Retribution

Mercenary of Rome #2

by John Stack

Atticus Perennis, Roman prefect and hero of the seas, is stranded in Carthage.

His Roman masters have all but abandoned him, and at his feet gape the jaws of an angry mercenary army. For while the senators and consuls of Rome bicker and debate, the mercenaries around Utica are running out of patience and strain at the leash, on the verge of war. And then, when a councillor is sent as a message to Atticus and his comrades, all but dead and hideously disfigured, the leash finally breaks…

Aided once more by his comrade Septimus, Atticus the Greek goes to ground and to sea in a strange land, to overcome the raging mercenaries and defend the interests of his adopted home. And as he does so, a story of bloodshed, torture and misery plays out.

Yet, even as the decks of Atticus’ galley run dark and sticky with blood, unknown to the Greek something like salvation is sailing towards him, bearing wonderful news and the hope of a better future. Will they meet in time? That may be in the hands of the gods, be they Greek or Roman…

Retribution is the second book in John Slack’s Mercenary of Rome series, and picks up the story where bestselling Mutiny ended.

John Stack was born and lives in County Cork. He is married with three children, and is the author of the Sunday Times bestselling Masters of the Sea series.

Genres: Historical Fiction

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2019

About the author

John Stack was born and lives in County Cork in Ireland. He has always wanted to write but has done a variety of jobs ending up in IT. He is married with three children. He is presently writing the second book of the Masters of the Sea series.

Reviews

[Helen Mccabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Retribution is unlike the rest of the Roman books I have been reading except for the brutality of the battles between the Roman legionnaires and their enemies. Here, the Romans are in a fragile peace with Carthage and it is quite clear that neither side trusts the other to keep that peace. Therefore this is about a struggle between conquered Carthage and Rome. The first chapter is quite hard to follow as it deals with the discussion in the Senate about how to handle this peace and the opposing sides are Gracchus and Proconsul Gaius Duilius. The author is well informed as to the workings of the Senate and once a reader understands the propositions, then the story really begins with Hadria, who is desperate for knowledge of her husband, Atticus of Greek heritage , who has "proved his worth and earned the right of Roman citizenship," and who has led the Roman fleet at Aegates and who commanded the raid. We move then to Utica and the brutal death of a sentry outside the Carthaginian camp in a raid by Spendius. Thus the war continues, Romans against mercenaries. Hadria is forgotten except we know that she has run away from her aristocratic father and set sail to join Atticus and warn him about the Senate's decision. The quarrel between Duilius and Gracchus continues in Rome while in Utica and the land of the Carthaginians there is much strife and bloodshed. Indeed, Duilius informs Gracchus that " there is a real risk to Rome in the future if Carthage is allowed to fall." The battle scenes between the Romans and the mercenaries are very exciting and described intimately and in detail so an uninformed reader can be familiar with the great discipline, stoic resistance and bravery of the Roman legions, in this case the Ninth. Hadria finally catches up with Atticus after a gruelling sea battle. I feel that Hadria is the token woman in this book, an example of Roman patrician stoicism and faithfulness. This is certainly not a love story, only a war story with all its brutalities, disappointments and its victories. One has to read very carefully to follow the action, which continues to be well described and informative. After the horrendous loss of life in the final battle and the hopeless position for the main characters, I was not interested enough to discover what happened to them as, "the threat to Rome was as it was before and even greater now that Sardinia was in the hands of the mercenaries." What was to be learned principally from this book was that Roman rule would always be hated by its conquered people and all one could expect if one was a Roman soldier was that fighting would never end in the Roman Empire. All that was left for the professional soldier to do was "to renew their posts and continue the fight."

[R Pata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carthage versus Rome, or C and R?

This is a perplexing book from a historical aspect. Mostly, we have been raised to believe Carthage and Rome were always foes of one another. This situation puts them working as an unmatched team of horses, sometimes both pulling in opposite directions, sometimes pulling together.

Stack does an admirable job with many aspects of this book. The characterizations are well done, exceedingly filled out so you understand some of the reasoning behind the decisions the various principle characters make. A little bit weak on the romance side, probably to the disparagement of the ladies who may read this. That’s not to belittle anyone, it just seems different people have different parts they’re more drawn to and would rather see their major interests more well developed.

A book worth reading, but not sure how some of the novel’s historical rendition’s will match with real history.

[John Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too short.

That's my only criticism. After reading both books, I can only impatiently wait for the next. It's great to reunite with Atticus, promoted to Prefect of the Roman fleet, he's now helping Rome, Proconsul Duillius and his hated enemy, Carthage. Now they find themselves in a perilous position. After some other perilous positions to. A great read that leaves you unable to put the book down. Brilliant.

[George Barbu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella describes a very confusing period in the history of Carthage and Rome after the end of the First Punic War, meaning the Truceless War. I feel that mr. Stack will follow Atticus and Septimus to the very beginning of the Second Punic War, 25 years later, although they will be old by then. Anyway, this was a fun and entertaining ride. There goes 4 stars.

[Haydn Pope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read

At first I found this book a little confusing, but gradually got into it. Very bloodthirsty battles, Atticus perhaps a little too 'moral', generally an interesting read.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rare occasion where the 2nd book is better than the first. I am glad that I stumbled across the second in the series. Recommended to the normal crew who have read the first one although you could read this as a stand alone.

[Steven W Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus and his story

Compelling and gripping. The angling conflict between Carthage and Rome. I can't wait for the story to continue. Bring it on.