The Forgotten Legion

Forgotten Legion Chronicles #1

by Ben Kane

Set in the late Roman Republic, in the first century B.C.E., The Forgotten Legion is a tale of the greatest empire of the ancient world from the perspective of those on the lowest rungs of its society. Romulus and Fabiola are twins, born into slavery to a enslaved mother who is much beloved by them, and much abused by their owner. At 13 years old, they and their mother are Romulus to gladiator school, Fabiola into prostitution, where she will catch the eye of one of the most powerful men in Rome, and their mother into obscurity and death in the salt mines.

Tarquinius is an Etruscan, a warrior and soothsayer, born enemy of Rome and trained by the last haruspex in the forgotten arts of divination. A runaway slave, then an AWOL Legionaire, he has a long foretold destiny that will take him to the very ends of the known world.
Brennus is a Gaul from the Allobreges tribe. In the battle against the Roman army, his entire family, perhaps his entire tribe, is slaughtered, and only he survives to be sold as a slave to be trained as a gladiator. He rises to become one of the most famous and feared gladiators of his day - and mentor to the boy slave, Romulus, who dreams night and day of escape and of revenge.

The lives of these four characters are bound and interwoven in a marvellous story which begins in a Rome riven by corruption, violence and political enmities, but ends far away, where Romulus, Brennus and Tarquinius find themselves fighting against the Parthians and overwhelming odds - survivors of one of the most legendary battles in Roman military history and destined to become part of one of the most compelling, enduring The Forgotten Legion.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Roman, Fantasy, War, Ancient

525 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Ben Kane is a bestselling Roman author and former veterinarian. He was born in Kenya and grew up in Ireland (where his parents are from). He has traveled widely and is a lifelong student of military history in general, and Roman history in particular. He lives in North Somerset, England, with his family.

Reviews

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Genial! La verdad es que no me esperaba tanto de este libro. Es novela histórica, un género que me gusta bastante, pero debido a que no lo conocía, no tenía tan grandes expectativas de éste.
Un libro quizás no tan fácil de digerir al 100% porque es largo y hay momento en que la lectura cansa un poco, pero le seguí el hilo en todo momento. Una historia fascinante, aunque también muy cruel. El Imperio Romano y todas sus virtudes, y también toas sus carencias: cómo vivían sus ciudadanos comunes y corrientes y la vida diaria en la capital italiana.
Quiero rescatar y valorar que Kane profundizó no solamente en el imperio romano en el sentido de la guerra, ya que eso es lo que más se lee acerca de la historia, sino también en el diario vivir, que no todo era color de rosa y aunque haya sido el imperio más respetado, trataban a su gente como miserables insectos.
Fabiola, Velvinna, Tarquinius, Romulus y Brennus: fácil de enamorarse de ellos y los tengo como recuerdos muy vivos en mi cabeza. La historia de cada uno de estos personajes por separado es bastante triste, y una vez juntándose se vuelve un poco mejor "más vale estar solo que mal acompañado". Gemellus y Craso: villanos que odio, pero esa es la gracia de una historia, que no todo es fácil.
Siempre estuve alentando con todas mis fuerzas a La Legión Olvidada, y lo seguiré haciendo en la segunda parte de esta buenísima saga.
Recomiendo este lectura totalmente, a pesar de ser un libro muy largo. Ya quiero empezar a leer la segunda parte ahora ya.

[Xabi1990 · Rating 5 out of 5]

¿Se le puede pedir más a una de Romanos?

Va de gladiadores, un adivino, prostitutas famosas, sale el triunvirato de Pompeyo, Cesar y Craso, te enteras de que viene eso de “craso error”, hay batallas (sin excesos de esos de a 50 páginas la batalla, conste), paisajes remotos y búsquedas de venganzas.

Y está bien narrado, y no pierde el interés, y los gladiadores son fuertes y las chicas inteligentes y bellas, y hay traiciones, asesinatos, intrigas políticas…y una de las famosas Legiones Olvidadas.

No, creo que no se le puede pedir más. YO no le pido más para las 5 estrellas.

Hace tiempo que le tenía cargado en el kindle y no me decidía a empezarle, siempre se cruzaba otro por el camino. Pero una amiguete de GR, Javir11, ha leído hace poco otro de este autor y le ha puesto muy bien (serie de las Águilas) y ya me he decidido y aquí veis el resultado, éxito total.

Así que continúo con esta saga y esa otra (y creo que en general todo el autor) lo tengo en fondo de armario pero en posición destacada.

Leed y disfrutad.

[William Gwynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

BookTube channel with my awesome brother, Ed - The Brothers Gwynne
My personal BookTube channel - William Gwynne

I throughly enjoyed Ben Kane's latest trilogy, so of course I was looking forward to diving into this series he is probably most renowned for. We are thrown into the political carnage of Rome as the triumvirate of Caesar, Crassus and Pompey are vying for power and dragging down the foundations of Rome's 'democracy' as they do so. We have gladiators and pursuits for vengeance, alongside intricate plots and complex characters weaving in and out of each other's stories.

The Forgotten Legion is a great first instalment in my opinion, with the strength deriving from the characters. We have a select few main PoV characters, all of whom are developed thoroughly and feel authentic. This story takes our characters on an odyssey as their lives are altered in irrevocable ways a number of times. I never would have guessed where it went, but enjoyed what it did.

[Javir11 · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

Resumiría este libro diciendo que es Ben Kane, siendo Ben Kane. Para cualquiera que haya leído a este autor creo que me entenderá, ya que tiene un estilo bastante marcado, para los que no, pues bueno. Vais a encontraros con una historia bien trazada, con muy buenos personajes y con una trama en la que siempre pasan cosas, por lo que es difícil aburrirse ( nunca me ha pasado con ninguna de sus novelas y llevo ya 6 o 7 en menos de 1 año)

Centrándome un poco más en esta historia, pues Kane nos narra la historia de unos hermanos mellizos, esclavos ambos, cuyas vidas toman rumbos muy diferentes y peligrosos en ambos casos. Todo esto aderezado con gladiadores, legiones y una ambientación bastante lograda sobre la Roma de la República.

Recomendable si te gustan los romanos y la buena novela histórica.

Pronto hablaré del segundo.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical Fiction can be a fickle genre, at times. It can be hard to pin the genre down, and its popularity doesn't seem as widespread as most others (which is, I imagine, part of the reason historical fiction is tucked into the folds of the 'fiction & literature' section in most bookstores, rather than enjoying its own separate section). Yet, in broad terms I think of historical fiction writers much like I do science fiction writers; landing on a spectrum: with one end being professional historians who attempt to write novels, and the other end being novel writers who are trying to dabble in history.

Ben Kane's biggest strength in this novel, is that he manages to straddle the midway point between these two sides. He comes off as an author who set out to write a fast-paced and action oriented novel, yet still took the time to do his homework properly before attempting to do so. He doesn't beat the reader over the head with history, saying 'look at me and all the historical stuff I know!' He succeeds in taking a more controlled approach to his historical content. It's there for you to look at and appreciate, if you want to, yet never overwhelms you to the point of detracting from the rest of the novel.

If I were to guess, I would say Ben Kane's interest in ancient Rome began with an interest in Roman military history, for it is the militaristic aspects of Rome which seem to be the constant focus of the novel. For all the focus on Romes military, however, other historical themes are actually touched upon pretty well. Daily life in Rome, ancient religious practices, and even some keen commentary about the socioeconomic and political issues which plague Rome throughout its history.

If Ben Kane's biggest strength in the novel is the balance he manages to strike between the different aspects of historical fiction, his biggest weakness is that he never extends any of those aspects beyond being merely 'good enough.' The story itself, while being fast-paced and fun, never manages to grow into more than a fun escapist novel. The historical aspects, while being faithful to history and well-presented in the story, never become more than simple set pieces.

The novel is good in all aspects, which is praiseworthy in and of itself, but the novel fails to become great in any aspect as well. The characters are drawn well enough, the intrigue is interesting enough, and really everything else is pretty much 'good enough.' The novel won't blow anyone's mind, change anyone's life, or even impress one with the power of its language. The novel will, however, provide fun entertainment in a historically faithful setting, and will allow for an easy way of getting lost in a different time.

[Roberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Señor libro! Pocos escritores tienen el don para retratar la novela histórica como Ben Kane. Esta es una historia fascinante de dos hermanos que son obligados a tomar caminos separados en el imperio Romano. Una de las cosas que mas me gusto de este libro es que Kane nos narra como era la vida en el imperio Romano donde había abismos enormes entre clases socio económicas, también la sucia política que gobernó a Roma y lo difícil que era la vida del diario ademas de la vida como legionario. El libro toca temas que pueden ser fuertes para la gente que esta acostumbrada a los finales felices y la idea de que el mundo es color de rosa pero creo que la crueldad es parte de lo que hace que este libro sea una obra maestra. Existen miles de novelas acerca de Roma y por lo mismo es difícil resaltar pero Ben Kane tiene un talento único para escribir novela histórica, el libro en ningún punto se vuelve aburrido o lento, a pesar de sus casi 600 paginas es muy fácil de leer y se te pasa rapidísimo. Esta es sin duda una saga que promete. Muy pero muy recomendable

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in 2013, and its the 1st and debut novel of the "Forgotten Legion" trilogy, from the formidable author, Ben Kane.

The historical details concerning this period of history are superbly interwoven in this amazing Roman adventure.

Its the time of the Roman Republic, and its 70 BC and we find our four protagonists in very different circumstances in life within Rome.

There are the 13-year old twins, Romulus and Fabiola, born into slavery, and now they are being sold as kind of animals, Romulus to the gladiatorial school, Fabiola into prostitution, and their mother will live and die in the salt mines.

There's also, Brennus, a Gaul who's family is killed by the Romans, and who will become the most famous and feared fighter, and who will become mentor to the boy, Romulus.

Last but not least there's, Tarquinius, an Etruscan warrior and soothsayer, and who hates the Roman Republic, but due to unfortunate circumstances he will enlisted within the Forgotten Legion.

At first our four characters will find in Rome much corruption, violence, death and political intrigue, but as the story progresses, Brennus, Romulus and Tarquinius will find themselves in the East within the Forgotten Legion and fighting against overwhelming odds and the Parthians.

What is to follow is an amazing historical Roman debut novel, in which the Roman Republic is shown to us in a most lifelike and believable fashion, and where the actions between the Forgotten Legion against the Parthians are superbly pictured in a most dramatic way by the author.

Highly recommended, for this is a marvellous start of this great trilogy, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "A Tremendous Forgotten Legion Begin"!

[S.J.A. Turney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Legion series is one of the strongest series set in ancient Rome that has been produced to date. The scope of the series in length of years, geographical reach, depth of character and intertwining some of the most tumultuous and important events in the history of he world with the life story of a small number of fictional characters is phenomenal. As a series, it is impossible not to pick up the next book and read on...

The first instalment (The Forgotten Legion) takes us into the backgrounds and history not only of the four principal characters that drive the story, but also of this complex time in the history of Rome, of the art of haruspicy (divination), of the Etruscans, the workings of the seedier side of the great city and more.

As the story develops we are treated to a vivid account of one of the most infamous battles in the history of Rome and its consequences. To my knowledge, Crassus' Parthian campaign is not well represented in historical fiction, and Ben has filled the gap with a masterful telling.

[Liss VC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me gusta mucho la novela histórica y sobre todo de Roma. Me ha gustado mucho éste libro, aunque después de leer a Santiago Posteguillo, con las trilogías de Trajano y de los Escipiones, es muy difícil que algo lo supere.
La época histórica en la que se desarrolla la trama es la del triunvirato formado por Craso, Pompeyo y Julio César, siglo I a. C. La historia es ágil, la ambientación correcta , entrenamientos de gladiadores, los inicios de una esclava vendida a un lupanar y un arúspice con un destino ya marcado van armando una historia en la que no decae el interés en ningún momento.
Sí que al principio (pero sólo al principio) se me hizo un poco lento al introducir los personajes, pero ya después toma su ritmo.
La única pega es que no sabía que era una trilogía, y la historia no tiene un final. Pero bien, se subsanará leyendo los otros dos libros, que espero estén a la altura del primero.

[Carlos Magdaleno Herrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Para empezar tengo que confesar que fruto de ser no todo lo organizado que debería, y también a causa de tener más de 600 libros en el ebook, al comenzar esta primera parte de la trilogía me di cuenta de que ya hace tiempo leí la tercera entrega; pero en fin, a lo hecho pecho.

También quiero razonar una cosa, en libro de ficción histórica que se remontan a más de 2000 años de antigüedad, si veo normal y trago perfectamente con dioses, augures, adivinos, oráculos y demás. Cosa que me cuesta mucho más cuando son libros actuales y tratan de justificarte las bondades de religiones, homeópatas, adivinos, etc... Digo esto porque uno de los personajes principales es un augur etrusco (Tarquinus), y gran parte de la trama está infiltrada con ello, lo que no le resta para nada calidad, y por otro lado al autor le supone una bicoca que le facilita mucho el desarrollo de la trama, y que la hace muy mágica.

Creía también que desde Posterguillo o Manfredi no iba a conseguir leer libros tan buenos e intensos de "romanos", pero creo que Kane los ha superado.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept my attention throughout. The plot is well developed, if somewhat simple. The key to everything is revenge. Revenge revenge revenge. Yes it's been done and done some more, but suspend that disbelief and it works.
We have a few sets of characters each with really good reasons to want, you guessed it, revenge. The key to all of this is the authenticity. The author clearly knows what he is talking about. This lifts the well developed characters from the pages and made me hope they do indeed get their revenge.
As I read this, I felt like I was learning about a historical time period at the same time as I was being entertained which is better than it sounds. It kept pulling me along and became one of those books I read until I finished after a marathon reading session that ended at 2 am. I feel compelled to read the other two books in this series.

[Bryn Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this. Ben Kane pays attention to the downtrodden and underprivileged in Rome, which I appreciate, and here he chooses an Etruscan and a Gaul among his mains. There were emotional moments in the arena when fellow victims of the Roman state cannot be true to one another, as they want to. My heart-strings were tugged.

I appreciated the girl's gutsy determination when consigned to a brothel, and only found unbelievable that she decided to survive and thrive before she had gone through the experience of her first customer. (PS. It was certainly more horrible for her than this. Ask a woman. -- He may not have wanted to be too confrontational.)

Crassus. I got so interested in Crassus I was diverted into reading Plutarch's life of him; which spoilt the last stages for me. Every ill he has to tell of Crassus is there in Plutarch, who had more social criticism than I'd have thought (in support of Ben Kane's) -- except, in his last test on the Parthian campaign, this unsavoury personage pulls himself together and comes quite good -- seen at his unexpected best. In the novel, he collapses into a contemptible mess, and I thought Plutarch made the better story. (Not saying it's more true, I wouldn't know; probably nobody would know). So I didn't actually finish. Hey, that's me. I came here out of interest in the Parthian campaign, but found it the least enticing part (after Plutarch).

I'll go on with the next. I enjoy Ben Kane's less-usual view of Rome, for when I'm in the mood for an easy (utterly undemanding) romp.

[KOMET · Rating 4 out of 5]

At best, I have a layman's interest in Ancient Rome. But I came across this novel in the downtown bookstore a few weeks ago, thumbed through its contents, was intrigued, and bought it.

This is the first novel in a trilogy. There are 4 principal characters who are at the heart of the story. Tarquinius is an Etruscan proud of his heritage, who has been schooled in the ancient arts of divination by Olenus, a wise and resourceful teacher and mentor. He lives with his parents as slaves on a large estate on what was the ancient Etruscan lands, now firmly incorporated into the Roman Republic. His master is Caelius, a selfish, pompous, and impetuous red-headed fellow.

Eventually, the life that Tarquinius has known is turned upside down because of the hated Romans and he has to leave home. He wanders for many years, spends some time as a legionary in the East, and eventually makes his way to Rome, where he eks out a living for several years.

Romulus and Fabiola are twin brothers and sisters born in slavery in Rome. Their mother devotes her life to protecting and nurturing them as best she can. Romulus, as a young teen, befriends a tall and powerfully built Nubian slave, who teaches him in secret some special fighting moves. But one night, he is found out by another slave, who tells Gemellus, Romulus' fat and arrogant master, of what he has seen. Consequently, Romulus is sold to a gladiator school and Fabiola is sold into prostitution in one of the most prestigious brothels in Rome, which is frequented by the most distinguished members of Roman society. Their mother is grief-stricken.


While learning through trial and error how to survive as a gladiator, Romulus makes the acquaintance of Brennus, a Gaul who had been a proud and most courageous warrior who was captured (following the destruction of his tribe and homeland) and sold into slavery.

Brennus, in comparison to most Romans, is a giant of a man, with long blonde hair and a powerful physique. He makes a name for himself as one of the most successful and celebrated gladiators in Rome.

One night, Brennus and Romulus sneak out of the gladiator school and have a night on the town in a bar with all kinds of characters, legionaries and citizens alike. Unfortunately, both got into trouble, which led to the death of a rich Roman who had accosted them at the entrance to a brothel. So, they fled from Rome and travelled far to the south, to Brundisium, where they enlisted in the Roman Army under the command of Crassus, one member of the triumvirate that rules the Republic. (Crassus, though no military leader on the level of the other 2 men forming the ruling triumvirate of the Republic --- i.e. Pompey Magnus and Julius Caesar --- is anxious to win a major battle in the East and thus displace Pompey and Caesar and become the sole ruler of Rome.)

Shortly before sailing from Italy, Romulus and Brennus make the acquaintance of Tarquinius and through their subsequent trials and tribulations in Parthia, form a deep and indissoluble bond.


This is a story of epic scope, well-paced, which leaves the reader anxious to know what will happen in the second novel of the trilogy. For that reason, I recommend "The Forgotten Legion" to anyone who wants to lose him/herself in a story that is a grand adventure with a rich and diverse variety of characters. (What's more: for those readers who are fans of Ancient Rome, the author uses, from time to time, a variety of Latin words unique to the period whose meanings are explained in an accompanying glossary.)

[Beorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found my opinion on this book changing direction quite noticeably once I reached a few hundred pages in, when it finally kicked into gear.
Up until that point, I had found it lacking in virtually all that appealed to me in Kane's other books I'd read. It felt like a fairly generic Roman period story with little depth to the characters and not at all memorable.

However, when I reached the 150-200 page mark (of a 600 odd page book), it seemed to have found it's stride at last and actually became an enjoyable read with you growing to like the main characters. Whether it's me personally, but strangely, I found Brennus the huge Gaul with a dark past and Fabiola the slave turned star prostitute as the most likeable characters. Though if Tarquinius, aka The Etruscan, were featured a little more during the scenes set in Rome, I could see him easily being as likeable.

At around six hundred pages long - a couple of hundred pages longer than most books, if not twice as long - there was the potential for this to feel like it could drag but as far as I can recall, beyond those first couple of hundred pages, it didn't drag at all. If anything it built itself up to be a remarkably strong opener to a series; which it should probably be treated as, far more than a novel on it's own.

Overall, an interesting start, albeit a slightly frustrating one to begin with, but I stuck with it and I'm quite interested to see where the characters go from where we left them at the end of the book.

Not quite as resounding an opening to a series as Anthony Riches's Wounds of Honour but at the same time better than the other opening books to other Roman period series' that I've read.

[Javier Calle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gran libro ambientado en el mundo romano en el que las historias de varios personajes se van entrelazando de forma magistral: gladiadores, esclavos, prostitutas, nobles... Con una ambientación muy trabajada, consigue mantenerte en vilo con cada uno de los personajes. Compraré el siguiente para ver cómo continúa.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hacía tiempo que quería volver a leer una novela histórica ambientada en la Roma clásica y creo que no podría haber elegido mejor.
Los seguidores de Posteguillo lo tenemos complicado para leer sobre esta temática sin hacer comparaciones pero lo cierto es que Kane sale bastante airoso.
Es una novela típica y tópica, a mi juicio, donde la historia escoge protagonistas arquetípicos y los va mezclando con sucesos y personajes reales, creando un ambiente muy completo. Tanto es así, que creo que lo hace en exceso, con una trama algo previsible y carente muchas veces de ritmo argumental.
Sin embargo, la excelente narración y la fidelidad de sucesos y detalles de la época hacen que la lectura sea ágil y entretenida. Buen comienzo de la saga, seguro que continuaremos con los siguientes.

[Ilaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always picky when it comes to historical novel (I'm a major history geek), and this one didn't win me over immediately... but I ended up loving it!

It’s the story of an Etruscan seer and soldier named Tarquinius, a gladiator named Brennus and two twins – Fabiola and Romulus, sold by their owner respectively to a brothel and gladiator school at the age of 13. Romulus, Brennus and Tarquinius meet each other when the two former slaves decide to escape to Asia and join Crassus’ army in order to do that. Once the army is defeated in a battle against the Parthic Empire, the survivors have a choice: execution, or the chance of joining the winner’s army and to patrol the empire’s Far East boarders. For Tarquinius and Brennus this is also the fulfillment of two prophecies they heard years earlier, in which they were told they would both go and see things their people would never have the chance to experience. Fabiola, in Rome, quickly becomes one of the most requested girls in the brothel and catches the eye of Brutus, Julius Caesar’s relative and political ally. She’s determined to find out the nobleman that years earlier raped her mother and fathered her and her brother.

If you liked Rome, then you’ll love this book. It has just the right mixture of sex, betrayal, violence and war to keep you satisfied for a very long time.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

On the hardcover copy of the book that I read there was no information about other books whatsoever. Therefore, when I got to the end of the book and the story of the 'forgotten legion' was just actually about to start, I was not very amused. I enjoy the history but it has been done better by Colleen McCullough. I don't think I will read the other books in this series, even now that I know they exist.

[Massimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il libro è bello e si legge con piacere. La trama è inevitabilmente un pò scontata per un italiano, essendo noto il sottofondo storico di riferimento, ma non è costruita come un libro di storia. Il mix di protagonisti è invece costruito per piacere al lettore: un gallo, un etrusco, uno schiavo romano diventato gladiatore e una schiava romana diventata prostituta: tutti contro la potenza di Roma, la cui classe politica non ne esce bene. I dialoghi spezzano la cornice descrittiva e sono ben dosati. A me il libro è piaciuto, descrive un epoca complessa e un mondo duro, dove non era facile vivere e bilancia in modo sapiente gli incroci tra le storie dei vari protagonisti.

[Mike Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can still remember the story about Crassus from Plutarch’s ‘Fall of the Roman Empire’ read in 2018 according to my Goodreads account. I have to say I didn’t remember his death being described as in this book. Had to wait to Ben Kane’s Authors Note at the end to find it was in fact poetic licence.

That said this was a sweeping novel with interlocking characters. The storyline moved at pace and all the characters were real. The story of a ‘Forgotten Legion’ given the choice after the battle of Carrhae to fight for the Parthians or die. The Romans lost 3 legions in the Teutenburg forest. In the desert at Carrhae they lost 7. Solid visceral battle descriptions.

I look forward to following the story in the next 2 books when I can find them.

[Pablo B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haber leído la misma batalla y su consecuencia narrada por Posteguillo, deja a este libro en desventaja. De todas maneras, el libro es entretenido, no tiene nada de relleno.
Los personajes son un poco superhéroes, sobre todo uno que sabe que va a suceder en cada momento.
Vale la pena para pasar el rato.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the disastrous defeat of the Roman general Crassus, as viewed from the perspective of three unimportant people.

The young Julius Caesar rapes a slave girl, who subsequently bears twins, a boy and girl. The girl grows to be a classy hooker, her brother a gladiator. The third principal character in the novel is a young Etruscan, who had been taught the wiles of ancient Etruscan divination. Due to various difficulties the gladiator and the Etruscan are forced to flee Rome, and join Crassus' doomed army. The two men survive the embarrassing defeat, and with their comrades, are marched to the eastern borders of the Parthian Empire, where they are stationed far from their home, guarding the territories of their former enemies.

The story is alternatively told from the perspective of each of the three main characters. The plot moves quickly, it is clear and consistent, with a few twists and turns. I would not say great fiction, but certainly entertaining.

What was amusing was the unusual interpretation of historical characters. Caesar, for example, is portrayed less heroically than he usually is (vastly different from McCullough's Caesar). Also the Roman institution of slavery, and its malign social and economic affects, are highlighted and disparaged.

Worth reading, I look forward to the following two novels in the series.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid start to a promising series (well, promising for me as the series was already written...). A bit slow in the beginning and during various sections, but overall I really enjoyed it.

Now, to vent a little... all of you idiots out there who trashed the book because it upset your narrow, rainbow-filled vision of the world - take your effing heads out of the sand. Yes, there was teen-aged prostitution in this book, but she was a slave and in case you haven't heard, slaves were subjected to some pretty awful things, so understand the difference between porn and history. Kane does not glorify this nor does he go into sordid details; in fact, he continuously lets the reader know just how hopeless and demeaning was the plight of the slave; whether he/she be a prostitute, gladiator or other. As I have mentioned in prior reviews, one of the things I love about historical fiction is that I can usually learn something from a good novelist as well as be entertained; part of that process is the accurate depiction of the times in which the story is unfolding. So, if you are going to read about a culture in which slavery was not just existent, but prevalent, then you had better be prepared to read about some of the worst horrors that mankind has ever inflicted upon itself.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Forgotten Legion started off with some great characters that I wanted to care about. An Etruscan soldier-mystic; a Gaul captured and thrown into the gladiator arena; and a brother/sister (twins) sold into slavery, one to the brothel and one to the gladiator school. Their fates intertwine in the time just a few years after Spartacus was defeated where Crassus, Pompey and Julius Caesar form the Triumvirate. I enjoyed the depiction of Roman life. Slaves, merchants, nobles, politicians and wars are covered. However, I was a tad disappointed with the second half of the book. Mainly because he just doesn't paint as vivid a picture of Crassus' campaign and battles as I hoped. It needed Cornwell-inspired battle scenes. The sister thrown into the brothel matures into a tough young lady. But, frankly, the scenes in the brothel are not that exciting either. The book is a quick read, even if it is 500+ pages. 3 Stars and I hope the series gets more exciting.

[Robin Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new title contender

A great debut title, is this the start of something exceptional? I hope so. This book more than many of the other new authors in the genre seems to have something different, a blend of the action of Scarrow, the pace and power of Anthony Riches and his own unique element a bit of mystery and myth that sets it apart.
As the Genre starts to get more and more crowded an author needs something unique and I think this series has it, it also has the power to make you love the people within the book, you want to read about them, you want to save them, you want to battle with them, you want to turn that page and rush to the next chapter, and then when you get to the end of the book you don't want to turn that last page and read the end, because you know it will be another year to wait before you meet again. And that's the sign of a great writer.

Im writing this having read book two so I know this isn't a flash in the pan, and im eagerly anticipating book 3 Road to Rome.
Keep up the great work Ben.
(Parm)

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story is pretty good. The only thing that bothered me was the prostitution thing. I know he is trying to make it as real as possible, but I can't seem to get the idea of child pornography out of my head. I mean, when he was describing the 14 year old protagonist sucking on a twenty year old guy's dick, I was like, whoa! Child pornography popped into my head. I know there must be other books that have this sort of content but I haven't gotten to it yet, but when I do, I will probably put it into my reviews. It made me think that the author was perverted or something like that. But it was an otherwise generally okay book. It didn't suck but it could have done better, but this was Kane's first book, so I gotta go easy on him.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome start to the trilogy. The battle scenes are extremely well portrayed and the sense of palpaple dread that the Roman army starts to feel is handled extremely realistically. The choices made by the Roman commanders and the subsequent consequences is also extremely well portrayed. The political situation at the time is also well portrayed. Many of these large events though are portrayed as a background to the main characters allowing the characters and the reader to dip in an out of these major events. Excellent stuff.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well researched , awfully written. " he laughed cruelly as he bore down upon the buxom serving wench". Worst sex scenes ever , terrible dialogue and a plot full of holes. The character who can read the future is umbelievably annoying. Wooden , very wooden.

[Alejandro Garzón · Rating 5 out of 5]

La legión olvidada nos cuenta como se entrelazan las vidas de Romulus, Fabiola, Brennus y Tarquinius en la época inestable del fin de la República de Roma, en pleno auge de Julio Cesar. Me gustó mucho la historia y como se van entrelazando los caminos de los personajes. La saga promete

[Yanper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Καλή ιστορία, ενδιαφέροντες χαρακτήρες, ροή γρήγορη που κρατάει το ενδιαφέρον. Σε προδιαθέτει να διαβάσεις και την συνέχεια της τριλογίας.