Tag: historical fiction

#BookReview #Ad The Emperor’s Shield (Legionary 9) by Gordon Doherty

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The Emperor's ShieldAbout the Book

Easier to split the sky, than part a soldier from his blade.

386 AD. The Eastern Roman Empire faces a trident of threats. The Gothic truce grows unstable. The standoff with Persia escalates. And the ambitions of the usurper on the Western throne grow dangerously unchecked.

Pavo, a broken veteran of the legions, cares for none of these things. His life is one of pastoral seclusion on his Thracian farm. A life of love, of peace. His wife and young son are his world. Still, every so often, things seen and done in his old life haunt him, like a cold and unwelcome breeze. But that is all they are, echoes of the past…

…until the past rises, like a shade, to rip his world and the Roman Empire apart.

Format: eARC (466 pages)                      Publisher:
Publication date: 16th February 2023   Genre: Historical Fiction

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My Review

The Emperor’s Shield is the ninth book in the Legionary series featuring Roman soldier, Pavo. It’s only the second book in the series I’ve read – the other was number seven, The Blood Road – although I’ve also read two books in the Rise of Emperors series co-written with Simon Turney.

As the book opens, Pavo has swapped the military life for that of a farmer – or, at least, that’s what he thinks.

The Roman Empire is divided and in turmoil, well on the path to its eventual decline and fall, with the bonds that held its disparate parts together weakening and enemies beyond its borders a growing threat. Add the machinations of those hungry for power within the Empire and you have a time bomb waiting to explode.

It’s no surprise that Pavo’s military experience and strategic nous sees him receiving a recall to the service of Emperor Theodosius. It’s a recall he initially refuses until the repercussions of the turmoil in the Empire come frighteningly close to home. ‘F**k Rome and its fat aristocrats and magnates. All that matters to me is my family… They are my empire.’

Reading the author’s note one realises just how skilfully he has conjured an exciting story out of historical fact, adding fictional characters such as the secretive Frugilo, Pavo’s faithful friend, Sura, and, of course, Pavo himself.

Once again, Pavo lives up to his reputation as a formidable fighter, an inspired tactician and a loyal comrade.  But you can’t see and do the things Pavo has without it having an impact. As he confides, ‘In my sleep, I see the ones who have fallen. So many, too many’. But is the scene that haunts his dreams over and over again, memories of his past or a vision of the future?

The Emperor’s Shield is historical fiction with something for everyone. There are intense, bloody and bone-crunching battle scenes, including some brilliant set pieces such as the storming of a seemingly impregnable fortress. There is detail of Roman army structure, weaponry and military strategy that oozes authenticity. (A helpful glossary is provided for those who don’t know their hexareme from their liburnian.) And an element of mystery is introduced by means of a man known only as Peregrinus, whom we know is a wily and ruthless traitor at the very heart of Theodosius’ inner circle, but whose identity remains a secret. His mission is to create havoc, something he does very successfully with others paying the price of his deadly game.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Emperor’s Shield. The author reveals the next book will be the last in the series. What does the future hold for Pavo? I’d like to hope it involves a peaceful life alongside his wife and son – after some more exciting adventures of course.

My thanks to the author for my advance review copy. Gordon supports the charity Myeloma UK and if you would like to make a donation to this great cause, follow this link to his JustGiving page.

In three words: Action-packed, assured, thrilling

Try something similar: Masters of Rome by Gordon Doherty & Simon Turney

Gordon DohertyAbout the Author

Gordon Doherty is a Scottish writer, addicted to reading and writing historical fiction. His novels have been Amazon smash-hits, and have gone on to be translated and published in Russia, Italy and Greece.

Gordon’s love of history was first kindled by visits to the misty Roman ruins of Britain and the sun-baked antiquities of Turkey and Greece. His expeditions since have taken him all over the world and back and forth through time (metaphorically, at least), allowing him to write tales of the later Roman Empire, Byzantium, Classical Greece and even the distant Bronze Age.

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#BookReview #Ad A Gift of Poison by Bella Ellis

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A Gift of PoisonAbout the Book

Haworth 1847 – Anne and Emily Brontë have had their books accepted for publication, while Charlotte’s has been rejected everywhere, creating a strained atmosphere at the parsonage.

At the same time, a shocking court case has recently concluded, acquitting a workhouse master of murdering his wife by poison. Everyone thinks this famously odious and abusive man is guilty. However, he insists he is many bad things but not a murderer. When an attempt is made on his life, he believes it to be the same person who killed his wife and applies to the detecting sisters for their help.

Despite reservations, they decide that perhaps, as before, it is only they who can get to the truth and prove him innocent – or guilty – without a shadow of doubt.

Format: eARC (352 pages)                Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication date: 9th February 2023 Genre: Historical Fiction, Crime

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My Review

A Gift of Poison is the fourth and final book in Bella Ellis’s historical crime series featuring the Brontë sisters. I’ve read and enjoyed all the previous books in the series – The Vanished Bride, The Diabolical Bones and The Red Monarch. (Links from the titles will take you to my review.)

As in the prevous books, there is a very touching prologue, after which the reader is taken back in time to the summer of 1847 as Charlotte, Emily and Anne embark on what they are determined will be their final case. The sisters take it in turns to relate the story allowing the distinct personalities the author has given them to shine through. For example, Emily is all action, emotion and instinct, someone who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. At one point she scornfully observes, ‘This will take twice as long as it should now there are men involved’.  Anne is methodical, thoughtful, has a forgiving nature and is more inclined to see the best in others. Charlotte is adept at dealing with people and eliciting information.

Whilst being pleased that her sisters’ novels have been accepted for publication, Charlotte can’t help feeling a little hurt at the rejection of her own novel, The Professor. She is determined to protect her sisters from any hint of scandal – such as their role as ‘detectors’ – that might jeopardise their success.  And she is quietly working away at a new novel, one which will become her most famous book and an enduring classic – Jane Eyre, of course. What I loved is how the author captures Charlotte’s compulsion to transfer her ideas to the page, as she snatches every spare moment to quietly work on the novel, sometimes becoming lost in ‘a frenzy of creation’.

Branwell Brontë also features in the book although by this point, as in real life, he has become a rather pathetic figure in the final stages of an inevitable decline but still touchingly protective of his sisters. There is also a return appearance by real life novelist, Mrs Catherine Crowe ,who manages to charm everyone she meets, including the sisters’ beloved Papa. Charlotte’s dear friend, Ellen Nussey, also features in the story and proves to be, if not quite as courageous as the three sisters, extremely organised and adept at recording vital scraps of evidence.

As with the previous books, part of the enjoyment is trying to spot references to people or places in the Brontë’s novels. The obvious one is the surname of Abner Lowood but I bet there were others I missed. Some of the seemingly  supernatural happenings in this book evoke thoughts of Wuthering Heights and one quite dramatic event appears in Jane Eyre.

Do the sisters find the solution to the mystery? You bet they do, although they have a convoluted journey to get there. The investigation involves the intrepid sisters visiting places young unmarried ladies would not normally be expected to go. And this is Yorkshire so they also have to battle the elements at times. There is also, to Anne’s delight, a visit to the seaside resort of Scarborough although for those with any knowledge of the Brontës this will be tinged with sadness being the site of her grave.

In one touching exchange, inspired by the events they have been investigating, the siblings imagine their afterlives: “Your ghost will always be in the pub, Branwell,” Emily said. “And yours up on the moor, singing with the wind,” Branwell said, fondly. “Charlotte will be ordering everyone around, absolutely furious that no one is paying her any attention,” Emily added. “And Anne will just be Anne, a light for others always.”

Although I’m sad to see what has been a wonderfully entertaining series come to an end, those familiar with the sadly brief lives of the Brontë sisters will understand, given the year in which the book is set, why this must be their final case.

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for my review copy via NetGalley.

In three words: Engaging, imaginative, suspenseful

Rowan ColemanAbout the Author

Bella Ellis is the Brontë-inspired pen name for the award winning Sunday Times bestselling author Rowan Coleman. A Brontë devotee for most of her life, Rowan is the author of fourteen novels including The Memory Book, The Summer of Impossible Things and The Girl at the Window.

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Bronte Mysteries Bella Ellis