First of all, I'm a great fan of history novels, from Eagle in the snow to Simon Scarrow's adventures of Macro and Cato. And I have to say that at least for me, this book really delivered many things-finely researched and interesting period in a roman history, good mix of politics and action, mostly unpredictable plot, interesting characters with enough depth in them. In short-a great action novel There was just one small...
0Report
I'm slightly surprised by some of the lukewarm reviews of this book. Personally I thought it was one of the best historical novels about the Roman Empire that I've ever read. It's certainly superior to the Cato-Macro novels of Simon Scarrow although they are entertaining reads in themselves. Fire in the East is set in 255AD, right in the middle of the 235-284AD imperial crisis which almost brought down the Roman Empire...
0Report
"Write what you know" is probably good advice for first-time authors, and Fire in the East shows us the virtues of following this dictum. However, there is such a thing as overdoing it, as the novel falters when it steps away from the author's area of expertise. There is no arguing Harry Sidebottom knows his Roman history. He holds a doctorate in Ancient History from Oxford University's Corpus Christi College, and now lectures...
0Report
By AD 255, the Roman Empire struggles to maintain order especially in the outlying sectors as barbarians and infidels pose viable threats as Command and Control is almost nonexistent. Emperors Valerian and Gallienus send the honorary Dux Ripea, Marcus Clodius Bastilla, to take command of the legion on the eastern border. Marcus leaves his wife in Rome and travels to his new outpost. He arrives in Arete, Syria where his...
0Report