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13th out of 43 books
—
9 voters
Centurion (Eagle #8)
Simon Scarrow's bestselling Roman Legion series chronicles the adventures of centurions Macro and Cato as they defend the far reaches of the imperium. The series has been published worldwide to near universal acclaim, with Scarrow often mentioned alongside contemporaries Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden. Like Harry Sidebottom, Scarrow combines stunning historical detail...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
(first published 2007)
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Our boys defeat the mighty Parthian Empire (with a little help), and bring the important city of Palmyra into the Roman fold, but most important of all, Cata takes a wife—even though I thought that serving Roman soldiers were forbidden to marry. A good read. I will admit though, having powered through all of the previous novels to date, that I am growing a little weary of the constant battles, the blood and death, but then again, we are talking about two Roman centurions and the Roman Empire! Wh...more
Scarrow returns to strong form with book #8 in the continuing adventures of Macro and Cato. From an opening action sequence to the final page, Scarrow provides the depth of story, historical context, character development, realistic action and ongoing subterfuge that have characterized this series.
Posted to the very edge of the empire to secure and reclaim a buffer province, Macro and Cato find themselves in the ranks of their newest and recurring adversary, Longinus. Scarrow places good storyte...more
Posted to the very edge of the empire to secure and reclaim a buffer province, Macro and Cato find themselves in the ranks of their newest and recurring adversary, Longinus. Scarrow places good storyte...more
I am a fan of this series so I hope my bias is not coming into my reviews, but perhaps it is. Scarrow I find transports me to the primitive time of the Roman Empire.
His use of language, though not riddled with terms of the legions, is also not filled with modern constructs that other writers use and throw me out of the setting.
In this instance Macro and Cato are still in the Holy Lands for during this period of time, after JC (And I took umbrage with the last book and bringing our heroes into th...more
His use of language, though not riddled with terms of the legions, is also not filled with modern constructs that other writers use and throw me out of the setting.
In this instance Macro and Cato are still in the Holy Lands for during this period of time, after JC (And I took umbrage with the last book and bringing our heroes into th...more
After a short break it's time to return to Macro and Cato. Still in the desert, the 2nd Illyrian has moved closer to Damascus when the Governor of Syria receives word that a Parthian forces is headed to to Palmyra, a protectorate of Rome's. The governor sends two centuries, the 2nd Illyrian and a century from the 10th Legion to help the Palmyrians hold their city until the might of Rome can be mustered to fight the Parthians. Oh, did I mention that Macro has been promoted to command the century...more
I really liked this book. It follows the story of two officers in the army of the roman empire, Cato and Macro. In this book (the eighth in the series) the two set out with a legion of roman soldiers on a military campaign against the Parthian Empire. Rome and Parthia are competing over the kingdom of Palmyra, which is important to the control of the middle east. The book is very action packed, full of battles and fights. These battles are very well described, thanks to the gruesome details the...more
As an avid reader of Bernard Cornwell's books, I was naturally drawn to any novel that had his imprimatur. I'm very glad I picked this up and will go back to the beginning of the series to read them all in their proper order (this being book eight, if I'm not mistaken). Picking up where the previous book left off (I assume), we find the two main characters, Macro and Cato, embroiled in political intrigue (against their will) and military action (very much according to their will). The battle sce...more
I fancied trying a mainstream work of fiction, the type you see advertised at railway stations. I found this going cheap in hardback and it's about the Romans, so that alone should have made it interesting, I love anything about the ancient world.
The cover, which was glossy and is the one pictured, did tell me that it was the eight in an ongoing series however, so the two leads Cato and Macro already had a good deal of shared history, which could have be problem. I was expecting references and a...more
The cover, which was glossy and is the one pictured, did tell me that it was the eight in an ongoing series however, so the two leads Cato and Macro already had a good deal of shared history, which could have be problem. I was expecting references and a...more
review
Macro and Cato are shipped to yet another part of the Empire by the Roman senate and become embroiled in a fight to stabilise what is to all intents and purposes a neutral kingdom, Palmyra. As usual wherever the pair go trouble follows close behind and it is not long before the pair of them are engaged in trying to stop the forces of one of Rome's long standing enemies, Parthia, who having heard of Rome's presence in Palmyra decide it will be in their own best interest if they also send a...more
Macro and Cato are shipped to yet another part of the Empire by the Roman senate and become embroiled in a fight to stabilise what is to all intents and purposes a neutral kingdom, Palmyra. As usual wherever the pair go trouble follows close behind and it is not long before the pair of them are engaged in trying to stop the forces of one of Rome's long standing enemies, Parthia, who having heard of Rome's presence in Palmyra decide it will be in their own best interest if they also send a...more
I really liked this book, but it wasn't until I read about half of it I found out that it was number eight in a series. For some reason, the swedish publicers thought it was funny to not release the entire serie, no, they start with number eight and then come out with number seven (yes the earlier book)a few months laters... you can say I was a little annoyed. But i couldn't very well stop in the middle of it so I continued reading.
Anyway, I don't read that many books that has an historic found...more
Anyway, I don't read that many books that has an historic found...more
When I first saw this book at the library I thought it would be a good story to read because I like historical fiction type of novels. It turned out to be a fairly good story. At times, it was kind of boring and monotonous, with the story being pretty predicable.
However, I did keep reading and the story kind of kept me interested enough to finish the book.
I saw that it was the last book in a "series" of stories, but I did not really know this until I started reading the book. Oh well, it would...more
However, I did keep reading and the story kind of kept me interested enough to finish the book.
I saw that it was the last book in a "series" of stories, but I did not really know this until I started reading the book. Oh well, it would...more
It took me a long time to track down this book. It's not US published yet and is constantly out of stock on Amazon.
It was worth the wait. It's another very good historical fiction novel from Simon Scarrow about the Roman soldiers Cato and Macro.
Cato continues to grow and become a better leader of men. His charisma and intelligence wins him more friends and influence and Macro's solidity and strength compliments Cato's creativity.
This novel has Cato and Macro relieving a desperate siege of the a...more
It was worth the wait. It's another very good historical fiction novel from Simon Scarrow about the Roman soldiers Cato and Macro.
Cato continues to grow and become a better leader of men. His charisma and intelligence wins him more friends and influence and Macro's solidity and strength compliments Cato's creativity.
This novel has Cato and Macro relieving a desperate siege of the a...more
Nuevamente se les encarga una misión imposible a nuestros legionarios favoritos, en este caso deben defender Palmira de los Partos. Es quizás una de las novelas más ágiles de esta saga y en la que rápidamente nos encontramos a nuestros protagonistas metidos en faena ;-)
Lo único criticable de la historia es la manera un poco precipitada se presenta a un nuevo personaje en la vida de Cato que parece que sera importante en futuros libros.
Esta saga de libros es recomendable para todos aquellos inte...more
Lo único criticable de la historia es la manera un poco precipitada se presenta a un nuevo personaje en la vida de Cato que parece que sera importante en futuros libros.
Esta saga de libros es recomendable para todos aquellos inte...more
Billed as a crosss between Spartacus and Master and Commander I was recommended to read this book by our local library, along with a number of others. Just finished it this morning, and the best part of the book is definiately the last fifth. The rest of it is clunky - there is no sense of place, and the characters are a little cardboardish. There were also a few holes in terms of resources and battle plans. So... really this is a 2 1/2 book, but I'm being kind to give it 3 just for the fact tha...more
Another one bites the dust... the desert dust of Palmyra in this case as our heroes Macro and Cato continue their tour of 1st century military hotspots. This one is a bit more straightforward than most, though Scarrow set up a few story arcs that he just dropped for no real reason; for a while I thought we were going to get a bit of a whodunit, but that petered out to nothing, as did Cato's unfortunate encounter in one of the night time engagements. Could have done without the wet romantic sub-p...more
Centurion brings Cato and Macro's story back on form, it has a perfect blend of battles, political intrigue, general banter, siege warfare, back-stabbing and even a touch of romance.
I'm surprised that the series is still this good this far in. The book (as with all of the series) doesn't need to be read in order and can be read as a stand alone. Although if reading the series through you'll get to benefit in seeing how much the characters have progressed since they met 4 years ago. Very cool!
I'm surprised that the series is still this good this far in. The book (as with all of the series) doesn't need to be read in order and can be read as a stand alone. Although if reading the series through you'll get to benefit in seeing how much the characters have progressed since they met 4 years ago. Very cool!
Do you like ancient Roman stories? These adventure books tell the story of two centurions in the Roman army early in the Empire's days. A boy's own tale, but a lot of fun, especially when one is visiting ancient Roman ruins in Turkey. One learns a lot about history - perhaps a bit doctored,but certainly a lot about what it was like to be a member of the Roman army and the cleverness necessary to survive the intrigues of the emperor and his entourage back in Rome.
I dropped on this by accident through an offer in the |Telegraph - 1 voucher and only £3 from Tesco. Not bad for a very enjoyable read - an era that I would not usually think of reading, Historical novels.
I have now bought the next in the series - Gladiator and it will not be long before it is devoured.
it is a pity that I did not start at number one in the series but it did not spoil the enjoyment at all - I might start at number one sometime in the future, who know?
I have now bought the next in the series - Gladiator and it will not be long before it is devoured.
it is a pity that I did not start at number one in the series but it did not spoil the enjoyment at all - I might start at number one sometime in the future, who know?
This book reprises the adventures of Centurion Macro and Optio Cato in the legions of Rome.
They are sent to the East by a shady imperial agent to report on the activities of a Governor who could be a threat to the Emperor.
It's a novel of ancient Rome told in modern language.
The book can be slow at times and some parts of it are irrelevant to the plot but still a good read.
They are sent to the East by a shady imperial agent to report on the activities of a Governor who could be a threat to the Emperor.
It's a novel of ancient Rome told in modern language.
The book can be slow at times and some parts of it are irrelevant to the plot but still a good read.
Like a comfortable pair of shoes. I have enjoyed everyone of these books, a great series. However Mr Scarrow should stick to what he's best at, namely action sequences or even intrigue and avoid the romance and love scenes, especially the dialogue. Maybe it's just me but I found the romance scenes to be formulaic and predidictable. Having said that this book maintained the standard of the rest of the series.
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Exciting and fast moving and entertainiing book brings Roman soldiering to life and explore the ralationships between those at the top of the military and those at the bottom and how even those at the lower racks can often be more astute and clever in battle plans than those paid to create them.
a brilliant book i only happened to buy by chance, but im soo glad i did, this story had me gripped from start to end and i literally wasted my whole night reading it because i just couldnt stop!
Its essentially about two centurions macro and cato and their realtionship during the hardship of their toughest mission yet. They are sent to quell a rebellion in palmyra, a city inbetween two (almost) warring factions of parthia and rome, which has been taken over by rebels.
Although some might say this...more
Its essentially about two centurions macro and cato and their realtionship during the hardship of their toughest mission yet. They are sent to quell a rebellion in palmyra, a city inbetween two (almost) warring factions of parthia and rome, which has been taken over by rebels.
Although some might say this...more
This wasn't my usual genre but I enjoyed it because it was different. Brilliant historical research, with good descriptions and summaries of the era. Battlefields came alive and characters were believable and authentic.
Never a moment to stop and take a breathe with these two characters. Fast paced as usual and a great read to boot. Showing us yet more of the ancient Roman Empire and the fighting style of yet another enemy,fascinating stuff.
mnot a bad read - though the character of Macro annoys me somewhat...the short story about Macro's early life puts the character in better perspective - worth reading that first
I really wanted to like this book, but... characters very underdeveloped left me not interested and not able to Finnish after reading half way though.
Pretty good, but 8 books in and they are beginning to feel a bit all too familiar.
At the end of my copy was a short story about Macro as a teenager, called Blood Debt. Interesting.
A good book that has just enough war and just enough politics.The novel keeps younger people interested with the wars and the murders but at the sametime older people will enjoy it because it tells you about the Legions and how they lived.
The book which grabbed me for the whole ancient warfare genre. Captivating story with, while perhaps not always likeable, interesting and deep characters.
A very moving story about the Roman conquest. When it comes to winning there is good and bad side, there are only winners and losers.
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Simon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequen...more
More about Simon Scarrow...
He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequen...more
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