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The Centurions #1
The Centurions
The unputdownable and action-packed story of Ancient Rome.Correus and Flavius are half-brothers, sons of a brilliant general. One, son of a slave, is a born warrior destined to excel. The other, a nobleman by birth, must struggle relentlessly to succeed.
When they both join the Centuriate, a position Flavius has always known he will inherit, and one that Correus has long coveted, together they face the brutal reality of war.
Fighting German barbarians will prove dangerous, not only to their bodies, but to their souls as well…
The Centurions is an epic Roman adventure, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.
When they both join the Centuriate, a position Flavius has always known he will inherit, and one that Correus has long coveted, together they face the brutal reality of war.
Fighting German barbarians will prove dangerous, not only to their bodies, but to their souls as well…
The Centurions is an epic Roman adventure, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 12, 1981
373 people are currently reading
464 people want to read
About the author
Damion Hunter
28 books70 followersDamion Hunter also publishes under Amanda Cockrell.
See that page for more extensive and interesting information.
See that page for more extensive and interesting information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 14, 2022
Read awhile back, but story still seared in my imagination. Strong characterization. Amanda Cockrell wrote the series under this pen name. She finally completed the series with the 3rd volume, and it has been republished.
August 17, 2022
Forty years ago, I first read this book and thought it was excellent. Forty years later, I was gifted with the same book and re-read it. It spoke to me as much this time as it did so long ago.
Correus and his brother Flavius look alike, but don't think alike. Their similarity to their father ends abruptly with the fact that their mothers are two different women. Flavius is born into the wealth and privilege of his father's--his mother having the distinction of being an Antonian descendent. However, Correus is low-born, his mother the enslaved German mistress to his father. This means he's a slave, too. As fate would have it, the father cares for both boys, awarding each with opportunities to prove themselves, but that reckoning will be in Germania where war is brewing, where lives can be forfeit or careers in legions made.
It's evident Cockrell had a blast writing this tale and her knowledge of Rome runs deep. Her lively dialogue is often humorous characters are life-like, believable, thus making for a quick, entertaining read. I look forward to reading the next in this series--and for the FIRST time!!!
Correus and his brother Flavius look alike, but don't think alike. Their similarity to their father ends abruptly with the fact that their mothers are two different women. Flavius is born into the wealth and privilege of his father's--his mother having the distinction of being an Antonian descendent. However, Correus is low-born, his mother the enslaved German mistress to his father. This means he's a slave, too. As fate would have it, the father cares for both boys, awarding each with opportunities to prove themselves, but that reckoning will be in Germania where war is brewing, where lives can be forfeit or careers in legions made.
It's evident Cockrell had a blast writing this tale and her knowledge of Rome runs deep. Her lively dialogue is often humorous characters are life-like, believable, thus making for a quick, entertaining read. I look forward to reading the next in this series--and for the FIRST time!!!
December 9, 2023
3.75 stars
June 13, 2021
I've enjoyed this series much more than I've enjoyed any fiction in a while. Just masterfully done popular fiction. This is the first of four volumes. I've never heard of this author. But she is superior. I will look for more.
October 21, 2020
Wonderful book
This book is about two half brothers, one the son of a retired general and the other the son of the general and his mistress who was a slave. We see how the brothers grow up competing against each other for their father’s blessing. When they join the Army their lives are forever intwined.
This book is about two half brothers, one the son of a retired general and the other the son of the general and his mistress who was a slave. We see how the brothers grow up competing against each other for their father’s blessing. When they join the Army their lives are forever intwined.
November 1, 2020
An oustanding read, FINALLY on kindle.
As the years have gone bye, the type-face of my books have shrunk.
The kindle version has one minor flaw ( in my opinion ) that will go unnoticed by new readers. An event which was significant to Correus has undergone some editing. Readers of the hard copy likely know of what I speak.
The kindle version also lacks the "teaser" to the second book, "The Barbarian Princess" . No loss, because besides being a teaser, it's also a spoiler.
The second book is as good as the first.
Characters seem real, three dimensional. Gripping story line, whats called a " page turner.
I haven't read the third book on kindle yet, and may not. Story was ghost written and reading it was about as enjoyable as eating turkey dressing with no salt or spices
As the years have gone bye, the type-face of my books have shrunk.
The kindle version has one minor flaw ( in my opinion ) that will go unnoticed by new readers. An event which was significant to Correus has undergone some editing. Readers of the hard copy likely know of what I speak.
The kindle version also lacks the "teaser" to the second book, "The Barbarian Princess" . No loss, because besides being a teaser, it's also a spoiler.
The second book is as good as the first.
Characters seem real, three dimensional. Gripping story line, whats called a " page turner.
I haven't read the third book on kindle yet, and may not. Story was ghost written and reading it was about as enjoyable as eating turkey dressing with no salt or spices
January 25, 2023
Only the guilt of incorrect goodreads stats kept me reading this one as far as I did and not dnfing after the flop that was the first battle but I still couldn’t make it to the very end. It was a 200 page wait for this sad excuse for a battle and it was poorly written. This battle could have really made the rest of the book up until this point worthwhile and been riveting but it was over in about five pages with nary a detail. At this point I started losing hope for the book and the series. There must have been a battle at the end of the book and I almost got to it but I just didn’t care at all anymore about anything happening in the book and wanted it to be over.
The characters are bland and soulless and Correus the main character is super dull and ridiculously amazing at anything he does. A lot of the dialogue is cringe on another level.
‘I won’t marry anyone but you!’
I could see this coming a mile off but that didn’t protect me against the level of cringe that was thrust upon me. This book had a promising start until it took this route and I hoped beyond hope it wouldn’t turn into a brotherly feud over who gets the girl. The whole book has this weird feud going on between the brothers that’s just unnecessary and Flavius is just being a giant dong all the time.
And why are people saying ‘look you’ so much when addressing someone?? Who says that?? Erggh it just goes right through me every time I read it. So much of this book is just uncomfortable to read. Words like trash and phrases like ‘I’m a freak” are just wrong in this setting.
There’s a lot of pointless word count that either adds nothing or just doesn’t make sense.
“The trapped century had locked their shields into a square when the Germans had first encircled them, and if they couldn’t move, neither could Nyall and the handful of warriors under the rock face. “
This makes no sense. Why couldn’t the Germans move?
So yeah I just found this book really lacking and it ended up being a really boring read about not a lot and some thin shallow romance. I’m not going to be wasting any more time with this series.
The characters are bland and soulless and Correus the main character is super dull and ridiculously amazing at anything he does. A lot of the dialogue is cringe on another level.
‘I won’t marry anyone but you!’
I could see this coming a mile off but that didn’t protect me against the level of cringe that was thrust upon me. This book had a promising start until it took this route and I hoped beyond hope it wouldn’t turn into a brotherly feud over who gets the girl. The whole book has this weird feud going on between the brothers that’s just unnecessary and Flavius is just being a giant dong all the time.
And why are people saying ‘look you’ so much when addressing someone?? Who says that?? Erggh it just goes right through me every time I read it. So much of this book is just uncomfortable to read. Words like trash and phrases like ‘I’m a freak” are just wrong in this setting.
There’s a lot of pointless word count that either adds nothing or just doesn’t make sense.
“The trapped century had locked their shields into a square when the Germans had first encircled them, and if they couldn’t move, neither could Nyall and the handful of warriors under the rock face. “
This makes no sense. Why couldn’t the Germans move?
So yeah I just found this book really lacking and it ended up being a really boring read about not a lot and some thin shallow romance. I’m not going to be wasting any more time with this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2020
Great Book
I have read this book long ago.And now I have read it again. It has gotten better the characters are great
I have read this book long ago.And now I have read it again. It has gotten better the characters are great
June 20, 2020
Brothers in love and war.
This first book in the Centurions trilogy is a very refreshing approach to the story that is Rome and it's conquests. Correus, the son of a general and slave, is immediately likeable, drawing you into a fascinating web of love and loyalty. I found it difficult to put this book down and eagerly look forward to book two!
This first book in the Centurions trilogy is a very refreshing approach to the story that is Rome and it's conquests. Correus, the son of a general and slave, is immediately likeable, drawing you into a fascinating web of love and loyalty. I found it difficult to put this book down and eagerly look forward to book two!
April 7, 2025
It is one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read, set during Roman Invasion of Britain.
A very well written and engaging story with characters that you learn to care about. I felt like I was transported back in time when I read this and I bought the entire series.
A very well written and engaging story with characters that you learn to care about. I felt like I was transported back in time when I read this and I bought the entire series.
September 28, 2020
A great book. This is a cracking adventure novel set in Ancient Rome and on the German frontier. There are battles, political intrigue, personal feuds, love interest and enigmas aplenty. If you like a good adventure, this is for you.
At first I worried that the central plot line would come across as artificial and silly. A pair of half-brothers - one a wealthy nobleman and the other the bastard sone of a slave woman - had the potential to be schmaltzy. In the event, the author carried it off very well. The way in which the kinship came about, the way the brother grew up and the method the father found to seek reconciliation were all perfectly credible and believable.
The secondary characters were all well drawn. The German leader is a great character with loads of potential, much of which was fulfilled in this book. The German slave woman was particularly credible with all her hang-ups and character flaws. Even the nomadic trader who was in the book for only a couple of chapters was well drawn with a good back story. In fact, I can't think of a single character who was not utterly credible and well drawn.
The story line was pretty good too. I won't give anything away, but there are twists and turns right up until the final page. And while this story is complete in itself, it sets things up nicely for the next book in the trilogy without leaving so many loose ends that it becomes annoying.
At first I worried that the central plot line would come across as artificial and silly. A pair of half-brothers - one a wealthy nobleman and the other the bastard sone of a slave woman - had the potential to be schmaltzy. In the event, the author carried it off very well. The way in which the kinship came about, the way the brother grew up and the method the father found to seek reconciliation were all perfectly credible and believable.
The secondary characters were all well drawn. The German leader is a great character with loads of potential, much of which was fulfilled in this book. The German slave woman was particularly credible with all her hang-ups and character flaws. Even the nomadic trader who was in the book for only a couple of chapters was well drawn with a good back story. In fact, I can't think of a single character who was not utterly credible and well drawn.
The story line was pretty good too. I won't give anything away, but there are twists and turns right up until the final page. And while this story is complete in itself, it sets things up nicely for the next book in the trilogy without leaving so many loose ends that it becomes annoying.
April 28, 2022
A Fair Start
I had high expectations for a series based on the lives and adventures of the famous roman centurions. However, this book fails to meet my expectations. This story is quite basic, I figured out most of the themes very early on. The conflict between the brothers, a major early theme of the book, is easy enough to figure out and not very sophisticated. You have to read 40% of the book before you reach any conflict between the Centurions and the occupied people of the Germanic lands.
Unless this first book is a setup for the basis of the series, most of the book describes the Roman occupation of the distant German lands and their people. This is a story that is well told by the author and reflects well on the author’s talent. However, the remainder of the book is only fair and, for me, not worth going further into this series.
I had high expectations for a series based on the lives and adventures of the famous roman centurions. However, this book fails to meet my expectations. This story is quite basic, I figured out most of the themes very early on. The conflict between the brothers, a major early theme of the book, is easy enough to figure out and not very sophisticated. You have to read 40% of the book before you reach any conflict between the Centurions and the occupied people of the Germanic lands.
Unless this first book is a setup for the basis of the series, most of the book describes the Roman occupation of the distant German lands and their people. This is a story that is well told by the author and reflects well on the author’s talent. However, the remainder of the book is only fair and, for me, not worth going further into this series.
July 12, 2022
OMG it took me FOREVER to finish this book. Largely because this was a library book that kept expiring on me and then I'd have to wait on a list to get it again. So I read it in fits and starts.
I'm not sure I want to continue with this series, but I thought the author did a good job of creating a world. I thought the premise of the two brothers from the same father but distinctly different backgrounds was interesting as well.
I probably bumped this from 2 to 3 stars because I read it over such a long period that I want to give it the benefit of the doubt.
I'm not sure I want to continue with this series, but I thought the author did a good job of creating a world. I thought the premise of the two brothers from the same father but distinctly different backgrounds was interesting as well.
I probably bumped this from 2 to 3 stars because I read it over such a long period that I want to give it the benefit of the doubt.
April 18, 2021
Stirring tale of the Roman frontier
One the better tales of the Roman legions in early empire. Strange spacing noted in the formatting in Kindle. Also, a family trip to Rome discusses eating a pear in late Spring— out of season— don’t you think?
Still enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who has a fondness for the genre. Cannot give it five stars, and Amazon cannot figure out how to give 4 & 1/2 stars in the heading.
One the better tales of the Roman legions in early empire. Strange spacing noted in the formatting in Kindle. Also, a family trip to Rome discusses eating a pear in late Spring— out of season— don’t you think?
Still enjoyed it, and would recommend it to anyone who has a fondness for the genre. Cannot give it five stars, and Amazon cannot figure out how to give 4 & 1/2 stars in the heading.
November 20, 2024
Life on the border of empire.
This book follows the lives of two centurion half brothers who have a fractious relationship. Flavius is not a natural born soldier whereas Correus is a born leader. There is a romantic complication with Flavius betrothed in love with his brother. Life on the frontline is well depicted in the whole with the German tribes also covered. I have only given three stars because I have a preference for more action, like in a John Stack novel.
This book follows the lives of two centurion half brothers who have a fractious relationship. Flavius is not a natural born soldier whereas Correus is a born leader. There is a romantic complication with Flavius betrothed in love with his brother. Life on the frontline is well depicted in the whole with the German tribes also covered. I have only given three stars because I have a preference for more action, like in a John Stack novel.
October 5, 2021
Excellent work
What a thoroughly enjoyable read! Great storytelling, rich in detail without becoming tedious and a refreshing balance of battlefield violence, romance and family drama & tension. It paints as good a picture of early Roman legionary life as I have ever read - and blessedly devoid of excessive politics.
What a thoroughly enjoyable read! Great storytelling, rich in detail without becoming tedious and a refreshing balance of battlefield violence, romance and family drama & tension. It paints as good a picture of early Roman legionary life as I have ever read - and blessedly devoid of excessive politics.
Read
June 20, 2019Damn good read - all three books are compelling reading and have a fair degree of historical accuracy
The only thing I had any problem with is the fact that book 3 was wide open for continuing the story in Dacia ... but no book
The only thing I had any problem with is the fact that book 3 was wide open for continuing the story in Dacia ... but no book
November 24, 2019
I'm enjoying a contrast in how Ancient Rome was written about some four decades ago and comparing it with how contemporary authors are writing in 2019. I found this very readable and an exciting novel.
May 3, 2021
Roman historical fiction
This is good, a roman historical novels. While reading this, this book pique my interest to explore more on roman history in that age. This is a good visualization of what happened in the history in that timelines.
This is good, a roman historical novels. While reading this, this book pique my interest to explore more on roman history in that age. This is a good visualization of what happened in the history in that timelines.
June 29, 2022
.
.
A good book.
But a little boring. Also, seems to take a feminized viewpoint.
I did learn that — according to the story — there is nothing smarter than a woman, and sometimes it is the woman who tells the man the right thing to do.
Also, even a “real man” — according to the story — sometimes has sex with another man.
But…not a bad book.
.
.
.
A good book.
But a little boring. Also, seems to take a feminized viewpoint.
I did learn that — according to the story — there is nothing smarter than a woman, and sometimes it is the woman who tells the man the right thing to do.
Also, even a “real man” — according to the story — sometimes has sex with another man.
But…not a bad book.
.
.
July 19, 2018
Brill book. Felt like I was in ancient Rome.
November 30, 2018
Good read
Good read will try the next one of the series it’s an all rounder of a book with a lot of history
Good read will try the next one of the series it’s an all rounder of a book with a lot of history
June 6, 2019
An excellent tale!
Very enjoyable story, well written characters, true to the Roman legionnaires genre, straight on to the next tale. Thanks to Damion Hunter.
Very enjoyable story, well written characters, true to the Roman legionnaires genre, straight on to the next tale. Thanks to Damion Hunter.
September 3, 2019
Better than I expected, but one scene in particular was disturbing and didn't fit imo with the character development of Correus.
October 20, 2020
I tried, but gave up. Not much was happening and I just got bored. It's a very slow moving story.
January 11, 2021
Nice story. Sometimes I felt like there wasn't the time needed for that to happen if that makes sense. Give it a go
May 6, 2021
A good historical read
This story is about a Roman family that are warriors. The two brothers are sent to war in Germany. The book is action packed and well written.
This story is about a Roman family that are warriors. The two brothers are sent to war in Germany. The book is action packed and well written.
June 1, 2021
The life of a Centurion of Rome. Great fun!
June 18, 2021
Great book. Lot of facts on Roman army and the century. Look forward to rest of series.
July 18, 2021
History
Enjoyed authors style of writing historical series will probably read the rest.
Interesting that the brothers are so different but yet alike.
Enjoyed authors style of writing historical series will probably read the rest.
Interesting that the brothers are so different but yet alike.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews