10-28-2005, 09:13 PM
Despite having been given an advance copy at Kelmarsh (thank you Simon) I have only just finished it as I started and then had to put it down to read up on a Lecture.
When I picked it up it was the same time as the Ravenna marine was first mentioned.
I liked the extra dimension of the sea ( I am a Hornblower fan) and Simon's skill at describing battles has transferred well to the sea.
There is a cast of the usual subjects with Cato gradually asserting his leadership abilities and Vitellius the man you like to hate (hiss boo). Some new characters too mostly expendable (star trek crewmen) with a delightful steal from a certain well known Roman detective series( I wonder if the author minds)
The plot works well and there was no question of putting it aside this time. I confess i did not guess who the informer was but then I was enjoying the mind picture of Cato on the lookout point too much to sherlock the clues.
On the authenticity front I have no major quibbles. Would Centurions normally march with a yoke? I don't know. We seemed to have Marines with various shapes of shields but alas the Ravenna Marine is Scutum less.
Where now for our intrepid pair? Is it more 007 stuff or back to the Eagles? Whatever I hope that Simon will not be too diverted from his Napoleonic excursion to ensure that we have our annual augustan Roman treat.
When I picked it up it was the same time as the Ravenna marine was first mentioned.
I liked the extra dimension of the sea ( I am a Hornblower fan) and Simon's skill at describing battles has transferred well to the sea.
There is a cast of the usual subjects with Cato gradually asserting his leadership abilities and Vitellius the man you like to hate (hiss boo). Some new characters too mostly expendable (star trek crewmen) with a delightful steal from a certain well known Roman detective series( I wonder if the author minds)
The plot works well and there was no question of putting it aside this time. I confess i did not guess who the informer was but then I was enjoying the mind picture of Cato on the lookout point too much to sherlock the clues.
On the authenticity front I have no major quibbles. Would Centurions normally march with a yoke? I don't know. We seemed to have Marines with various shapes of shields but alas the Ravenna Marine is Scutum less.
Where now for our intrepid pair? Is it more 007 stuff or back to the Eagles? Whatever I hope that Simon will not be too diverted from his Napoleonic excursion to ensure that we have our annual augustan Roman treat.
Quod imperatum fuerit facimus et ad omnem tesseram parati erimus
