going to see a man who should know more about magic that Paullus―coolest old guy ever, by the way―and gain a different outlook on…everything. To be honest, I liked this ending. It invites more to the series without a random cliffhanger. I started to see Tullus’s militaristic personality unraveling. The noble warrior I’d come to admire was dying as a character. It was realistic to have him start feeling fear and seek aid. I liked that about The Leopard Vanguard. The characters were so…real. I could feel pity for Norbanus―still hate him, though―and sympathy for Eliana. Their connections with each other were very plausible. Almost as if Uner used real life stories and translated them onto paper.
As a rule, I never rate a book below two stars. If the author spends enough time to write a tale―especially one of this length―it’s my duty as a reader to respect that. This gives The Leopard Vanguard an automatic 40%. I liked the time jumps throughout the story, which bumps the grade up to 60%. I didn’t like the beginning, which was long and unnecessary. I ended up feeling as if the story didn’t start until the middle. This puts it down to 50%. I liked the idea of the Fortis spells, but not how they were presented. I won’t dock any points for the latter because of the ending of the book, which tells me that magic will have more of a place in the sequel. We’re now back to 60%. Lastly, we have the characters and setting. Both of which, I loved. Especially the former. In my opinion, the characters carry the story. Because of them, The Leopard Vanguard is now at 80%. The setting, which was detailed―overly so, to be honest―was amazing as well. I give T.A. Uner’s book four stars out of five.
My own view of the book? Without any analytically formed views?
I liked this book, a lot. Because of this, it has 4.5 stars out of five.
~Rain
There is a distinct relationship between time and history. History is the passage of time before the present. Time is the medium that history uses until it reaches the present. Of course, there are people that would argue that history is a process, and time is a completely different dimension. Ignore them. They don’t matter, right now. Now, historians, as a society, do not know what happened every single moment of every single year in the past. They try their best to map events out, but in the end, only major occurrences are jotted down on the “timeline” that is history.
The Leopard Vanguard, as a historical fiction piece, understands that. Each Part is carried out in a span of months. In these months, multiple events occur that change the plot of the tale. The story arc is essentially altered in a way that I find admirable. Uner did this in the very beginning. Tullus and Decimus were first introduced in a war scene. Suddenly, an unexpected meeting with Norbanus―scum of the Earth, by the way―takes the two away from the grit of battle and into a sophisticated setting: Rome. I honestly, loved this. Time jumps allow me to keep track of events far more easily, and they work best in a historical setting.
Another aspect of The Leopard Vanguard that struck me was the story behind it. Something horrible happened to the people of Rome. They lost their heroes: the Air Paladins. Now, Uner does not explain who these warriors are, nor does he elaborate on their impact on the society of Rome. This, I feel, is one of the greatest pitfalls of this story.
However, I’m getting ahead of myself. Time and history. Two tools that make up historical fiction. While they are used expertly throughout the story, I feel that Uner was trying a little too hard to give the readers the feeling that they were within Rome. The first sections of the story were completely unnecessary, and―to be completely honest―boring. There were pivotal scenes interweaved with moments I couldn’t care less about. Tullus’s experience with the Guard and Eliana would have been better presented with flashbacks, or in a prequel novella. It was an odd choice to put this into The Leopard Vanguard as a part of the overall book. Since there were barely enough time jumps, I felt trapped within Rome. Uner did a remarkable job with making Rome feel like the empire that is taught in schools, with details one could only find with thorough research. This, I found was unnecessary. The Leopard Vanguard is a part of the Fantasy genre as well as Historical Fiction.
I identify such a book as this: Fantasy | Historical Fiction. With Fantasy in the beginning, I expect to find the magic taking a stronger role than the setting does. Instead, I found that the most fantastical moment was when Tullus made a tree talk! The book turned into Historical Fiction | Fantasy. The Fortis I spells had such potential, and I feel that Uner focused less on them, and more on the time period. I can only assume that this is because the magic will take on a bigger role in future novels. I love Fantasy and Science Fiction. It feels like a large letdown to see the possible sorcery that Tullus could have used play such a minor part in the story.
The book ended with Tullus going to see a man who should know more about magic that Paullus―coolest old guy ever, by the way―and gain a different outlook on…everything. To be honest, I liked this ending. It invites more to the series without a random cliffhanger. I started to see Tullus’s militaristic personality unraveling. The noble warrior I’d come to admire was dying as a character. It was realistic to have him start feeling fear and seek aid. I liked that about The Leopard Vanguard. The characters were so…real. I could feel pity for Norbanus―still hate him, though―and sympathy for Eliana. Their connections with each other were very plausible. Almost as if Uner used real life stories and translated them onto paper.
As a rule, I never rate a book below two stars. If the author spends enough time to write a tale―especially one of this length―it’s my duty as a reader to respect that. This gives The Leopard Vanguard an automatic 40%. I liked the time jumps throughout the story, which bumps the grade up to 60%. I didn’t like the beginning, which was long and unnecessary. I ended up feeling as if the story didn’t start until the middle. This puts it down to 50%. I liked the idea of the Fortis spells, but not how they were presented. I won’t dock any points for the latter because of the ending of the book, which tells me that magic will have more of a place in the sequel. We’re now back to 60%. Lastly, we have the characters and setting. Both of which, I loved. Especially the former. In my opinion, the characters carry the story. Because of them, The Leopard Vanguard is now at 80%. The setting, which was detailed―overly so, to be honest―was amazing as well. I give T.A. Uner’s book four stars out of five.
My own view of the book? Without any analytically formed views?
I liked this book, a lot. Because of this, it has 4.5 stars out of five.
~Rain
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2016
T.A. Uner gave me a free e-copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. What follows is my thoughts, unswayed by the fact that I was given a book for free. Seriously, I've read over a dozen books from Goodreads for free, and their reviews are as honest as any other review I write.
So here I sit after just finishing Uner's debut novel. Not that I would've known that by reading it. Uner is as strong with his descriptions and his dialogue as many seasoned authors. Granted, the book has received revisions since it's original publication, but nonetheless, it excels.
I loved the premise. The fact that Tullus joins up with a troupe made the story all the more interesting. And while we see very little of him as his performer (and more as his soldier) the thought is still there.
Also I found the setting (first century AD Rome) refreshing when paired with sword-sorcery fantasy. Though I will say that I found the elemental magic to be quite secondary to the plot as a whole. Despite seeing the magic in action quite a few times, I cannot sit here and say that I know how the magic works (other than the fact that it tires its users). And it puzzles me that a few of the animals can use magic too. We even get a paragraph that is seemingly in the leopardess's perspective. On a whole, I'm not comfortable at all with the magic system. In fact, I think that it's so secondary, you could easily pretend that the magic system is gone and still get all of the major parts of this story. Now I imagine that it'll play a more dominant role in the books to come (especially considering the synopsis of book two), but for The Leopard Vanguard , I think the magic is expendable and superfluous at best. But that's an opinion, and not something to detract from the merit of the story. Hopefully in the sequel, this guru actually takes the time to explain the logistics of magic, because, as it stands right now, 'elemental essence/magic' is a fancy way to rename: Deus Ex Machina.
Also an opinion is the novel's gratuitous sex. It's raunchy. It's way more sex than I would've deemed appropriate without labeling it soft-core literotica. Am I against sex in novels? No... Sex can be symbolic. But when sex is there just for sex, it becomes literotica. There were two qualities about the novel that redeemed the gratuitous nature of the sex. Firstly: the majority of the explicit scenes fell in the first half of the novel. So by the time the 'novelty' has worn off, most of it is behind you. Secondly, I had to take myself out of the shoes of a 21st century American, where sex is both idolized, and hushed in culture and media, and put myself into a first century Roman's sandals, where bath houses are open and sex is not taboo celebrated more. Would I label this as literotica, after making those arguments... ehh, the jury is still out. But it's definitely something that should be warned, as any literotica does warn.
I liked the characters, though, with the exception of a few of the minors, I had little idea of what they looked like. I was able to figure out how they acted and their personalities through their dialogue and actions, which is good, but if I walked past the troupe on the sidewalk, I doubt I would be able to tell if they were Tullus's troupe, or if it was the next group down the road.
The action scenes were gritty and realistic. Also I enjoyed the frequency of those scenes.
Overall, it was a good reading experience, and I think it's a good start to a solid series, though I'm not sure how the magic will play a role, even though I know it will. That's not necessarily the best position to be in, as a reader, at the end of a book.
3.5/5
So here I sit after just finishing Uner's debut novel. Not that I would've known that by reading it. Uner is as strong with his descriptions and his dialogue as many seasoned authors. Granted, the book has received revisions since it's original publication, but nonetheless, it excels.
I loved the premise. The fact that Tullus joins up with a troupe made the story all the more interesting. And while we see very little of him as his performer (and more as his soldier) the thought is still there.
Also I found the setting (first century AD Rome) refreshing when paired with sword-sorcery fantasy. Though I will say that I found the elemental magic to be quite secondary to the plot as a whole. Despite seeing the magic in action quite a few times, I cannot sit here and say that I know how the magic works (other than the fact that it tires its users). And it puzzles me that a few of the animals can use magic too. We even get a paragraph that is seemingly in the leopardess's perspective. On a whole, I'm not comfortable at all with the magic system. In fact, I think that it's so secondary, you could easily pretend that the magic system is gone and still get all of the major parts of this story. Now I imagine that it'll play a more dominant role in the books to come (especially considering the synopsis of book two), but for The Leopard Vanguard , I think the magic is expendable and superfluous at best. But that's an opinion, and not something to detract from the merit of the story. Hopefully in the sequel, this guru actually takes the time to explain the logistics of magic, because, as it stands right now, 'elemental essence/magic' is a fancy way to rename: Deus Ex Machina.
Also an opinion is the novel's gratuitous sex. It's raunchy. It's way more sex than I would've deemed appropriate without labeling it soft-core literotica. Am I against sex in novels? No... Sex can be symbolic. But when sex is there just for sex, it becomes literotica. There were two qualities about the novel that redeemed the gratuitous nature of the sex. Firstly: the majority of the explicit scenes fell in the first half of the novel. So by the time the 'novelty' has worn off, most of it is behind you. Secondly, I had to take myself out of the shoes of a 21st century American, where sex is both idolized, and hushed in culture and media, and put myself into a first century Roman's sandals, where bath houses are open and sex is
I liked the characters, though, with the exception of a few of the minors, I had little idea of what they looked like. I was able to figure out how they acted and their personalities through their dialogue and actions, which is good, but if I walked past the troupe on the sidewalk, I doubt I would be able to tell if they were Tullus's troupe, or if it was the next group down the road.
The action scenes were gritty and realistic. Also I enjoyed the frequency of those scenes.
Overall, it was a good reading experience, and I think it's a good start to a solid series, though I'm not sure how the magic will play a role, even though I know it will. That's not necessarily the best position to be in, as a reader, at the end of a book.
3.5/5
September 22, 2014
I was provided a digital copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Actual rating 4.5 stars
I was blown away by how much I loved this book. This is the perfect fantasy book for all readers, and shows that Mr. Uner is one to watch! I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel, but I knew two things. First, the cover was gorgeous and extremely intriguing. And second, it featured ancient Rome, magic, and a circus troupe. You can't beat that kind of combination! This novel is expertly written and the flows very well. The reason I couldn't give it a full 5 stars is because of the beginning. I felt that there were a lot of names and information thrown at you all at once, and it was a little bit overwhelming. However, don't worry because by about 20% into the book, the story truly takes off and you will no longer be confused. Instead, you will never want to stop reading.
While there wasn't too much romance, there was some...enough that this is definitely an adult book. It's ancient Rome, so expect sex (shouldn't be a surprise though). However, all the steamy scenes if you will were written extremely well, never once being too graphic. The storybuilding in this novel is fantastic, and you can easily tell that Mr. Uner knows his Roman history. It is obvious that he spent a great deal of time and research on making this novel as accurate as possible, while obviously still taking creative liberties. The integration of historic elements and fantasy is beyond amazing, and will appeal to a vast number of people. Mr. Uner has a wonderful sense of creativity, and this story definitely stands out in its uniqueness (which is not a bad thing in any way).
Tullus was an amazing lead character. A strong Roman soldier that want more out of life. From the beginning, I was yearning for him to break free of the Roman chains, and find his passions elsewhere. It is obvious from the get-go that he is tired of soldier life, even though he is of a high-rank. He truly shines though when he joins the Troupe. The cast of characters he meets there makes the story that much more enjoyable, and will leave you wanting to join a circus troupe too! I absolutely loved Celestra, and Tullus' interactions with her. However, the one thing that stood out for me was the third person POV. We are treated to almost every character's perspective, and I think it was one of the things that made the book extra special. You are able to understand the story as a whole much better, and you get to see the different sides to the story. It not only helps the book move along, but also grants the reader an behind the scenes look that would have not been experienced had this story only been told in Tullus' POV. I think this story would not have nearly been as amazing and special as it was if it was in first person.
The ending of this novel is very satisfying, however I definitely want more. I'm extremely happy that there is not one, but two more books to look forward to (The Leopard Stratagem and The Leopard Apocalypse) as I will surely be checking out both. The pacing is unpredictable and flows effortlessly, and this book plays out like a movie. The action is nonstop and beautifully written, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Definitely add this to your TBR list right away! Happy reading :)
Actual rating 4.5 stars
I was blown away by how much I loved this book. This is the perfect fantasy book for all readers, and shows that Mr. Uner is one to watch! I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel, but I knew two things. First, the cover was gorgeous and extremely intriguing. And second, it featured ancient Rome, magic, and a circus troupe. You can't beat that kind of combination! This novel is expertly written and the flows very well. The reason I couldn't give it a full 5 stars is because of the beginning. I felt that there were a lot of names and information thrown at you all at once, and it was a little bit overwhelming. However, don't worry because by about 20% into the book, the story truly takes off and you will no longer be confused. Instead, you will never want to stop reading.
While there wasn't too much romance, there was some...enough that this is definitely an adult book. It's ancient Rome, so expect sex (shouldn't be a surprise though). However, all the steamy scenes if you will were written extremely well, never once being too graphic. The storybuilding in this novel is fantastic, and you can easily tell that Mr. Uner knows his Roman history. It is obvious that he spent a great deal of time and research on making this novel as accurate as possible, while obviously still taking creative liberties. The integration of historic elements and fantasy is beyond amazing, and will appeal to a vast number of people. Mr. Uner has a wonderful sense of creativity, and this story definitely stands out in its uniqueness (which is not a bad thing in any way).
Tullus was an amazing lead character. A strong Roman soldier that want more out of life. From the beginning, I was yearning for him to break free of the Roman chains, and find his passions elsewhere. It is obvious from the get-go that he is tired of soldier life, even though he is of a high-rank. He truly shines though when he joins the Troupe. The cast of characters he meets there makes the story that much more enjoyable, and will leave you wanting to join a circus troupe too! I absolutely loved Celestra, and Tullus' interactions with her. However, the one thing that stood out for me was the third person POV. We are treated to almost every character's perspective, and I think it was one of the things that made the book extra special. You are able to understand the story as a whole much better, and you get to see the different sides to the story. It not only helps the book move along, but also grants the reader an behind the scenes look that would have not been experienced had this story only been told in Tullus' POV. I think this story would not have nearly been as amazing and special as it was if it was in first person.
The ending of this novel is very satisfying, however I definitely want more. I'm extremely happy that there is not one, but two more books to look forward to (The Leopard Stratagem and The Leopard Apocalypse) as I will surely be checking out both. The pacing is unpredictable and flows effortlessly, and this book plays out like a movie. The action is nonstop and beautifully written, and I can't wait to see what happens next. Definitely add this to your TBR list right away! Happy reading :)
July 1, 2017
Ancient Rome - debauch and corrupt. A world full of intrigue, power-struggles, sex and a place where magic isn't allowed. Are you brave dear reader to step into the book that will bring you into the darkness of the glory of Rome? Are you ready to stand for the morals that you are aware of or will you side with the politics that devour those who don't pay.
Yes I am still reading the book but I am enjoying the read so far. Uner does a great job of combining fantasy with history while there is an element of modernity that keeps the story young. And the human element will keep you reading the pages following - cheering, booing and eagerly awaiting the next step.
The author warned me that some people think the beginning is slow but I found it quite average for a book. Even without a lot of drama at the beginning it sets the stage for you, brings you into the world that we don't often hear about besides in history books and welcomes you to the characters who are abundantly plentiful.
The main characters are well-made and emotionally deep so you can relate to them. Some of the secondary ones have been a bit brushed off - mentioned then thrown back into the background where they came from. And there is one so far that I wonder if he will show up again since of the emphasis placed on him without him really saying anything.
So far there are a few faults that I find and one I have made mention to the author already. The other is the book is definitely not for a younger audience with its graphic scenes of violence, its sex and some usage of the language. Its those same elements that bring Ancient Rome to life as it was back then.
Truly looking forward to finishing the book and hopefully getting a chance to read some of the next books. Will come back with any more ideas or opinions once I finish the book :)
~~~~
End of Book: So I have finished this book and all of the above still stands :) although some pieces of the puzzle have been put into place. It was emotional, it was raw and it was in some spots quite harsh yet it was a story that will keep you reaching for it.
One of the things I haven't gone over was the "artistic" part. The author did a beautiful job in placing a list of the spells in the front of the book while to me it was like a teaser summary of what may happen in this story or the ones to follow. I know many like to do indexes but it is awkward, too tempting and silly to have to go to the back of the book any time you need to look things up for something that doesn't need an index-feel.
Also the format of the story keeps you in Rome with the Latin quotes at the beginning of parts and the Latin chapter numbers. The using of these simple additions will keep you in the Roman Empire while giving a Roman air to your reading.
All in an all it was a great and pleasurable read....
**I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review**
Yes I am still reading the book but I am enjoying the read so far. Uner does a great job of combining fantasy with history while there is an element of modernity that keeps the story young. And the human element will keep you reading the pages following - cheering, booing and eagerly awaiting the next step.
The author warned me that some people think the beginning is slow but I found it quite average for a book. Even without a lot of drama at the beginning it sets the stage for you, brings you into the world that we don't often hear about besides in history books and welcomes you to the characters who are abundantly plentiful.
The main characters are well-made and emotionally deep so you can relate to them. Some of the secondary ones have been a bit brushed off - mentioned then thrown back into the background where they came from. And there is one so far that I wonder if he will show up again since of the emphasis placed on him without him really saying anything.
So far there are a few faults that I find and one I have made mention to the author already. The other is the book is definitely not for a younger audience with its graphic scenes of violence, its sex and some usage of the language. Its those same elements that bring Ancient Rome to life as it was back then.
Truly looking forward to finishing the book and hopefully getting a chance to read some of the next books. Will come back with any more ideas or opinions once I finish the book :)
~~~~
End of Book: So I have finished this book and all of the above still stands :) although some pieces of the puzzle have been put into place. It was emotional, it was raw and it was in some spots quite harsh yet it was a story that will keep you reaching for it.
One of the things I haven't gone over was the "artistic" part. The author did a beautiful job in placing a list of the spells in the front of the book while to me it was like a teaser summary of what may happen in this story or the ones to follow. I know many like to do indexes but it is awkward, too tempting and silly to have to go to the back of the book any time you need to look things up for something that doesn't need an index-feel.
Also the format of the story keeps you in Rome with the Latin quotes at the beginning of parts and the Latin chapter numbers. The using of these simple additions will keep you in the Roman Empire while giving a Roman air to your reading.
All in an all it was a great and pleasurable read....
**I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review**
May 14, 2015
Overall Rating: 4 stars
Concept Rating: 5 stars
Execution Rating: 3 stars
Note: Digital copy of the novel provided by the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
In the Ancient Roman Empire, a cloud of chaos has descended upon the eternal city. Crime and corruption run rampant through the city streets, a fabulous treasure remains missing even after many years, and Emperor Caligula has just taken the throne. During this historical fantasy filled with danger, intrigue, magic, conspiracies, and a fight for justice, a successful Praetorian Guardsman named Tullus abandons his life as a soldier and joins a circus troupe. But this change does not mean peace and quiet for Tullus, as he uncovers truth about his mysterious abilities, befriends new allies who will alter the course of his life forever, and once again take up the sword for the sake of Rome.
In “The Leopard Vanguard,” T.A. Uner invites readers to see Ancient Rome—dusted distinctively with elements of magic—fascinatingly and up close. I loved the world he crafted in this novel for its conceptual uniqueness, and the immense amount of research I could tell he put into fully developing it. The plot and ideas of the novel stand out as one of a kind, and the diverse cast of characters, from Caligula himself to a Roman noblewoman with an independent spirit, added great depth to the story. Throughout the novel, the world and concepts—like Tullus’ magical bond with an intelligent leopardess—weaved into the tale captivated me and kept me reading.
Despite these incredible elements, the writing of “The Leopard Vanguard” was slower than I expected and appreciated. Though the language itself was relatively interesting, I felt like there were too many scenes incorporated into the novel that felt sluggish. For example, I thought too much time was spent in the beginning focusing on how Tullus became a Praetorian Guard, how he felt about the job, and why he decided to leave it, but not enough time spent later on illustrating more important events, such as how he developed his relationship with his leopardess companion. Tullus doesn’t leave the Praetorian Guard until approximately a third of the way through the book, and then meets and becomes fully bonded with the leopardess—Celestra—within several pages.
In addition, Tullus himself wasn’t unique enough of a hero for me. Though honorable, a great fighter, and allies with a leopardess, his personality didn’t possess enough quirks to make him particularly extraordinary as a character. If you’re looking for an unforgettable protagonist, Tullus might not be the one for you. However, if you’re looking for an epic historical fantasy and have a little patience, then check out “The Leopard Vanguard,” by T.A. Uner.
Concept Rating: 5 stars
Execution Rating: 3 stars
Note: Digital copy of the novel provided by the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review.
In the Ancient Roman Empire, a cloud of chaos has descended upon the eternal city. Crime and corruption run rampant through the city streets, a fabulous treasure remains missing even after many years, and Emperor Caligula has just taken the throne. During this historical fantasy filled with danger, intrigue, magic, conspiracies, and a fight for justice, a successful Praetorian Guardsman named Tullus abandons his life as a soldier and joins a circus troupe. But this change does not mean peace and quiet for Tullus, as he uncovers truth about his mysterious abilities, befriends new allies who will alter the course of his life forever, and once again take up the sword for the sake of Rome.
In “The Leopard Vanguard,” T.A. Uner invites readers to see Ancient Rome—dusted distinctively with elements of magic—fascinatingly and up close. I loved the world he crafted in this novel for its conceptual uniqueness, and the immense amount of research I could tell he put into fully developing it. The plot and ideas of the novel stand out as one of a kind, and the diverse cast of characters, from Caligula himself to a Roman noblewoman with an independent spirit, added great depth to the story. Throughout the novel, the world and concepts—like Tullus’ magical bond with an intelligent leopardess—weaved into the tale captivated me and kept me reading.
Despite these incredible elements, the writing of “The Leopard Vanguard” was slower than I expected and appreciated. Though the language itself was relatively interesting, I felt like there were too many scenes incorporated into the novel that felt sluggish. For example, I thought too much time was spent in the beginning focusing on how Tullus became a Praetorian Guard, how he felt about the job, and why he decided to leave it, but not enough time spent later on illustrating more important events, such as how he developed his relationship with his leopardess companion. Tullus doesn’t leave the Praetorian Guard until approximately a third of the way through the book, and then meets and becomes fully bonded with the leopardess—Celestra—within several pages.
In addition, Tullus himself wasn’t unique enough of a hero for me. Though honorable, a great fighter, and allies with a leopardess, his personality didn’t possess enough quirks to make him particularly extraordinary as a character. If you’re looking for an unforgettable protagonist, Tullus might not be the one for you. However, if you’re looking for an epic historical fantasy and have a little patience, then check out “The Leopard Vanguard,” by T.A. Uner.
April 5, 2016
I'll start by saying I was predisposed to liking this one. It's setting is the Roman Empire in the mid part of 1st century A.D. and I've always liked Roman history. The bulk of the story takes place at the end of Tiberius' reign and the beginning of Caligula's.
Both these historical figures (and others) appear during the novel but the narrative is mainly carried by three characters: Tullus, a Centurion; Norbanous, an ambitious Tribune and Eliana, a senator's daughter. As the book progresses there are others who get their turn to be the focus of a section, but we consistently come back to these three as they interact and oppose each other.
The attention to detail regarding the Roman world is something I did appreciate, and works very well at drawing the reader into the story. I did enjoy the parts where the author would give a Roman name for an item or role and then leave it to the descriptions to allow the reader to work out what was being referred to.
There are also a number of well-written action sequences, ranging from one on one combat to a full scale Legion offensive. Again, the attention to detail here is very immersive. As is the slow unraveling of one the central plot lines, which begins in the prologue and continues all the way through the novel (and presumably continues into the second book).
The addition of magic into this well established world is also gradual, beginning with brief mentions early on and evolving into one of the main characters being identified as having a gift for the now-outlawed practice of Elemence and hints that there are others who can make use of similar abilities. For whatever reason, this seemed the vaguest part of the book for me; although, based on the glossary at the back, there is still plenty to explore.
Even without my previously mentioned liking for the period, I believe I would have enjoyed this book. This is due to the strength of the writing, the careful placing (and pacing) of plot points and the teases of what will be in store in the second Tome, The Leopard Stratagem. I've already added it to my to-read list.
Both these historical figures (and others) appear during the novel but the narrative is mainly carried by three characters: Tullus, a Centurion; Norbanous, an ambitious Tribune and Eliana, a senator's daughter. As the book progresses there are others who get their turn to be the focus of a section, but we consistently come back to these three as they interact and oppose each other.
The attention to detail regarding the Roman world is something I did appreciate, and works very well at drawing the reader into the story. I did enjoy the parts where the author would give a Roman name for an item or role and then leave it to the descriptions to allow the reader to work out what was being referred to.
There are also a number of well-written action sequences, ranging from one on one combat to a full scale Legion offensive. Again, the attention to detail here is very immersive. As is the slow unraveling of one the central plot lines, which begins in the prologue and continues all the way through the novel (and presumably continues into the second book).
The addition of magic into this well established world is also gradual, beginning with brief mentions early on and evolving into one of the main characters being identified as having a gift for the now-outlawed practice of Elemence and hints that there are others who can make use of similar abilities. For whatever reason, this seemed the vaguest part of the book for me; although, based on the glossary at the back, there is still plenty to explore.
Even without my previously mentioned liking for the period, I believe I would have enjoyed this book. This is due to the strength of the writing, the careful placing (and pacing) of plot points and the teases of what will be in store in the second Tome, The Leopard Stratagem. I've already added it to my to-read list.
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