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Imperium #3
The Sands of Saturn
Britannians on the March
With the Carthaginians pushed inside the walls of Londiumun, the Britannians can finally stop reacting and take the fight to them. Hoping to retake the British Isles and even add new allies to the Alliance, legions are dispatched to Ériu, the emerald isle, to push back Carthaginian expansion there.
Ky, a test pilot from the future and now Consul for the Britannic Empire, knows that Carthaginian retaliation is coming and prepares an explosive new surprise for the invaders.
With the Carthaginians pushed inside the walls of Londiumun, the Britannians can finally stop reacting and take the fight to them. Hoping to retake the British Isles and even add new allies to the Alliance, legions are dispatched to Ériu, the emerald isle, to push back Carthaginian expansion there.
Ky, a test pilot from the future and now Consul for the Britannic Empire, knows that Carthaginian retaliation is coming and prepares an explosive new surprise for the invaders.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2022
198 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Travis Starnes
43 books89 followersTravis writes science fiction, fantasy, and thriller novels (and the occasional coming-of-age story), with the hope of transporting and enthralling readers. Publishing novels since 2015, Travis’s passion is creating worlds and characters that live and breathe, and experiencing the joy of those stories with his readers.
When not writing, Travis enjoys connecting with readers and other writers, managing the popular Complete Marvel Reading Order website, where he works on his other passion for comics and graphic novels, and spending time with his family.
When not writing, Travis enjoys connecting with readers and other writers, managing the popular Complete Marvel Reading Order website, where he works on his other passion for comics and graphic novels, and spending time with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 14, 2024
Follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/wolfmantula
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.25/5
FORMAT: Kindle Whispersync
With how I felt about The Trumpets of Mars, I was fully expecting to bring on the same criticism of shying away from actual combat during these battles, but I was somewhat wrong. While Starnes did a lot more than he’s done previously, which made me happy because there were some good scenes, but I still feel like there just wasn’t enough done. For a book that has several battles in it, there’s a lot that could’ve been expanded upon, but instead was just glazed over. With The Sand of Saturn only being 384 pages which is 300 pages shorter than book 1, The Sword of Jupiter, it just wasn’t enough and left me wishing there was more to it than there was.
With there being multiple locations, Starnes takes on multiple POV’s adding in Llessar, Velius, as well as Lucilla. Llesar, Velius and Ky are all dealing with battles at different areas and sometimes the change of locations was used as a cut scene in a way, to keep from talking about travel, which is ok with me, or going into more depth about the battles that I’ve stated above, and when we come back, the battle is coming to an end or has ended. Again, just wish there was a lot more to these battles rather than them ending or being interrupted by changing location and POV.
“Looking beyond the front rank, he saw the Consul, holding two of the longer Carthaginian blades, covered in blood, looking like a demon sent from the depths of the underworld.”
I will say this, my rating was going to be lower until I got to the last 30-40 minutes of this book, because it was phenomenal! This was a battle that I didn’t mind the lack of depth of combat because they took to the seas, and had one of the coolest scenes where I can honestly say that it is my favorite part of this entire series so far. I was anticipating to see what would happen next on each page, I was completely locked in on that. But of course the coolest thing is seeing Rome progress with things Ky continues to introduce to them, especially knowing it’s something that shouldn’t be known for a very long time and to see how they interact with it. That is what really makes me enjoy this, aside from the phenomenal narration by Kevin Kemp.
It seems like a lot of criticism but it’s really just the depth of action, because I really do enjoy the story and where Starnes is taking it. He’s done a great job of building up the characters and introducing new ones that are just as interesting as the ones we already know. I’m very excited to see what happens next, though I know I may still have that same criticism throughout this series. One other thing I really liked and will come in handy as I wait for the audio for books 4 & 5 is that he basically uses chapter 1 as kind of a story so far to help catch the reader back up.
For more reviews, go to: https://wolfmantula.com/recent-posts/
MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.25/5
FORMAT: Kindle Whispersync
With how I felt about The Trumpets of Mars, I was fully expecting to bring on the same criticism of shying away from actual combat during these battles, but I was somewhat wrong. While Starnes did a lot more than he’s done previously, which made me happy because there were some good scenes, but I still feel like there just wasn’t enough done. For a book that has several battles in it, there’s a lot that could’ve been expanded upon, but instead was just glazed over. With The Sand of Saturn only being 384 pages which is 300 pages shorter than book 1, The Sword of Jupiter, it just wasn’t enough and left me wishing there was more to it than there was.
With there being multiple locations, Starnes takes on multiple POV’s adding in Llessar, Velius, as well as Lucilla. Llesar, Velius and Ky are all dealing with battles at different areas and sometimes the change of locations was used as a cut scene in a way, to keep from talking about travel, which is ok with me, or going into more depth about the battles that I’ve stated above, and when we come back, the battle is coming to an end or has ended. Again, just wish there was a lot more to these battles rather than them ending or being interrupted by changing location and POV.
“Looking beyond the front rank, he saw the Consul, holding two of the longer Carthaginian blades, covered in blood, looking like a demon sent from the depths of the underworld.”
I will say this, my rating was going to be lower until I got to the last 30-40 minutes of this book, because it was phenomenal! This was a battle that I didn’t mind the lack of depth of combat because they took to the seas, and had one of the coolest scenes where I can honestly say that it is my favorite part of this entire series so far. I was anticipating to see what would happen next on each page, I was completely locked in on that. But of course the coolest thing is seeing Rome progress with things Ky continues to introduce to them, especially knowing it’s something that shouldn’t be known for a very long time and to see how they interact with it. That is what really makes me enjoy this, aside from the phenomenal narration by Kevin Kemp.
It seems like a lot of criticism but it’s really just the depth of action, because I really do enjoy the story and where Starnes is taking it. He’s done a great job of building up the characters and introducing new ones that are just as interesting as the ones we already know. I’m very excited to see what happens next, though I know I may still have that same criticism throughout this series. One other thing I really liked and will come in handy as I wait for the audio for books 4 & 5 is that he basically uses chapter 1 as kind of a story so far to help catch the reader back up.
August 21, 2024
I am really enjoying the series and just burning through it as a late summer read.
November 5, 2022
Good continuation
This was a good addition to the storyline! Eagerly anticipating the fourth book! Had fun reading it, and hope to see more soon!
This was a good addition to the storyline! Eagerly anticipating the fourth book! Had fun reading it, and hope to see more soon!
November 4, 2022
The best book in series yet, the action moves fluidly and in a manner that makes sense and the story keeps getting more interesting.
Can't wait for the next book.
Can't wait for the next book.
September 18, 2023
It seems weak and cheap that a huge part of this book is just introducing modern technology to a historic people. That's my biggest criticism. I like all the characters, and I like the story. I will continue reading it as long as they go to audiobook. Despite my criticism, I am fond of this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2023
My thoughts and suggestions
Will there be more ebook novels sequels to the Imperium series. And once the Carthagian Empire is fully and completely handled could there be consideration for gradually exploring the rest of the continent of Africa, Asia, into the continents of North America South America and in between them Central America. Pacific Ocean Micronesean Islands etc, Australia. And maybe work with Amazon Studios/Amazon and MGM Studios on gradually combining the Imperium series with their entire Stargate franchise lore and content etc. Which honestly the first Stargate Franchise hostile extraterrestrial species/Race Civilization/culture and sub-Civilization/subculture the Goauld Empire might be the perfect storyline opportunity for genuinely putting the Roman reactionaries in the perspective shoes of the slaves and those that they merely view as Barbarians therefore putting themselves above them. And in case of multi generational gradual visual physical aging process storyline it would be worth strongly considering the aspects of the visual gradual aging process accumulation of outward appearances visual individual in-depth detailed evidences/signs such as wrinkle accumulation/growth/expansion connected to gradual years and decades possibly however many generations of emotional facial expressions through dynamic wrinkles gradually accumulatively transitionally turning/transforming into static wrinkles.
Will there be more ebook novels sequels to the Imperium series. And once the Carthagian Empire is fully and completely handled could there be consideration for gradually exploring the rest of the continent of Africa, Asia, into the continents of North America South America and in between them Central America. Pacific Ocean Micronesean Islands etc, Australia. And maybe work with Amazon Studios/Amazon and MGM Studios on gradually combining the Imperium series with their entire Stargate franchise lore and content etc. Which honestly the first Stargate Franchise hostile extraterrestrial species/Race Civilization/culture and sub-Civilization/subculture the Goauld Empire might be the perfect storyline opportunity for genuinely putting the Roman reactionaries in the perspective shoes of the slaves and those that they merely view as Barbarians therefore putting themselves above them. And in case of multi generational gradual visual physical aging process storyline it would be worth strongly considering the aspects of the visual gradual aging process accumulation of outward appearances visual individual in-depth detailed evidences/signs such as wrinkle accumulation/growth/expansion connected to gradual years and decades possibly however many generations of emotional facial expressions through dynamic wrinkles gradually accumulatively transitionally turning/transforming into static wrinkles.
May 22, 2025
Cant stand no more of the yas queen type of writing in the series . this type of strong independent woman doing what she wants when she wants and how she wants always conflict with reality . in a setting set in 200 ad ? 100x worse . i love characters that are cool regardless of gender BUT they have ato EARN IT . this way to write female leads that needs others characters to continuously praise them and say how smart and cool they are is such a lazy ,disingenuous and fake way to hype a a character .
if they are that SHOW IT IN THEIR ACTIONS not scream it in the face of the reader . i get that most people dont see this but personally when you do, like me its soo on the nose it will immediately broke the 4rt wall. there are soo much good written female character out there this author just don't have the skill to write them . i give it a chance and read until now but it just keep getting worse and worse . after the stabbing thing i couldn't keep goin no more . this is disney level of character logic . if you are like me who can't stand reading propaganda this series isn't for you
if they are that SHOW IT IN THEIR ACTIONS not scream it in the face of the reader . i get that most people dont see this but personally when you do, like me its soo on the nose it will immediately broke the 4rt wall. there are soo much good written female character out there this author just don't have the skill to write them . i give it a chance and read until now but it just keep getting worse and worse . after the stabbing thing i couldn't keep goin no more . this is disney level of character logic . if you are like me who can't stand reading propaganda this series isn't for you
May 9, 2023
Love this series!
Having thought and read a time or two on a modern warrior and what they could've accomplished in a less modern world, I think none have done better than Mr Starnes. His taking a further step with a perceived future main character with enhanced biometric capabilities and, an AI bonded in his brain, has brought a different aspect to the equation. The world building is quite gorgeous and rich in characters and descriptions that put you into the very scene, often with visceral imagery and insight to step or rush as the story unfolds. Travis is a very talented writer, I highly recommend it!
Having thought and read a time or two on a modern warrior and what they could've accomplished in a less modern world, I think none have done better than Mr Starnes. His taking a further step with a perceived future main character with enhanced biometric capabilities and, an AI bonded in his brain, has brought a different aspect to the equation. The world building is quite gorgeous and rich in characters and descriptions that put you into the very scene, often with visceral imagery and insight to step or rush as the story unfolds. Travis is a very talented writer, I highly recommend it!
April 28, 2024
Needs Maps & Glossary of Roman Army Units
I'm really enjoying this series BUT the geography is making me crazy. Using Roman names for countries I get but as the locations change in the battle sequences trying to figure out where things are happening is making me nuts! Inverness is in eastern Scotland not southwestern Ireland...
Also all the military units need explanation and a few pictures wouldn't hurt.
So far this series is really interesting and I enjoy the mash up of ancient and future technologies and how to go about achieving them.
One question - is Great Britain bat free?
I'm really enjoying this series BUT the geography is making me crazy. Using Roman names for countries I get but as the locations change in the battle sequences trying to figure out where things are happening is making me nuts! Inverness is in eastern Scotland not southwestern Ireland...
Also all the military units need explanation and a few pictures wouldn't hurt.
So far this series is really interesting and I enjoy the mash up of ancient and future technologies and how to go about achieving them.
One question - is Great Britain bat free?
August 12, 2025
It's better than the last book. We finally get to see some technological progress and a battle won decisively through tech, which is usually the bread-and-butter of these kinds of books. It still leans a bit too heavily on Ky having superhuman abilities due to his augmentations.
The Roman dissidents remain incredibly stupid, and hard to believe because of their stupidity. They think the Carthaginians are going to "liberate" them? Really? Hating the protagonist because he's messing with their livelihood is understandable, but there's no way they'd think being conquered is going to be good for them.
The Roman dissidents remain incredibly stupid, and hard to believe because of their stupidity. They think the Carthaginians are going to "liberate" them? Really? Hating the protagonist because he's messing with their livelihood is understandable, but there's no way they'd think being conquered is going to be good for them.
February 2, 2023
Bravo
Excellent work here. Like the attention to detail and the crushed spirits of the Carthaginians! Love how Sophus steps in with aiming of the canon! Why else would you have a tactical war computer in your head if you can't use it? Keep it up. Looking forward to the fourth book!
Excellent work here. Like the attention to detail and the crushed spirits of the Carthaginians! Love how Sophus steps in with aiming of the canon! Why else would you have a tactical war computer in your head if you can't use it? Keep it up. Looking forward to the fourth book!
August 15, 2023
Entertaining Read
Ky and Lucilla are talking marriage. Will Lucilla stake a permanent claim on Ky? The faction that supports a return to the old ways is still a danger to her. The new inventions are coming along in time to deal with invasion. I like the action, humor, intrigue, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
Ky and Lucilla are talking marriage. Will Lucilla stake a permanent claim on Ky? The faction that supports a return to the old ways is still a danger to her. The new inventions are coming along in time to deal with invasion. I like the action, humor, intrigue, and romance. I look forward to the next book.
September 30, 2024
I liked this series a lot. There are a good number of these types of books around. Seems when they are good they are very good. This series is good and worth the time to read. So it’s a 5 star read. I will read all of the series and any more published in the future. Glad I found it since a good fantasy book/series is hard to find. It won’t disappoint.
September 12, 2025
A nice balance of technical/political details with heroic-action & military strategy. It looks like Starnes will maintain alternating POVs for each country/theatre-of-war. While I'm interested in the design of a long-term stable form of government for the empire, I also want to see the bad-guys get their collective arses kicked.
November 8, 2022
Great read!
One of the best time travel series I've read in awhile. Well thought out story line and believable exciting characters full of honor and battle experience with just enough romantic parts in the storyline.
One of the best time travel series I've read in awhile. Well thought out story line and believable exciting characters full of honor and battle experience with just enough romantic parts in the storyline.
February 9, 2025
more fun and games.
The evolution of primitive Britannica into the future British Empire has begun. Gunpowder! Sailing ships with cannon mountings. Telescopes and signal towers. The future is theirs if only Ky and Scophus can stay ahead of retribution from their enemies.
The evolution of primitive Britannica into the future British Empire has begun. Gunpowder! Sailing ships with cannon mountings. Telescopes and signal towers. The future is theirs if only Ky and Scophus can stay ahead of retribution from their enemies.
July 11, 2025
Ky and Lucilla unite the British Isles to kick the Carthaginians out of Londinium. Sophos gets completely sapient. They brew some potassium nitrate from horse piss to concoct gunpowder, fire up some new metallurgy, and install a better measurement system. And Bob’s your uncle, cannons. 3.5
November 13, 2022
Great Reading
This story was even hoo so that I really enjoyed reading. The story of a advanced soldier going back to the
The Roman’s days was great
This story was even hoo so that I really enjoyed reading. The story of a advanced soldier going back to the
The Roman’s days was great
November 18, 2022
Good series
Not the best of this type of story, but not the worst. Look forward to next book. Glads its kindle unlimited
Not the best of this type of story, but not the worst. Look forward to next book. Glads its kindle unlimited
November 19, 2022
good addition to the series
Overall a good addition to the series. I read it from front to back in a couple of settings and can’t wait for the next one.
Overall a good addition to the series. I read it from front to back in a couple of settings and can’t wait for the next one.
December 1, 2022
Very good book
Can't wait for the next one to come out , training Ky will be able to give them is going to making them almost unstoppable
Can't wait for the next one to come out , training Ky will be able to give them is going to making them almost unstoppable
March 6, 2023
Superb story
Amazing book , couldnt get enough and went through three books non stop.
Interesting plot and well written and now eagerly waiting for story to continue.
Amazing book , couldnt get enough and went through three books non stop.
Interesting plot and well written and now eagerly waiting for story to continue.
March 13, 2023
The pace was extremely slow culminating in a climax that was absolutely underwhelming. Understandable if this is to be more than a trilogy. Very disappointing in my opinion
February 21, 2024
More time traveling goodness
I'm a big fan of the time traveler trope like Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen, and this series scratches that itch in spades.
I'm a big fan of the time traveler trope like Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen, and this series scratches that itch in spades.
May 22, 2024
4 stars. Good continuation.
October 9, 2024
Magic
Book3, brilliant saga am going from book to book and not looking forward to book 6 as it it will mean the end of the series.
Book3, brilliant saga am going from book to book and not looking forward to book 6 as it it will mean the end of the series.
January 21, 2025
The action picks up and the battles are interesting but the characters are still lacking depth. I'm still enjoying the backdrop and just wish the MC had a better personality.
September 10, 2025
What can I say? This series is my current obsession. Extremely easy listen and this book continued to build on the previous two. Really loving the alternate history aspect of this series.
August 9, 2024
Loved every minute of it..
Can't get enough
Can't get enough
March 14, 2023
As with the prior books in the series, I found myself deeply engrossed in the story telling and the universe created by the author. His compelling narrative places you in the universe and makes you feel invested in the outcome of ever piece of action.
Unlike many authors, Starnes places his characters in the real world where there is an understanding of actual science, psychology, and the reality of conflict. He addresses torture as not only completely ineffective for gathering information, but then highlights how reliable information can be acquired. This fidelity to reality makes this universe engrossing in a way that other authors fail to achieve.
Starnes shows how to write brilliant fiction in this novel and I can't wait for the next installment to come out.
Unlike many authors, Starnes places his characters in the real world where there is an understanding of actual science, psychology, and the reality of conflict. He addresses torture as not only completely ineffective for gathering information, but then highlights how reliable information can be acquired. This fidelity to reality makes this universe engrossing in a way that other authors fail to achieve.
Starnes shows how to write brilliant fiction in this novel and I can't wait for the next installment to come out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews