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Marius' Mules #14
The Last Battle
The war in Africa is over and the rebel cause hangs by a thread. With opposition to Caesar now led by Labienus and by Pompey’s sons in Hispania, Caesar is one step from ending the civil war that has plagued Rome for years.
Before the war can be pursued, though, Caesar has matters to attend to in Rome. And against a backdrop of glorious triumphs and civil friction, the general’s old warhorse Marcus Falerius Fronto begins to uncover a series of events that may have a cause in common. Investigation, however, is sidelined as necessity finally draws everyone across the sea to the crucible of war once again.
In Hispania the clouds gather, for though the rebels may have been pushed into a corner, they are far from beaten. With the great name of Pompey and the tactical genius of Labienus on their side, Caesar must fight hard to win the day. Fronto and his friends must give all they have now, for the prize for this campaign is the ultimate one: the republic itself.
Before the war can be pursued, though, Caesar has matters to attend to in Rome. And against a backdrop of glorious triumphs and civil friction, the general’s old warhorse Marcus Falerius Fronto begins to uncover a series of events that may have a cause in common. Investigation, however, is sidelined as necessity finally draws everyone across the sea to the crucible of war once again.
In Hispania the clouds gather, for though the rebels may have been pushed into a corner, they are far from beaten. With the great name of Pompey and the tactical genius of Labienus on their side, Caesar must fight hard to win the day. Fronto and his friends must give all they have now, for the prize for this campaign is the ultimate one: the republic itself.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2021
74 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
S.J.A. Turney
95 books503 followersSimon lives with his wife and children and a menagerie of animals in rural North Yorkshire, where he sits in an office, wired on coffee and digestive biscuits, and attempts to spin engrossing tales out of strands of imagination while his children drive toys across his desk and two dogs howl as they try to share a brain cell.
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 18, 2022
The Last Battle
by S.J.A. Turney
BLURB
The war in Africa is over and the rebel cause hangs by a thread. With opposition to Caesar now led by Labienus and by Pompey’s sons in Hispania, Caesar is one step from ending the civil war that has plagued Rome for years.
Before the war can be pursued, though, Caesar has matters to attend to in Rome. And against a backdrop of glorious triumphs and civil friction, the general’s old warhorse Marcus Falerius Fronto begins to uncover a series of events that may have a cause in common. Investigation, however, is sidelined as necessity finally draws everyone across the sea to the crucible of war once again.
In Hispania the clouds gather, for though the rebels may have been pushed into a corner, they are far from beaten. With the great name of Pompey and the tactical genius of Labienus on their side, Caesar must fight hard to win the day. Fronto and his friends must give all they have now, for the prize for this campaign is the ultimate one: the republic itself.
REVIEW
I'm going to dispense with the usual review process. I mean, if you're this far into the series you know what to expect. I will say this though, I really like the how the character of Galronus has grown. I will also say this, I love the way Simon has set things up for the grand finale where Gaius Julius Caesar returns to Rome and lives happily ever after. Brokers peace between that Egyptian Queen and the Roman populace...names Caesarian his heir...Oh wait, there seems to be some acrimonious folks lurking. Maybe we'll have to wait and see.... Can't wait for XV. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by S.J.A. Turney
BLURB
The war in Africa is over and the rebel cause hangs by a thread. With opposition to Caesar now led by Labienus and by Pompey’s sons in Hispania, Caesar is one step from ending the civil war that has plagued Rome for years.
Before the war can be pursued, though, Caesar has matters to attend to in Rome. And against a backdrop of glorious triumphs and civil friction, the general’s old warhorse Marcus Falerius Fronto begins to uncover a series of events that may have a cause in common. Investigation, however, is sidelined as necessity finally draws everyone across the sea to the crucible of war once again.
In Hispania the clouds gather, for though the rebels may have been pushed into a corner, they are far from beaten. With the great name of Pompey and the tactical genius of Labienus on their side, Caesar must fight hard to win the day. Fronto and his friends must give all they have now, for the prize for this campaign is the ultimate one: the republic itself.
REVIEW
I'm going to dispense with the usual review process. I mean, if you're this far into the series you know what to expect. I will say this though, I really like the how the character of Galronus has grown. I will also say this, I love the way Simon has set things up for the grand finale where Gaius Julius Caesar returns to Rome and lives happily ever after. Brokers peace between that Egyptian Queen and the Roman populace...names Caesarian his heir...Oh wait, there seems to be some acrimonious folks lurking. Maybe we'll have to wait and see.... Can't wait for XV. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 3, 2021
Well worth waiting for.
It feels like i've waited years for this, the last book in the series. It was worth the wait. Fronto is on his last campaign and along with his best friend and future brother in law Galronus of the Remi, head for Hispania. Waiting for them are the two Pompey brothers and Titus Labienus. The Pompey's are not the problem, it's Labienus. Fronto, Galronus and even Caeser himself were once great friends, but no more. Labienus is the biggest hurdle because he was a brilliant general. If they can remove Labienus, they can finally win the war.
Brilliantly written, the battle scenes are top notch and the book keeps pulling you along. I couldn't put it down. I can't recommend this series highly enough. It is superb and now i've read the last one, it means I can start the whole series again in the not too distant future. That's how good it is.
It feels like i've waited years for this, the last book in the series. It was worth the wait. Fronto is on his last campaign and along with his best friend and future brother in law Galronus of the Remi, head for Hispania. Waiting for them are the two Pompey brothers and Titus Labienus. The Pompey's are not the problem, it's Labienus. Fronto, Galronus and even Caeser himself were once great friends, but no more. Labienus is the biggest hurdle because he was a brilliant general. If they can remove Labienus, they can finally win the war.
Brilliantly written, the battle scenes are top notch and the book keeps pulling you along. I couldn't put it down. I can't recommend this series highly enough. It is superb and now i've read the last one, it means I can start the whole series again in the not too distant future. That's how good it is.
October 31, 2021
I have read Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe and Last Kingdom series and in my opinion Mr Turney's Marius Mules series trumps the above.
Fronto is a delight and you cannot help but love this irascible General and confidant of Caesar. The stories are great and are a right riveting read. I cannot wait for book 15. However this will be a bittersweet moment as it will bring this fantastic series to it's conclusion.
This series is a must for those who enjoy historical fiction heavily laced with historical fact.
In fact I have not encountered a poor novel by SJA Turney I have enjoyed them all.
Fronto is a delight and you cannot help but love this irascible General and confidant of Caesar. The stories are great and are a right riveting read. I cannot wait for book 15. However this will be a bittersweet moment as it will bring this fantastic series to it's conclusion.
This series is a must for those who enjoy historical fiction heavily laced with historical fact.
In fact I have not encountered a poor novel by SJA Turney I have enjoyed them all.
March 11, 2022
Having read the first 13 in the series I was clearly going to like this.
It is a well constructed and interesting book form a trusted author although the historical source material must bear some blame for the way the story of the action seems less than clear at times.
A good read overall but if you have stuck with the series so far 13 and 14 are the weaker ones.
Roll on the grand finale in book 15.
It is a well constructed and interesting book form a trusted author although the historical source material must bear some blame for the way the story of the action seems less than clear at times.
A good read overall but if you have stuck with the series so far 13 and 14 are the weaker ones.
Roll on the grand finale in book 15.
June 15, 2022
The Battle
I didn't want to read the last book because I didn't want it to end.
Now I don't want to read the last book again ????,
but I will wait for as long as I can.
I have nearly 300 books on my Kindle and S.J.A Turney features the most.
Thanks to all for making this series enjoyable.
I didn't want to read the last book because I didn't want it to end.
Now I don't want to read the last book again ????,
but I will wait for as long as I can.
I have nearly 300 books on my Kindle and S.J.A Turney features the most.
Thanks to all for making this series enjoyable.
March 24, 2023
Another fantastic tale from Simon Turney.
Simon Turney 's portrayal of Julius Caesar in the last 14 books have been nothing but pure delight to read the fact that he made Caesar a man capable of making mistakes and actually human is a brilliant. having Frodo and other officers bailing him out of trouble make for an amazing story, I can't wait for the last book.
Simon Turney 's portrayal of Julius Caesar in the last 14 books have been nothing but pure delight to read the fact that he made Caesar a man capable of making mistakes and actually human is a brilliant. having Frodo and other officers bailing him out of trouble make for an amazing story, I can't wait for the last book.
January 22, 2022
I wish the next book was already out
I have enjoyed every one of the books in this series. The author has the ability to trap me within the story to where I can hardly stop reading.
I have enjoyed every one of the books in this series. The author has the ability to trap me within the story to where I can hardly stop reading.
February 8, 2022
What can I say! Another excellent book in the tale of Fronto et al. Love the history of Caesar, the information on battles and military strategy and the "fun stuff". Yes Mr Turney I like all three areas as they compliment each other so well. Absolutely dreading the next book. 😫
December 9, 2025
The Last Battle
This was again a Marvel of an historical fiction. As the story of Ceaser winds down to the end which no one wants to see coming. I am hoping that Fronto and Galouras can keep them selves clear of the intrigue around Ceaser's demise. The Saga continues on.
This was again a Marvel of an historical fiction. As the story of Ceaser winds down to the end which no one wants to see coming. I am hoping that Fronto and Galouras can keep them selves clear of the intrigue around Ceaser's demise. The Saga continues on.
November 22, 2021
I hope it’s not the last chapter
Really enjoyed all the books in the series and sometime soon I will read them again. Thanks for the memories.
Really enjoyed all the books in the series and sometime soon I will read them again. Thanks for the memories.
December 23, 2021
Good read and set up to Caesars end
I do not always love this mans other novels
I love this series and will miss it greatly when it ends
I do not always love this mans other novels
I love this series and will miss it greatly when it ends
January 18, 2022
Fantastic
Brilliant didn't expect anything else. I know that the finale of this series is in sight which makes me a bit sad but can't wait for it. Thank you for these books .
Brilliant didn't expect anything else. I know that the finale of this series is in sight which makes me a bit sad but can't wait for it. Thank you for these books .
January 23, 2022
Another great read
Fronto continues his career, touring Spain, civil. war,betrayal. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Caesar struggles to contain and with Fronto's help all may be well.
Fronto continues his career, touring Spain, civil. war,betrayal. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Caesar struggles to contain and with Fronto's help all may be well.
February 22, 2022
The idles of March approach
Loose ends are dealt with and various people left offended. I like how the future is being played out to make way for what is to come.
Loose ends are dealt with and various people left offended. I like how the future is being played out to make way for what is to come.
January 8, 2023
great series of books. got me through COVID
Another great read. Highly recommend this whole series. Educational
(Be sure to read the authors note) and very very entertaining.
Another great read. Highly recommend this whole series. Educational
(Be sure to read the authors note) and very very entertaining.
March 27, 2023
another Fronto book I couldn’t put down
Lots of Military strategy and an insight to Caesar. This was another excellent read with one of my favorite characters, Fronto.
Lots of Military strategy and an insight to Caesar. This was another excellent read with one of my favorite characters, Fronto.
October 31, 2021
Very enjoyable!
I love the entire Marius' Mules series. From Fronto's grumbling, the fun bantering, and the outrageous military maneuvers, it is always an adventure. I did see more editing errors than usual though. But overall I look forward to the next book.
I love the entire Marius' Mules series. From Fronto's grumbling, the fun bantering, and the outrageous military maneuvers, it is always an adventure. I did see more editing errors than usual though. But overall I look forward to the next book.
August 16, 2024
This book was excellent and the narration by Malc Williams is entertaining, as always. His rendition of Caesar`s voice sounds pinched and constipated, which is amusing and can`t be missed.
Since most other reviews are about the book itself, often being summaries of the plots and commentary on Turney`s writing style, this one will be about his historical note at the end. Turney commented that his first books were mainly based on Caesar`s reports to the senate. Caesar`s first reports, during the Gaul and Britannia campaigns, were written by Caesar himself, with exacting details and terse commentary (blatantly self-serving at times) but easy to understand and follow. However, once he attained power and wealth, he had secretaries and assistants writing the commentaries and reports with a gradual reduction in exactitude and literary ability. The final reports, upon which the last two books of the series are based, were most likely prepared by someone very junior on Caesar`s staff. This note explains why the books dealing with Caesar`s exploits in the East and Egypt seem rambling and hard to follow at times. Of course, Turney also tried to track down stray details with alternative sources, the books dealing with the Eastern campaign and Egypt take on a vagueness that is uncharacteristic of Turney`s careful writing. Despite these handicaps, Turney still applied great imagination to fill in the gaps and the books remained entertaining and informative. His creation of Frodo as the main protagonist in these books was a genius move and helped to move the plot along when the details were unclear. I`m looking forward to the final book to see what Turney has to say about the conspiracy that took Caesar down.
Since most other reviews are about the book itself, often being summaries of the plots and commentary on Turney`s writing style, this one will be about his historical note at the end. Turney commented that his first books were mainly based on Caesar`s reports to the senate. Caesar`s first reports, during the Gaul and Britannia campaigns, were written by Caesar himself, with exacting details and terse commentary (blatantly self-serving at times) but easy to understand and follow. However, once he attained power and wealth, he had secretaries and assistants writing the commentaries and reports with a gradual reduction in exactitude and literary ability. The final reports, upon which the last two books of the series are based, were most likely prepared by someone very junior on Caesar`s staff. This note explains why the books dealing with Caesar`s exploits in the East and Egypt seem rambling and hard to follow at times. Of course, Turney also tried to track down stray details with alternative sources, the books dealing with the Eastern campaign and Egypt take on a vagueness that is uncharacteristic of Turney`s careful writing. Despite these handicaps, Turney still applied great imagination to fill in the gaps and the books remained entertaining and informative. His creation of Frodo as the main protagonist in these books was a genius move and helped to move the plot along when the details were unclear. I`m looking forward to the final book to see what Turney has to say about the conspiracy that took Caesar down.
July 10, 2023
entertaining
All through the book there were plots and strategies going on. They kept me enthralled all the way. An excellent read.
All through the book there were plots and strategies going on. They kept me enthralled all the way. An excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews