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John the Eunuch #8
Eight for Eternity
In January 532, mobs ruled Constantinople, capital of the Roman Empire. Against a backdrop lit by raging fires, John, Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, must find those who would use the Nika Riots to dethrone the emperor. But are the ringleaders still in the city―or even alive? Porphyrius, the famous charioteer, may know more than he tells about the disappearance of two men under imperial guard. What of the brothers with a distant claim on the throne? Or the headstrong young girl? Will General Belisarius and his armed troops side with the rioters or remain loyal to Justinian? John must untangle a web of intrigue before the escalating violence in the streets removes all hope of finding those he seeks.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Mary Reed
25 books25 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Mary Reed and Eric Mayer began writing together in 1992. They have contributed to a number of anthologies such as Royal Whodunnits, MammothBook of Historical Whodunnits and Mammoth Book of Shakespearean Detectives, as well as to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. They have also published several short stories set in and around the 6th century Constantinople court of Emperor Justinian I as well as four (to date) novels about their protagonist John the Eunuch, Lord Chamberlain to the emperor. The series was listed as one of four Best Little-Known Series in Booklist Magazine in 2003, and a Greek edition of the first novel, One For Sorrow, appeared in late 2002. They live in Pennsylvania.
Mary Reed and Eric Mayer began writing together in 1992. They have contributed to a number of anthologies such as Royal Whodunnits, MammothBook of Historical Whodunnits and Mammoth Book of Shakespearean Detectives, as well as to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. They have also published several short stories set in and around the 6th century Constantinople court of Emperor Justinian I as well as four (to date) novels about their protagonist John the Eunuch, Lord Chamberlain to the emperor. The series was listed as one of four Best Little-Known Series in Booklist Magazine in 2003, and a Greek edition of the first novel, One For Sorrow, appeared in late 2002. They live in Pennsylvania.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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December 11, 2014DNF. I just couldn't get into it. I selected it for review because I liked the history aspect. Constantinople on the falling side of the Roman Empire? Yeah, that interests me. A lot. Plus a murder mystery thrown in? Sure, I'll give it a try.
But it just didn't work for me. First I had no idea until I started reading the book that this was the eighth book in a series. The subtitle didn't really set off any triggers or anything. Not that I think the prior books would have added any depth. Just reading what I read this one could stand alone. I think that was its purpose.
I read up to the halfway point and I just didn't find the writing all that engaging. It's supposed to be a murder mystery but I didn't feel any tension, any suspense, nothing. I was just reading words for words' sake. Half the city was burning because of mob riots but I was like meh. Okay. I just felt like there was a haze between me and the story, that I just couldn't quite reach it.
What kind of weirded me out a little was the emphasis on eunuchs the story had. The main character is a eunuch but, personally, I think it's mentioned more than what his situations merited. I just didn't find it pertinent to the story most of the time it was mentioned so every time it was, it drew me back out. Not that I have a problem with eunuchs. It's just I wasn't used to this many eunuchs so predominant in the plot. It was weird.
I guess if you have the patience to read something in a slightly more "historical" word then you might be able to get through Eight for Eternity but everything cycled together, it just wasn't for me.
But it just didn't work for me. First I had no idea until I started reading the book that this was the eighth book in a series. The subtitle didn't really set off any triggers or anything. Not that I think the prior books would have added any depth. Just reading what I read this one could stand alone. I think that was its purpose.
I read up to the halfway point and I just didn't find the writing all that engaging. It's supposed to be a murder mystery but I didn't feel any tension, any suspense, nothing. I was just reading words for words' sake. Half the city was burning because of mob riots but I was like meh. Okay. I just felt like there was a haze between me and the story, that I just couldn't quite reach it.
What kind of weirded me out a little was the emphasis on eunuchs the story had. The main character is a eunuch but, personally, I think it's mentioned more than what his situations merited. I just didn't find it pertinent to the story most of the time it was mentioned so every time it was, it drew me back out. Not that I have a problem with eunuchs. It's just I wasn't used to this many eunuchs so predominant in the plot. It was weird.
I guess if you have the patience to read something in a slightly more "historical" word then you might be able to get through Eight for Eternity but everything cycled together, it just wasn't for me.
May 15, 2018
Add John the Eunuch to the list of absorbing series historical fiction a la Aubrey/Maturin, Brother Cadfael, the Spymaster Chronicles, and the John Shakespeare series (all of which I have devoured). The writing really makes the milieu of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire come alive and the characters are dimensional and realistic. I especially love the relationship between John and Cornelia, and the descriptions of Justinian and Theodora are nothing less than extraordinary. Would make a wonderful TV series!
September 22, 2017
Once again we meet a younger version of the Lord Chamberlain to be, and once again it does the story a world of good.
Both John himself and his friend Felix are if not underdogs, so yet not top dogs. No, their situation is a little precarious, giving rise to healthy tension, and their physique being more youthful provides us with plenty of opportunities for exciting action. Add as a backdrop a Constantinople overturned and set ablaze by violent rioting and you've got and atmosphere so thick and reeking of fire smoke you can cut it with a knife. Very satisfactory!
If the plot itself hadn't been so darn complicated a 4 star review might not have sufficed. Probably the best in the series so far!
Both John himself and his friend Felix are if not underdogs, so yet not top dogs. No, their situation is a little precarious, giving rise to healthy tension, and their physique being more youthful provides us with plenty of opportunities for exciting action. Add as a backdrop a Constantinople overturned and set ablaze by violent rioting and you've got and atmosphere so thick and reeking of fire smoke you can cut it with a knife. Very satisfactory!
If the plot itself hadn't been so darn complicated a 4 star review might not have sufficed. Probably the best in the series so far!
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March 11, 2010John, Lord Chamberlain to Emperor Justinian in 532 Constantinople, investigates when followers of two opposing chariot teams (the Green and the Blue) are murdered after their executions are botched, and they are rescued by monks. Constantinople is in flames as the masses riot in the streets hoping to depose the emperor, making John’s task exceedingly difficult. John is also charged with protecting two brothers, nephews of the former emperor, and the daughter of one of them. Who murdered the two men, and who is inciting the rioters? Is it one of the nephews who would like to be emperor himself, Haik a good friend of John’s, or Porphyrius, a revered charioteer? John solves the crime just in time in this eighth in the series. The time of the Nika Riots in Constantinople is vividly brought to life from the burning city to the mob mentality, to the panic in the castle as the rioters come ever closer, to the fight for Justinian to use whatever methods are necessary to keep his throne.
October 12, 2010
Eric Mayer and Mary Reed bring sixth century Constantinople alive in their latest mystery, Eight for Eternity. The violent and volatile Nika riots of Constantinople make the most gripping setting for this mystery series yet. The two factions are furious when two men--one Blue and one Green--are hanged, but survive. They are hung again, but this time they not only survive, but they escape--only to be murdered. As Chamberlain for Emperor Justinian, John must solve the mystery of two men in warring factions. When those factions unite to bring down the Emperor's reign, the fate of the Byzantine empire could be at stake.
This mystery series is perfect for the intellectually curious who enjoy a little history in their mysteries.
This mystery series is perfect for the intellectually curious who enjoy a little history in their mysteries.
March 12, 2010
A little confusing in that it's a prequel but not labeled but a highly enjoyable entry in a favorite series with an amazing, and amazingly well written opening scene.
August 30, 2012
This one is sort of a prequel to the rest of the series. Enjoyable, especially since there aren't many other books that cover this time period.
May 30, 2013
Audiobook read by Simon Prebble
Have enjoyed the John the Chamberlain series. Like the descriptions and the characterisation
Have enjoyed the John the Chamberlain series. Like the descriptions and the characterisation
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews