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Marius' Mules #9
Pax Gallica
It is 50 BC and Caesar winters with his legions in the north, all Gaul conquered but a triumphant return to Rome denied him by the senate who seek his blood. Yet unrest stirs in unknown lands as the tribes of mountainous Aquitania rise under a terrifying new leader and drive out their Roman occupiers. Marcus Falerius Fronto, exiled from Rome, seeks out his former commander in an effort to build a future and soon finds himself in command of a most unusual legion with a remit to restore peace in Aquitania. Accompanied by his friend Galronus and his closest companions, and as part of a deal with Caesar to help restore the Falerii, Fronto marches southwest to battle with mountain tribes who have remained largely untouched by Roman conquest and the revolt in Gaul. But sometimes the past casts long shadows, and Fronto is about to come face to face with enemies old and new; enemies who will bring him to the brink of destruction and force him to confront personal demons long buried. The legion is marching. The war for Gaul is over, but the war for Aquitania has begun.
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 22, 2016
149 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
S.J.A. Turney
94 books502 followersSimon lives with his wife and children and a menagerie of animals in rural North Yorkshire, where he sits in an office, wired on coffee and digestive biscuits, and attempts to spin engrossing tales out of strands of imagination while his children drive toys across his desk and two dogs howl as they try to share a brain cell.
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 15, 2022
The book, the 9th instalment of this excellent series, is good read for the fans of the author, series and genre but a little uneven.
Fronto traverses a vast battlefield from Gaul to Aquitania and into Spain, hacking, hewing, strategising and generally having a rollicking good time until he meets the Smiling King From The Mountains…and then all hell breaks loose.
Our favourite legate has been banished from Rome and his assets are under under by the Senate because he is still working for Caesar, whose popularity amongst the Pompeian controlled Senate has taken a nose dive.
Old familiar characters are reintroduced, shuffled about and new characters are brought onto the stage in Turkey’s entertaining and historically competent style.
Fronto traverses a vast battlefield from Gaul to Aquitania and into Spain, hacking, hewing, strategising and generally having a rollicking good time until he meets the Smiling King From The Mountains…and then all hell breaks loose.
Our favourite legate has been banished from Rome and his assets are under under by the Senate because he is still working for Caesar, whose popularity amongst the Pompeian controlled Senate has taken a nose dive.
Old familiar characters are reintroduced, shuffled about and new characters are brought onto the stage in Turkey’s entertaining and historically competent style.
November 5, 2019
Once again a book hard to put down
Love the Markus Miles series and I continually move on to the next book with anticipation.
I've always been fascinated by Rome and it's wars, exploits etc.
Front appears to be one of my all time favorite characters. Can't wait to see his next adventurr.
Love the Markus Miles series and I continually move on to the next book with anticipation.
I've always been fascinated by Rome and it's wars, exploits etc.
Front appears to be one of my all time favorite characters. Can't wait to see his next adventurr.
June 25, 2021
Great Story
Mr Turney keeps taking us on these scintillating journeys. We see various characters - some wholesome - others not .... The reader also gets an insight into how the people of this period loved , lived, fought, died and existed. Also the identity of the "mystery man" in this tale keeps the reader guessing right up until the bitter end. Excellent.
Mr Turney keeps taking us on these scintillating journeys. We see various characters - some wholesome - others not .... The reader also gets an insight into how the people of this period loved , lived, fought, died and existed. Also the identity of the "mystery man" in this tale keeps the reader guessing right up until the bitter end. Excellent.
February 1, 2025
Another Brilliant Read
This was book nine in the brilliant historical series Marius' Mules, and was a fantastic addition to the series, no spoilers but we are now on the brink of civil war between Ceasor and Pompey, it's been a year or more since I read eight but I will be diving in to book ten asp, as with all the authors books they come very highly recommended.
This was book nine in the brilliant historical series Marius' Mules, and was a fantastic addition to the series, no spoilers but we are now on the brink of civil war between Ceasor and Pompey, it's been a year or more since I read eight but I will be diving in to book ten asp, as with all the authors books they come very highly recommended.
June 15, 2020
Great stuff!
The saga continues, this whole tale is keeping me occupied most afternoons during these trying and sad times. Keeping my imagination on campaign is keeping me sane. Thanks to the author.
The saga continues, this whole tale is keeping me occupied most afternoons during these trying and sad times. Keeping my imagination on campaign is keeping me sane. Thanks to the author.
October 2, 2017
Very good
If you like a good adventure tale with a hint of truth and a morsel of fact ,you will love these books ,they are brilliant!
If you like a good adventure tale with a hint of truth and a morsel of fact ,you will love these books ,they are brilliant!
November 3, 2025
Gaul
I had so much fun reading volume 9 of this saga Fronto just can't seem to stay away from Ceaser. This volume explorers Frontos adventures on the Iberian pensula.
I had so much fun reading volume 9 of this saga Fronto just can't seem to stay away from Ceaser. This volume explorers Frontos adventures on the Iberian pensula.
October 10, 2016
Things are heating up between Caesar and the Senate. The Senate calls for him to lay down his legions and return to Rome for prosecution while Caesar seeks to be made a Consul. Marcus Falerius Fronto, ex-legate of the Tenth Legion has been declared an outlaw and takes his family to Massilia whereupon he decides that despite his differences with Caesar, the only way to regain what the Senate has taken from him is to rejoin Caesar. Meanwhile there is an uprising in Aquitania led by an enigmatic man known as The Smiling King and Fronto is sent there with one legion made up of veterans ready to retire to put down the incursion and settle the veterans in that region. Throughout this series, the author has created some very memorable characters, both Roman and barbarian. In Pax Gallica, that honor belongs to The Smiling King; driven by vengeance, fueled by sacred vows, and totally ruthless in his pursuit to bring down Caesar. Fronto needs all of the steadfast, professional demeanor of his 'legion' just to survive the opening salvos from this new enemy. Fronto also needs all of his guile and experience to try to stay one step ahead of Smiley but is inexorably and with much loss led to where The Smiling King wants him. Mr. Turney delivers yet again a muse inspired tale filled with drama, mystery, heroic deeds, loyalty, and most importantly a story of many twists and turns as he sets the stage for the inevitable showdown between Pompey and Caesar. 5 Stars and a Hoover Book Review query, Why haven't you started this series yet? :-)
August 12, 2021
The link between Gaul and the Civil War
With the end of the Gallic Wars, 50 BCE had little to tell, so this story is almost entirely fictional, taking Fronto on an expedition to lower Aquitania, first along the foothills then in the valleys of the Pyrenees leading an unnamed legion of Evocati (veterans), ready to settle in the region to keep the Pax Gallica. Avoiding spoilers, the plot will eventually take our hero to Northwest Spain. This book is darker than the previous ones, not because of the gory battles, which are always plentiful, but because of the main villain himself. Although it's a side story that could be skipped between book 8 and 10, it tells us a lot about Fronto's past.
With the end of the Gallic Wars, 50 BCE had little to tell, so this story is almost entirely fictional, taking Fronto on an expedition to lower Aquitania, first along the foothills then in the valleys of the Pyrenees leading an unnamed legion of Evocati (veterans), ready to settle in the region to keep the Pax Gallica. Avoiding spoilers, the plot will eventually take our hero to Northwest Spain. This book is darker than the previous ones, not because of the gory battles, which are always plentiful, but because of the main villain himself. Although it's a side story that could be skipped between book 8 and 10, it tells us a lot about Fronto's past.
October 19, 2016
Turney's twentieth book is a winner. I found, just like the previous 8 Mules books, I couldn't put it down. I hate when these books are over and I hate that I have caught up to the author. (write faster). I get captured by the first page and it doesn't let me go until the Kindle says "100%".
These books have inspired me to take a trip to Spain and other parts of Europe to visit the Roman ruins. Books should paint a picture well enough that you want to see the "picture" in real life. These Marius' Mules books have done just that.
Thank you Mr. Turney and Godspeed on your typewriter.
These books have inspired me to take a trip to Spain and other parts of Europe to visit the Roman ruins. Books should paint a picture well enough that you want to see the "picture" in real life. These Marius' Mules books have done just that.
Thank you Mr. Turney and Godspeed on your typewriter.
October 21, 2016
Another ripping read
Very few authors can keep a series interesting and thoughtful with good plots and exciting action, but Simon Turney does it in his Marius' Mules series. Pax Gallica has one of the more complicated plots of the series and fine character development. I won't spoil it for you, but instead, I'll urge to jump in and enjoy book 9, Pax Gallica.
Very few authors can keep a series interesting and thoughtful with good plots and exciting action, but Simon Turney does it in his Marius' Mules series. Pax Gallica has one of the more complicated plots of the series and fine character development. I won't spoil it for you, but instead, I'll urge to jump in and enjoy book 9, Pax Gallica.
October 2, 2016
thought this was one of the best in the series so far it explained a lot of lose ends of frontos past and with not much going on between the pacification of gaul and before the crossing of the rubicon the story that mr turney told in this book was outstanding
October 14, 2016
Another brilliant book by S.J.A. Turney and well worth waiting for. Looking forward to Book 10.
October 20, 2016
Brilliant
Another great book continues Frontos saga. Marius Mules series just gets better and better and am always looking forward to the next one.
Another great book continues Frontos saga. Marius Mules series just gets better and better and am always looking forward to the next one.
January 21, 2017
Fronto is still one of my favourite literary characters - another very good book from SJA Turney
April 4, 2017
It was this series that first brought me to the work of Simon Turney. There are a large number of authors writing Roman fiction, and it comes in many shades; straight-forward military stories, complex political dramas, murder mysteries and any combination of those you care to search for. Many of them are rather formulaic, some are downright awful, but there are some authors who consistently deliver top quality work; Simon Turney is one of that group.
The series has followed Marcus Falerius Fronto, a member of an old, but not particularly distinguished family, as he has built his reputation as a military commander, largely under the enigma that is Julius Caesar. Their relationship has had many ups and downs, and in an earlier volume, Fronto had left the General to return to civilian life. Following the events of the last book, he has been exiled from Rome, and the authorities are seizing all his assets and property. So he escapes with his extended family to Massilia, but soon finds he won't be safe even there.
So he makes the decision that he has to go back to his old commander and try and revive his fortunes. But by this time, the conflict between the Senate and Caesar is coming to a head, and everyone is beginning to realise they may have to choose sides.
When he reaches Caesar's camp with his old friend Galronus, and a few close followers, they agree a deal. In return for Caesar's offer of future help, Fronto agrees to lead a force to restore order in Aquitania and establish some veteran colonies there to secure the area for the future. However, the military force he is given is not quite what he expected, although he is reunited with some old comrades, who add a lot of character to the ensuing action.
But neither Caesar nor Fronto are fully aware of the task he will face. The area has never really been colonised or controlled by Rome, and the tribes who inhabit the mountains are largely unknown to the Romans. And now those tribes have been brought together by a mysterious and chilling new leader, who is determined to destroy Caesar. It becomes clear that Fronto has to find this new King of the Mountains and eliminate him; but when he finally comes face to face with the man, he is shaken to the core.
This book is slightly different to most of the others in the series so far. They have generally concentrated on fairly well known historical events, and fitted Fronto's story around them. Here, Fronto is the story. Although the Romans did eventually occupy and colonise the areas described, it was almost incidental to their other activities, and merits little coverage in contemporary sources. So the author has inserted a pause in the long story to give us more about Fronto the man.
For it turns into a voyage into his past; events long forgotten or suppressed in his memory return to haunt him, and he has to face the results of his own actions many years before. Actions that had consequences for him - and his family - but which he believed were resolved. He has to go back to places he would rather avoid, and confront shades from his own memory.
This episode delves further into Fronto's mind than in any earlier in the series. His life is precarious now, outlawed, he has to risk everything to protect his family and followers. He may still have the power of a legion at his command, but on a personal level he is the weakest he has ever been.
As usual, Simon Turney weaves a strong tale. There are twists and turns - and a few major surprises - but the central framework of Fronto and his closest companions is still there. Believable, three-dimensional people who sometimes find themselves out of their depth.
If you've enjoyed the series so far, you'll certainly enjoy this sojourn into Fronto's past. If not, I'd suggest you don't start with this book but go back to the beginning and enjoy the saga in full.
This is the ninth book of a projected fifteen; civil war looms. Fronto has made his choice, and thrown in his lot with Caesar. But how far will he follow the man he has had such a volatile relationship with? I'm looking forward to finding out.
The series has followed Marcus Falerius Fronto, a member of an old, but not particularly distinguished family, as he has built his reputation as a military commander, largely under the enigma that is Julius Caesar. Their relationship has had many ups and downs, and in an earlier volume, Fronto had left the General to return to civilian life. Following the events of the last book, he has been exiled from Rome, and the authorities are seizing all his assets and property. So he escapes with his extended family to Massilia, but soon finds he won't be safe even there.
So he makes the decision that he has to go back to his old commander and try and revive his fortunes. But by this time, the conflict between the Senate and Caesar is coming to a head, and everyone is beginning to realise they may have to choose sides.
When he reaches Caesar's camp with his old friend Galronus, and a few close followers, they agree a deal. In return for Caesar's offer of future help, Fronto agrees to lead a force to restore order in Aquitania and establish some veteran colonies there to secure the area for the future. However, the military force he is given is not quite what he expected, although he is reunited with some old comrades, who add a lot of character to the ensuing action.
But neither Caesar nor Fronto are fully aware of the task he will face. The area has never really been colonised or controlled by Rome, and the tribes who inhabit the mountains are largely unknown to the Romans. And now those tribes have been brought together by a mysterious and chilling new leader, who is determined to destroy Caesar. It becomes clear that Fronto has to find this new King of the Mountains and eliminate him; but when he finally comes face to face with the man, he is shaken to the core.
This book is slightly different to most of the others in the series so far. They have generally concentrated on fairly well known historical events, and fitted Fronto's story around them. Here, Fronto is the story. Although the Romans did eventually occupy and colonise the areas described, it was almost incidental to their other activities, and merits little coverage in contemporary sources. So the author has inserted a pause in the long story to give us more about Fronto the man.
For it turns into a voyage into his past; events long forgotten or suppressed in his memory return to haunt him, and he has to face the results of his own actions many years before. Actions that had consequences for him - and his family - but which he believed were resolved. He has to go back to places he would rather avoid, and confront shades from his own memory.
This episode delves further into Fronto's mind than in any earlier in the series. His life is precarious now, outlawed, he has to risk everything to protect his family and followers. He may still have the power of a legion at his command, but on a personal level he is the weakest he has ever been.
As usual, Simon Turney weaves a strong tale. There are twists and turns - and a few major surprises - but the central framework of Fronto and his closest companions is still there. Believable, three-dimensional people who sometimes find themselves out of their depth.
If you've enjoyed the series so far, you'll certainly enjoy this sojourn into Fronto's past. If not, I'd suggest you don't start with this book but go back to the beginning and enjoy the saga in full.
This is the ninth book of a projected fifteen; civil war looms. Fronto has made his choice, and thrown in his lot with Caesar. But how far will he follow the man he has had such a volatile relationship with? I'm looking forward to finding out.
April 7, 2017
Good Reading
Excellent read thanks for the enjoyment looking forward to the next book .please continue whith the good work will be following your other books
Excellent read thanks for the enjoyment looking forward to the next book .please continue whith the good work will be following your other books
April 13, 2017
Great writing! Outstanding story line, and so close to the true history of what actually happened!
Great story lines!! Good story telling along the actual facts of recorded history of what really took place 2000 years ago! OUTSTANDING!!
Great story lines!! Good story telling along the actual facts of recorded history of what really took place 2000 years ago! OUTSTANDING!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews