The Forgotten Legion (Forgotten Legion Chronicles, #1) by Ben Kane

Apr 02, 2012 Karla (Mossy Love Grotto) rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, roman-empire, audiobook, boring-as-batshite, zzzzzz, 1-and-a-half-stars

Reasons Why I DNF:

1) The narrator, Michael Praed, needed some clamps on his sensitive areas and someone to flip the switch to give him a bit of energy. It was a dull reading, and his pace was slow, so it felt like things were never moving along. Yeah, yeah, I know. How could Robin of Sherwood & Prince Michael of Moldavia suck ass?!?! Well, there should be some kind of retribution for that stupid Dynasty wedding bomb cliffie.

2) Actually things didn't move along. The story was choppy and very...more Reasons Why I DNF:

1) The narrator, Michael Praed, needed some clamps on his sensitive areas and someone to flip the switch to give him a bit of energy. It was a dull reading, and his pace was slow, so it felt like things were never moving along. Yeah, yeah, I know. How could Robin of Sherwood & Prince Michael of Moldavia suck ass?!?! Well, there should be some kind of retribution for that stupid Dynasty wedding bomb cliffie.

2) Actually things didn't move along. The story was choppy and very episodic, with years passing in-between chapters and scenes switching between the characters as their paths converged at a snail's pace. Even though the timeline was leaping around, the action and characters weren't.

3) The character types were the ones we've seen out of Central Casting scores of times. The gruff mentor, the wide-eyed innocent hero, the long-suffering mother, the mystic seer, the innocent girl robbed of her virtue, the fat and greedy merchant, etc.

4) The dialogue. Dull as dishwater, so much it being filler. This book is over 550 pages and stuffed full of descriptions and exchanges between the characters that had little to no point and weight at all.

5) (view spoiler) Sorry, that doesn't fly. Colleen McCullough's version may have been biased to make him seem perfect, but he was still a believable Roman, politician, and dictator rather than a cheap hook for a lame revenge plot that, apparently, gets dragged out over 3 doorstoppers.

After not even reaching the halfway point and feeling that very little had happened, I decided to bail and save myself the pain. I was looking forward to this series, but the execution was way too sluggish and bloated.

I give it 1.5 stars even though I didn't finish it, but I think I know what would have happened: fight, hack, slash, boring talk, wooden sex, boring dialogue, fight, yell, sex, boring dialogue, and so on until a non-ending that screams, "Buy my next book to see what happens!" Uhhh, no thanks.

The author also seems to give the impression of being quite the proactive, passive-aggressive asshat when it comes to negative reviews - at least on Amazon US & UK. That was an ugly little discovery in my search for similarly disenchanted opinions about this book.(less)

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Apr 24, 2013 Kyle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Historical Fiction can be a fickle genre, at times. It can be hard to pin the genre down, and its popularity doesn't seem as widespread as most others (which is, I imagine, part of the reason historical fiction is tucked into the folds of the 'fiction & literature' section in most bookstores, rather than enjoying its own separate section). Yet, in broad terms I think of historical fiction writers much like I do science fiction writers; landing on a spectrum: with one end being professional h...more Historical Fiction can be a fickle genre, at times. It can be hard to pin the genre down, and its popularity doesn't seem as widespread as most others (which is, I imagine, part of the reason historical fiction is tucked into the folds of the 'fiction & literature' section in most bookstores, rather than enjoying its own separate section). Yet, in broad terms I think of historical fiction writers much like I do science fiction writers; landing on a spectrum: with one end being professional historians who attempt to write novels, and the other end being novel writers who are trying to dabble in history.

Ben Kane's biggest strength in this novel, is that he manages to straddle the midway point between these two sides. He comes off as an author who set out to write a fast-paced and action oriented novel, yet still took the time to do his homework properly before attempting to do so. He doesn't beat the reader over the head with history, saying 'look at me and all the historical stuff I know!' He succeeds in taking a more controlled approach to his historical content. It's there for you to look at and appreciate, if you want to, yet never overwhelms you to the point of detracting from the rest of the novel.

If I were to guess, I would say Ben Kane's interest in ancient Rome began with an interest in Roman military history, for it is the militaristic aspects of Rome which seem to be the constant focus of the novel. For all the focus on Romes military, however, other historical themes are actually touched upon pretty well. Daily life in Rome, ancient religious practices, and even some keen commentary about the socioeconomic and political issues which plague Rome throughout its history.

If Ben Kane's biggest strength in the novel is the balance he manages to strike between the different aspects of historical fiction, his biggest weakness is that he never extends any of those aspects beyond being merely 'good enough.' The story itself, while being fast-paced and fun, never manages to grow into more than a fun escapist novel. The historical aspects, while being faithful to history and well-presented in the story, never become more than simple set pieces.

The novel is good in all aspects, which is praiseworthy in and of itself, but the novel fails to become great in any aspect as well. The characters are drawn well enough, the intrigue is interesting enough, and really everything else is pretty much 'good enough.' The novel won't blow anyone's mind, change anyone's life, or even impress one with the power of its language. The novel will, however, provide fun entertainment in a historically faithful setting, and will allow for an easy way of getting lost in a different time.(less)

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Mar 22, 2012 D rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recipe for a Ben Kane book: add in lots of violence, hot women (who will be subject to big dollups of mysogyny/prostitution), a druid/seer and a barbarian warrior. Mix together and throw in to a turbulent period in Rome's history. Crowbar into the narrative tedious descriptions of ancient weapons and armour and how they were used, as well as lots of swearing, et voila! Your very own Ben Kane book.

Forget The Forgotten Legion or Spartacus you too are now a 'historical' author.

As other reviewers me...more

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Apr 19, 2013 adam-p-reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: action, general-fiction, historical, historical-fiction

The Forgotten Legion is based around one of the most infamous eras of Roman history, the triumvirate of Pompeii Magnus, Crassus and Julius Caesar. During this period of corruption and instability emerges two tales. The first is that of Tarquinius, an Etruscan warrior and soothsayer who has the ability to tell the future from the stars, the elements and from the innards of animals. At a young age, Tarquinius is told by his teacher that he will travel to Rome and there meet and befriend two Gladia...more The Forgotten Legion is based around one of the most infamous eras of Roman history, the triumvirate of Pompeii Magnus, Crassus and Julius Caesar. During this period of corruption and instability emerges two tales. The first is that of Tarquinius, an Etruscan warrior and soothsayer who has the ability to tell the future from the stars, the elements and from the innards of animals. At a young age, Tarquinius is told by his teacher that he will travel to Rome and there meet and befriend two Gladiators. The Etruscan keeps this prophecy in mind, and after his teacher’s death, travels to Rome. In the city, his prophecy is reveal as (by accident) he is introduced to two Gladiators who are wrongly accused of murder and are on the run from Roman justice.

The second story follows Romulus and Fabiola. Romulus and Fabiola are twins who were born as slaves into the ownership of a wicked merchant. At the age of thirteen, the twins are sold into two of the harshest forms of slavery. Romulus is sold to a Gladiator school and Fabiola is sold to the Lupanar, Rome’s most famous and expensive brothel. Life seems over for the two young slaves, Gladiators only last a few months in the vicious Lupus Magnus and Fabiola seems destine to live out her life as the plaything of wealthy men. However, their stories do have a silver lining.

For Fabiola this comes with the introduction of Decimus Brutus, a charming army officer and Julius Caesar’s right hand man. Fabiola (after been taught the tricks of her trade) manages to seduce Brutus with the hope that one day he will buy her freedom and reunite her with Romulus. Romulus’s silver lining comes in the friendship he makes with a Gaul called Brennus, who happens to be the best Gladiator in all of Rome! Brennus helps train the young slave in sword fighting and when the chance arises, even sneaks Romulus out of the Lupus Magnus for a night on the town! However, the night does not go as planned, resulting in Romulus been accused of murdering a Roman noble and the two Gladiators fleeing for their lives. Luckily, fate seems to be on the Gladiators’ side as they manage to escape Rome and join an auxiliary unit destined for service in the East with Crassus’s army. It is here where the two Gladiators meet Tarquinius and the prophecy is fulfilled. However, with the army moving east against Rome’s greatest enemy, their journey is not at an end, as the three suffer bad omens, defeat and capture to become part of the Forgotten Legion!

This was a great book! I thought the story of Crassus’s army and the ‘Forgotten Legion’ was really interesting because most other novels based in this period of history are always set around Caesar’s ascendancy and Pompeii’s reaction. So I found it really interesting reading about Crassus’s fate and the amazing story of the Legionaries that were captured after the battle of Carrhae. As always, Kane does an extremely good job of adding precise details to his novels, which gives his books historical accuracy. At the same time, the detail also makes them extremely fun to read as the extra details makes it much easier to visualise these events that happened over two thousand years ago! Plus, when you have Michael Pread narrating, it gives another, extra bonus to the book and I’d highly suggest you check out the audiobook of The Forgotten Legion!

A really entertaining book (and so far) an amazing series. I would suggest this book to anyone who is a historical-fiction fan and enjoys Ben Kane's other novels. I'd also suggest this book to anyone who is a fan of authors such as: Anthony Riches, Simon Scarrow, Conn Iggulden and Gordon Doherty.

For more book reviews, check out http://adam-p-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/(less)

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Mar 22, 2013 Ian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

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May 07, 2012 Robin Carter rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

A new title contender

A great debut title, is this the start of something exceptional? I hope so. This book more than many of the other new authors in the genre seems to have something different, a blend of the action of Scarrow, the pace and power of Anthony Riches and his own unique element a bit of mystery and myth that sets it apart.
As the Genre starts to get more and more crowded an author needs something unique and I think this series has it, it also has the power to make you love the peopl...more

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May 01, 2012 Simon Turney rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Forgotten Legion series is one of the strongest series set in ancient Rome that has been produced to date. The scope of the series in length of years, geographical reach, depth of character and intertwining some of the most tumultuous and important events in the history of he world with the life story of a small number of fictional characters is phenomenal. As a series, it is impossible not to pick up the next book and read on...

The first instalment (The Forgotten Legion) takes us into the b...more

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Jul 07, 2011 Ilaria rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm always picky when it comes to historical novel (I'm a major history geek), and this one didn't win me over immediately... but I ended up loving it!

It’s the story of an Etruscan seer and soldier named Tarquinius, a gladiator named Brennus and two twins – Fabiola and Romulus, sold by their owner respectively to a brothel and gladiator school at the age of 13. Romulus, Brennus and Tarquinius meet each other when the two former slaves decide to escape to Asia and join Crassus’ army in order to...more

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May 01, 2010 Stephanie Smith rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane St. Martin’s Griffin $14.99 ISBN 978-0-312-60124-0
In the waning days of the Republic of Rome, as the Empire of Rome was about to be born, three men struggle to be the first Emperor. In the last century before the common era, this struggle makes life hard on those in the lowest rungs of society – slaves and soldiers. The struggle is told through the eyes of four people – a brother and sister, a Gaul, and an Etruscan, who attempt to survive while their world falls...more The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane St. Martin’s Griffin $14.99 ISBN 978-0-312-60124-0
In the waning days of the Republic of Rome, as the Empire of Rome was about to be born, three men struggle to be the first Emperor. In the last century before the common era, this struggle makes life hard on those in the lowest rungs of society – slaves and soldiers. The struggle is told through the eyes of four people – a brother and sister, a Gaul, and an Etruscan, who attempt to survive while their world falls apart.
This book was generally well written and full of rich detail. The author seems to know the intricacies of life in the Roman Empire during this time with the air of one who has lived near it all his life. Indeed, as a Britain, Mr. Kane does live in the remains of part of it, at least.
From the view point of a Texan, however, the social structure, tribes, allegiances, and geography made reading this book hard work. I spent a lot of time looking at the map in the front and trying to figure out exactly where everything was and who lived where. I think many people from the United States will have a similar challenge.
The other problem I had with this book was the jerkiness of the transitions between the four threads of the story. Just when I really caught on to what was happening, I was wrenched to another person’s part of the story. No reminder of the past events was given so it took me a while to catch up, only to be wrenched off to a third thread.
I think if you are a devotee of the Roman Empire, things might not be so hard to keep track of. Living and breathing the terms and knowing the geography and customs of the times would make this book much more enjoyable. This book is obviously part of a series as it finishes with things left undone. A Roman Empire fan will no doubt find this to be good news as there will be more of the story to come.
Parental warning: This book depicts a brutal time in full detail, with war, slaughter of the enemy, rape, plunder, and pillaging described in great detail. Plan accordingly.
I received a review copy of this book free from the publisher. I did not receive any other compensation for this review and the views expressed in it are my own.
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Mar 28, 2013 Pierre Iskandar rated it 5 of 5 stars

Ben Kane has fast been becoming one of favorite authors, and for good reason, his depiction of ancient Roman culture is gripping, extremely detailed, and outstandingly immersive. From books like Spartacus The Gladiator, Hannibal: Enemy of Rome, and the Forgotten Legion, every single book in its respective series drive images upon images of ancient Rome in all it's gruesome nature, and with The Forgotten Legion, Ben Kane does what he does best and delivers an immensely immersive experience.

The Fo...more Ben Kane has fast been becoming one of favorite authors, and for good reason, his depiction of ancient Roman culture is gripping, extremely detailed, and outstandingly immersive. From books like Spartacus The Gladiator, Hannibal: Enemy of Rome, and the Forgotten Legion, every single book in its respective series drive images upon images of ancient Rome in all it's gruesome nature, and with The Forgotten Legion, Ben Kane does what he does best and delivers an immensely immersive experience.

The Forgotten Legion starts off with introducing all off the characters, each of whom spanning chapters of their own, first, the reader is introduced to Tarquinius, an Etruscan being trained in the arts of haruspicies by his mentor Olenus. The second character introduced is Brennus, a strong Alloborge, his tribe being the last of his kind amongst the Gauls, when one day he hears an unsettling divination by his tribe's druid, Ultan, and quickly realizes that he can't escape his fate. The third and last character introduced is Romulus, a Roman born to slavery after his mother, Velvinna was raped by a Roman noble, she then gave birth to twins, Romulus, and his sister Fabiola, owned by the cruel merchant Gemellus, they were each sold separately, Romulus to a ludus (gladiator school) and his sister to a brothel, and later their mother to the salt mines. The novel follows each of the characters on their quests, Romulus and Fabiola to finding each other, killing Gemellus, and avenging their mother from her rapist, Brennus to following the divination Ultan has told him earlier and avenging his dead wife, child, and cousin, and Tarquinius seeking more knowledge in the art of haruspicy.

Ben Kane also explores further on the topic of Roman politics at the time, showing the unsettling struggles between leaders to gain power, and in the process describing battles and wars lead by Roman historical figures such as Crassus, along with the crushing defeat at Parthia, all in extremely gruesome and graphic detail.

The novel is written in a very engaging manner, with the "never a dull moment" ideology in mind, every now and then there is an immensely described battle, argument, or even emphasis on the characters' feelings, emphasis so strong that I will admit, I teared up when Romulus, Fabiola and Velvinna were separated, when Brennus realized his fate, and when Tarquinius finally admitted that he had to pursue his mentor's teachings. Ben Kane manages to get you excited with shivers running down your spine to making you emotional and sad in a couple of lines' worth.

A definite must read for any one who is remotely interested in ancient Rome, even if you're not, this novel should not be missed.(less)

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Jul 26, 2011 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Aug 28, 2012 Brian rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-history-and-war

This was a solid start to a promising series (well, promising for me as the series was already written...). A bit slow in the beginning and during various sections, but overall I really enjoyed it.

Now, to vent a little... all of you idiots out there who trashed the book because it upset your narrow, rainbow-filled vision of the world - take your effing heads out of the sand. Yes, there was teen-aged prostitution in this book, but she was a slave and in case you haven't heard, slaves were subject...more

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Apr 23, 2013 Luka Novak rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: antiquity, fiction, military

I'm not a big fan of books that describe events which I know how will turn out. So I stay away from fiction set in Punic wars and spartacus' rebellion. While this book is set in period I'm familair with it's still interesting. While it's known how Carrhae will end it's still fun to read about people involved in it.

Another good thing about this book is that diviniations actually work. They play important role but are still tampered with "each man's destiniy is his own" attitude. So even if somebo...more

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Feb 04, 2010 April rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lovers of the "chunky" book, rejoice, at a mere 544 pages you will share in a bit of heaven. Those who are slightly intimidated by larger-than-normal tomes, do not let the thickness scare you. The Forgotten Legion is a delightfully engrossing tale based in Ancient Rome. Author Ben Kane does a suburb job mixing fact with fiction to create a story that will not soon be forgotten. The extensive research done by the author is apparent and lends a deeper reading experience and the ability to truly "s...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Linda Harkins rated it 4 of 5 stars

In the ludus on the outskirts of Rome, a Gaul named Brennus rises to become one of the greatest gladiators of his day. He becomes friend and mentor to the teenaged Romulus, twin to Fabiola who is sold into prostitution at the same time Romulus becomes the property of the gladitorial school. Brennus and Romulus escape and join with Tarquinius, an Etruscan soothsayer, as mercernaries in the army of Crassus who is setting out to destroy the mighty Parthian army. When inept Crassus is killed, the th...more

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Jan 24, 2010 Gaby rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

I am fascinated by stories of Ancient Rome and am excited to be part of the book blog tour for Ben Kane's debut novel, The Forgotten Legion!

The Forgotten Legion differs from most novels of Ancient Rome in that Ben Kane chose conquered people for the lead characters. Through the stories of the Etrucscan Tarquinius and the Gaul Brennus, we share the experience of conquest by Rome. Somehow, Rome's system of conquest allows the strong and skilled to serve Rome. So, Tarquinius and Brennus who had sto...more

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Jan 19, 2012 Nyra rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Si tuviera que definir el libro La Legión Olvidada en una frase, esta sería. "Fantástica e intimidatoriamente bueno". Me he devorado las 555 paginas en apenas 4 días; he dormido poco, he comido a medias y me he tenido que tapar los ojos y darme valor para seguir leyendo algunas escenas, pero no ha sido mi culpa, todo se lo debo al Sr. Kane!.

Este libro ha sido un viaje incansable y maravilloso. Mi imaginación se ha disparado completamente, ya me veía en las escenas de tensión junto al galo Bren...more Si tuviera que definir el libro La Legión Olvidada en una frase, esta sería. "Fantástica e intimidatoriamente bueno". Me he devorado las 555 paginas en apenas 4 días; he dormido poco, he comido a medias y me he tenido que tapar los ojos y darme valor para seguir leyendo algunas escenas, pero no ha sido mi culpa, todo se lo debo al Sr. Kane!.

Este libro ha sido un viaje incansable y maravilloso. Mi imaginación se ha disparado completamente, ya me veía en las escenas de tensión junto al galo Brennus y el intrépido Romulus; siguiendo paso a paso el escenario, los personajes y la acción en la arena, el bosque, el ludus y pare de contar. Pero eso si, todo el tiempo sujetando mi casco y blandiendo mi propia Gladius , por si acaso :).

Un elemento que agradecí muchísimo fueron las notas de pie de página y del autor, ambas fueron puntuales y precisas; puesto que a pesar de que el libro esta planteado en base a cuatro personajes completamente ficticios, en su mayoría el libro relata la historia de la Antigua Roma a mediados del siglo 54 a.c. y los siglos posteriores a este; los hechos históricos principales tales como la batalla de Carras y algunos personajes inclusive, son bastante fidedignos a los datos históricos, quizá en la traducción existan algunos términos alterados pero en mi opinión son salvables. La obra, también contiene rasgos sobre estrategia militar y conspiraciones diplomáticas, obviamente por la condición histórica que he nombrado anteriormente; sin embargo, no soy adepta a esas cosas, pues son aspectos que no me gustan demasiado; sin embargo están incluidas en el texto. En esta ocasión, con un lenguaje sencillo, que no distrae para nada el seguimiento de los personajes principales, el autor supo magistralmente, como escribir "entendible y técnicamente simple", estas partes de la historia para que, los que no dominamos ese tipo de conocimientos pudieramos digerir la información adecuadamente. Gracias al autor por eso. Es una lectura altamente recomendable. No hay desperdicio de paginas en este libro, esta lleno de amor, acción, conspiración, esperanza, crueldad, sacrificio, toneladas de valor y sentido de la supervivencia. Todo con un objetivo que mueve a los cuatro personajes principales: la venganza.

Sobre los personajes tenemos a Tarquinius, guerrero etrusco con un poder de adivinación y un alma de guerrero innato; su modo de lucha es práctico y letal, así mismo puede ser tan visible como lo desee, este jugará un papel de protector y líder en algunos aspectos determinantes de la trama. Brennus, perdió todo y fue sometido a una condición de esclavo que no conoció antes, su temperamento y modo de lucha se hacen legendarios, deja que los dioses marquen su destino pero su final lo espera con una espada en mano y un grito de guerra; este hombre será al igual que el anterior; amigo, padre y mentor. Romulus, esclavo de nacimiento, producto de una violación hecha por un personaje determinante en la historia; su madre es violada noche tras noche, en su presencia por el amo y la de su amada hermana; el odio y la sed de justicia y libertad llenan su corazón; luego de ser vendido al Ludus Magnus de Memor a los trece años, se enfrenta tantas veces a la muerte que el hombre en él sale a la superficie en un joven de 14 de años al matar al primer hombre, desde entonces y bajo el ala protectora de Brennus y luego de Tarquinius lucha por sobrevivir y vengarse. Siempre tendrá presente: "Mata o te matarán".

Fabiola, hermana gemela de Romulus, a sus catorce años posee una extraordinaria belleza; representa una venta productiva para su amo,el comerciante. Al llegar al lugar de la transacción (El Lupanar) su condición la hace madurar y figura un objetivo es simple pero tan determinante como el de su hermano: ser la mejor para ganar lo suficiente, comprar la libertad de su hermano y juntos vengar a su madre de los hombres que la destruyeron, soprendentemente logra lo que menos espera.

Los libros del genero ficción histórica suelen ser poco atractivos para los lectores hoy en día, creo que, por la equivocada noción de pensar que son aburridos o que se yo; pero no es así en absoluto. Si se escoge una trama bien escrita, se pasa un rato estupendo y se aprende una barbaridad de cosas. Yo, me he convertido desde el año pasado en una lectora de este género y me aplaudo por eso, pues mis conocimientos sobre algunas culturas se ha ampliado.
Si acaso han visto películas como Gladiador con Rusell Crowe o la serie Spartacus con el fallecido Andy Withfield , esta fascinante historia es para ti, pues tiene muchos aspectos en común. Los diálogos, los localismos, las escenas; todo ello crea la tensión necesaria para que no quieras dejar de leer, este mismo año adquiero el siguiente libro porque quede como pez fuera del agua al llegar a la ultima pagina. El autor pasa a mi salón de la fama, por supuesto. ¿Les recomiendo que lo lean?.AB-SO-LU-TA-MEN-TE.

Y como dirían en esa época: Nyra los saluda! ;)

VER LA RESEÑA COMPLETA: http://nyraescribiendo.blogspot.com/2...(less)

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Sep 09, 2011 David Manns rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Oh dear. I like historical fiction, and when it's done well it can be exciting, informative and a bloody good read. This book is none of those things. To be honest I gave up half way through it 600 plus pages. The prose is pedestrian, the characters stereotypical and cardboard. The story moves at a snail's pace and I really couldn't find the will to carry on with it. I hate giving up on books but sometimes life is just too short to bother with a bad one.

Where was the editor on this? Why did it...more

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Apr 12, 2011 Graham rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ancient, historical, roman, war

A decent first novel and the beginning of a trilogy following certain characters involved with the Roman Empire. The first half of the book is essentially a gladiator story while the second half looks at life in the army. As this is a guy's book, there are plenty of brutal battle sequences, murders and fights which leave little to the imagination.

Although there are a few central characters in the story, by far the most interesting are the brother/sister pairing of Romulus and Fabiola, the slave...more

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Jun 30, 2012 Kay rated it 1 of 5 stars

I probably shouldn't write a review for a book I didn't finish, but I really just could not get into this book. I love the premise and the obvious amount of research and enthusiasm that the author put into writing it, but the style is clunky. It's full of exposition that threw me out of the flow of the story and the characters have random info-dumpy lines that make little sense in the context of the conversation. There were other minor things I could probably have dealt with on their own, like t...more

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Sep 18, 2012 Haku Pawa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: belicas, epico, novela-historica

Esta novela histórica, narra la vida cotidiana de cuatro personajes muy distintos en la Roma del año 40 a.C., Tarquinius, Rómulo, Fabiola y Brennus, representantes de la clase sometida por los romanos, sector en el que se enfoca la trama, misma que se va concentrando a través de un viaje lleno de aventuras y con un fuerte contenido místico.

En mi opinión "La legión olvidada" es un libro sobresaliente. Bastante ligero y manteniendo en forma el interés de cada historia.

Ben Kane reproduce con lujo d...more

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Mar 04, 2013 KOMET rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: ben-kane, historical-novels-europe

At best, I have a layman's interest in Ancient Rome. But I came across this novel in the downtown bookstore a few weeks ago, thumbed through its contents, was intrigued, and bought it.

This is the first novel in a trilogy. There are 4 principal characters who are at the heart of the story. Tarquinius is an Etruscan proud of his heritage, who has been schooled in the ancient arts of divination by Olenus, a wise and resourceful teacher and mentor. He lives with his parents as slaves on a large esta...more At best, I have a layman's interest in Ancient Rome. But I came across this novel in the downtown bookstore a few weeks ago, thumbed through its contents, was intrigued, and bought it.

This is the first novel in a trilogy. There are 4 principal characters who are at the heart of the story. Tarquinius is an Etruscan proud of his heritage, who has been schooled in the ancient arts of divination by Olenus, a wise and resourceful teacher and mentor. He lives with his parents as slaves on a large estate on what was the ancient Etruscan lands, now firmly incorporated into the Roman Republic. His master is Caelius, a selfish, pompous, and impetuous red-headed fellow.

Eventually, the life that Tarquinius has known is turned upside down because of the hated Romans and he has to leave home. He wanders for many years, spends some time as a legionary in the East, and eventually makes his way to Rome, where he eks out a living for several years.

Romulus and Fabiola are twin brothers and sisters born in slavery in Rome. Their mother devotes her life to protecting and nurturing them as best she can. Romulus, as a young teen, befriends a tall and powerfully built Nubian slave, who teaches him in secret some special fighting moves. But one night, he is found out by another slave, who tells Gemellus, Romulus' fat and arrogant master, of what he has seen. Consequently, Romulus is sold to a gladiator school and Fabiola is sold into prostitution in one of the most prestigious brothels in Rome, which is frequented by the most distinguished members of Roman society. Their mother is grief-stricken.

While learning through trial and error how to survive as a gladiator, Romulus makes the acquaintance of Brennus, a Gaul who had been a proud and most courageous warrior who was captured (following the destruction of his tribe and homeland) and sold into slavery.

Brennus, in comparison to most Romans, is a giant of a man, with long blonde hair and a powerful physique. He makes a name for himself as one of the most successful and celebrated gladiators in Rome.

One night, Brennus and Romulus sneak out of the gladiator school and have a night on the town in a bar with all kinds of characters, legionaries and citizens alike. Unfortunately, both got into trouble, which led to the death of a rich Roman who had accosted them at the entrance to a brothel. So, they fled from Rome and travelled far to the south, to Brundisium, where they enlisted in the Roman Army under the command of Crassus, one member of the triumvirate that rules the Republic. (Crassus, though no military leader on the level of the other 2 men forming the ruling triumvirate of the Republic --- i.e. Pompey Magnus and Julius Caesar --- is anxious to win a major battle in the East and thus displace Pompey and Caesar and become the sole ruler of Rome.)

Shortly before sailing from Italy, Romulus and Brennus make the acquaintance of Tarquinius and through their subsequent trials and tribulations in Parthia, form a deep and indissoluble bond.

This is a story of epic scope, well-paced, which leaves the reader anxious to know what will happen in the second novel of the trilogy. For that reason, I recommend "The Forgotten Legion" to anyone who wants to lose him/herself in a story that is a grand adventure with a rich and diverse variety of characters. (What's more: for those readers who are fans of Ancient Rome, the author uses, from time to time, a variety of Latin words unique to the period whose meanings are explained in an accompanying glossary.)(less)

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Apr 27, 2012 Zeke Chase rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Rating 5.1 / 10

The structure of this book is the first glaring problem. It's all over the place, jumping back and forth chronologically, sometimes covering many years in one chapter. The prose is decent, although a the slightest bit dry, but Kane does like to ramble on. Listening to the audio version, he spends about twenty minutes describing the reading of entrails of a goat. However, the rambling can make a difference. For example, with Fabiola's first days in the brothel, most writers would h...more Rating 5.1 / 10

The structure of this book is the first glaring problem. It's all over the place, jumping back and forth chronologically, sometimes covering many years in one chapter. The prose is decent, although a the slightest bit dry, but Kane does like to ramble on. Listening to the audio version, he spends about twenty minutes describing the reading of entrails of a goat. However, the rambling can make a difference. For example, with Fabiola's first days in the brothel, most writers would have skimmed over that in a half page. Rape, and the general corruption of Rome, are prevalent themes throughout, and merely implying what Fabiola was going through wouldn't quite cut it. The characters are sub-par, and he shifts them around enough, and leaps forward in time so often that you never really get below the surface.
All that negative criticism said, I managed to listen to about a quarter of this book in a single sitting without pausing it once or even letting my mind wander. It was very engrossing. I will praise Kane for showing the gritty reality of the underbelly of society, both in terms of slavery and in terms of the rape throughout the book. Once more, I need to praise Kane for mentioning the “herbs that prevent pregnancy”. Abortion was very prevalent back in ancient Rome, and too few bother mentioning it, nor bother mentioning how prostitutes didn't wind up pregnant every other month.
However, right around the halfway point, the aforementioned problems with structure and rambling on eclipsed the grittiness, the sex and the blood of the story, and I wound up abandoning it. I understand that this is Kane's first published novel, and it very much reads like one, but he's not lost. Trim up the prose a bit, structure the chronology and the characters a bit better, and this would be a real gem, but it just doesn't quite make it here. I haven't given up on Kane entirely, and will probably get one of his later books involving Hannibal or Spartacus, but this one just doesn't quite make the cut.(less)

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Jul 10, 2009 Joseph rated it 2 of 5 stars

Story is pretty good. The only thing that bothered me was the prostitution thing. I know he is trying to make it as real as possible, but I can't seem to get the idea of child pornography out of my head. I mean, when he was describing the 14 year old protagonist sucking on a twenty year old guy's dick, I was like, whoa! Child pornography popped into my head. I know there must be other books that have this sort of content but I haven't gotten to it yet, but when I do, I will probably put it into...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Shelley Fearn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, manly-fiction

This was a finely written piece of historical fiction. Not being a classics scholar I can't vouch for everything in the book but in the notes at the end Kane indicates where his fiction deviated from the record.

It was exciting without being overly explicit. His descriptions of the gladiatorial system and the Roman military were enough to bring home the idea that life in the Empire was brutal. I respect authors who are able to communicate the horror of war without explicitly describing every muti...more

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Apr 26, 2013 Simon rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I picked up the 2nd and 3rd parts of this trilogy from a remaindered book catalogue so I thought I'd better read the first book before the others and borrowed it from the local library. Then I read a short magazine article about Ben Kane who said he'd spent one month researching the history behind the trilogy before writing all three books. This showed! The novel is set in the 1st century BC just after the defeat of Spartacus' slave revolt, but at times it read as if it's historical context had...more

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Nov 25, 2011 Janette Fleming rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books

I have to confess I only took this out from my library as an audio book because of the reader who was Michael Praed whom I had a not so adolescence crush on since Robin of Sherwood.

Synopsis
"Romulus and Fabiola are twins, born into slavery after their mother is raped by a drunken nobleman. At thirteen years old they are sold - Romulus to gladiator school, Fabiola into prostitution, where she will catch the eye of one of the most powerful men in Rome. Tarquinius is an Etruscan, a warrior and sooth...more I have to confess I only took this out from my library as an audio book because of the reader who was Michael Praed whom I had a not so adolescence crush on since Robin of Sherwood.

Synopsis
"Romulus and Fabiola are twins, born into slavery after their mother is raped by a drunken nobleman. At thirteen years old they are sold - Romulus to gladiator school, Fabiola into prostitution, where she will catch the eye of one of the most powerful men in Rome. Tarquinius is an Etruscan, a warrior and soothsayer, born enemy of Rome, but doomed to fight for the Republic in the Forgotten Legion. Brennus is a Gaul, his entire family killed by the Romans, and he rises to become one of the most famous and feared gladiators of his day. The lives of these characters are bound and interwoven in an odyssey which begins in a Rome riven by political corruption and violence, but ends far away, at the very border of the known world, where the tattered remnants of a once-huge Roman army - the Forgotten Legion - will fight against overwhelming odds, and the three men will meet their destiny."

The most interesting part for me was the set piece of the Battle of Carrhae that ended he ill-fated military expedition of Marcus Licinius Crassus against the Parthians.

On a flat plain in the middle distance sat the Parthian army, a formation nearly a mile across. Their appearance distorted by the haze, thousands of men on horseback waited patiently for the Romans. Huge, brightly coloured banners swirled in the hot air,
making them appear even more alien. The noise of pounding drums and clanging bells reached the legions as signallers relayed messages to and fro.

It was an immensely intimidating sight for the exhausted Roman soldiers. 225 sunburnt faces went pale and oaths were spat. More than one mercenary looked west to the Euphrates and safety.

'Jupiter's balls!' swore Brennus.

Pacy, racy writing with good storyline, interesting characters that are compelling and a thoroughly enjoyable read...sorry I mean listen.
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Jul 09, 2012 Francis rated it 2 of 5 stars

I have to be honest, and say I did not finish this book. I was not going to rate it because of it. It did not seem fair to judge a book without completing it. I thought to shelve it and come back to it, but instead I put it with the charity colection, because It took up too much valuable space in my library. So this is why I give it two stars. Two for the author for his knowledge and effort, three stars lacking for its inability to keep me in his prose. I'm no historian so I may not appreciate t...more

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Apr 09, 2012 S. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 3-read-this-author-again-shelf

I found "The Forgotten Legion" while looking though the "K" section for fiction writers in the local library. The story description caught my attention. I cannot remember reading a book on historical fiction set in the days of the Roman Empire. So it was an interesting change of pace for me. The story was exciting. The characters come from the lower rungs of Roman society- mainly slaves. I like the descriptions of gladiator fighting and the politics of the day. I am no prude, but it was a bit vu...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Soteris rated it 5 of 5 stars

It’s my first time reading one of Bane Kane’s books after he kindly introduced himself after noticing my love for the stories of Simon Scarrow’s Eagle series.
After all, he not only recommended his own books but several other authors I may be interested in so it was the least I could do.
Well, I finished reading The Forgotten Legion on the tube travelling to work this morning and to sum it up in a single word, I would describe it as epic.
I don’t like change much, I prefer to read books written by...more

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The Forgotten Legion (Forgotten Legion Chronicles #1)

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