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Clash of Eagles #3
Eagle and Empire
The award-winning author of Clash of Eagles and Eagle in Exile brings his masterly alternate-history saga of the Roman invasion of North America to a stunning conclusion.
Roman Praetor Gaius Marcellinus came to North America as a conqueror, but after meeting with defeat at the hands of the city-state of Cahokia, he has had to forge a new destiny in this strange land. In the decade since his arrival, he has managed to broker an unstable peace between the invading Romans and a loose affiliation of Native American tribes known as the League.
But invaders from the west will shatter that peace and plunge the continent into war: The Mongol Horde has arrived and they are taking no prisoners.
As the Mongol cavalry advances across the Great Plains leaving destruction in its path, Marcellinus and his Cahokian friends must summon allies both great and small in preparation for a final showdown. Alliances will shift, foes will rise, and friends will fall as Alan Smale brings us ever closer to the dramatic final battle for the future of the North American continent.
Roman Praetor Gaius Marcellinus came to North America as a conqueror, but after meeting with defeat at the hands of the city-state of Cahokia, he has had to forge a new destiny in this strange land. In the decade since his arrival, he has managed to broker an unstable peace between the invading Romans and a loose affiliation of Native American tribes known as the League.
But invaders from the west will shatter that peace and plunge the continent into war: The Mongol Horde has arrived and they are taking no prisoners.
As the Mongol cavalry advances across the Great Plains leaving destruction in its path, Marcellinus and his Cahokian friends must summon allies both great and small in preparation for a final showdown. Alliances will shift, foes will rise, and friends will fall as Alan Smale brings us ever closer to the dramatic final battle for the future of the North American continent.
560 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2017
88 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
About the author
Alan Smale
40 books157 followersAlan Smale is a professional astronomer, but his writing tastes have always veered more towards alternate and twisted history, fantasy, and horror. His novella of Romans in ancient America, "A Clash of Eagles" in Panverse Two, won the Sidewise Award for Alternate History, and the first book in a trilogy set in the same universe, CLASH OF EAGLES, appeared in 2015 from Del Rey in the US and Titan Books in the UK and Europe. The series continues with EAGLE IN EXILE (March 2016) and will conclude with EAGLE AND EMPIRE (2017). Alan has sold 40 short stories to magazines including Asimov's, Realms of Fantasy, Abyss & Apex, Paradox, and Scape, and original anthologies Panverse One and Two, Apollo's Daughters, Book of Dead Things, and Writers of the Future #13.
Alan grew up in England, and has degrees in Physics and Astrophysics from Oxford University. He serves as director of an astrophysical archive, and performs research on black hole binaries at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Alan also sings bass with well-known vocal band The Chromatics, and is co-creator of their educational AstroCappella project.
Alan grew up in England, and has degrees in Physics and Astrophysics from Oxford University. He serves as director of an astrophysical archive, and performs research on black hole binaries at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Alan also sings bass with well-known vocal band The Chromatics, and is co-creator of their educational AstroCappella project.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
May 30, 2017
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
Eagle and Empire is the stunning conclusion of a detailed, realistic re-imagining of world history. A fast-paced epic adventure which brings to life the nearly forgotten Native American civilizations, and casts a colorful cast of characters into a brutal war between Mongol hordes and Roman legions. Every chapter filled with clash after clash, leaving one breathless as Alan Smale fills the pages with a war for the New World!
For those unfamiliar with the Hesperian Trilogy, imagine, if you will, an earth where the Roman Empire and the Mongol Empire control the Eurasian Continent. Armies of the two empires locked in a never-ending war for control of the globe. This seemingly eternal struggle eventually spilling over onto the untouched North American continent; each empire sending their best to fight for control over this rich, untouched land.
Caught between these two forces are the Native American tribes. People who have had little contact with the rest of the world and find themselves woefully unprepared for the conflict that is coming. Well, all of the people except for those of mighty Cahokia; this powerful city-state having destroyed the Roman expeditionary force sent against it, capturing then befriending its leader Praetor Gauis Marcellinus, who thereafter helps this fierce people form their own legions, even as they advance their technology. All of Gauis’s efforts focused on strengthen the people he has come to respect, aid them in building a mighty “League” of allied tribes, and prepare for the day they must face off against the most destructive armies in the world. A day which has come!
Having followed this story from beginning to end, it is probably obvious that I am a fan. I have thoroughly enjoyed each installment of Alan Smale’s epic, alternate history yarn, but I can unequivocally admit that I have been waiting for this book, desperate to finally see the clash of Roman and Mongol, Native tribes against Native tribes. And I wasn’t letdown in the slightest by this climactic conflict. Alan Smale doing it justice, making me feel as if I was down on the rivers facing down Viking longships or standing upon a battle field staring up at a hail of Mongol arrows or cowering in trench from Cahokia fliers. This war-to-end-all-wars truly as epic as it sounds, ending in a conclusion which was satisfying in its finality.
As for the characters themselves, all the familiar faces are back. From Gauis to Kimmimela, they still remain, changed due to the consequences of the last book, but still struggling with their own issues and learning to adapt to their new circumstances. And added to them are more than a few new people; individuals whom a reader will either grow to love or hate. Old and new alike facing down a war for survival, one which is filled with brutality and kindness, joys and anguish, hope and despair, victory and defeat.
The only issue I had with this narrative the tendency for the characters themselves to get lost in the sweeping current of events. It was somewhat inevitable that personal issues and character development would take a backseat to the titanic clash of Roman, Mongol, and Native American, but I was disappointed when people I had grown to care for seemed to vanish in the fog of war.
Even with my one criticism, Alan Smale’s Hesperian Trilogy is a masterful work of alternate history, one which amazes with its focus on the intriguing, colorful civilizations of Native Americans. Eagle and Empire bringing this delightful epic to a breathtaking conclusion that surprises yet still satisfies.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
Eagle and Empire is the stunning conclusion of a detailed, realistic re-imagining of world history. A fast-paced epic adventure which brings to life the nearly forgotten Native American civilizations, and casts a colorful cast of characters into a brutal war between Mongol hordes and Roman legions. Every chapter filled with clash after clash, leaving one breathless as Alan Smale fills the pages with a war for the New World!
For those unfamiliar with the Hesperian Trilogy, imagine, if you will, an earth where the Roman Empire and the Mongol Empire control the Eurasian Continent. Armies of the two empires locked in a never-ending war for control of the globe. This seemingly eternal struggle eventually spilling over onto the untouched North American continent; each empire sending their best to fight for control over this rich, untouched land.
Caught between these two forces are the Native American tribes. People who have had little contact with the rest of the world and find themselves woefully unprepared for the conflict that is coming. Well, all of the people except for those of mighty Cahokia; this powerful city-state having destroyed the Roman expeditionary force sent against it, capturing then befriending its leader Praetor Gauis Marcellinus, who thereafter helps this fierce people form their own legions, even as they advance their technology. All of Gauis’s efforts focused on strengthen the people he has come to respect, aid them in building a mighty “League” of allied tribes, and prepare for the day they must face off against the most destructive armies in the world. A day which has come!
Having followed this story from beginning to end, it is probably obvious that I am a fan. I have thoroughly enjoyed each installment of Alan Smale’s epic, alternate history yarn, but I can unequivocally admit that I have been waiting for this book, desperate to finally see the clash of Roman and Mongol, Native tribes against Native tribes. And I wasn’t letdown in the slightest by this climactic conflict. Alan Smale doing it justice, making me feel as if I was down on the rivers facing down Viking longships or standing upon a battle field staring up at a hail of Mongol arrows or cowering in trench from Cahokia fliers. This war-to-end-all-wars truly as epic as it sounds, ending in a conclusion which was satisfying in its finality.
As for the characters themselves, all the familiar faces are back. From Gauis to Kimmimela, they still remain, changed due to the consequences of the last book, but still struggling with their own issues and learning to adapt to their new circumstances. And added to them are more than a few new people; individuals whom a reader will either grow to love or hate. Old and new alike facing down a war for survival, one which is filled with brutality and kindness, joys and anguish, hope and despair, victory and defeat.
The only issue I had with this narrative the tendency for the characters themselves to get lost in the sweeping current of events. It was somewhat inevitable that personal issues and character development would take a backseat to the titanic clash of Roman, Mongol, and Native American, but I was disappointed when people I had grown to care for seemed to vanish in the fog of war.
Even with my one criticism, Alan Smale’s Hesperian Trilogy is a masterful work of alternate history, one which amazes with its focus on the intriguing, colorful civilizations of Native Americans. Eagle and Empire bringing this delightful epic to a breathtaking conclusion that surprises yet still satisfies.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
June 7, 2017
This conclusion to the Clash of Eagles trilogy was excellent. The world war between the Roman Empire and the Mongol Empire in North America begins and ends. There's a cast of thousands, and some very well done battle descriptions. Marcellinus stays the course, but some more minor characters get short shrift, but then, there's only 500 or so pages. Even if they are pretty dense reading.
Great stuff, with an ending that's not a let down. The only thing is, that there was another great empire at this time, and it is never seen.
What of the Incas?
Well, you can't have everything.
Great stuff, with an ending that's not a let down. The only thing is, that there was another great empire at this time, and it is never seen.
What of the Incas?
Well, you can't have everything.
November 2, 2017
I've thoroughly enjoyed this series. Well done. My only complaint is that it's now over. I want more!
July 26, 2017
Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over
Once again, I have been captivated not just with the cultural elements new to me but the rocky coming together of different people. The misunderstandings, both deliberate and not, and the respect given when lies or manipulations are found out, give this story a complexity that makes it feel true to life. This book is similar to the two previous ones in bare summary, and yet, each time the scope is bigger and the risks higher. Not only that, but because we encounter new peoples, there is a need for constant growth in understanding and the opportunity for grave errors when the rules of one culture are imposed over another.
Like the whole of this series, Eagle and Empire offers an elaborate dance with lives, hopes, and nations on the line. It demonstrates the dangers of assumptions and expectation, of hypocrisy and double-dealing, but at the same time shows how honor can span cultures and school those who see only what they want to without valuing what is right in front of them. There will always be those like Agrippa who cannot learn, but also those like Tahtay, Marcellinus, and Hadrianus, who can see beyond assumptions and recognize foolishness among their own people and even in themselves.
This is the third in a complicated and layered alternate history that posits a Rome that never fell and so reached the point of expanding out across the Atlantic Ocean. It speaks well for the series that, though years have passed since I read the first book, I recalled not just the characters but also the major (and many minor) events. From the very beginning, I was enveloped in a known environment, visiting with old friends and enemies. Now, having finished the story, I feel it is a fitting successor to the first two, maintaining the focus on cultural clash and uneasy alliances while providing new challenges and twists rather than rehashing essentially the same story despite this again being a tale of war with Marcellinus torn between his first home and his new one.
When I ran across a line from Marcellinus stating how the mythology of a newly encountered people was as transparent as the nations he’d already encountered, I was worried. This lasted right until I read to the end of that very line where he clarifies how he doesn’t understand even the mythology of his adopted people some thirteen years since he’d come to them. This is part of what makes the series strong. The characters admit to ignorance rather than assuming understanding (at least some of the time), and familiarity is not easily won because the cultures encountered are as deep and complex as any other. At the end of the book, there are numerous appendices that give insights both into the cultures Smale includes in the story (with references) and into the historical changes he used to rewrite history. His logic is fascinating and well researched.
You might, by this point, have come to understand how much I enjoyed Eagle and Empire, but in case it wasn’t clear, the series conclusion continued to win me over by providing fully fleshed cultures and exploring how they interacted with both successes and disasters in turn. The technical ingenuity of the native cultures fits my understanding of the sophistication found in the archaeological record despite how these same cultures were dismissed as savages in our timeline, something the book deals with both overtly and through showing the comparison without comment. The skilled storytelling also shows when a choice in battle could have been illogical considering their enemy but before that impression settles in, a quick line or two explains the logic without disrupting the tale.
The underlying theme is one of honoring promises and working together rather than assuming those you encounter are little more than impediments. Sadly, this unity is driven by the need to destroy a common enemy rather than by a challenge too big for any one people to manage alone. I still like the message of cooperation and honesty, which is not to say either of these are consistent factors in the story but rather they prove more effective than other paths taken.
I’m talking a bit around the story because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say I was satisfied with the end of the book, which stayed true to the underlying themes and does not fall back on a simple ending rather than addressing the more tangled aspects of the situation.
If you enjoy alternate history and complex tales that feel real because they don’t depend on pat or simplified answers but explore the myriad of problems that would most likely arise, this series should prove an enjoyable, and thought-provoking, read. It certainly was so for me.
P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Once again, I have been captivated not just with the cultural elements new to me but the rocky coming together of different people. The misunderstandings, both deliberate and not, and the respect given when lies or manipulations are found out, give this story a complexity that makes it feel true to life. This book is similar to the two previous ones in bare summary, and yet, each time the scope is bigger and the risks higher. Not only that, but because we encounter new peoples, there is a need for constant growth in understanding and the opportunity for grave errors when the rules of one culture are imposed over another.
Like the whole of this series, Eagle and Empire offers an elaborate dance with lives, hopes, and nations on the line. It demonstrates the dangers of assumptions and expectation, of hypocrisy and double-dealing, but at the same time shows how honor can span cultures and school those who see only what they want to without valuing what is right in front of them. There will always be those like Agrippa who cannot learn, but also those like Tahtay, Marcellinus, and Hadrianus, who can see beyond assumptions and recognize foolishness among their own people and even in themselves.
This is the third in a complicated and layered alternate history that posits a Rome that never fell and so reached the point of expanding out across the Atlantic Ocean. It speaks well for the series that, though years have passed since I read the first book, I recalled not just the characters but also the major (and many minor) events. From the very beginning, I was enveloped in a known environment, visiting with old friends and enemies. Now, having finished the story, I feel it is a fitting successor to the first two, maintaining the focus on cultural clash and uneasy alliances while providing new challenges and twists rather than rehashing essentially the same story despite this again being a tale of war with Marcellinus torn between his first home and his new one.
When I ran across a line from Marcellinus stating how the mythology of a newly encountered people was as transparent as the nations he’d already encountered, I was worried. This lasted right until I read to the end of that very line where he clarifies how he doesn’t understand even the mythology of his adopted people some thirteen years since he’d come to them. This is part of what makes the series strong. The characters admit to ignorance rather than assuming understanding (at least some of the time), and familiarity is not easily won because the cultures encountered are as deep and complex as any other. At the end of the book, there are numerous appendices that give insights both into the cultures Smale includes in the story (with references) and into the historical changes he used to rewrite history. His logic is fascinating and well researched.
You might, by this point, have come to understand how much I enjoyed Eagle and Empire, but in case it wasn’t clear, the series conclusion continued to win me over by providing fully fleshed cultures and exploring how they interacted with both successes and disasters in turn. The technical ingenuity of the native cultures fits my understanding of the sophistication found in the archaeological record despite how these same cultures were dismissed as savages in our timeline, something the book deals with both overtly and through showing the comparison without comment. The skilled storytelling also shows when a choice in battle could have been illogical considering their enemy but before that impression settles in, a quick line or two explains the logic without disrupting the tale.
The underlying theme is one of honoring promises and working together rather than assuming those you encounter are little more than impediments. Sadly, this unity is driven by the need to destroy a common enemy rather than by a challenge too big for any one people to manage alone. I still like the message of cooperation and honesty, which is not to say either of these are consistent factors in the story but rather they prove more effective than other paths taken.
I’m talking a bit around the story because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say I was satisfied with the end of the book, which stayed true to the underlying themes and does not fall back on a simple ending rather than addressing the more tangled aspects of the situation.
If you enjoy alternate history and complex tales that feel real because they don’t depend on pat or simplified answers but explore the myriad of problems that would most likely arise, this series should prove an enjoyable, and thought-provoking, read. It certainly was so for me.
P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
January 29, 2022
Not quite up to the first two -- and don't start here! -- but still first-rate. I was having more trouble this time keeping minor characters straight (and there are a lot of them!), and it struck me as unlikely that a 13th-century Pueblo culture in decline would also develop gliders. I did some skimming in a couple of the large battle set-pieces. Minor objections only -- if you enjoyed the first two installments, you will want to see how the series turns out. Author Smale delivers a solid ending to a great trilogy. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
April 26, 2018
"Eagle and Empire" is a fine ending to a fine trilogy—the best alternative historical work I've read. The series is driven by serious research, interesting ideas about an alternative history for North America (as well as for Rome and the Mongol Empire), and really effective writing. It is fully fleshed out and presents people (GaaiusMarcellinus first among them) who seem real.
June 21, 2017
A brilliant ending to an exceptional alternate history trilogy. Eagle and Empire pits the combined might of the Roman army and the Hesperian League (various North American tribes) against the invading Mongols. Led largely by Gaius Marcellinus and his close Cahokian allies, the lines between Roma and Cahokia blur in the berserker blood fueled haze of battle. The fighting is frenetic and so well articulated you feel like you standing with Gaius as he faces down the menacing horde. Take note, Eagle and Empire follows on from the events of the previous books and will not read well as a standalone, invest the time in this trilogy and you won't be disappointed. I attempted to read this book slowly to savor each scene but found myself constantly turning the pages, eating up the words like an addict - I couldn't get enough. A re-read of the trilogy is definitely on the cards. 5/5 stars.
May 23, 2017
4.2 stars
January 7, 2018
Mr. Smale’s warfare and epic battle scenes are truly peerless! ‘I have spoken!’
April 11, 2020
Superb - excellent - perfectly written -- historical in its own way. I cannot recommend Alan Smale's trilogy any HIGHER ENOUGH. I am a hard science fiction person, by Alan Smale nails it about his alternate history of N. America and Rome.
June 23, 2017
Boy I love this series. My only quibble is the length of the battle sequence in this final book; a third of the story dedicated to one long fight was a tad much for me. But the ending of the series was exactly what I would have wanted for Marcellinus and the others and was very well written and laid out. A very enjoyable read.
March 30, 2018
Overall I enjoyed this series. The concept was intriguing and was told in a believable way. I would give this final book a 3.5 rating. This was a fitting end to the series and wrapped up the stories well. There were some plot twists I didn't expect that were creative and in tune with the story. One thing that grated on me was the introduction of a lot more language. It was brought into the series a little bit by the introduction of a Roman character at the end of book two, but spread in use in this book. It just seemed very anachronistic and jarring.
Parents: Not for young kids. Lots of violence, some descriptions of sex and quite a bit of swearing.
Parents: Not for young kids. Lots of violence, some descriptions of sex and quite a bit of swearing.
October 28, 2023
I enjoyed these enough to finish the series (obvs), but I'm also kind of glad it's over. The character tends to get a little woe-is-me, the battle scenes are huge (both in land area and in page numbers), and *none* of the secondary have enough depth to be distinguishable from each other. As a result, as they're killed off in battle, it has little to no emotional impact. Still a better example of Alternative History than *anything* by Harry Turtledove, by lightyears.
July 27, 2019
Compared to the first two books, there was way too much battle for me here, and not enough culture. If you're into detailed troop movements and realistic gruesomeness of hacking and slashing (and shrapnel and burning), you might like this lot, but I couldn't care less; I skipped more than half of the book. Really, for me 3 stars is stretching it; I might yet change it to 2.
December 25, 2020
A fantastic, stunning conclusion to an alternate history tale. If you're interested in what happens when Rome tries to invade the territories of the Natives of what would become the States, and then when the Mongol Hordes counter-invade to gain land and power, then this is for you.
June 24, 2017
Not as good as the first two. In fact it was a bit boring. Sure, there was action aplenty, but it almost couldn't hold by interest.
June 18, 2017
** I received an advance reader copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. **
Okay, so I gave this book to my son to read as he loves historical fiction/historical fantasy/alternate histories. He started the book but within an hour was back informing me I had to go buy him the first two books in the series because while he loved the writing and the ideas, he felt a little lost without the background provided in previous books. I bought him the rest of the series and after flying through it, here is his review for the whole trilogy:
"I can't simply give a review of Book 3 of the Clash of Eagles trilogy ("Eagle and Empire") because in order to read and completely understand that book I had to read the whole series. This was a great thing for I thoroughly enjoyed the series. As such, this review will be more of an overall series review rather than an individual book review. On the whole, I loved the concept of the story. Romans coming to the New World to conquer, and then coming back later to beat back the Mongol hordes. I loved the mixture of cultures: Native American; Roman; Mongolian. The author clearly put a ton of effort into researching ancient cultures and making everything as accurate as he could within the world of his books. To me though, the major draw was the completely believable characters. The cast of characters was as varied and diverse as any I've ever read about. The attention to detail was amazing, both in terms of descriptions of the world and in terms of descriptions of the cultures the characters were representing. I also really liked how the main character, a Roman outsider, was integrated into the Native society because they felt he had a purpose and a reason for existing with them but he was still kept at the outskirts of their society. This felt very real and believable to me, he was useful and accepted due to having a purpose but he was still not considered to be worth as much to the society as the Native members. Forcing him to prove his worth to the society in order to gain acceptance was a great idea and watching the character do this was amazing. The drama of all the events that take place over the course of the three books kept me pulled in and breathless. The books were definitely very hard to put down! I am glad that my mom won a copy of the third book because then when I told her I needed the others, she had to go right out and get them for me!! I will definitely be keeping this series and will be watching to see what else this author comes up with."
Okay, so I gave this book to my son to read as he loves historical fiction/historical fantasy/alternate histories. He started the book but within an hour was back informing me I had to go buy him the first two books in the series because while he loved the writing and the ideas, he felt a little lost without the background provided in previous books. I bought him the rest of the series and after flying through it, here is his review for the whole trilogy:
"I can't simply give a review of Book 3 of the Clash of Eagles trilogy ("Eagle and Empire") because in order to read and completely understand that book I had to read the whole series. This was a great thing for I thoroughly enjoyed the series. As such, this review will be more of an overall series review rather than an individual book review. On the whole, I loved the concept of the story. Romans coming to the New World to conquer, and then coming back later to beat back the Mongol hordes. I loved the mixture of cultures: Native American; Roman; Mongolian. The author clearly put a ton of effort into researching ancient cultures and making everything as accurate as he could within the world of his books. To me though, the major draw was the completely believable characters. The cast of characters was as varied and diverse as any I've ever read about. The attention to detail was amazing, both in terms of descriptions of the world and in terms of descriptions of the cultures the characters were representing. I also really liked how the main character, a Roman outsider, was integrated into the Native society because they felt he had a purpose and a reason for existing with them but he was still kept at the outskirts of their society. This felt very real and believable to me, he was useful and accepted due to having a purpose but he was still not considered to be worth as much to the society as the Native members. Forcing him to prove his worth to the society in order to gain acceptance was a great idea and watching the character do this was amazing. The drama of all the events that take place over the course of the three books kept me pulled in and breathless. The books were definitely very hard to put down! I am glad that my mom won a copy of the third book because then when I told her I needed the others, she had to go right out and get them for me!! I will definitely be keeping this series and will be watching to see what else this author comes up with."
December 8, 2018
In brief: Gaius Marcellinus is uneasily towing the line between loyalty to the Roman Empire, the Cahokians and their Hesperian League, and himself when news arrives that the Mongols are, at last, coming. Third in a trilogy.
Thoughts: This was another fun read and a very good close to the trilogy. Smale didn’t disappoint on anything, from continually raising the stakes and throwing Marcellinus into hot water and the threat of the Mongols and the grandness of the battle against them, to his consistently strong and complex characterization of the Native characters and the ending itself. There were several moments where I genuinely worried things were going to end horribly and lots of moments where I was rooting for people to succeed despite the odds.
This book read a lot more like epic fantasy than the last couple, though it’s still solidly alternate history, and I enjoyed Smale’s multiple references to the two world wars. In addition to his portrayal of indigenous societies and peoples, I also continued to dig the pro-Native, anti-colonialist themes to the story and the way Smale juggled characters’ opinions on the matter. It’s also clear that he really though the battle, and battle techniques, through, which I appreciate.
I’m now looking forward to seeing what Smale comes up with next!
Warnings: The only (Central and East) Asians are bad guys by dint of being Mongols or allied with them and there is a Chingis Khan=Hitler parallel. Some racist and sexist characters, some of whom don’t learn better. The Mongols and their allies take slaves. Smale is a White man writing Native and female characters, though he’s done a good job of avoiding the pitfalls in my books. If you can’t handle fantasy-style epic battles, this is definitely not for you. Ditto Native peoples with hang-glider air forces.
7.8/10
Thoughts: This was another fun read and a very good close to the trilogy. Smale didn’t disappoint on anything, from continually raising the stakes and throwing Marcellinus into hot water and the threat of the Mongols and the grandness of the battle against them, to his consistently strong and complex characterization of the Native characters and the ending itself. There were several moments where I genuinely worried things were going to end horribly and lots of moments where I was rooting for people to succeed despite the odds.
This book read a lot more like epic fantasy than the last couple, though it’s still solidly alternate history, and I enjoyed Smale’s multiple references to the two world wars. In addition to his portrayal of indigenous societies and peoples, I also continued to dig the pro-Native, anti-colonialist themes to the story and the way Smale juggled characters’ opinions on the matter. It’s also clear that he really though the battle, and battle techniques, through, which I appreciate.
I’m now looking forward to seeing what Smale comes up with next!
Warnings: The only (Central and East) Asians are bad guys by dint of being Mongols or allied with them and there is a Chingis Khan=Hitler parallel. Some racist and sexist characters, some of whom don’t learn better. The Mongols and their allies take slaves. Smale is a White man writing Native and female characters, though he’s done a good job of avoiding the pitfalls in my books. If you can’t handle fantasy-style epic battles, this is definitely not for you. Ditto Native peoples with hang-glider air forces.
7.8/10
June 9, 2017
One of the oddities of our ¨dimension´s¨history--if one accepts string theory-- is the fact that the so-called ¨old world¨ took so long in stumbling upon the ¨new world?¨ I wonder if Julius Caesar thought, after subduing the maritime Veneti tribe of Gaul, as he stood looking out west over the Atlantic Ocean, ¨is there anyone out there? NASA astronomer Samle must have wondered too.
And in this rousing close to his Clash of Eagles trilogy not only are the legions of the Roman Empire marching across ancient Illinois, Ohio, Missouri and Nebraska but the hordes of the mighty Chinggis Khan (Genghis Khan) are roaming over ancient New Mexico, Colorado and Nebraska.
I will tell you right now that Samle´s has probably written the longest description of an ancient battle I have ever read. Most pre-gunpowder battles were over in a matter of minutes, though there were notable exceptions. The 1066 Battle of Hastings between the Normans of William the Bastard against the Harold Godwinson´s Saxons lasted a grueling eight hours. The great alternate history Battle of the Grass took two full days to come to a conclusion. Needless to say our heroes, Gaius Publius Matcellinus, Tahtay, Entopay and the lovely Sinitikala emerge victorious.
And in this rousing close to his Clash of Eagles trilogy not only are the legions of the Roman Empire marching across ancient Illinois, Ohio, Missouri and Nebraska but the hordes of the mighty Chinggis Khan (Genghis Khan) are roaming over ancient New Mexico, Colorado and Nebraska.
I will tell you right now that Samle´s has probably written the longest description of an ancient battle I have ever read. Most pre-gunpowder battles were over in a matter of minutes, though there were notable exceptions. The 1066 Battle of Hastings between the Normans of William the Bastard against the Harold Godwinson´s Saxons lasted a grueling eight hours. The great alternate history Battle of the Grass took two full days to come to a conclusion. Needless to say our heroes, Gaius Publius Matcellinus, Tahtay, Entopay and the lovely Sinitikala emerge victorious.
June 3, 2017
Eagle and Empire (Clash of Eagles #3)
by Alan Smale
This is an amazing book, looking at a collision of cultures that never met, the author takes his series from Rome to Cahokia, to the plains of America through the canyons of the southwest. This new story looks into the idea of Chaco, and the dying culture of religious belief that created Pueblo Bonito, with a sampling of the Mongol Horde.The mongols have a way of spreading the news of their power in a curious way... how can you pass on the message to solve the world's problems is to make people surrender.The Battles of ships and countries and societies is epic. The description of different cultural weapons used in an epic battle to show supremacy in its nature. Looking at what nature of strategy is the fenial of the Art of War. The clash of culture and peoples is the anthropologist dream. How would Native American cultures face an undefeated Roman Legion, or the Mongol Horde? How would the various cultures from the Iroquois to the Anasazi battle each other. The ideology that if these disparate cultures had united earlier in their conception would the Conquest of the Americas taken place. The Steampunk aspect of this book would give any modern reader the tease of technology changing the past. Just talking of this series has made my kids dive in head first.
Praetorius Marcellinus Gaius the head of the 33rd Roman legion has survived ten years in Cahokia. His exploits in the previous books laid the groundwork for his relationships that come to fruition in the pages of Eagle and Empire. His children have grown matured in their live rolls. His love has blossomed and become a commitment he could not deny. In these pages he is found to lead a new legion the 6th, in the battles against the Mongol Horde. His ingenuity and the children whom he influence are the turning point of the battles, causing the sensation of war. This is the readers epic battle book, that puts all the great historical empires into one pre industrial war.
by Alan Smale
This is an amazing book, looking at a collision of cultures that never met, the author takes his series from Rome to Cahokia, to the plains of America through the canyons of the southwest. This new story looks into the idea of Chaco, and the dying culture of religious belief that created Pueblo Bonito, with a sampling of the Mongol Horde.The mongols have a way of spreading the news of their power in a curious way... how can you pass on the message to solve the world's problems is to make people surrender.The Battles of ships and countries and societies is epic. The description of different cultural weapons used in an epic battle to show supremacy in its nature. Looking at what nature of strategy is the fenial of the Art of War. The clash of culture and peoples is the anthropologist dream. How would Native American cultures face an undefeated Roman Legion, or the Mongol Horde? How would the various cultures from the Iroquois to the Anasazi battle each other. The ideology that if these disparate cultures had united earlier in their conception would the Conquest of the Americas taken place. The Steampunk aspect of this book would give any modern reader the tease of technology changing the past. Just talking of this series has made my kids dive in head first.
Praetorius Marcellinus Gaius the head of the 33rd Roman legion has survived ten years in Cahokia. His exploits in the previous books laid the groundwork for his relationships that come to fruition in the pages of Eagle and Empire. His children have grown matured in their live rolls. His love has blossomed and become a commitment he could not deny. In these pages he is found to lead a new legion the 6th, in the battles against the Mongol Horde. His ingenuity and the children whom he influence are the turning point of the battles, causing the sensation of war. This is the readers epic battle book, that puts all the great historical empires into one pre industrial war.
July 18, 2017
Alan Smale concludes his alternate history Clash of Eagles trilogy with “Eagle and Empire” (Del Rey, $30, 512 pages), and the mashup of Native American culture, the Roman Empire, hang gliders and the 13th century was just as successful and enjoyable in the concluding volume as it was in the first two, “Clash of Eagles” and “Eagle in Exile.” (As is most often the case with trilogies, reading the first two books is a must for maximum pleasure.)
The setup is that the Roman Empire survived rather than fell, and that it eventually sent a legion to explore North America (called Nova Hesperia in the book). The legion then ran into flourishing Native American cultures, including the one that built the mysterious mounds at Cahokia on the Mississippi River, and Smale takes off from there. Expect long and descriptive battle scenes, some passionate sex, court intrigue and a protagonist that must overcome his Roman background and disgrace and the natural Native American distrust of the invading foreigner.
There are some creaks as the wheels of the plot turn and Marcellinus conveniently winds up at the crux of action quite a bit, but it’s good fun, and a well-realized trilogy.
The setup is that the Roman Empire survived rather than fell, and that it eventually sent a legion to explore North America (called Nova Hesperia in the book). The legion then ran into flourishing Native American cultures, including the one that built the mysterious mounds at Cahokia on the Mississippi River, and Smale takes off from there. Expect long and descriptive battle scenes, some passionate sex, court intrigue and a protagonist that must overcome his Roman background and disgrace and the natural Native American distrust of the invading foreigner.
There are some creaks as the wheels of the plot turn and Marcellinus conveniently winds up at the crux of action quite a bit, but it’s good fun, and a well-realized trilogy.
October 29, 2020
A wonderfully entertaining conclusion to the Clash of Eagles trilogy. Marvelously well-thought-out and researched alternative history with an engrossing story arc. It's the 13th century and the Roman Empire never fell, now ruling all of Europe, North Africa, and south and western Asia, challenged only by the expanding Mongol Horde in Central Asia. Having discovered the New World, which they call Nova Hesperia. Rome is determined to add this new land to its empire. They discover, however, the native Hesperians are not the backward barbarians they expected, with a few technological advantages of their own. Sick of a constant life of war, Praetor Gaius Marcellinus learns to respect the Hesperian nations he meets and gathers his resources to unite Nova Hesperia and block the Roman invasion so that old and new worlds can peacefully co-exist. Eagle and Empire ups the stakes as the Mongols conquer the Pacific coast of Nova Hesperia, squeezing Marcellinus and the native Hesperians between two ruthless conquering empires A page-turning, often thought-provoking epic trilogy, I hope some television network considers turning the Clash of Eagles trilogy into a series, a la Game of Throne.
February 4, 2019
By far the best book of the series as it has the most action. Early on Marcellinus and friends head out to SW America to try to get The People of the Hand (Hopi's?) as allies in the North American alliance against the Mongols who've landed on the west coast. Spoiler alert...... They get ambushed by the Mongols and dragged back to the Khan. Pezi, the word slave along with M somehow talk their way out of being killed while most of the captives are executed. Subsequently, they are put on a river raft with minimal provisions headed to ? This river eventually merges with the Missouri which then merges with the Mississippi. They come across the newly Hadrianus line and eventually hook up with the Roman fleet which is headed up river to Cahokia. The mongols have beaten them to the punch and a huge battle ensues between the two forces on the Mississippi. Romans prevailing it's then all out war between the Mongols and the Western Indian alliance and the Romans and their Eastern Indian allies. Again, if you've read either book 1 or 2, this book is the best and a must read.
July 23, 2022
I really enjoyed Smale's Clash of Eagles Trilogy. In fact, I would say the books improved from first to the last.
It is an easy thing to pick apart an alternate history fiction. The possibilities of what one person can do being near infinite in a single day, then multiply that by millions of people over a thousand years and placing criticism becomes elementary.
But what Smale does is immerse you into a world which COULD exist, and one that I found interesting enough to dedicate my time. His justifications make sense, the characters feel real, and the main character is never an unstoppable force. He fails, he learns, he bleeds, he feels.
With the exception of the very beginning of book one (which ironically sets the stage for this trilogy), I give it all 5 stars. That one section felt forced, and I would have written it differently to arrive in the same place. If you can get past Marcellinus's initial contact and battle, you will find an amazing world to explore, with friends who will join you.
It is an easy thing to pick apart an alternate history fiction. The possibilities of what one person can do being near infinite in a single day, then multiply that by millions of people over a thousand years and placing criticism becomes elementary.
But what Smale does is immerse you into a world which COULD exist, and one that I found interesting enough to dedicate my time. His justifications make sense, the characters feel real, and the main character is never an unstoppable force. He fails, he learns, he bleeds, he feels.
With the exception of the very beginning of book one (which ironically sets the stage for this trilogy), I give it all 5 stars. That one section felt forced, and I would have written it differently to arrive in the same place. If you can get past Marcellinus's initial contact and battle, you will find an amazing world to explore, with friends who will join you.
September 6, 2022
Eagle and Empire, an alternate-history tale that mashes two interesting concepts together, was a surprisingly engaging novel. Set in a universe where the Roman Empire never fell, and has sent a legion to the New World in search of gold and more lands to conquer, the idea of what will happen is quickly turned on its head.
The general of this legion sets out for a real-life American Indian city on the banks of the Mississippi -- a culture we call the Mound Builders, because the civilization disappeared and nobody knows what happened to them.
But instead of finding gold, the legion finds doom. Wiped out to a single man, the praetor in charge of the legion, the hero is surprisingly not tortured or killed by the victors. Instead, he is left to wander within this city. And here, he finds a new purpose in his shattered life: a love of this strange and new culture. And a determination to teach them to defend themselves against the next Roman legion, which is certain to come. Perhaps this year, or perhaps within 5 years. But it is coming.
The general of this legion sets out for a real-life American Indian city on the banks of the Mississippi -- a culture we call the Mound Builders, because the civilization disappeared and nobody knows what happened to them.
But instead of finding gold, the legion finds doom. Wiped out to a single man, the praetor in charge of the legion, the hero is surprisingly not tortured or killed by the victors. Instead, he is left to wander within this city. And here, he finds a new purpose in his shattered life: a love of this strange and new culture. And a determination to teach them to defend themselves against the next Roman legion, which is certain to come. Perhaps this year, or perhaps within 5 years. But it is coming.
June 10, 2017
Alan Smale concludes his Clash of Eagles trilogy in the strongest manner possible. This unique series proposes the Roman Empire discovered North America in the 13th century and attempts to add it to their collection. The natives ("Hesperians") have other ideas.
The primary character, introduced in the very first book, demonstrates an incredible arc resolution in the series, and this book specifically. His intentions, loyalty, plans for the future - a man of two nations who is forced to decide, once and for all, where his heart lies. The action scenes and military battles scenes (with the MONGOL HORDE at the Mississippi!) are just brilliant in every way. Try fail try cycle is brutally explored and no one is safe in this third book.
It has been a while since I've fist pumped in the final chapters of a novel, let alone have the hair on the back of my neck stand up while reading the words.
Profoundly satisfying is the best summary I can think of.
The primary character, introduced in the very first book, demonstrates an incredible arc resolution in the series, and this book specifically. His intentions, loyalty, plans for the future - a man of two nations who is forced to decide, once and for all, where his heart lies. The action scenes and military battles scenes (with the MONGOL HORDE at the Mississippi!) are just brilliant in every way. Try fail try cycle is brutally explored and no one is safe in this third book.
It has been a while since I've fist pumped in the final chapters of a novel, let alone have the hair on the back of my neck stand up while reading the words.
Profoundly satisfying is the best summary I can think of.
July 5, 2017
A pretty satisfying end to the trilogy, although some issues are not wrapped up and beg for more books. Other things, like Enopay's interest in world travel, leave room for more books. I do hope Smale returns to this world in future. I also think this would make an excellent TV series.
One thing did bug me about the series over all, and that is the lack of disease. If a world war on this scope had happened in North America in the 1200s, the various armies would bring pathogens with them, which would effect them, their enemies, and their native allies. And as we know from our own timeline, foreign pathogens took a terrible toll on the native population of the continent. I think illness would have played a huge role had this scenario actually come to pass. I also think it was probably too depressing to contemplate writing about, so Smale skipped it.
One thing did bug me about the series over all, and that is the lack of disease. If a world war on this scope had happened in North America in the 1200s, the various armies would bring pathogens with them, which would effect them, their enemies, and their native allies. And as we know from our own timeline, foreign pathogens took a terrible toll on the native population of the continent. I think illness would have played a huge role had this scenario actually come to pass. I also think it was probably too depressing to contemplate writing about, so Smale skipped it.
May 28, 2017
The conclusion to the Hesperian Trilogy is definitely a rapturous read. The conflicts that the author set up in volumes one and two come to an inevitable - brutal - and satisfying conclusion. The battles are many, detailed to the point of obsession, but that attention enables readers to picture the scenes as if playing on screen. As someone who is actually quite indifferent to military strategies and tactics - my own interest aligning more with character development - I came out of the novel a thoroughly entertained and fulfilled reader. The strict point of view chapters are not selfishly contained to just Marcellinus's feelings and struggles, but paint a vivid portrait of the scores of supporting characters. It allows readers to identify with their strife and root for them in the struggle for their home. If anything, I wish there was more.
July 5, 2017
I have enjoyed this alternate history series, despite what my well-informed husband tells me is the dubious factual foundation on one important point (whether this continent's 13th century population had the means and technology to develop a certain key military item). I am not, as I sometimes am with a series, sorry that it has (at least for the moment) ended; but then, each of the three volumes was thick and jam-packed. The character development has been excellent throughout, and the plot adequately intriguing and suspenseful. I found the resolution of the various plot threads and character arcs quite satisfying.
There was sometimes, for my taste, too much in the way of military detail, but I know others will revel in such.
There was sometimes, for my taste, too much in the way of military detail, but I know others will revel in such.
October 3, 2017
The finale to Alan Smale's "Clash of Eagles" trilogy, "Eagle and Empire", picks up where the last installment left off with the people of Nova Hesperia preparing for a fight against the Mongols who are ready to continue their worldwide domination across the continent. Set across the next 3 years, Smale takes these characters that we have known & enjoyed across the 2 previous installments on a quest to rid the continent of the Mongols as well as to solve the issue of how Roma will deal w/ Cahokia & her allies. The book itself is fast paced & very well written & with each step of the way getting us closer & closer to the climactic battle with Khan & the fate of the continent. Overall a very satisfying conclusion to a series that has been worth every page.
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