Book Beginnings | The Friday 56: Clash of Empires by Ben Kane

 Book Beginnings is hosted by Rose City Reader

Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice

Grab a book, any book. Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader. Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) and post it.

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Book Beginning:

It was a beautiful evening, balmy and windless; the sea resembled a sheet of hammered bronze.

Friday 56

Many had already succumbed to blind panic. Unarmed, unmanned, they elbowed and shoved at one another in their eagerness to flee the battlefield. Baying their bloodlust, Felix and his comrades took up the persuit.

I just started Clash of Empires yesterday so I'm not that far in yet but what I've read so far I really liked. 

The book is set in the ancient world in 202 BC and it features three historical figures from history: Hannibal Barca who was a general from Carthage. He was considered as one of the greatest military commanders in history, Philip V of Macedon who was the king of Macedonia (221–179 BC) and Titus Quinctius Flamininus who was a Consul of the Roman Republic but at the start of the book he's "only" a Quaestor. It also features a young man named Demetrios, who's struggling a bit but he's fictional.
I can't wait to read more!

WHEN A NEW EMPIRE RISES, AN OLD ONE MUST FALL.

After sixteen years of bloody war against Rome, Hannibal Barca is on the verge of defeat. On the plains of Zama, Felix and his brother Antonius stand in the formidable Roman legions, ready to deliver the decisive blow. Victory will establish Rome as the pre-eminent power in the ancient world.

But in northern Greece, Philip V of Macedon is determined to restore Alexander the Great's kingdom to its former glory. Charismatic leader, ruthless general, he will use the unforgiving might of his phalanx to unite Greece and to fend off Rome's grasping fingers.

In Rome, young senator Flamininus is set on becoming one of the Republic's greatest military commanders. With Hannibal on the verge of defeat, the as-yet-unconquered Macedon and Greece are ripe for conquest. Strategist and spymaster, politician and general, Flamininus will stop at nothing to bring Philip V to heel.

Demetrios slumps on the rowing bench of his Macedonian ship. Thirsty, hungry, burnt by the unforgiving Mediterranean sun, dreams are his only sustenance. Dreams of the perfect thrust of a fifteen-foot sarissa spear, of the unyielding phalanx wall, of the glory of Macedon.

The Roman wolf has tasted blood, and it wants more. But the sun of Macedon will not set without a final blaze of glory.

What do you think of my Book Beginnings and Friday 56 quotes?

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