What do you think?
Rate this book
Forgotten Heroes of Rome #1
Dagger and Vow
Marcus Varro is content to work on his father’s farm, selling barley in the markets of Rome. He has vowed to uphold a simple life of peace. Then the Roman Legions find him.
A war that should not be sweeps Varro from his idyllic farm and carries him across the Aegean Sea to a land under siege. His vow of peace is stretched to its limits as he is plunged into blood and battle. The ceaseless march of the Republican Roman Army spares none.
Yet a greater threat stalks Varro, more dangerous and more personal than any enemy soldier. Can he survive in an army where he faces swords to his front and daggers at his back?
A war that should not be sweeps Varro from his idyllic farm and carries him across the Aegean Sea to a land under siege. His vow of peace is stretched to its limits as he is plunged into blood and battle. The ceaseless march of the Republican Roman Army spares none.
Yet a greater threat stalks Varro, more dangerous and more personal than any enemy soldier. Can he survive in an army where he faces swords to his front and daggers at his back?
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2020
385 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Autieri
38 books70 followersJerry grew up in a snowy New England town, then decided to move to an arid desert town. Along the way, he got married and started a family.
Jerry has been writing most of his life. He loves fast-paced, pithy stories, hopefully with a few good sword fights sprinkled within.
A writer, gaming geek, and corporate flunky, Jerry spends most of his time in cubeville. He dreams of leaving it behind one day.
Jerry has been writing most of his life. He loves fast-paced, pithy stories, hopefully with a few good sword fights sprinkled within.
A writer, gaming geek, and corporate flunky, Jerry spends most of his time in cubeville. He dreams of leaving it behind one day.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 24, 2021
An epic tale!
A young boy, bound by a sacred oath not to take a life or show violence to another, is conscripted into the Roman legions. Here he has to face death, both from his enemies and from within his own kind. Who to trust? From a, gentle, mellow farm boy to an experienced legionary, skilled in the art of killing, this story charts the progress of one young man in ancient Rome's citizen army.
A young boy, bound by a sacred oath not to take a life or show violence to another, is conscripted into the Roman legions. Here he has to face death, both from his enemies and from within his own kind. Who to trust? From a, gentle, mellow farm boy to an experienced legionary, skilled in the art of killing, this story charts the progress of one young man in ancient Rome's citizen army.
March 6, 2021
Murderous intentions
Superbly plotted tale of shady scheming, deadly assassination attempts and double dealing. Set amidst the backdrop of forthcoming war with Macedonia. Excellent characterisation, especially the two main men Varro and Falco. Great start to a new series of lectionary adventures. I look forward to the follow up. Highly recommended.
Superbly plotted tale of shady scheming, deadly assassination attempts and double dealing. Set amidst the backdrop of forthcoming war with Macedonia. Excellent characterisation, especially the two main men Varro and Falco. Great start to a new series of lectionary adventures. I look forward to the follow up. Highly recommended.
September 19, 2020
Great book
I loved this book. Please bring more in this saga. I have read all Jerry Autieri's books, and can not say enough good things about the plot, the history, the characters, and the excitement from one chapter to another.
I loved this book. Please bring more in this saga. I have read all Jerry Autieri's books, and can not say enough good things about the plot, the history, the characters, and the excitement from one chapter to another.
September 15, 2023
Believable Roman War Novel
This is a fun new series and one I hold out high hopes for more action. The characters are realistic and the action sufficient to avoid the blah blah blahs of some authors. More to come of the peace offering ...
This is a fun new series and one I hold out high hopes for more action. The characters are realistic and the action sufficient to avoid the blah blah blahs of some authors. More to come of the peace offering ...
November 29, 2020
Fun read. Good action. Good pacing. Overall, worth your time for sure... if you like Ancient Rome books that is...
August 24, 2021
Worth reading
Not read this author before but I found the book very good reading had a good story line with a few twists and the story line was not dragged out like some books
Not read this author before but I found the book very good reading had a good story line with a few twists and the story line was not dragged out like some books
November 12, 2021
First read of this author for me
Enjoyed the twists and turns around the storyline. Kept me guessing until near the end and now the promise of more to come
Enjoyed the twists and turns around the storyline. Kept me guessing until near the end and now the promise of more to come
June 13, 2021
This is modernistic detective storyline, with a setting in postPunic War Rome. It didn’t ring true for me. Too convoluted going back and forth in the “this is the truth, no, this is …” repeat-rinse…
Many writers whose novels in this timeline seem to glorify the fighting rage that can be easily at hand for any human entity. Inelegant and pushes an anti-civilization bent to the novel.
When paired with the need of people to ‘bite their lower lip’ frequently (1+ Times), it is a bit contradictory, unless you are talking about very immature characters.
A decent start and obviously tailored for very young teens.
Many writers whose novels in this timeline seem to glorify the fighting rage that can be easily at hand for any human entity. Inelegant and pushes an anti-civilization bent to the novel.
When paired with the need of people to ‘bite their lower lip’ frequently (1+ Times), it is a bit contradictory, unless you are talking about very immature characters.
A decent start and obviously tailored for very young teens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
The start of Legionary life
Interesting perspective of a new recruit and the challenges they face. Marcus has a rip roaring start to army life. As a veteran myself if Roman Historical fiction, and having fun out of Eagles and others, I think I am going to enjoy this series.
Marcus and Falco instead of Cato and Macro.
I don't want to put in any spoilers, but I enjoyed the twists and turns as the boys became firm friends whilst deciding who was an enemy.
Interesting perspective of a new recruit and the challenges they face. Marcus has a rip roaring start to army life. As a veteran myself if Roman Historical fiction, and having fun out of Eagles and others, I think I am going to enjoy this series.
Marcus and Falco instead of Cato and Macro.
I don't want to put in any spoilers, but I enjoyed the twists and turns as the boys became firm friends whilst deciding who was an enemy.
June 19, 2025
Great start to series
Its certainly a different type of Roman historical fiction novel but thats why its such a fun read. Strong interesting characters, intriguing plots and good visuals.
I would have like much more historical context and information as there really isnt much to learn but maybe next book.
Its certainly a different type of Roman historical fiction novel but thats why its such a fun read. Strong interesting characters, intriguing plots and good visuals.
I would have like much more historical context and information as there really isnt much to learn but maybe next book.
November 1, 2020
Great,I really liked it, Hope there will be follow up
Ron
Ron
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2022
Good stuff
A good read and will continue with this series well done!
Love Jerry Autieri's work ( especially the viking books!)
A good read and will continue with this series well done!
Love Jerry Autieri's work ( especially the viking books!)
December 7, 2022
Shows Roman recruit training in Macedonian wars post Punic era.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2023
More detective novel than war.
This novel is saved by the amount of historical data included in the story. Very readable. Very good story line
This novel is saved by the amount of historical data included in the story. Very readable. Very good story line
June 13, 2024
Very well written. Visceral. Violent. 5⭐️
November 1, 2024
Dagger and Vow
Much more than just a Roman army adventure. Trepidation, adventures and killings in the Republic. Good reading, good time spend.
Much more than just a Roman army adventure. Trepidation, adventures and killings in the Republic. Good reading, good time spend.
July 9, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a new author to me but one of who’s books I will definitely be reading more. His characters are really well written, his storytelling is brilliant, he keeps you rapt and wanting to turn over the page before you’ve even read it. This is a great beginning to what looks like a superb series.
Marcus Verra is a 17 yrs old farm-boy who when he was much younger made a vow to his grandfather not to use violence unless his life really depended on it. It was a difficult thing to do because he had a bully of a neighbour, Falco, who was bigger than him and fought him when ever he could although Marcus never fought back.
However, one day the legions came and enlisted him and his father, who was a veteran soldier, and also the men of the neighbouring farm, including Falco. They were sent to Greece in the war against Macedonia. How could Marcus keep true to his vow when the threat was not only the Macedonians but an enemy within his own camp, a threat which was aimed directly at him!
As I said before a cracking opening to this series. Credits to Jerry Autieri. 5/5
Marcus Verra is a 17 yrs old farm-boy who when he was much younger made a vow to his grandfather not to use violence unless his life really depended on it. It was a difficult thing to do because he had a bully of a neighbour, Falco, who was bigger than him and fought him when ever he could although Marcus never fought back.
However, one day the legions came and enlisted him and his father, who was a veteran soldier, and also the men of the neighbouring farm, including Falco. They were sent to Greece in the war against Macedonia. How could Marcus keep true to his vow when the threat was not only the Macedonians but an enemy within his own camp, a threat which was aimed directly at him!
As I said before a cracking opening to this series. Credits to Jerry Autieri. 5/5
October 31, 2021
I HAVE SEEN WAAAAYYY BETTER here on this site.
As seems to be an iron-clad rule, this book seems to contain lots of “sweat, vomit, hissing rain, tears (as in weeping)” and other.
Also, as in all these kinds of stories, they “accept” something given to them. “Accept, accepting, accepted, etc., etc. They never “take” anything or “grasp,” they always “accept.”
Arms and legs “pump,” when running or fighting. BFdeal….
And lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots — etc. — and LOTS OF SWEAT!!!
Barrels of sweat!!!
Oceans of it!!!
We even have “bridge of the nose squeezing!!!” Which serves no purpose at all that I can see!!!!
BFdeal!!!.
Let’s see if it gets into “sipping.” (Sip, sipped.) They sip their wine, like 3 year old girls at a tea-party.
As seems to be an iron-clad rule, this book seems to contain lots of “sweat, vomit, hissing rain, tears (as in weeping)” and other.
Also, as in all these kinds of stories, they “accept” something given to them. “Accept, accepting, accepted, etc., etc. They never “take” anything or “grasp,” they always “accept.”
Arms and legs “pump,” when running or fighting. BFdeal….
And lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots and lots — etc. — and LOTS OF SWEAT!!!
Barrels of sweat!!!
Oceans of it!!!
We even have “bridge of the nose squeezing!!!” Which serves no purpose at all that I can see!!!!
BFdeal!!!.
Let’s see if it gets into “sipping.” (Sip, sipped.) They sip their wine, like 3 year old girls at a tea-party.
July 17, 2022
Excellent Rome period tale
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews