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Dead Boy's Game and the Broken Vow
Dead Boy’s Game and The Broken Vow is the first book of Magical Rome Universe. Late at night in Magical Rome, an elderly druid plunges two baby boys into a cauldron bubbling with a mysterious potion. One boy is alive; the other, dead. Instantly, a spectacular magic begins inside the cauldron — life diffuses from the living boy to the dead. Thirty-seven years pass … and the two boys, oblivious of their magical past, grow up believing that their beloved Rome will outlive time itself. But when the ancient powers commanding their bygone adventure come calling, carnage rains upon the great city. And our heroes’ lives intertwine once again. Will the two men defend the city of their birth or hurl Rome into a never-ending abyss? Thirty-seven years after a feat of impossible magic, a deadly game begins in Magical Rome.
For more magic, adventure and danger, please visit — MagicalRome.com
For more magic, adventure and danger, please visit — MagicalRome.com
250 pages, Paperback
Published December 25, 2020
3 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
A. David Singh
4 books10 followersA neurosurgeon by profession, A. David Singh operated on brains invaded by tumors, aneurysms, and other vile maladies. Funnily, after turning a couple (or more) gray hair, a rather strange affliction invaded his own brain.
Characters from a parallel universe besieged his brain cells and refused to leave, unless David transcribed their lives on paper. At first, he resisted the assault on his cerebral faculties, but these denizens of the Magical Rome Universe kept prodding his gray cells with their antics, forcing him to write their story.
You can enter the Magical Rome Universe through the novel Dead Boy’s Game and The Broken Vow.
Villius, Calpurnia, Julius, Aelius, Gellia, Julia, Fufius Cita, the Heretic Historian, the Barren Midwife, and the Banished Druid welcome you into their magnificent and dangerous world.
For more Magic, Adventure and Danger, please visit MagicalRome.com
Characters from a parallel universe besieged his brain cells and refused to leave, unless David transcribed their lives on paper. At first, he resisted the assault on his cerebral faculties, but these denizens of the Magical Rome Universe kept prodding his gray cells with their antics, forcing him to write their story.
You can enter the Magical Rome Universe through the novel Dead Boy’s Game and The Broken Vow.
Villius, Calpurnia, Julius, Aelius, Gellia, Julia, Fufius Cita, the Heretic Historian, the Barren Midwife, and the Banished Druid welcome you into their magnificent and dangerous world.
For more Magic, Adventure and Danger, please visit MagicalRome.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 30, 2021
Dead Boy's Game and The Broken Vow is the first book in the Magical Rome Universe by A. David Singh.
For a more in depth, spoiler free review, please visit my YouTube channel at this link: https://youtu.be/xyy-KIcpTPQ
It is a historical fiction/fantasy set in ancient Rome. We follow 3 characters; each with a different social standing in Rome. What do they have in common? They share a common goal - they each aspire to become a senator in Rome.
I found the characters a joy to read about and watching their stories unfold, their choices and resulting achievements and consequences. The magic system is on the lighter side and very soft, but there may be more revealed in the subsequent books. We learn about the magic as the characters do, so it's a fun process of discovery and learning. I love that the magic (at least in book one) is shown and alive in nature: trees, vines, animals insects. Such a wonderful touch!
I found the setting of Rome extremely interesting. I'm no expert on Roman history, so I cannot speak to the accuracy, but it did seem very well researched to me.
I enjoyed everything about this story and look forward to future installments. I honestly could not find one thing to find fault with except I wish the next book was already published for me to consume!
I did accept this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it so much that I also filmed a dedicated video review and I will supply the link here as soon as I have that available.
For a more in depth, spoiler free review, please visit my YouTube channel at this link: https://youtu.be/xyy-KIcpTPQ
It is a historical fiction/fantasy set in ancient Rome. We follow 3 characters; each with a different social standing in Rome. What do they have in common? They share a common goal - they each aspire to become a senator in Rome.
I found the characters a joy to read about and watching their stories unfold, their choices and resulting achievements and consequences. The magic system is on the lighter side and very soft, but there may be more revealed in the subsequent books. We learn about the magic as the characters do, so it's a fun process of discovery and learning. I love that the magic (at least in book one) is shown and alive in nature: trees, vines, animals insects. Such a wonderful touch!
I found the setting of Rome extremely interesting. I'm no expert on Roman history, so I cannot speak to the accuracy, but it did seem very well researched to me.
I enjoyed everything about this story and look forward to future installments. I honestly could not find one thing to find fault with except I wish the next book was already published for me to consume!
I did accept this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed it so much that I also filmed a dedicated video review and I will supply the link here as soon as I have that available.
January 2, 2021
At the end of a truly harrowing year, The Magical Rome Universe is the only fiction-verse that I took up to explore, and boy was I glad I did!
Starting right at the beginning, you get the option to play a quiz that assorts one of the book's characters to you, with a short description of why you fit that character. This was an excellent way to reel me in because it kind of gets you personally invested in the character and leaves you wanting to know more about them and what happens to them through the story.
The cover page holds promises of magic and mystery and intrigue. The Tolkienesque maps of Rome at the beginning of the book are nostalgic, and much appreciated! I look forward to seeing more illustrations in future editions, especially of some of the magical elements and characters, because this is a book that could really come alive with those!
Now about the story. This is indeed a tale of a magnificent, dangerous, and magical Rome, exactly as the author says. Right in the first chapter, it throws you into an urgent beginning that combines all of these three elements, culminating in an intense scene that you know changed the fates of many characters. And then fast forwards to a few decades later to a point of apparent calm, where you keep reading to find out more of what happened to them. The book is an absolute page-turner, and the prime characters are rich, nuanced, and grey, each with positives and vices, which is what makes them so much more real, and interesting. I finished reading it within 3 days and not one point in the book was idle, superfluous, or unengaging. The story is well-connected, progresses at an even pace and the emergent situation in the final few chapters is built up very well. And the ending is a winner, it ends in a cliffhanger, changes your perception about a lot of characters you thought of a certain way, leaves you yearning to discover more about greater plans at play, and at the same time, it gives you an emotional semi-closure which leaves you feeling content about what you read, and allows you to wait eagerly but patiently for Book-2.
One aspect that I feel the book could have used a bit more of, is a little bit more storytelling as to how the two babies that we encounter in chapter one eventually turn into what we see them as almost 4 decades later. While the childhood of one of the protagonists is talked of in places allowing us a link, it is not so for the other and I would have liked to know snippets of his childhood as well, allowing us to know why and how he became a master-warrior and wannabe-Senator.
But that being said, this universe has more books in line and I sure look forward to discovering more there. Especially as it seems that few important characters were only teased and started off here, and they have far greater roles to play in the upcoming further story. One of them is my favourite character from the book, Calpurnia, and I can't wait to see her take centre-stage somewhere in the upcoming story, as she surely seems built for it!
I hope the denizens of Magical Rome keep prodding the author's grey cells with their antics as he calls it, so we can have that soon!
Starting right at the beginning, you get the option to play a quiz that assorts one of the book's characters to you, with a short description of why you fit that character. This was an excellent way to reel me in because it kind of gets you personally invested in the character and leaves you wanting to know more about them and what happens to them through the story.
The cover page holds promises of magic and mystery and intrigue. The Tolkienesque maps of Rome at the beginning of the book are nostalgic, and much appreciated! I look forward to seeing more illustrations in future editions, especially of some of the magical elements and characters, because this is a book that could really come alive with those!
Now about the story. This is indeed a tale of a magnificent, dangerous, and magical Rome, exactly as the author says. Right in the first chapter, it throws you into an urgent beginning that combines all of these three elements, culminating in an intense scene that you know changed the fates of many characters. And then fast forwards to a few decades later to a point of apparent calm, where you keep reading to find out more of what happened to them. The book is an absolute page-turner, and the prime characters are rich, nuanced, and grey, each with positives and vices, which is what makes them so much more real, and interesting. I finished reading it within 3 days and not one point in the book was idle, superfluous, or unengaging. The story is well-connected, progresses at an even pace and the emergent situation in the final few chapters is built up very well. And the ending is a winner, it ends in a cliffhanger, changes your perception about a lot of characters you thought of a certain way, leaves you yearning to discover more about greater plans at play, and at the same time, it gives you an emotional semi-closure which leaves you feeling content about what you read, and allows you to wait eagerly but patiently for Book-2.
One aspect that I feel the book could have used a bit more of, is a little bit more storytelling as to how the two babies that we encounter in chapter one eventually turn into what we see them as almost 4 decades later. While the childhood of one of the protagonists is talked of in places allowing us a link, it is not so for the other and I would have liked to know snippets of his childhood as well, allowing us to know why and how he became a master-warrior and wannabe-Senator.
But that being said, this universe has more books in line and I sure look forward to discovering more there. Especially as it seems that few important characters were only teased and started off here, and they have far greater roles to play in the upcoming further story. One of them is my favourite character from the book, Calpurnia, and I can't wait to see her take centre-stage somewhere in the upcoming story, as she surely seems built for it!
I hope the denizens of Magical Rome keep prodding the author's grey cells with their antics as he calls it, so we can have that soon!
February 7, 2021
A beautiful novel jumping between the lines of historical fiction and fantasy. It is set in Ancient Rome in an alternate universe. A world where magic is alive and is intertwined in politics and the daily lives of the citizens. This book is a fast paced page-turner and difficult to put down. I can’t wait for the next book.
February 3, 2021
What does a twice-banished Druid, a decorated and revered centurion, a brainy gamer with an affinity to the herbaceous, and a feisty patrician maiden with senatorial aspirations have in common? They all live in Magical Rome! I have never read a book like this before and I’m so glad I did now. Though set in an alternate ancient Rome universe, this novel is surprisingly attentive to historical fact. But the true magic happens when it takes quick detours toward modern sensibilities and supernatural occurrences. It makes for a fascinating read. The genius of author David Singh is to deliver historical detail and divergent plot lines in ways that are easy to digest. This allows the reader to enjoy amazing, textured world-building without having to put in the heavy mental slogging to assimilate it--a rare literary talent indeed. This is a very special book and an extremely promising debut for Singh. A series is obviously in the making, and I can only hope the next books are published in quick succession. I heartily recommend this book.
January 12, 2021
After reading this book, I have become a denizen of the Magical Rome Universe. Right at the beginning the author invites you to enter this beautiful, parallel universe, inhabited by colourful denizens and never for a moment did I get bored or regretted taking up that offer. The universe is colourful, magical and the characters strangely relatable, they take you along in their adventure and you want to befriend some of them and live there forever. Eagerly waiting for the second book in the series.
September 28, 2021
3.75 stars
I was gifted this book from the author in exchange for a review. However, this has not affected the integrity of my thoughts and opinions.
Three people want to become a Roman Senator: Calpurnia, a young woman and daughter to a Senator; Gaius Julius, a Centurion who wishes to stabilise his life for his daughter; and Villius, an apprentice to one of the Censors.
The is mention of death, infant death, blood, violence, and war.
If you love historical fiction, with a focus on the Roman Republic, and fantasy fiction, this will be a good read for you.
I really loved the magic system that was hinted at in this book. It felt new and different, and I really wanted to know more about how this was used and its purpose within this alternate timeline. I feel like this may have some basis in some elements of witchcraft, but that may be a bias based on the character "The Banished Druid".
I loved the setting. This book made me realise that I really want to read more fiction that has a roman setting to it. I'd missed my foray into this world, and now I need all the books in this setting.
The main thing, and the main reason this doesn't get quite a 4 star rating from me, that I disliked was how this story developed. It felt like a lot of backstory with the main inciting incident happening right at the end of this book. We are given glimpses into two of the main characters, Calpurnia was sidelined quite a bit, but the start of what I feel is their adventure was only just starting as we got closer to the end. This was a little disappointing as I was waiting for more use of the magic, and more understanding of their journey to senatorship. I know this is the start of series, but it just didn't seem to fit in that area well.
I was gifted this book from the author in exchange for a review. However, this has not affected the integrity of my thoughts and opinions.
Three people want to become a Roman Senator: Calpurnia, a young woman and daughter to a Senator; Gaius Julius, a Centurion who wishes to stabilise his life for his daughter; and Villius, an apprentice to one of the Censors.
The is mention of death, infant death, blood, violence, and war.
If you love historical fiction, with a focus on the Roman Republic, and fantasy fiction, this will be a good read for you.
I really loved the magic system that was hinted at in this book. It felt new and different, and I really wanted to know more about how this was used and its purpose within this alternate timeline. I feel like this may have some basis in some elements of witchcraft, but that may be a bias based on the character "The Banished Druid".
I loved the setting. This book made me realise that I really want to read more fiction that has a roman setting to it. I'd missed my foray into this world, and now I need all the books in this setting.
The main thing, and the main reason this doesn't get quite a 4 star rating from me, that I disliked was how this story developed. It felt like a lot of backstory with the main inciting incident happening right at the end of this book. We are given glimpses into two of the main characters, Calpurnia was sidelined quite a bit, but the start of what I feel is their adventure was only just starting as we got closer to the end. This was a little disappointing as I was waiting for more use of the magic, and more understanding of their journey to senatorship. I know this is the start of series, but it just didn't seem to fit in that area well.
April 19, 2022
A solid two and a half stars.
This was a very interesting novel. Even though I struggled to get through parts of it, it did have loads of charm with it's characters. It's a historical fiction fantasy novel, which is set in a magical Roman empire.
In this world, men rule with a iron fist and females are governed by their male relatives. We follow Julius, a proud warrior who protects his city from the barbaric Gauls and Villius, a man of learning who strives to be more then he is. Along the way we encounter numerous characters, such as a senators daughter with a strong fighting spirit, a intelligent plant creature, a wizard and many political figures. We follow all these characters on their unique journey's and witness a magnificent battle that will determine the future of the city.
For me, this novel was far from perfect BUT, it was a magical look at a civilisation that I wasn't interested in. I didn't care much for the political side and this was my first taste of historical fiction. I would recommend this, if your into historical fiction and fantasy, are fascinated in Roman culture and political matters. I would be interested to see where book two goes.
This was a very interesting novel. Even though I struggled to get through parts of it, it did have loads of charm with it's characters. It's a historical fiction fantasy novel, which is set in a magical Roman empire.
In this world, men rule with a iron fist and females are governed by their male relatives. We follow Julius, a proud warrior who protects his city from the barbaric Gauls and Villius, a man of learning who strives to be more then he is. Along the way we encounter numerous characters, such as a senators daughter with a strong fighting spirit, a intelligent plant creature, a wizard and many political figures. We follow all these characters on their unique journey's and witness a magnificent battle that will determine the future of the city.
For me, this novel was far from perfect BUT, it was a magical look at a civilisation that I wasn't interested in. I didn't care much for the political side and this was my first taste of historical fiction. I would recommend this, if your into historical fiction and fantasy, are fascinated in Roman culture and political matters. I would be interested to see where book two goes.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews