Libertas

by Alistair Forrest

Set in southern Spain in the First Century BC, Libertas introduces the people who live in the idyllic mountain community of Munda and the ancient Kemeletoi people who thrive in the surrounding countryside. But the world is ruled by Rome, whose generals have a score to settle - Julius Caesar has force-marched eight crack legions from Italy to subdue the sons of Pompey, and two huge armies will clash in the wide upland valley that stretches before Munda. The final, savage battle of a remorseless struggle for world dominance. A battle that will leave 30,000 dead and a community devastated. But there's an unlikely hero who refuses to give in to the despair and horror of war, who believes his family can be rescued from slavery, who refuses to accept that Roman cruelty and greed has changed his beloved Munda forever. Someone who has experienced the power of the great eagles that patrol his homeland and must learn there is strength in forging covenants with friends, whether ancient mountain folk, berber warriors or disenfranchised Romans. This is a story of bravery, love, invention and hope. "Forrest has the gift of the true story-teller the ability to engage his readers interest from the very first sentence." - Lord Cormack – politician, historian and author "Alistair Forrest's Libertas is a fast-moving tale of fortitude, survival and eventual retribution told against the background of Rome's bloody civil war. In the mountains of southern Spain, Melqart grows up unaware of the unseen forces which are drawing the armies of Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great's sons towards an explosive collision in a valley close to his beloved village of Munda. As the action sweeps dramatically between Spain, Sicily and the shores of Africa, Melqart is drawn ever deeper into the conspiracy by his friendship with Sextus [son of Pompey the Great]. The young Spaniard must fight for his life and his family's freedom and Forrest vividly recreates the epic battle that gave Caesar the prize he sought so avidly." - Douglas Jackson, author of the best-selling Gaius Valerius Verrens series. "Libertas is a good read: pacy, exciting and often funny. Forrest makes us care about Munda. He captures the tragedy of a people dragged into the horror of a vicious war brought about by circumstances over which they had no control and could hardly understand." - Lynn Guest, Historical Novel Society. "I am in hog heaven with books like Libertas" - Nan Hawthorne, That's All She Read.

Genres: Historical Fiction

452 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Alistair Forrest was brought up in the Middle East, dashing to and from the UK for a spot of schooling. He's lived in six countries all told, and visited many of the rest.

He's worked for three UK newspapers and edited travel, photographic and natural health magazines. He ran a PR company for a decade.

Perhaps moving to Alderney in the Channel Islands with his wife Lynda in 2019 has put an end to his nomadic lust. Who knows? But at least he now lives near a beach and quite a few other creative types.

Here, he writes historical fiction (Libertas, Line in the Sand, Vipers of Rome, Sea of Flames) all published by Sapere Books in 2024. A new series, The Britannia Conspiracy, is scheduled for launch in 2025.

He also edits a UK health food magazine and is a volunteer for the Alderney Literary Trust which hosts the annual Alderney Literary Festival.

Busy guy.

Reviews

[Stuart jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libertas was an unusual choice for this reader who prefers historical tales based on modern history, which makes my enjoyment of this novel all the more remarkable. From the outset it fell into that rare category of book which forces you to read almost too fast for the brain to process as the desire, even need, to find out what happens next grabs hold of your senses.

The characters are alive and appealing, it is not long before each is cared for deeply and unexpectedly, this connection is maintained with a wide spread of characters, not just the leads. I found myself caring whether two bit playing slave girls would ever achieve freedom and love.

It is a masterful piece of literature that delivers a great story and a history lesson while developing the reader's appreciation for the native people and land they occupy. It is plain to see that the author, to lend the characters and culture authenticity, has painstakingly researched the content.

It's a great read that I recommend to everyone.

[Ivana Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is only 217 pages long, but they are much bigger than an average paperback page, son it took longer to read than expected. The typeface is also very small. An interesting take on the end of Caesar's civil war with Pompey. The historical details are excellently done, with Sextus Pompey being particularly well-written. The main character is also very well done, though I can't honestly say the same for sopme of the others. The central villain of the piece is 2D at best and the final showdown between hero and villain doesn't happen, which disappoints somewhat. In general not a bad book - if you can find it cheap somewhere. If more than £4 I'd stick to Ben Kane , Simon Scarrow etc personally. I have got Forrest's other books, though whether I say much the same for those remains to be seen .

[Johnson smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libertas is a fast-moving and engaging historical novel set during the bloody Roman civil war of 45BC. The story follows Melqart, an ordinary Spaniard whose life is shattered when his family is enslaved and his people are oppressed after the Battle of Munda.

Melqart’s journey across Spain, Sicily, and Africa is filled with danger, courage, and determination as he fights to reclaim his freedom and protect those he loves. The novel balances action with emotional depth, showing the human cost of Rome’s power struggles.

Overall, Libertas is an exciting and heartfelt read, perfect for fans of dramatic, character-driven historical fiction.

[Fiona Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully-written account of a time of tumult.
Melqart is a hero in touch with his environment, and with a touch of the mystic and spiritual that sets him apart. His quest to rescue his family takes him around the Mediterranean at a time when Rome’s internal fighting made this a dangerous and violent place. As a historian, I found that Rome’s interactions with her provinces particularly well-drawn. More than an adventure, the story’s evocative landscapes come to life: and despite the violence and loss suffered, there is always optimism.

[Todd Fonseca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libertas – An Epic Journey into Roman Hispania

Rating: 5 of 5

Author: Alistair Forrest
Format: Paperback, Kindle

High atop the Iberian Peninsula Mountains in the small somewhat forgotten village of Munda, young Melqart struggles in his sword play practice against the much larger and athletic Arsay. Though boys will be boys, their early conflicts of brain versus brawn escalates as the two boys age. Arsay becomes increasing jealous of Melqart who along with the help of a young girl – Leandra – ingeniously trap and kill wild bore for their village infuriating Arsay. As the tension grows between these two, so does the faraway conflict between generals warring for control of the Roman Empire; Munda suddenly finds itself a very strategic location for these generals. Melqart, Leandra, and Arsay’s lives are never the same as they all struggle to find their way in a rapidly changing dangerous world.

Alistair Forrest’s novel, Libertas, is an epic journey through Roman controlled Hispania in the First Century BC. Forrest develops the characters, their desires, their motivations, and all that they are forced to give up as a result of the world events that so disrupt their lives. One wonders what life would have been like in this quite small mountain village had the bloody Roman civil war not occurred. Clearly their lives would have been much simpler and less painful, but would they have reached their potential for leadership, ingenuity, love, honor, and in some cases evil? In this way, Forrest subtly explores a truism that it is in the times of genuine hardship and struggle that one’s true self and character comes forward.

I enjoy historical fiction probably for the same reasons I enjoy traveling. Both immerse one in the local culture, an experience which greatly impacts one’s view of the world and as such broadens the mind. Libertas was such a journey for me. For those who enjoy this genre you will not be disappointed!

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I got drawn into this sweeping epic set in first-century Spain. The character of Melquart was a wonderful narrator, the authorial voice changing subtly as he grew into manhood. As the journey and plotline travelled extensively around the Meditteranean, this could have been confusing, but keeping the central character cast relatively small and tight resolved this beautifully. I cared for the characters and kept reading eagerly as I wanted to find out what happened to them.
I very much enjoyed that this was not set in Rome or from a Roman point of view, and that outsider attitude made the book all the more intriguing.
The scenic descriptions were wonderful and I could see each setting and country in my mind's eye. This is outstanding storytelling. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly different take on the "classic" historical novel which is very well written and contains some lovely descriptive passages and metaphors. One certainly gets a sense of time and place. I liked the fact that the book did not overly dwell on battle details but instead on resolving personal matters with a can-do, practical attitude and the determination of the main character. Having said that there is a mystical element to the story and some similarities with The Alchemist.

[W. Nicol]

An exceptional book set around one of the rarely mentioned characters of Roman history,sextus Pompeius. The characterisation was good, although the detail entered into suggests this is but the introduction to a series based on these personalities. As a resident of southern Spain, it was good to read the descriptions of known scenery depicted so accurately.
I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Margareth8537 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hasn't had brilliant rewiews but I enjoyed this. Written from a different angle

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written piece of historic fiction taking you to 1st-century Spain. As this part of the Roman Empire becomes embroiled in the civil war, local residents' lives are affected irrevocably.