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Empire #9
Altar of Blood
'A master of the genre' The Times
The Tungrians have no sooner returned to Rome than they find themselves tasked with a very different mission to their desperate exploits in Parthia.
Ordered to cross the river Rhenus into barbarian Germany and capture a tribal priestess who may be the most dangerous person on the empire's northern border, they are soon subject to the machinations of an old enemy who will stop at nothing to sabotage their plans before they have even set foot on the river's eastern bank.
But after their Roman enemy is neutralised they face a challenge greater still.
With two of the Bructeri tribe's greatest treasures in their hands they must regain Roman territory by crossing the unforgiving wilderness that was the graveyard of Roman imperial strategy two hundred years before. And capture by the Bructeri's vengeful chieftain and his warband can only end in one way - a horrific sacrificial death on the tribe's altar of blood.
The Tungrians have no sooner returned to Rome than they find themselves tasked with a very different mission to their desperate exploits in Parthia.
Ordered to cross the river Rhenus into barbarian Germany and capture a tribal priestess who may be the most dangerous person on the empire's northern border, they are soon subject to the machinations of an old enemy who will stop at nothing to sabotage their plans before they have even set foot on the river's eastern bank.
But after their Roman enemy is neutralised they face a challenge greater still.
With two of the Bructeri tribe's greatest treasures in their hands they must regain Roman territory by crossing the unforgiving wilderness that was the graveyard of Roman imperial strategy two hundred years before. And capture by the Bructeri's vengeful chieftain and his warband can only end in one way - a horrific sacrificial death on the tribe's altar of blood.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2016
91 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Riches
51 books359 followersAnthony Riches began his lifelong interest in war and soldiers when he first heard his father's stories about World War II. This led to a degree in Military Studies at Manchester University. He began writing the story that would become Wounds of Honour after a visit to Housesteads in 1996. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 12, 2021
This one had all of the qualities that made me like this series in the first place: good characterization, great story, tense moments and terrific battles.
A much-reduced Tungrian force was ordered well within German territory for an assigned purpose, and as a result the Germanic tribes were Not Happy. The ensuing hunt through the forests and bogs was epic.
Without spoiling anything for other potential readers, I'm starting to think that the author hates his own MC. I mean, holy crap some seriously screwed up things have happened to him. When's a good character going to get a break? I really wonder if the latest trauma was actually necessary, or if this thing happened on a whim. To be perfectly honest, it made me angry. If it's for some unknown-as-yet reason, that's one thing; if it's more of an arbitrarily tossed in urge of the author, that's something else entirely. I guess I'll know which by the end of the series.
A much-reduced Tungrian force was ordered well within German territory for an assigned purpose, and as a result the Germanic tribes were Not Happy. The ensuing hunt through the forests and bogs was epic.
Without spoiling anything for other potential readers, I'm starting to think that the author hates his own MC. I mean, holy crap some seriously screwed up things have happened to him. When's a good character going to get a break? I really wonder if the latest trauma was actually necessary, or if this thing happened on a whim. To be perfectly honest, it made me angry. If it's for some unknown-as-yet reason, that's one thing; if it's more of an arbitrarily tossed in urge of the author, that's something else entirely. I guess I'll know which by the end of the series.
November 27, 2023
4.5 stars
February 1, 2024
‘This day is rapidly descending into farce, so I think it’s time we took control of it back from the Fates.’
Rome’s Machiavelli dispatches his fire brigade to Germania east of the Rhine to stir up trouble (and maybe get themselves killed), but the layers of plotting and betrayal may spin beyond any individual’s ability to control the outcomes. Plots within plots. People are betrayed; people die; people are redeemed.
‘After all, having men of [redacted]’s stature killed does entail a very great deal of paperwork.’
Marcus suffers an existential crisis, allowing his team to take up the slack until our Roman superhero snaps out of his funk. They hope. Continuity issues; needed another proofreading. Philosophy and religion get passing attention as the team tries to stay alive, let alone succeed.
‘The time for grieving varies with each of us, but the one undeniable truth is that it must come to an end.’
Series overview: Hardcore historical fiction told with modern English military idioms and profanity. Second-century Roman empire provides rich background of war, intrigue, and unrest to propel too-good-to-be-true protagonist to adventure. Roman grunts spoke Latin, but not that learned in school. (The whole series loses one star for profanity and violence. You’ve been warned.) Compare to Ellis Peters’ Chronicles of Cadfael or Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe's Tiger series. Though episodic, best read in order.
Rome’s Machiavelli dispatches his fire brigade to Germania east of the Rhine to stir up trouble (and maybe get themselves killed), but the layers of plotting and betrayal may spin beyond any individual’s ability to control the outcomes. Plots within plots. People are betrayed; people die; people are redeemed.
‘After all, having men of [redacted]’s stature killed does entail a very great deal of paperwork.’
Marcus suffers an existential crisis, allowing his team to take up the slack until our Roman superhero snaps out of his funk. They hope. Continuity issues; needed another proofreading. Philosophy and religion get passing attention as the team tries to stay alive, let alone succeed.
‘The time for grieving varies with each of us, but the one undeniable truth is that it must come to an end.’
Series overview: Hardcore historical fiction told with modern English military idioms and profanity. Second-century Roman empire provides rich background of war, intrigue, and unrest to propel too-good-to-be-true protagonist to adventure. Roman grunts spoke Latin, but not that learned in school. (The whole series loses one star for profanity and violence. You’ve been warned.) Compare to Ellis Peters’ Chronicles of Cadfael or Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe's Tiger series. Though episodic, best read in order.
January 3, 2018
I'm a big fan of the Empire series but, if I had to choose a favourite, then it would be Altar of Blood. Loved every page.
September 11, 2019
This was a vast improvement on the last couple of books, though there are still problems. The capture of a German seer who then goes out of her way to save her captors? The survival of characters just because they're main characters (while their second or minor pal will always die). The whole plan from the outset is a bit weak too. Too much just happens right on time, deus ex machina.
It might be because I've already read Simon Scarrow's books - but the dead wife trope with the son that needs to be raised by the brave, thoughtful, hard-done-by, noble soldier is also there, so seeing it again was a shame.
I had this for a year before I finally read it, and I really just wanted to get it gone. If I had liked the last two-three books chances are I probably wouldn't have been as harsh on this one.
These multi book serial (but also episodic) series are difficult to get right.
It might be because I've already read Simon Scarrow's books - but the dead wife trope with the son that needs to be raised by the brave, thoughtful, hard-done-by, noble soldier is also there, so seeing it again was a shame.
I had this for a year before I finally read it, and I really just wanted to get it gone. If I had liked the last two-three books chances are I probably wouldn't have been as harsh on this one.
These multi book serial (but also episodic) series are difficult to get right.
December 29, 2018
This very thrilling book by this author is already the 9th instalment of the wonderful and exciting Empire series.
Once more the historical details has been very well researched and explained in the Historical Note, there's as well a very informative explanation of the set-up of the Roman Army in late 2nd Century, and there's a clear map about the German territory, in which the crucial part of this tremendous story will take place.
Storytelling is once again of a very high quality, and making this tale so exciting that it keeps you spellbound from start to finish.
After a short prologue which is set in the year AD 184, the main story itself sets off as from April AD 186, and Centurion Marcus Aquila and his Tungrians find themselves in Rome again after their Parthian campaign.
But soon enough Marcus Aquila and his Tungrians are ordered to Germania for their next campaign, and there they have to cross the river Rhenus and capture a tribal priestess, who according to Marcus's superiors is the most dangerous person on the Empire's northern border.
While being hard at work to complete their mission they are sabotaged by an old enemy, who'll do anything to stop the Romans from every possible angle and so hoping to stop their mission.
After capturing and neutralising their Roman enemy, the tribal priestess and some other big price, which are the Bructeri tribe greatest treasures, have to be brought back, but the Romans have to find their way back into Roman Territory by crossing the German wilderness, and one thing is for sure, capture by this same Bructeri tribe means a horrific sacrificial death on the tribe's "Altar of Blood".
A very engrossing book with wonderful interaction between the characters along with greatly pictured battle scenes, all these exciting ingredients make this book such an enjoyable read, that's why I like to call this book, "A Bloody Entertaining Tale"!
Once more the historical details has been very well researched and explained in the Historical Note, there's as well a very informative explanation of the set-up of the Roman Army in late 2nd Century, and there's a clear map about the German territory, in which the crucial part of this tremendous story will take place.
Storytelling is once again of a very high quality, and making this tale so exciting that it keeps you spellbound from start to finish.
After a short prologue which is set in the year AD 184, the main story itself sets off as from April AD 186, and Centurion Marcus Aquila and his Tungrians find themselves in Rome again after their Parthian campaign.
But soon enough Marcus Aquila and his Tungrians are ordered to Germania for their next campaign, and there they have to cross the river Rhenus and capture a tribal priestess, who according to Marcus's superiors is the most dangerous person on the Empire's northern border.
While being hard at work to complete their mission they are sabotaged by an old enemy, who'll do anything to stop the Romans from every possible angle and so hoping to stop their mission.
After capturing and neutralising their Roman enemy, the tribal priestess and some other big price, which are the Bructeri tribe greatest treasures, have to be brought back, but the Romans have to find their way back into Roman Territory by crossing the German wilderness, and one thing is for sure, capture by this same Bructeri tribe means a horrific sacrificial death on the tribe's "Altar of Blood".
A very engrossing book with wonderful interaction between the characters along with greatly pictured battle scenes, all these exciting ingredients make this book such an enjoyable read, that's why I like to call this book, "A Bloody Entertaining Tale"!
March 6, 2021
This story was not good as others in the series. Hopefully that #10 is more intriguing, I will definitely read it.
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September 8, 2016One of the best ways, in my experience, to gauge the quality of fiction is how easy it is to read. Yes, there is some crap out there that is an easy read, and yes, there are great reads out there that require concentration and work. But more often than not a book that just grabs your attention and drags you along from beginning to end is a success. I find Anthony Riches' books to be like that. They hook you in the first few pages, relieve you of sleep, food and work and occupy your waking moments until you reach the end and close the book with a smile. Case in point: Empire IX - Altar of Blood. Started it one morning. Finished it the next afternoon. Couldn't stop reading it.
Part of it now has become the familiarity with the characters, the setting and the writing style. By the ninth book in a series, readers know they're going to get what they want. They're on a safe bet. But kudos is due any author who makes it to book 9 in a series and isn't simply rehashing old stuff. I pick up Riches' books and I know I'm in for a treat, though. And even this far into a series, I know I'm in for new twists and fresh discoveries.
Riches, you see, is unpredictable. He cannot be counted on to give us happily ever after, to give us tested formula for all my comments about familiarity. Riches might kill off someone important any moment. He will take us to new places and may even turn the tables so that previous friends are enemies and previous enemies friends. Such keeps things fresh.
With the ninth in the empire series, there is a new feel to the start. Altar of Blood begins with viciousness and eye-watering brutality, and then settles down into an opening tale of tragedy. Then gradually, as our hero is put through the emotional mill yet again, the true tale of the book comes out. We are re-introduced not only to the usual characters but also to the wicked emperor and the snake Cleander. And then our heroes are sent off on a dreadfully dangerous secret mission into barbarian lands, following a brief 'Dirty dozen' recruitment session. Interestingly, where the previous books have focused primarily on our friend Corvus/Aquila with interludes carried by his friends, this book is almost entirely narrated around characters that were formerly supporting cast, with Aquila only occasionally coming to the fore.
There follows a tale of subterfuge and double dealing, insurgency and counter insurgency, chases, battles in deep forest and swamp, catharsis and healing, treachery and betrayal and heroism in unexpected places. The tale owes something in form to 'Heart of Darkness' or 'Apocalypse Now', but one thing is certain: with Riches' own blend of adventure, action, violence, harsh language and reality born of understanding the military mind, he is becoming something of a Tarantino of historical fiction. Fresh, unpredictable, fascinating and exciting.
And Husam! Oh, Husam, you are sooooo cool.
Altar of Blood is out in paperback today. Have you read the series? No. Then get started, as you've a treat ahead of you. If you have, then rest assured, volume nine is far from disappointing. Go buy it now.
Part of it now has become the familiarity with the characters, the setting and the writing style. By the ninth book in a series, readers know they're going to get what they want. They're on a safe bet. But kudos is due any author who makes it to book 9 in a series and isn't simply rehashing old stuff. I pick up Riches' books and I know I'm in for a treat, though. And even this far into a series, I know I'm in for new twists and fresh discoveries.
Riches, you see, is unpredictable. He cannot be counted on to give us happily ever after, to give us tested formula for all my comments about familiarity. Riches might kill off someone important any moment. He will take us to new places and may even turn the tables so that previous friends are enemies and previous enemies friends. Such keeps things fresh.
With the ninth in the empire series, there is a new feel to the start. Altar of Blood begins with viciousness and eye-watering brutality, and then settles down into an opening tale of tragedy. Then gradually, as our hero is put through the emotional mill yet again, the true tale of the book comes out. We are re-introduced not only to the usual characters but also to the wicked emperor and the snake Cleander. And then our heroes are sent off on a dreadfully dangerous secret mission into barbarian lands, following a brief 'Dirty dozen' recruitment session. Interestingly, where the previous books have focused primarily on our friend Corvus/Aquila with interludes carried by his friends, this book is almost entirely narrated around characters that were formerly supporting cast, with Aquila only occasionally coming to the fore.
There follows a tale of subterfuge and double dealing, insurgency and counter insurgency, chases, battles in deep forest and swamp, catharsis and healing, treachery and betrayal and heroism in unexpected places. The tale owes something in form to 'Heart of Darkness' or 'Apocalypse Now', but one thing is certain: with Riches' own blend of adventure, action, violence, harsh language and reality born of understanding the military mind, he is becoming something of a Tarantino of historical fiction. Fresh, unpredictable, fascinating and exciting.
And Husam! Oh, Husam, you are sooooo cool.
Altar of Blood is out in paperback today. Have you read the series? No. Then get started, as you've a treat ahead of you. If you have, then rest assured, volume nine is far from disappointing. Go buy it now.
March 29, 2016
Review
Every year Anthony Riches does it to me, no matter how well i prepare myself, i sit, i open the new book and expect a death, and yet every flipping year he surprises the heck out of me and leaves me saying “No Fricking way!!” (polite version).
But as i have said for … well every book in the series, Anthony Riches books are so much more than shock factor death, blood and guts (although i love those bits). With every book the intricacy of the plot increases, the characters grow and the authors devious mind wraps the reader in knots.
As ever i have to doff my cap to the author , he is the master when it comes to bringing characters to life, not just the few main ones, but the whole cast. What it means for the reader is that you care when he kills anyone, which he loves to do. That sword of Damocles that hangs over the head of every character is made more and more poignant as the series progresses, as we become more emotionally tied to the long term cast and as that cast becomes more beaten down and worn by the violent world of ancient Rome.
Red the rest of the review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
Every year Anthony Riches does it to me, no matter how well i prepare myself, i sit, i open the new book and expect a death, and yet every flipping year he surprises the heck out of me and leaves me saying “No Fricking way!!” (polite version).
But as i have said for … well every book in the series, Anthony Riches books are so much more than shock factor death, blood and guts (although i love those bits). With every book the intricacy of the plot increases, the characters grow and the authors devious mind wraps the reader in knots.
As ever i have to doff my cap to the author , he is the master when it comes to bringing characters to life, not just the few main ones, but the whole cast. What it means for the reader is that you care when he kills anyone, which he loves to do. That sword of Damocles that hangs over the head of every character is made more and more poignant as the series progresses, as we become more emotionally tied to the long term cast and as that cast becomes more beaten down and worn by the violent world of ancient Rome.
Red the rest of the review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
March 29, 2016
This book sees more misery heaped upon Marcus and before he even has time to process this him and some of the Tungrians are sent on a suicide mission at the Northern Border of the empire. However those that plot against Marcus and friends always forget just how close they are and how tough they are! Another muscular book, that kicks the pace along faster than a legion can force March. Great action scenes with bravery, courage and cunning being shown on both sides. This book was also very clever in leading me down a certain path of thinking, only to show me the author has some surprise's left! Nine books in and no sign of slowing down, all I can say is bring on book ten.
March 17, 2016
Poor Marcus, the lad never seems to catch a break. This time we follow our heroes into wild Germanica. In this story we get to see how loss and the trauma of war can affect people. Once again this is a wonderful ensemble piece. I am not sure I found the "witch" a convincing character. But the men are as we have come to expect, brave and loyal to a fault.
I did enjoy the book, and I enjoyed the backstory of possibly why the Empire failed to subdue the German tribes.
I did enjoy the book, and I enjoyed the backstory of possibly why the Empire failed to subdue the German tribes.
July 1, 2018
Same old story copied from earlier books and other authors and still using the “he raised an eyebrow” line! Does he have editors?
I keep reading them thinking they may get better, but never do, hey ho.
I keep reading them thinking they may get better, but never do, hey ho.
October 8, 2017
In the ninth and final installment (at least for now) of Anthony Riches' Empire series dubbed "Altar of Blood", we find the young centurion Marcus Valerius Aquila accompanying Tribune Rutilius Scaurus and about three dozen hand-picked men from the Tungrian cohorts back to Germania where they have been charged with kidnapping the seer of the fiercesome Bructeri tribe. The sinister imperial chamberlain, Marcus Aurelius Cleander, has not revealed the reason for this clandestine action across the Renus (Rhine) into such dangerous territory but Scaurus and his men are not given any choice in the matter.
The Bructeri are one of the six tribes who attacked Publius Quintilius Varus and massacred the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth legions at the battle of the Teutoburg Forest at the beginning of the first century. Six years after the famous disaster, Lucius Stertinius, a general serving under Germanicus, swept through the Bructeri territory between the Amisia and Luppia rivers, destroying everything in their path and recovering the eagle of Legio XIX.
The Bructeri next appear in history during the Batavi revolt of 69-70 CE. Their tribal seer during that period was named Veleda. It is said she foretold the Batavi success in that uprising and was considered the tribe's spiritual leader.
Of course, that was all more than a century before our novel's time period but it made the existence of a revered tribal seer quite believable and certainly explained the bad blood between the Romans and the Bructeri.
To make an almost impossible situation worse, Germania Inferior is now governed by Tribune Scaurus' arch nemesis, Clodius Albinus. Albinus is actually a historical figure who served the emperor Commodus in both Gallia Belgica and, later, Britain. But when a false rumor claimed Commodus was dead (before he actually was), Albinus denounced Commodus before his soldiers in Britain, calling Commodus a tyrant, and maintained that it would be useful to the Roman Empire to restore to the Senate its ancient dignity and power. Although this declaration pleased the Senate it understandably riled Commodus who sent Junius Severus to relieve Albinus of his command. But, the relief order was not received until Commodus and even his successor, Pertinax, were murdered in 193 CE, a year that was to become known as the Year of the Five Emperors.
In our story, though, Albinus is still just a duplicitous schemer who is trying to thwart Tribune Scaurus in his mission or at least claim the captive seer and credit for the mission's success. Tribune Scaurus is going to have to use every bit of cunning he possesses to escape a determined Bructeri war band and prevent his men from being sacrificed on an "Altar of Blood" - that of either the Bructeri's bloodthirsty war god Wodanaz or an unscrupulous Roman's ambition.
One of my favorite characters was captured by the Bructeri in this novel and I spent a good deal of time worrying about his ultimate fate. I certainly didn't want to visualize him spread-eagled on a bloody altar with a wild-eyed shaman hovering over him with a wickedly-sharpened knife! As you can tell, over the course of nine novels I have closely identified with such finely crafted characters and felt a member of their select group. I will definitely miss them although I suspect Riches is not yet done with them all as the seer claims Rutilius Scaurus will play a key role in the Year of the Five Emperors!
The Bructeri are one of the six tribes who attacked Publius Quintilius Varus and massacred the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth legions at the battle of the Teutoburg Forest at the beginning of the first century. Six years after the famous disaster, Lucius Stertinius, a general serving under Germanicus, swept through the Bructeri territory between the Amisia and Luppia rivers, destroying everything in their path and recovering the eagle of Legio XIX.
The Bructeri next appear in history during the Batavi revolt of 69-70 CE. Their tribal seer during that period was named Veleda. It is said she foretold the Batavi success in that uprising and was considered the tribe's spiritual leader.
Of course, that was all more than a century before our novel's time period but it made the existence of a revered tribal seer quite believable and certainly explained the bad blood between the Romans and the Bructeri.
To make an almost impossible situation worse, Germania Inferior is now governed by Tribune Scaurus' arch nemesis, Clodius Albinus. Albinus is actually a historical figure who served the emperor Commodus in both Gallia Belgica and, later, Britain. But when a false rumor claimed Commodus was dead (before he actually was), Albinus denounced Commodus before his soldiers in Britain, calling Commodus a tyrant, and maintained that it would be useful to the Roman Empire to restore to the Senate its ancient dignity and power. Although this declaration pleased the Senate it understandably riled Commodus who sent Junius Severus to relieve Albinus of his command. But, the relief order was not received until Commodus and even his successor, Pertinax, were murdered in 193 CE, a year that was to become known as the Year of the Five Emperors.
In our story, though, Albinus is still just a duplicitous schemer who is trying to thwart Tribune Scaurus in his mission or at least claim the captive seer and credit for the mission's success. Tribune Scaurus is going to have to use every bit of cunning he possesses to escape a determined Bructeri war band and prevent his men from being sacrificed on an "Altar of Blood" - that of either the Bructeri's bloodthirsty war god Wodanaz or an unscrupulous Roman's ambition.
One of my favorite characters was captured by the Bructeri in this novel and I spent a good deal of time worrying about his ultimate fate. I certainly didn't want to visualize him spread-eagled on a bloody altar with a wild-eyed shaman hovering over him with a wickedly-sharpened knife! As you can tell, over the course of nine novels I have closely identified with such finely crafted characters and felt a member of their select group. I will definitely miss them although I suspect Riches is not yet done with them all as the seer claims Rutilius Scaurus will play a key role in the Year of the Five Emperors!
September 20, 2020
Entusiasmante, come ogni volume di questo genere.
Adrenalinico, come le battaglie sul campo raccontate.
Epocale, come l’antica Roma, indimenticabile e sovrana del mondo.
Storico e avventuroso, come ogni libro scritto dall’autore.
Potrei chiudere qui la mia recensione, perché il libro parla da sé: le battaglie, il sangue che scorre, le popolazioni che inondano il libro sono niente raccontate in sintesi da me.
Un libro del genere è meglio viverlo tra le pagine, combattere il nemico con la dialettica forbita dell’autore.
Un libro che scatena il sapere, l’adrenalina, la forza, la curiosità, la Storia, in poche pagine di suspense, di lotte per la sovranità per diventare immortali ed eterni negli anni avvenire.
Onore, giustizia e gloria sono ai vertici del racconto; e noi lettori? Scateniamo l’inferno con le pagine.
Adrenalinico, come le battaglie sul campo raccontate.
Epocale, come l’antica Roma, indimenticabile e sovrana del mondo.
Storico e avventuroso, come ogni libro scritto dall’autore.
Potrei chiudere qui la mia recensione, perché il libro parla da sé: le battaglie, il sangue che scorre, le popolazioni che inondano il libro sono niente raccontate in sintesi da me.
Un libro del genere è meglio viverlo tra le pagine, combattere il nemico con la dialettica forbita dell’autore.
Un libro che scatena il sapere, l’adrenalina, la forza, la curiosità, la Storia, in poche pagine di suspense, di lotte per la sovranità per diventare immortali ed eterni negli anni avvenire.
Onore, giustizia e gloria sono ai vertici del racconto; e noi lettori? Scateniamo l’inferno con le pagine.
May 24, 2020
Wow this was good ! My heart broke...over and over...tears of grief...tears of laughter...brilliant. i did get confused over why Sanga and his mate were basically forgotten about after being released from the barbarian prison though...im guessing they lived since nothing was said.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2023
Kniha odkazuje na šílený masakr římských legií v Teutoburském lese, i když se odehrává skoro 200 let potom. V podstatě jde jen lov Římanů Germány, kterým naši hrdinové ukradli orlici. Za mě v pořádku.
May 7, 2018
immense
July 10, 2018
Twists and turns again
Job to put it down great following Marcus and the tungrians on another fine novel just about to download the next in the series
Job to put it down great following Marcus and the tungrians on another fine novel just about to download the next in the series
February 7, 2020
A thrilling addition to the Empire series. The only downside is that Marcus really didn't take centre stage for most of the book.
September 5, 2022
full review soon
May 10, 2021
Another excellent volume in the Aquila series. This team a small 'Dirty Dozen' style mission behind enemy lines into Germania Magna forms the basis of a tense story. Whilst the lead character(s) in any of these types of books (Marc & Cato, Sharpe & Harper) is pretty much guaranteed to survive any adventure, Riches is quite happy to bump off the supporting cast of characters, some of who have been in the books since the first, to maintain a level of tension...
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March 11, 2017Another Bloody chapter in the life of Marcus Aquila, his Tribune Scaurus and their fellow Tungrians. This time sees more misery heaped upon Marcus by people he cannot strike back at, and while suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, He and a select group of Tungrians are sent on a mission to abduct a Germanic Seer.
From the horrendous news in the opening chapters to the cliff hanging final chapter we are carried along at a cracking pace. Not the usual gory battle scenes but a great and imaginative controlled withdrawal through the German Forests. The nasty political machinations thrown in to the mix makes for a very interesting read,
From the horrendous news in the opening chapters to the cliff hanging final chapter we are carried along at a cracking pace. Not the usual gory battle scenes but a great and imaginative controlled withdrawal through the German Forests. The nasty political machinations thrown in to the mix makes for a very interesting read,
February 7, 2019
Great read from start to finish :-) Now I have to wait for the next one LOL
February 5, 2017
I'll be brutally honest with this.
Even as someone who was, and still is, a big fan of the first four or five books in the series, I'd felt that the previous book, 'Thunder Of The Gods', was a little dull for my liking. It wasn't that it was a bad book, rather just that it felt more of a plateau than a riveting read. Part of the blame should possibly lie with the fact that I've read more than enough historical fiction set on the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire, and conflicts with the various Eastern tribes (Sassanids, Parthians, etc) and, what felt like, yet another one just left me lukewarm.
I'm glad to say however though that 'Altar Of Blood' is, for me at least, a return to form for Riches. There is the bonhomie of old, yet told in a hauntingly new, virile way - after the events of the previous book in which one of the lead characters' wives met her fate. It could have been easier, but so much more predictable, to go down the route of 'wife dies, so husband turns into kickass assassin killing everyone' but the way Riches' handles it is far superior to that. Although that element is played upon, Aquila (aka Corvus) is portrayed as a hollow shell of his former self, truly despondent and, well, human. It is the depth of humanity that Riches gives his characters that astounds, even when you sometimes take it for granted, he still takes their psyche down a different route to the kind other authors would, without it feeling contrived, sacharrine or over the top.
I'll confess, the basic plot appealed to me most of all, as I'm currently a year or more into a deep obsession with Germanic tribes, ancient Scandinavia/Germany and such like, so that element alone was fascinating. On top of that, you have the reliable ensemble cast of characters from the previous books - though Julius wasn't in it enough for me - without actually feeling that they're invulnerable to threat just because it's a sequel.
A 3 is a little harsh but I would rate this somewhere between a 3 and a 4. It's not quite as mesmerising and galvanising as some of the other books in the series ('The Wolf's Gold', the original trilogy, 'The Emperor's Knives'...) but it's still a more than welcome installment in the series.
Even as someone who was, and still is, a big fan of the first four or five books in the series, I'd felt that the previous book, 'Thunder Of The Gods', was a little dull for my liking. It wasn't that it was a bad book, rather just that it felt more of a plateau than a riveting read. Part of the blame should possibly lie with the fact that I've read more than enough historical fiction set on the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire, and conflicts with the various Eastern tribes (Sassanids, Parthians, etc) and, what felt like, yet another one just left me lukewarm.
I'm glad to say however though that 'Altar Of Blood' is, for me at least, a return to form for Riches. There is the bonhomie of old, yet told in a hauntingly new, virile way - after the events of the previous book in which one of the lead characters' wives met her fate. It could have been easier, but so much more predictable, to go down the route of 'wife dies, so husband turns into kickass assassin killing everyone' but the way Riches' handles it is far superior to that. Although that element is played upon, Aquila (aka Corvus) is portrayed as a hollow shell of his former self, truly despondent and, well, human. It is the depth of humanity that Riches gives his characters that astounds, even when you sometimes take it for granted, he still takes their psyche down a different route to the kind other authors would, without it feeling contrived, sacharrine or over the top.
I'll confess, the basic plot appealed to me most of all, as I'm currently a year or more into a deep obsession with Germanic tribes, ancient Scandinavia/Germany and such like, so that element alone was fascinating. On top of that, you have the reliable ensemble cast of characters from the previous books - though Julius wasn't in it enough for me - without actually feeling that they're invulnerable to threat just because it's a sequel.
A 3 is a little harsh but I would rate this somewhere between a 3 and a 4. It's not quite as mesmerising and galvanising as some of the other books in the series ('The Wolf's Gold', the original trilogy, 'The Emperor's Knives'...) but it's still a more than welcome installment in the series.
July 20, 2016
The River Rhine, AD184 - Rome's bloody frontier with the German tribes, and the story begins in a truly bloodthirsty manner. Amalric is to be inaugurated as the King of the Bructeri, a tribe whose enmity to Rome is without parallel. A Roman soldier is dragged to the altar of Wotanaz, where he is dismembered as the tribe swear a blood oath of loyalty to their new king.
Meanwhile in Rome, the Emperor Commodus decides to rape and murder a doctor called Felicia, simply because he can. And the Imperial Secretary, Cleander, a freedman, has decided to solve a number of problems - not least being the Bructeri - by sending Tribune Scaurus with a small party of men to raid Bructeri territory and to kidnap their seeress Gerhild. What follows is a tale of derring-do swashbuckling that would make John Buchan envious. It is the kind of story that Kipling wrote about the Great Game played on the Northwest Frontier. It has all the ingredients that you would look for in a book of this kind: bloodshed, treachery, revenge, murder and mayhem.
It is also the 9th book in a series that began with "Wounds of Honour" and people who have read the series will find many of their favourite characters are back, and that there are references to events that have happened in the earlier books. This however does not matter because this is a tale that stands on its own two feet.
Some of the tale is historical fact. The Romans lost three legions in the Battle of the Teutoberger Forest in the reign of the Emperor Augustus. One of the tribes involved in that defeat was the Bructeri. When the Batavi, under Civilis, rose in rebellion against Rome in AD69, the Bructeri came to their aid, following a prophecy by their seeress Veleda, and another terrible defeat was inflicted on the Roman army. Then the Emperor Vespasian turned his armies loose, and defeated his German enemies. The Romans then encouraged neighbouring tribes, especially the Angrivarii, to attack the Bructeri and to drive them from their ancestral lands. This is why the Bructeri had such a deepseated hatred of the Romans.
This, and the fact that Marcus hates the Emperor Commodus for the rape and murder of his wife Felicia, is all that you need to know to understand what is happening. Riches, as a good author, makes sure that you learn these facts in the most entertaining way possible.
If you do not like historical fiction, this is not the book for you. If you object to general mayhem this is not the book for you. But if you like a good swashbuckling romp, look no further.
Meanwhile in Rome, the Emperor Commodus decides to rape and murder a doctor called Felicia, simply because he can. And the Imperial Secretary, Cleander, a freedman, has decided to solve a number of problems - not least being the Bructeri - by sending Tribune Scaurus with a small party of men to raid Bructeri territory and to kidnap their seeress Gerhild. What follows is a tale of derring-do swashbuckling that would make John Buchan envious. It is the kind of story that Kipling wrote about the Great Game played on the Northwest Frontier. It has all the ingredients that you would look for in a book of this kind: bloodshed, treachery, revenge, murder and mayhem.
It is also the 9th book in a series that began with "Wounds of Honour" and people who have read the series will find many of their favourite characters are back, and that there are references to events that have happened in the earlier books. This however does not matter because this is a tale that stands on its own two feet.
Some of the tale is historical fact. The Romans lost three legions in the Battle of the Teutoberger Forest in the reign of the Emperor Augustus. One of the tribes involved in that defeat was the Bructeri. When the Batavi, under Civilis, rose in rebellion against Rome in AD69, the Bructeri came to their aid, following a prophecy by their seeress Veleda, and another terrible defeat was inflicted on the Roman army. Then the Emperor Vespasian turned his armies loose, and defeated his German enemies. The Romans then encouraged neighbouring tribes, especially the Angrivarii, to attack the Bructeri and to drive them from their ancestral lands. This is why the Bructeri had such a deepseated hatred of the Romans.
This, and the fact that Marcus hates the Emperor Commodus for the rape and murder of his wife Felicia, is all that you need to know to understand what is happening. Riches, as a good author, makes sure that you learn these facts in the most entertaining way possible.
If you do not like historical fiction, this is not the book for you. If you object to general mayhem this is not the book for you. But if you like a good swashbuckling romp, look no further.
February 12, 2017
Um, got anymore of them Empire books? Sniff.
July 31, 2016
Ninth in a brilliant series that needs to be read in order to fully appreciate. Originally the story of Marcus Aquila, hiding in a Tungrian unit under a false name to avoid domestic politics. As the books and the story have developed we see the Marcus storyline become mainly resolved and the books have turned more into an ensemble event with the variety of well drawn out characters amongst the Tungrians.
This one is set in AD186 and the rather nasty emperor Commodus has a mission for the Tungrians which sees a small force being sent over into enemy territory over the Rhine to kidnap a priestess. So Scaurus (brilliant characterisation as leader of the Tungrians) takes the team over into bandit country not knowing if his enemies are those in front of him, or those ruling the Roman Empire. Far less of Marcus in this (there is an incident that explains this) but this also allows for the other members of the cast to come to the fore and prove they are worthy of the opportunity.
It’s as enjoyable as you know it will be, exciting, clever and brilliantly plotted.
This one is set in AD186 and the rather nasty emperor Commodus has a mission for the Tungrians which sees a small force being sent over into enemy territory over the Rhine to kidnap a priestess. So Scaurus (brilliant characterisation as leader of the Tungrians) takes the team over into bandit country not knowing if his enemies are those in front of him, or those ruling the Roman Empire. Far less of Marcus in this (there is an incident that explains this) but this also allows for the other members of the cast to come to the fore and prove they are worthy of the opportunity.
It’s as enjoyable as you know it will be, exciting, clever and brilliantly plotted.
April 26, 2016
c2016: FWFTB: Tungrians, Rhenus, priestess, sabotage, Bructeri. As gory as the title implies. The author has written some acknowledgements at the beginning of the book and I was horrified to read that this would be the last I would hear about Marcus for a while. I am looking forward to the new trilogy but desperate to find out what Marcus does next. It was just as good a read as the other 8 in the Empire series but I wonder if Mr Riches doesn't have some writer fatigue with this series. I thought I noticed a few rehashed phrases lifted straight from some of the earlier books but this could been just a 'trade-mark' saying. I'm happy to give him the benefit of the doubt and highly recommend this book to the history buffs among the normal crew. "And right now that poor dead bastard we heard screaming last night is no more than just another dead bastard, no matter how hard his exit from this life was. It's always easier to take when the victim's anonymous."
May 20, 2023
Comunque da qualche volume mi sono reso conto che ormai questa è diventata una serie corale.
Marco ha dato inizio agli eventi (in realtà è stato Commodo ma vabbé) ma l'autore da molto spazio agli altri personaggi (i soldati semplici sono i migliori dal mio punto di vista) e al loro rapporto con il protagonista e il potere di Roma.
Il romanzo è davvero bello e per la prima volta si tratta più di una missione per pochi uomini che una battaglia su larga scala.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il successivo.
Marco ha dato inizio agli eventi (in realtà è stato Commodo ma vabbé) ma l'autore da molto spazio agli altri personaggi (i soldati semplici sono i migliori dal mio punto di vista) e al loro rapporto con il protagonista e il potere di Roma.
Il romanzo è davvero bello e per la prima volta si tratta più di una missione per pochi uomini che una battaglia su larga scala.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il successivo.
May 3, 2016
This series from Anthony Riches continues to enthral. Without doubt my book of the year so far. Great characters and action - and more to come.
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