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Twilight of Empire #1
La guerra en el fin del mundo
La guerra en el fin del mundo, la primera entrega de una nueva serie épica situada en el último periodo del imperio romano, en tiempos del emperador Constantino, sigue las aventuras de Aurelio Casto, centurión recién ascendido, en una tumultuosa batalla de la que depende el futuro de Roma.
Antiguo soldado de una legión de élite del Danubio, destinado a un tranquilo fuerte de la remota provincia de Britania, Casto cree que sus días de gloria han tocado a su fin. No sabe que el destino está a punto de intervenir. Cuando fallece en misteriosas circunstancias el rey de los pictos, el pueblo salvaje que habita más allá de la Muralla de Adriano, Casto es el elegido para comandar la escolta del emisario romano que partirá para negociar con los bárbaros.
Pero la misión diplomática acaba en una sangrienta tragedia. Casto y sus hombres se ven obligados a luchar por su vida y el centurión descubre que nada de esa misión condenada al fracaso era lo que parecía.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
91 people are currently reading
1484 people want to read
About the author
Ian James Ross
27 books97 followersIan Ross was born in England and studied painting before turning to writing fiction. He has travelled widely and worked as a bookseller, tutor and university lecturer while developing his writing abilities. A year in Italy teaching English and exploring the ruins of empire reawakened his early love for ancient history, and he returned to the UK with growing fascination for the period known as late antiquity. He has been researching and writing about the later Roman world and its army for over a decade, and his interests combine an obsessive regard for accuracy and detail with a devotion to the craft of storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 17, 2023
"La guerra en el fin del mundo", primera entrega de una saga situada en el último periodo del imperio romano, en tiempos del emperador Constantino.
Sigue las aventuras de Aurelio Casto, centurión recién ascendido, en una tumultuosa batalla de la que depende el futuro de Roma.
Antiguo soldado de una legión de élite del Danubio, destinado a un tranquilo fuerte de la remota provincia de Britania, Casto cree que sus días de gloria han tocado a su fin. No sabe que el destino está a punto de intervenir.
Cuando fallece en misteriosas circunstancias el rey de los pictos, el pueblo salvaje que habita más allá de la Muralla de Adriano, Casto es el elegido para comandar la escolta del emisario romano que partirá para negociar con los bárbaros.
Pero esta misión diplomática acaba en una sangrienta tragedia. Casto y sus hombres se ven obligados a luchar por su vida, el centurión descubre que nada de esa misión condenada al fracaso era lo que parecía.
En "general" la intriga de su trama ayudó a hacer de esta una lectura que tiene un pase. Tiene madera de superarse en un futuro.
Lamentablemente.. ⭐️⭐️, 5.
No tengo mucho que decir, no voy a perder el tiempo ni hacéroslo perder.
Todo lo que es el aspecto militar y batallas, bien documentado. Notable. Bien escrito. Pero..
El protagonista es demasiado plano para mi gusto, y esto me jodió la lectura. Y el resto de personajes, se "salvaron" por los pelos.
Flojean muchísimo los personajes. Casto es un valiente soldado, pero con muy poco más allá de eso. Poco hay, me pareció vacío, hueco. Un trozo de cartón tiene más alma y personalidad.
Si fueran los secundarios, pues bueno, te apoyas en el principal. Pero que suceda en su personaje principal, tiene consecuencias.
No tengo intención de leer la próxima entrega de la serie, pero sí espero que el protagonista Casto, pueda aportar más de personalidad a su próxima misión. Porque en fin...
Estos libros están ambientados en un período de tiempo interesante, cuando el imperio Romano luchó en conflictos tanto externos como internos. Están llenos de acción y su adherencia a la precisión histórica es generalmente muy buena. Esta saga puede alcanzar un buen nivel, material tiene.
Sin embargo, sentí que los personajes eran bastante unidimensionales o no creíbles, y en algunas partes el libro se sentía cojear. Y eso me echaba de su lectura. No logré sumergirme por completo en la trama.
Además, no se trata de flojea un poco, no, no, sencillamente carece de alma y personalidad.
Termina lastrando una lectura que fue en decadencia al olvido, y es una pena. Tiene potencial y un gran trabajo detrás..✍️
Sigue las aventuras de Aurelio Casto, centurión recién ascendido, en una tumultuosa batalla de la que depende el futuro de Roma.
Antiguo soldado de una legión de élite del Danubio, destinado a un tranquilo fuerte de la remota provincia de Britania, Casto cree que sus días de gloria han tocado a su fin. No sabe que el destino está a punto de intervenir.
Cuando fallece en misteriosas circunstancias el rey de los pictos, el pueblo salvaje que habita más allá de la Muralla de Adriano, Casto es el elegido para comandar la escolta del emisario romano que partirá para negociar con los bárbaros.
Pero esta misión diplomática acaba en una sangrienta tragedia. Casto y sus hombres se ven obligados a luchar por su vida, el centurión descubre que nada de esa misión condenada al fracaso era lo que parecía.
En "general" la intriga de su trama ayudó a hacer de esta una lectura que tiene un pase. Tiene madera de superarse en un futuro.
Lamentablemente.. ⭐️⭐️, 5.
No tengo mucho que decir, no voy a perder el tiempo ni hacéroslo perder.
Todo lo que es el aspecto militar y batallas, bien documentado. Notable. Bien escrito. Pero..
El protagonista es demasiado plano para mi gusto, y esto me jodió la lectura. Y el resto de personajes, se "salvaron" por los pelos.
Flojean muchísimo los personajes. Casto es un valiente soldado, pero con muy poco más allá de eso. Poco hay, me pareció vacío, hueco. Un trozo de cartón tiene más alma y personalidad.
Si fueran los secundarios, pues bueno, te apoyas en el principal. Pero que suceda en su personaje principal, tiene consecuencias.
No tengo intención de leer la próxima entrega de la serie, pero sí espero que el protagonista Casto, pueda aportar más de personalidad a su próxima misión. Porque en fin...
Estos libros están ambientados en un período de tiempo interesante, cuando el imperio Romano luchó en conflictos tanto externos como internos. Están llenos de acción y su adherencia a la precisión histórica es generalmente muy buena. Esta saga puede alcanzar un buen nivel, material tiene.
Sin embargo, sentí que los personajes eran bastante unidimensionales o no creíbles, y en algunas partes el libro se sentía cojear. Y eso me echaba de su lectura. No logré sumergirme por completo en la trama.
Además, no se trata de flojea un poco, no, no, sencillamente carece de alma y personalidad.
Termina lastrando una lectura que fue en decadencia al olvido, y es una pena. Tiene potencial y un gran trabajo detrás..✍️
March 9, 2016
What would you do if your Centurion died in the middle of combat? Your Century is left leaderless, and the men’s morale hangs in the balance, do you flee or fight. Aurelius Castus, who was just a common legionary, stepped over his Centurion’s body and struck down the horseman that trampled him. Thus, in the brief prologue of the book the protagonist’s heroism is defined.
It’s no wonder then that after the campaign Castus was made a Centurion for his valour. He inspired his men and prevented them from crumbling. Indeed, he is the perfect person for the job: he fits the role of Centurion perfectly. Castus loves the Roman army above all else, and he loves being a Centurion. But, what he doesn’t love is the posting that came with the role. He has been sent to dreary Britain and given an assignment that he doesn’t fully understand.
A complex mission
His mission appears to be simple and straightforward. He, with his century, is assigned as a guard escort for a diplomat who is to attend a Pictish peace conference. However, several members of the conference are poisoned and die. The Picts, quite naturally, blame the Romans who have just arrived at their settlement. The Picts attack the Romans with brutal savagery, and in the midst Castus realises that his mission may be not as clear cut as he supposed. Someone has deemed that he and his men are to die; they are to be sacrificed like pawns to stir the Picts into an uprising, so the Romans have an excuse to put them down.
The result is a big mess Castus doesn’t know how to solve. So he keeps his head down and continues to obey his orders to ensure his survival. He doesn’t voice his objections; he just accepts what has happened. His whole century is attacked, and he barely escaped with his life. Yet, he continues to be the obedient Roman officer. He should be angry with what has happened. He may not be able to voice this anger, but he should be venting it in private or internally. It just felt like he took what happened on the chin, shrugged his shoulders and then walked away. He should have been bitter and frustrated; he should have left what he once thought was an honourable army.
He's a weak protagonist
I think Castus is a very a-typical protagonist. There is nothing beyond the heroic mask of a Centurion. You could argue that this is true for all Centurions, and that it is a characteristic of the rank. This may be true, but it’s also true that it leaves us with a predictable protagonist. He prefers brute force to the complexities of tactics and battle plans; he simply charges in like a bull. Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t badly written, it’s just that his actions and responses can be anticipated too much. I just can’t see how he could grow as a character unless he abandoned the army which, of course, would never happen.
Overall, the intrigue of the plot helped to make this an interesting novel. The protagonist is too flat for my taste: he is simply a brave solider, but with very little beyond that. I do intend to read the next instalment in the series, and I do hope that Castus can bring a little more personality to his next mission.
A fair 3 stars.
It’s no wonder then that after the campaign Castus was made a Centurion for his valour. He inspired his men and prevented them from crumbling. Indeed, he is the perfect person for the job: he fits the role of Centurion perfectly. Castus loves the Roman army above all else, and he loves being a Centurion. But, what he doesn’t love is the posting that came with the role. He has been sent to dreary Britain and given an assignment that he doesn’t fully understand.
A complex mission
His mission appears to be simple and straightforward. He, with his century, is assigned as a guard escort for a diplomat who is to attend a Pictish peace conference. However, several members of the conference are poisoned and die. The Picts, quite naturally, blame the Romans who have just arrived at their settlement. The Picts attack the Romans with brutal savagery, and in the midst Castus realises that his mission may be not as clear cut as he supposed. Someone has deemed that he and his men are to die; they are to be sacrificed like pawns to stir the Picts into an uprising, so the Romans have an excuse to put them down.
The result is a big mess Castus doesn’t know how to solve. So he keeps his head down and continues to obey his orders to ensure his survival. He doesn’t voice his objections; he just accepts what has happened. His whole century is attacked, and he barely escaped with his life. Yet, he continues to be the obedient Roman officer. He should be angry with what has happened. He may not be able to voice this anger, but he should be venting it in private or internally. It just felt like he took what happened on the chin, shrugged his shoulders and then walked away. He should have been bitter and frustrated; he should have left what he once thought was an honourable army.
He's a weak protagonist
I think Castus is a very a-typical protagonist. There is nothing beyond the heroic mask of a Centurion. You could argue that this is true for all Centurions, and that it is a characteristic of the rank. This may be true, but it’s also true that it leaves us with a predictable protagonist. He prefers brute force to the complexities of tactics and battle plans; he simply charges in like a bull. Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t badly written, it’s just that his actions and responses can be anticipated too much. I just can’t see how he could grow as a character unless he abandoned the army which, of course, would never happen.
Overall, the intrigue of the plot helped to make this an interesting novel. The protagonist is too flat for my taste: he is simply a brave solider, but with very little beyond that. I do intend to read the next instalment in the series, and I do hope that Castus can bring a little more personality to his next mission.
A fair 3 stars.
February 23, 2019
A new Roman series for me, set at the twilight of the Empire in Britain, North Britain that is too, North of the wall in fact.....
We begin C 298AD in Armenia with the legions of the Danube frontier & their allies about to face battle against the Persians under the leadership of Caesar Galerius..... and its straight into battle we go with little pre-amble as we find ourselves following the story of our hero (to be) in the reserve cohorts of the II Herculia legion, its a baptism of fire for him.....
Jump forward 7 years & we find our young hero now a decorated Centurion & we’re into the story proper delving into the landscape of a Northern frontier fort as well as the politics of the Empire as it’s about to undergo a radical change in it’s leadership. Liking warfare & political intrigue with my Roman stories I’m more than happy with the start.
We’re into the crux of the story within the opening chapters, we’re off to meet the barbarous Picts in the guise of an ambassadors escort, all 58 men of a reduced strength century adeptly trained by our hero after their years of slovenly ways in the outpost of the Empire known as Britannica. It moves along well paced, characters around our hero are introduced along with the lifestyle/historical detail of the period woven neatly into the storyline, both Roman & Pict. I won’t go into further detail about the story but suffice to say the battle scenes are well mapped out & structured as are the political conniving of all involved...... However
I feel there could have been more to the Picts uprising but the entire story centres on our Centurion & some of the phases of the rebellion are dealt with piecemeal through information passed down, he is though a likable character, a soldiering man, very pragmatic & his story is easy to follow. I'm saying more could have happened away from the central character but what you get is the story of a soldier in a fort on the extremes of the Empire which in itself is good.
A good solid first book in the series which I enjoyed & have found myself another Roman series to follow. 4 stars is a fair score for an opener.
We begin C 298AD in Armenia with the legions of the Danube frontier & their allies about to face battle against the Persians under the leadership of Caesar Galerius..... and its straight into battle we go with little pre-amble as we find ourselves following the story of our hero (to be) in the reserve cohorts of the II Herculia legion, its a baptism of fire for him.....
Jump forward 7 years & we find our young hero now a decorated Centurion & we’re into the story proper delving into the landscape of a Northern frontier fort as well as the politics of the Empire as it’s about to undergo a radical change in it’s leadership. Liking warfare & political intrigue with my Roman stories I’m more than happy with the start.
We’re into the crux of the story within the opening chapters, we’re off to meet the barbarous Picts in the guise of an ambassadors escort, all 58 men of a reduced strength century adeptly trained by our hero after their years of slovenly ways in the outpost of the Empire known as Britannica. It moves along well paced, characters around our hero are introduced along with the lifestyle/historical detail of the period woven neatly into the storyline, both Roman & Pict. I won’t go into further detail about the story but suffice to say the battle scenes are well mapped out & structured as are the political conniving of all involved...... However
I feel there could have been more to the Picts uprising but the entire story centres on our Centurion & some of the phases of the rebellion are dealt with piecemeal through information passed down, he is though a likable character, a soldiering man, very pragmatic & his story is easy to follow. I'm saying more could have happened away from the central character but what you get is the story of a soldier in a fort on the extremes of the Empire which in itself is good.
A good solid first book in the series which I enjoyed & have found myself another Roman series to follow. 4 stars is a fair score for an opener.
November 12, 2017
Absolutely enthralling and packed with action! Set in Roman Britain, during late reign of Emperor Constantius and subsequent acclamation of Constantine as Emperor by the troops, in the 4th century A.D., a time not treated much in fiction. Aurelius Castus, a common soldier, who, in fighting Persians, because of his valor at his unthinking rush into the breach when his centurion is killed, is decorated. After defeating barbarians in Pannonia he is promoted to that rank and sent to Roman Britain. He becomes part of a diplomatic mission to the Picts and the mission goes terribly wrong. He surrenders himself to the Picts in exchange for his men's lives; his century has come with him as honor guard. The envoy takes his own life, rather than suffer brutality. Castus waits for the right opportunity then escapes, making his way back to his fort, pursued by the Picts and their dogs. The town of Isurium and surrounding countryside is burned and the Roman inhabitants killed. The home of the envoy is near Isurium. The honorable Castus seeks it out and rescues the envoy's daughter, Marcellina, from the barbarians, taking her to Eboracum with him at her request. Upon the order of the emperor, Constantius, he leads a punitive expedition north again, to destroy native villages, then the Pictish hillfort in which he had been imprisoned.
I feel the author chose an excellent name for his unforgettable protagonist. That name expresses his personality perfectly: Castus = Chaste in the secondary senses of decent, simple, uncomplicated. The envoy's daughter, Marcellina, expresses it best: "always appearing the strong, obedient soldier, unthinking, like a dumb animal ...but you are a good man, Centurion." She sees something more in him than what others see: she senses something deeper: kindness and a code of honor, maybe even the self-deprecating personality and lack of self-confidence in matters non-military that I picked up on. As centurion, he has learned to mask any feelings of fear in front of his men, following advice given by another centurion--his previous superior in Persia. I am sure, as this series progresses, he will blossom. His mantras have always been "Duty" and "Following Orders", but he shows great initiative in his evading recapture and in his actions at the hillfort. If he can become more assertive outside his military role....
The novel was well written and carried me back into that era. I felt many emotions: identification with Castus and his feelings, anger at the Picts, fear for him on his flight, sadness at the massacre of his century, especially as the Picts had let them go with the promise they would not harm the men. I appreciated that no scenes with Marcellina turned sexual--that Castus respected her, her station and the class gulf between them. Outstanding were the pages on the harrowing escape from the Picts and their dogs and the climactic battle at the hillfort, including preparations. I am eager to follow him on his further adventures.
Increased rating on rereading in September 2016.
Highly recommended.
I feel the author chose an excellent name for his unforgettable protagonist. That name expresses his personality perfectly: Castus = Chaste in the secondary senses of decent, simple, uncomplicated. The envoy's daughter, Marcellina, expresses it best: "always appearing the strong, obedient soldier, unthinking, like a dumb animal ...but you are a good man, Centurion." She sees something more in him than what others see: she senses something deeper: kindness and a code of honor, maybe even the self-deprecating personality and lack of self-confidence in matters non-military that I picked up on. As centurion, he has learned to mask any feelings of fear in front of his men, following advice given by another centurion--his previous superior in Persia. I am sure, as this series progresses, he will blossom. His mantras have always been "Duty" and "Following Orders", but he shows great initiative in his evading recapture and in his actions at the hillfort. If he can become more assertive outside his military role....
The novel was well written and carried me back into that era. I felt many emotions: identification with Castus and his feelings, anger at the Picts, fear for him on his flight, sadness at the massacre of his century, especially as the Picts had let them go with the promise they would not harm the men. I appreciated that no scenes with Marcellina turned sexual--that Castus respected her, her station and the class gulf between them. Outstanding were the pages on the harrowing escape from the Picts and their dogs and the climactic battle at the hillfort, including preparations. I am eager to follow him on his further adventures.
Increased rating on rereading in September 2016.
Highly recommended.
January 28, 2015
This is an impressive debut. Set in a little-known era of the Roman Empire - the early 4th century AD - it throws us headfirst into a chaotic world in which emperors rise and fall, fortunes change and a man does not know who to trust. This is a thumping good read, well-crafted, atmospheric and thoroughly enjoyable. A real page-turner. Where's the next volume, please?
April 26, 2021
I'd seen these books in Amazon's "You might like" carousel over the years and thought the covers were good but, like Douglas Jackson's superb Roman series, Ian Ross doesn't seem to get mentioned on social media as much as the likes of Ben Kane, Anthony Riches and Simon Scarrow. Why that might be I have no idea because War at the Edge of the World is every bit as good as the best offerings from any of those guys!
Similarly to the aforementioned Jackson's books, this tale mostly follows one character - that of a grizzled centurion - rather than flitting about from one person to another all the time and it works brilliantly with tons of action, brutal fight scenes and a hint of romance. Ian Ross is a very gifted author, not just in how the overall tale pans out, but in the way he can craft single sentences that make another writer go, "Oh, that was excellent, I wish I wrote that!"
The Audible edition is well narrated and I greatly enjoyed it. Enough to order book 2 as soon as this one was finished!
Give it a go if you love Roman fiction set in Britannia.
Similarly to the aforementioned Jackson's books, this tale mostly follows one character - that of a grizzled centurion - rather than flitting about from one person to another all the time and it works brilliantly with tons of action, brutal fight scenes and a hint of romance. Ian Ross is a very gifted author, not just in how the overall tale pans out, but in the way he can craft single sentences that make another writer go, "Oh, that was excellent, I wish I wrote that!"
The Audible edition is well narrated and I greatly enjoyed it. Enough to order book 2 as soon as this one was finished!
Give it a go if you love Roman fiction set in Britannia.
August 4, 2017
A very good look at the reign of Constantius Chlorius in Britain in the early fourth century. It manages to combine action/adventure heroics with a very accurate depiction of the realities of Roman life. About the only problem I have with it is that the main action is done by a little past the halfway point, leaving the last part of the book feeling like an overextended epilogue. But still a very good read.
September 13, 2018
What an interesting and entertaining tale this was! Oh, and I love the title too.
The latter days of the Roman Empire is interesting me more and more, I've no idea why, but this really fed that interest, and then some. Good solid characters (though Castus really will have to work on getting a personality in the next book), some interesting dilemmas placed in their way and of course, what you're really looking for in this kind of story, plenty of well-written, not to say tense, backs against the wall, how the heck are they going to get out of that, action scenes. The whole flowing as a seamless whole.
There are perhaps, one too many of the Hist. Fic. Touchstones: The phrases and words that not only gain the author acceptance into the Hist. Fic. Author's club, but also establish them as a Real Historical Fiction Author. Because, as all Hist. Fic. Authors know, the raised eyebrows, the battle-calm, the blood hot on his hand, the wolfish grin, the dreams of dead comrades that he can remember every gory detail of his interaction with, in the dream, and that they are berating him for something he has - or hasn't - done wrong have to be in a real Hist. Fic. book. Or it isn't one. It does seem like, according to the books I read, that people in Ancient Times did dream a whole lot more, and more vividly, and with dire portents, than people do these days, me, for example. In Ancient Times, you saw the whole of the family of the person you killed, not an hour or so previously. I'd like to read a Hist Fic book set in Ancient Times, where the main character has a dream where they are 30 years previous, in a Crit at Art School and they haven't done the work. Just saying...well, what I'm saying - it doesn't happen!
However, despite ignoring all that nonsense there was still more than enough left to whet my appetite for the rest of the series.
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The latter days of the Roman Empire is interesting me more and more, I've no idea why, but this really fed that interest, and then some. Good solid characters (though Castus really will have to work on getting a personality in the next book), some interesting dilemmas placed in their way and of course, what you're really looking for in this kind of story, plenty of well-written, not to say tense, backs against the wall, how the heck are they going to get out of that, action scenes. The whole flowing as a seamless whole.
There are perhaps, one too many of the Hist. Fic. Touchstones: The phrases and words that not only gain the author acceptance into the Hist. Fic. Author's club, but also establish them as a Real Historical Fiction Author. Because, as all Hist. Fic. Authors know, the raised eyebrows, the battle-calm, the blood hot on his hand, the wolfish grin, the dreams of dead comrades that he can remember every gory detail of his interaction with, in the dream, and that they are berating him for something he has - or hasn't - done wrong have to be in a real Hist. Fic. book. Or it isn't one. It does seem like, according to the books I read, that people in Ancient Times did dream a whole lot more, and more vividly, and with dire portents, than people do these days, me, for example. In Ancient Times, you saw the whole of the family of the person you killed, not an hour or so previously. I'd like to read a Hist Fic book set in Ancient Times, where the main character has a dream where they are 30 years previous, in a Crit at Art School and they haven't done the work. Just saying...well, what I'm saying - it doesn't happen!
However, despite ignoring all that nonsense there was still more than enough left to whet my appetite for the rest of the series.
Blog: Speesh Reads
Facebook: Speesh Reads
Pinterest: Speesh Reads
June 3, 2018
Something about this one just didnt work for me. Probably reflected in the amount of time it took for me to complete it. I love historical fiction, especially Ancient Rome. This was a time period I hadnt seen explored before in this style of novel. I loved the politics, I enjoyed the action and the history element, however the characters were a let down. The protagonist was cliched and just a brute who didnt have much that I enjoyed about him. I understand that at around that time most men would have been brutal and all warriors but it didnt go beyond much of that. Due to this and obviously spending majority of the story with Castus, I wasnt eager to get back to finishing. Solid ending and obviously many othet battles to tell, just not sure Castus has much more growth for me.
January 3, 2018
An excellent Roman military adventure set in late Roman Britain - in York and north of the Wall. Very hard to put down.
March 18, 2015
Review
Ian Ross and Twilight of Empire: War at the edge of the World has all the hallmarks of the next great Roman series. The author has chosen a period that few have written in, a time when Rome and its empire is very different to the one we see portrayed in films and the HBO TV series, gone is the segmented armour, the Scutum etc, in its place, Mail or scale armour oval shields and these guys wore tunics and breeches, a clear sign of the blending of other nations into the empire . It was a time when the Empire was so large its power and leadership was shared, its politics even murkier. The book follows the exploits of Centurion Aurelius Castus, his journey north into the lands of the Picts, the inevitable betrayals, escape and eventual revenge.
The book is delivered in an interesting style, i would suspect that the author is very well read in the genre, or by some quirk of writing styles he has endeavored to produce the depth of detail and narrative of Ben Kane, the action and pace of SJA Turney and a main character that has the depth and personality of Simon Scarrows Macro (that’s not an Insult, i think Macro is very multi faceted). Castus is a non nonsense hard fighting centurion, a man who looks out for his men, he is also a man with a tactical brain, very much like Macro. Add in Nigrinus the notary (who takes the place of Narcissus) and you can see the comparison… but don’t be swayed by it, this is only a facet of the characters and plot, Ian Ross brings plenty of originality.
The Journey of Centurion Aurelius Castus is a refreshing change for the Roman fiction genre, across a very much changed Romano Britain landscape, the power of the empire has dimmed at its edges, but thinking its failed is a mistake the Picts will rue. In the same way that the conquest of Britain was for politician ends rather than expansion, this political backwater of the empire is once again at the forefront of a changing an empire, Instead of Claudius solidifying his hold on power, we are to witness the rise of Constantine, a name to shape an empire. In many ways this book feels like a taste of what’s to come from a clearly talented author.
I hope to follow more of the journeys and battles of Centurion Aurelius Castus, and also the rise of Constantine.
Highly recommend this one
(Parm)
Ian Ross and Twilight of Empire: War at the edge of the World has all the hallmarks of the next great Roman series. The author has chosen a period that few have written in, a time when Rome and its empire is very different to the one we see portrayed in films and the HBO TV series, gone is the segmented armour, the Scutum etc, in its place, Mail or scale armour oval shields and these guys wore tunics and breeches, a clear sign of the blending of other nations into the empire . It was a time when the Empire was so large its power and leadership was shared, its politics even murkier. The book follows the exploits of Centurion Aurelius Castus, his journey north into the lands of the Picts, the inevitable betrayals, escape and eventual revenge.
The book is delivered in an interesting style, i would suspect that the author is very well read in the genre, or by some quirk of writing styles he has endeavored to produce the depth of detail and narrative of Ben Kane, the action and pace of SJA Turney and a main character that has the depth and personality of Simon Scarrows Macro (that’s not an Insult, i think Macro is very multi faceted). Castus is a non nonsense hard fighting centurion, a man who looks out for his men, he is also a man with a tactical brain, very much like Macro. Add in Nigrinus the notary (who takes the place of Narcissus) and you can see the comparison… but don’t be swayed by it, this is only a facet of the characters and plot, Ian Ross brings plenty of originality.
The Journey of Centurion Aurelius Castus is a refreshing change for the Roman fiction genre, across a very much changed Romano Britain landscape, the power of the empire has dimmed at its edges, but thinking its failed is a mistake the Picts will rue. In the same way that the conquest of Britain was for politician ends rather than expansion, this political backwater of the empire is once again at the forefront of a changing an empire, Instead of Claudius solidifying his hold on power, we are to witness the rise of Constantine, a name to shape an empire. In many ways this book feels like a taste of what’s to come from a clearly talented author.
I hope to follow more of the journeys and battles of Centurion Aurelius Castus, and also the rise of Constantine.
Highly recommend this one
(Parm)
December 20, 2017
Where emperors are made
Aurelius Castus, Roman centurion, is that sort of stolid, tough, illiterate, Pannonian peasant soldier upon which the Roman Empire came to depend in the Fourth Century, its twilight years. A man to whom the army is life, who obeys his orders without question, he is sent on escort duty deep into the Pict lands far north of Hadrian’s Wall. The mission is mysterious, however his is not to reason why, but to protect the delegate sent to negotiate with the Pict leaders. The mission is a failure, Castus’ men killed and Castus taken prisoner. During the course of this imaginative novel, Castus becomes increasingly and unwillingly involved in politics at the highest level, and ultimately develops as a participant and protagonist.
This is a good addition to the genre of Roman military novels. The author is knowledgeable, his plot convincing, his characters sympathetic. The violence which is typical of this sort of novel is ever-present, but well integrated into the narrative. I felt that this worked well, both as a standalone novel, and as the first in a very interesting series.
Aurelius Castus, Roman centurion, is that sort of stolid, tough, illiterate, Pannonian peasant soldier upon which the Roman Empire came to depend in the Fourth Century, its twilight years. A man to whom the army is life, who obeys his orders without question, he is sent on escort duty deep into the Pict lands far north of Hadrian’s Wall. The mission is mysterious, however his is not to reason why, but to protect the delegate sent to negotiate with the Pict leaders. The mission is a failure, Castus’ men killed and Castus taken prisoner. During the course of this imaginative novel, Castus becomes increasingly and unwillingly involved in politics at the highest level, and ultimately develops as a participant and protagonist.
This is a good addition to the genre of Roman military novels. The author is knowledgeable, his plot convincing, his characters sympathetic. The violence which is typical of this sort of novel is ever-present, but well integrated into the narrative. I felt that this worked well, both as a standalone novel, and as the first in a very interesting series.
September 24, 2016
Resulta muy interesante el período elegido por el autor, para encuadrar la trama narrada en esta novela: el siglo IV. Un siglo que distaba mucho del antiguo esplendor del Imperio. Muy lejos de aquellos días de esplendor de César y Augusto, de Trajano y Marco Aurelio, no en vano, ya lo manifiesta el autor a través del Seguir leyendo
May 5, 2016
I wasn't sure what to expect from Ian Ross' debut, to be honest. I've a soft spot for the Late Roman Empire these days, and it often worries me that writers won't do the era justice. After all, for centuries now scholars have considered everything from the early 3rd century onwards to be the Decline and Fall etc. I needn't have worried. What should you expect from War at the edge of the world? Rollocking Romans, put simply.
This book, set at the time of the tetrarchy with Constantius as Augustus, is based at a time when the Roman world was on the cusp of new things. Only fifty years earlier was what they call the 'crisis' of the third century and an era of soldier emperors. Within fifty years will be the flowering of fully Christian Rome. This is the time when things change. And that was nicely reflected in the book for me.
Essentially, the story and its action and characters could have taken place in any Roman era with just a few tweaks. That is how familiar Ross' Rome is. At the level of the general soldier much is as it has always been. It's the detail and the background, oddly, that show us we are in late Rome. Details like the armour, weapons and clothing are not what you would find in Principate books. And in the overall background, there are Christians about, watched with suspicion, but they are there. There is a system of emperors rather than a straight Dynasty. But the most striking thing for me is that, appropriately for the era, Rome is no longer the centre of the world. Yes it's a great city, but it's no longer the home of emperors. Imperial courts are held at Nicomedia or Trier, or more or less wherever the emperor is. And the emperors are not Italian these days. In fact the majority descend from Balkan stock. It is nice to see this 'devolved' state of later Rome shown in books.
Then there's the writing and the style. For those of you who read Roman fiction often, the best comparison I can present you with is Anthony Riches. Ross' book reminded me in many ways of the first three of Riches' Empire series. The story flows well and hardly ever lags from its fast, adventurous pace. The plot is intelligible but not simplistic, the descriptive atmospheric but not over-the-top. The writing is very easy and engrossing. It is very easy to pick this book up for a 5 minute read and put it down after an hour wondering where the time has gone.
There is, I would say, nothing strikingly unusual about most of the characters for the regular reader of Roman fiction. Grizzled centurions, barely-disciplined ne'er-do-wells, untrustworthy civilians in high authority, barbarous barbarians etc. The exceptions for me are the teacher-turned-legionary, who I found entertaining and would like to see more of, and the female Pict, who broke the mould a little.
In short, War at the edge of the world was a welcome surprise for me. A fast paced, very engaging read, at the same time comfortably familiar and yet strangely exotic, it was one of the best debuts I've seen and I shall most definitely be reading the second volume.
This book, set at the time of the tetrarchy with Constantius as Augustus, is based at a time when the Roman world was on the cusp of new things. Only fifty years earlier was what they call the 'crisis' of the third century and an era of soldier emperors. Within fifty years will be the flowering of fully Christian Rome. This is the time when things change. And that was nicely reflected in the book for me.
Essentially, the story and its action and characters could have taken place in any Roman era with just a few tweaks. That is how familiar Ross' Rome is. At the level of the general soldier much is as it has always been. It's the detail and the background, oddly, that show us we are in late Rome. Details like the armour, weapons and clothing are not what you would find in Principate books. And in the overall background, there are Christians about, watched with suspicion, but they are there. There is a system of emperors rather than a straight Dynasty. But the most striking thing for me is that, appropriately for the era, Rome is no longer the centre of the world. Yes it's a great city, but it's no longer the home of emperors. Imperial courts are held at Nicomedia or Trier, or more or less wherever the emperor is. And the emperors are not Italian these days. In fact the majority descend from Balkan stock. It is nice to see this 'devolved' state of later Rome shown in books.
Then there's the writing and the style. For those of you who read Roman fiction often, the best comparison I can present you with is Anthony Riches. Ross' book reminded me in many ways of the first three of Riches' Empire series. The story flows well and hardly ever lags from its fast, adventurous pace. The plot is intelligible but not simplistic, the descriptive atmospheric but not over-the-top. The writing is very easy and engrossing. It is very easy to pick this book up for a 5 minute read and put it down after an hour wondering where the time has gone.
There is, I would say, nothing strikingly unusual about most of the characters for the regular reader of Roman fiction. Grizzled centurions, barely-disciplined ne'er-do-wells, untrustworthy civilians in high authority, barbarous barbarians etc. The exceptions for me are the teacher-turned-legionary, who I found entertaining and would like to see more of, and the female Pict, who broke the mould a little.
In short, War at the edge of the world was a welcome surprise for me. A fast paced, very engaging read, at the same time comfortably familiar and yet strangely exotic, it was one of the best debuts I've seen and I shall most definitely be reading the second volume.
April 13, 2021
This great book is the 1st historical instalment from this author and it is a book which I hugely and thoroughly enjoyed.
First of all I like to mention that although this book has been set some 120-130 years later, the book has some similarities with the first couple of books by Anthony Riches, and I mean by that that the main character and his fellow Romans are acting around and fighting the Picts north of Hadrian's Wall.
This series really begins in the year AD 305 during the reign of Emperor Constantine, and our main character is Centurion Aurelius Castus who once served in the elite Legions of the Danube, and who finds himself now in the cold grey wastes of Northern Britain.
The story itself starts to develop from the moment when the King of the Picts dies in mysterious circumstances and Castus is selected to lead the Roman Envoy, who is sent to negotiate with the barbarians beyond Hadrian's Wall.
During this enterprise Castus will have to face treachery and betrayal, and endure quite some fighting actions which will always result in a lot of bloodshed, besides all that he has to face some real tests of his honour.
At the same time trying to avert disaster and trying to keep his promise to a woman he has sworn to help, he'll discover that nothing about this enterprise is ever what is seems.
This is a tremendous and gripping Roman novel and so in my view "A Very Impressive Debut"!
First of all I like to mention that although this book has been set some 120-130 years later, the book has some similarities with the first couple of books by Anthony Riches, and I mean by that that the main character and his fellow Romans are acting around and fighting the Picts north of Hadrian's Wall.
This series really begins in the year AD 305 during the reign of Emperor Constantine, and our main character is Centurion Aurelius Castus who once served in the elite Legions of the Danube, and who finds himself now in the cold grey wastes of Northern Britain.
The story itself starts to develop from the moment when the King of the Picts dies in mysterious circumstances and Castus is selected to lead the Roman Envoy, who is sent to negotiate with the barbarians beyond Hadrian's Wall.
During this enterprise Castus will have to face treachery and betrayal, and endure quite some fighting actions which will always result in a lot of bloodshed, besides all that he has to face some real tests of his honour.
At the same time trying to avert disaster and trying to keep his promise to a woman he has sworn to help, he'll discover that nothing about this enterprise is ever what is seems.
This is a tremendous and gripping Roman novel and so in my view "A Very Impressive Debut"!
May 17, 2019
These books are set during an interesting time period, when Rome struggles with conflicts both externally and internally. They are full of action and their adherence to historical accuracy is generally very good. However, I felt that the characters were quite one-dimensional or not believable, and in places the book felt a bit clunky. These things are to be expected of a new author though, and were not serious enough problems for me to stop reading this book or the rest of the series.
February 7, 2025
A stunning debut. I’ll definitely continue reading this blood drenched series. 5⭐️
May 18, 2018
Oh, goodie, I thought: a historical novel set in the twilight of empire, just at the cusp of the adoption of Christianity as the state religion, and the series starts on the Wall and heads north. If you're reading this review, you probably already know that I have a particular interest in this part of the world, having written novels and non-fiction about Northumbria. This is set three centuries earlier, but it's a landscape and place I love. What's more, it's the first in a series, following a Roman centurion, Aurelius Castus, as he makes his way in this changing world, caught up in the wake of Constantine, who will be emperor but at this point is the up-and-coming son of Constantius Chlorus, Augustus of the Western Empire in the tetrarchic system set up by Diocletian. Just up my street.
Not really, I'm afraid. The book is well written, the story takes many turns, most unexpected, but the thought of ploughing through any more books in the dour company of Aurelius Castus is just too much to bear. I know there's a tendency in male historical fiction for protagonists to be dark and brooding, but it does get a bit wearing on the reader. I could, maybe, have put up with more of Aurelius' stoic indifference to pretty well everything if he hadn't actually been so rubbish at what he's supposed to do (spoilers ahead): when I read what is basically male wish-fulfillment fantasy (big bloke with sword who does the right thing, gets the woman, gets injured but stoically shoulders on through), and given that this is wish-fulfillment fantasy, I require at base a hero who actually achieves the quest by the end of the book. OK, there will be setbacks, a sidekick or two might be killed along the way, maybe even his lady love murdered despite his best efforts (this providing an efficient character engine for the rest of the book and series), but the hero has got to be basically competent. Aurelius Castus, though, loses his command, in its entirety, fails to save the man he'd sworn to save and basically makes a pig's ear of things for most of the book. Now, I grant that this sets the book apart from the usual run of ridiculous historical fiction, where the hero mows down legions with just a few decorative injuries along the way, but Aurelius is, for me, just too damn dull to persevere with. A pity, as the writing is good, and the period interesting. If you're thinking of reading it, I would say give it a go: this is a particularly subjective review. Some characters I simply don't engage with, through no fault of the author, and Aurelius is one of them.
Not really, I'm afraid. The book is well written, the story takes many turns, most unexpected, but the thought of ploughing through any more books in the dour company of Aurelius Castus is just too much to bear. I know there's a tendency in male historical fiction for protagonists to be dark and brooding, but it does get a bit wearing on the reader. I could, maybe, have put up with more of Aurelius' stoic indifference to pretty well everything if he hadn't actually been so rubbish at what he's supposed to do (spoilers ahead): when I read what is basically male wish-fulfillment fantasy (big bloke with sword who does the right thing, gets the woman, gets injured but stoically shoulders on through), and given that this is wish-fulfillment fantasy, I require at base a hero who actually achieves the quest by the end of the book. OK, there will be setbacks, a sidekick or two might be killed along the way, maybe even his lady love murdered despite his best efforts (this providing an efficient character engine for the rest of the book and series), but the hero has got to be basically competent. Aurelius Castus, though, loses his command, in its entirety, fails to save the man he'd sworn to save and basically makes a pig's ear of things for most of the book. Now, I grant that this sets the book apart from the usual run of ridiculous historical fiction, where the hero mows down legions with just a few decorative injuries along the way, but Aurelius is, for me, just too damn dull to persevere with. A pity, as the writing is good, and the period interesting. If you're thinking of reading it, I would say give it a go: this is a particularly subjective review. Some characters I simply don't engage with, through no fault of the author, and Aurelius is one of them.
October 26, 2018
Toplo preporučujem za one koji vole istorijsku fikciju i akciju. Serijal nije 'savršen' ali je dosta dobar . Radnja je smestena u kasnu vladavinu imeratora Konstancija Hlora ( zvanog bledi-ko Hlor) i početak vladavine Konstantina Velikog. Glavni lik Kastus ( znacenje jednostavan, nekomplikovan) rodjen u (Taurunum-u) Zemunu beži od kuće od nasilnog oca i pridruzuje se rimskoj vojsci. Boreći se u Persiji, a zatim u Panoniji , Britaniji-gde i zapocinje vladavina Konstantina- Rimu...kako on napreduje kroz razne avanture i unapredjenja kroz serijal ( zasnovane na istorijskim dogadjajima) tako i uzdizanje Konstantina Velikog i hrišćanstva. Primarni lik ovog romana je Krastus njegov privatni i vojni zivot. Moja zamerka je sto se Konstantinova majka Jelena/Helena vrlo malo spominje ali uzimajuci u obzir da je Konstantin u neku ruku sporedni lik ....Serijal mi definitvno privukao paznju jer nema mnogo knjiga ( barem kod nas) imperatorima sa ovih podrucja ( pogotovo ako ih piše stranac). U knjizi se takodje cesto spominju Dioklecijan,Sirmium ( Sremska Mitrovica)....Iako autor nije ulazio u neka dublja razmisljanja takodjer mislim da je podbacio u opisu i konekciji vizija koje je Konstantin imao. ( vecina istoricara se slaze da ih je ponekad izmisljao da bi vojsku naterao da se bori i on postao imeprator, jer ipak je on hriscanstvo prihvatio tek pred kraj zivota)
Sve u svemu interesantan serijal
Sve u svemu interesantan serijal
October 25, 2015
With War at the Edge of the World, I decided to take a break from my usual, continuous fantasy binge to read a bit of historical fiction. I tend to really enjoy Roman-based books, and found this to be a refreshing change, set as it was in the later stages of the empire rather than during the height of Republican power.
With an endorsement from Conn Iggulden on the cover, I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed. The plot progressed at a good speed and even if some of the twists were expected, it was good to see them borne out. I found myself liking the main character, Castus, without apparent effort, and enjoyed the complex of subplots swirling just below all the visceral action.
The combat was well done, with good armour consistencies (a rarity in fantasy as well as historical fiction), and I found it highly educational with regards to later Roman equipment – for example, I did not realise the legionaries used darts as well as javelins.
Overall, I’d recommend this book as a good, solid read – I’ve already bought the next in the series, but I’m reading a few more fantasy books before I get round to it.
‘War at the Edge of the World,’ by Ian Ross is the first in the Twilight of Empire series.
With an endorsement from Conn Iggulden on the cover, I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed. The plot progressed at a good speed and even if some of the twists were expected, it was good to see them borne out. I found myself liking the main character, Castus, without apparent effort, and enjoyed the complex of subplots swirling just below all the visceral action.
The combat was well done, with good armour consistencies (a rarity in fantasy as well as historical fiction), and I found it highly educational with regards to later Roman equipment – for example, I did not realise the legionaries used darts as well as javelins.
Overall, I’d recommend this book as a good, solid read – I’ve already bought the next in the series, but I’m reading a few more fantasy books before I get round to it.
‘War at the Edge of the World,’ by Ian Ross is the first in the Twilight of Empire series.
February 22, 2016
El libro está escrito en una línea muy aventurera, la prosa no es nada compleja y los personajes tampoco están muy trabajados. Como lectura intrascendente está interesante. Los grandes conflictos y cambios que se estaban dando en esta época, sobre el año 300 DC, en el imperio romano pasan un poco desapercibidos y la historia se centra en un Centurion y sus desventuras. Hay partes muy entretenidas y la acción trepidante de las batallas está muy conseguida, tanto en las pequeñas escaramuzas como en las grandes concentraciones de tropas. El protagonista es el personaje mas trabajado pero el autor se queda un poco corto en el resto de personajes perdiendo así el relato en profundidad y quedando solamente la ya mencionada parte aventurera. Ian James Ross entretiene con esta obra.
La guerra en el fin del mundo. Para incondicionales de los amantes de los historias de Romanos.
Nota: 6
La guerra en el fin del mundo. Para incondicionales de los amantes de los historias de Romanos.
Nota: 6
January 20, 2015
really enjoyed this historical novel based in the latter years of the roman empire on the borders between the roman empire and pictland and the power struggles between different factions on both sides and how the hero goes through betrayal and court politics as your transported back to 385AD and the bustle of York and the edge of the world.
February 24, 2015
I have to admit that I came to this book with low expectations so I was more than a little impressed as I ploughed through this book in a single sitting. Well worth reading and I can't wait for the next instalment.
April 9, 2016
I recently had a long trip ahead of me for work and decided to get an audiobook from Audible to listen to during the interminable flights, waits in airport lounges and taxi rides. I have had my eye on Ian Ross's debut, War at the Edge of the World, for some time, so I downloaded the book onto my phone and away I went.
Story:
The blurb on the book is as follows:
"The epic first installment in a new series set at the end of empire in the reign of the Emperor Constantine, The War at the Edge of the World follows newly promoted centurion Aurelius Castus into the tumultuous battle for the future of Rome.
Once a soldier in an elite legion from the Danube, now stuck in Britain's provincial backwater, Castus believes his glory days are over. But fate is about to intervene. When the king of the Picts, the savage people beyond Hadrian’s Wall, dies in mysterious circumstances, Castus is selected to command the bodyguard of a Roman envoy sent to negotiate with the barbarians.
But the diplomatic mission ends in bloody tragedy. Castus and his men are soon fighting for their lives and the legionary discovers that nothing about his doomed mission was ever what it seemed."
****
Review:
I haven't read a lot of Roman-era historical fiction, which I think might well have been a good thing here, as I am sure there are many comparisons that could be made to the work of other writers such as Riches, Scarrow and Kane.
As it is, free from the fetters of comparisons, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey into Ross's blood-spattered vision of 4th century Britain. The story is quite straightforward, but the gruff protagonist carries the story as easily as he dispatches his enemies with sword, spear or his bare hands.
The narrative rattles along, with a good dose of intrigue and more than enough action for this reader. The story was satisfying, with some great battle scenes. The only area I thought the book lacked a little was in the depth of the supporting cast. For the most part, they come and go, and I was not that upset if they died, or pleased if they survived the bloody uprising of the Picts.
Having said that, Aurelius Castus is a great, strong heroic figure who I am sure will go on to more exciting adventures in the future novels of the series.
My verdict?
An action-packed, blood-soaked vision of the untamed northern fringes of the Roman Empire of the 4th century.
Narrator:
Jonathan Keeble reads the story with verve and passion. Of the handful of audiobooks I have listened to in the last few years, Keeble was the best narrator by some distance. Each character has a recognisable voice with nuances and a specific delivery of dialogue that really lifts the narrative. The battle scenes are gripping and Keeble easily conveys the excitement and horror of facing enemies who are close enough to smell their breath and sweat.
Overall score:
4 out of 5 stars
Story:
The blurb on the book is as follows:
"The epic first installment in a new series set at the end of empire in the reign of the Emperor Constantine, The War at the Edge of the World follows newly promoted centurion Aurelius Castus into the tumultuous battle for the future of Rome.
Once a soldier in an elite legion from the Danube, now stuck in Britain's provincial backwater, Castus believes his glory days are over. But fate is about to intervene. When the king of the Picts, the savage people beyond Hadrian’s Wall, dies in mysterious circumstances, Castus is selected to command the bodyguard of a Roman envoy sent to negotiate with the barbarians.
But the diplomatic mission ends in bloody tragedy. Castus and his men are soon fighting for their lives and the legionary discovers that nothing about his doomed mission was ever what it seemed."
****
Review:
I haven't read a lot of Roman-era historical fiction, which I think might well have been a good thing here, as I am sure there are many comparisons that could be made to the work of other writers such as Riches, Scarrow and Kane.
As it is, free from the fetters of comparisons, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey into Ross's blood-spattered vision of 4th century Britain. The story is quite straightforward, but the gruff protagonist carries the story as easily as he dispatches his enemies with sword, spear or his bare hands.
The narrative rattles along, with a good dose of intrigue and more than enough action for this reader. The story was satisfying, with some great battle scenes. The only area I thought the book lacked a little was in the depth of the supporting cast. For the most part, they come and go, and I was not that upset if they died, or pleased if they survived the bloody uprising of the Picts.
Having said that, Aurelius Castus is a great, strong heroic figure who I am sure will go on to more exciting adventures in the future novels of the series.
My verdict?
An action-packed, blood-soaked vision of the untamed northern fringes of the Roman Empire of the 4th century.
Narrator:
Jonathan Keeble reads the story with verve and passion. Of the handful of audiobooks I have listened to in the last few years, Keeble was the best narrator by some distance. Each character has a recognisable voice with nuances and a specific delivery of dialogue that really lifts the narrative. The battle scenes are gripping and Keeble easily conveys the excitement and horror of facing enemies who are close enough to smell their breath and sweat.
Overall score:
4 out of 5 stars
December 1, 2020
War At The End Of The World is a solid start to what I imagine will be a very solid historical fiction series. It follows Aurelius Castus, Centurion of Rome, as he and his century are tasked with overseeing the crowning of a new Pict king after the previous king died under mysterious circumstances.
What follows is a great look into the edge of the Roman world and the dangers that lurk within the barbaric reaches of Northern Britain. For the romans of Britain, they have been away from their home land for a long period and have had to endure life so close to these savages known as Picts. For Castus' men, long removed from any fighting during their time in Britain, many of them thirst for a battle and would love nothing more than to come home with a few Pict heads mounted upon their spears. There is also the emissary Castus is sent to protect and the heathen Christian faith the man adheres to.
For a simple soldier like Castus (the man really is a blunt object with room between the ears for little other than fighting, duty and honouring his emperor) the above distractions are all unwelcome and most unwanted.
The writing in War At The End Of The World is strong. It's the sort of no-nonsense writing, with little to no flamboyant turns of phrase, that you can imagine a stoic soldier of Rome appreciating. It's the kind of writing that suits the bleak, miserable land that was Britain in the early fourth century where nothing is beautiful and all is mysterious and, in the eyes of the wary soldiers stationed there, best left alone.
Castus' story is one of constant conflict, whether that be conflict with the enemy or the more unknown conflicts of those he trusts. With people he respects on both sides of the war doing their best to lead him astray, he's constantly questioning himself and the actions he must take to maintain his own honour.
My main gripe with War At The End Of The World is that there is so much going on outside of Castus' story, but we just do not get to see any of it until Castus comes through. The only POV we get is Castus and I feel this is somewhat of a detriment. This was a time of political backstabbing within the hierarchy of Rome (on the frontier of Britain especially) and we saw none of it except for as it was happening in its latter stages through the eyes of Castus as an onlooker. The same could be said for the Picts. With all that surrounds the death of their king and the jockeying for power within the Pict forces, there was ample fuel for a good sub-plot.
I just feel this book would have given so much more to the reader if we were allowed to experience the happenings through other character's eyes.
That being said, it was still an enjoyable book and I absolutely sped trough it. I look forward to seeing where Rome's wars next take Castus.
What follows is a great look into the edge of the Roman world and the dangers that lurk within the barbaric reaches of Northern Britain. For the romans of Britain, they have been away from their home land for a long period and have had to endure life so close to these savages known as Picts. For Castus' men, long removed from any fighting during their time in Britain, many of them thirst for a battle and would love nothing more than to come home with a few Pict heads mounted upon their spears. There is also the emissary Castus is sent to protect and the heathen Christian faith the man adheres to.
For a simple soldier like Castus (the man really is a blunt object with room between the ears for little other than fighting, duty and honouring his emperor) the above distractions are all unwelcome and most unwanted.
The writing in War At The End Of The World is strong. It's the sort of no-nonsense writing, with little to no flamboyant turns of phrase, that you can imagine a stoic soldier of Rome appreciating. It's the kind of writing that suits the bleak, miserable land that was Britain in the early fourth century where nothing is beautiful and all is mysterious and, in the eyes of the wary soldiers stationed there, best left alone.
Castus' story is one of constant conflict, whether that be conflict with the enemy or the more unknown conflicts of those he trusts. With people he respects on both sides of the war doing their best to lead him astray, he's constantly questioning himself and the actions he must take to maintain his own honour.
My main gripe with War At The End Of The World is that there is so much going on outside of Castus' story, but we just do not get to see any of it until Castus comes through. The only POV we get is Castus and I feel this is somewhat of a detriment. This was a time of political backstabbing within the hierarchy of Rome (on the frontier of Britain especially) and we saw none of it except for as it was happening in its latter stages through the eyes of Castus as an onlooker. The same could be said for the Picts. With all that surrounds the death of their king and the jockeying for power within the Pict forces, there was ample fuel for a good sub-plot.
I just feel this book would have given so much more to the reader if we were allowed to experience the happenings through other character's eyes.
That being said, it was still an enjoyable book and I absolutely sped trough it. I look forward to seeing where Rome's wars next take Castus.
March 20, 2015
I found this novel quite a mixed bag - on the one hand I did enjoy reading it, but on the other I found it a real slog. I think there are a number of reasons why I found this a slog - the first is the use of the Roman style names for the characters. Because these are so unfamiliar and quite long, I did find it hard to follow who was who and how they fitted into the plot. In some instances I think I missed important story twists because I couldn't track who was doing what and what had happened before.
I also struggled with Castus, the main character. Although he was well developed throughout the story, I really didn't warm to him, and although I'm not sure if I was supposed to, for me this is something I find important in a novel.
What I did enjoy about this novel was just how detailed it was in relation to the Roman warfare. The descriptions of the battle methods used and the battle discipline required of the soldiers. It was a great insight into this formidable people when at the peak of the empire.
I also enjoyed the plot itself - the small cohort heading north for diplomatic purposes, a great betrayal and the battle that results. It was quick paced, but suitable detailed to make it flow well and draw in the reader.
So overall it was a good read but made slightly complicated by the use of historic names. I would read the novels that follow this, this being the first in the series, but would make sure I was in a situation where I could really concentrate - I attempted this whilst feeding a newborn baby!
I also struggled with Castus, the main character. Although he was well developed throughout the story, I really didn't warm to him, and although I'm not sure if I was supposed to, for me this is something I find important in a novel.
What I did enjoy about this novel was just how detailed it was in relation to the Roman warfare. The descriptions of the battle methods used and the battle discipline required of the soldiers. It was a great insight into this formidable people when at the peak of the empire.
I also enjoyed the plot itself - the small cohort heading north for diplomatic purposes, a great betrayal and the battle that results. It was quick paced, but suitable detailed to make it flow well and draw in the reader.
So overall it was a good read but made slightly complicated by the use of historic names. I would read the novels that follow this, this being the first in the series, but would make sure I was in a situation where I could really concentrate - I attempted this whilst feeding a newborn baby!
April 9, 2015
I think sometimes it's really hard to find a good Roman book. There are so many boring books out there it can be quite hard to pick the good from the bad. The Roman genre seems to be constantly filled with historical books and political one's that have little or no action. I do know staying to historical facts is good, but I feel that sacrificing the story over historical accuracy is wrong. The most important part of the book that needs to be tended to is the story.
However, with this book it focuses on the good stuff. Also more importantly, it has that oomph! The oomph you need in any good Roman book you read. It's that feeling when your reading how they go into battle, shields locked together and hordes of enemies charging and the Romans in formation and then they clash. It's a bit like the feeling when you watch football or rugby. Besides having that oomph, the author new what he was doing. He knew the limitations of his writing and his character and kept it simple. With other authors they try to write fancy, and they can't deliver because they're just not smart enough to write about smart people. With this book, the author kept it simple, dumb, sweet, and tasteful.
However, with this book it focuses on the good stuff. Also more importantly, it has that oomph! The oomph you need in any good Roman book you read. It's that feeling when your reading how they go into battle, shields locked together and hordes of enemies charging and the Romans in formation and then they clash. It's a bit like the feeling when you watch football or rugby. Besides having that oomph, the author new what he was doing. He knew the limitations of his writing and his character and kept it simple. With other authors they try to write fancy, and they can't deliver because they're just not smart enough to write about smart people. With this book, the author kept it simple, dumb, sweet, and tasteful.
December 8, 2018
This book is set during an interesting period of Roman history, just before the reign of Constantine, who will change the Roman state religion to Christianity. Constantine himself features occasionally in this story as he travels with his father to Britain. But the main part of the plot focuses on a centurion called Castus who is captured during a campaign against the Picts. He not only has to try and survive that, but also to navigate the political intrigues around the Imperial purple.
The author notes that reliable facts about the Picts are notoriously scarce, giving him plenty of leeway to create his own image of what they were like - and for the most part, it appears plausible. We also have Romans who are aware that their empire is not what it once was - exemplified when they march north and find the remains of the Antonine wall. Added to that, there is tension between those who have adopted the new Christian beliefs and those who adhere to the traditional Roman pantheon. And the Picts can sense that Rome is not the formidable conqueror it used to be.
The author creates a vivid world, and an intriguing story. It's good enough that I will try and find the next one.
The author notes that reliable facts about the Picts are notoriously scarce, giving him plenty of leeway to create his own image of what they were like - and for the most part, it appears plausible. We also have Romans who are aware that their empire is not what it once was - exemplified when they march north and find the remains of the Antonine wall. Added to that, there is tension between those who have adopted the new Christian beliefs and those who adhere to the traditional Roman pantheon. And the Picts can sense that Rome is not the formidable conqueror it used to be.
The author creates a vivid world, and an intriguing story. It's good enough that I will try and find the next one.
October 3, 2024
This is the second time I have read this book, and it was as good the second time as it was the first - the book is fast-paced with a gripping plot and has plenty of interesting characters, including the scary Picts! Castus is an interesting lead character. He is a brave, resourceful soldier, as well as being kind, compassionate and loyal, but he is unsure of himself when dealing with conniving politicians or he is outside his comfort zone of the Roman army.
I found the historical setting of late empire and the expedition beyond Hadrian's wall a fascinating mix. I have lived near the site of Antonine's wall and the Roman Road of Dere Street, so I know the wild lands mentioned in the book - this was the part of the story that I loved the most. And the author has made a good job of describing the Picts and their way of life, considering the lack of reliable historical records of these people.
I found the historical setting of late empire and the expedition beyond Hadrian's wall a fascinating mix. I have lived near the site of Antonine's wall and the Roman Road of Dere Street, so I know the wild lands mentioned in the book - this was the part of the story that I loved the most. And the author has made a good job of describing the Picts and their way of life, considering the lack of reliable historical records of these people.
February 28, 2018
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Always a fan of Roman Britain, this first installment promises to appeal to me through its following installments. As an experienced soldier, centurion Castus Aurelius believes his fighting days are over. But being sent to negotiate with the northern barbarian Picts will challenge all of his values. Well written and researched.
Always a fan of Roman Britain, this first installment promises to appeal to me through its following installments. As an experienced soldier, centurion Castus Aurelius believes his fighting days are over. But being sent to negotiate with the northern barbarian Picts will challenge all of his values. Well written and researched.
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