Rating: 
Summary: A fantastic sequel to a superb first book!
Review: Book 2 in what has to be one of the best series of historical fiction. Simon Scarrow's previous book started with a bang and introduced Macro and Cato, a thoroughly engaging duo of heroes. Fresh from the early days of the Claudian invasion they now have to face a series of bloody battles against a determined native enemy. At the same time the plotting within the ranks of the legions festers on. Only this time the plotters' ambition is nothing less than the assassination of Emperor Claudius himself. As Cato and Macro struggle with enemies within and without, time is running out for the emperor.
As before the plotting is tight and fast moving, the action makes you feel as if you were there in the thick of battle and the characterisation makes it seem as if you know these men personally. The writing, like Hemmingway's, is clear and uncluttered, with wonderful descriptive flourishes and a genuine sense of humour and an intelligent wit. Now you know what to put at the top of the list when you write to Santa!
Rating:
Summary: A great historical series
Review: For some reason these books are hard to get here in the US. ... .
Scarrrow has begun what will (hopfully) be a long historical series focused on the legions of Imperial Rome. He manages to convey a high level of historical accuracy without turning his novels into glorified textbooks and he definately strikes home in his descriptions of the thoughts, speech and actions of 'average' soldiers. Just going to show that things really don't change that much, even after 2000 years.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh, ye gods! Have mercy!!
Review: Honestly, I really tried to enjoy Scarrow's books, as I read all the works of historical fiction that's out there. But the Eagle series is just so utterly boring, an insult to the reader's intelligence. There is absolutely no historical detail at all. The characters are straight from Asterix the Gaul. I'm ahead of the reviews, because I've read the third book -not because I enjoy it, I reveiw historical fiction for a book store- and it's just as bland. It's a travesty to read the reviews Scarrow gets, when there is so much more better works out there. Attractive cover art is an enormous facter in book marketing. This whole series is a skeleton surrounded by an Armani suit.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, ye gods! Have mercy!!
Review: Honestly, I really tried to enjoy Scarrow's books, as I read all the works of historical fiction that's out there. But the Eagle series is just so utterly boring, an insult to the reader's intelligence. There is absolutely no historical detail at all. The characters are straight from Asterix the Gaul. I'm ahead of the reviews, because I've read the third book -not because I enjoy it, I reveiw historical fiction for a book store- and it's just as bland. It's a travesty to read the reviews Scarrow gets, when there is so much more better works out there. Attractive cover art is an enormous facter in book marketing. This whole series is a skeleton surrounded by an Armani suit.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic follow up to Under The Eagle
Review: I had been worried that the second book would follow the usual path of not being as good as a first rate first novel, as was the case when Lindsey Davis got her Falco series started up. But Scarrow has come up with an even better second novel. It's rousing stuff with gritty battle scenes, political scheming, characters you can care for, and some you can hate with relish. Life in the legions has never before been described with such conviction and if he can keep this standard up then Scarrow's series will be every bit as successfful as the best of them. Move over Hornblower, Sharpe, Aubrey and Starbuck - there's a new hero in town...
Rating:
Summary: There are reviews and there are reviews...
Review: I'm amazed by the range in reviews on Scarrow's books, from the fawning praise to those who seem to loathe it. The latter are typified by doug bail. Short, inaccurate (the historical details are there all right - Scarrow knows his stuff)and incomprehensible (how could such gritty page turners ever be considered dull?) If doug bail truly reviews books I hope he runs his material through a grammar and spell checker before daring to submit them...
Anyway, the second book is even better than the first in the series. Macro and Cato and the rest of the Roman army are clawing their way up country towards the enemy capital. Aside from the brave and savage enemy they have to worry about a secret organisation plotting to overthrow the emperor, the dastardly Vitellius ( a truly evil and therefore likeable villain), and a native assassin out to kill Claudius. The battle-scenes are excellent and take the reader right to the heart of a very bloody business. The characters are well rounded and very likeable. This is achieved largely through first rate dialogue that sounds just about right (though you do have to get used to a certain amount of soldierly profanity). Scene-setting is superb and you get the sense of a real cinematic imagination behind the writing. I'd be surprised if this wasn't made into a film or TV series soon. It's a great series to follow, and I cheated a bit by buying the third from amazon.co.uk. That book, WHEN THE EAGLE HUNTS, is better still and my only worry is that Scarrow might not be able to keep the standard (no pun intended) up over a long series. We shall see. Until then, enjoy these books for what they are; page-turning actioners that also happen to be extremely well-written.
Oh, and it's about as far from Asterix as you can get. That's probably why the book is way over doug's head.
Rating:
Summary: Great Historical Adventure
Review: Is there a prerequisite for writing historical adventure series that I am not aware of? When you think of some of the great series, Master and Commander, Richard Sharpe, and Horatio Hornblower, one thing becomes apparent. They're all British, about Brits and written by Brits. It hardly seems fair. However, whatever these authors seem to be drinking across the Atlantic can be enjoyed by an international audience. A prime example of a modern adventure series is the Cato and Macro series, which seems to be growing stronger book by book. As Scarrow points out, a fictional series centering on life in the Roman legions is amazingly unique. That is hard to believe, as the stories one can create are so complex and enjoyable. In his stories, Scarrow centers on Optio Cato, a young ex-slave who was freed only on the condition he join the legions. Cato is way too young and inexperienced, but he is forced to take a leadership position inside his century subunit. Overseeing the youth is the tough as nails Centurion, Macro. Together, they form an odd duo, Cato the educated but slight youth, and Macro the intellectually ignorant but brilliant war leader. While the first book centered on the Roman battles inside Germania and imperial intrigue way off in Rome, this installment takes us to barbarian Britain, and brings the classical maneuvering much closer to home. The book operates on two levels. One, actually a little less entertaining, is the actual campaign against the British tribes. The organization and the inner workings of the legions are fascinating, as is their order of battle. The use of bolt throwers, galleys, and intricate troop formation are just stunning, and Scarrow has the gift of realistic battle narration. To visualize the action is the key, as thousands of wild painted barbarians threw their bodies against the red shield wall of the Romans. Also intriguing is the amazing level of organization, training, and bureaucracy that existed inside the legion structure. As a military narration, the book performs very well. Even better than the military storyline is the political maneuvering that takes place behind the scenes. Returning in this book is the evil Vitellius, a tribune whose lust for power is his one driving force. He will do anything to advance. As the Emperor himself, Claudius, arrives in Britain to lead the troops, Vitellius' plans kick into high gear. The tribune has been funneling weaponry to the British, in order to embarrass the Emperor's campaign. Vitellius hopes this leads to the overthrow of the Imperial family, and the rise of his own fortunes. In his way, along with Macro and Cato, is Vespasian, who is well aware of his subordinates treacherous ways from the last book. Legate Vespasian, a figure well know to Roman historians, is an honest man who is worried about the well being of his wife and son, who have been dragged into the political machinations. Knowing who Vespasian is will give the reader an idea of the great future ahead of Cato and Macro. The plots converge to form an intense and exciting finale. The book leaves us with tragedy, and a brilliant teaser for the next book. Scarrow is a great new writer who really knows what he is doing concerning this series of books. He also maintains an excellent website, which can be found through any search engine. Imperator! Cannot wait for the next adventure!
Rating:
Summary: Great Historical Adventure
Review: Is there a prerequisite for writing historical adventure series that I am not aware of? When you think of some of the great series, Master and Commander, Richard Sharpe, and Horatio Hornblower, one thing becomes apparent. They're all British, about Brits and written by Brits. It hardly seems fair. However, whatever these authors seem to be drinking across the Atlantic can be enjoyed by an international audience. A prime example of a modern adventure series is the Cato and Macro series, which seems to be growing stronger book by book. As Scarrow points out, a fictional series centering on life in the Roman legions is amazingly unique. That is hard to believe, as the stories one can create are so complex and enjoyable. In his stories, Scarrow centers on Optio Cato, a young ex-slave who was freed only on the condition he join the legions. Cato is way too young and inexperienced, but he is forced to take a leadership position inside his century subunit. Overseeing the youth is the tough as nails Centurion, Macro. Together, they form an odd duo, Cato the educated but slight youth, and Macro the intellectually ignorant but brilliant war leader. While the first book centered on the Roman battles inside Germania and imperial intrigue way off in Rome, this installment takes us to barbarian Britain, and brings the classical maneuvering much closer to home. The book operates on two levels. One, actually a little less entertaining, is the actual campaign against the British tribes. The organization and the inner workings of the legions are fascinating, as is their order of battle. The use of bolt throwers, galleys, and intricate troop formation are just stunning, and Scarrow has the gift of realistic battle narration. To visualize the action is the key, as thousands of wild painted barbarians threw their bodies against the red shield wall of the Romans. Also intriguing is the amazing level of organization, training, and bureaucracy that existed inside the legion structure. As a military narration, the book performs very well. Even better than the military storyline is the political maneuvering that takes place behind the scenes. Returning in this book is the evil Vitellius, a tribune whose lust for power is his one driving force. He will do anything to advance. As the Emperor himself, Claudius, arrives in Britain to lead the troops, Vitellius' plans kick into high gear. The tribune has been funneling weaponry to the British, in order to embarrass the Emperor's campaign. Vitellius hopes this leads to the overthrow of the Imperial family, and the rise of his own fortunes. In his way, along with Macro and Cato, is Vespasian, who is well aware of his subordinates treacherous ways from the last book. Legate Vespasian, a figure well know to Roman historians, is an honest man who is worried about the well being of his wife and son, who have been dragged into the political machinations. Knowing who Vespasian is will give the reader an idea of the great future ahead of Cato and Macro. The plots converge to form an intense and exciting finale. The book leaves us with tragedy, and a brilliant teaser for the next book. Scarrow is a great new writer who really knows what he is doing concerning this series of books. He also maintains an excellent website, which can be found through any search engine. Imperator! Cannot wait for the next adventure!
Rating: 
Summary: A delight to read
Review: Luckily, I read 'The Eagle's Conquest' straight after 'Under the Eagle', and this was somewhat fortuitous as there's no break in the timeline. Literally, 'the next day'...
The continuing adventures of Macro and Cato, centurion and Optio, in Britain with the Augusta II makes for more delightful reading. Yes there are historical inaccuracies, yes the charcterisations are usually parodies, but it works! Just like Marilyn Todd's Claudia, both these two trip through the ancient Roman Empire with an irreverance that makes this series both fun and immensely readable.
Most of the opening novel's characterisations were two-dimensional, but, with the exception of the Carthagininan, Nisus Barca (direct descendant), the assorted cast remain true to their earlier depiction and some depth appears. If you are a student of the actual history then the portrayals of Claudius as the bumbling, inept owner of the purple takes Suetonius one step overly far just as Vitellius' (given his eventual ascension) as a wicked conspirator is a delightful farce. But somehow, it just doesn't seem to matter.
Cato and Macro plunge headfirst into the conquest of Caracatus and his hordes of Britons - who do seem to leap straight out 'Braveheart' sometimes - together with the ever-scheming Vitellius' murder plot and the wince-worthy 'Liberators'. They pave the way for Claudius' triumphal entry into Camulodunum on his elephants and along the way Macro escapes death. In his absence Cato assumes temporary command, ends up with major burns, they have multiple fights along the Tamesis, the command structure of the legions is as strange under Plautius as ever and it remains to the stoical Vespasian to save the day. Throw in Cato's broken heart and Flavia's aspirations and you end up with a marvellously gripping read.
So, 'The Eagle's Conquest' - a delightful addition to the Roman historical novel genre and whilst there are novels out there who strive to echo reality as much as possible, the genre was crying out for a more lighthearted approach. Scarrow is providing it and long may Cato's and Marco's adventures continue.
Rating:
Summary: A delight to read
Review: Luckily, I read `The Eagle's Conquest' straight after `Under the Eagle', and this was somewhat fortuitous as there's no break in the timeline. Literally, `the next day'...
The continuing adventures of Macro and Cato, centurion and Optio, in Britain with the Augusta II makes for more delightful reading. Yes there are historical inaccuracies, yes the charcterisations are usually parodies, but it works! Just like Marilyn Todd's Claudia, both these two trip through the ancient Roman Empire with an irreverance that makes this series both fun and immensely readable.
Most of the opening novel's characterisations were two-dimensional, but, with the exception of the Carthagininan, Nisus Barca (direct descendant), the assorted cast remain true to their earlier depiction and some depth appears. If you are a student of the actual history then the portrayals of Claudius as the bumbling, inept owner of the purple takes Suetonius one step overly far just as Vitellius' (given his eventual ascension) as a wicked conspirator is a delightful farce. But somehow, it just doesn't seem to matter.
Cato and Macro plunge headfirst into the conquest of Caracatus and his hordes of Britons - who do seem to leap straight out `Braveheart' sometimes - together with the ever-scheming Vitellius' murder plot and the wince-worthy `Liberators'. They pave the way for Claudius' triumphal entry into Camulodunum on his elephants and along the way Macro escapes death. In his absence Cato assumes temporary command, ends up with major burns, they have multiple fights along the Tamesis, the command structure of the legions is as strange under Plautius as ever and it remains to the stoical Vespasian to save the day. Throw in Cato's broken heart and Flavia's aspirations and you end up with a marvellously gripping read.
So, `The Eagle's Conquest' - a delightful addition to the Roman historical novel genre and whilst there are novels out there who strive to echo reality as much as possible, the genre was crying out for a more lighthearted approach. Scarrow is providing it and long may Cato's and Marco's adventures continue.
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