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Aelric #5
The Ghosts of Athens
Decadent, desperate sixth-century Athens is the setting for the fifth historical thriller featuring British adventurer Aelric
It is 612 AD and Aelric—senator of the Roman Empire, fresh from a bloodbath in Egypt—is forced to divert the Imperial galley to Athens. He finds a demoralized and corrupt provincial city threatened by an army rumored to contain 20 million starving barbarians. Not to mention an explosive religious dispute, an unexplained corpse, and hints of something worse than murder. He will have to call upon all his formidable intellect and lethal ingenuity to survive his enemies inside and outside the city walls.
It is 612 AD and Aelric—senator of the Roman Empire, fresh from a bloodbath in Egypt—is forced to divert the Imperial galley to Athens. He finds a demoralized and corrupt provincial city threatened by an army rumored to contain 20 million starving barbarians. Not to mention an explosive religious dispute, an unexplained corpse, and hints of something worse than murder. He will have to call upon all his formidable intellect and lethal ingenuity to survive his enemies inside and outside the city walls.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 7, 2012
About the author
Richard Blake
118 books68 followersA pseudonym of Dr Sean Gabb.
Richard Blake is a writer, broadcaster and teacher. He lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.
For Hodder & Stoughton, he has written the following six historical novels: "Conspiracies of Rome" (2008), "Terror of Constantinople" (2009), "Blood of Alexandria" (2010), "Sword of Damascus" (2011), "Ghosts of Athens" (2012), "Curse of Babylon" (2013). These have been translated into Spanish, Italian, Greek, Slovak, Hungarian, Indonesian, and Chinese.
In 2015, Hodder & Stoughton republished all six novels in two omnibus volumes: "Death of Rome Saga 1" and "Death of Rome Saga 2."
As Sean Gabb, he has written these novels: "The Column of Phocas" (2006 - historical), "The Churchill Memorandum" (2011 - alternate history thriller), and "The Break" (post-apocalyptic science fiction). This novel was published in 2014, and nominated for the Prometheus Award, but has now been acquired by Caffeine Nights and withdrawn for republication in 2016 under the name Richard Blake. A further novel, "The York Deviation" (alternate history fantasy), is awaiting publication.
He also writes for Endeavour Press. His first historical novel for Endeavour, "Game of Empires," was published in May 2015. His next in this series, "Death in Ravenna," was published in August 2016. Hist next, "Crown of Empire," will be published in April 2016.
You can follow him on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/richard.blak...
You can also follow him on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BlakeTheWriter
His personal website is - http://www.richardblake.me.uk/
Richard Blake is a writer, broadcaster and teacher. He lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.
For Hodder & Stoughton, he has written the following six historical novels: "Conspiracies of Rome" (2008), "Terror of Constantinople" (2009), "Blood of Alexandria" (2010), "Sword of Damascus" (2011), "Ghosts of Athens" (2012), "Curse of Babylon" (2013). These have been translated into Spanish, Italian, Greek, Slovak, Hungarian, Indonesian, and Chinese.
In 2015, Hodder & Stoughton republished all six novels in two omnibus volumes: "Death of Rome Saga 1" and "Death of Rome Saga 2."
As Sean Gabb, he has written these novels: "The Column of Phocas" (2006 - historical), "The Churchill Memorandum" (2011 - alternate history thriller), and "The Break" (post-apocalyptic science fiction). This novel was published in 2014, and nominated for the Prometheus Award, but has now been acquired by Caffeine Nights and withdrawn for republication in 2016 under the name Richard Blake. A further novel, "The York Deviation" (alternate history fantasy), is awaiting publication.
He also writes for Endeavour Press. His first historical novel for Endeavour, "Game of Empires," was published in May 2015. His next in this series, "Death in Ravenna," was published in August 2016. Hist next, "Crown of Empire," will be published in April 2016.
You can follow him on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/richard.blak...
You can also follow him on Twitter - https://twitter.com/BlakeTheWriter
His personal website is - http://www.richardblake.me.uk/
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 12, 2013
Review
I have I believe been fortunate to read all of Richard Blake’s novels, since the release of The Column of Phocas, later re-released as Conspiracies of Rome in 2008.
Every novel has been a delight for a reader of Historical fiction and also those who love conspiracies with twists and turns and deep intrigue. I wont say that you come to love the hero of this series Aleric, but you learn to follow him and his adventures and his growth through the roman world.
The Author Richard Blake (AKA Sean Gabb) is a Historian, his depth of knowledge come across clearly in the books, his attention to detail is to a level that breathes life into the Roman world (for some it may seem too much, but stick with it, this sin some dusty history lesson, this is history come to life).
Our Hero (Aleric) is a complex man, part cultured Roman, part ass kicking semi sociopathic barbarian, just as capable of delivering a fine oration as he is of stabbing you in the groin and watching you bleed out. There is however no gratuitous violence, only the violence that fits the plot and the period, this is not the PC modern world. A man lived by his wits, brains, skill with weapons and reputation, as well as his perceived station on the Roman world.
This is not the world of Caesar, this is the decline of the Empire, Just as Rome descended into a mire of corruption and ineffective aloof leaders who cared nothing for the commons, the east , the last bastion of the roman world is heading the same way, the chaos and confusion of Byzantine politics abounds, corruption is the watchword of politics. Add in religion and you have an explosive world teetering on the edge of collapse.
Aleric fresh from a bloodbath in Egypt has a reputation to salve, many blaming him for the bloodbath, find himself diverted to Athens, no reasons are not shared with him and the City of Athens is not the glorious capital of antiquity, now a provincial city under threat from a rabble that only size can call an army. Its not a situation that any would relish lacking a true order from his emperor he doesn’t even know if he is on a true mission or being set up by his rivals / enemies.
Can he survive this latest mission?
Buy the book at less than £6.50 it’s a bargain for all contained in the pages
Highly Recommended
(Parm)
Aelric
1. Conspiracies of Rome (2008)
2. The Terror of Constantinople (2009)
3. The Blood of Alexandria (2010)
4. The Sword of Damascus (2011)
5. The Ghosts of Athens (2012)
6. The Curse of Babylon (2013)
I have I believe been fortunate to read all of Richard Blake’s novels, since the release of The Column of Phocas, later re-released as Conspiracies of Rome in 2008.
Every novel has been a delight for a reader of Historical fiction and also those who love conspiracies with twists and turns and deep intrigue. I wont say that you come to love the hero of this series Aleric, but you learn to follow him and his adventures and his growth through the roman world.
The Author Richard Blake (AKA Sean Gabb) is a Historian, his depth of knowledge come across clearly in the books, his attention to detail is to a level that breathes life into the Roman world (for some it may seem too much, but stick with it, this sin some dusty history lesson, this is history come to life).
Our Hero (Aleric) is a complex man, part cultured Roman, part ass kicking semi sociopathic barbarian, just as capable of delivering a fine oration as he is of stabbing you in the groin and watching you bleed out. There is however no gratuitous violence, only the violence that fits the plot and the period, this is not the PC modern world. A man lived by his wits, brains, skill with weapons and reputation, as well as his perceived station on the Roman world.
This is not the world of Caesar, this is the decline of the Empire, Just as Rome descended into a mire of corruption and ineffective aloof leaders who cared nothing for the commons, the east , the last bastion of the roman world is heading the same way, the chaos and confusion of Byzantine politics abounds, corruption is the watchword of politics. Add in religion and you have an explosive world teetering on the edge of collapse.
Aleric fresh from a bloodbath in Egypt has a reputation to salve, many blaming him for the bloodbath, find himself diverted to Athens, no reasons are not shared with him and the City of Athens is not the glorious capital of antiquity, now a provincial city under threat from a rabble that only size can call an army. Its not a situation that any would relish lacking a true order from his emperor he doesn’t even know if he is on a true mission or being set up by his rivals / enemies.
Can he survive this latest mission?
Buy the book at less than £6.50 it’s a bargain for all contained in the pages
Highly Recommended
(Parm)
Aelric
1. Conspiracies of Rome (2008)
2. The Terror of Constantinople (2009)
3. The Blood of Alexandria (2010)
4. The Sword of Damascus (2011)
5. The Ghosts of Athens (2012)
6. The Curse of Babylon (2013)
May 2, 2013
Hmmmm. This is a 2.5 star book. An interesting and unusual central figure and a vivid historical setting (the death throes of the western Roman Empire as revealed in a decaying Athens) offset by a jumbled, rambling, incoherent story and cartoon grotesques for secondary characters. The excellent first third pulled me in, the final two thirds barely kept me awake. All in all, frustrating.
Review to follow shortly on www.forwinternights.wordpress.com
Review to follow shortly on www.forwinternights.wordpress.com
June 27, 2020
Another reviewer of Mr. Blake's earlier work wrote:
"While there is a basic substratum of historical fact, i.e. the crisis of the Roman Empire in the Seventh Century and its transformation into the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Heraclius, all this is simply a framework for fantastic plots of a febrile imagination. Some might simply say the stories are a complete load of nonsense."
I have to agree with his assessment, BUT...I still consider this to be a super rollicking adventure as Aelric winds his treacherous way through dodgy Byzantine politics and intrigue. Blake brings this world alive with detailed descriptions and an engaging set of characters.
Both Alaric and his "friendly' rival, Priscus, are in bad standing with the Emperor after their less than stellar performance in Alexandria (Book #3). So, fresh from a bloodbath in Egypt that may or may not be regarded in Constantinople as their fault, they are forced to divert the Imperial galley to Athens for a mission (the details of which the Emperor has neglected to share with them).
Before they can return home Aelric is stuck running a religious council made up of Church leaders from East and West who just don't see eye to eye and don't speak the same language.
And Priscus has to defeat the Avars, a large group of nasty barbarians who are hungry and find great enjoyment in killing everything and everyone in their path. They besiege Athens, which has only a tiny and poorly trained militia to defend it.
When not dealing with the main threats, our heroes are fighting off midget assassins, solving a pagan ritual sex murder, and feeling their way through hidden tunnels and ancient ossuaries. Young Alaric even manages to bed a witch...or perhaps she's a ghost, or maybe just a cannibalistic psycho. Perhaps you can figure it out.
A great read if you enjoy swashbuckling excitement.
"While there is a basic substratum of historical fact, i.e. the crisis of the Roman Empire in the Seventh Century and its transformation into the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Heraclius, all this is simply a framework for fantastic plots of a febrile imagination. Some might simply say the stories are a complete load of nonsense."
I have to agree with his assessment, BUT...I still consider this to be a super rollicking adventure as Aelric winds his treacherous way through dodgy Byzantine politics and intrigue. Blake brings this world alive with detailed descriptions and an engaging set of characters.
Both Alaric and his "friendly' rival, Priscus, are in bad standing with the Emperor after their less than stellar performance in Alexandria (Book #3). So, fresh from a bloodbath in Egypt that may or may not be regarded in Constantinople as their fault, they are forced to divert the Imperial galley to Athens for a mission (the details of which the Emperor has neglected to share with them).
Before they can return home Aelric is stuck running a religious council made up of Church leaders from East and West who just don't see eye to eye and don't speak the same language.
And Priscus has to defeat the Avars, a large group of nasty barbarians who are hungry and find great enjoyment in killing everything and everyone in their path. They besiege Athens, which has only a tiny and poorly trained militia to defend it.
When not dealing with the main threats, our heroes are fighting off midget assassins, solving a pagan ritual sex murder, and feeling their way through hidden tunnels and ancient ossuaries. Young Alaric even manages to bed a witch...or perhaps she's a ghost, or maybe just a cannibalistic psycho. Perhaps you can figure it out.
A great read if you enjoy swashbuckling excitement.
February 11, 2016
Athens. The city that gave birth to democracy. The city that gave the world Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
Problem is - that was almost a 1,000 years ago and the city is now a 'ghost' of its former self.
It's 612 AD and our hero Aelric is stuck running a religious council made up of Church leaders from East and West who just don't see eye to eye and don't speak the same language.
Then there's the Avars, a large group of nasty barbarians who are hungry and find great enjoyment in killing everything and everyone in their path.
The descriptions of the city are fantastic. I really could feel how depressing it would have been to live there in the early 7th century.
The characters are alive (except in those cases where they are dead) with all the faults and foils of being human. Even Aelric is not without his blemishes; he has an outbreak of acne on his nose.
I felt there were one or two sub-plots that were rushed and didn't add as much to the story as I'd have liked but overall, once again, a fun read, if you're into blood and guts and assorted nastiness.
Problem is - that was almost a 1,000 years ago and the city is now a 'ghost' of its former self.
It's 612 AD and our hero Aelric is stuck running a religious council made up of Church leaders from East and West who just don't see eye to eye and don't speak the same language.
Then there's the Avars, a large group of nasty barbarians who are hungry and find great enjoyment in killing everything and everyone in their path.
The descriptions of the city are fantastic. I really could feel how depressing it would have been to live there in the early 7th century.
The characters are alive (except in those cases where they are dead) with all the faults and foils of being human. Even Aelric is not without his blemishes; he has an outbreak of acne on his nose.
I felt there were one or two sub-plots that were rushed and didn't add as much to the story as I'd have liked but overall, once again, a fun read, if you're into blood and guts and assorted nastiness.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews