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The Centurions #3
Retribution: The Centurions III
The action-filled climax of the epic story of the Batavi uprising in AD 69, f rom the author of the bestselling Empire series.
**NOW FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL SHORT STORY**
'A masterclass in military historical fiction' - Sunday Express
Victory is in sight for Kivilaz and his Batavi army. The Roman army clings desperately to its remaining fortresses along the Rhine, its legions riven by dissent and mutiny, and once-loyal allies of Rome are beginning to imagine the freedom from the rulers who have dominated them since the time of Caesar.
The four centurions - two Batavi and two Roman, men who were once comrades in arms - must find their destiny in a maze of loyalties and threats, as the blood tide of war ebbs and flows across Germania and Gaul.
For Rome does not give up its territory lightly. And a new emperor knows that he cannot tolerate any threat to his undisputed power. It can only be a matter of time before Vespasian sends his legions north to exact the empire's retribution.
**NOW FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL SHORT STORY**
'A masterclass in military historical fiction' - Sunday Express
Victory is in sight for Kivilaz and his Batavi army. The Roman army clings desperately to its remaining fortresses along the Rhine, its legions riven by dissent and mutiny, and once-loyal allies of Rome are beginning to imagine the freedom from the rulers who have dominated them since the time of Caesar.
The four centurions - two Batavi and two Roman, men who were once comrades in arms - must find their destiny in a maze of loyalties and threats, as the blood tide of war ebbs and flows across Germania and Gaul.
For Rome does not give up its territory lightly. And a new emperor knows that he cannot tolerate any threat to his undisputed power. It can only be a matter of time before Vespasian sends his legions north to exact the empire's retribution.
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2018
40 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Riches
51 books358 followersAnthony Riches began his lifelong interest in war and soldiers when he first heard his father's stories about World War II. This led to a degree in Military Studies at Manchester University. He began writing the story that would become Wounds of Honour after a visit to Housesteads in 1996. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 8, 2018
This fascinating book is the 3rd and final volume of "The Centurions" trilogy by the author Anthony Riches.
It's an absolute superb read, because it will keep the reader fully captivated from start to finish.
The historical details concerning this story are very well researched and documented within the Historical Note at the end of the book, and if I may add to the history of the Batavians, in Dutch "Batavieren", is that I'm also proud to say as a Dutchman is more or less a history about our forefathers, and besides that they give of course the history of the Romans with all it's glory and downfall.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a wonderful drawn-map of the Romans and Batavi at AD 70, and not to forget an intriguing and superb list of real and fictional characters, who are featuring in this great historical tale and who will all play a magnificent part in this particular brutal period of Roman history.
Story-telling is once again of a top-notch quality, because the author has the absolute ability to reel in the reader as fast as possible and keeping this same reader spellbound until the very end, and all that with genuine, whether they are real of fictional, lifelike characters who come all vividly to life within this very enjoyable historical Roman/Batavian story.
The main character of the trilogy is the Batavian Prince, Kivilaz, Julius Civilis by Rome, who's started the revolt against Rome with his Batavian supporters, and he will try now very hard in this final volume to finalise his intentions of a free Batavia, but he and his suppoters will somehow be opposed from insurgent factions within the Batavian tribe, and of course by the never surrendering Romans, for anyone who attack the might of Rome, this same Rome will certainly retaliate and retribution will follow.
What will follow is a most compelling action-packed journey about the troubles posed by the Batavians and their allies, and the struggles for Rome to regain control of the particular region, but in the end the inevitable will happen in that retribution will be carried out by the Romans against Kivilaz in particular, and the Batavians restored into Roman service and Roman law.
Highly recommended, for this is truly a wonderful and exciting Roman/Batavian historical tale, and one that in my view is worthy to be called: "A Fantastic Fitting Conclusion"!
It's an absolute superb read, because it will keep the reader fully captivated from start to finish.
The historical details concerning this story are very well researched and documented within the Historical Note at the end of the book, and if I may add to the history of the Batavians, in Dutch "Batavieren", is that I'm also proud to say as a Dutchman is more or less a history about our forefathers, and besides that they give of course the history of the Romans with all it's glory and downfall.
At the beginning of the book you'll notice a wonderful drawn-map of the Romans and Batavi at AD 70, and not to forget an intriguing and superb list of real and fictional characters, who are featuring in this great historical tale and who will all play a magnificent part in this particular brutal period of Roman history.
Story-telling is once again of a top-notch quality, because the author has the absolute ability to reel in the reader as fast as possible and keeping this same reader spellbound until the very end, and all that with genuine, whether they are real of fictional, lifelike characters who come all vividly to life within this very enjoyable historical Roman/Batavian story.
The main character of the trilogy is the Batavian Prince, Kivilaz, Julius Civilis by Rome, who's started the revolt against Rome with his Batavian supporters, and he will try now very hard in this final volume to finalise his intentions of a free Batavia, but he and his suppoters will somehow be opposed from insurgent factions within the Batavian tribe, and of course by the never surrendering Romans, for anyone who attack the might of Rome, this same Rome will certainly retaliate and retribution will follow.
What will follow is a most compelling action-packed journey about the troubles posed by the Batavians and their allies, and the struggles for Rome to regain control of the particular region, but in the end the inevitable will happen in that retribution will be carried out by the Romans against Kivilaz in particular, and the Batavians restored into Roman service and Roman law.
Highly recommended, for this is truly a wonderful and exciting Roman/Batavian historical tale, and one that in my view is worthy to be called: "A Fantastic Fitting Conclusion"!
March 28, 2018
An outstanding close to a brilliant trilogy about the Batavi Revolt - by this stage we're heavily invested in characters on both sides and the way that this plays out is compelling and hugely involving. I think this book may be the finest that Anthony Riches has written to date. Review to follow shortly.
August 5, 2019
Conclusion to the author's trilogy on the Batavian Revolt. Much of the novel was backstory--so much so I think you could read this installment as a standalone. First the Batavians are successful, then when Cerialis enters the picture, the Romans stalemate, then finally win. The book only picked up after he came into the story. On the whole, a letdown, but I did enjoy very much the interaction between Centurion Marius and Beran, the Germanic hunter. I also enjoyed Egilhard's coming-of-age and maturing.
Recommended only for those who want to finish the story. I knew I'd never reread it, so I gave the whole series to someone else.
Recommended only for those who want to finish the story. I knew I'd never reread it, so I gave the whole series to someone else.
July 24, 2025
Tales of revenge do not get better than this. And the narrator deserves a fucking award. 5⭐️
April 3, 2018
Review
Book Three of Anthony Riches brilliant new series, with any trilogy the expectation is clear….. can he finish it with style and energy or will it be a damp squib of an ending?
Was the result ever in doubt? I’ve not read a book yet by Anthony Riches that was anything but a thrill ride and Retribution continues that epic roll of fantastic books.
full review: click link
https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
Book Three of Anthony Riches brilliant new series, with any trilogy the expectation is clear….. can he finish it with style and energy or will it be a damp squib of an ending?
Was the result ever in doubt? I’ve not read a book yet by Anthony Riches that was anything but a thrill ride and Retribution continues that epic roll of fantastic books.
full review: click link
https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
January 8, 2019
Great book
In this last book of the series we see the Batavian rebellion come to a close. The battles were amazing and the ending was out of left field. A great series for everyone to read.
In this last book of the series we see the Batavian rebellion come to a close. The battles were amazing and the ending was out of left field. A great series for everyone to read.
December 29, 2019
Having run out of Simon Scarrow novels to read I found this series, which has turned out to be very good.
December 29, 2018
This is the third book in the Centurions Trilogy, telling the story of the Batavian revolt against Rome in 69/70AD. As the title suggests Rome is now ready to fight back and punish the rebellion led by Julius Civilis - Kivilaz in the novel.
With Vespasian secure as Emperor, the Romans can now turn their attention to the revolt that was partly designed to help ease Vespasian's passage to the throne. Kivilaz was encouraged to creat a 'diversion' in the north to keep part of the Roman army tied down and so unable to support Vitellius, the previous emperor. However he has gone too far, going well beyond what might have been excused by Rome and so the Roman army heads north to provide the retribution of the title. The Romans are victorious and the revolt is put down.
The Romans are keen to keep the Batavians on side so there is to be no punishment of the tribe as a whole and only the death of Kivilaz is required as payment, ensuring that the revolt can be presented as a rogue leader leading an unwilling tribe in a fruitless battle against the might of Rome.
At times in the novels, the constant shifting between the various groups becomes difficult to follow and the narrative does feel broken. However the trilogy overall is a detailed account of the revolt and those involved in it and easily deserves five stars. Again, Anthony Riches demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the Roman world and his power as a storyteller so evident in his Empire series.
With Vespasian secure as Emperor, the Romans can now turn their attention to the revolt that was partly designed to help ease Vespasian's passage to the throne. Kivilaz was encouraged to creat a 'diversion' in the north to keep part of the Roman army tied down and so unable to support Vitellius, the previous emperor. However he has gone too far, going well beyond what might have been excused by Rome and so the Roman army heads north to provide the retribution of the title. The Romans are victorious and the revolt is put down.
The Romans are keen to keep the Batavians on side so there is to be no punishment of the tribe as a whole and only the death of Kivilaz is required as payment, ensuring that the revolt can be presented as a rogue leader leading an unwilling tribe in a fruitless battle against the might of Rome.
At times in the novels, the constant shifting between the various groups becomes difficult to follow and the narrative does feel broken. However the trilogy overall is a detailed account of the revolt and those involved in it and easily deserves five stars. Again, Anthony Riches demonstrates his depth of knowledge of the Roman world and his power as a storyteller so evident in his Empire series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2018
A superb series.
Anthony Riches at his best imho. A brilliant end of a cracking trilogy. Can the Batavi humble Rome or will they wiped from history for having the temerity to rebel against the mightiest empire in the world. I hated having to put the book down. I even found myself looking forward to finding out how much is fact and how much Anthony invented. A fascinating period of history. If you like ancient Rome, you will love this series.
Anthony Riches at his best imho. A brilliant end of a cracking trilogy. Can the Batavi humble Rome or will they wiped from history for having the temerity to rebel against the mightiest empire in the world. I hated having to put the book down. I even found myself looking forward to finding out how much is fact and how much Anthony invented. A fascinating period of history. If you like ancient Rome, you will love this series.
June 22, 2018
c2018 (17) FWFTB: AD 69, Batavi, Germania, Gaul, Vespasian. Wowzer. I knew that this was not going to have a happy ending for all the characters but still..some events took mw totally by surprise. I should have seen it coming. It is as fast-paced as ever and definitely a page turner. Highly recommended. "Every coward cringing behind your men's spears has the reward of the rest of his life in which to question his manhood."
November 23, 2018
Riveting
A Wonderful end TO the trilogy , most impressed, Brilliant Battles by Hard Men off the Time. Pity to end this so soon.
A Wonderful end TO the trilogy , most impressed, Brilliant Battles by Hard Men off the Time. Pity to end this so soon.
August 14, 2019
Didn't hold my excitement like the first 2. But still a good book.
January 5, 2021
Well done
Again good historical fiction. Anyone who enjoys Roman history will relate to this series. Would recommend people to read the full series.
Again good historical fiction. Anyone who enjoys Roman history will relate to this series. Would recommend people to read the full series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews