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Forgotten Heroes of Rome #4
Varro's War
Marcus Varro is accomplished at war, even at his young age. The relentless battles across Macedonia have honed his sword and hardened his will. In two brief years he has grown from fresh recruit to seasoned Optio, second in command of his century. He has faced the enemy and no longer fears him. But Varro fights wars beyond the simple arrangement of centuries and soldiers. He wars with his vow of peace and non-violence, and in battle after battle yields ground to the bloodshed and rage he swore to the gods he would avoid.
A new season of warfare arrives in Macedonia and the Roman Legions begin a ponderous march toward the final battles against King Philip. Yet Varro discovers a different war awaits him. One he must fight alone.
When he is ambushed by a mysterious attacker intent on taking his life, he barely escapes death. His hidden enemy gives no warning, no reason, and offers no quarter in his battles against Varro. Worse still, the enemy hides within the ranks of the Roman army itself. Varro once more battles against foes within and without. But this time young Marcus Varro is prepared to go to war.
A new season of warfare arrives in Macedonia and the Roman Legions begin a ponderous march toward the final battles against King Philip. Yet Varro discovers a different war awaits him. One he must fight alone.
When he is ambushed by a mysterious attacker intent on taking his life, he barely escapes death. His hidden enemy gives no warning, no reason, and offers no quarter in his battles against Varro. Worse still, the enemy hides within the ranks of the Roman army itself. Varro once more battles against foes within and without. But this time young Marcus Varro is prepared to go to war.
- GenresRoman
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2021
91 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Autieri
38 books70 followersJerry grew up in a snowy New England town, then decided to move to an arid desert town. Along the way, he got married and started a family.
Jerry has been writing most of his life. He loves fast-paced, pithy stories, hopefully with a few good sword fights sprinkled within.
A writer, gaming geek, and corporate flunky, Jerry spends most of his time in cubeville. He dreams of leaving it behind one day.
Jerry has been writing most of his life. He loves fast-paced, pithy stories, hopefully with a few good sword fights sprinkled within.
A writer, gaming geek, and corporate flunky, Jerry spends most of his time in cubeville. He dreams of leaving it behind one day.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 18, 2022
Brothers in Arms!
Violence, brutality, camaraderie and dark humour. These are just a few of the traumas affecting recruits conscripted into Rome's citizen army. Varro, a young peasant farmer, is conscripted into the legions to fight the Greeks. A peace loving boy, he is forced to confront his moral code and become a crazed killer and soldier of Rome. His strength of character and bravery in the face of the enemy sees him promoted through the ranks. A pawn in the political struggles of his superiors sees Varro facing life threatening dangers from within his own side, as well as that posed by the Macedonian enemy. A fast paced story that had me enthralled from start to finish.
Violence, brutality, camaraderie and dark humour. These are just a few of the traumas affecting recruits conscripted into Rome's citizen army. Varro, a young peasant farmer, is conscripted into the legions to fight the Greeks. A peace loving boy, he is forced to confront his moral code and become a crazed killer and soldier of Rome. His strength of character and bravery in the face of the enemy sees him promoted through the ranks. A pawn in the political struggles of his superiors sees Varro facing life threatening dangers from within his own side, as well as that posed by the Macedonian enemy. A fast paced story that had me enthralled from start to finish.
October 28, 2021
A Rollicking Good Story
With that old style term used a few years back, it personified the way this story was put together and presented to the reader. To wit, it moves quickly during most parts of the action, with a bit of brotherhood and pardon to lighten moments of blood and gore.
Too much coverage of the ‘normal’ hesitancy to inflict hurt on a fellow during pages of introspection
Editing was good enough not to cause a distraction from the story. Got the impression the author’s desired audience was a teen with lots of testosterone coursing through the body.
With that old style term used a few years back, it personified the way this story was put together and presented to the reader. To wit, it moves quickly during most parts of the action, with a bit of brotherhood and pardon to lighten moments of blood and gore.
Too much coverage of the ‘normal’ hesitancy to inflict hurt on a fellow during pages of introspection
Editing was good enough not to cause a distraction from the story. Got the impression the author’s desired audience was a teen with lots of testosterone coursing through the body.
February 27, 2023
Chilling battle scenes
In this 4th book, Jerry has really brought on the characters of Varro, Falco and Curio. The interplay between them is solid and believable. Drusus is a sound addition and becoming more of a patron than an outline. The jumps in the action work well and the scenery is described so I can picture it which always makes the story more readable. The battle scenes are intense and not just hung ho comic book scraps. Really enjoyed this one and the best in the series so far for me. Thanks Jerry
In this 4th book, Jerry has really brought on the characters of Varro, Falco and Curio. The interplay between them is solid and believable. Drusus is a sound addition and becoming more of a patron than an outline. The jumps in the action work well and the scenery is described so I can picture it which always makes the story more readable. The battle scenes are intense and not just hung ho comic book scraps. Really enjoyed this one and the best in the series so far for me. Thanks Jerry
October 31, 2021
Lots of “vomit” scenes, and stinky smell scenes.
“Varro pinched the bridge of his nose….”
WHY? What for??? IT DOES NOTHING!!!
A tricky, sticky, “intellectual,” type of, “Miss Marple” plot.
I could HARDLY WAIT for it to end!!! “Please, God, is it over yet???”
Typical.
According to ending notes by the author, this was pretty accurate historically.
.
“Varro pinched the bridge of his nose….”
WHY? What for??? IT DOES NOTHING!!!
A tricky, sticky, “intellectual,” type of, “Miss Marple” plot.
I could HARDLY WAIT for it to end!!! “Please, God, is it over yet???”
Typical.
According to ending notes by the author, this was pretty accurate historically.
.
January 27, 2022
Roman trinity
The depiction of Roman civilian & army life was very well written & researched, it brought together the 3 main characters into a believable trinity of soldiers, the battle scenes against the Macedonians were enthralling! I will recommend this quartet of novels to anyone.
The depiction of Roman civilian & army life was very well written & researched, it brought together the 3 main characters into a believable trinity of soldiers, the battle scenes against the Macedonians were enthralling! I will recommend this quartet of novels to anyone.
June 17, 2022
A series well worth reading
I have read a lot of historical Roman fiction and non-fiction. This series is as good as any. My only criticism is the use of American English. For a British reader it can cause a bit of pain to the eyes and brain, unless you can't spell. Notwithstanding, a very good story. What next?
I have read a lot of historical Roman fiction and non-fiction. This series is as good as any. My only criticism is the use of American English. For a British reader it can cause a bit of pain to the eyes and brain, unless you can't spell. Notwithstanding, a very good story. What next?
June 23, 2023
I have read a few books pertaining to the Roman Empire but never one with this angle. Farm boy is drafted into the army but soon becomes a target of political intrigue. There is battle, thoughtful interaction and surprising outcomes as the main character, Varro, grows into someone he does and does not want to become. I am really enjoying this series!
November 25, 2021
Amazingly good story
A wonderfully violent story that presented a perfect representation of ancient Roman wars through the lives of recruits. It was horrible, wonderful, and captivating.
A wonderfully violent story that presented a perfect representation of ancient Roman wars through the lives of recruits. It was horrible, wonderful, and captivating.
January 25, 2022
I just finished the fourth and final book in the series.
I like the writing style and the story line.
Extremely disappointed in how the series ended.
The book finished up in no where land.
There has to be a final book in this series.
I like the writing style and the story line.
Extremely disappointed in how the series ended.
The book finished up in no where land.
There has to be a final book in this series.
August 2, 2022
Another Great Book by Jerry Autieri
This was another page turning book by a talented author. I’ll get book 5 next which will probably make me lose sleep reading like this book did.
Joe Corso
Author of The Starlight Club
This was another page turning book by a talented author. I’ll get book 5 next which will probably make me lose sleep reading like this book did.
Joe Corso
Author of The Starlight Club
Read
September 6, 2021Excellent read
November 16, 2021
Varro’s War
Book 4 in the Heroes of Rome completed, enjoyed reading all 4 books, the last 3 in less than a week. Well worth it
Book 4 in the Heroes of Rome completed, enjoyed reading all 4 books, the last 3 in less than a week. Well worth it
December 13, 2021
Good reading
Spoilt by the lack of a good proof reader. What is it with kindle books? Does no one take any pride in their work?
Spoilt by the lack of a good proof reader. What is it with kindle books? Does no one take any pride in their work?
October 29, 2022
Good but getting a little outrageous. Great series, this one missed the mark a little.
Still worth the read and the books all stand alone, the ones previous I'd give 5stars
Still worth the read and the books all stand alone, the ones previous I'd give 5stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews