Review: Eagles in the Storm by Ben Kane

Title: Eagles in the Storm
Author: Ben Kane
Series: Eagles of Rome #3
Publication: March 23rd 2017 by Preface Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Play | Kobo
Rating: 5/5★

Arminius has been defeated, one of the three eagles has been recovered, and thousands of German tribesmen slain.

Yet these successes aren’t nearly enough for senior centurion Lucius Tullus. Not until Arminius is dead, his old legion’s eagle liberated and the enemy tribes completely vanquished will he rest.

But Arminius is still at large, devious, fearless and burning for revenge of his own. Charismatic as ever, he raises another large tribal army, which will harry the Romans the length and breadth of the land.

Into this cauldron of bloodshed, danger and treachery, Tullus must go - alone. His mission – to find and bring back his legion’s eagle – will place him in more danger than he has ever faced before.

Can he succeed? Can he even survive?

It's not often that I rate a trilogy with five stars for all three books, but with Ben Kane's Eagles of Rome trilogy I did it and it's so well deserved!

Eagles in the Storm was a fantastic conclusion. I could barely put the book down, it was so thrilling and as always well-written. It was also heart-wrenching at times I must say.

The story returns with its great cast of characters like Tullus, Armenis, Maelo, Piso and several others.Tullus is still holding hope after so many years to find the lost eagle of the 18th and revenge on Arminius. Meanwhile Arminius is desperate to lead his people and the other tribes into battle against the Romans.

The book had its fair share of battles. It was all very action-packed and as always really brutal. The author's way of writing not only the battle scenes but every other detail made me feel as if I was actually there. I also can't help but praise the subtle humor as well.

The story was amazing and I thought the ending was pretty much perfect but some characters' deaths basically punched me in the gut. The unexpectedness of that made it even a more powerful ending of my one of my favorite trilogies.

Author bio: Ben Kane is a bestselling Roman author and former veterinarian. He was born in Kenya and grew up in Ireland (where his parents are from). He has traveled widely and is a lifelong student of military history in general, and Roman history in particular. He lives in North Somerset, England, with his family. Read his full bio here.
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Review: A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion

Title: A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion
Authors: Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, S.J.A. Turney, Russell Whitfield, Ben Kane (introduction)
Publication: November 17th 2015 by Knight Media, LLC 
Genre: Historical Fiction
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

  

Britannia: land of mist and magic clinging to the western edge of the Roman Empire. A red-haired queen named Boudica led her people in a desperate rebellion against the might of Rome, an epic struggle destined to consume heroes and cowards, young and old, Roman and Briton . . . and these are their stories.

A calculating queen foresees the fires of rebellion in a king's death.

A neglected slave girl seizes her own courage as Boudica calls for war.

An idealistic tribune finds manhood in a brutal baptism of blood and slaughter.

A death-haunted Druid challenges the gods themselves to ensure victory for his people.

A conflicted young warrior finds himself torn between loyalties to tribe and to Rome.

An old champion struggles for everlasting glory in the final battle against the legions.

A pair of fiery princesses fight to salvage the pieces of their mother’s dream as the ravens circle.

A novel in seven parts, overlapping stories of warriors and peacemakers, queens and slaves, Romans and Britons who cross paths during Boudica’s epic rebellion. But who will survive to see the dawn of a new Britannia, and who will fall to feed the ravens?

The Queen by Stephanie Dray

Stephanie Dray has quickly become one of my favorite historical authors. I haven't read anything yet by her that I disliked. This first story in A Year of Ravens wasn't an exception. It introduces us to Queen Cartimandua who chose not to revolt against the romans to protect her people, even when they and even her own husband turn against her for it. There are a few glimpses to Boudica, though it doesn't show a lot of her yet. I felt like this story was more of an introduction but it was such a powerful one. 


The Slave by Ruth Downie

Ruth Downie is a new-to-me author. But I gotta say I was really impressed by her story. The Slave is about Ria, who was born a slave. But she was also the illegitimate daughter of the late Iceni king Prasutagus (Boudica's husband). I thought it was a really interesting take on everything, with seeing this story through Ria's eyes.


The Tribune by Russell Whitfield

Russell Whitfield was another unknown author for me but I already know by reading his story that I want to read more of him in the future. The Tribune featured mostly soldiers and a lot of fighting so this one was very action packed. Personally I love stories that feature roman soldiers and the fighting so I thought that was so great. It was brutal and vicious and at times a bit rough to read, yes, but I did love it.


The Druid by Vicky Alvear Shecter

The Druid was written by one of my top favorite historical authors. So I couldn't help but love this story as well. It features Yorath of Mona, a young druid in training, who was the sole survivor of the slaughtering by the Romans. In fact, it was Agricola from the previous story (The Tribune) who let him go in the first place. The story also featured Felix, a Roman soldier who got captured by Yorath. 


The Son by S.J.A. Turney

This story is one of my favorites. I absolutely loved it. It features Andecarus who we've met already. Because he used to be a hostage to the romans, and brought up for a big part by Decianus, the story felt like him making his choice whether to belong with the Romans or his tribe, the Icenis. He knows the Icenis can't win from Rome and does whatever he can to try and make peace, which of course is almost impossible at this point. Meanwhile there was a little romance blossoming between Andecarus and Ria with him wanting to save her from his vile foster brother Verorico. It was just a great story and hope to read more from this author in the future!


The Warrior by Kate Quinn

The Warrior was another favorite of mine, maybe even my favorite (together with The Son by S.J.A. Turney). Kate Quinn never disappoints, in my opinion. It featured Boudica's right-hand man, Duro and also Decianus' wife, Valeria who got captured and ended up as Duro's slave. I really thought this was an interesting story because initially I didn't like Duro and Valeria much from what I read from them in the other parts. But when they were featured in the story and I got to know them better they definitely grew on me. I also thought it was pretty sad with some deaths, but that's to be expected with a novel about Boudica's rebellion. I loved it.


The Daughters by E. Knight

This one was yet another amazing part in this book. Featuring Boudica's daughters, Sorcha and Keena it was most definitely intriguing to read. Mostly because Sorcha and Keena were both very different. Sorcha being a warrior with fire in her, and Keena being softer, a healer. I also thought that E. Knight's writing was especially beautiful!


Overall:

A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion was brilliant. It's one of those books that makes me want to read historical fiction all the damn time! Writting in different points of view by various authors made it all the more special. The characters were all unique in their own way and there wasn't any part that I disliked. I also liked reading the stories of authors I didn't know before because I'm always looking for historical fiction authors. I can't recommend this book enough. Everyone should definitely read it as it was so thrilling and brutal and just fantastic!

       One of my favorite quotes:

“Even if we lose, what of it? We have made a song of freedom that will ring for a thousand years. No one will forget the Iceni or their red-haired queen.”
—Part six, The Warrior by Kate Quinn

Review: Hunting the Eagles by Ben Kane

Title: Hunting the Eagles
Author: Ben Kane
Series: Eagles of Rome #2
Publication: March 24th 2016 by Preface Publishing
Genre: Historical Fiction
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

 

AN ARMY DEFEATED

AD 14: Five long years have passed since the annihilation of three legions in the wilds of Germania. Although the bones of 15,000 soldiers now moulder in the Teutoburg Forest, not all the Romans were slain in the bloody ambush.

A CENTURION OUT FOR VENGEANCE

Demoted, battle-scarred and hell-bent on revenge, Centurion Tullus and his legionaries begin their fightback. Ranged against them is the charismatic chieftan Arminius, who is gathering thousands of hostile tribesmen, and determined to crush the Romans for a second time.

AN EAGLE RECOVERED

The eagle belonging to Tullus' old legion is still in enemy hands, but as the Romans' reprisals take their army deep into German tribal lands, he remains convinced that it is within reach. But Arminius and his warriors are perilously close. As battle begins, Tullus and his comrades know they must fight as never before - just to stay alive...

Hunting the Eagles was just as good — if not a little better — as the first book, Eagles at War. I literally loved every single page of it, never wanted to put my Kindle down or ever get bored. Ben Kane is fast turning into one of my favorite historical fiction authors!

The first book was one of my top favorites of 2015, so I'm really thrilled to say that Hunting the Eagles wasn't a disappointment at all. If anything, I think I enjoyed it even more because I was already familiar with the characters.

I don't want to say too much about the story itself because I don't want to spoil it for other people but it takes place over five years later. Tullus and Arminius are still important characters in the story. Tullus is out for revenge on Arminius and his tribesmen. Arminius wants to crush the Romans once again.

Like in the first book it was full of action, battles and bloodshed so there's never a boring moment, not even for a second. The different points of view were all great to read, in my opinion and the writing was obviously excellent. What more can I say? I loved this book.

       About the Author:

       Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Ben Kane is a bestselling Roman author and former veterinarian. He was born in Kenya and grew up in Ireland (where his parents are from). He has traveled widely and is a lifelong student of military history in general, and Roman history in particular. He lives in North Somerset, England, with his family.

Click here to read my review of book #1, Eagles at War!

ARC Review: Eagles at War by Ben Kane

Title: Eagles at War
Author: Ben Kane
Series: Eagles of Rome #1
Publication: April 23rd 2015 by Preface Digital
Genre: Historical Fiction
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

 

From the author of The Forgotten Legion, the first in a gripping three-part series based on actual historical events

In the summer of 9 CE, Publius Varus, the Roman governor of Germania, and Lucius Tullus, a centurion garrisoned on the Rhine, march east with three legions. As they prepare to return to their winter quarters, they are lured off the road and ambushed by German warriors. The Germans are led by Arminius, a chieftain who is a trusted ally of Rome—and a man who has been secretly planning to betray the empire since childhood. Trapping Varus’ legionaries between a hillside and a marsh, and thereby preventing them from forming up or using their artillery, Arminius and his warriors wreak a terrible slaughter. The Roman defeat is overwhelming, but it is not until the third day of the massacre that the scale of Arminius’ victory becomes clear. Three legions, upwards of 14,000 men, have been annihilated, and three treasured Eagle standards have been lost. Just a few hundred legionaries, including Tullus, manage to escape. Nor is the survivors’ ordeal over. Pursued to the last Roman fort east of the Rhine, they are besieged by thousands of bloodthirsty tribesmen. Only the gods can save them now.

I requested Eagles at War kind of randomly on NetGalley when I saw it and it was a spur in the moment decision when I decided to start reading it soon after I got approved for it. I love history, especially history of this era but I didn't know a single thing about the battle of the Teutoburg Forest. And to be honest I didn't think I would enjoy this book because I didn't think I'd like a book that focuses on the military espects in history. But guess what? I ended up absolutely loving it and it's my favorite book that I have read in 2015 so far. 

I was intrigued by all of the characters. From the characters that were created by the author to the ones that had once lived.There was just something about the way Ben Kane wrote these characters that made me want to find out what was going to happen to them. I especially liked reading about Roman centurion Tullus, and chieftain Arminius. 

The book switched points of view a bit between a couple of characters but I was always glad the most when it returned to Tullus. He was an incredible character. 

There was also a certain suspense to the story, knowing a big battle is imminent because Arminius is planning to betray and ambush the Romans. And naturally, the book was very action-packed, gritty and intense.

The book took me almost a week to finish. Generally I finish books way faster because I usually read shorter ones but it was totally worth it. I was pretty much hooked from the moment I read the prologue up to the ending. 

And I also have to say that after finishing the book, I actually found myself wanting to read and learn more about the battle of the Teutoburg Forest. 

I dived into this book blindly, not knowing what to expect. What I didn't expect was to be so engrossed with this story, with these characters. You know a book is good when you're actually sad to have finished it because you wanted to read more. That's what Eagles at War by Ben Kane did to me. Highly recommended!

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Ben Kane is a bestselling Roman author and former veterinarian. He was born in Kenya and grew up in Ireland (where his parents are from). He has traveled widely and is a lifelong student of military history in general, and Roman history in particular. He lives in North Somerset, England, with his family.

Review: A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii

Title: A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii
Authors: Stephanie Dray, Ben Kane, E. Knight, Sophie Perinot, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter - with an introduction by Michelle Moran
Publication: November 4th 2014 by Knight Media, LLC
Genre: Historical Fiction
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 5/5

Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath . . . and these are their stories:

A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.

Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others' path during Pompeii's fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?

Part one: The Son by Vicky Alvear Shecter

I'm a big fan of this author and I was thrilled when I saw that the first part was her story. The Son is about a young man discovering the joys and disappointments of first loves and acceptance. I really liked this story because I soon discovered about who exactly (historically speaking) the story is about. But more than that, Vicky Alvear Shecter is a great writing and she pulled me right into the middle of Pompeii. 


Part two: The Heiress by Sophie Perinot

Sophie Perinot is a unknown author to me but I loved her story. All the stories and characters in this book are connected but yet they're all different. I liked this story because it showed the struggles of marriage in ancient Roman times and how women didn't really have a show there. It also showed how people are not what they seem at first. Although Aemilia and Sabinus were very different, in age as well as personality, I still really liked Sabinus because he really wanted to take care of Aemilia and in the end he certainly did. 


Part three: The Soldier by Ben Kane

Ben Kane is also a first time author to me. Just like the previous stories, I loved this one. I think it's impossible for me to hate a story about Pompeii but still, the story was great, the writing was excellent and it had a great pace. This story was a bit different from the other because it featured Rufus, an ex-soldier with debts. I really liked reading this point of view because it was more about the gladiators and the rougher side of Pompeii. 


Part four: The Senator by Kate Quinn

This part was yet another amazing addition to the book. Definitely a favorite one of mine. Why? Because Diana (who appeared in the second story first, if I'm not mistaken) came in it, though it mainly focuses on senator, Marcus. Diana is a fantastic character because she's so different from the other women. She's fierce, independent and loyal. So how could I not love her? I liked her interactions with Marcus a lot and admire her so for not abandoning him in all the craziness. Marcus was a totally different story. Due to events happening in his lifetime he became a bit suicidal and didn't want to leave Pompeii when hell broke loose until Diana came to his rescue. 


Part five: The Mother by E. Knight

I had expected this part to be sad because I anticipated where this story would go but I hadn't expected it to completely destroy me. It simply brought me to tears. Not many stories can do that so I applaud E. Knight for being able to do that with this story. It was beautiful in a tragic sort of way. The characters where this part focuses on were fantastic to read about, I loved them all and felt so badly for them. Heartbreaking but it was absolutely intriguing at the same time.


Part six: The Whore by Stephanie Dray

This part was excellent (just like the others) but I think  I liked this one the best of them all because it ties everything up in the end and some of the other characters appear in it and what ultimately happens to them. This story is about Prima and Capella, two prostitues that are also sisters. They were definitely one of the more interesting characters, both very different but I thought reading both their points of view was so good. This story was also kind of sad but wonderfully told. 

Overall: 

I've always been fascinated by Pompeii but in the last year or so my fascination has grown even more so when I found out this book was happening I was so excited about it. The authors are all insanely good, though I had only read books by one of them. I heard a lot of amazing things about the others. Obviously, I wasn't wrong about it at all. The authors all delivered greatly and the book is one of the best I read this year. I might even call it the very best book I have read this year. Although these are stories written by seperate authors, all the parts and characters are connected. Characters from one part appeared in others and so on and on. I can't say enough how much I loved this. Because of this, this amazing collection of stories read as a full book. I can't express enough how much I loved this book. 

A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii is one absolutely stunning book with such excellent and colorful writing, full of history about Pompeii, its citizens and the disaster that struck everyone there. I completely recommend this brilliant read!

Find more out about the authors here:

Ben Kane

Stephanie Dray

Sophie Perinot
Kate Quinn
E. Knight
Vicky Alvear Shecter