A good story and improving
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This second book in the series shows marked improvement over the first with regards to editing; although there are still some howlers.
That aside there is a good story line here and it shows all the signs of continuing to develop well. The author has created main characters with sufficient depth to hold ones interest and become interested in with fast moving plot lines. Personally I didn't mind the use of modern language between the characters, the Romans had a full and rich slang vocabulary of their own that equalled todays, it would have come across as affected in this type of book though. Some of the decriptions used seemed repetetive, for instance almost everyone smirks rather than grins or smiles. However this is a story line that is a very welcome addition to the likes of Simon Scarrow and Bernard Cornwell.
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The Sacrovir Revolt
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I have to say that I can begin to see the developing author James Mace make significant strides in his writing. Not only did he maintain the high standard regarding the quality of the story line, but he also seriously improved the editing process. A lot of reviewers were targeting him for this very aspect while writing a review of the first book it is nice to see that their advice and others has been heeded, a marked improvement.
I would recommend that people read the first book in the series before venturing to this newest edition, simply so you can understand the characters and some of there more subtle complexity's which would make for an easier read. It is also nice to see that James Mace is still employing that attractive element of originality to his writing. I for one will be looking out for this series and will enjoy watching Atorius as he encounters more challenges. Of course I also like to watch him reaping the benefits as he advances up the command chain and decorated for his acts of valor.
A very good read and a nice edition to the promising series.
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Soldier of Rome: The Sacrovir Revolt:A Novel of the Twentieth Legion During the Rebellion of Sacrovir and Florus
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I loved It. Simply Brilliant. Better than the first one, and I really liked the first one. I highly recommend this one and the first one.
Roger "Commander Rapax" Gassett
"Dominius Latronius Domanarus (Maximus Rex):
An Elder HighBorn: Latronii Domanaruses: Gens Latronia"
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Second Book in the Series
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This book is a work of fiction moulded around fact and is all the better and more plausable for that fact. The author has obviously researched well and the book, particularly for those who like all things Roman gives an excellent insight into what life must have been like in the Roman legions. The first book in the series entitled The Legionary told the story of Quintillus Varrus, newly appointed Governor of Germany and leader of a Roman army of approximately 16,500 men, and the fact that they were wiped out to the man, in a German forest. This number of men relates to approximately 3 Roman legions, their three cavalry alae and on top of this number, all of the camp followers who may have amounted to as many as 10,000 souls. The general consensus is that Varrus who ended up taking his own life, was betrayed by the war chief Arminius.
It is AD 20, time has moved on several years since legions were sent from Rome to exact revenge on Arminius and the German nation as a whole. Gaius Silius, Legate of the Twentieth Legion, is concerned that information is being uncovered that suggests that the barbarians though cowed by their defeat have not learned their lesson and are making plans to once again face the might of Rome. This book also continues the story started in the previous book of a single legionary, Artorius who has now been in the legions for five years and has grown in stature, both bodily and mentally. However neither Artorius nor his companions in the legions realise that the defeated Germanic tribes are not the only threat to the gates of Rome.
This is a gritty book that gives an insight into what it may well have been like to be part of a Roman legion, at that time the greatest fighting machine that the world had ever seen. For anyone interested in Rome in general or the legions in particular this is a very enjoyable read.
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Surprisingly Good
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Having been a reader of Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow's series, I was delighted to discover this new author stepping onto the historical novel stage. The few editing mistakes do not distract from a well written and `page turning' series. The first two books avoid the farcical love plots of the Sharp series, and have more meat to them than The Scarrow books. I would recommend the books to any one who has an interest in Roman novels and wants to have a feel of what life in the legions was like on a daily basis's for the legionnaire.
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