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Casca #3
The War Lord
Thrown from a Viking ship in the midst of a treacherous storm in the Mediterranean, Casca barely escapes a watery grave, only to face a new adventure teeming with allies, adversaries, and religious fanatics. Fighting off enemies from Saxon raiders to the warring Hsuing-nu tribe, Casca travels from Rome to the Great Wall, where he seeks the wisdom of the Far Eastern culture, but meets up with a devious concubine, who has a battle plan of her own. Once again, Casca must face his eternal curse of immortality as THE WAR LORD.
182 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1980
135 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Barry Sadler
109 books78 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
American author, musician and former green beret.
To the general public he is most known for the hit single "Ballad of the green berets"
After his musical career he decided to write a series of novels centered around the character "Casca Rufio Longinius" Who is cursed for piercing Jesus on the crucifix with a spear and is forced to forever remain a soldier until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
In the mid 1980s Sadler moved to Guatemala City where he was shot in the head one night in a taxi. He spent 7 months in a coma and died more than a year later.
American author, musician and former green beret.
To the general public he is most known for the hit single "Ballad of the green berets"
After his musical career he decided to write a series of novels centered around the character "Casca Rufio Longinius" Who is cursed for piercing Jesus on the crucifix with a spear and is forced to forever remain a soldier until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
In the mid 1980s Sadler moved to Guatemala City where he was shot in the head one night in a taxi. He spent 7 months in a coma and died more than a year later.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 1, 2025
The story of Casca, history lesson / men’s adventure, starring the Roman soldier who pierced Christ’s side with his spear while on the cross continues. Fresh from his adventures in Mexico, Casca is making his way back to his Viking stronghold but through a series of misadventures finds himself traveling the Silk Road to China.
December 14, 2019
Chronologically this story continues directly after The Eternal Mercenary and The God of Death.
Cast adrift in the Atlantic Casca is picked up by a passing ship. Deciding he is finished with Europe he decides to travel to the Far East. Casca is always able to make fast friends; the same with enemies.
I wonder if the cult he encounters in the early part of the book will play a part in later books also. They were a nasty bunch.
Recommended!
Cast adrift in the Atlantic Casca is picked up by a passing ship. Deciding he is finished with Europe he decides to travel to the Far East. Casca is always able to make fast friends; the same with enemies.
I wonder if the cult he encounters in the early part of the book will play a part in later books also. They were a nasty bunch.
Recommended!
June 1, 2020
Sadler still see women as objects and manages to mock homosexuality from afar while channeling perfectly the geist of 1980 and its non-acceptance of anything not part of his modern sensibilities of the stifling conforming norms of his time period.
Casca claims in passing to have met Machiavelli and to have read his book. He doesn’t mention which book he read; in Machiavelli’s life time he was more famous for his book on the first 10 books of Livy than for his musing to a Prince, but by Sadler’s time the Prince is famous by those who haven’t read it and have not seen it for the pablum for which it is.
Sadler is on to something. There is no real story about the story within this chapter of the saga of the eternal soldier who is cursed to live with being who he was and not to change or grow. In life and in our life there is not a story about our story, that is there is not a meta-narrative, an overriding central authoritative meaning bestowed. There is only the fiction we create in order to grasp on to a meaning where no meaning exist except for that which we create for ourselves. Casca is buried alive for eight years and is freed by a roaming Roman Christian wanna be saint named Peter. Not much happens in those eight years in the ground till the earthquake frees him. If only the brotherhood of the deadenders who know that Christ on the cross cursed a man to not perish until His return, if only, they can keep their brotherhood intact than perhaps Casca can grow beyond the clichés of the 1980s.
There is no truth outside of us. There is only what happens to us as it is happening to us and then we put our own interpretation on to it, it’s as if we are within anyone of the first three books of the Casca book series. There is no narrative about the narrative beyond the fiction we use to explain the world to ourselves in order to sooth our expectations, hopes, fears, anxieties, and wishes. The George Floyd protests (6/1/2020) aren’t part of an easily narrowly explainable cause such as ‘antifa and extreme left-wing agitators’ are to blame. Life just happens, the pandemic wears on us, the incompetent fascist in the White House, the brutal systematic slow murder of a human being contributes, and so on. There is no easy way to describe what is happening but we want a story about the story so we make one up and Sadler is telling events that happen without a coherence with these diverting and free from Hoopla stories.
Casca claims in passing to have met Machiavelli and to have read his book. He doesn’t mention which book he read; in Machiavelli’s life time he was more famous for his book on the first 10 books of Livy than for his musing to a Prince, but by Sadler’s time the Prince is famous by those who haven’t read it and have not seen it for the pablum for which it is.
Sadler is on to something. There is no real story about the story within this chapter of the saga of the eternal soldier who is cursed to live with being who he was and not to change or grow. In life and in our life there is not a story about our story, that is there is not a meta-narrative, an overriding central authoritative meaning bestowed. There is only the fiction we create in order to grasp on to a meaning where no meaning exist except for that which we create for ourselves. Casca is buried alive for eight years and is freed by a roaming Roman Christian wanna be saint named Peter. Not much happens in those eight years in the ground till the earthquake frees him. If only the brotherhood of the deadenders who know that Christ on the cross cursed a man to not perish until His return, if only, they can keep their brotherhood intact than perhaps Casca can grow beyond the clichés of the 1980s.
There is no truth outside of us. There is only what happens to us as it is happening to us and then we put our own interpretation on to it, it’s as if we are within anyone of the first three books of the Casca book series. There is no narrative about the narrative beyond the fiction we use to explain the world to ourselves in order to sooth our expectations, hopes, fears, anxieties, and wishes. The George Floyd protests (6/1/2020) aren’t part of an easily narrowly explainable cause such as ‘antifa and extreme left-wing agitators’ are to blame. Life just happens, the pandemic wears on us, the incompetent fascist in the White House, the brutal systematic slow murder of a human being contributes, and so on. There is no easy way to describe what is happening but we want a story about the story so we make one up and Sadler is telling events that happen without a coherence with these diverting and free from Hoopla stories.
April 3, 2022
Still enjoying this series. Just figured out that the author who wrote and performed “The Ballad of the Green Berets.”
December 23, 2018
My review of this book must not have saved.
This was interesting in that it put Casca on the other side of the Great Wall and introduces us to the Eastern ways of war.
Once again gets into trouble, this time because of one that he doesn't sleep with. There is nothing worse than a woman scorned is true in his case as he ends up being buried alive by Li Tsao, a royal consort. At the end of the day, Casca is freed by a fortuious earthquake and the discipple Peter and ends up getting his revenge.
This book introduces an interesting antagonist that will cause him grief in future books: The Brotherhood of the Lamb, formed by the 13th disciple, Izram the Syrian. This group manages to drug and capture Casca and he is forced to witness the scene that led to his curse - a replaying of the crucifiction of Christ played out in every detail by the Brothers. Casca is allowed to leave, but not before having his hand cut off. While his young friend, Jugotai (who he will meet again years later), sews it back on, it gives him a distinct mark that will help the Brotherhood track him later.
Overall, this book was okay, but many of the editing errors that annoy the hell out of me were still there.
As I have said with other Casca books, these are great timewasters, especially during a daily commute. This one was interesting and the plot not bad.
Pverall, worth the time spent reading.
This was interesting in that it put Casca on the other side of the Great Wall and introduces us to the Eastern ways of war.
Once again gets into trouble, this time because of one that he doesn't sleep with. There is nothing worse than a woman scorned is true in his case as he ends up being buried alive by Li Tsao, a royal consort. At the end of the day, Casca is freed by a fortuious earthquake and the discipple Peter and ends up getting his revenge.
This book introduces an interesting antagonist that will cause him grief in future books: The Brotherhood of the Lamb, formed by the 13th disciple, Izram the Syrian. This group manages to drug and capture Casca and he is forced to witness the scene that led to his curse - a replaying of the crucifiction of Christ played out in every detail by the Brothers. Casca is allowed to leave, but not before having his hand cut off. While his young friend, Jugotai (who he will meet again years later), sews it back on, it gives him a distinct mark that will help the Brotherhood track him later.
Overall, this book was okay, but many of the editing errors that annoy the hell out of me were still there.
As I have said with other Casca books, these are great timewasters, especially during a daily commute. This one was interesting and the plot not bad.
Pverall, worth the time spent reading.
April 29, 2015
So you just a soldier doing your job. You shove a spear tip into the side of this supposed messiah, except he is the real thing. He curses you to wander the earth till his return. Not bad right, immortality and all. Oh but he also curses you to be a soldier forever at war, never to know peace. This is the story of Casca the Roman legionnaire that stabbed Christ. Forever wandering the earth fighting one war after another. Great adventure series. Very recommended
December 8, 2022
I am very interested in the Silk Road and I found it was well researched with a great adventure for the reader. Casca's adventures bring him to China with a stop at the stronghold of the Brotherhood of the Lamb, a self styled Christian group, and to the Court of the Chinese Emperor. The battle against the Huns was described in vivid detail and revealed Casca's trump card expertly. Barry Sadler succeeds in giving the reader an exciting adventure but I don't think modern slang like pissed would have been used at the time. But as the Italians say: It may not be true but it is a great story.
December 11, 2020
In the 18th century, Englishman Edward Gibbons wrote a very influential, multi volume history entitled “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”. In it he presents the political corruption as well as the barbarian hordes that gradually erode the power of Rome to the point that it will no longer function as a strong central government ruling over a large mass. This decline is something that Casca knows is happening and so he is trying to find a way out of the Roman Empire. In the last book, this journey led him to the land of the Vikings (Denmark perhaps) and the Aztec empire in the Americas. In this book, Casca retraces Marco Polo’s journey (1000 or so years before him) as he travels east into China.
Like all Casca novels this one starts off with Casca visiting Dr. Julius Goldman and recounting his adventure. I do find these little prologues to be a good way to tell the story, but they really aren’t utilized enough in my opinion. I am unsure of Casca’s motivations to confiding in Goldman. Is it bragging or an attempt to leave a legacy? I am unsure. It also appears like Casca seeks Goldman out and not the other way around. Maybe it will be answered in later novels, but so far, I am not seeing the purpose of the prologues.
Once Casca actually begins his story the rest of the book stays in the past. This story takes place not too long after the last book. Casca is leaving the Americas (still officially undiscovered at this point) in a Viking ship with his crew. It is here that the ship wanders into a storm and Casca is thrown overboard. He is later picked up by Lucanus Ortius, a sea trader in the now declining Roman Empire.
The story does meander quite a bit at this point. However, as a history buff, I really like Sadler’s portrayal of the Roman Empire and the early Christian Church. Casca wanders upon many Christians and encounters a people who are not afraid to die for their beliefs. Casca of course doesn’t really care too much for the Christians as he believes Jesus has cursed him.
From here Casca decides to travel east into China to visit the land of Shiu Lao Tze, a fellow slave with Casca in the first book. This leads to one of the more enjoyable parts of the book as it ends up being a travelogue through the middle east and the remains of Alexander the Great’s empire, which has pretty much declined into pockets of Greek settlers that are slowly dying out.
One of the more fascinating interludes along this journey comes when Casca is kidnapped by a group that calls themselves “Christian” but have some rather unorthodox beliefs. In their possession is the spear that Casca used to pierce Jesus. They worship this spear and believe that Casca must suffer for what he did to Jesus. It appears this Brotherhood want to capture Casca and keep him in eternal torment. This brotherhood feels like they will be a thorn in Casca’s side for many books.
Casca journeys into China, but along the way encounters Li Tsao, who is being sent to Emperor Tzin as his new bride. It is a meeting that would later become very significant in Casca’s eternal life. At first, I almost forgot about her until she later shows up in the Tsai’s court. She is very perceptive and soon realizes that Casca is not getting any older. Her vanity is so enormous that she will do anything to have Casca’s secret to eternal life. This conflict builds up later in the book and has detrimental consequences for Casca, which I will not spoil.
As the title implies, once Casca enters China, he will work his way up in the ranks to become a Chinese Warlord under Emperor Tzin. This is where the major battle of the book occurs. A large Chinese barbarian force, the Hsuing-nu, starts encroaching on the emperor’s territory and Casca uses his advanced knowledge of warfare to organize an ambush. I am not familiar with Chinese history, so do not know if this battle actually occurred, but it was definitely a large-scale fight between two nations.
One of the problems inherent in a series like Casca is how you create a villain that is a match for a hero who has eternal life and rejuvenating healing. This book delivers two villains that are a match for Casca: The Brotherhood and Li Tsao. Each one surprises Casca and discovers how best to torment someone who can easily heal from any wounds that may inflicted. Unfortunately, Li Taso will not return, but the Brotherhood can easily return and continue to harass Casca all the way to the present time. Through the Brotherhood, I believe that Sadler has solved one of the major problems with this series… that is assuming he actually goes in this direction with the Brotherhood.
This third book in the Casca series isn’t all that different from the previous two. A lot of time passes and there are some areas that Sadler moves a little too fast and doesn’t allow the story to breathe a little more. But despite this small quibble, this was an enjoyable book that gives us an idea of the adversary that Casca could potentially encounter in later volumes.
Like all Casca novels this one starts off with Casca visiting Dr. Julius Goldman and recounting his adventure. I do find these little prologues to be a good way to tell the story, but they really aren’t utilized enough in my opinion. I am unsure of Casca’s motivations to confiding in Goldman. Is it bragging or an attempt to leave a legacy? I am unsure. It also appears like Casca seeks Goldman out and not the other way around. Maybe it will be answered in later novels, but so far, I am not seeing the purpose of the prologues.
Once Casca actually begins his story the rest of the book stays in the past. This story takes place not too long after the last book. Casca is leaving the Americas (still officially undiscovered at this point) in a Viking ship with his crew. It is here that the ship wanders into a storm and Casca is thrown overboard. He is later picked up by Lucanus Ortius, a sea trader in the now declining Roman Empire.
The story does meander quite a bit at this point. However, as a history buff, I really like Sadler’s portrayal of the Roman Empire and the early Christian Church. Casca wanders upon many Christians and encounters a people who are not afraid to die for their beliefs. Casca of course doesn’t really care too much for the Christians as he believes Jesus has cursed him.
From here Casca decides to travel east into China to visit the land of Shiu Lao Tze, a fellow slave with Casca in the first book. This leads to one of the more enjoyable parts of the book as it ends up being a travelogue through the middle east and the remains of Alexander the Great’s empire, which has pretty much declined into pockets of Greek settlers that are slowly dying out.
One of the more fascinating interludes along this journey comes when Casca is kidnapped by a group that calls themselves “Christian” but have some rather unorthodox beliefs. In their possession is the spear that Casca used to pierce Jesus. They worship this spear and believe that Casca must suffer for what he did to Jesus. It appears this Brotherhood want to capture Casca and keep him in eternal torment. This brotherhood feels like they will be a thorn in Casca’s side for many books.
Casca journeys into China, but along the way encounters Li Tsao, who is being sent to Emperor Tzin as his new bride. It is a meeting that would later become very significant in Casca’s eternal life. At first, I almost forgot about her until she later shows up in the Tsai’s court. She is very perceptive and soon realizes that Casca is not getting any older. Her vanity is so enormous that she will do anything to have Casca’s secret to eternal life. This conflict builds up later in the book and has detrimental consequences for Casca, which I will not spoil.
As the title implies, once Casca enters China, he will work his way up in the ranks to become a Chinese Warlord under Emperor Tzin. This is where the major battle of the book occurs. A large Chinese barbarian force, the Hsuing-nu, starts encroaching on the emperor’s territory and Casca uses his advanced knowledge of warfare to organize an ambush. I am not familiar with Chinese history, so do not know if this battle actually occurred, but it was definitely a large-scale fight between two nations.
One of the problems inherent in a series like Casca is how you create a villain that is a match for a hero who has eternal life and rejuvenating healing. This book delivers two villains that are a match for Casca: The Brotherhood and Li Tsao. Each one surprises Casca and discovers how best to torment someone who can easily heal from any wounds that may inflicted. Unfortunately, Li Taso will not return, but the Brotherhood can easily return and continue to harass Casca all the way to the present time. Through the Brotherhood, I believe that Sadler has solved one of the major problems with this series… that is assuming he actually goes in this direction with the Brotherhood.
This third book in the Casca series isn’t all that different from the previous two. A lot of time passes and there are some areas that Sadler moves a little too fast and doesn’t allow the story to breathe a little more. But despite this small quibble, this was an enjoyable book that gives us an idea of the adversary that Casca could potentially encounter in later volumes.
June 13, 2024
Casca may look like Santa in the cover art, but he isn’t.
December 12, 2017
Today’s book review is for “Casca: The War Lord” (1980©) written by Barry Sadler. This is book three in the “Casca – The Eternal Mercenary” series. This is a re-read for me. My first reading would have been sometime in the early to mid-1980’s.
Casca is Casca Rufio Longinus, the legendary Roman soldier who slayed Christ with a spear. Just prior to dying, the Messiah tells Casca: “You are satisfied with what you are and so you shall remain until we meet again.” Thus began the (series and) adventures of Casca across two-thousand years (and counting).
In this volume, Casca decides to make his first visit to China. As is the case with most of series, Casca has various adventures along the way, the most memorable being the temporary loss of his left hand in the discovery of the “Brotherhood of the Lamb”. Of course, because he can never die and must remain as he is (was), his hand painfully reattaches. The “Brotherhood” is a league of “crazy” religious fanatics who seek to follow and keep track of Casca, so they can honor Jesus and hasten the 2nd coming. Of course, they hate Casca and seek to cause him as much physical pain as they can while waiting for Jesus.
Anyway, after multiple adventures, Casca ends up meeting and serving the Emperor, for which he is granted the title.
The book is a fast read as is typical of this series and many of the “male adventure-series” from that time period. If you are “into” this genre (and I am), you will thoroughly enjoy this book (and I did). I particularly like the historical fiction aspect of the series. Highly recommended.
Casca is Casca Rufio Longinus, the legendary Roman soldier who slayed Christ with a spear. Just prior to dying, the Messiah tells Casca: “You are satisfied with what you are and so you shall remain until we meet again.” Thus began the (series and) adventures of Casca across two-thousand years (and counting).
In this volume, Casca decides to make his first visit to China. As is the case with most of series, Casca has various adventures along the way, the most memorable being the temporary loss of his left hand in the discovery of the “Brotherhood of the Lamb”. Of course, because he can never die and must remain as he is (was), his hand painfully reattaches. The “Brotherhood” is a league of “crazy” religious fanatics who seek to follow and keep track of Casca, so they can honor Jesus and hasten the 2nd coming. Of course, they hate Casca and seek to cause him as much physical pain as they can while waiting for Jesus.
Anyway, after multiple adventures, Casca ends up meeting and serving the Emperor, for which he is granted the title.
The book is a fast read as is typical of this series and many of the “male adventure-series” from that time period. If you are “into” this genre (and I am), you will thoroughly enjoy this book (and I did). I particularly like the historical fiction aspect of the series. Highly recommended.
November 19, 2014
Good tale and easy reading book
once you read the first book you are going to get hooked on the series. I found this book to be very interesting and would recommend it. it is fiction, and you're reminded of it when the main character comes back to life from the dead, after eight years in a tomb. However. Casca, is not afraid of anyone, least of all death. He fights like a tiger and can be very compassionate. I know book four will also be as good.
once you read the first book you are going to get hooked on the series. I found this book to be very interesting and would recommend it. it is fiction, and you're reminded of it when the main character comes back to life from the dead, after eight years in a tomb. However. Casca, is not afraid of anyone, least of all death. He fights like a tiger and can be very compassionate. I know book four will also be as good.
January 4, 2018
Interest continues
While the story continues. With an immortal as the lead character there is a lot of predictability in the story, but Barry keeps throwing twists to keep you interest going.
While the story continues. With an immortal as the lead character there is a lot of predictability in the story, but Barry keeps throwing twists to keep you interest going.
June 20, 2011
inspired and adventurous... one to add to the home library
January 11, 2011
This book was very interesting since I did not know about the Roman soldier that stabbed Jesus on the cross. It seems like a good series. Each book brings with it a new adventure of Casca's ordeal.
December 30, 2012
I finished this book in one day. I couldn't stop reading it. It's about an immortal soldier who lived through ages of war.
October 2, 2013
Another Casca book done really well.
February 12, 2015
Pretty decent adventure and I think I'm learning some ancient history as well.
January 6, 2016
Another interesting entry that took turns that were unexpected.
March 7, 2023
Casca 3: The War Lord is the third book in a series of adventure novels by Barry Sadler. The series follows the exploits of Casca Rufio Longinus, a Roman soldier who was cursed by Jesus Christ to wander the earth until his second coming. In this installment, Casca finds himself embroiled in the politics and warfare of 16th-century Japan.
The novel opens with Casca working as a mercenary in Italy, where he is hired to fight for the Duke of Milan. During a fierce battle, Casca is betrayed by his own men and left for dead. However, his immortality saves him once again, and he wakes up to find himself in Japan, where he is rescued by a group of samurai.
Casca soon learns that Japan is in the midst of a power struggle between various feudal lords, each vying for control of the country. He becomes embroiled in this conflict, initially fighting for a lord named Oda Nobunaga. However, Casca quickly realizes that Nobunaga is a cruel and ruthless man who cares little for the lives of his soldiers or his enemies. Casca eventually switches sides and fights for another lord named Takeda Shingen, who is more honorable and just.
As Casca becomes more deeply involved in the politics of Japan, he also becomes romantically involved with a young Japanese woman named Chiaki. Their relationship is complicated by their cultural differences, as well as the fact that Casca is immortal and will never age while Chiaki will grow old and die.
One of the strengths of the novel is the way in which Sadler brings the world of 16th-century Japan to life. He clearly did his research, and his descriptions of the culture, politics, and warfare of the time are vivid and engaging. The battles in particular are well-written, with detailed descriptions of the weapons and tactics used by the samurai.
Another strength of the novel is the character of Casca himself. He is a complex and conflicted character, grappling with the weight of his immortality and the guilt he feels for the sins he has committed over the centuries. Sadler does a good job of showing Casca's internal struggles while also keeping the plot moving forward.
However, the novel also has its weaknesses. One of the main issues is the pacing. The novel is over 400 pages long, and at times it feels like it drags on. There are several sections where the plot seems to stall, and the action doesn't pick up again until much later. Additionally, the romance between Casca and Chiaki feels somewhat forced and underdeveloped. It's clear that Sadler wanted to include a romantic subplot, but it doesn't quite work within the larger context of the novel.
Overall, Casca 3: The War Lord is a decent adventure novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and action. While it has its flaws, the strengths of the novel - the detailed descriptions of Japan and the complex character of Casca - make it worth reading.
The novel opens with Casca working as a mercenary in Italy, where he is hired to fight for the Duke of Milan. During a fierce battle, Casca is betrayed by his own men and left for dead. However, his immortality saves him once again, and he wakes up to find himself in Japan, where he is rescued by a group of samurai.
Casca soon learns that Japan is in the midst of a power struggle between various feudal lords, each vying for control of the country. He becomes embroiled in this conflict, initially fighting for a lord named Oda Nobunaga. However, Casca quickly realizes that Nobunaga is a cruel and ruthless man who cares little for the lives of his soldiers or his enemies. Casca eventually switches sides and fights for another lord named Takeda Shingen, who is more honorable and just.
As Casca becomes more deeply involved in the politics of Japan, he also becomes romantically involved with a young Japanese woman named Chiaki. Their relationship is complicated by their cultural differences, as well as the fact that Casca is immortal and will never age while Chiaki will grow old and die.
One of the strengths of the novel is the way in which Sadler brings the world of 16th-century Japan to life. He clearly did his research, and his descriptions of the culture, politics, and warfare of the time are vivid and engaging. The battles in particular are well-written, with detailed descriptions of the weapons and tactics used by the samurai.
Another strength of the novel is the character of Casca himself. He is a complex and conflicted character, grappling with the weight of his immortality and the guilt he feels for the sins he has committed over the centuries. Sadler does a good job of showing Casca's internal struggles while also keeping the plot moving forward.
However, the novel also has its weaknesses. One of the main issues is the pacing. The novel is over 400 pages long, and at times it feels like it drags on. There are several sections where the plot seems to stall, and the action doesn't pick up again until much later. Additionally, the romance between Casca and Chiaki feels somewhat forced and underdeveloped. It's clear that Sadler wanted to include a romantic subplot, but it doesn't quite work within the larger context of the novel.
Overall, Casca 3: The War Lord is a decent adventure novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and action. While it has its flaws, the strengths of the novel - the detailed descriptions of Japan and the complex character of Casca - make it worth reading.
September 16, 2024
I guess this is something I would have loved when I was younger and had I stared with the very first one. I imagine the previous two are very similar in nature though, and I can't say that I feel like I am missing out. I like a good Monster in the Night telling his story, but this just doesn't hit for me. I wanted to like it, because I think the story concept is pretty fun, but I can't really vouch for the execution.
There really isn't much to this book at all, but if you're into something snappy, and short and looking to kill on a 5 hour flight delay, I guess you could do worse.
Book was a part of my friend Cliff's library that he left to me when he passed. This is my little way of keeping his memory alive.
There really isn't much to this book at all, but if you're into something snappy, and short and looking to kill on a 5 hour flight delay, I guess you could do worse.
Book was a part of my friend Cliff's library that he left to me when he passed. This is my little way of keeping his memory alive.
August 26, 2019
The third book in the Casca series. This one takes up with Casca on a ship in the Mediterranean and then takes the legionnaire to the Great Wall of China along the Silk Road.
May 9, 2021
An intriguing series
This series has interesting characters and an intriguing storyline. I read it years ago and decided it was worth reading again.
This series has interesting characters and an intriguing storyline. I read it years ago and decided it was worth reading again.
September 25, 2025
Good continuation of the story.
February 8, 2024
Book 3 of the Casca series. While it is starting to be a little predictable it’s a good easy read for those seeking entertaining reading. This is a filler book between more serious works or for when you don’t want to think too hard.
November 11, 2022
Not my favorite of the first three. The plot meanders with some some travel and not the best cast of characters. We do get to see the start of the brotherhood though.
November 26, 2018
Well, it turns out that Casca didn't quite make it back to his old keep after becoming a god in Mexico. After being plucked out of the water in time to help defend his rescuers from another unfriendly Saxon, Casca makes his way back to Rome with a friendly mechant, only to see that the empire is decaying and that there is nothing there for him.
Casca then makes his way to ancient China to learn about the land where his friend, Shiu Lao Tze, now dead for over 200 years, came from. Along the way, he runs into a cult called Brotherhood of the Lamb that is keeping tabs on Casca over the ages to know when and where the Second Coming will happen. While they cut off a hand when he touches his old spear (the spear of Longinus), his travelling companion sews it back on and Casca regains the use of it.
Casca's time in China is as expected - he gains the confidence of the young emperor, saves his life in battle, and becomes a baron who can train his 5000 soldiers to fight as the old legion did. At the end of the day, Casca spurns the advances of the emperor's main concubine, who then drugs him and has him buried alive.
This wouldn't be a Casca book if he didn't get free, so eight years later, due to an earthquake while Peter the Baptist is trying to give him last rites, Casca gets free and ends up turning the tables on the scheming woman.
Overall, as I said before, no one will ever accuse Barry Sadler of being a literary genius. But the books are great time-wasters and the stories do flow. I have to say that I like the moral code (as he sees it) and simplicity of the Casca character. Worth the time spent reading if you like this kind of stuff and have nothing serious requiring reading.
Casca then makes his way to ancient China to learn about the land where his friend, Shiu Lao Tze, now dead for over 200 years, came from. Along the way, he runs into a cult called Brotherhood of the Lamb that is keeping tabs on Casca over the ages to know when and where the Second Coming will happen. While they cut off a hand when he touches his old spear (the spear of Longinus), his travelling companion sews it back on and Casca regains the use of it.
Casca's time in China is as expected - he gains the confidence of the young emperor, saves his life in battle, and becomes a baron who can train his 5000 soldiers to fight as the old legion did. At the end of the day, Casca spurns the advances of the emperor's main concubine, who then drugs him and has him buried alive.
This wouldn't be a Casca book if he didn't get free, so eight years later, due to an earthquake while Peter the Baptist is trying to give him last rites, Casca gets free and ends up turning the tables on the scheming woman.
Overall, as I said before, no one will ever accuse Barry Sadler of being a literary genius. But the books are great time-wasters and the stories do flow. I have to say that I like the moral code (as he sees it) and simplicity of the Casca character. Worth the time spent reading if you like this kind of stuff and have nothing serious requiring reading.
March 20, 2022
Having read the first four books of this series at the time of this review, The War Lord is by far the weakest link in Sadler's writing. Though nothing is inherently wrong with it, there was a solid amount of nothing that felt to take up a lot of the pages. I quickly found myself realizing that I was over halfway done with this book when I began wondering when the main story would begin.
The depictions of China are solid and respectful, though I could never shake the feeling that Sadler's basis for description and culture being a bit lacking, perhaps based more off of popular fiction rather than research, that being said I've studied next to nothing about historic China, so that may just be my ignorance.
The plot structure is fine, as is the large battle that seems obligatory for every premodern book. The book does a nice job of wrapping up Shiu's storyline for the time being, but I can't say
I'm giving 3 stars as I can really only describe this one as "fine". Not amazing, not terrible, but a bit more forgettable than I would have liked.
The depictions of China are solid and respectful, though I could never shake the feeling that Sadler's basis for description and culture being a bit lacking, perhaps based more off of popular fiction rather than research, that being said I've studied next to nothing about historic China, so that may just be my ignorance.
The plot structure is fine, as is the large battle that seems obligatory for every premodern book. The book does a nice job of wrapping up Shiu's storyline for the time being, but I can't say
I'm giving 3 stars as I can really only describe this one as "fine". Not amazing, not terrible, but a bit more forgettable than I would have liked.
November 9, 2019
Heading back to Norway from Mexico in one of two ships (from Book 2), a storm wrecks them and Casca looks to be the only survivor. He decideds to honour a promise he made to a Chinese friend in book 1 and visit China. 500 years have passed since Jesus and Casca falls into the hands of christian fanatics who blame him for killing their God (Jesus) and drug him and cut off his hand and leave him to die. Casca survives and his hand reattaches and he heads off to China where he becomes a close friend of the young Emperor, who knows his story. Casca helps beat back a barbarian invasion of China but when celebrating he is drugged by a jealous consort, bound and placed in a heavy stone air tight tomb, to die there. Not as much action as the first two books.
July 27, 2010
I particularly like the ones that put Casca into an older historical period, without gunpowder, or with minimal use of it.
May 28, 2013
Great Series
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