Customer Reviews
A promising first novel spoiled by far too many mistakes - By: ~ Ravenscraig ~, 15 Nov 2008 
Sadly, I have to add my voice to those other reviewers who found the typos & use of modern-day expressions a source of more than a little irritation. I too read a lot & most of that is historical fiction, & this book is the first occasion when growing irritation at the seemingly relentless flow of typos almost made me want to give up reading it. There came a point when I even started to look out for them, which added to the spoiled enjoyment of the read. However, I also readily agree that the author does have obvious potential - & even more obvious enthusiasm! - & I do hope that his next book is much better served by his proof-readers. I also hope that what appeared to be an unexpectedly large proportion of the modern mannerisms, descriptions, anachronisms & expressions are replaced with items much morein line with the period of the story.
Keith Jackson - By: K. R. Jackson, 05 Nov 2008 
The frequent misspelling is mildly aggravating but I did find that I got used to it after a while. Whilst some of the modern idioms may be
out of place this is, after all, a tale of soldiering & soldiers throughout history have behaved pretty much the same. The characterisations are good & enable one to visualise individuals, it is possible to picture the excellent 'NCO' who is reluctant to accept a long overdue & deserved promotion! Soldiers like that exist to this day & perhaps it is that parallel perspective that appeals. I like the book very much.
Has its moments but the historical context is badly researched - By: Seelhofer Daniel, 21 Sep 2008 
As the first novel by the author, it seems he was quite badly served by his editors. The numerous typos & 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 & 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 & its aftermath to Augustus' Germanic wars, & 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 - & 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 & brotherhood that must have existedin the Roman Army just as it doesin modern military units. This certainly achieves the desired effect (and not 'affect' as it is consistently writtenin the book).
Proof Reader Needed! - By: P. Murphy, 21 Sep 2008 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 & command of the period deserves, unfortunately I could notin 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, & making sure that sentences actually make sense. I think there is a lot of potentialin this author if more time is spentin preparing the finished product for its audience.
Brilliant - By: Agonyuncle, 05 Sep 2008 
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 & read it once more. Will bein my top 10 list.
