Tom Swan and the Last Spartans: Part Five

Tom Swan and the Last Spartans #5

by Christian Cameron

The latest instalment of the Tom Swan adventures - the fast-paced serialised novel set in the turbulent Europe of the fifteenth century.

Available exclusively in eBook.

Genres: Historical Fiction

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 25, 2017

About the author

Aka Miles Cameron. Also publishes as Gordon Kent with his father Kenneth M. Cameron.

Christian Cameron was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1962. He grew up in Rockport, Massachusetts, Iowa City, Iowa,Christian Cameron and Rochester, New York, where he attended McQuaid Jesuit High School and later graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in history.

After the longest undergraduate degree on record (1980-87), he joined the United States Navy, where he served as an intelligence officer and as a backseater in S-3 Vikings in the First Gulf War, in Somalia, and elsewhere. After a dozen years of service, he became a full time writer in 2000. He lives in Toronto (that’s Ontario, in Canada) with his wife Sarah and their daughter Beatrice, currently age four. And a half.

Reviews

[Edward Gwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wedding!

[Bart · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** 4.00 ***

[Kennethkiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there a way to give six or seven stars? Maybe even ten?

I started following the Tom Swan series back when the first book was released, many many months (a few years) ago. I've always felt they were really good books to act as "fillers" between the lengthier novels I usually read - and really well-written fillers at that. Sometimes the problem is that when you have a small bite-sized portion of a really, really good snack, you never feel satisfied enough at each helping you are able to get; but you really look forward to the next time it graces your palate. Such is the case in Tom Swan books - they are really good stories, and they really engage; unfortunately for someone like me who reads each book as they come out, they never fully satisfy because they are so absolutely good. But then, that's exactly the same reason we binge watch good tv series or binge eat potato chips: they are addictive. I would suggest others new to the series to read all at one go; but saying so I'm still going to devour each novella the very moment they come out.

This episode - Tom Swan and the Last of the Spartans: Part Five - is the best in the series so far. In previous episodes we've seen desperate but beautifully written battles; we've seen depravity and despair described in heart-wrenching and emphatic prose; we've seen revelations, journeys and witty conversations. The highlight of this episode is a culmination of not just the political and financial cloak-and-dagger plots from the last few books, but also a culmination of Tom Swan's mental, strategic, heroic and military skills which have been building and accumulating from the very start of Book One. As just like before, you will end this book really wanting to know what happens next for this really talented and bold young man. What is his next adventure?

With a slight twist, that is: you wonder what is the next adventure of both him and the new addition to his life. I like Sophia when she was introduced in the previous books, and she was intriguing enough in each scene, but somehow in her very short appearance in this book I literally fell in love with her. She's a perfect match for our intrepid hero Tom Swan. I wonder how this new dynamic will affect how he goes about things in future?

So, once again, outstanding job, Mr Cameron; I bemoan the fact that the next instalments will be in 2018 (so far away!), but I know each bite will be worth the wait if they are so well crafted as the books so far.

[C Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love the Tom Swan series but I feel that is one, the last in this series, would have been better if it had been split into two parts - the first half focusing on the navel combat and the second on the resolution in Rome. Having it in one, short, story seemed a little forced and the setting change was quick and a little jarring.

Despite that this was a great read, I can't wait for more. Might need a little more character growth and progress on the overall narrative soon though (always a issue in serials like his), hopefully his wedding will deliver that.

[Christopher Sweeting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful fun

One of my absolute favorite of Cameron's characters...eminently flawed yet relatable and likeable, the perfect protagonist in a fantastic adventure series filled with history

[Austin Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series

I love this series. It’s simply fantastic. The only possible complaint I could raise would be that I haven’t seen the next series in the Tom Swan story just yet. Hoping to see it soon, Mr. Cameron!

[Colin Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another ripping good Tom Swan yarn!

Mr Cameron does not disappoint with his latest installment of Tom Swan’s adventures. Tom Swan achieves victory through his typical verve, wit and action. It continues to be one of my favorite series.

[Štěpán · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Swan is always a joy: intrigue, love, fighting, religion and mainly entertaining characters set in interesting times. This last part was full of twists and turns, battles and great turmoil and it was a great fun ending with a wedding. Cannot wait to return to the next Tom Swan adventure!

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book

Loved the book but I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending. I can’t wait to read the next one.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nailed it!

[Liz C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoy these novellas. Love the characters and story lines. Action packed. Recommend to anybody who enjoys this sort of thing.