Goodreads Reading Challenge – 20% complete

So here I am, surprising even myself with this rapid progress, middle of February and already 20% into my yearly target.  So what have I read since my last blog?

I started off with Velerio Massimo Manfredi’s – The Tower.

I’ve enjoyed some of Manfredi’s books in the past, always consider him one of my favourite historical fiction authors! But afraid this one doesn’t really work for me, this is a simplistic ‘Indiana Jones’ type story which get’s a little boring and has a strange ending. A real shame as I’m a fan of the author and enjoyed his earlier books Tyrant and Sparta, and when discussing this book and my disappointment with it, friends and fellow fans of his work, wonder if maybe something was lost in translation.  Who knows, any way, I give this two stars.

Book #9 of my challenge is Ben Kanes – Spartacus.  And this book has placed Ben Kane into being one of my favourite historical fiction authors! This book was a very enjoyable read. The story has plenty of detailed (but not over the top) violence, political infighting and intrigue as well as some well developed and interesting characters.

Spartacus is a well known character (and story) and as in this book/story is presented as a man who has a hatred for all things Roman, is a great warrior who becomes a great leader, who tries to do the right things by his followers and who, when all said and done, basically just wants to get out of Italy and go home.

I’ve dropped a star because at times during the book my attention waned, maybe the book is too long, maybe some battle bits at the end became a little samey, I’m not sure. But still, a book I enjoyed. 4 stars!

Now the fun bit…picking my next read.