What do you think?
Rate this book
Marius' Mules #13
Civil War
46 BC. Pompey is dead, Egypt is settled, and Rome is controlled by the loyal Marcus Antonius. As the new year looms, Rome’s greatest general and dictator Julius Caesar moves precipitously to take on the last stronghold of the rebel faction: Africa.
Crossing against all advice in the middle of winter, with minimal forces and little forward planning, the campaign almost dies before it begins, legions scattered across the sea by vicious storms, the general putting ashore with just a single legion and his most trusted veteran commander: Marcus Falerius Fronto.
But the war in Africa is no easy task. Scipio, Cato and Caesar’s one-time lieutenant Labienus have gathered an enormous force to counter him, and are prepared to fight to the death. With few troops, no supplies, little foreknowledge, and all the problems of a winter campaign, Fronto and Caesar face a monumental struggle, yet they know they must win for the prize in this campaign is nothing less than control of the republic itself. Rome hangs in the balance.
Crossing against all advice in the middle of winter, with minimal forces and little forward planning, the campaign almost dies before it begins, legions scattered across the sea by vicious storms, the general putting ashore with just a single legion and his most trusted veteran commander: Marcus Falerius Fronto.
But the war in Africa is no easy task. Scipio, Cato and Caesar’s one-time lieutenant Labienus have gathered an enormous force to counter him, and are prepared to fight to the death. With few troops, no supplies, little foreknowledge, and all the problems of a winter campaign, Fronto and Caesar face a monumental struggle, yet they know they must win for the prize in this campaign is nothing less than control of the republic itself. Rome hangs in the balance.
431 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2020
About the author
S.J.A. Turney
78 books513 followersSimon lives with his wife and children and a menagerie of animals in rural North Yorkshire, where he sits in an office, wired on coffee and digestive biscuits, and attempts to spin engrossing tales out of strands of imagination while his children drive toys across his desk and two dogs howl as they try to share a brain cell.
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 21, 2020
Does not disappoint
Simon Turney’s invasion of Gaul series are a must read for all fans (or students) of Julius Caesar. Each well crafted, all woven together by characters such as Fronto who accompanied Ceasar on campaign. This book did not disappoint and is possibly the best crafted of the series, even though it might not be the most exciting from a military campaign point of view. Kudos to the author
Simon Turney’s invasion of Gaul series are a must read for all fans (or students) of Julius Caesar. Each well crafted, all woven together by characters such as Fronto who accompanied Ceasar on campaign. This book did not disappoint and is possibly the best crafted of the series, even though it might not be the most exciting from a military campaign point of view. Kudos to the author
October 10, 2023
Libro strutturato male, purtroppo non ha aiutato la situazione storica raccontata nel romanzo, ma l'autore non ha creato nulla, nessuna sottotrama degna di nota, nessuna parte di finzione convincente. Nulla, il piattume assoluto. Il libro si è trascinato nel nulla fino all'apice dello scontro tra le legioni di Cesare e quelle di Scipione.
Altra cosa che ho trovato bruttina e fuori luogo è che fino alle ultime 40 pagine l'autore non aveva mai fatto vedere al lettore i "ribelli" (o "villain"), ovvero Labieno, Catone e Scipione...sempre citati ma mai visti da vicino, per capire cosa provavano, il loro stato d'animo, le diatribe interne tra generali....niente di niente. Poi all'improvviso a giochi fatti (ovvero subito dopo lo scontro campale decisivo per le sorti della campagna) ecco che tutto a un tratto entriamo nei pensieri di Labieno e di Scipione...
Ultima cosa, che non ho gradito, sempre nella fase finale del libro apparivano personaggi mai introdotti prima, e nemmeno mai nominati. Senza nemmeno sapere chi fossero.
Decisamente una ciambella riuscita senza buco! Peccato, andava gestita molto meglio.
Altra cosa che ho trovato bruttina e fuori luogo è che fino alle ultime 40 pagine l'autore non aveva mai fatto vedere al lettore i "ribelli" (o "villain"), ovvero Labieno, Catone e Scipione...sempre citati ma mai visti da vicino, per capire cosa provavano, il loro stato d'animo, le diatribe interne tra generali....niente di niente. Poi all'improvviso a giochi fatti (ovvero subito dopo lo scontro campale decisivo per le sorti della campagna) ecco che tutto a un tratto entriamo nei pensieri di Labieno e di Scipione...
Ultima cosa, che non ho gradito, sempre nella fase finale del libro apparivano personaggi mai introdotti prima, e nemmeno mai nominati. Senza nemmeno sapere chi fossero.
Decisamente una ciambella riuscita senza buco! Peccato, andava gestita molto meglio.
September 7, 2020
"Scipio, you cowardly (insert various and sundry defamatory remarks on Scipio's parentage), come out and fight!" That could be considered the Caesarian battle cry in this rollicking edition of Marius Mules. Though it must be told that Caesar is not at the top of his usual tactical/strategic genius level, and that causes doubts among his officer corps. In looking for the reason behind this bout of ineptitude, the common blame is cast upon a woman. It's always the woman's fault...Adam & Eve - John & Yoko - Gaius Julius & Cleopatra... In his usual commendable fashion, the author has taken the sparse, often contradictory historical record, and infused it with life, vitality, and the clinching ingredient of unputdownableness...(yes, I know - I made up a word). Plus even after 13 volumes, it is always nice and refreshing to get reacquainted with that irascible curmudgeon, Fronto. 5 Stars
May 7, 2021
This is number 13 in the series and I have read them all.
As the author confirms though the lack of real action in this North African cat and mouse game lets this book down compared to all the previous 12! This is of course due to the way the campaign really went but I did end up thinking it would have been better if it had been slightly shorter.
Still worth a go, especially if you are a fan of this excellent author.
As the author confirms though the lack of real action in this North African cat and mouse game lets this book down compared to all the previous 12! This is of course due to the way the campaign really went but I did end up thinking it would have been better if it had been slightly shorter.
Still worth a go, especially if you are a fan of this excellent author.
March 21, 2026
Marius Mules XIII
Again excellent interweaving novel with history, book number 13 clearing up info for me regarding Caesar in Egypt and Africa. History “came alive” and cleared up much I did not know during book 13.. Not skip pages reading this book number! Again, author had to have done much research to keep flow going so dam well!!
Again excellent interweaving novel with history, book number 13 clearing up info for me regarding Caesar in Egypt and Africa. History “came alive” and cleared up much I did not know during book 13.. Not skip pages reading this book number! Again, author had to have done much research to keep flow going so dam well!!
November 8, 2020
Brilliant
So The tale continues, fronto Caesar and the gang battle on,against the odds. The rebels prove a dedicated adversary. As the tale continues heading onward to the ides of March.
So The tale continues, fronto Caesar and the gang battle on,against the odds. The rebels prove a dedicated adversary. As the tale continues heading onward to the ides of March.
September 15, 2021
Addictive
I don't know what I will do when Fronto and company come to the end of their travails. Being with them has been a very enjoyable experience. Looking forward to their final campaign in Spain. Bravo Simon Turney!
I don't know what I will do when Fronto and company come to the end of their travails. Being with them has been a very enjoyable experience. Looking forward to their final campaign in Spain. Bravo Simon Turney!
May 9, 2022
It's nearly the final chapter in this epic story and the journey has been fantastic .
Fronto and his companions never fail to bring a smile to my face .
The wait for the last book later in the year is going to a long one .... beware the ides of march .
Fronto and his companions never fail to bring a smile to my face .
The wait for the last book later in the year is going to a long one .... beware the ides of march .
May 7, 2025
Really Good!
Turney is a master storyteller. He makes his characters come to life. I’d love to spend an afternoon with Fronto, Galronus and Atenos discussing life in pre-empire Rome!
Turney is a master storyteller. He makes his characters come to life. I’d love to spend an afternoon with Fronto, Galronus and Atenos discussing life in pre-empire Rome!
December 2, 2025
Africa
What a really great story plot and so the saga continues what is next for Fronto and the10th leigon. What of Frontos family in Spain are they threatened by the Rebel army and do they know about Frontos family is in Spain.
What a really great story plot and so the saga continues what is next for Fronto and the10th leigon. What of Frontos family in Spain are they threatened by the Rebel army and do they know about Frontos family is in Spain.
August 19, 2020
Series
Too much detail with troop movement. Fronto character was too static, little interaction between character. Too concerned with following historic timeline.
Too much detail with troop movement. Fronto character was too static, little interaction between character. Too concerned with following historic timeline.
August 27, 2020
Great stuff!
Can’t argue with the author about the haphazard approach of the campaign, but as always the Fronto Gang sort it. Bring on Spain!
Can’t argue with the author about the haphazard approach of the campaign, but as always the Fronto Gang sort it. Bring on Spain!
August 31, 2020
Good as always but
Has this latest volume been rushed out? It is far below the usual standard of presentation, and clearly needs a comprehensive proof read.
Has this latest volume been rushed out? It is far below the usual standard of presentation, and clearly needs a comprehensive proof read.
September 11, 2020
First class series
Another first class book can't wait for next one roll on next year for more great reading by this author
Another first class book can't wait for next one roll on next year for more great reading by this author
September 12, 2020
Another brilliant episode
Sometimes a little abstract the roles of Cato and the rest could have been expanded more . Scars goals could have been more obvious
Sometimes a little abstract the roles of Cato and the rest could have been expanded more . Scars goals could have been more obvious
November 11, 2020
Awesome as usual
Like all Marius mules interesting reading who keeps you hooked till the end . Can’t wait for the next book
Like all Marius mules interesting reading who keeps you hooked till the end . Can’t wait for the next book
October 10, 2021
Engaging and fast-paced.
December 31, 2022
another cracker
Brilliant! Again very enjoyable and educational. Highly recommend the whole series to anyone interested in Roman history and or Caesar.
Brilliant! Again very enjoyable and educational. Highly recommend the whole series to anyone interested in Roman history and or Caesar.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews