Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...
 Has its moments but the historical context is badly researched September 21, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
As the first novel by the author, it seems he was quite badly served by his editors. The numerous typos and bad grammar as well as the occasional plain misuse of language distract from the fact that the part of the novel involving the organization of the Roman legion is very well researched. The author also manages to keep the pace up. Unfortunately, it seems the author mainly consulted the official Roman histories of the conflict, which by default are one-sided and not taken at face value by modern academia. Additionally, the between-the-lines moral of the story seems to be a straight adaptation of the American view on 9/11 and its aftermath to Augustus' Germanic wars, and as such 'Roman' could often just as well be replaced with 'American'. After the third or fourth battle the main protagonist's seemingly unquenchable thirst for vengeance - and with it the story per se - seems just too one-dimensional. As a serving soldier, on the other hand, I appreciate the author's effort to describe the sense of camaraderie and brotherhood that must have existed in the Roman Army just as it does in modern military units. This certainly achieves the desired effect (and not 'affect' as it is consistently written in the book).
Proof Reader Needed! September 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I am sorry to say that the typo issue does impact hugely on the enjoyment of this novel. As a person who reads a lot of historical fiction, I would love to be giving this book the four stars the story and command of the period deserves, unfortunately I could not in all conscience recommend it as the lack of even basic proof reading of the book is likely to leave any discriminating reader distraught. This is not the authors fault as you cannot proofread your own work, however a little more time could be spent on the flow of the work, and making sure that sentences actually make sense. I think there is a lot of potential in this author if more time is spent in preparing the finished product for its audience.
 Brilliant September 5, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was so dissapointed to finally get to the last page because there was no more to read. I read the cover again, the credits anything to keep it going a bit longer. I cannot wait for a few more months to elapse so I can pick this book up again and read it once more. Will be in my top 10 list.
 Absolute garbage August 31, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A dreadfully written book. I very much hope that Mr Mace was a better soldier than he is author (although I'd question whether he even has the right to call himself an author after this effort). I wish I had had the good sense to bin this book after I'd realised how poor it was, instead of perservering to the all too predictable end. Typo's, anachronisms, cringeworthy use of direct quotations from Tacitus that stick out like a sore thumb against the schoolboy standard general narrative. ALmost certainly the worst book I've read. One to avoid.
 Good story, spoiled by proof reading errors August 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The story is a strong one and generally well told, though character development is limited. The Americanisms mentioned in other views are a bit irritating but the main spoiler for me was the poor proof reading - mispellings (not even correct for US spelling!) and uncorrected syntax.
However, I enjoyed it enough to want to read more books in the series.
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