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SPQR: The Roman Empire has just discovered a terrifying new world
A shocking discovery in a Native American burial ground in present-day North Carolina reveals a history-changing link to ancient Rome. In 55 B.C. the Roman Senate orders their most honored general, Demetrius Varinica, to cease mourning his wife and return to Rome to lead a fleet on an ill-fated invasion. The general and a handful of survivors from the devastated Fifteenth Legion wash up on an unknown shore and find themselves in a terrifying new world where every moment is a battle to stay alive. Befriended by a peaceful tribe, these hardened warriors learn a different way of life, existing with nature, without war, without fighting. But even as a new day dawns, a terrifying evil falls upon the land and confronts Demetrius with an unthinkable choice, honor his oath and return with his men to Rome or remain in this strange country and pick up his sword once again to face impossible odds in a desperate attempt to save the lives of these gentle people and the woman who has won his heart.
- GenresFiction
435 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2019
89 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 1, 2020
Excellent, 5 stars!
Wow! What a page turner! This is a non-stop, action packed story that I was unable to put down from the moment I started with the second chapter. The characters were believable, loveable, and so full of depth that at the end of the book I just wanted the story to continue.
Wow! What a page turner! This is a non-stop, action packed story that I was unable to put down from the moment I started with the second chapter. The characters were believable, loveable, and so full of depth that at the end of the book I just wanted the story to continue.
September 8, 2025
This was an interesting and well written novel, but the historical inaccuracies are so glaring, I nearly did a DNF for this in several places. I know that this is meant to be alt fiction, but if you want to write a alt history with a point of divergence, the starting point must at least be accurate, but it wasn't. The description of Caesar's first invasion of Britain is so laughably bad that I almost put down the book right there.
He also has them raising/creating the 15th legion, when the 15th legion already existed, and in one of the later battles, he has them using Greek fire, almost 800 years before it was invented. Additionally, he seems to have invented a conlang for his native people, but it is overwhelmingly infantile, with the majority of words being one syllable. Perhaps that's why the Romans were able to pick it up with fluency within months.
The characters are where his book shines the brightest, and he has created memorable characters that we root for, even the one who is insufferable for most of the book. But you shouldn't title that the 'Empire' has discovered a new world, when the whole story hinges on the fact that it didn't, and that's why the first and last chapters matter.
He also has them raising/creating the 15th legion, when the 15th legion already existed, and in one of the later battles, he has them using Greek fire, almost 800 years before it was invented. Additionally, he seems to have invented a conlang for his native people, but it is overwhelmingly infantile, with the majority of words being one syllable. Perhaps that's why the Romans were able to pick it up with fluency within months.
The characters are where his book shines the brightest, and he has created memorable characters that we root for, even the one who is insufferable for most of the book. But you shouldn't title that the 'Empire' has discovered a new world, when the whole story hinges on the fact that it didn't, and that's why the first and last chapters matter.
September 29, 2023
Having immensely enjoyed Richard Blade's autobiography, I was anxious to try one of his novels. This book was very entertaining and creative. It is clear that Richard Blade did his homework and strives for accuracy when describing ancient Romans and their ideas and values. He also displays a sensitivity for First Nation tribes and a good understanding of geography. This novel is enjoyable and screams for a film adaptation! I look forward to reading his other works of fiction.
February 25, 2020
Good Story, Poor History
A good read and while I understand that it’s historical fiction, the description of Caesar’s first attempt at the conquest of Britain was so incorrect that it was difficult to like the book as much as I would have liked. Nevertheless, a good “story” and fun to read.
A good read and while I understand that it’s historical fiction, the description of Caesar’s first attempt at the conquest of Britain was so incorrect that it was difficult to like the book as much as I would have liked. Nevertheless, a good “story” and fun to read.
April 16, 2020
Nice Start
As long as we were in Rome l found the story interesting, well written and even informative but once we found land I thought the story started to slow down and the book gradually became something different - to me a standard story with an obvious ending. I will admit I didn't make it to the ending.
As long as we were in Rome l found the story interesting, well written and even informative but once we found land I thought the story started to slow down and the book gradually became something different - to me a standard story with an obvious ending. I will admit I didn't make it to the ending.
September 16, 2024
I found this book to be one of the most imaginative alternate history stories I have encountered. While I may not be familiar with all the historical aspects covered in the tale, nor with their accuracy, this did not lessen my enjoyment of the book.
March 25, 2020
I loved it, it was so good I wish it really happened!!!. Can you recommend anything along the same lines?
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May 1, 2020A good beach read
December 3, 2022
An amazing, thrilling story!
September 11, 2020
A fun, solid, engrossing yarn
Not a Pulitzer -winner, but thoroughly enjoyable with good characters, enough twists and detail to keep you reading, and a pretty good plot and premise. Yeah, I see a -little - historical trouble, but not enough to keep me away. Just plain good and fun!
Not a Pulitzer -winner, but thoroughly enjoyable with good characters, enough twists and detail to keep you reading, and a pretty good plot and premise. Yeah, I see a -little - historical trouble, but not enough to keep me away. Just plain good and fun!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews