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Dark Eagle #9
Dark Eagle IX: Acheron
In Roman legend, there is a place spoken of in whispers and dismissed by reasonable men. A boundary that exists only in stories, in the fearful tales told by those who have lost loved ones to the earth's dark places.No one returns from Acheron.
But members of the Occultum have vanished. The investigation leads nowhere—no bodies, no witnesses, no trace beyond rumours that make no sense. Just whispers of men who walked into darkness and simply ceased to exist.
If the missing have truly reached that boundary, then reason says they are already dead. Logic demands it. Experience confirms it.
But Seneca knows his men. He knows their skills, their training, their refusal to surrender even when death seems certain. And so he makes a choice that others call he will follow them into the impossible.
What he finds defies everything he has learned in a lifetime of service to Rome. The darkness holds secrets that were meant to stay buried, truths that challenge the very nature of finality itself, and somewhere in that blackness, the missing men wait—alive, dead, or something between.
To find them, the Occultum must descend into a place where madness wears the face of faith, where belief becomes more dangerous than any blade, and where the question of what separates the living from the dead has only one answer.
From the bestselling Dark Eagle series comes a mission where hope battles against impossibility, where the search for truth leads into territories the mind was never meant to navigate, and where the only certainty is that some questions are better left unasked.
But members of the Occultum have vanished. The investigation leads nowhere—no bodies, no witnesses, no trace beyond rumours that make no sense. Just whispers of men who walked into darkness and simply ceased to exist.
If the missing have truly reached that boundary, then reason says they are already dead. Logic demands it. Experience confirms it.
But Seneca knows his men. He knows their skills, their training, their refusal to surrender even when death seems certain. And so he makes a choice that others call he will follow them into the impossible.
What he finds defies everything he has learned in a lifetime of service to Rome. The darkness holds secrets that were meant to stay buried, truths that challenge the very nature of finality itself, and somewhere in that blackness, the missing men wait—alive, dead, or something between.
To find them, the Occultum must descend into a place where madness wears the face of faith, where belief becomes more dangerous than any blade, and where the question of what separates the living from the dead has only one answer.
From the bestselling Dark Eagle series comes a mission where hope battles against impossibility, where the search for truth leads into territories the mind was never meant to navigate, and where the only certainty is that some questions are better left unasked.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2026
About the author
K.M. Ashman
59 books238 followersKevin Ashman is the author of twenty-six novels including the best-selling Roman Chronicles and highly ranked Medieval Sagas.
Always pushing the boundaries he found further success with the India Sommers Mysteries as well as three other stand-alone projects, Vampire, Savage Eden and the dystopian horror story, The Last Citadel. These cross-genre books have now been added to by the two Sci-fi novels, The Legacy Protocol and The Seventh God.
Kevin was born and raised in Wales in the United Kingdom and now writes full time having been signed by a major publishing company. He is married with four grown children and enjoys cycling, swimming and watching rugby as his hobbies.
Recent works include the Blood of Kings trilogy and the follow-up books, Warrior Princess and The Blade Bearer.
The most recent project is a five-book series about the Templars during the 12th century. Templar Steel, Templar Stone, Templar Blood and Templar Fury are already on sale and Templar Glory is due for release in Oct 2021.
An exciting project is also underway, a three-book series chronicling the years leading up to and beyond the Battle of Hastings.
Always pushing the boundaries he found further success with the India Sommers Mysteries as well as three other stand-alone projects, Vampire, Savage Eden and the dystopian horror story, The Last Citadel. These cross-genre books have now been added to by the two Sci-fi novels, The Legacy Protocol and The Seventh God.
Kevin was born and raised in Wales in the United Kingdom and now writes full time having been signed by a major publishing company. He is married with four grown children and enjoys cycling, swimming and watching rugby as his hobbies.
Recent works include the Blood of Kings trilogy and the follow-up books, Warrior Princess and The Blade Bearer.
The most recent project is a five-book series about the Templars during the 12th century. Templar Steel, Templar Stone, Templar Blood and Templar Fury are already on sale and Templar Glory is due for release in Oct 2021.
An exciting project is also underway, a three-book series chronicling the years leading up to and beyond the Battle of Hastings.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 27, 2026
El tema de este libro me ha parecido muy interesante, como todos los de la serie hasta ahora. Deja mucho que desear la traducción, parecía hecha a trozos por diferentes autores o programas de inteligencia artificial, la repetición de términos como acólito/acólitos se repite más de cien veces en uno a dos capítulos. Las expresiones "puntualidad británica", "caminar en fila india" en una obra en la que de fondo todavía falta mucho para terminar la conquista de Britania y aun se desconocía la existencia del continente al que llegarían primero los vikingos para "descubrir" a los indios y sus filas..., creo que no se ha cuidado la traducción para nada.
Otra cosa que no me ha gustado en demasía es el continuo recurso de comparar lo que se va descubriendo en cuanto a culturas, costumbres, ritos, etc., y su antigüedad. No porque se haga, sino que siempre es el mismo "asombro" al decir por ejemplo: "esto ya eran ruinas cuando Roma todavía era una aldea con cabañas de barro" y así unas cuantas más en grado superlativo.
En definitiva el libro me ha gustado. Lo he leído en formato epub. Si esto me hubiera pasado en el primero o segundo de los libros habría dejado a un lado la saga Águila Oscura.
Otra cosa que no me ha gustado en demasía es el continuo recurso de comparar lo que se va descubriendo en cuanto a culturas, costumbres, ritos, etc., y su antigüedad. No porque se haga, sino que siempre es el mismo "asombro" al decir por ejemplo: "esto ya eran ruinas cuando Roma todavía era una aldea con cabañas de barro" y así unas cuantas más en grado superlativo.
En definitiva el libro me ha gustado. Lo he leído en formato epub. Si esto me hubiera pasado en el primero o segundo de los libros habría dejado a un lado la saga Águila Oscura.
January 20, 2026
Another fantastic tale.
Another excellent chapter in the adventures of the occultum, I am really enjoying this series, the story is fast and furious keeping the reader enthralled to the end, the tale flows seamlessly from action to action arriving at an explosive climax.
I now have to wait until December for the next book.
Another excellent chapter in the adventures of the occultum, I am really enjoying this series, the story is fast and furious keeping the reader enthralled to the end, the tale flows seamlessly from action to action arriving at an explosive climax.
I now have to wait until December for the next book.
January 30, 2026
Another thrilling ride
The perfect blend of Rome, characters, intrigue, history, action, and good old fun. Plot is fast pace and intelligent while keeping your interest every page along the way. Keep the books coming fast and often
The perfect blend of Rome, characters, intrigue, history, action, and good old fun. Plot is fast pace and intelligent while keeping your interest every page along the way. Keep the books coming fast and often
February 15, 2026
Acheron
Another story in this series completed and I will be swiftly moving into the next volume. The usual political intrigue, betrayal and also the value of loyalty and companionship.
Another story in this series completed and I will be swiftly moving into the next volume. The usual political intrigue, betrayal and also the value of loyalty and companionship.
February 18, 2026
Dark Eagle IX: Acheron
Awesome reading! K.M. Ashman knocked this out of the park once again. Filled with adventure, action and everything else. I can’t wait for the next book! Highly recommended.!
Awesome reading! K.M. Ashman knocked this out of the park once again. Filled with adventure, action and everything else. I can’t wait for the next book! Highly recommended.!
March 5, 2026
Evil personified
An excellent and interesting story which I found disturbing in parts which could be today especially in the fire pit.Carry on fighting the evil and providing brilliant stories.
An excellent and interesting story which I found disturbing in parts which could be today especially in the fire pit.Carry on fighting the evil and providing brilliant stories.
May 20, 2026
Good story, plot and intriguing
One of the better books in the series which I really enjoyed. Set in a time of historical interest. It weaves historical characters into the stories and leaves some ends enclosed ready for another.
One of the better books in the series which I really enjoyed. Set in a time of historical interest. It weaves historical characters into the stories and leaves some ends enclosed ready for another.
June 10, 2026
Another excellent book By K. M. Ashman
I enjoy Ashman’s books about the Roman legion’s and his writing ranks with the.best authors of this genre.
Joe Corso
Author of The Starlight Club series.
I enjoy Ashman’s books about the Roman legion’s and his writing ranks with the.best authors of this genre.
Joe Corso
Author of The Starlight Club series.
February 18, 2026
Read the whole book in three days. I rest my case.
February 20, 2026
Excellent, best so far in the series
The character development mixed with a plot that has so many variables kept the intrigue and interest to a five star level throughout.
The character development mixed with a plot that has so many variables kept the intrigue and interest to a five star level throughout.
June 19, 2026
Primera vez que la historia tiene como escenario principal Italia, o mejor dicho, Roma y algunas regiones montañosas del norte. Por eso resulta una lástima que el autor se limite a explotar los lugares más básicos y reconocibles para desarrollar la trama. La descripción de los escenarios se siente genérica, casi como una producción de bajo presupuesto que cumple con lo mínimo necesario para situar al lector.
La ironía es que uno esperaría que alguien que escribe constantemente sobre romanos mostrara un mayor conocimiento de la ciudad o, al menos, una capacidad creativa suficiente para transportarnos por sus calles y hacerla sentir viva. Sin embargo, en varios momentos la ambientación parece desaprovechada.
Además, sigo teniendo la impresión de que el autor se siente más cómodo desacreditando a Roma y ciertos aspectos de su historia que presentándolos con una mirada equilibrada o imparcial. Y, como ya es costumbre en la saga, tampoco puede dejar de recurrir a las sectas y conspiraciones. A estas alturas no puedo evitar preguntarme si ese terminó siendo su único recurso narrativo.
La ironía es que uno esperaría que alguien que escribe constantemente sobre romanos mostrara un mayor conocimiento de la ciudad o, al menos, una capacidad creativa suficiente para transportarnos por sus calles y hacerla sentir viva. Sin embargo, en varios momentos la ambientación parece desaprovechada.
Además, sigo teniendo la impresión de que el autor se siente más cómodo desacreditando a Roma y ciertos aspectos de su historia que presentándolos con una mirada equilibrada o imparcial. Y, como ya es costumbre en la saga, tampoco puede dejar de recurrir a las sectas y conspiraciones. A estas alturas no puedo evitar preguntarme si ese terminó siendo su único recurso narrativo.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews