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Eagles of the Empire #20
The Honour of Rome
AD 58. BRITANNIA. TENSION IS SIMMERING. DANGER LIES ROUND EVERY CORNER FOR ROME'S BRAVE SOLDIERS ...
Fifteen years after Rome's invasion of Britannia, centurion Marco is back. The island is settled now, bustling with commerce. Macro's goal is to help run his mother's Londinium inn, and exploit his land grant. He's prepared for the dismal weather and the barbaric ways of the people. But far worse dangers threaten all his plans.
A gang led by an ex-legionary rules the city, demanding protection money and terrorising those who won't pay up. The Roman official in charge has turned a blind eye. Macro has to act. He needs the back-up of the finest soldier he knows: Prefect Cato. But Cato is in distant Rome. Or is he?
As the streets run red with blood, the army's heroes face an enemy as merciless and cunning as any barbarian tribe. The honour of Rome is in their hands ...
Fifteen years after Rome's invasion of Britannia, centurion Marco is back. The island is settled now, bustling with commerce. Macro's goal is to help run his mother's Londinium inn, and exploit his land grant. He's prepared for the dismal weather and the barbaric ways of the people. But far worse dangers threaten all his plans.
A gang led by an ex-legionary rules the city, demanding protection money and terrorising those who won't pay up. The Roman official in charge has turned a blind eye. Macro has to act. He needs the back-up of the finest soldier he knows: Prefect Cato. But Cato is in distant Rome. Or is he?
As the streets run red with blood, the army's heroes face an enemy as merciless and cunning as any barbarian tribe. The honour of Rome is in their hands ...
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2021
412 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
About the author
Simon Scarrow
171 books2,158 followersSimon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.
Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
December 29, 2023
This very eventful Roman historical adventure is the 20th volume of the amazing "Eagles of the Empire" series, featuring Cato & Macro.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps of South-East Britannia and of Londinium in AD 59, as well as a Chain of Command, and not to forget a Cast List, with figures featuring in this great tale.
Storytelling is as ever of a superb quality, its a fast-paced Roman adventure in Britannia, and where all characters come vividly to life to capture the reader from start to finish.
This tale starts off in full action in January AD 59, with Macro and his wife, Petronella, arriving in Londinium, to join Macro's mother, Portia, at the Dog and Deer inn.
While just newly settled there, Macro and his family will be threatened and molested by rival gangleaders, Malvinus and Cinna, and to save Portia and the inn for the moment Macro and Petronella will flee to Camulodunum (Colchester) and settle there.
In Camulodunum Macro will meet other veterans under the leadership of Magistrate Ramirus, and they will have a severe battle against the Trinovantes tribe, where they are left to their own devices by a coward of a procurator called, Decianus Catus, and where they have to fight for their lives to reach their stronghold again, while not much later on Cato will make his appearance in Camulodunum with his son, Julius, and his woman, Claudia Acte, the supposed dead ex-mistress of Emperor Nero, and right from the start Cato is making plans to set things right for Macro and his family in Londinium.
What is to follow is an action-packed fight in Londinium, and all that for Family and Honour of Rome, against the ruthless gangleaders, Malvinus and Cinna, that will go right to the wire, and that in the end will result for our friends, with also spy Apollonius at their side, a victory of some sorts but one with an aftertaste in that they are recruited again for the army by Governor Paulinus for his next campaign against the tribes and Druids on the Island of Mona.
Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this brilliant series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Sublime Roman Family Honour"!
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps of South-East Britannia and of Londinium in AD 59, as well as a Chain of Command, and not to forget a Cast List, with figures featuring in this great tale.
Storytelling is as ever of a superb quality, its a fast-paced Roman adventure in Britannia, and where all characters come vividly to life to capture the reader from start to finish.
This tale starts off in full action in January AD 59, with Macro and his wife, Petronella, arriving in Londinium, to join Macro's mother, Portia, at the Dog and Deer inn.
While just newly settled there, Macro and his family will be threatened and molested by rival gangleaders, Malvinus and Cinna, and to save Portia and the inn for the moment Macro and Petronella will flee to Camulodunum (Colchester) and settle there.
In Camulodunum Macro will meet other veterans under the leadership of Magistrate Ramirus, and they will have a severe battle against the Trinovantes tribe, where they are left to their own devices by a coward of a procurator called, Decianus Catus, and where they have to fight for their lives to reach their stronghold again, while not much later on Cato will make his appearance in Camulodunum with his son, Julius, and his woman, Claudia Acte, the supposed dead ex-mistress of Emperor Nero, and right from the start Cato is making plans to set things right for Macro and his family in Londinium.
What is to follow is an action-packed fight in Londinium, and all that for Family and Honour of Rome, against the ruthless gangleaders, Malvinus and Cinna, that will go right to the wire, and that in the end will result for our friends, with also spy Apollonius at their side, a victory of some sorts but one with an aftertaste in that they are recruited again for the army by Governor Paulinus for his next campaign against the tribes and Druids on the Island of Mona.
Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this brilliant series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Sublime Roman Family Honour"!
May 6, 2025
Macro has retired from the military to Britannia to live in a colony for former soldiers and to help his mother run a successful business in Londonium. His dreams of a peaceful retirement with his wife are shattered when his mother Portia becomes the victim of a protection racket by two gangsters. Macro tries to help his mother but ends up getting beaten to the inch of his life by Malvinus and his boys. This proves to be a mistake because Macro's old Army buddies don't take kindly to this and they all come together to help. I liked the ensuing battle with all the gangsters getting their comeuppance but were the Romans also engaging in a protection racket in regard to colonized peoples? The Iceni that also come to the aid of Macro at the end are told to pay their taxes or face the consequences. A Roman military expedition participated in by Macro to punish the death of a tax collector by native tribesmen is no different than a gangster shaking down Portia's business.
August 15, 2023
Really enjoy a ‘Cato and Macro.’ The characters work so well together. This book starts with Macro having retired from the Army and heading to London to join his mother at their pub.
From fighting river pirates to tribesman and then ruthless gangs the story never lets up. Unlike a Rebus character who is ageing with bad health- COPD. Macro is a tad greyer, a bit slower - but just as handy with a gladius.
Now I need to read the vast number of Scarrows before this book👍
From fighting river pirates to tribesman and then ruthless gangs the story never lets up. Unlike a Rebus character who is ageing with bad health- COPD. Macro is a tad greyer, a bit slower - but just as handy with a gladius.
Now I need to read the vast number of Scarrows before this book👍
January 12, 2022
Another excellent book in the Cato and Macro series. In this adventure, Macro is newly retired from the Roman army and has moved to Britain to set up a new life with his wife. Macro, along with his mother, is the co-owner of a bar in London and he also plans for a rural retreat in Colchester.
Early on Macro encounters members of a gang that are terrorising London business owners and demanding protection money. Macro, of course, is not one to leave the gang alone and gets himself badly beaten up for his troubles. In the end, Macro finds himself battling on several fronts - against not one, but two gangs, against the Roman authorities who seem to turn a blind eye, while also being dragged into a dispute with the Trinovante tribe.
Like all in this series, there is a fair amount of action and derring-do and although Macro (and Cato) find themselves in unfamiliar circumstances, in most respects this is familiar territory - a dangerous situation, overwhelming odds, lots of action and a high body count.
Thoroughly enjoyable for a grey and dull week in January!
Early on Macro encounters members of a gang that are terrorising London business owners and demanding protection money. Macro, of course, is not one to leave the gang alone and gets himself badly beaten up for his troubles. In the end, Macro finds himself battling on several fronts - against not one, but two gangs, against the Roman authorities who seem to turn a blind eye, while also being dragged into a dispute with the Trinovante tribe.
Like all in this series, there is a fair amount of action and derring-do and although Macro (and Cato) find themselves in unfamiliar circumstances, in most respects this is familiar territory - a dangerous situation, overwhelming odds, lots of action and a high body count.
Thoroughly enjoyable for a grey and dull week in January!
March 13, 2022
How very disappointing.
It is hard to believe that the same Simon Scarrow wrote this as in the earlier books. A rambling and unbelievable plot in which the two hero protagonists display such naivete and poor weapon skills that they did not deserve to survive.
Particularly annoying was the introduction of a mute boy who had so little part in the story that he was superfluous and a waste of words.
I have enjoyed the earlier books but shall not read any new ones.
It is hard to believe that the same Simon Scarrow wrote this as in the earlier books. A rambling and unbelievable plot in which the two hero protagonists display such naivete and poor weapon skills that they did not deserve to survive.
Particularly annoying was the introduction of a mute boy who had so little part in the story that he was superfluous and a waste of words.
I have enjoyed the earlier books but shall not read any new ones.
December 6, 2021
Was a bit disappointed with this story. The last installment Emperor's Exile was rubbish. This story moved along at a far pace. Macro now in Britain with his wife the lovely Petronella. He was here to retire and help run his mother's business, instead he got a little roughed up by the gangs that ruled Londonium at the time. Then Cato arrives in secret to help him. I have found that the romance between Cato and the REAL LIFE Claudia Acte(gold-digger) has totally ruined the story for me. For a start she never went in to exile on Sardinia, never came to Britain but instead lived in Exile at her estates outside Rome. Get rid of her and let Cato settle down with a nice girl and not a women who slept with many men before Nero. I hope the next book will be even better with battling druids and Boudicca's rebellion around the corner
March 17, 2024
When i started reading this i didnt know it was the 20 some book in the series and maybe that is why, but the first 100 pages are very tough to keep reading. But it is for sure worth it. The book got very good and has a few historical references to rome which were interesting to me. Its a stand alone story but maybe ill get another book in this series. This is my roman empire.
February 18, 2023
Herr Scarrow hat mal wieder abgeliefert, aber sowas von!!
Bitte sieben Sterne!!!
Spannend von A bis Z!!
Diese Reihe werde ich nicht leid! :)
Bitte sieben Sterne!!!
Spannend von A bis Z!!
Diese Reihe werde ich nicht leid! :)
March 17, 2021
Bro simon scarrow is writing the best roman series of all time but he needs to make a big change in this book especially if he doesn't make the storyline progress a lot more. Cato has been a prefect this whole time for 20 books. Cato got to be a legate or a senator or something. . And stop hyping up macros wife she would get bodied. Bro the 11th book Praetorian was a masterpiece a work of art. The 19th book was good but who cares what happens on some little island in the middle of nowhere. This book summary is looking like so unimportant mission again. Cato got a girl now and please make her interesting bro because right now she is not giving me Annabeth Percy vibes or nothing like a real love story. Like dam Simon you are a goat but right now we are 20 books deep in the greatest series of all time and I'm like Simon why are we reading books on little islands when Cato and macro done fought the whole world. Make Cato a legate Macro a camp prefect and start playing real politics especially when the 4 emperors war starts. And Simon bro there is already 10 books series on this exact time period you better pull a dam Caesar and Egypt if you plan on making end this book series with justice. But Simon really is the GOAT of roman empire books and everyone knows it, this series is the meta for all other roman series. Simon the gladiator series was amazing write a 5th book. Simon is a goat, but I'm starting to really start getting on him! Make Cato a dam legate and don't follow all the other storylines for the 4 year war. We all know Roman history is so twisted that the whole thing is a lie. There was magic going on and real wars over stuff we cant comprehend back then and Simon knows it but he scared of the Powers of this world. Simon tell them the truth about what happen in Jerusalem in 70 ad. But you wont because your a sellout bitch like everyone in this world.
February 23, 2022
To me a series which just keeps getting better and better even with this 20th instalment. Back in Britain, my favourite location, our two heroes are united against not just one but two cut-throat gangs of thieves. Outnumbered and with only a group of veterans to turn to it looks like the end for Macro and Cato but guile and heroism come to the fore and …….. well you can find out what happens for yourself.
A great historical novel full of twists, turns, adventure and humour. Looks like the next one might also be based in Britain too 😊
A great historical novel full of twists, turns, adventure and humour. Looks like the next one might also be based in Britain too 😊
May 3, 2024
Urmatoarea carte din serie a ffost pusa pe lista de cumparaturi.
July 17, 2024
Refreshingly different from the normal formula. An enjoyable ride that flew by, some weaker parts towards the end but generally up to the high standard set by the series.
June 25, 2022
A nice easy light read.
November 2, 2022
Tjugonde delen denna gång. Tycker serien är lika spännande. Macro hade gått i pension. Denna blev inte långvarig. Cato och Macro skall iväg igen och kriga tillsammans för att återigen rädda Rom.
October 13, 2023
Another phenomenal read from Simon Scarrow. The characters keep developing, the story’s are always original and exciting. Favourite author.
January 10, 2025
Cooles Buch. Fand es toll, dass die Krieger von den Icerner sich wieder mit Cato und Macro verbunden haben, um die Gegner zu besiegen. Dadurch wurde das alte Bündnis mit ihren alten Bekannten neu geknüpft
February 26, 2022
Cato and Macro are awesome !!
I have read over 20 of Simon Scarrow's books and have never been disappointed.
Looking forward to reading more, especially Cato and Macro adventures!
I have read over 20 of Simon Scarrow's books and have never been disappointed.
Looking forward to reading more, especially Cato and Macro adventures!
August 27, 2022
Bloody brilliant read keeps on you edge the whole time.
The whole series is fantastic I can't wait for number 21 in November
The whole series is fantastic I can't wait for number 21 in November
December 28, 2021
I received a copy of The Honour of Rome from Hachette Australia to review.
Rating of 4.5.
One of the best authors of Roman historical fiction, Simon Scarrow, returns with another exceptional adventure back in time with The Honour of Rome.
Britannia, 59 AD. After retiring from the Roman Legions, former Centurion Marco has travelled back to Britannia 15 years after he helped conquer it. Now a married man, Marco is hoping for a quiet life, enjoying the fruits of the successful inn in Londinium that he half-owns with his mother. However, not everything is as calm as he hoped. There are rumours about the tribes being restless once again, and the streets of Londinium are alive with criminal gangs.
Upon arriving at his mother’s inn, Marco discovers that she is being extorted for protection money by a ruthless gang. Determined to stop this, Marco attempts to resist the gangsters, only to find himself outmatched and a potential pawn into the middle of a vicious gang war. At the same time, Marco finds himself drawn into the defence of the colony, especially when one of the local tribes refuses to pay any more taxes.
After a bloody punitive raid with a group of veteran reserve soldiers, Marco returns to Londinium, only to face the consequences for his defiance. Beaten and bloodied, Marco is unsure how to fight back until his old friend Cato appears. Cato, who has left Rome without leave to hide Nero’s exiled mistress, is always willing to back Marco up in any sort of fight, and he has an ambitious plan to end the gang problem once and for all. Will the team of Marco, Cato, and their veteran allies be enough to overcome the city’s vicious gangs, or have these proud war heroes finally met their match?
This was another awesome novel from Scarrow, who has once again produced an exciting and fast-paced historical fiction read that perfectly envisions the landscape of Roman-occupied England. The Honour of Rome is a great read, and I loved the cool combination of historical and crime fiction elements throughout it. I ended up reading this book in only a few short days and loved every second of it.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/11/10/...
An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 2 December 2021:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/12/28/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.5.
One of the best authors of Roman historical fiction, Simon Scarrow, returns with another exceptional adventure back in time with The Honour of Rome.
Britannia, 59 AD. After retiring from the Roman Legions, former Centurion Marco has travelled back to Britannia 15 years after he helped conquer it. Now a married man, Marco is hoping for a quiet life, enjoying the fruits of the successful inn in Londinium that he half-owns with his mother. However, not everything is as calm as he hoped. There are rumours about the tribes being restless once again, and the streets of Londinium are alive with criminal gangs.
Upon arriving at his mother’s inn, Marco discovers that she is being extorted for protection money by a ruthless gang. Determined to stop this, Marco attempts to resist the gangsters, only to find himself outmatched and a potential pawn into the middle of a vicious gang war. At the same time, Marco finds himself drawn into the defence of the colony, especially when one of the local tribes refuses to pay any more taxes.
After a bloody punitive raid with a group of veteran reserve soldiers, Marco returns to Londinium, only to face the consequences for his defiance. Beaten and bloodied, Marco is unsure how to fight back until his old friend Cato appears. Cato, who has left Rome without leave to hide Nero’s exiled mistress, is always willing to back Marco up in any sort of fight, and he has an ambitious plan to end the gang problem once and for all. Will the team of Marco, Cato, and their veteran allies be enough to overcome the city’s vicious gangs, or have these proud war heroes finally met their match?
This was another awesome novel from Scarrow, who has once again produced an exciting and fast-paced historical fiction read that perfectly envisions the landscape of Roman-occupied England. The Honour of Rome is a great read, and I loved the cool combination of historical and crime fiction elements throughout it. I ended up reading this book in only a few short days and loved every second of it.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/11/10/...
An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 2 December 2021:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/12/28/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
February 28, 2022
I do admire Simon Scarrow's in-depth knowledge of life in the Roman Empire, from the day to day routine of housekeeping and providing meals to the details of Army life for both serving soldiers and veterans. I haven't read all of his stuff (there's so much of it!), but this is the third 'Macro' novel I've read and it was nice to renew his acquaintance, and that of Petronella, and to catch up on their adventures in the far-flung outpost of Britannia.
Having said that, I do find the repeated and prolonged detail of armed combat rather - well, boring. Maybe it's a girly thing, but to me, having every thrust, twist and parry described, every feint and shifting of weight, every gush of blood and clatter of sword on sword, is rather like having to read a prolonged description of every mouthful a person eats whenever they sit down to a meal. I mean, maybe the first time it's good to immerse the reader in the experience, but by the tenth time ...
Still, it's a cracking good story, and we get to meet Boudicca 'before she was famous', and it's partly set in my city of birth, Londinium, so lots I found lots to like in this read!
Having said that, I do find the repeated and prolonged detail of armed combat rather - well, boring. Maybe it's a girly thing, but to me, having every thrust, twist and parry described, every feint and shifting of weight, every gush of blood and clatter of sword on sword, is rather like having to read a prolonged description of every mouthful a person eats whenever they sit down to a meal. I mean, maybe the first time it's good to immerse the reader in the experience, but by the tenth time ...
Still, it's a cracking good story, and we get to meet Boudicca 'before she was famous', and it's partly set in my city of birth, Londinium, so lots I found lots to like in this read!
December 19, 2025
Quite a different flavour and honestly I applaud Simon Scarrow's ability to keep such a long running series varied and interesting. I read this almost back to back with the Emperor's Exile.
I wondered if Cato would show up or if this would be an opportunity for Macro to get through alone and honestly I'd have preferred he showed up at the end and miss this episode, but it's fine. It was quite a jam Macro got himself into.
A few other complaints.
Here, the way the final battle plays out and how they escape the trap from certain doom is just too much. Sure, we needed some barrier to stop the easy success of their raid plan, but to close it by having the garrison show up and so quickly accept the good guys as on side is frankly lazy and underdeveloped.
Also bringing in the Iceni was a bit convenient and although they could meet, bringing them into the fight here (only to mostly be cheaply killed) I found a bit clumsy. That said, I am looking forward to the Boudicca rebellion and how that will work with our characters. It'll be good for a meatier arc of books (I hope) after these smaller episodes.
Despite my complaints generally solid enough and onto the next book.
I wondered if Cato would show up or if this would be an opportunity for Macro to get through alone and honestly I'd have preferred he showed up at the end and miss this episode, but it's fine. It was quite a jam Macro got himself into.
A few other complaints.
Here, the way the final battle plays out and how they escape the trap from certain doom is just too much. Sure, we needed some barrier to stop the easy success of their raid plan, but to close it by having the garrison show up and so quickly accept the good guys as on side is frankly lazy and underdeveloped.
Also bringing in the Iceni was a bit convenient and although they could meet, bringing them into the fight here (only to mostly be cheaply killed) I found a bit clumsy. That said, I am looking forward to the Boudicca rebellion and how that will work with our characters. It'll be good for a meatier arc of books (I hope) after these smaller episodes.
Despite my complaints generally solid enough and onto the next book.
December 2, 2021
Macro is back!
Book twenty in Simon Scarrows Eagle of Rome series returns to Britain following macros retirement from the military service.
Eager to get home to take up his land and the business he part owns with his mother, he soon finds himself in a sticky situation. With pirates in the waters and gangs extorting money from honest businesses including his own, macro finds his retirement not quite leaping into his lap as he thought.
With plenty of bloody action and a solid story, scarrow delivers another fantastic book to add to an already fantastic series.
Book twenty in Simon Scarrows Eagle of Rome series returns to Britain following macros retirement from the military service.
Eager to get home to take up his land and the business he part owns with his mother, he soon finds himself in a sticky situation. With pirates in the waters and gangs extorting money from honest businesses including his own, macro finds his retirement not quite leaping into his lap as he thought.
With plenty of bloody action and a solid story, scarrow delivers another fantastic book to add to an already fantastic series.
November 15, 2021
A bit ho hum
December 4, 2022
Sé que esta saga es siempre algo más de lo mismo pero tiene algo que me atrae que me engancha y que me encanta
May 19, 2024
Macro y Cato nunca defraudan. Una novela más. Una historia más. Entretenida y con ritmo. Nada mejor para un final de curso.
April 24, 2022
Entry #20 in Simon Scarrow's Macro and Cato series, which means there's been approximately one entry per year.
I can't believe it's been going that long (ummm ... in a good way).
Anyway, we're now back at the original setting of the series - back in Brittania; back after Cato and Macro's various adventures across the Roman Empire.
Things have changes since then, however - Macro is now retired from the legions, whereas Cato (originally Macro's optio) now outranks him and now has a family of his own to look after.
The previous entry in the series (The Emperor's Exile is the one in which Macro retired, leaving - with his new wife Petronella - to travel back to Brittania to reconnect with his own mother and to look after his share of an inn that she has opened in Londinium. As a result, he was missing for large chunks of the narrative: circa three quarters or so of the story, let us say.
Meanwhile, Cato was charged with accompanying Emperor Nero's mistress Claudia Acte into exile on Sardinia, with the bulk of the novel then following Cato, the burgeoning romance between him and Claudia and events on that island.
This novel mirrors that approach, with the larger bulk of this following Macro and his adventures in Londinium and in the veterans colony of Camulodunum (which I've just found out is Colchester, and the first Roman Capital of the province) before the two principal characters finally reunite circa - again - three quarters of the way into the story.
There's also the groundwork laid here for, to paraphrase the closing words of the novel, the brewing storm, with the inclusion of characters from earlier novels (round about When the Eagle Hunts) who belong to the Iceni tribe, and with how they are being treated by their new Roman overlords. Anybody with a passing knowledge of UK history will know who I mean ...
I can't believe it's been going that long (ummm ... in a good way).
Anyway, we're now back at the original setting of the series - back in Brittania; back after Cato and Macro's various adventures across the Roman Empire.
Things have changes since then, however - Macro is now retired from the legions, whereas Cato (originally Macro's optio) now outranks him and now has a family of his own to look after.
The previous entry in the series (The Emperor's Exile is the one in which Macro retired, leaving - with his new wife Petronella - to travel back to Brittania to reconnect with his own mother and to look after his share of an inn that she has opened in Londinium. As a result, he was missing for large chunks of the narrative: circa three quarters or so of the story, let us say.
Meanwhile, Cato was charged with accompanying Emperor Nero's mistress Claudia Acte into exile on Sardinia, with the bulk of the novel then following Cato, the burgeoning romance between him and Claudia and events on that island.
This novel mirrors that approach, with the larger bulk of this following Macro and his adventures in Londinium and in the veterans colony of Camulodunum (which I've just found out is Colchester, and the first Roman Capital of the province) before the two principal characters finally reunite circa - again - three quarters of the way into the story.
There's also the groundwork laid here for, to paraphrase the closing words of the novel, the brewing storm, with the inclusion of characters from earlier novels (round about When the Eagle Hunts) who belong to the Iceni tribe, and with how they are being treated by their new Roman overlords. Anybody with a passing knowledge of UK history will know who I mean ...
January 7, 2022
In these times of Covid is there a better way to forget all that nonsense than immersing yourself in a good book? In the case of Simon Scarrow's latest, it's a visit from our old friends Macro and Cato - and what can be more fun than that?
No massive battle scenes in this one. As a matter of fact the first couple of hundred pages are all Macro and his adjustment to being retired which, just coincidentally, features some gangs in an early version of a protection racket. Add to that Macro's desire to just enjoy a peaceful retirement and you know that's not going to happen - not with the gangs.
Enter Cato - won't get into how he winds up in Britain - don't want to spoil the surprise - and you have all the ingredients for a Macro/Cato adventure. Just the two of them? No. It seems there are a number of retired legionaries in the ancient Roman equivalent of a retirement village and they aren't ready to quite give up either and fade peacefully into the night. Eventually, you have the obligatory battle scenes, but it's nothing like legions fighting off the barbarians and the like. Add in the help of a native British tribe and it's still kind of tame. So if you're expecting a lot of blood and guts, you won't find it - there is some but its minor in comparison to earlier adventures.
And that's what makes the book enjoyable - all those battle scenes have a sameness to them after a while - this is different - and very enjoyable. Then, at the end, there's a little surprise - kind of like at the ending of the old James Bond movies where it said "James Bond will Return in (name of film)" - this is the printed version. Yes, our intrepid heroes will return to battle once again.
No massive battle scenes in this one. As a matter of fact the first couple of hundred pages are all Macro and his adjustment to being retired which, just coincidentally, features some gangs in an early version of a protection racket. Add to that Macro's desire to just enjoy a peaceful retirement and you know that's not going to happen - not with the gangs.
Enter Cato - won't get into how he winds up in Britain - don't want to spoil the surprise - and you have all the ingredients for a Macro/Cato adventure. Just the two of them? No. It seems there are a number of retired legionaries in the ancient Roman equivalent of a retirement village and they aren't ready to quite give up either and fade peacefully into the night. Eventually, you have the obligatory battle scenes, but it's nothing like legions fighting off the barbarians and the like. Add in the help of a native British tribe and it's still kind of tame. So if you're expecting a lot of blood and guts, you won't find it - there is some but its minor in comparison to earlier adventures.
And that's what makes the book enjoyable - all those battle scenes have a sameness to them after a while - this is different - and very enjoyable. Then, at the end, there's a little surprise - kind of like at the ending of the old James Bond movies where it said "James Bond will Return in (name of film)" - this is the printed version. Yes, our intrepid heroes will return to battle once again.
December 14, 2024
Book #20 and the cracks in the series that began in the previous entry have widened.
In this installment, we see Macro retiring to Brittania, in what was supposed to be a cozy and trouble free part of the region, but vermin in the form of the gangs of Londinium have other plans for him.
Both protagonists, Macro and Cato are stellar characters and it has been a pleasure to follow their adventures for as long as I have, this is my longest running read, but they are a pair that shine brightest together rather than apart. This book just like the last one was more evidence of that, it had a bit of the grit and fierceness of Macro but was greatly missing the intelligence of Cato.
Moving from the large scale of warring armies and the inner politics of the empire to fighting petty gangs was... underwhelming. This entire book was too fillerish in nature, for the first time I got the feeling that Scarrow was just about ready to close the curtain.
Also, maybe my feelings on audiobooks have changed, but Jonathan Keeble's performance was sorely lacking here. There was something too British and modern about his narration, phrases like "get stuck in, lads!" felt like nails on a chalkboard with that accent. The Britishness has probably always been in the writing, but I think it wasn't an issue for me because the stories were so good.
In my annoyance with the audiobook, I switched to good old reading for the climax and it improved my estimation of things as Cato also showed up.
Overall, this was the worst book in the series, story wise, stakes, opposition, dialogue... everything was nowhere near the usual quality. Might be time to move on and discover some other gem.
In this installment, we see Macro retiring to Brittania, in what was supposed to be a cozy and trouble free part of the region, but vermin in the form of the gangs of Londinium have other plans for him.
Both protagonists, Macro and Cato are stellar characters and it has been a pleasure to follow their adventures for as long as I have, this is my longest running read, but they are a pair that shine brightest together rather than apart. This book just like the last one was more evidence of that, it had a bit of the grit and fierceness of Macro but was greatly missing the intelligence of Cato.
Moving from the large scale of warring armies and the inner politics of the empire to fighting petty gangs was... underwhelming. This entire book was too fillerish in nature, for the first time I got the feeling that Scarrow was just about ready to close the curtain.
Also, maybe my feelings on audiobooks have changed, but Jonathan Keeble's performance was sorely lacking here. There was something too British and modern about his narration, phrases like "get stuck in, lads!" felt like nails on a chalkboard with that accent. The Britishness has probably always been in the writing, but I think it wasn't an issue for me because the stories were so good.
In my annoyance with the audiobook, I switched to good old reading for the climax and it improved my estimation of things as Cato also showed up.
Overall, this was the worst book in the series, story wise, stakes, opposition, dialogue... everything was nowhere near the usual quality. Might be time to move on and discover some other gem.
December 6, 2021
Macro has been discharged from the army and is set on retiring to a place he knows well - Britannia. With his half share of an inn in Londinium and the prospect of a plot of land to build a home, things look good for the former centurion. But things are not what they seem in this part of the empire. The local tribes are unsettled and a group of gangs are causing problems for anyone who owns a business. This includes Macro and his inn. It’s simple, they what a cut of your profits and if you don’t pay there will be consequences.
Macro needs a plan to deal with these thugs. If only he could talk to his old friend Cato as he would come up with a plan to deal with the rabble.
Sometimes fate is destiny though as, not long after suffering a beating for not paying up, the former soldier gets his wish and Cato comes looking for refuge to this part of the empire.
It doesn’t take long for the brothers in arms to come up with a plan to deal with the gangs. It’s a long shot. However they never back down from a fight and they will put everything on the line to win - even their lives, for the honour of Rome.
Another outstanding instalment of the Eagle series by Simon Scarrow.
A brilliantly written story with an intense atmosphere throughout, great fight scenes and an unbreakable bond of brotherhood that is intoxicating.
Simon Scarrow has comfortably produced the best series of books about the Roman Empire that I have ever read. Simply put - nobody does it better.
Macro needs a plan to deal with these thugs. If only he could talk to his old friend Cato as he would come up with a plan to deal with the rabble.
Sometimes fate is destiny though as, not long after suffering a beating for not paying up, the former soldier gets his wish and Cato comes looking for refuge to this part of the empire.
It doesn’t take long for the brothers in arms to come up with a plan to deal with the gangs. It’s a long shot. However they never back down from a fight and they will put everything on the line to win - even their lives, for the honour of Rome.
Another outstanding instalment of the Eagle series by Simon Scarrow.
A brilliantly written story with an intense atmosphere throughout, great fight scenes and an unbreakable bond of brotherhood that is intoxicating.
Simon Scarrow has comfortably produced the best series of books about the Roman Empire that I have ever read. Simply put - nobody does it better.
May 14, 2023
This is the twentieth book in the Eagles of the Empire Series, and as usual an excellent read. Full of great characters and with a real sense of life in the Roman Empire.
In this story Centurion Marco has now retired to the ‘backwater of the Empire’, Britain, along with his formidable wife Petronella. He is due to join his mother, helping to run the inn they both own in the frontier town of Londinium and to set up a farmstead and home in the veterans colony at Camulodunum.
However, he soon discovers that the streets of Londonium are tense and more dangerous than Rome, with two rival gangs that terrorise the population and who run protection rackets that severely affect businesses in the rapidly expanding settlement.
After resisting the gangs, Macro is brutally attacked and he soon realises that something needs to be done. With luck his former army colleague and best friend Cato, now a Prefect, arrives from Rome, and together with Britannia’s veterans and help from some powerful leaders of the local Iceni tribe, they hatch a plan to put an end to the local mobsters and to honour Rome.
A really enjoyable read, which although it could work as a standalone novel I feel is far better read as part of the series, with so many recurring and developing characters and many historical references.
Rob D
In this story Centurion Marco has now retired to the ‘backwater of the Empire’, Britain, along with his formidable wife Petronella. He is due to join his mother, helping to run the inn they both own in the frontier town of Londinium and to set up a farmstead and home in the veterans colony at Camulodunum.
However, he soon discovers that the streets of Londonium are tense and more dangerous than Rome, with two rival gangs that terrorise the population and who run protection rackets that severely affect businesses in the rapidly expanding settlement.
After resisting the gangs, Macro is brutally attacked and he soon realises that something needs to be done. With luck his former army colleague and best friend Cato, now a Prefect, arrives from Rome, and together with Britannia’s veterans and help from some powerful leaders of the local Iceni tribe, they hatch a plan to put an end to the local mobsters and to honour Rome.
A really enjoyable read, which although it could work as a standalone novel I feel is far better read as part of the series, with so many recurring and developing characters and many historical references.
Rob D
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