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Warrior of Rome #3
Lion Of The Sun
Warrior of Rome Lion of the Sun by Harry Sidebottom is the bestselling third instalment in the Warrior of Rome series. Mesopotamia, AD 260 Betrayed by his most trusted adviser, the Roman Emperor Valerian has been captured by the Sassanid barbarians. The shame of the vanquished beats down mercilessly like the white sun, as the frail old emperor prostrates himself before Shapur, King of Kings. Ballista looks on helplessly, but vows under his breath to avenge those who have brought the empire to the brink of destruction with their treachery. One day, maybe not soon, but one day, I will kill you . . . But first he must decide what price he will pay for his own freedom. Only the fearless and only those whom the gods will spare from hell can now save the empire from a catastrophic ending. Ballista, the Warrior of Rome, faces his greatest challenge yet. Dr Harry Sidebottom is a leading authority on ancient warfare - he applies his knowledge with a spectacular flair for sheer explosive action and knuckle-whitening drama. Fans of Bernard Cornwell will love Sidebottom's recreation of the ancient world. Praise for Harry
'Sidebottom's prose blazes with searing scholarship' The Times
'The best sort of red-blooded historical fiction' Andrew Taylor, author of The American Boy Dr. Harry Sidebottom is Fellow of St Benets Hall, and Lecturer at Lincoln College, Oxford - where he specializes in ancient warfare and classical art.
'Sidebottom's prose blazes with searing scholarship' The Times
'The best sort of red-blooded historical fiction' Andrew Taylor, author of The American Boy Dr. Harry Sidebottom is Fellow of St Benets Hall, and Lecturer at Lincoln College, Oxford - where he specializes in ancient warfare and classical art.
456 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
82 people are currently reading
947 people want to read
About the author
Harry Sidebottom
41 books521 followersHarry Sidebottom is Lecturer in Ancient History at Merton College, Oxford, and part-time lecturer in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Warwick. He has written for and contributed to many publications, including Classical Review, Journal of Roman Studies, and War and Society in the Roman World.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
January 15, 2022
Read this book in 2010, and its the 3rd volume of the marvellous "Warrior of Rome" series.
As ever the historical details concerning this story are very well documented and implemented within thei Roman adventure of heroics, betrayal and death.
The year is now AD 260, and the book starts off in Mesopotamia, after Emperor valerian his been betrayed by his most trusted adviser.
Now this same Emperor Valerian is captured by the Sassanids, and the shame of this treacherous defeat will beat on all the Romans as a blinding white sun, especially when Emperor Valerian must kneel before Shapur, the King of Kings.
The fate of Emperor Valerian will be merciless and cruel in the end at the hands of this Shapur, and Ballista vows that if and when he comes free that he will avenge himself on those who has betrayed him and his fellow soldiers, but most of all the Emperor.
And so set on his quest to avenge himself on his enemies, he'll do anything he can to escape the clutches of the Persians, and head back to where he needs to be to wreak his revenge on his treacherous enemies.
What is to follow is a tremendous Roman adventure, in which Ballista will figure in many great battles against enemies from without, but will also have his battles against devious treacherous enemies from within, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own authentic and terrific fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another great addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Ballista Sequel"!
As ever the historical details concerning this story are very well documented and implemented within thei Roman adventure of heroics, betrayal and death.
The year is now AD 260, and the book starts off in Mesopotamia, after Emperor valerian his been betrayed by his most trusted adviser.
Now this same Emperor Valerian is captured by the Sassanids, and the shame of this treacherous defeat will beat on all the Romans as a blinding white sun, especially when Emperor Valerian must kneel before Shapur, the King of Kings.
The fate of Emperor Valerian will be merciless and cruel in the end at the hands of this Shapur, and Ballista vows that if and when he comes free that he will avenge himself on those who has betrayed him and his fellow soldiers, but most of all the Emperor.
And so set on his quest to avenge himself on his enemies, he'll do anything he can to escape the clutches of the Persians, and head back to where he needs to be to wreak his revenge on his treacherous enemies.
What is to follow is a tremendous Roman adventure, in which Ballista will figure in many great battles against enemies from without, but will also have his battles against devious treacherous enemies from within, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own authentic and terrific fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another great addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Magnificent Ballista Sequel"!
December 7, 2011
Dr. Harry Sidebottom's "Lion of the Sun" continues the story of Marcus Claudius Ballista, a courageous "Warrior of Rome" born to the Angles but raised as a hostage in the Roman imperial court. When we left Ballista at the end of "King of Kings" he, along with his emperor Valerian, had fallen victim to a treacherous plot by the emperor's treasurer, T. Fulvius Macrianus, known as Macrianus the Lame, who had betrayed the emperor and his field army to Sassanid King of Kings, Shapur I.
Fortunately, although Ballista's prospects looked pretty grim, especially considering his past victories against the Persians and his practice of cremating the Persian dead despite the knowledge that it was viewed as a desecretion of holy fire by the enemy Zoroastrians, Ballista's famillia including his devoted Hibernian body guard Maximus, his lovingly irrascible Caledonian guardian Calgacus and his poetic Greek secretary Demetrius had escaped. So I wondered how they would rescue him from what looked like certain death. Having met the revolting Macriani in "King of Kings" I also hoped Ballista could avenge himself and his emperor as the tale unfolded.
But it was not Ballista's famillia that came to his rescue. It was the frail old emperor who finally remembered who he had always been able to trust.
Historically, Valerian apparently had a high regard for Ballista, as illustrated by the following communication from Valerian to a prefect of Illyricum quoted in the Historia Augusta:
"From Valerian to Ragonius Clarus, prefect of Illyricum and the provinces of Gaul. If you are a man of good judgement, my kinsman Clarus, as I know that you are, you will carry out the arrangements of Ballista. Model your government on them. Do you see how he refrains from burdening the provincials, how he keeps the horses in places where there is fodder and exacts the rations for his soldiers in places where there is grain, how he never compels the provincials or the land-holders to furnish grain where they have no supply, or horses where they have no pasture? There is no arrangement better than to exact in each place what is there produced, so that the commonwealth may not be burdened by transport or other expenses. Galatia is rich in grain, Thrace is well stocked, and Illyricum is filled with it; so let the foot-soldiers be quartered in these regions, although in Thrace cavalry, too, can winter without damage to the provincials, since plenty of hay can be had from the fields. As for wine and bacon and other forms of food, let them be handed out in those places in which they abound in plenty. All this is the policy of Ballista, who gave orders that any province should furnish only one form of food, namely that in which it abounded, and that from it the soldiers should be kept away. " - The Historia Augusta, The Lives of the Thirty Pretenders, Volume III:18, p113.
But the old emperor had been seduced by Macrianus into believing his seemingly loyal courtier acted upon reliable intelligence about the whereabouts of Persian forces and ignored Ballista's repeated warnings about the army's precarious position. Now that it appeared all was lost, Valerian realized the ambitious Macriani had inadvertently left him an instrument of redemption.
Without a hint to Shapur that Valerian had finally realized the ambitious author of the treachery, the old Roman asked Shapur to send Ballista to Macrianus' headquarters to negotiate a ransom, knowing full well that Macrianus would refuse any suggestion of ransom. But Valerian's best general would then be free to first, drive out the Persians, then deal with the imperial traitors.
But is Ballista being snatched from the frying pan only to be delivered to the fire?
Much of the ensuing story is based on the few fragments of history that survived Rome's brutal Third Century including the much maligned and historically suspect Historia Augusta.
The Historia Augusta says Maeonius Astyanax claimed Ballista openly supported the usurpation of the Macriani saying:
"As for myself, my age and my calling and my desires are all far removed from the imperial office, and so, as I cannot deny, I am searching for a worthy prince. But who, pray, is there who can fill the place of Valerian except such a man as yourself, brave, steadfast, honourable, well proved in public affairs, and — what is of the highest importance for holding the imperial office — possessed of great wealth? Therefore, take this post which your merits deserve. My services as prefect shall be yours as long as you wish." - The Historia Augusta, The Lives of the Thirty Pretenders, Volume III:12, p97.
What? His age precludes him from seeking the purple himself? Ballista was only in his thirties! Although his military calling and personal ambitions may not have included the purple, he was hardly too old. In fact, he was probably not that much older than the sons of Macrianus. Sidebottom's novel, instead, has Ballista publicly accept the office of Prefect only after a henchmen of the Macriani makes veiled threats about Ballista's family that was essentially at the mercy of the Macriani in Antioch if Ballista refused to support the regime. I think this is a far more believable scenario as there is nothing in the histories to suggest Ballista was ever one to exploit a political situation.
But, either way, Ballista once more ends up in command of much of the Roman army in Syria and he once more inflicts serious losses on the invading Persians. Sidebottom's gritty descriptions of 3rd century warfare leave you breathless and his excellent characterizations makes you worry about not only Ballista's welfare but the fate of loyal Maximus, cranky old Calgacus and even the gentle Demetrius. Ballista's wife, Julia, gets her moment to shine too as she confronts Persian warriors in a surprise attack on the city of Antioch.
The Persians, though, are not the ultimate enemy. To restore the imperium, Ballista must kill the Macriani pretenders but not until he can find a way to safeguard his wife and two sons.
When Macrianus the Lame and his namesake Macrianus the Younger leave for Europe to challenge Valerian's son Gallienus for the throne of the entire Roman Empire, Ballista is ordered to remain with Quietus. Now, at least, the odds for Ballista's opportunity to exact retribution improve.
However, when Quietus receives word that his father and brother have been defeated and killed in Thrace, he becomes paranoid and imprisons Ballista and his family. Now Ballista must place his trust in an old acquaintance from Book 1, "Fire in the East" and "The Lion of the Sun", Odaenathus, King of Palmyra, to save all that Ballista holds dear.
"...while Valerian was growing old in Persia, Odaenathus the Palmyrene gathered together an army and restored the Roman power almost to its pristine condition. He captured the king's treasures and he captured, too, what the Parthian monarchs hold dearer than treasures, namely his concubines. For this reason Sapor [Shapur I] was now in greater dread of the Roman generals, and out of fear of Ballista and Odaenathus he withdrew more speedily to his kingdom." - The Historia Augusta, The Two Valerians, Volume III:4
The Historia Augusta only includes a couple of brief paragraphs about Quietus but those few lines reveal why historians often find themselves so exasperated when trying to piece together the events of the period using the Historia Augusta as a source.
We read that Ballista was killed along with Quietus when Odaenathus captured the city of Emesa. But in the very next section of the Augusta Historia about Odaenathus himself, the Historia Augusta says while Odenathus was defeating Quietus at Emesa, Ballista claimed the purple for himself to avoid being slain. Then under section 18 of Volume III describing Ballista, the author of that portion (if it is not the same as the rest of the work) details yet another fate of Ballista but admits that he really doesn't know what happened to Ballista since most ancient sources only refer to his prefecture not any reign as usurper.
"This man [Ballista], then, while resting in his tent was slain, it is said, by a certain common soldier, in order to gain the favour of Odaenathus and Gallienus. I, however, have not been able to find out sufficiently the truth concerning him, because the writers of his time have related much about his prefecture but little about his rule." -The Historia Augusta, The Lives of the Thirty Pretenders, Volume III:18, p113.
Fortunately, Sidebottom sorts this out in a much more satisfying conclusion that sets us up for the next novel in the series, "The Caspian Gates".
Fortunately, although Ballista's prospects looked pretty grim, especially considering his past victories against the Persians and his practice of cremating the Persian dead despite the knowledge that it was viewed as a desecretion of holy fire by the enemy Zoroastrians, Ballista's famillia including his devoted Hibernian body guard Maximus, his lovingly irrascible Caledonian guardian Calgacus and his poetic Greek secretary Demetrius had escaped. So I wondered how they would rescue him from what looked like certain death. Having met the revolting Macriani in "King of Kings" I also hoped Ballista could avenge himself and his emperor as the tale unfolded.
But it was not Ballista's famillia that came to his rescue. It was the frail old emperor who finally remembered who he had always been able to trust.
Historically, Valerian apparently had a high regard for Ballista, as illustrated by the following communication from Valerian to a prefect of Illyricum quoted in the Historia Augusta:
"From Valerian to Ragonius Clarus, prefect of Illyricum and the provinces of Gaul. If you are a man of good judgement, my kinsman Clarus, as I know that you are, you will carry out the arrangements of Ballista. Model your government on them. Do you see how he refrains from burdening the provincials, how he keeps the horses in places where there is fodder and exacts the rations for his soldiers in places where there is grain, how he never compels the provincials or the land-holders to furnish grain where they have no supply, or horses where they have no pasture? There is no arrangement better than to exact in each place what is there produced, so that the commonwealth may not be burdened by transport or other expenses. Galatia is rich in grain, Thrace is well stocked, and Illyricum is filled with it; so let the foot-soldiers be quartered in these regions, although in Thrace cavalry, too, can winter without damage to the provincials, since plenty of hay can be had from the fields. As for wine and bacon and other forms of food, let them be handed out in those places in which they abound in plenty. All this is the policy of Ballista, who gave orders that any province should furnish only one form of food, namely that in which it abounded, and that from it the soldiers should be kept away. " - The Historia Augusta, The Lives of the Thirty Pretenders, Volume III:18, p113.
But the old emperor had been seduced by Macrianus into believing his seemingly loyal courtier acted upon reliable intelligence about the whereabouts of Persian forces and ignored Ballista's repeated warnings about the army's precarious position. Now that it appeared all was lost, Valerian realized the ambitious Macriani had inadvertently left him an instrument of redemption.
Without a hint to Shapur that Valerian had finally realized the ambitious author of the treachery, the old Roman asked Shapur to send Ballista to Macrianus' headquarters to negotiate a ransom, knowing full well that Macrianus would refuse any suggestion of ransom. But Valerian's best general would then be free to first, drive out the Persians, then deal with the imperial traitors.
But is Ballista being snatched from the frying pan only to be delivered to the fire?
Much of the ensuing story is based on the few fragments of history that survived Rome's brutal Third Century including the much maligned and historically suspect Historia Augusta.
The Historia Augusta says Maeonius Astyanax claimed Ballista openly supported the usurpation of the Macriani saying:
"As for myself, my age and my calling and my desires are all far removed from the imperial office, and so, as I cannot deny, I am searching for a worthy prince. But who, pray, is there who can fill the place of Valerian except such a man as yourself, brave, steadfast, honourable, well proved in public affairs, and — what is of the highest importance for holding the imperial office — possessed of great wealth? Therefore, take this post which your merits deserve. My services as prefect shall be yours as long as you wish." - The Historia Augusta, The Lives of the Thirty Pretenders, Volume III:12, p97.
What? His age precludes him from seeking the purple himself? Ballista was only in his thirties! Although his military calling and personal ambitions may not have included the purple, he was hardly too old. In fact, he was probably not that much older than the sons of Macrianus. Sidebottom's novel, instead, has Ballista publicly accept the office of Prefect only after a henchmen of the Macriani makes veiled threats about Ballista's family that was essentially at the mercy of the Macriani in Antioch if Ballista refused to support the regime. I think this is a far more believable scenario as there is nothing in the histories to suggest Ballista was ever one to exploit a political situation.
But, either way, Ballista once more ends up in command of much of the Roman army in Syria and he once more inflicts serious losses on the invading Persians. Sidebottom's gritty descriptions of 3rd century warfare leave you breathless and his excellent characterizations makes you worry about not only Ballista's welfare but the fate of loyal Maximus, cranky old Calgacus and even the gentle Demetrius. Ballista's wife, Julia, gets her moment to shine too as she confronts Persian warriors in a surprise attack on the city of Antioch.
The Persians, though, are not the ultimate enemy. To restore the imperium, Ballista must kill the Macriani pretenders but not until he can find a way to safeguard his wife and two sons.
When Macrianus the Lame and his namesake Macrianus the Younger leave for Europe to challenge Valerian's son Gallienus for the throne of the entire Roman Empire, Ballista is ordered to remain with Quietus. Now, at least, the odds for Ballista's opportunity to exact retribution improve.
However, when Quietus receives word that his father and brother have been defeated and killed in Thrace, he becomes paranoid and imprisons Ballista and his family. Now Ballista must place his trust in an old acquaintance from Book 1, "Fire in the East" and "The Lion of the Sun", Odaenathus, King of Palmyra, to save all that Ballista holds dear.
"...while Valerian was growing old in Persia, Odaenathus the Palmyrene gathered together an army and restored the Roman power almost to its pristine condition. He captured the king's treasures and he captured, too, what the Parthian monarchs hold dearer than treasures, namely his concubines. For this reason Sapor [Shapur I] was now in greater dread of the Roman generals, and out of fear of Ballista and Odaenathus he withdrew more speedily to his kingdom." - The Historia Augusta, The Two Valerians, Volume III:4
The Historia Augusta only includes a couple of brief paragraphs about Quietus but those few lines reveal why historians often find themselves so exasperated when trying to piece together the events of the period using the Historia Augusta as a source.
We read that Ballista was killed along with Quietus when Odaenathus captured the city of Emesa. But in the very next section of the Augusta Historia about Odaenathus himself, the Historia Augusta says while Odenathus was defeating Quietus at Emesa, Ballista claimed the purple for himself to avoid being slain. Then under section 18 of Volume III describing Ballista, the author of that portion (if it is not the same as the rest of the work) details yet another fate of Ballista but admits that he really doesn't know what happened to Ballista since most ancient sources only refer to his prefecture not any reign as usurper.
"This man [Ballista], then, while resting in his tent was slain, it is said, by a certain common soldier, in order to gain the favour of Odaenathus and Gallienus. I, however, have not been able to find out sufficiently the truth concerning him, because the writers of his time have related much about his prefecture but little about his rule." -The Historia Augusta, The Lives of the Thirty Pretenders, Volume III:18, p113.
Fortunately, Sidebottom sorts this out in a much more satisfying conclusion that sets us up for the next novel in the series, "The Caspian Gates".
January 19, 2017
This was a straight continuation from vol. 2. with the action switching from Ballista and his escape from clutches of Sassanids [after breaking an oath to the Great King, which terrifies Ballista] and the excitement-filled escape of his familia to Antioch. He fights on side of the two usurpers, the two sons of Macrianus the Lame, as they face him with possible fate of wife and sons if he does not. He battles against Sassanids at Sebaste and Corcyra. Sassanids retreat. During Battle of Antioch, Julia saves herself and the boys. I dislike her, but this was certainly brave. Thinking they have died, Ballista goes berserk for a time. Ballista fights bandits in Judaea. There's a final standoff at Emesa, with the "lion of the Sun", Odenathus, taking part and Ballista's final vengeance against Quietus, his nemesis.
This novel had the same excitement as the previous volumes. I did learn something: The Christian martyrs, the soldier Marinus and the senator Asterius really lived and their stories were much as Sidebottom made them. https://oca.org/saints/lives/2014/08/...
Julia irritated me with her attitude; but her brave escape redeemed her somewhat. Were high-class Roman women as Sidebottom painted her--slaves to fussy customs and protocol?
This novel had the same excitement as the previous volumes. I did learn something: The Christian martyrs, the soldier Marinus and the senator Asterius really lived and their stories were much as Sidebottom made them. https://oca.org/saints/lives/2014/08/...
Julia irritated me with her attitude; but her brave escape redeemed her somewhat. Were high-class Roman women as Sidebottom painted her--slaves to fussy customs and protocol?
November 22, 2010
The third in the 'Warrior of Rome' series featuring the barbarian/Roman general Ballista. Here he escapes the clutches of Shapur, King of Kings, but not the shadow of the oath he has sworn on his family's lives.
This seemed to me to be the darkest of the books so far, and some of the violence is truly shocking - but it's a rich portrayal of the treachery and terror that must have underlain the struggle for power as the Roman empire tore itself apart. Powerful stuff.
This seemed to me to be the darkest of the books so far, and some of the violence is truly shocking - but it's a rich portrayal of the treachery and terror that must have underlain the struggle for power as the Roman empire tore itself apart. Powerful stuff.
August 4, 2017
Thankfully Sidebottom has remembered the warrior part of his Warrior of Rome series. Ballista is again placed in charge of a military expedition, this time the attempt to protect Roman land from the victorious Persian invaders while striking back at them. Those parts are very good. What doesn't work is some of the political drama that so dragged in book two. Making Macrianus so evil was a huge, huge mistake. Since the only thing we know about the real Ballista is that he served as Macrianus' and Quietus' praetorian prefect and as such was moderately successful it seems an odd choice to make them such bitter enemies. Indeed, the efforts made to force Ballista to work for them seem utterly implausible. The idea that they'd bind such a bitter enemy to them by holding his family hostage is absurd. They would have had access to many competent generals. Forcing one who hated them to become their dominant general makes no sense. It just feels false. Fortunately, the action and warfare filling up the rest of the book make up for it. Apart from the silliness about close allies and some even greater implausibilities at the end the book is a good read. This would have served as a very fine end to the series.
April 5, 2012
This was a really fun book. It's great to read a real two-fisted, red-blooded adventure novel in these modern times. It seems like everyone wants to write about "post-modern" heroes, where everything is in shades of grey...but the main protagonist here, Ballista, is a capital H Hero. The villains are truly villainous and you feel great when they fall into Ballista's "man-killing" hands.
The author does a great job reconstructing a believable ancient world: the culture, settings, attitudes, etc. all feel very believable. Mr. Sidebottom also does, what many authors fail at, to capture the scope of events. What I mean here is that the world is populated by multitudes of people; not just a handful of main characters and some throwaway 2-dimensional background characters. I felt like I was back in ancient Rome.
The author does a great job reconstructing a believable ancient world: the culture, settings, attitudes, etc. all feel very believable. Mr. Sidebottom also does, what many authors fail at, to capture the scope of events. What I mean here is that the world is populated by multitudes of people; not just a handful of main characters and some throwaway 2-dimensional background characters. I felt like I was back in ancient Rome.
July 5, 2021
As mentioned in review of #2, just had to get the sequel and read them back to back. Wasn't disappointed. The Lion in the Sun further develops the political intrigue that gradually envelopes Ballista. Action sequences as good as any Bernard Cornwall or Lee Child novel. Really brings the ancient world alive, based on an extraordinary depth and breadth of knowledge (further reading list could keep me going for years!)
April 15, 2021
This book finishes the trilogy in an expected but not disappointing fashion. It kept me interested and rooting for the rogue fighter through his battles both political, mental and physical. An entertaining read.
January 20, 2013
Lion of the Sun is the third of five (so-far) novels written by a historical scholar. The novels center around the character of Ballista. A warrior from the north of Europe, Ballista finds himself in the legions of Rome, serving under a succession of Emperors.
It is a military tale for the most part--the descriptions of military equipment, strategy, and battle scenes, are so well done one can feel the dust under the horses' hooves, smell the sweat and the fear, taste the blood, and feel the awful adrenaline surge of the fight.
Yet this is not a simple military legionary tale. Ballista is an interesting character, and the reader can feel his inner turmoil as he ponders being haunted by a vengeful ghost, worries about his family's safety, as he takes oaths he is not sure he can keep.
While it is not always possible to start a book in the middle of its series, Lion of the Sun stands on its own. The reader can catch glimpses of Ballista's past (assumedly told well in the earlier two novels), and the book ends well enough, so while it is clear there are later books to come, this story satisfies.
As the novel opens, Emperor Valerian has been captured by the Persian King. Ballista is stricken with guilt over his involvement in the death of a previous Emperor, Maximinus Thrax, and has to take great care as he tries to serve the usurper Macrianus, while protecting his wife and two sons. Ballista must navigate the dangerous waters of usurpers, treachery, and oaths taken under duress or under honor, while he fights in battle against Persians and occasionally other Romans.
The novel's title refers to the historical character Odenathus of Palmyra, husband to Zenobia. For being the title character, Odenathus actually plays a very small, yet integral part. His presence is felt later on, as it is unknown whether he will support Macrianus, or the Emperor Gallienus, or strike out on his own. His eventual part in all the upheaval becomes clear, and there are hints of later events...well you might know something about that.
Having read some of the scholarly works mentioned in the Afterword, it was an extreme pleasure to read the fictional fleshing-out of the people and events that sometimes feel "glossed-over" in the history books.
There is a disappointment in the paltry use of Julia, Ballista's wife. She has sterling moments of her own, to be sure, but she provides next to nothing to Ballista's character. At least, not in this novel. That is a pity, as this detracts a bit from the otherwise full picture of Ballista as more than a stereotypical Roman soldier, manly man. Their scenes together feel almost stilted, as if she is there simply to assure he has a family.
The disappointment however is not enough to prevent the reading of the next two books in the series. One is already out, the other is due out later in 2013. It might be fun to start at the beginning as well, and meet Ballista as a younger man, just starting out.
It is a military tale for the most part--the descriptions of military equipment, strategy, and battle scenes, are so well done one can feel the dust under the horses' hooves, smell the sweat and the fear, taste the blood, and feel the awful adrenaline surge of the fight.
Yet this is not a simple military legionary tale. Ballista is an interesting character, and the reader can feel his inner turmoil as he ponders being haunted by a vengeful ghost, worries about his family's safety, as he takes oaths he is not sure he can keep.
While it is not always possible to start a book in the middle of its series, Lion of the Sun stands on its own. The reader can catch glimpses of Ballista's past (assumedly told well in the earlier two novels), and the book ends well enough, so while it is clear there are later books to come, this story satisfies.
As the novel opens, Emperor Valerian has been captured by the Persian King. Ballista is stricken with guilt over his involvement in the death of a previous Emperor, Maximinus Thrax, and has to take great care as he tries to serve the usurper Macrianus, while protecting his wife and two sons. Ballista must navigate the dangerous waters of usurpers, treachery, and oaths taken under duress or under honor, while he fights in battle against Persians and occasionally other Romans.
The novel's title refers to the historical character Odenathus of Palmyra, husband to Zenobia. For being the title character, Odenathus actually plays a very small, yet integral part. His presence is felt later on, as it is unknown whether he will support Macrianus, or the Emperor Gallienus, or strike out on his own. His eventual part in all the upheaval becomes clear, and there are hints of later events...well you might know something about that.
Having read some of the scholarly works mentioned in the Afterword, it was an extreme pleasure to read the fictional fleshing-out of the people and events that sometimes feel "glossed-over" in the history books.
There is a disappointment in the paltry use of Julia, Ballista's wife. She has sterling moments of her own, to be sure, but she provides next to nothing to Ballista's character. At least, not in this novel. That is a pity, as this detracts a bit from the otherwise full picture of Ballista as more than a stereotypical Roman soldier, manly man. Their scenes together feel almost stilted, as if she is there simply to assure he has a family.
The disappointment however is not enough to prevent the reading of the next two books in the series. One is already out, the other is due out later in 2013. It might be fun to start at the beginning as well, and meet Ballista as a younger man, just starting out.
December 25, 2011
Now this was an excellent book.
Like the first two in the 'Warrior of Rome' series; 'Fire In the East' and 'King Of Kings'; 'Lion of the Sun' again follows our Roman soldier hero Ballista (actually from the north of Europe), who was traded as a hostage by his chieftain father as a child and brought up in Rome by his captors.
The action takes place in the east of the Empire, where he is caught up in everything from desperate battles, scheming politicians to the crazed whims of Emperors who threaten not just him, but his wife and children as well.
'Lion of the Sun' continues Ballista's story, takes it on and leaves it perfectly set up for the next installment. You certainly get your money's worth in terms of desperate action and big set-piece battles, unlike my previous read, that's for sure. Ballista is a master tactician and has the respect of the soldiers in his command, so ingenuity is expected but the solutions, often including some finely-drawn supporting characters, are always pleasant surprises.
It is clear that Harry Sidebottom knows the period he is writing about intimately. According to the book cover, Harry Sidebottom is actually Dr Harry Sidebottom, a teacher of Classical History at Oxford University. This comes through loud and clear, but without ever being either a hindrance to the action or a problem for the reader who just wants to enjoy the fighting and intrigue.
As a review from The Times' Bettany Hughes printed inside the cover, says; "Dr. Harry Sidebottom's prose blazes with such searing scholarship that there is enormous enjoyment in this rumbustuous tale of the late Roman Empire...He makes you feel as though you are there".
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, couldn't put it down and look forward tremendously to getting hold of the next one in the series, probably called 'The Caspian Gates' and I certainly hope it's not the last in the series.
Like the first two in the 'Warrior of Rome' series; 'Fire In the East' and 'King Of Kings'; 'Lion of the Sun' again follows our Roman soldier hero Ballista (actually from the north of Europe), who was traded as a hostage by his chieftain father as a child and brought up in Rome by his captors.
The action takes place in the east of the Empire, where he is caught up in everything from desperate battles, scheming politicians to the crazed whims of Emperors who threaten not just him, but his wife and children as well.
'Lion of the Sun' continues Ballista's story, takes it on and leaves it perfectly set up for the next installment. You certainly get your money's worth in terms of desperate action and big set-piece battles, unlike my previous read, that's for sure. Ballista is a master tactician and has the respect of the soldiers in his command, so ingenuity is expected but the solutions, often including some finely-drawn supporting characters, are always pleasant surprises.
It is clear that Harry Sidebottom knows the period he is writing about intimately. According to the book cover, Harry Sidebottom is actually Dr Harry Sidebottom, a teacher of Classical History at Oxford University. This comes through loud and clear, but without ever being either a hindrance to the action or a problem for the reader who just wants to enjoy the fighting and intrigue.
As a review from The Times' Bettany Hughes printed inside the cover, says; "Dr. Harry Sidebottom's prose blazes with such searing scholarship that there is enormous enjoyment in this rumbustuous tale of the late Roman Empire...He makes you feel as though you are there".
I thoroughly enjoyed this one, couldn't put it down and look forward tremendously to getting hold of the next one in the series, probably called 'The Caspian Gates' and I certainly hope it's not the last in the series.
June 5, 2025
Note: I am rereading the first 4 books in the series as it has been many years since I read them the first time .. will then go on from book 5...full reviews will commence from that point on. Suffice to say that book 3 was outstanding. 👍👍😎
Reread #3
BLURB
It's Mesopotamia, AD 260. Betrayed by his most trusted adviser, the Roman Emperor Valerian has been captured by the Sassanid barbarians. The shame of the vanquished beats down mercilessly like the white sun, as the frail old emperor prostrates himself before Shapur, King of Kings. Ballista looks on helplessly, but vows under his breath to avenge those who have brought the empire to the brink of destruction with their treachery. One day, maybe not soon, but one day, I will kill you ...But first he must decide what price he will pay for his own freedom. Only the fearless and only those whom the gods will spare from hell can now save the empire from a catastrophic ending. Ballista, the Warrior of Rome, faces his greatest challenge yet.
REVIEW
Another exhilarating episode ... another drama packed tale ... another seamless melding together of history and fiction ... another reason to read the Warrior of Rome series.
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reread #3
BLURB
It's Mesopotamia, AD 260. Betrayed by his most trusted adviser, the Roman Emperor Valerian has been captured by the Sassanid barbarians. The shame of the vanquished beats down mercilessly like the white sun, as the frail old emperor prostrates himself before Shapur, King of Kings. Ballista looks on helplessly, but vows under his breath to avenge those who have brought the empire to the brink of destruction with their treachery. One day, maybe not soon, but one day, I will kill you ...But first he must decide what price he will pay for his own freedom. Only the fearless and only those whom the gods will spare from hell can now save the empire from a catastrophic ending. Ballista, the Warrior of Rome, faces his greatest challenge yet.
REVIEW
Another exhilarating episode ... another drama packed tale ... another seamless melding together of history and fiction ... another reason to read the Warrior of Rome series.
5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
December 13, 2013
I just love this series! Sidebottom is that rarest of things: a scholar who also can write compelling; complex characters and situations. I find his writing to be endlessly inventive and full of historical information.
Harry Sidebottom captures the spirit of the erea, and gives endless detail in almost any setting he puts his characters into. Fascinating. In the historical afterword, Sidebottom lists Patrick O'Brian and JG Farrell as historical writers he has enjoyed. While Farrell is on my shelf (soon to be read), I loved Patrick O'Brian's nautical series and have held it as the standard to be met in modern historical fiction. I believe with "The Warrior of Rome" series, Harry Sidebottom is stepping into that exalted realm.
Harry Sidebottom captures the spirit of the erea, and gives endless detail in almost any setting he puts his characters into. Fascinating. In the historical afterword, Sidebottom lists Patrick O'Brian and JG Farrell as historical writers he has enjoyed. While Farrell is on my shelf (soon to be read), I loved Patrick O'Brian's nautical series and have held it as the standard to be met in modern historical fiction. I believe with "The Warrior of Rome" series, Harry Sidebottom is stepping into that exalted realm.
January 2, 2014
3rd of the Warrior of Rome series with our hero Ballista falling foul of his Roman enemies whilst chasing the Sassanid King of Kings, Shapur. A complex tale of Roman politics combined with great action. In this novel Ballista has to fight for the safety of his family while his head is being hunted by those in Rome who also conspire against the Emperor. With his close "familia" he must counter and traverse terrors, fights and the depths of himself to see the ones he loves survive. Exciting and worthwhile read.
March 10, 2013
An excellent read, far more satisfying than the second book in the series. Review to follow shortly on www.forwinternights.wordpress.com
October 21, 2017
Much better than the first book in the series, but worse than the second one. Too many dei-ex-machina to save Ballista’s honorable butt (quite litterally once) and too much intrigue and politics.
February 19, 2019
The more I read the more I kept asking myself “why am I reading this book that just keeps getting more boring by the page?”. Answer: I wised up and quit reading it about 2/3 through. I just could not take it anymore. Sorry, Sidebottom usually writes a far better story.
November 17, 2025
Me ha encantado, estos romanos molan.
October 18, 2021
Exceptional read.
Harry again delivers and explosive and throughly enjoyable read with a mass of knowledge on the era to boot.
A gripping aand deep story dripping with blood and treachery and an abundance of moments which make you feel like you are their.
Roll on the next book.
Harry again delivers and explosive and throughly enjoyable read with a mass of knowledge on the era to boot.
A gripping aand deep story dripping with blood and treachery and an abundance of moments which make you feel like you are their.
Roll on the next book.
August 9, 2013
Dopo la conclusione del secondo libro non vedevo l'ora di scoprire come Balista si sarebbe tolto dai guai… Ahimè, non posso dire di essere stata del tutto soddisfatta, in parte a causa del libro in sé, in parte a causa dell’edizione italiana.
Il libro in sé è meno avvincente dei suoi predecessori: nel primo volume, Fuoco a Oriente, , nel secondo, Il re dei re, . Insomma, c’era carne sul fuoco – ma era carne la cui cottura era ben curata (permettetemi questa metafora mangereccia) e si continuava volentieri a leggere per sapere come Balista si sarebbe cavato d’impiccio. In questo volume, invece, la moltitudine di eventi continua a non mancare, ma si perde il loro sviluppo armonico, tanto che, saltando tra un episodio e l’altro, si perde la percezione del quadro d’insieme che aveva reso così piacevoli i primi due libri. Ho avuto come l’impressione che fosse tutto un lungo prologo al prossimo libro (The Caspian gates – sì, non è più una trilogia), il che è un peccato, perché gli elementi per una storia avvincente c’erano e in alcuni casi sono stati ben sfruttati; mi riferisco in particolare al finale, che pone delle basi molto interessanti per il futuro e credo possa portare la storia a svilupparsi nuovamente come si deve. Mi ha incuriosita moltissimo ed è, di fatto, una delle parti che ho più gradito.
I personaggi rimangono sempre gli stessi – e questo un po’ li penalizza, perché in questo caso non hanno una trama abbastanza ben congegnata da sorreggerli. Balista è meno sfaccettato rispetto allo scorso volume e Giulia, sua moglie, reagisce a certi eventi in una maniera che non riesco a trovare del tutto accettabile (c’è da dire che Sidebottom non ha mai caratterizzato granché bene le donne, purtroppo). Tra i liberti Massimo è quello che continua a piacermi di più; Demetrio è meno presente e quindi non ho molto da dire a riguardo. Tra i traditori, invece, devo ammettere che l’odioso Macriano ha un piccolo momento di rivalsa – ma ciò non lo rende meno spregevole.
Sono incuriosita da Gallieno e Zenobia, personaggi ambigui, che incontriamo per la prima volta in questo libro e per cui ho ottime aspettative.
Tutto quel che ho scritto avrebbe permesso al libro di portarsi a casa, forse, un onesto 7 – il voto adatto a una lettura piacevole, ma non eccelsa, che comunque riusciva a porre buone aspettative per il libro successivo. Peccato che io l’abbia letto nell’edizione italiana.
Quando i typos sono più di un paio (e sto già cercando di essere buona) il motivo può essere solo uno: mancata cura del testo. Figurarsi quando ce ne sono molti, nel testo e nelle appendici! Nel primo ci sono degli evidenti a-capo mancanti (altrimenti non si spiegano i salti da un punto di vista all’altro senza alcun preavviso, visto che negli altri libri erano ben segnalati, e sempre da uno stacco…), errori di digitazione e un verbo sbagliato che un correttore di bozze avrebbe sicuramente segnalato. Nelle seconde c’è, senza mezzi termini, l’orrore: sono evidentemente molto meno curate del testo principale, con continui typos, errori di grammatica (un + sost. femm. senza apostrofo! congiuntivi scomparsi!) e la formattazione poco curata (ci sono corsivi che a volte vengono usati, a volte no).
Le appendici non sono aggiuntine da curare meno: sono validi aiuti per apprezzare al meglio un libro.
Per questo il mio gradimento è calato molto, e spero proprio che il prossimo libro sia curato meglio – altrimenti comincerò a procurarmi la versione in lingua originale.
Il libro in sé è meno avvincente dei suoi predecessori: nel primo volume, Fuoco a Oriente, , nel secondo, Il re dei re, . Insomma, c’era carne sul fuoco – ma era carne la cui cottura era ben curata (permettetemi questa metafora mangereccia) e si continuava volentieri a leggere per sapere come Balista si sarebbe cavato d’impiccio. In questo volume, invece, la moltitudine di eventi continua a non mancare, ma si perde il loro sviluppo armonico, tanto che, saltando tra un episodio e l’altro, si perde la percezione del quadro d’insieme che aveva reso così piacevoli i primi due libri. Ho avuto come l’impressione che fosse tutto un lungo prologo al prossimo libro (The Caspian gates – sì, non è più una trilogia), il che è un peccato, perché gli elementi per una storia avvincente c’erano e in alcuni casi sono stati ben sfruttati; mi riferisco in particolare al finale, che pone delle basi molto interessanti per il futuro e credo possa portare la storia a svilupparsi nuovamente come si deve. Mi ha incuriosita moltissimo ed è, di fatto, una delle parti che ho più gradito.
I personaggi rimangono sempre gli stessi – e questo un po’ li penalizza, perché in questo caso non hanno una trama abbastanza ben congegnata da sorreggerli. Balista è meno sfaccettato rispetto allo scorso volume e Giulia, sua moglie, reagisce a certi eventi in una maniera che non riesco a trovare del tutto accettabile (c’è da dire che Sidebottom non ha mai caratterizzato granché bene le donne, purtroppo). Tra i liberti Massimo è quello che continua a piacermi di più; Demetrio è meno presente e quindi non ho molto da dire a riguardo. Tra i traditori, invece, devo ammettere che l’odioso Macriano ha un piccolo momento di rivalsa – ma ciò non lo rende meno spregevole.
Sono incuriosita da Gallieno e Zenobia, personaggi ambigui, che incontriamo per la prima volta in questo libro e per cui ho ottime aspettative.
Tutto quel che ho scritto avrebbe permesso al libro di portarsi a casa, forse, un onesto 7 – il voto adatto a una lettura piacevole, ma non eccelsa, che comunque riusciva a porre buone aspettative per il libro successivo. Peccato che io l’abbia letto nell’edizione italiana.
Quando i typos sono più di un paio (e sto già cercando di essere buona) il motivo può essere solo uno: mancata cura del testo. Figurarsi quando ce ne sono molti, nel testo e nelle appendici! Nel primo ci sono degli evidenti a-capo mancanti (altrimenti non si spiegano i salti da un punto di vista all’altro senza alcun preavviso, visto che negli altri libri erano ben segnalati, e sempre da uno stacco…), errori di digitazione e un verbo sbagliato che un correttore di bozze avrebbe sicuramente segnalato. Nelle seconde c’è, senza mezzi termini, l’orrore: sono evidentemente molto meno curate del testo principale, con continui typos, errori di grammatica (un + sost. femm. senza apostrofo! congiuntivi scomparsi!) e la formattazione poco curata (ci sono corsivi che a volte vengono usati, a volte no).
Le appendici non sono aggiuntine da curare meno: sono validi aiuti per apprezzare al meglio un libro.
Per questo il mio gradimento è calato molto, e spero proprio che il prossimo libro sia curato meglio – altrimenti comincerò a procurarmi la versione in lingua originale.
May 5, 2023
Well well well, now that was unexpected! Enjoying the plot, Ballista has truly been through the wars. Going from the very bottom where you genuinely don’t see things going well for him at all then climbing up the imperium against so many trials and tribulations politically - physically - mentally. His familia certainly are the only ones he can count on and trust. But what an ending - didn’t see that coming - really rooting for this guy! Each book the characters are growing, can’t wait for the next in the series.
November 27, 2021
This book is a continuation of a reading virus that will keep going. Excellent, thrilling, unbelievable masterpiece from ancient Rome.
April 13, 2022
A good read. Lots of battles fought. An exciting time period too with all the usurpers and emperor's fighting each other and ballista being caught in the middle
August 18, 2012
And so onto the third book in the Warrior of Rome series featuring the very real historical figure of Ballista, an officer in the third century Roman army, a man of Germanic birth sent to defend the eastern borders against the growing threat of the Sassanid empire.
Ballista and the Emperor Valerian are in a bit of a pickle. Betrayed by Macrianus the Lame, they are captured by Sassanid forces and sent before Shapur himself. As the story begins, Valerian has been forced to prostrate himself before The King of Kings and Ballista is sworn to an oath that he must break if he is to see his family again and assist Valerian in taking back his empire. He is reminded of another oath that he broke many years before, one that is covered at the beginning of the first book.
I was disappointed with the second book, though I appreciated the character development I felt that the plot at times appeared direction-less. That's not to say that it was a bad book - it wasn't. I also appreciate that the second book in any series is always going to be difficult. They tend to focus more on exploring characters and if the author is still getting to grips with his characters and his universe then they can sometimes come across as disjointed.
In the third of what is expected to be a 12 book series, the author has fused the best elements of the first two books and created a rather solid piece of work. It has all the gripping action of the first, including some well illustrated battle scenes, strong characterisation and integrated with historical asides that slot nicely into the narrative and dialogue (not always an easy trick to pull off and considering the author is an academic he gets a double thumbs up).
Again his expertise on the period is used to good effect. As a Professor of History, Sidebottom knows how to apply research to what is a sparse period of documentary evidence for the Roman empire (the third century crisis) a time when Rome is threatened from within and without and there is a sense of unease at the growing cult of Christianity within Roman borders.
Overall I am enjoying this series and looking forward to the paperback release of the fourth book "The Caspian Gates" this summer.
See more book reviews at my blog
Ballista and the Emperor Valerian are in a bit of a pickle. Betrayed by Macrianus the Lame, they are captured by Sassanid forces and sent before Shapur himself. As the story begins, Valerian has been forced to prostrate himself before The King of Kings and Ballista is sworn to an oath that he must break if he is to see his family again and assist Valerian in taking back his empire. He is reminded of another oath that he broke many years before, one that is covered at the beginning of the first book.
I was disappointed with the second book, though I appreciated the character development I felt that the plot at times appeared direction-less. That's not to say that it was a bad book - it wasn't. I also appreciate that the second book in any series is always going to be difficult. They tend to focus more on exploring characters and if the author is still getting to grips with his characters and his universe then they can sometimes come across as disjointed.
In the third of what is expected to be a 12 book series, the author has fused the best elements of the first two books and created a rather solid piece of work. It has all the gripping action of the first, including some well illustrated battle scenes, strong characterisation and integrated with historical asides that slot nicely into the narrative and dialogue (not always an easy trick to pull off and considering the author is an academic he gets a double thumbs up).
Again his expertise on the period is used to good effect. As a Professor of History, Sidebottom knows how to apply research to what is a sparse period of documentary evidence for the Roman empire (the third century crisis) a time when Rome is threatened from within and without and there is a sense of unease at the growing cult of Christianity within Roman borders.
Overall I am enjoying this series and looking forward to the paperback release of the fourth book "The Caspian Gates" this summer.
See more book reviews at my blog
February 8, 2020
This book was my introduction to the "Warrior of Rome" series. Though it's the third entry, reading it first was not a problem. I was able to keep all the characters straight and found enough information to understand their place in the narrative.
I wish I had discovered Sidebottom, sooner. I consider myself a fan of Roman historical fiction and he is obviously a very good practitioner. His work is well researched and documented plus accompanied by an excellent bibliography, appendix, and glossary.
The story's protagonist is Ballista, an officer in the third century Roman army, originally sent to Rome as a hostage against his Germanic father's continued good behavior. He's now, 20 years later, defending Rome's eastern borders against the growing threat of the Sassanid (Persian) empire.
Ballista and the Emperor Valerian, betrayed by Macrianus the Lame, have been captured by the Sassanids and are forced to prostrate themselves before the so-called King of Kings. Ballista is to go to Samosata and ask Macrianus to ransom Valerian. He knows it's a fool's errand but gives his oath to return.
Ballista then breaks his oath to protect his family and goes into the service of Macrianus as a high level commander. The plot then revolves around what Ballista must do to not only survive but also protect his family from enemies both within and without the Empire.
The battle scenes of which there are many are well done. The characters are well-drawn and for the most part believable for the time. Ballista's companions stay loyal to him and in many cases are able to protect him from his enemies.
I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series in order or not. I can certainly recommend this volume.
I wish I had discovered Sidebottom, sooner. I consider myself a fan of Roman historical fiction and he is obviously a very good practitioner. His work is well researched and documented plus accompanied by an excellent bibliography, appendix, and glossary.
The story's protagonist is Ballista, an officer in the third century Roman army, originally sent to Rome as a hostage against his Germanic father's continued good behavior. He's now, 20 years later, defending Rome's eastern borders against the growing threat of the Sassanid (Persian) empire.
Ballista and the Emperor Valerian, betrayed by Macrianus the Lame, have been captured by the Sassanids and are forced to prostrate themselves before the so-called King of Kings. Ballista is to go to Samosata and ask Macrianus to ransom Valerian. He knows it's a fool's errand but gives his oath to return.
Ballista then breaks his oath to protect his family and goes into the service of Macrianus as a high level commander. The plot then revolves around what Ballista must do to not only survive but also protect his family from enemies both within and without the Empire.
The battle scenes of which there are many are well done. The characters are well-drawn and for the most part believable for the time. Ballista's companions stay loyal to him and in many cases are able to protect him from his enemies.
I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series in order or not. I can certainly recommend this volume.
January 26, 2017
I chose the first book in this series because the author is a Roman scholar and a lecturer at Oxford. Here, I thought would be historical fiction at its most accurate. I have not been disappointed. Though he has purposely selected the 4th Century AD---a period for which we have little by way of accurate information, he stays as close to the period as is possible consistent with the creation of an exciting plot. His interjection of Latin terms that define some of the cultural characteristics of ancient Roman society is interesting and adds to the reader's understanding of the plot and the period.
Sidebottom's protagonist is a northern barbarian, an Angle with the Roman name of Marcus Clodius Ballista who was first brought to Rome as a hostage against the behavior of his father who is king of the Angles. He spent his formative years at the Imperial court.
Ballista is a gifted warrior and strategist. He is also an ethical warrior and an iconoclast. It is these latter characteristics that often land him in trouble.
No cardboard characters here, Ballista and his familia who follow him through the series are well drawn and credible.
Highly recommended for devotees of historical fiction.
Sidebottom's protagonist is a northern barbarian, an Angle with the Roman name of Marcus Clodius Ballista who was first brought to Rome as a hostage against the behavior of his father who is king of the Angles. He spent his formative years at the Imperial court.
Ballista is a gifted warrior and strategist. He is also an ethical warrior and an iconoclast. It is these latter characteristics that often land him in trouble.
No cardboard characters here, Ballista and his familia who follow him through the series are well drawn and credible.
Highly recommended for devotees of historical fiction.
May 7, 2012
I was interested to see where Harry was going to take the next book in this series, unlike some of the Roman series out there at the moment I feel that this one has more of a shelf life with Ballista, but between now and the end I really want to see how well Harry writes the character, his friends and all of their lives.
Lion of the Sun lived up to its predecessors and delivered with plenty of punch, there is action aplenty and the characters as usual leap off the page. For me an example of a good book is how quickly it ends, ie how soon I get to the end. I tend to find reasons to delay bad books and find other things to do, and awful books I never ever finish. This took me 2 days cover to cover which for its size is a good sign.
Without giving any plot away I feel we learn a lot more about the Sassanid empire and Shapur in this book, but by the end of the book you can see the end of the series even more so than before...which is fine because I would ask Harry...what's next...all authors have another series just over the horizon. (do you??)
A solid 4 out of 5 from me.
(Parm)
Lion of the Sun lived up to its predecessors and delivered with plenty of punch, there is action aplenty and the characters as usual leap off the page. For me an example of a good book is how quickly it ends, ie how soon I get to the end. I tend to find reasons to delay bad books and find other things to do, and awful books I never ever finish. This took me 2 days cover to cover which for its size is a good sign.
Without giving any plot away I feel we learn a lot more about the Sassanid empire and Shapur in this book, but by the end of the book you can see the end of the series even more so than before...which is fine because I would ask Harry...what's next...all authors have another series just over the horizon. (do you??)
A solid 4 out of 5 from me.
(Parm)
July 22, 2011
Harry Sidebottoms knowledge of ancient Rome is unsurpassed as he once again, applies his knowledge to that of writing a novel. The end product is a book that takes you through the historical age that the reader can clearly see in thier minds eye as his discriptive sytle of writing capitvates the reader. If like me, you never learnt Latin at school, dont worry. The use of Latin words in strategic places adds an air of authenticity that no other writer could achieve. If I had one reservation about the use of Latin words, it is that the pace of the book is suspended while the reader gets thier head around the word.
That one thing aside doesnt stop you from taken to that past timeless age that is tough, brutal and at times shocking. The main character and the challenges he faces will keep readers attention to the very end. I look forward to the next book in the serties, The Caspian Gates
That one thing aside doesnt stop you from taken to that past timeless age that is tough, brutal and at times shocking. The main character and the challenges he faces will keep readers attention to the very end. I look forward to the next book in the serties, The Caspian Gates
March 28, 2015
I very much enjoyed this third book in the Balista series. Lots of intrigue, political betrayals and severed heads. Sidebottom writes with a flare and an economy of words that keeps me up all night turing pages. Lots of stuff happens in this one and the set locations are various. I did become rather frustrated with Balista's lack of action against the book's main antagonist. Surely an opportunity to strike at those that threatened him and his family was present at some point earlier in the story. For this reason alone its a four star read for me. Otherwise it would have got a 5. Anyway, loved the book. Can't wait for the next!
July 18, 2011
for a 3rd in the series book this is still rolling along nicely. You can actually taste the sweat, dust and the smell the unwashed bodies.
Being of the 'natural justice' bent of mind I was hoping certain villians were going to get their come uppance but looks like I am going to have to wait for book 4 for that.
In short, a good read.
Being of the 'natural justice' bent of mind I was hoping certain villians were going to get their come uppance but looks like I am going to have to wait for book 4 for that.
In short, a good read.
September 11, 2013
Enjoyed this one but it did leave a few elements unfinished , which i assume I am about to cover in the next book. Was nice to see things from the view of some of the other characters for a change and not spend the whole time with ballista
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