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Eagles of Rome #3
Eagles in the Storm
Arminius has been defeated, one of the three eagles has been recovered, and thousands of German tribesmen slain. Yet these successes aren't nearly enough for senior centurion Lucius Tullus. Not until Arminius is dead, his old legion's eagle liberated and the enemy tribes completely vanquished will he rest. But Arminius is still at large, devious, fearless and burning for revenge of his own. Charismatic as ever, he raises another large tribal army, which will harry the Romans the length and breadth of the land. Into this cauldron of bloodshed, danger and treachery, Tullus must go - alone. His mission - to find and bring back his legion's eagle - will place him in more danger than he has ever faced before. Can he succeed? Can he even survive?
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
162 people are currently reading
661 people want to read
About the author
Ben Kane
49 books1,105 followersBen Kane is a bestselling Roman author and former veterinarian. He was born in Kenya and grew up in Ireland (where his parents are from). He has traveled widely and is a lifelong student of military history in general, and Roman history in particular. He lives in North Somerset, England, with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 31, 2019
8.25/10
He dudado si ponerle una quinta estrella, pero al final se queda en 4, puede que cuando reflexione se acabe llevando esa quinta.
En fin, termino el año con mi empacho de romanos, hacía tiempo que no leía nada de ellos y lo cierto es que en menos de 1 mes han caído 4 novelas de Ben Kane, y no serán las últimas.
Este desenlace de la trilogía nos cuenta el final de la campaña de Germánico en Germania y por ende termina las aventuras de Tulo y sus hombres.
La historia transcurre por los mismos derroteros que las anteriores y una vez más podremos disfrutar de los POV de Tulo, centurión romano, Piso, uno de sus soldados, y Arminio, el gran enemigo de Roma. Kane nos muestra una vez más lo bien que se desenvuelve dentro de la temática bélica y nos vuelve a ofrecer una novela con mucho ritmo, acción y en la que siempre sucede algo interesante. Además, las tramas terminan bien cerradas, tanto la principal, como las secundarias, quedando ciertos agujeros, que por tema histórico Kane no puede cambiar.
Resumiendo, excelente trilogía sobre legiones romanas, en la que es difícil aburrirse y que a poco que a uno le guste esta clase de historia, lo mantendrá pegado al libro.
He dudado si ponerle una quinta estrella, pero al final se queda en 4, puede que cuando reflexione se acabe llevando esa quinta.
En fin, termino el año con mi empacho de romanos, hacía tiempo que no leía nada de ellos y lo cierto es que en menos de 1 mes han caído 4 novelas de Ben Kane, y no serán las últimas.
Este desenlace de la trilogía nos cuenta el final de la campaña de Germánico en Germania y por ende termina las aventuras de Tulo y sus hombres.
La historia transcurre por los mismos derroteros que las anteriores y una vez más podremos disfrutar de los POV de Tulo, centurión romano, Piso, uno de sus soldados, y Arminio, el gran enemigo de Roma. Kane nos muestra una vez más lo bien que se desenvuelve dentro de la temática bélica y nos vuelve a ofrecer una novela con mucho ritmo, acción y en la que siempre sucede algo interesante. Además, las tramas terminan bien cerradas, tanto la principal, como las secundarias, quedando ciertos agujeros, que por tema histórico Kane no puede cambiar.
Resumiendo, excelente trilogía sobre legiones romanas, en la que es difícil aburrirse y que a poco que a uno le guste esta clase de historia, lo mantendrá pegado al libro.
January 3, 2018
With Eagles in the Storm, this fine trilogy ends perfectly.
July 8, 2019
A satisfactory conclusion ,meaning I enjoyed Eagles in the Storm,just not as much as the previous books.Still ,a great trilogy.
February 23, 2022
That was one fine trilogy!
As with the first two books, the setting was the German frontier, with the Romans vs. the German tribal alliance under Arminius. The current events are six years past the heinous battle in the Teutoburg Forest from Book 1, and about a month after the battle in Book 2, so it's around 15-ish AD.
Tullus is now with the Fifth Legion. He has managed to keep his fellow survivors from the slaughtered Eighteenth under his command by becoming quite the indispensable fellow to Germanicus. The latter is still set on forcing the tribesmen into subjugation under Rome's authority. Tullus and the boys mostly just want their eagle from the Eighteenth back from the victorious Germans, as the Romans basically deified their Legion eagles. If a Legion had an eagle captured, that Legion was disbanded and the soldiers were disgraced.
There were some really pleasant passages in this as well as some that were deeply upsetting and/or disturbing. But that's to be expected in these types of HF. All things considered, this trilogy wrapped up quite nicely!
As with the first two books, the setting was the German frontier, with the Romans vs. the German tribal alliance under Arminius. The current events are six years past the heinous battle in the Teutoburg Forest from Book 1, and about a month after the battle in Book 2, so it's around 15-ish AD.
Tullus is now with the Fifth Legion. He has managed to keep his fellow survivors from the slaughtered Eighteenth under his command by becoming quite the indispensable fellow to Germanicus. The latter is still set on forcing the tribesmen into subjugation under Rome's authority. Tullus and the boys mostly just want their eagle from the Eighteenth back from the victorious Germans, as the Romans basically deified their Legion eagles. If a Legion had an eagle captured, that Legion was disbanded and the soldiers were disgraced.
There were some really pleasant passages in this as well as some that were deeply upsetting and/or disturbing. But that's to be expected in these types of HF. All things considered, this trilogy wrapped up quite nicely!
March 19, 2018
In EAGLES IN THE STORM, author Ben Kane wraps up a trilogy about the loss of fifteen thousand Romans and their legion Eagles to a Germanic tribal federation led by the renegade Arminius. In some ways, I think it’s the most interesting of the three novels.
On the Germanic side the principal characters are Arminius, who six years earlier had put together the coalition that ambushed and defeated the three legions and captured their sacred eagle standards; his right-hand man Maelo; and chieftains of other tribes who must again be coaxed, challenged, and/or coerced to fight for their freedom. Among the Romans there’s the veteran centurion Tullus, legionary Piso and other soldiers from his unit, and Germanicus Caesar, their general and the charismatic nephew of the reigning emperor, Tiberius.
As Germanicus’s eight legions mass for a retaliatory campaign across the Rhine, Arminius’s task of reuniting his countrymen becomes both easier and harder. Easier because of their past success against Roman troops; but harder because the tribes have grown complacent after that victory and are skeptical about needing his leadership.
Ben Kane knows Roman army life inside out, having walked in a legionary’s boots the length of Hadrian’s Wall and from Capua to Rome. His descriptions of everything from battle tactics to rank distinctions to the feel of chain-mail armor on a sultry day are totally convincing. It did strike me, though, that his Romans (Germans, too) can be quite talky, even in the thick of battle or when supposedly sneaking around.
Kane’s signal achievement, IMHO, is showing Arminius’s exasperation with his so-called allies, his frustration when they fail to follow his orders, and his growing ambition not just to free his people from Roman influence but to rule them himself. Such hubris invites the wrath of the gods—which, in Arminius’s case, may prove as dangerous as the anger of the Romans.
On the Germanic side the principal characters are Arminius, who six years earlier had put together the coalition that ambushed and defeated the three legions and captured their sacred eagle standards; his right-hand man Maelo; and chieftains of other tribes who must again be coaxed, challenged, and/or coerced to fight for their freedom. Among the Romans there’s the veteran centurion Tullus, legionary Piso and other soldiers from his unit, and Germanicus Caesar, their general and the charismatic nephew of the reigning emperor, Tiberius.
As Germanicus’s eight legions mass for a retaliatory campaign across the Rhine, Arminius’s task of reuniting his countrymen becomes both easier and harder. Easier because of their past success against Roman troops; but harder because the tribes have grown complacent after that victory and are skeptical about needing his leadership.
Ben Kane knows Roman army life inside out, having walked in a legionary’s boots the length of Hadrian’s Wall and from Capua to Rome. His descriptions of everything from battle tactics to rank distinctions to the feel of chain-mail armor on a sultry day are totally convincing. It did strike me, though, that his Romans (Germans, too) can be quite talky, even in the thick of battle or when supposedly sneaking around.
Kane’s signal achievement, IMHO, is showing Arminius’s exasperation with his so-called allies, his frustration when they fail to follow his orders, and his growing ambition not just to free his people from Roman influence but to rule them himself. Such hubris invites the wrath of the gods—which, in Arminius’s case, may prove as dangerous as the anger of the Romans.
January 22, 2018
Conclusion to Mr. Kane's Eagles trilogy; it left me with a warm feeling that all turned out well, except the death of one soldier I became attached to. Most consisted of brutal fighting between Romans and Germans deep into Germania and Tullus' ongoing search for the 18th's eagle; I'm always amazed how these authors always come up with something original for stock situations! And it sounds like Arminius' glory days are behind him and his now-overweening hubris do him in. The last sentence gives that impression....
July 24, 2018
The third part of the Eagles of Rome trilogy.
An excellent way to end the series.
Tullus gets promoted, battles get fought, and barracks humour abounds.
Whilst not a huge fan of historical fiction set in ancient Rome, this series has been a complete treat to read. Highly recommended.
An excellent way to end the series.
Tullus gets promoted, battles get fought, and barracks humour abounds.
Whilst not a huge fan of historical fiction set in ancient Rome, this series has been a complete treat to read. Highly recommended.
March 31, 2023
Each of the two preceding novels in this excellent trilogy have merited a well deserved four stars, but not for this one. The introduction of a single awful violent incident ordered by the main character which runs completely counter to how he has thought and acted across two and three quarter novels destroyed the hard won affection and empathy I had built up for him.
Don't get me wrong, this is novel about violent times, and necessarily contains much violence contributing to a rollicking and action packed three book story, and indeed, there are dreadful and personally emotional events immediately preceding the character doing what they do, but his subsequent actions did not sit at all well with me.
Without it, another four star read.
Don't get me wrong, this is novel about violent times, and necessarily contains much violence contributing to a rollicking and action packed three book story, and indeed, there are dreadful and personally emotional events immediately preceding the character doing what they do, but his subsequent actions did not sit at all well with me.
Without it, another four star read.
July 9, 2020
Glazed eyes. Man, that doesn’t happen often.
August 17, 2017
5 stars – My actual rating is 10 out of 10.
A demonstration of Ben Kane's passion for Romans (and rugby), his great knowledge and meticulous research and his ability to tell edge of your seat stories. This trilogy is amazing.
A demonstration of Ben Kane's passion for Romans (and rugby), his great knowledge and meticulous research and his ability to tell edge of your seat stories. This trilogy is amazing.
February 16, 2017
Review
Ben Kane is one of a select few authors, who writes books that sit in the category of “Must” read. The problem this creates for him and similar authors is that they have to compete with themselves and my ever increasing expectations. Now i’m utterly unqualified to know if Bens research is 100% accurate, i wish i could retain all the detail, but i do know the work he puts into ensuring it is, i do know when a book feels authentic and impassioned, and this like all his other work sits firmly in that category, this is a writer who has put himself in the kit and walked the miles to understand the pain of the legionary.
Full review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
Ben Kane is one of a select few authors, who writes books that sit in the category of “Must” read. The problem this creates for him and similar authors is that they have to compete with themselves and my ever increasing expectations. Now i’m utterly unqualified to know if Bens research is 100% accurate, i wish i could retain all the detail, but i do know the work he puts into ensuring it is, i do know when a book feels authentic and impassioned, and this like all his other work sits firmly in that category, this is a writer who has put himself in the kit and walked the miles to understand the pain of the legionary.
Full review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
April 9, 2017
This final book in the series is the exact reason I continue to read every single thing Ben Kane releases, gripping from start to finish. Then the characters, he genuinely makes you feel as if they are real and alive with you as you read, I still feel as if ive lost friends along the way with all his books!
April 1, 2017
not much I can say about Mr Kanes books if you like Roman historical fiction you need to read his books, he ranks up there with Christian Cameron in my opinion
May 14, 2018
It's not often that I rate a trilogy with five stars for all three books, but with Ben Kane's Eagles of Rome trilogy I did it and it's so well deserved!
Eagles in the Storm was a fantastic conclusion. I could barely put the book down, it was so thrilling and as always well-written. It was also heart-wrenching at times I must say.
The story returns with its great cast of characters like Tullus, Armenis, Maelo, Piso and several others.Tullus is still holding hope after so many years to find the lost eagle of the 18th and revenge on Arminius. Meanwhile Arminius is desperate to lead his people and the other tribes into battle against the Romans.
The book had its fair share of battles. It was all very action-packed and as always really brutal. The author's way of writing not only the battle scenes but every other detail made me feel as if I was actually there. I also can't help but praise the subtle humor as well.
The story was amazing and I thought the ending was pretty much perfect but some characters' deaths basically punched me in the gut. The unexpectedness of that made it even a more powerful ending of my one of my favorite trilogies.
Eagles in the Storm was a fantastic conclusion. I could barely put the book down, it was so thrilling and as always well-written. It was also heart-wrenching at times I must say.
The story returns with its great cast of characters like Tullus, Armenis, Maelo, Piso and several others.Tullus is still holding hope after so many years to find the lost eagle of the 18th and revenge on Arminius. Meanwhile Arminius is desperate to lead his people and the other tribes into battle against the Romans.
The book had its fair share of battles. It was all very action-packed and as always really brutal. The author's way of writing not only the battle scenes but every other detail made me feel as if I was actually there. I also can't help but praise the subtle humor as well.
The story was amazing and I thought the ending was pretty much perfect but some characters' deaths basically punched me in the gut. The unexpectedness of that made it even a more powerful ending of my one of my favorite trilogies.
April 2, 2017
The year is AD 15, and Senior Centurion Lucius Cominius Tullus is in the wilderlands of Germany, where he and his men are fighting ragtag but wily German tribes. Six years ago Arminius, one of the wiliest of the Germans, defeated the Romans, including Tullus, and stole the eagle of the Eighteenth Legion, Tullus's own legion before the massacre. Tullus is determined to reclaim his lost eagle and avenge his legion's disgrace.
Although this is the third book in the series, and refers to things that happened in the previous two books, which I have not read, I was able to follow along with little difficulty. Readers would probably be best served by reading all three books in order, but you can certainly jump in here at the end and still understand what's going on, especially if you know a tiny amount (all I can claim) about Roman history.
The events and a number of the characters of "Eagles in the Storm" are based on historical events and people, and the book is, as far as an armchair historian such as myself can tell, exhaustively researched. In fact, Kane has a lengthy afterword describing his research and the allusions to ancient and modern events in the book, something sure to delight the kind of nerds--I mean history buffs--who tend to read this kind of fiction. Indeed, for me the highlight of the book were the details about day-to-day life of the Roman soldiers, and Kane's ability to put you directly into the action, whether that be petty practical jokes, or major battles.
And indeed, there is no shortage of battles in this book. I, personally, have a limited tolerance for fight scenes, but if this is the kind of thing that you're into, then "Eagles in the Storm" has multiple battles between the Romans and the German tribes, described in such vivid detail from both sides' perspectives that you can practically smell the sweat and hear the cries. For all its grounding in lovingly researched detail, this is at heart a rip-snorting tale of war and adventure that could be set in any time period, but happens to be about ancient Rome. The prose style, like the characters, is simple and straightforward, and despite the liberal sprinkling of Latin, the book reads like a contemporary adventure novel. "Eagles in the Storm" is not exactly high-brow, so if that's what you're looking for, you'd best turn away, but it is high-quality historical adventure fiction that will draw you in and keep you reading.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Although this is the third book in the series, and refers to things that happened in the previous two books, which I have not read, I was able to follow along with little difficulty. Readers would probably be best served by reading all three books in order, but you can certainly jump in here at the end and still understand what's going on, especially if you know a tiny amount (all I can claim) about Roman history.
The events and a number of the characters of "Eagles in the Storm" are based on historical events and people, and the book is, as far as an armchair historian such as myself can tell, exhaustively researched. In fact, Kane has a lengthy afterword describing his research and the allusions to ancient and modern events in the book, something sure to delight the kind of nerds--I mean history buffs--who tend to read this kind of fiction. Indeed, for me the highlight of the book were the details about day-to-day life of the Roman soldiers, and Kane's ability to put you directly into the action, whether that be petty practical jokes, or major battles.
And indeed, there is no shortage of battles in this book. I, personally, have a limited tolerance for fight scenes, but if this is the kind of thing that you're into, then "Eagles in the Storm" has multiple battles between the Romans and the German tribes, described in such vivid detail from both sides' perspectives that you can practically smell the sweat and hear the cries. For all its grounding in lovingly researched detail, this is at heart a rip-snorting tale of war and adventure that could be set in any time period, but happens to be about ancient Rome. The prose style, like the characters, is simple and straightforward, and despite the liberal sprinkling of Latin, the book reads like a contemporary adventure novel. "Eagles in the Storm" is not exactly high-brow, so if that's what you're looking for, you'd best turn away, but it is high-quality historical adventure fiction that will draw you in and keep you reading.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 28, 2017
Ben Kane never fails to deliver and this book is no exception......With Arminius defeated and one of the lost Eagles recovered Rome considers this a good start, but for senior Centurion Tullus, only Arminius dead and at least his Eagle recovered will be the only way to find peace.....With Arminius using all of his considerable charm and charisma to raise yet another large force to meet the Roman invasion the scene is set for at least one of these two to get what they want.
You can almost feel the weight of the lost Eagle and lost comrades on Tullus as he and the survivors of the Eighteenth begin yet another campaign both for Rome and themselves. .....With a cast of wonderfully realised supporting characters (PISO!) and a fast pace this is typically muscular and pulls you along for the ride.......I think what the author does really well Is that by rights your sympathies should be with Arminius and the Germans after all they have been invaded, they never asked for this.....and indeed you get a lot of the story told from Arminius's point of view, but you cannot help side with Tullus and Legions. ....maybe it's because Tullus is such a complexed but ultimately stoic character who owns who he is and his actions where as Arminius seeks to turn advantage or blame others where he needs to......With a fantastically moving finish this is a fitting end for all involved.
You can almost feel the weight of the lost Eagle and lost comrades on Tullus as he and the survivors of the Eighteenth begin yet another campaign both for Rome and themselves. .....With a cast of wonderfully realised supporting characters (PISO!) and a fast pace this is typically muscular and pulls you along for the ride.......I think what the author does really well Is that by rights your sympathies should be with Arminius and the Germans after all they have been invaded, they never asked for this.....and indeed you get a lot of the story told from Arminius's point of view, but you cannot help side with Tullus and Legions. ....maybe it's because Tullus is such a complexed but ultimately stoic character who owns who he is and his actions where as Arminius seeks to turn advantage or blame others where he needs to......With a fantastically moving finish this is a fitting end for all involved.
January 20, 2018
Eagles in the Storm carries on from the previous book and neatly gets our characters on both sides into conflict again (as in history! :D ) and sees the showdown in Germania! :D Tullus as ever is the stalwart centurion and is played to the hilt as such! :D Throughout there is a a running gag as he is constantly surprised by his promotions! :D Piso and Metilius do there stuff as well and plus Fenestela Macula, Sirona, Artio, Dulcius etc all put in appearances as well in a book that is dramatic from start to finish and pack an emotional wallop! :D
The depictions of the legionary equipment and deployments are accurate and brilliantly deployed in the depiction of the battles and the other events going on throughout! :D The pace of the book in intense building the suspense to every encounter brilliantly and taking plot twists throughout! :D
Eagles in the Storm is fast-paced, accurate, clever and action packed! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D
The depictions of the legionary equipment and deployments are accurate and brilliantly deployed in the depiction of the battles and the other events going on throughout! :D The pace of the book in intense building the suspense to every encounter brilliantly and taking plot twists throughout! :D
Eagles in the Storm is fast-paced, accurate, clever and action packed! :D Brilliant and highly recommended! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2017
I am very impressed by this trilogy, and it really shows how Ben Kane matured as a writer. Sometimes (if I am very picky) he tends to slide to a bit to cinematic situations/descriptions and I think I spotted some (=few) anachronisms. But the work with character development and how characters fit into the story....in one word - impressive. I am planning to re-read the whole trilogy (with the separate chapters/short stories).
August 29, 2018
Masterful Roman soldier series up there with the best of them. Doesn't stagnate and nice nods to references old and new, relevant or not. Especially like that the writing at times reminds me of Homer or Tolkien without being so archaic as to seem trite. The bellowing of the Centurions seems completely appropriate.
It's no mean feat to tackle such a major event as the defeat of Varus at the Teutoberg forest and have it come off as plausible, which makes this achievement even more impressive.
It's no mean feat to tackle such a major event as the defeat of Varus at the Teutoberg forest and have it come off as plausible, which makes this achievement even more impressive.
April 18, 2019
Espectacular final de la trilogía…súper cautivadora y adictiva…recomendada incondicional para los amantes de la novela histórica de Roma…Ben Kane no decepciona al contrario sigue atrapando al lector como en las obras anteriores. Me queda pendiente leer el ultimo libro publicado.
January 1, 2018
Este señor recrea las batallas la emoción que generan como nadie. Le puesto cuatro estrellas porque en algunos momentos de la trama era demasiado previsible.
August 4, 2018
Apart from one occasion where lines were blatantly ripped off from Gladiator, this was an enjoyable end to the trilogy
February 17, 2025
Talks about Felix and the veterans of the Roman Legion as they face betrayals, brutal battles, and the fight for survival in the empire. With intense storytelling and rich detail, the book immerses readers in the harsh realities of war and the indomitable spirit of the legionnaire. The book offers insight into how the Romans planned their attacks, structured their legions, and dealt with their enemies in warfare. Very good read.
December 29, 2018
This fantastic and adventurous Roman story is the 3rd and final volume of the "Eagles of Rome" trilogy.
As ever are the historical details within the Author's Note concerning this tale very well researched and documented, while also at the end of the book you'll find that it also contains a well explained glossary.
Inside the book you'll find an extensive well-drawn map of Germania and the Roman Empire in AD 15/16, while at the beginning of the book you'll notice a list of great characters concerning this superb tale, whether they are real historical figures or fictional figures.
Storytelling is as always of a superb quality because of the author's ability to keep you gripped and captivated throughout the story, and thus making this book a most outstanding and enthralling read.
All the characters come vividly to life within this wonderful tale, whether they are real historical people or fictional ones, and the interactions between all of them are very lifelike throughout the story.
This tale is set during the years AD 15/16, six to seven years after the opener of this trilogy, and once again our main character Centurion Lucius Cominius Tullus goes in search of the missing Eagle of the Eighteenth Legion, which his Legion lost at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in AD 9.
This same Lucius Tullus along with his legionaries are now finding themselves within the Fifth Legion in the army of General Germanicus and they are still fighting a resilient Arminius in an attempt to silence the Germans once and for all, but this same Arminius seems to be able to regroup the tribes of Germania and somehow fight the Romans under the leadership of General Germanicus to knife edge balanced battles.
What will follow is a fascinating and thrilling Roman tale with a lot of great battle scenes, battles that are wonderfully pictured within this dangerous landscape of Germania, and in where our hero Lucius Tullus has to fight his hardest battles to be victorious for Rome, and finally retrieve the lost Eagle of the Eighteenth Legion, and by doing this restore his own pride or lose his life trying to do so.
Very much recommended, for this is Roman historical fiction at it's very best, and that's why I call this book "The Final Epic Eagles"!
As ever are the historical details within the Author's Note concerning this tale very well researched and documented, while also at the end of the book you'll find that it also contains a well explained glossary.
Inside the book you'll find an extensive well-drawn map of Germania and the Roman Empire in AD 15/16, while at the beginning of the book you'll notice a list of great characters concerning this superb tale, whether they are real historical figures or fictional figures.
Storytelling is as always of a superb quality because of the author's ability to keep you gripped and captivated throughout the story, and thus making this book a most outstanding and enthralling read.
All the characters come vividly to life within this wonderful tale, whether they are real historical people or fictional ones, and the interactions between all of them are very lifelike throughout the story.
This tale is set during the years AD 15/16, six to seven years after the opener of this trilogy, and once again our main character Centurion Lucius Cominius Tullus goes in search of the missing Eagle of the Eighteenth Legion, which his Legion lost at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in AD 9.
This same Lucius Tullus along with his legionaries are now finding themselves within the Fifth Legion in the army of General Germanicus and they are still fighting a resilient Arminius in an attempt to silence the Germans once and for all, but this same Arminius seems to be able to regroup the tribes of Germania and somehow fight the Romans under the leadership of General Germanicus to knife edge balanced battles.
What will follow is a fascinating and thrilling Roman tale with a lot of great battle scenes, battles that are wonderfully pictured within this dangerous landscape of Germania, and in where our hero Lucius Tullus has to fight his hardest battles to be victorious for Rome, and finally retrieve the lost Eagle of the Eighteenth Legion, and by doing this restore his own pride or lose his life trying to do so.
Very much recommended, for this is Roman historical fiction at it's very best, and that's why I call this book "The Final Epic Eagles"!
January 20, 2018
I love Ben Kane's books but in this one I hated the Romans, each and every, just hated. Children murderers with their stupid vengeance to the people they try to enslave. Arminius and other Germans stay my favourites. The third part of the book was really extra. Without it the book would have been much better.
April 14, 2023
Having loved The Forgotten Legion, Spartacus and Hannibal series, The eagles series just is as strong, the last book is the weakest. sometimes less is a more and this would have been better as a 2 book series. A chapter on spreading Shit in officers tent and bedding for me was unnecessary and didn't belong, aimed more for teen audience.
September 25, 2019
Senior centurion Lucius Tullus 💪🏻
August 3, 2020
So this book concludes the Eagles of Rome series while maintaining much the same level of quality as the earlier books. This book is very similar to the last one in that it’s a series of events that happen while on campaign rather than a real character journey or adventure. In fact, since there’s no mutiny to occupy the beginning of the book the story really doesn’t have time to cover anything else. As such, everything depends on how well the book recreates the battles and feeling of combat and everyday life in the legion. And as before he blows it away.
What continues to impress me is just how well Kane handles the little details. While he draws almost no attention to them, he provides accurate accounts of religious expression, commercialism, games, gambling, payment, etc. His more obvious focus on warfare is even more accurate in detail. Tactics, strategy, and the elements we know of daily life in the legions are combined with a very real-feeling depiction of life as a soldier. This is clearly an obsession with him, and for a time you can share in it.
I’ve said it before, and since he’s a skilled enough writer to read more of I’ll undoubtedly say it again: Kane just isn’t very good at, or interested in (the two issues are connected), political maneuvering. And I think that hurts him here. This is the story of Arminius’ failure. His journey in this book (and the last one) ought to have been dominated by alliance-building and broader issues of rule. While Tullus rightly views everything through a military standpoint, Arminius only really has a unified army for a few weeks at a time. The rest of his time has to be spent harrying his fellow tribal leaders for support. That’s broadly what we see here, but it’s all very narrow in focus and uninspired in the telling.
I also missed (here more than ever) any sense of conflicting cultures. What always struck me about Arminius was that his vision of a united Germania was very much a Roman idea. They were the ones who lumped all the tribes together and refused to distinguish between them. The Germans by and large cared more about local feuds than grand pan-German causes. And while the clash between Arminius’ vision and the Germanic one comes into play here, it’s ultimately shown as just a clash of egos. I have to say I’m surprised that every author has the same vision of Arminius. There’s a strong case to be made that Arminius’ actions were more opportunistic than idealistic. That his decision to betray the Romans was made more from recognizing that Varus left his legions uniquely vulnerable than loathing of Rome (his childhood oath to ever be Rome’s enemy is the same old story told of Hannibal) and motivated to a large extent by the opportunity to elevate his status among his kin. Even hints at such an alternate viewpoint would have made him more interesting.
This is also the second (of two) series I’ve read where Kane played a particular trick in the final moments that I found rather cheap and unsatisfying. It works much better here, it must be said, but if this is a recurring theme for him that doesn’t bode well.
I loved this series, I really did, but it is starting to show a few cracks and I’m glad it came to a conclusion. This was the weakest of the three, not because of anything it does wrong but merely because of circumstances. The big battle is less dramatic than the Teutonburg Forest or the Battle of the Bridges because by this point the war was basically won already through Rome’s ravaging of Germany. Not a situation prone to drama. The characters have basically completed their evolution already. About the only thing that this book can do that the previous one couldn’t is resolve the issue of the stolen eagle. And since it’s not the sort of OTT adventure novel that can see a small band infiltrating behind enemy lines, the actual process of nabbing that eagle is pretty low in importance.
A lot of this review has been dominated by criticisms or at best backhanded praise, so you might wonder why I still rank it highly. My real issues with the book reflect a frustration at the lack of anything deeper, either characterwise or with regard to broader issues of imperialism or comradeship. I suppose grand themes aren’t what people expect from military adventure novels and most fans of such books will undoubtedly go away satisfied. I should stress that I greatly enjoyed the books while reading them, and only started to run into problems when trying to define why I liked them after the fact. They are good yarns, accurate as they can be and with real character and a sense of danger. If you want to know what it felt like to be a Roman soldier this is probably your best door in.
What continues to impress me is just how well Kane handles the little details. While he draws almost no attention to them, he provides accurate accounts of religious expression, commercialism, games, gambling, payment, etc. His more obvious focus on warfare is even more accurate in detail. Tactics, strategy, and the elements we know of daily life in the legions are combined with a very real-feeling depiction of life as a soldier. This is clearly an obsession with him, and for a time you can share in it.
I’ve said it before, and since he’s a skilled enough writer to read more of I’ll undoubtedly say it again: Kane just isn’t very good at, or interested in (the two issues are connected), political maneuvering. And I think that hurts him here. This is the story of Arminius’ failure. His journey in this book (and the last one) ought to have been dominated by alliance-building and broader issues of rule. While Tullus rightly views everything through a military standpoint, Arminius only really has a unified army for a few weeks at a time. The rest of his time has to be spent harrying his fellow tribal leaders for support. That’s broadly what we see here, but it’s all very narrow in focus and uninspired in the telling.
I also missed (here more than ever) any sense of conflicting cultures. What always struck me about Arminius was that his vision of a united Germania was very much a Roman idea. They were the ones who lumped all the tribes together and refused to distinguish between them. The Germans by and large cared more about local feuds than grand pan-German causes. And while the clash between Arminius’ vision and the Germanic one comes into play here, it’s ultimately shown as just a clash of egos. I have to say I’m surprised that every author has the same vision of Arminius. There’s a strong case to be made that Arminius’ actions were more opportunistic than idealistic. That his decision to betray the Romans was made more from recognizing that Varus left his legions uniquely vulnerable than loathing of Rome (his childhood oath to ever be Rome’s enemy is the same old story told of Hannibal) and motivated to a large extent by the opportunity to elevate his status among his kin. Even hints at such an alternate viewpoint would have made him more interesting.
This is also the second (of two) series I’ve read where Kane played a particular trick in the final moments that I found rather cheap and unsatisfying. It works much better here, it must be said, but if this is a recurring theme for him that doesn’t bode well.
I loved this series, I really did, but it is starting to show a few cracks and I’m glad it came to a conclusion. This was the weakest of the three, not because of anything it does wrong but merely because of circumstances. The big battle is less dramatic than the Teutonburg Forest or the Battle of the Bridges because by this point the war was basically won already through Rome’s ravaging of Germany. Not a situation prone to drama. The characters have basically completed their evolution already. About the only thing that this book can do that the previous one couldn’t is resolve the issue of the stolen eagle. And since it’s not the sort of OTT adventure novel that can see a small band infiltrating behind enemy lines, the actual process of nabbing that eagle is pretty low in importance.
A lot of this review has been dominated by criticisms or at best backhanded praise, so you might wonder why I still rank it highly. My real issues with the book reflect a frustration at the lack of anything deeper, either characterwise or with regard to broader issues of imperialism or comradeship. I suppose grand themes aren’t what people expect from military adventure novels and most fans of such books will undoubtedly go away satisfied. I should stress that I greatly enjoyed the books while reading them, and only started to run into problems when trying to define why I liked them after the fact. They are good yarns, accurate as they can be and with real character and a sense of danger. If you want to know what it felt like to be a Roman soldier this is probably your best door in.
February 19, 2018
I can't find much doubt that in his Eagles of Rome series and in the character Tullus, Ben Kane has produced his best work so far. Probably as it should be, a writer getting better all the time, and this being his latest series. If Eagles In The Storm isn't quite up there with the first one, Eagles At War, then that's no disgrace, and it might even be down to me thinking, "well it wasn't as good as the first."
There's generally nothing wrong with it, bar a little of a stretched feeling - that this was a two book series made into a trilogy. That and a disappointing, after the general all-round wonderfulness of the first two, slip into the Hist Fic swamp of lesser writers. The Germanic barbarian warriors - and warriors who work for the Romans - all have bad breath. Here ‘fetid.’ Maybe it’s all non- Romans. Bad breath is something common to all warriors who oppose our Hist Fic hero characters, have you noticed that? Pushed up against in a shield-wall, the guy over the shield from us always has gods-awful bad breath. Then there are also one too many raised eyebrows flying around. Like he maybe wrote this just after getting back from a pub lunch with Anthony Riches. But Ben Kane has time and time again proven himself better than this. Fair enough, 'his' eyebrows are most often just one eyebrow raised, or ‘arched,’ but face it, when was the last time you raised just one eyebrow to signify you were doing anything other than a Roger Moore, or Benny Hill impression? That's right, never. And, it’s not like they’re any one character’s habit, they’re all at it. Not needed. Something else that struck me was, the prevalence throughout the ages, from BC to medieval times, of the insult 'Whoreson(s).' Hist Fic needs a new insult. Or two, preferably. Or I need to see some evidence that BC Romans used it, AD Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings and later Medieval Period peeps used it. Then finally, there's way too much "dipping" of chins. In salute, in acknowledgment in every occasion. It sounds - again - more like a meeting of the Great Crested Grebe Society than a tough as nails Roman story. I didn't notice an 'almost imperceptible' so that's some sort of plus.
Other than that then, just great. This story and the previous book, could have been combined, but you're not wasting your money getting all three. The finale, is perfect really, summing up the feelings of loss and regret and the 'did we do the right thing?' That's what I got. Even, though of course we're rooting for the Romans, a feeling for Arminius, not so much in his stressful efforts to keep the tribes together, more a daydream about what it must have felt for him, knowing that while his wife and child were probably still alive, he would never see them again. I don't have children, but it affected me quite deeply all the same.
Another thing it has done, is get me on to buying a couple of other books about the battle of the Teutoburg Forest. One non-fiction even. I've followed Ben Kane on various social medias for a while now and his book recommendations have always been absolutely spot on, and as the books he writes are also spot on, its inspired me to find out more about the period and I hope you are inspired to read his books.
Get the best reviews, first: Speesh Reads Blog
Or here: Speesh Reads Facebook Page
There's generally nothing wrong with it, bar a little of a stretched feeling - that this was a two book series made into a trilogy. That and a disappointing, after the general all-round wonderfulness of the first two, slip into the Hist Fic swamp of lesser writers. The Germanic barbarian warriors - and warriors who work for the Romans - all have bad breath. Here ‘fetid.’ Maybe it’s all non- Romans. Bad breath is something common to all warriors who oppose our Hist Fic hero characters, have you noticed that? Pushed up against in a shield-wall, the guy over the shield from us always has gods-awful bad breath. Then there are also one too many raised eyebrows flying around. Like he maybe wrote this just after getting back from a pub lunch with Anthony Riches. But Ben Kane has time and time again proven himself better than this. Fair enough, 'his' eyebrows are most often just one eyebrow raised, or ‘arched,’ but face it, when was the last time you raised just one eyebrow to signify you were doing anything other than a Roger Moore, or Benny Hill impression? That's right, never. And, it’s not like they’re any one character’s habit, they’re all at it. Not needed. Something else that struck me was, the prevalence throughout the ages, from BC to medieval times, of the insult 'Whoreson(s).' Hist Fic needs a new insult. Or two, preferably. Or I need to see some evidence that BC Romans used it, AD Romans, Anglo Saxons, Vikings and later Medieval Period peeps used it. Then finally, there's way too much "dipping" of chins. In salute, in acknowledgment in every occasion. It sounds - again - more like a meeting of the Great Crested Grebe Society than a tough as nails Roman story. I didn't notice an 'almost imperceptible' so that's some sort of plus.
Other than that then, just great. This story and the previous book, could have been combined, but you're not wasting your money getting all three. The finale, is perfect really, summing up the feelings of loss and regret and the 'did we do the right thing?' That's what I got. Even, though of course we're rooting for the Romans, a feeling for Arminius, not so much in his stressful efforts to keep the tribes together, more a daydream about what it must have felt for him, knowing that while his wife and child were probably still alive, he would never see them again. I don't have children, but it affected me quite deeply all the same.
Another thing it has done, is get me on to buying a couple of other books about the battle of the Teutoburg Forest. One non-fiction even. I've followed Ben Kane on various social medias for a while now and his book recommendations have always been absolutely spot on, and as the books he writes are also spot on, its inspired me to find out more about the period and I hope you are inspired to read his books.
Get the best reviews, first: Speesh Reads Blog
Or here: Speesh Reads Facebook Page
March 2, 2022
Six years ago, a German auxiliary named Arminius used his place of respect within the Roman army to lure Governor Vaurs and three legions into a devastating ambush. Rome began to exact her revenge last year, clearing out German villages connected to rebelling tribes and even kidnapping Arminius’ wife, but the work is not yet done. Two of the battle-standards taken by the Germans – imperial eagles — are still in the hands of Rome’s enemies, and Senior Centurion Tullus is determined to recover them, for the honor of his fallen men….and his personal need for revenge. Eagles in the Storm witnesses the culmination of Tullius’ quest for vengeance, in service of his general Germanicus. Although the action isn’t on grand a scale as Eagles at War, it’s a fitting conclusion to this series.
As with Hunting the Eagles, Kane splits the book primarily between Arminus and Tullus, with an ocassional foray into the Roman ranks. We find Arminus struggling to keep his alliance together: despite the great success six years ago, many tribal leaders regard Arminius warily, disdainful of his claim to be the only one who can lead the tribes to victory against Rome. They increasingly don’t follow the execution of his plans even after they’ve agreed to, and Arminius’ stores of patient diplomacy appear to have been exhausted by all the work he undertook to make the Teutoberg ambush happen. The action in Eagles in the Storm occurs across several armed conflicts, until the summer begins to wane and both Arminus and Tullius make the same desperate move. Although both protagonists were compelling viewpoint characters in Eagles at War, Tullius was far more sympathetic in Hunting the Eagles, and that continues here, and the reader shares his frustration when Arminius evades him again and again. The lower-ranks characters are particularly useful in the battle scenes, but here they also provide a little comic relief –as when Piso sneaks into an incredibly punchable officer’s tent and decorates it liberally with dog dung. They’re also how Kane keeps the reader emotionally vested in battles: we know Tullius and Arminius both have to survive the minor scrapes to continue their cat and mouse games, but the redshirt characters don’t have plot insurance.
As with Hunting the Eagles, Kane splits the book primarily between Arminus and Tullus, with an ocassional foray into the Roman ranks. We find Arminus struggling to keep his alliance together: despite the great success six years ago, many tribal leaders regard Arminius warily, disdainful of his claim to be the only one who can lead the tribes to victory against Rome. They increasingly don’t follow the execution of his plans even after they’ve agreed to, and Arminius’ stores of patient diplomacy appear to have been exhausted by all the work he undertook to make the Teutoberg ambush happen. The action in Eagles in the Storm occurs across several armed conflicts, until the summer begins to wane and both Arminus and Tullius make the same desperate move. Although both protagonists were compelling viewpoint characters in Eagles at War, Tullius was far more sympathetic in Hunting the Eagles, and that continues here, and the reader shares his frustration when Arminius evades him again and again. The lower-ranks characters are particularly useful in the battle scenes, but here they also provide a little comic relief –as when Piso sneaks into an incredibly punchable officer’s tent and decorates it liberally with dog dung. They’re also how Kane keeps the reader emotionally vested in battles: we know Tullius and Arminius both have to survive the minor scrapes to continue their cat and mouse games, but the redshirt characters don’t have plot insurance.
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