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Gaul, 37 AD

Seasoned imperial officer Marcus Sempronius Gracchus leads the 9th Roman Legion into bloody battle against a fierce barbarian rival. It’s a battle he won’t survive.

When he awakens three days later, clawing his way from a hastily dug grave, Marcus realizes he cannot be killed—but that won’t stop him from dying time and again over the next 2,000 years. Burdened with a debt he cannot pay, is he cursed to walk this world without end?

But others like Marcus plan to bring the world crashing to its knees. Can he prevent the inevitable and find redemption?

The Last Roman lies somewhere between fantasy, historical drama, and a techno-thriller. Don’t miss the debut novel from B.K. Greenwood, and part one of an exciting new trilogy that will have fans of historical fiction and modern-day thrillers on the edge of their seats.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 15, 2021

745 people are currently reading
2648 people want to read

About the author

B.K. Greenwood

10 books103 followers
B.K. Greenwood lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and wolfpack of 4 rescue dogs. He loves to travel and has incorporated his experiences into his writing. B.K. enjoys works of fiction and nonfiction, with a heavy emphasis on history, adventure, and classics. His passion for history is on display in his debut series, The Last Roman.

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5 stars
558 (42%)
4 stars
433 (33%)
3 stars
222 (17%)
2 stars
57 (4%)
1 star
31 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
Profile Image for N.N. Heaven.
Author 6 books2,133 followers
June 18, 2021
** Now an Amazon #1 New Release Bestseller **

It is not often one opens a book and feels within a couple of pages you are reading what could be the next bestseller. The premise and style of writing make this book something that should be made into a streaming service serial right now. Marcus is someone you don't want to mess with. He is a hero who carries a lot of baggage - about 2,000 years worth.

Edge of your seat excitement, action that is tablet-gripping, and dialogue at times that will even make you laugh...this book is for everyone. At times you wonder if wasn't inspired by some long-lived men who lived on High Lands. If DaVinci had a cold, he couldn't deal with the plot intricacies here.

Giftfully written, nicely paced, this book just flows. There is amazing chemistry between Sam and Marcus. Thomas is the bad guy the world has been waiting for. Every fan of every Brown book of codes will love this book. If you love to read a tale that will carry you from start to finish, buy this book. Recommended to everyone and recommend to every streaming service.

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.

My Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Mr. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
3 reviews3 followers
June 28, 2021
This was a fantastic read! The Last Roman, Book One: Exile, treat for fans of historical fiction, follows Marcus through 2000 years of immortality while he fights to prevent other immortals from their attempts at destruction. The storyline is inventive and bold. I would call it historical fiction with fantasy elements. The book is well-researched and very grounded in historical knowledge. The story is impeccably paced. The plot unfolds very naturally and in the meantime the action is propelling you forward, the character development is excellent. He’s a hero in every way but the chemistry Marcus has with others as well as the realistic dialogue make him a relatable character, too. The touches of humor feel genuine and add levity too a fairly serious plot and topic. I purchased this title for our library’s collection and will suggest it to our patrons. Looking forward to the sequel!
Profile Image for Charles  van Buren.
1,910 reviews304 followers
July 5, 2021
If one is to use the Bible as the basis for a book at least use it accurately.

This book obviously owes at least something to Barry Sadler's CASCA series even if there is no acknowledgement of it. Another problem is that Mr. Greenwood uses the bible as the basis for his fiction without using it accurately. The most egregious inaccuracy is that the Centurion at the crucifixion did not kill Jesus with a spear thrust. According to scripture Jesus was already dead:

John 19.31-34: “Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.”

The major conflict in this novel is between Marcus and associates and the immortals consisting of the disciple Thomas and those who were healed by Jesus during his earthly ministry. There is no real explanation as to why these people turned from God and to evil.

All in all this is a poorly constructed book.
Profile Image for Matt Whelan.
Author 12 books5 followers
June 8, 2021
Highlander meets Gladiator on a fast-paced journey through history.

I really enjoyed this book! The plot is intriguing (not to mention bold!), the dialogue sharp and the characters engaging. Marcus is a great protagonist with a delicate balance of dry wit, emotional baggage and ruthlessness.

The author’s passion for history is clearly highlighted through the text. As the immortal characters travel through the ages, the scenes are well described and feel authentic. The imagery throughout the book is very strong and the relationships between the characters feel genuine.

The use of wry humour is refreshing, but not overdone, and the large-scale combat sequences throughout the book demonstrate a deep understanding of historical battlefield tactics.

If I was being hyper-critical, I would say that the modern-day plotline didn’t grip me quite as much as the historic plotlines did, but this is nit-picking and does not warrant me removing a star from my rating.

Overall, this was a well-paced and enjoyable debut novel. There is a LOT of great stuff packed into one story and I sincerely look forward to the next instalment.
Profile Image for Kathy Brickert.
3,470 reviews18 followers
June 19, 2021
So interesting!

What a different look at history! Although I would take issue with those close to Christ turning against Him, turning against organized religion is sometimes understandable. A very good beginning! Can't wait for the rest of this series! Good read!
Profile Image for Ashley.
174 reviews6 followers
June 15, 2021
What a kick-ass debut from B.K. Greenwood. The story was packed with action, a dash of fantasy and mixed with a whole lot of history. Think Gladiator mixed with The Passion of Christ and Jason Bourne. I was enthralled, not only by the originality, but by the way the story was comprised of so many different elements but still exhibited itself as one masterful story. It’s apparent this book was years in the making and I can’t even imagine the amount of research that needed to go into creating this story. No spoilers here… but I’m looking forward to reading the next book.
2 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2021
I really enjoyed reading this book! I love history especially military and the back and forth between the present and the past to develop the characters was great. I would like to see more character development on some of the characters in any future installments but other wise great work! Highly recommend! Cannot wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Jeff Hein.
Author 3 books8 followers
June 4, 2021
B.K. Greenwood brings a unique approach to the Roman history genre with his debut novel. A must read for those that love Roman history, action/adventure, time travel, immortals saving the world, and more.
Profile Image for Gareth Clegg.
Author 10 books15 followers
June 11, 2021
Highlander meets Jason Bourne at the start of this epic series!

With a strong grounding in the history of the past, this modern-day technothriller will please fantasy fans of epics like Highlander along with those who love the high-octane action of the Bourne series as Marcus races across the globe trying to avert an oncoming disaster, centuries in the making.
1 review2 followers
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July 21, 2021
Great book. Historically accurate within the plot line. Moved fast and was a real page-turner. Anxiously awaiting vol 2.
1 review
July 1, 2021
B.K. Greenwood’s debut novel had me on the edge of my seat. The action packed scenes, historical and modern, were descriptive and entertaining. While it was not a genre I would normally read, I found myself enjoying the characters and the development of the plot. Marcus is a badass who is tasked with learning to live with a devastating past, all while becoming a modern day James Bond.
If you are on the fence about reading this book, trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
Profile Image for Dan Szczesny.
Author 30 books40 followers
July 21, 2021
Greenwood’s grasp of ancient history, coupled with a breakneck action writing style, barely gives the reader a moment’s pause. And the good news? “Exile” is the first part of a three-book series. Whether you enjoy history, action-adventure or even delving into more profound philosophies like the cost of faith, “The Last Roman” is a journey worth taking!
1 review
July 6, 2021
Greenwood is not afraid. He dives head first into storytelling by recrafting a story we all know well. And he pulls it off. The main character’s (Marcus) backstory pulls you in and keeps you reading. And the protagonist (Thomas), well I hate to admit it, but I like him even better. The book is a great mix of action, intrigue, historical fiction, and sci-fi. I am eager to read the next in this series.
Profile Image for Tameryn Birch.
2 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2021
Greenwood’s debut book grabbed me with his storytelling ability from page one and wouldn’t let go. His characters are badass with storylines that keep you guessing and entertained. Looking forward to reading more from this upcoming author.
Profile Image for Lori Peterson.
1,213 reviews37 followers
July 5, 2021
Received as a review copy from NetGalley, this is an honest review. At first glance this story opens with Marcus, a seasoned Roman officer overseeing and participating in Christ's execution... but it's what that comes after it that made this story a really unique journey. It goes from being a story set in the Roman world to one that jumps forward into modern times ( starting on Paris); where the ancient-roman born Marcus is an immortal tracking down Thomas whom didn't believe Jesus had come back from the dead. Bouncing back and forth, Marcus life goes from chasing after slavers that have his family to cities of metal towers, cars and guns... yet always surrounded by dangerous people that believe there is no high price that cannot be paid for power. One man's unforgettable time travel journey that will capture your mind. Highly recommended.
1 review
June 18, 2021
At its heart, "the last Roman", is an action novel. And on that, it certainly delivers. It has an excellent pace and keeps the reader running to keep up. The author provides enough to get you to the next scene and doesn't hold you back with extraneous description or events. You can see the action, the fights as they play out in the slow motion that only the written word can portray. You see the hits, the grappling, the leaps and the pain as Marcus fights off the enemy.
As a work of historical fiction, the flashbacks of historical events are carefully researched and reliable. You can relive history through these carefully crafted retellings through the eyes of Marcus. As a student of History, I appreciated this attention to detail and not allowing anachronisms in the writing of these past events. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres so this is added bonus to this novel.
The dialogue is natural and thought-provoking; with healthy doses of humor, satire, and sadness. The dialogue and the action reveal both the darkness and nobility of human character often within the same character. The dialogue often waxes philosophic, asking questions many of us ask in the course of our lives when things get really dark.
The plot is well constructed and the author gives sufficient cues to let us know when we are changing between places and times, very important since there are a number of flashbacks.
The main characters are well-developed and I look forward to seeing more about them in the following novels. But I have seen enough to actually care about them at this point. I even care about Thomas and what happens to him.
I really liked the quotes starting each chapter, another special something that makes this novel stand out to me.
Whenever I read the first book in a series this is the question that I have to answer yes to. Do actually care about these characters? I look forward to reading more about Marcus, Sam, Isabella and Thomas.
2 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2021
This is a clever summer read, very, very good take on what it takes to be a true imortal and the price you have to pay. Interesting plot twists, the historical parts glues into the now and are important for the development of the characters. Look forward to next installment and even more character development. Can totally see this developed for Netflix/hbo/hulu (too much death for Disney though..)
1 review
June 14, 2021
I 🥰 it Roman stuff is my 🤩. It was totally 😎 how he lived forever, my favorite part was the mall scene I’m 🙂 my dad let me read it.
Profile Image for Chad.
553 reviews36 followers
July 17, 2021
I received a copy of Exile from NetGalley. This was my fourth overall and third novel read through the service. And this was definitely my favorite one to this point! I've been praising this book to friends and coworkers the last week or so now. I've been comparing it to a movie mashup of Gladiator with the action of Heat! There is some time jumping throughout this book but I feel it's done well. And by that I mean it's identified well. Just be prepared to be following the characters just before the crucifixion of Christ to modern times.


****Spoiler Warning****


This book opens up with two amazing scenes. This being the actual crucifixion of Christ and also a huge Roman vs. Gaul battle. Both are huge parts of this story. I felt the battle reminded me of the opening battle in the movie Gladiator which might be why that stuck with me throughout the book. But the following Marcus and the others through time was just great! As someone how loves history, especially military history (currently also reading a book on the Punic Wars) this was very entertaining for myself. There are certainly some twists along the way as the story continues and fills us in on the history of our special characters.

For such a short read, just under 300 pages, this was a great ride!
Profile Image for KSU L.
29 reviews
November 1, 2021
When I first realized the crucible of the plot, I became really uncomfortable and my former, inner Sunday school self thought, “oh man... how’s he going to pull THIS off?” The retelling of Christ’s crucifixion is controversial enough, but to introduce as a hero the man who killed Christ and to portray the Apostle Thomas as an anti-hero is almost sacrilegious. Almost. Greenwood bravely gives us a story that is original and nuanced: it’s not your typical good vs. evil as the characters are neither steadfastly pious nor irredeemably faithless. The exposition is slowly fed among the backdrop of nonstop action and the motivations behind the main characters make sense, for the most part.

I won’t recap the story (that’s for you to read) but I’ll give you my take on our two main characters. Throw Lucius Vorenus, Neo, Batman, and Jason Bourne in a blender and sprinkle some John McClane on top. Blend until smooth and you’ve got Marcus, our hero: A Roman soldier, who must endure the burden of killing the King of the Jews. He channels the consequences of his actions to become a crusader, if not believer, of Christianity. Then there’s Thomas, devout follower of Christ (after he was convinced to remove his doubt, mind you), who travels the Roman Empire spreading the gospel. But Thomas is fickle where Marcus is steadfast. One tragic event happens and he succumbs to the dark side. Think Darth Vader (btw: he is not Marcus’s father!), but there is also a Michael Corleone vibe going on.

It ends with a cliffhanger and I can’t wait to see what happens because I was left with a definite unsettling chill in my bones.

I give Greenwood a total of 4 stars for The Last Roman: 5 stars for the cajones to give us a unique twist on the most iconic and sacred stories of man, 4 stars for the historical references that made me google to learn more (I now know the difference between a centurion and a legionnaire), and 3.5 stars for character development.
Profile Image for MT.
19 reviews
July 20, 2021
This is not my usual genre, but I’m really glad I decided to try this one out. The concept of immortality is very intriguing and I feel as though Greenwood executed this in a unique, capturing way. The main character, Marcus is a straight up badass. The action is exciting and detailed. The historical chapters are written with so much knowledge and expertise that it painted a clear picture in my mind.
The other characters compliment the story well, there are moments with them that will make you laugh, and others that will break your heart.
If you’re thinking about reading this book, here’s your sign to start. Can’t wait for book two!
7 reviews
July 22, 2021
Exciting

Like everything, dislike nothing finished reading it in 2 days!
Will be glad when the next book appears

Thank You
235 reviews
June 9, 2021
The synopsis of this novel intrigued me, so I downloaded it. I am very glad that I did. What a ride.

The story starts in Gaul in 37 AD. A Roman Centurion, named Marcus, is about to meet the Barbarians in battle, which he does not survive, well not initially, three days later he wakes up in a shallow grave, oh and he just happens to be one of the Romans who crucified Christ. Well one of the consequences of being the killer of Christ, immortality, not what one would have expected. The book takes you to modern day where Marcus is still a warrior, but now working to stop other immortals from causing chaos. One of the other immortals? Doubting Thomas, Through country after country, Marcus races against time to stop the other immortals from destroying the world. The book also gives glimpses of the past and the reasons why Marcus and Thomas make the choices they make.

This novel reminded me a bit of a Dan Brown or Steve Berry race agaisnt time edge of your seat thriller, but I also really liked the historical and supernatural aspects of the novel. What an original premise. The novel ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so hopefully a sequel is in the works.

Thanks to Netgalley, Brendan Greenwood and BooksGoSocial for the chance to read and review this book.
8 reviews
June 14, 2021
I love reading about ancient Greece and Rome, so this book immediately caught my eye. It has a fast and strong begining that gripped me from the first page.
This book beggins in Gaul, 37 A.D, and following Marcus, the roman commander at Christ's crucifixion. The narration goes back and forth between the past and the present day. I personally enjoyed more the parts of the book that focused on the past, I would have appreciated an entire series that was just about the past, there was so many stuff happening that I would love to know more in depth...
Overall I enjoyed this action packed book and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

I want to thank Netgalley, Brendan Greenwood and BooksGoSocial for the chance to read and review an ARC of this book.
2 reviews2 followers
June 15, 2021
I really enjoyed The Last Roman. The author presented the historical fiction aspects of the novel in an interesting and approachable way while also weaving the story seamlessly into the present day. I really want to know where the story goes next. I'd definitely recommend for anyone looking for a fun and exciting read!
Profile Image for Sunnie.
435 reviews40 followers
October 27, 2023
Written in vignettes that weave back and forth throughout various times, the common threads weave together into one of the most gripping historical fiction novels I have read in many years. An ARC provided to me by the author and publisher, Bat City Press, it has been some time since it worked its way up from my TBR bookcase to my hands/eyes/mind, and I sincerely appreciate their patience. Not always a fan of Roman history as depicted/eluded to by the cover. I nonetheless quickly became engrossed in the fast paced action as it moved from modern times backwards in time, filling in the backstory helping the reader glean precious pieces of the puzzle. Yes, this novel is the first in the series that leaves the reader breathless with anticipation, always yearning simultaneously for more and for the end. B.K. Greenwood has certainly done his homework. Did he study with Stephen Kings, honing the craft of riveting descriptions? He has a stunning imagination that leaves one wishing they knew him as a friend who would be a fascinating person to know. Although I currently reside in the area where he grew up, that is as far as our association goes. Modern times, early religious times, 19th century, the Crusades . . . where will you lead us next? Wherever it is, you will find us more than willing followers. Saying anything more would result in spoilers, and I am not willing to deprive others from the full experience of this story. Lead on Captain, lead on.
2 reviews
July 12, 2021
Although not my usual read, I found this book fascinating! I stayed up late to finish in one sitting. I was entirely surprised with the twists and turns it took. I'm looking forward to the next two books and will buy as soon as they are available. It is an interesting combination of Immortals and techno thriller.
Profile Image for Hails.
325 reviews28 followers
July 18, 2021
I am so glad that I requested to review this book on @netgalley a few weeks ago! This action packed historical fiction was a real treat!

While this story fell out of my normal genre, I throughly enjoyed following the story of Marcus, who is a Roman who cannot die and has lived for over 2000 years. He first realized that he could not die after he died in battle and awoke in a shallow grave 3 days later. The story follows his journey over the 2000 years, switching back and forth between present day and his past. The primary focus of the story lies in whether or not Marcus stop Thomas, the only other man like him, from fulfilling his plans that will alter the world forever. Boy was this story a wild ride.

I originally planned to give this book 3 stars, because the action, fighting scenes were a little more descriptive than I personally enjoy in a book, though I definitely feel like it would make a badass film. Additionally, I felt like I had no idea where the story was headed until about halfway through the book, which was quite frustrating.

However, once the truth of his opponent’s plot is revealed, I could not put the book down. It was incredible and I very quickly consumed the last bit of the story. This whole story was extremely cinematic. One thing that surprised me was the inclusion of Biblical events and historical events for Christianity. While I’m not particularly religious, I really enjoyed this aspect and interpretation of events for the purpose of this book. It added a little bit of a thriller aspect to it. I cannot say more without spoiling the story, but I’m so glad that the ebook included a little preview of the second book because I’m totally hooked! This book ended up being absolutely amazing!
Profile Image for Sonya.
1 review
July 24, 2021
Honestly, I am surprised I loved this book. It is way outside my normal genre. But it was face-paced, well-written, and kept me turning the pages! So glad this book was recommended to me. Can't wait for the sequel!
Profile Image for Chris.
599 reviews29 followers
October 6, 2021
I liked this concept. It read like a Dan Brown novel, but with some unique special twists.
I find it interesting in my "believablity scales" that I can allow for supernatural life granted by Jesus to certain people, but I can't believe no cops would be called for a high speed chase through a shopping mall in Rome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews

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