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David McK (3233 KP) rated Brothers of the Sword (Warrior #5) in Books
Jun 3, 2023
Entry number 4 (of 5) in Simon Scarrow & Tj Andrews's 'Warrior' series of novellas, in which the Catuvellaunian tribe go to war against the Atrabates, with Caratacus here first experimenting with the guerilla tactics he would later use against the Roman invaders.
As with the previous three entries, this is presented as the elderly Caratacus, whilst in exile in Rome, recounting his experiences to a Roman historian, with the sub-plot that this may be bringing that historian unwelcome attention from Nero's officials.
As also before - and as required by the fact that this is a novella - it's also a rather short read, complete with it's own 'intro' and 'outro'
As with the previous three entries, this is presented as the elderly Caratacus, whilst in exile in Rome, recounting his experiences to a Roman historian, with the sub-plot that this may be bringing that historian unwelcome attention from Nero's officials.
As also before - and as required by the fact that this is a novella - it's also a rather short read, complete with it's own 'intro' and 'outro'
Deborah (162 KP) rated Master and God in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Lindsey Davis' latest offering isn't a new Falco, but it isn't all bad news, because I thought it was a really good read! The Master & God of the title is, of course, the emperor Domitian, son of Vespasian and brother of Titus, so readers of the Falco novels will already be in familiar territory.... Domitian isn't the main narrative character in the novel though, so in some ways it's not really 'about' him. The story centres around a soldier and a hairdresser and imperial freedwoman, and it is their story and the story of the times they live through.
The book I read just before this was Kate Quinn's Daughters of Rome, which covers the Year of the Four Emperors, concluding with the accession of Vespasian, so in many ways this linked in nicely from an historical point of view. What I noticed almost straight away though, was how much better Davis' writing is; Rome and the characters really came alive for me in a way they never quite managed in Quinn's work.
Davis' sense of humour is still very much apparent, thought it doesn't come across quite so keenly as in the Falco novels; I think this may be because Falco is in the first person while Master & God is told in the third person, utilising more than one character point of view - including Musca the Fly, that I see several people have commented on!
The book I read just before this was Kate Quinn's Daughters of Rome, which covers the Year of the Four Emperors, concluding with the accession of Vespasian, so in many ways this linked in nicely from an historical point of view. What I noticed almost straight away though, was how much better Davis' writing is; Rome and the characters really came alive for me in a way they never quite managed in Quinn's work.
Davis' sense of humour is still very much apparent, thought it doesn't come across quite so keenly as in the Falco novels; I think this may be because Falco is in the first person while Master & God is told in the third person, utilising more than one character point of view - including Musca the Fly, that I see several people have commented on!
David McK (3233 KP) rated Angels & Demons (2009) in Movies
Mar 20, 2019
Ron Howard's take on the Dan Brown book of the same name, with that book actually being the first (albeit less famous) of his Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon mystery novels (The Da Vinci code being the more famous).
Like the book, this takes place almost entirely in Rome, with Langdon (Tom Hanks) in a race against time and through the city to unravel the mysteries of the Illumunati during the period immediately after the death of the Pope but before the choosing/ordination of the next.
Also starring Ewan McGregor playing an Irish priest, I have to say that this - unfortunately - didn't really had my attention all that much (although I did have fun playing 'been there! seen that!)
Like the book, this takes place almost entirely in Rome, with Langdon (Tom Hanks) in a race against time and through the city to unravel the mysteries of the Illumunati during the period immediately after the death of the Pope but before the choosing/ordination of the next.
Also starring Ewan McGregor playing an Irish priest, I have to say that this - unfortunately - didn't really had my attention all that much (although I did have fun playing 'been there! seen that!)
Rufus Wainwright recommended The Platinum Collection by Mina in Music (curated)
Tom Turner (388 KP) rated Tribune of Rome in Books
May 6, 2021
I had never heard of Vespasian below starting this book, and assumed that he was a fictitious character in the same vein as Sharpe or Hornblower, just in the Roman era. Obviously I was wrong, for he in fact became Emporer of Rome after Nero (kinda).
This added a level of intrigue to the story for me, obviously this book is only the beginnings of his story, as there are another 9 books in the series. But it's definitely got me hooked.
At times I got a little exasperated with stone of the tropes and plot conveniences used, but I'm giving Fabbri the benefit of the doubt, after all this was his debut novel.
This added a level of intrigue to the story for me, obviously this book is only the beginnings of his story, as there are another 9 books in the series. But it's definitely got me hooked.
At times I got a little exasperated with stone of the tropes and plot conveniences used, but I'm giving Fabbri the benefit of the doubt, after all this was his debut novel.
David McK (3233 KP) rated Ravenheart (Rigante #3) in Books
May 5, 2024
Book 3 (of 4) in the Rigante series, moving the events on some centuries after those of "Sword in the Storm" and "Midnight Falcon".
I think it's generally accepted that the Rigante are Gemmell's equivalent of the Scots, and that this book and its subsequent sequel are his interpretation of the wars fought by the Scottish Highlanders against the invading English (whereas the earlier two books were more like their wars against Rome).
As in most of his works, the novel deals with the notions of redemption and the nature of both good and evil, and has a strong central protagonist plagued by doubt. Worth reading? Assuredly yes (though I'd say that about nearly all his novels)
I think it's generally accepted that the Rigante are Gemmell's equivalent of the Scots, and that this book and its subsequent sequel are his interpretation of the wars fought by the Scottish Highlanders against the invading English (whereas the earlier two books were more like their wars against Rome).
As in most of his works, the novel deals with the notions of redemption and the nature of both good and evil, and has a strong central protagonist plagued by doubt. Worth reading? Assuredly yes (though I'd say that about nearly all his novels)
Alice (117 KP) rated How It All Blew Up in Books
Mar 3, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley and Hot Key books for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of its release!
This book was a delight and so compulsively readable! It was so fun to escape to Rome with Amir but also to delve into some deeper topics as well. One of my friends lives in Italy and this is just exactly how I picture her life. Amir was such a fun narrator and even though he was a bit of an asshole sometimes you really were rooting for him! We can so often romanticise situations, people and places and this story showed that even the things that we romanticise and deem perfect are messy when we look a little closer.
This book was a delight and so compulsively readable! It was so fun to escape to Rome with Amir but also to delve into some deeper topics as well. One of my friends lives in Italy and this is just exactly how I picture her life. Amir was such a fun narrator and even though he was a bit of an asshole sometimes you really were rooting for him! We can so often romanticise situations, people and places and this story showed that even the things that we romanticise and deem perfect are messy when we look a little closer.
Dan Brown's novels always give you wanderlust. I cannot read one of his books without dreaming of traveling to Italy, viewing the famous statues, buildings and art, traveling in a gondola in Venice or wandering the ancient streets of Rome. Inferno is not exception. It also inspired me to read Danté, research the works of art mentioned in the novel and otherwise immerse myself in the experience. I oscillate between liking the main character, Robert Langdon and being turned off by his portrayal. I just don't find everyone's instant attraction to him to be believable and find it to be off putting. I did enjoy the diverse cast of supporting characters that Brown introduces in this novel. Overall, greatly recommended and to enhance the experience perhaps familiarize yourself with Danté.
David Cross recommended Bicycle Thieves (1948) in Movies (curated)
ClareR (5596 KP) rated The Last Hour in Books
Mar 28, 2018
A Roman 24!!
That was one crazy ride from start to finish! The author has said that it's a historical take on 24 (the TV show with Jack Bauer/ Kiefer Sutherland), and he isn't wrong. But where I got fed up with the TV show, this kept my attention from start to finish. The attention to historical detail is so good (you can tell that the author is an academic - he knows how to do his research!), and sitting in my living room reading the book, I was transported to ancient Rome with all the sights and smells (my drains work just fine, thank you!).
The main character, Ballista is instantly likeable. A man with morals and honour, he discovers a plot to assassinate the Emperor that runs deep in the political and military world of Rome. He, and he alone, is the one to stop the assassination of his friend, the Emperor Gallienus. Rightly or wrongly, whether he agrees with the way that Gallienus runs the Empire or not, he is duty bound to save him - if only to save the lives of his wife and children.
I would love to be able to pick out and describe a favourite part of the book, but that comes well in to the second half (and I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone else!). I haven't read a book with quite so much action in a long time. There were some real 'heart in mouth' sections, and great character building (how Harry Sidebottom found the time and space to do that, well! I suppose that's why he writes and I don't!).
I will be on the look out for more of the authors books!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for the chance to read this book!
The main character, Ballista is instantly likeable. A man with morals and honour, he discovers a plot to assassinate the Emperor that runs deep in the political and military world of Rome. He, and he alone, is the one to stop the assassination of his friend, the Emperor Gallienus. Rightly or wrongly, whether he agrees with the way that Gallienus runs the Empire or not, he is duty bound to save him - if only to save the lives of his wife and children.
I would love to be able to pick out and describe a favourite part of the book, but that comes well in to the second half (and I don't want to spoil the fun for anyone else!). I haven't read a book with quite so much action in a long time. There were some real 'heart in mouth' sections, and great character building (how Harry Sidebottom found the time and space to do that, well! I suppose that's why he writes and I don't!).
I will be on the look out for more of the authors books!
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for the chance to read this book!