Rating: 
Summary: Gordianus returns
Review: Our intrepid hero, Gordianus the Finder, is back in another mystery, much older than the last time we saw him. Civil war is about to break out in Rome, with the rivalry between Caesar and Pompey coming to a head. To make everything worse, a close relative of Pompey's is killed in Gordianus' home, and the Great One coerces Gordianus to find the killer by impressing our hero's son-in-law into his service. As usual, the author's extensive knowledge of ancient Rome is worn lightly, so that you learn a lot about the time and place without appearing to be taught. This series is every bit as good as the Marcus Didius Falco series on Rome, even though it takes place a century earlier. If you haven't read any of these books, begin the series and go through them all seven of them. They are well worth the effort!
Rating: 
Summary: A step down
Review: Overall, Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series is as good as any historical fiction series going. However, having read all of the books in the series to date, this one is the weakest of the lot. Saylor does not give this one the richness of detail and historical context of the other novels. It feels rushed and not well thought out. Also, and most annoyingly, there is a substantial discontinuity between this book and the prior one in the series, "A Murder on the Appian Way". Saylor completely changes the background of the character Davus. Saylor's reasons for doing so are quite apparent but not convincing. This is a cardinal sin in a series where the general storyline and main characters are continuous and the books frequently contain cross-references. It is extremely jarring for longtime readers of the series to be asked to forget portions of a prior book. Also, Saylor plays with fire (no pun intended) in the resolution of this book. Some readers may find the daring revelation at the climax to be inspired, but to me it is contrived and repetitive (weren't we on similar ground in "The Venus Throw"?). The Gordianus books are a fine series of historical fiction and Saylor is a talented guy, but he can do better than this.
Rating:
Summary: Best Saylor Book yet!
Review: Part of the Roma Sub Rosa series, this has to be Saylors best book so far! It has everything a good book needs: history, political strife, mystery, death, and best of all a shocking ending. Saylor's high caliber writing and eye for detail is not lost on this book. What makes this book entirely worth the price is the unexpected twist at the end that prepares us for the next book (Last Seen in Massalia) I can't wait!!
Rating:
Summary: Humanities Professor in favor of Saylor's "sub rosa" series
Review: Saylor captures the flavor of Rome in every installment of this terrific series. Even if you've never studied ancient Rome, he gives you insight into the "players" and their attitudes and everyday lives. Romans had a very specific viewpoint of themselves and their place in the universe - it was all about them. This comes through brilliantly. So, if you're not ready to go back to school, let Saylor give you a bit of "tutoring," and you will discover the fun and enlightenment of this kind of "time travel." Thank you, Steve Saylor -- I give extra credit to anyone in my Greek/Roman classes who reads one of these books!
Rating: 
Summary: Saylor Keeps Ancient Rome Alive
Review: Saylor does it again with his character, Gordianus the Finder. Gordianus finds himself in the throws of the worst of Rome. This book brings alive the times and makes you feel as if you were there with the details of the Senate, the roads, watching battle sieges, and best of all, how to solve a murder mystery.
Rating:
Summary: No Payoff!
Review: Saylor must have a deep respect for Julius Caesar, for while other Big Roman Names are lampooned in his books (Marc Antony, Catilina, Cicero and Pompey are the biggest), Caesar always gets preferential treatment. No one pokes fun at Caesar; whenever Caesar appears in the book it's basically to give Gordianus a verbal pat on the head and swan off into throngs of adoring soldiers. But this is not why I give the book only three stars.
A chief pleasure in reading mysteries is trying to guess "whodunit." Half the time, or more, I'm wrong, but the fun of doing it is still there. In this particular book, there is no possible way to guess who killed Numerius Pompeius. There are nowhere near enough clues given as to the real killer. When it is divulged, near the end, I was astonished and could only feel that Saylor had run into writer's block on this one. Normally there is a satisfaction in learning who the perp was, but this one left me cold. Three hours of reading, and no payoff.
Most of my enjoyment in reading this particular series is derived from the fact that I have read the complete "Masters of Rome" (historical fiction) series by Colleen McCullough, and rereading about Cicero, Caesar, Pompey, et al. in Saylor's books is like learning something else about the fun characters that Ms. McCullough portrayed.
I'll keep reading Saylor, since McCullough has finished her series. But I really don't find any of the characters sympathetic. Gordianus is usually wise, but unnecessarily distracted by his family (ever wonder why Sherlock Holmes stayed single?) As a woman reader, I wanted to like Bethesda and Diana, but Bethesda is nasty and haughty; Diana manipulates everyone to get her own way. Only Gordianus' adopted sons seem to have anything to recommend them, and they're usually shoved into the background. Let's hope "Rubicon" is the only one in the series that's this disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Whither Gordianus?
Review: Saylor remains a master of the written word, crafting a novel that flows seamlessly and effortlessly draws the reader into Ancient Rome. Yet Rubicon strikes with a very different impact from all of the preceeding Roma Sub Rosa novels. For one thing, the prose, while still enjoyable, lacks the power that was evident at times in earlier books. For another, it appears that Saylor has once and for all eschewed mystery in favor of straight historical drama. Although Rubicon begins with a mysterious dead body, the mystery surrounding it disappears quickly; instead, Gordianus becomes deeply enmeshed in the struggle between Caesar and Pompey, spending a great deal of time with Cicero's former slave, Tiro (who turns out to be a character best met in moderation; he suffers from prolonged exposure). Finally, Rubicon is much too short and too fast-paced - it's almost Saylor-lite. All of these things are not *necessarily* bad, but leave me feeling apprehensive about the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Whither Gordianus?
Review: Saylor remains a master of the written word, crafting a novel that flows seamlessly and effortlessly draws the reader into Ancient Rome. Yet Rubicon strikes with a very different impact from all of the preceeding Roma Sub Rosa novels. For one thing, the prose, while still enjoyable, lacks the power that was evident at times in earlier books. For another, it appears that Saylor has once and for all eschewed mystery in favor of straight historical drama. Although Rubicon begins with a mysterious dead body, the mystery surrounding it disappears quickly; instead, Gordianus becomes deeply enmeshed in the struggle between Caesar and Pompey, spending a great deal of time with Cicero's former slave, Tiro (who turns out to be a character best met in moderation; he suffers from prolonged exposure). Finally, Rubicon is much too short and too fast-paced - it's almost Saylor-lite. All of these things are not *necessarily* bad, but leave me feeling apprehensive about the next book.
Rating:
Summary: Superb research ecapsulated in wonderful fiction.
Review: Saylor's work is based on excellent research, culminating in exciting story-lines which follow accurate events, characters, and times. Being an historical novel writer who has spent numerous hours of research in the libraries of Rome and Athens, I admire Saylor's study. Rubicon stands as another jewel in the necklace of his Sub Rosa Series. Saylor's descriptions of characters and events brings the reader as close a proximity to the times being written about as one could hope, save access to a time-machine! Superb writing, magnificent story-telling, backed by impeccable research!
Rating:
Summary: Bringing Ancient Rome to life for Modern Man
Review: Steven Saylor has created a spectacular series of novels in this 'Roma Sub Rosa' series of novels starring his subtle sleuth Gordianus the Finder. He brings a modern voice to characters of Ancient Rome, and has thoughtfully analyzed the politics and history that might be obscure to many. This seventh novel is a wonderful historic novel in it's own right, but is even better for those who have read all the previous novels, from "Roman Blood" to "Murder on the Appian Way." Why? Well, I can't give away the wonderful ending that Saylor has created here, but it helps in knowing Gordianus' dedication to his family of manumitted slaves and the turbulent politic's of his lifetime that create the backstory for this novel. Highly Recemmended.
|
