The Centinela Gambit

Legionnaire #5

by Gilbert M. Stack

Surrounded by enemies, Prefect Marcus Venandus launches a bold stroke to eliminate one opponent in the coming war. The key to his plan is the fortified border town of Centinela—the Sentinel of Southern Morganita. Its fortified walls are strong enough to delay conventional forces for weeks, giving the other enemy city-states plenty of time to invade Amatista from the east. Yet, one thing Marcus has learned in the Jeweled Hills is that the locals do not understand the full capabilities of legion-style infantry. Can he take advantage of their ignorance to neutralize Centinela? Or will his risky gambit cost Marcus and his allies the war?

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 2, 2018

About the author

Gilbert M. Stack has been creating stories almost since he began speaking, and publishing fiction and non-fiction since 2006. A professional historian, Gilbert delights in bringing the past to life in his fiction, depicting characters who are both true to their time and empathetic with modern sensibilities. His work has appeared in several issues of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Michelle, and their son, Michael.

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcus continues to be several moves ahead of his opponents

The long dreaded war has come to Amatista. Prefect Marcus Venandus proves to be a master of misdirection and unexpected moves. His goal is to knock one of the cities aligned against Amatista out of the war at least for some months if not more or less permanently. Don't fight all of your enemies at once, defeat them in detail.

His first major move is a bold one using what modern militaries would call special operations tactics. He has also recruited and trained more Black Hat infantry despite the aristocracy's scorn of anything except cavalry.

This could be called a sword and sorcery novel as magic is real and effective in this world. There are also very clear similarities between Marcus's Republic of Aquila and Rome during her republic period.

Mr. Stack had added another exciting and entertaining volume to his Legionnaire series.

[William Hahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gil Stack keeps finding new themes to emphasize in this thrilling series. This one went by way too fast, and now I find myself hungering for the next step, the following chapter. He REALLY whets your appetite for that with his epilogues this time. But first... what you see so beautifully in this exciting fifth book is the fabled fog of war. As the hero Marcus notes "a thousand things could go wrong", and by jumping between PoVs Stack brings you that uncertainty and tension beautifully. As Marcus later admits, a thousand things could also go wrong for your enemy. But as you march and ride and hide out with these fabulous characters you will forget that yourself!

[Chris Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

For this Legionnaire volume, I opted for the audio version which adds a whole other element; actually many more elements. William L. Hahn does a fine job imitating the various characters and tosses in just enough sound effects to make the narrative come alive. But it's his exuberance in the reading of this novel that really shines through, adding as it does a ton of energy.

Now, the Centinela Gambit is certainly that--a gambit! Marcas and company take huge risks in this volume, and the reader had best hang on for the ride.

And man has Gilbert Stack found a character trait for his magicians that gets under my skin.... they won't follow orders! I can feel my tension building every time Marcus or one of his officers has to pause in the middle of a critical situation and explain why the magic man needs to do what he's being ordered instead of just doing it! That's good writing!

This chapter features a lot of plot that doesn't involve Marcus as much as it does Calidus who's been given a difficult task (which we won't dive into or it might spoil it). It's a fun story, and amazingly, just as hard-hitting and absorbing as the previous volumes. These just keep getting better. Excellente!

[H. Alesso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great installment.

Diamonte and Aquamarine have formed a coalition of greed and hatred, but Marcus Venandus is determined to stop them for the sake of his brother, Juan Pablo's memory.

How do you whip peasant levies who lacked discipline and are not given to obey orders into a force to resist multiple enemies coming from many directions? A daunting problem from the best of leaders. Can Marcus do it from inside the fog of war?

Marcus pinned his hope for victory against the Gota calvary on "the hedge of death" erected by a wedge of spears. Now was the test. The result was, "Kill them all."

More to come ...

[Buttercupp77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, this novel picks up right after the events of Book 4. Marcus, despite his best efforts, is facing a war on multiple fronts, the usual discord within his ranks, problems at home, and a fair amount of political maneuvering in order to ensure the best outcome for his people and his allies.

I love this series so much. This fifth installment continues the saga of Marcus's woes as he attempts to discharge all his duties - even as they conflict by times. I am a huge fan of the world-building - the attention to detail in the different cultures (all inspired by historical cultures and juxtaposed geographically in such a way as to offer new possibilities of how they might have interacted). The characters are also very strong and well-developed.

This installment definitely lived up to the standard that I expect. I can't wait to read more of Marcus's adventures!

I received a complimentary review copy from the author.

[RJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Battle for Amatista progresses. Marcus’s mission is to quell the tension between the three tribes, i.e. Qing, Gente, and Gota in the north and align their Thegns politically with Aquila. To that end, he must prepare his Black Hat Legion for the coming war with Diamonte and its allies. We find Prefect Marcus Venandus in the border town of Centinela. It is here Marcus prepares a holding force in the west to delay Diamonte’s allies while the rest of his local forces attack Amatista from the east. The plan demands speed and obedience to orders, two things Marcus fears the local forces cannot deliver. Contending with the spies and loose tongues in the district does not help. Marcus’s plan is daring. Will he be able to pull it off? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Lady Safari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

As the story progressed, I honestly thought we were going to see a battle of Thermopylae, but I was wrong.

I love how Marcus is also able to understand and draw out the best of cultures that naturally clash!

And as always, Will did an excellent job with the narration!

[Douglas Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet again another good read.