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South of Burnt Rocks West of the Moon
After three great wars, Rome has crushed Carthage. Now the undefended riches of Iberia beckon--gold, tin, olives, wine, and healthy young bodies to enslave. Burnt Rocks tells the story of Lavena, last child of the strongest remaining Iberian tribal leader at a time when Rome plunders and loots her land. At times helped only by her father's favorite dog, a special horse, or guided by spirits of the earth and sky, she strives to unite her people and oust the Roman menace. Based on real characters, places, and events, Burnt Rocks recreates that shadowy history--and eternal human nature rubbed raw.
From Kirkus Review....
"A young Iberian-Celtic she-warrior makes a stand against the invading Roman army. In Hispania, 184 B.C., 11-year-old Lavena, daughter of the village leader, witnesses the brutal murder of an old farmer by a Roman soldier. The villagers' worst fears are confirmed: Hungry for gold, mighty Rome has broken the peace treaty and is preparing to invade and conquer. A proud, determined people, Lavena's clan decides to train and fight against the overwhelming invaders. Lavena, now 15, has learned the ways of the she-warrior--women who use their strength and intelligence to outwit and kill their male counterparts.
"When the village is consumed by the crushing army, Lavena's father urges her to take the family gold and escape; his dying wish is for her to warn surrounding villages and unify the people to take a stand against Rome. Smartly written, the novel moves quickly, building prose with quiet strength unencumbered by the heavy style. Its bare-bones flow seems to fit the time period.
"The simple yet powerful narrative relies on a commanding cast of characters, many of whom are indeed women, celebrated for their resiliency and constitution. These women are the leaders of the resistance and they rely on no man for guidance. Berger beautifully crafts them as more than one-dimensional warriors bent on revenge. They're strong yet vulnerable, desperate to protect their land and people."
From Kirkus Review....
"A young Iberian-Celtic she-warrior makes a stand against the invading Roman army. In Hispania, 184 B.C., 11-year-old Lavena, daughter of the village leader, witnesses the brutal murder of an old farmer by a Roman soldier. The villagers' worst fears are confirmed: Hungry for gold, mighty Rome has broken the peace treaty and is preparing to invade and conquer. A proud, determined people, Lavena's clan decides to train and fight against the overwhelming invaders. Lavena, now 15, has learned the ways of the she-warrior--women who use their strength and intelligence to outwit and kill their male counterparts.
"When the village is consumed by the crushing army, Lavena's father urges her to take the family gold and escape; his dying wish is for her to warn surrounding villages and unify the people to take a stand against Rome. Smartly written, the novel moves quickly, building prose with quiet strength unencumbered by the heavy style. Its bare-bones flow seems to fit the time period.
"The simple yet powerful narrative relies on a commanding cast of characters, many of whom are indeed women, celebrated for their resiliency and constitution. These women are the leaders of the resistance and they rely on no man for guidance. Berger beautifully crafts them as more than one-dimensional warriors bent on revenge. They're strong yet vulnerable, desperate to protect their land and people."
- GenresHistorical Fiction
322 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2012
About the author
G.J. Berger
5 books21 followersWhen G. J. was eight, his mom told him the story of Hannibal crossing the Alps with elephants and a great army. He asked her what happened to Hannibal after that. Mom didn't know, but he was hooked, had to find out, had to write about it.
G. J. spent much of his young life on the road and water, on ocean liners in steerage or working as a crew member on a tramp steamer. Wherever his travels took him, old walls, canals, storage holes deep in the ground made him wonder about how they got there, about the people who put them there, how they lived and got along.
The result is now two award-winning novels and a third in G. J.'s writing head. The places, the tides of history, some of the characters in Burnt Rocks and Four Nails are all as they were but have never been portrayed in any depth.
When not writing, G. J. tries to roam around the places he writes about, likes to sit and soak up the times back then and bring them to modern life in his stories. G. J. is convinced that for all the changes in last 2000 years, people loved and hated, suffered and rejoiced, destroyed and built out of the same urges as motivate them today. G. J. also writes reviews of all manner of historical novels for the Historical Novel Society.
G. J. lives in San Diego with his favorite grammarian and English Professor. They visit their two sons and two grandsons as often as the kids will have them.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 17, 2013
South of Burnt Rocks West of the Moon has just been selected as a finalist for a San Diego Book Award this year. The San Diego Book Award is in its 19th year of recognizing authors of all types and genres, from poetry to self-help, from thrillers to travel books. The common thread through them all is high quality. Among recent winners are Susan Vreeland, NYT best-selling author of "Girl In Hyacinth Blue", and the international writing star, J.K. Rowling, a winner in 2007.
March 23, 2016
While fond of historical fiction, the Roman era is one I’m not typically drawn to, a concern pushed to the side by the blurb for G.J. Berger's South of Burnt Rocks West of the Moon, and I decided to take the plunge. With each page I found myself drawn all the more to the adolescent Lavena’s triumphs and struggles in a transitional era that would test every bit of her enthusiasm, training and even question her survival.
Set in Iberia in between the second and third Punic wars, South of Burnt Rocks opens in an era when Rome is attempting to recover resources following Carthaginian assaults that occurred simultaneous to the first of the Macedonian wars. The Village on the Cliff, populated by Iberian Celts, holds a treaty with the Roman praetor Piso, whereby the tribe lives under a levied peace. However, he is recalled to the capital and replaced by a more forceful magistrate who revokes the treaty and plans to resume the monstrous Roman sweep of barbari lands in search of ever more loot: young slaves and their plentiful precious metals.
It is in this setting we meet Lavena, who opens the novel when, as an eleven-year-old future warrior woman, she witnesses a superfluous and ghastly murder committed by a Roman soldier. In short order we bear witness to the truism of various political opinion when Piso’s governorship is discussed amongst a gathering of tribal elders, including her father Sinorix, their leader.
Her father shook his head and grinned. “Piso won’t even let us raid the other tribes for practice like we did before the treaty.”
One of the other old men said, “That’s why we made our treaties…Piso helps us all live in peace, respects us, has for a long time….”
Her father said, “His men show us less respect than they show their dogs. Roman praetors always leave after they’ve taken what they want from us.”
The narrative moves forward in large part through Lavena’s point of view and as such, readers won’t find Berger lacing the novel with names of historical battles, sieges or dates, as the girl would not likely have referenced them in the way history later would. As readers, we rely on what she knows and learns, and Berger presents this in an engaging and gripping manner that holds us close to their thought processes as well as ensuing action, and provides hints as to some of the tribe’s contact with others.
No river could be longer or wider than her river. Alexandros said the mountains were named after the Greek god, Pyrene. Lavena did not believe that either. Everyone she knew called them Burnt Rocks and that’s how they looked from a distance.
Sinorix contemplates a transition that gives us further insight into what they know of their history. “Maybe we’ll cross the Burnt Rocks, maybe we’ll go west of the moon and across the big water to the land we came from, to our brothers and sisters in the cold country.”
Lavena prepares, knowing the newer Roman army will soon advance, and she is anxious to prove herself up to the task of helping defeat them. We witness, too, her move into adulthood and become familiar with the role women play in this society, a larger and more central place than Roman women maintain in theirs. It is easy to admire their cunning, will and courage, especially when even at a 2,000 year remove, Berger truly brings home to us just how ruthless and cruel their aggressors are willing to be. His portrayal of the Keltoi brings them to life in such a manner that we seem to be at their side, smarting at the setbacks they suffer, mourning their losses, encouraging their gains.
Also admirable are the differences Berger is able to overcome when telling Lavena’s tale. Much has been made of male authors speaking for female characters (and vice versa); add to this a grownup taking on the voice of an adolescent and as mentioned, that of an individual who would have lived over two millennia before. Combined with the dialogue and relating of events as they occur, readers might wonder that perhaps Berger recorded Lavena’s story as she herself related it to him. We become so engaged in the life of her tribe when they are at peace as well as when the battering rams begin to do their work, that there is no question of whether we will follow her, in the wake of her people's destruction, as she escapes and seeks to engage other tribes to form a defensive consortium.
Berger also gives us an insider’s view to a Roman legion in the form of Marcus, who is tasked with locating a missing scouting group that includes his own brother. We see the decay up close, as well as the corruption of power, though from the perspective of one not in a position to make any high-level changes. The third-person narration transitions occur smoothly and as Marcus and Lavena’s paths grow closer together, the thrill is palpable as Berger’s expert ability to keep us at rapt attention merges with the alternating views of each character. Depending on events as they occur, we may agree or disagree, admire or despise, feel disgust or sympathy for Marcus, as his creator shows us the many sides to even a Roman soldier. The path he winds through the story leads to an ending that surprised me a bit, and the contemplations I had of Marcus pointed again to the author’s caveat that even Romans aren’t all exactly who we think they were.
While Lavena’s objectives take her often frighteningly close to the army as their campaign carries them through Iberia, she also remains true to her spiritual legacy, and Berger magnificently portrays her communion with nature and the departed to whom she speaks, often asking for guidance. Her progression is fast paced and the detail examined from her eyes—surroundings, perceptive recognition of others’ responses to her and events, clues as to the presence of outsiders, for example—is multiple layered without being weighty. Berger has crafted his narrative to near perfection: not a single word is wasted and the world that was, is brought to life for us to witness. The sounds, sights, smells and sense of Roman Spain as well as the events carrying Lavena through the story are so present that we feel as if we are there with her.
South of Burnt Rocks is an extremely satisfying read, one that engages the audience, stirring us to probe further into an era many of us remember only in bits from school-age history classes. To that end, the author’s notes succinctly fill in many gaps and it is evident the research done for the novel is extensive and painstakingly thorough. Our view to history is a bit more privileged than that of Lavena, who learns she must come to grips with her own family’s role in that succession and what it means for her, as well as for those who come to know of her courageous stand against tyranny.
Set in Iberia in between the second and third Punic wars, South of Burnt Rocks opens in an era when Rome is attempting to recover resources following Carthaginian assaults that occurred simultaneous to the first of the Macedonian wars. The Village on the Cliff, populated by Iberian Celts, holds a treaty with the Roman praetor Piso, whereby the tribe lives under a levied peace. However, he is recalled to the capital and replaced by a more forceful magistrate who revokes the treaty and plans to resume the monstrous Roman sweep of barbari lands in search of ever more loot: young slaves and their plentiful precious metals.
It is in this setting we meet Lavena, who opens the novel when, as an eleven-year-old future warrior woman, she witnesses a superfluous and ghastly murder committed by a Roman soldier. In short order we bear witness to the truism of various political opinion when Piso’s governorship is discussed amongst a gathering of tribal elders, including her father Sinorix, their leader.
Her father shook his head and grinned. “Piso won’t even let us raid the other tribes for practice like we did before the treaty.”
One of the other old men said, “That’s why we made our treaties…Piso helps us all live in peace, respects us, has for a long time….”
Her father said, “His men show us less respect than they show their dogs. Roman praetors always leave after they’ve taken what they want from us.”
The narrative moves forward in large part through Lavena’s point of view and as such, readers won’t find Berger lacing the novel with names of historical battles, sieges or dates, as the girl would not likely have referenced them in the way history later would. As readers, we rely on what she knows and learns, and Berger presents this in an engaging and gripping manner that holds us close to their thought processes as well as ensuing action, and provides hints as to some of the tribe’s contact with others.
No river could be longer or wider than her river. Alexandros said the mountains were named after the Greek god, Pyrene. Lavena did not believe that either. Everyone she knew called them Burnt Rocks and that’s how they looked from a distance.
Sinorix contemplates a transition that gives us further insight into what they know of their history. “Maybe we’ll cross the Burnt Rocks, maybe we’ll go west of the moon and across the big water to the land we came from, to our brothers and sisters in the cold country.”
Lavena prepares, knowing the newer Roman army will soon advance, and she is anxious to prove herself up to the task of helping defeat them. We witness, too, her move into adulthood and become familiar with the role women play in this society, a larger and more central place than Roman women maintain in theirs. It is easy to admire their cunning, will and courage, especially when even at a 2,000 year remove, Berger truly brings home to us just how ruthless and cruel their aggressors are willing to be. His portrayal of the Keltoi brings them to life in such a manner that we seem to be at their side, smarting at the setbacks they suffer, mourning their losses, encouraging their gains.
Also admirable are the differences Berger is able to overcome when telling Lavena’s tale. Much has been made of male authors speaking for female characters (and vice versa); add to this a grownup taking on the voice of an adolescent and as mentioned, that of an individual who would have lived over two millennia before. Combined with the dialogue and relating of events as they occur, readers might wonder that perhaps Berger recorded Lavena’s story as she herself related it to him. We become so engaged in the life of her tribe when they are at peace as well as when the battering rams begin to do their work, that there is no question of whether we will follow her, in the wake of her people's destruction, as she escapes and seeks to engage other tribes to form a defensive consortium.
Berger also gives us an insider’s view to a Roman legion in the form of Marcus, who is tasked with locating a missing scouting group that includes his own brother. We see the decay up close, as well as the corruption of power, though from the perspective of one not in a position to make any high-level changes. The third-person narration transitions occur smoothly and as Marcus and Lavena’s paths grow closer together, the thrill is palpable as Berger’s expert ability to keep us at rapt attention merges with the alternating views of each character. Depending on events as they occur, we may agree or disagree, admire or despise, feel disgust or sympathy for Marcus, as his creator shows us the many sides to even a Roman soldier. The path he winds through the story leads to an ending that surprised me a bit, and the contemplations I had of Marcus pointed again to the author’s caveat that even Romans aren’t all exactly who we think they were.
While Lavena’s objectives take her often frighteningly close to the army as their campaign carries them through Iberia, she also remains true to her spiritual legacy, and Berger magnificently portrays her communion with nature and the departed to whom she speaks, often asking for guidance. Her progression is fast paced and the detail examined from her eyes—surroundings, perceptive recognition of others’ responses to her and events, clues as to the presence of outsiders, for example—is multiple layered without being weighty. Berger has crafted his narrative to near perfection: not a single word is wasted and the world that was, is brought to life for us to witness. The sounds, sights, smells and sense of Roman Spain as well as the events carrying Lavena through the story are so present that we feel as if we are there with her.
South of Burnt Rocks is an extremely satisfying read, one that engages the audience, stirring us to probe further into an era many of us remember only in bits from school-age history classes. To that end, the author’s notes succinctly fill in many gaps and it is evident the research done for the novel is extensive and painstakingly thorough. Our view to history is a bit more privileged than that of Lavena, who learns she must come to grips with her own family’s role in that succession and what it means for her, as well as for those who come to know of her courageous stand against tyranny.
May 6, 2015
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
South of the Burnt Rocks West of the Moon is a story of historical fiction set during the Roman era in Iberia and vividly portrays the Roman’s vile and hostile methods of conquering and ruling. While some authors choose to portray the Roman’s in a romantic manner, G.J. Berger does not.
A young and innocent 11 year-old Lavena, daughter of the village leader, witnesses the horrific death of an elderly farmer by the brutal hands of a Roman soldier. This was just the beginning of Roman brutality in Iberia and for Lavena.
A few years later, the Roman army is seeking out gold, slaves and women for their use and monetary gain destroying and killing. Forced to flee her home by attacking Romans, Lavena becomes the Iberian-Celtic she-warrior that legends are made. Lavena becomes a one woman army making a stand against the cruel and mighty Romans that killed her family and friends and destroyed her home.
“Gracchus looked at the armed men standing at the tent flap. They seemed to nod gently. They too had been spooked by unseen ghosts cutting down soldiers …”
Like locusts, the Roman army is a plague on all villages. Seeking help, Lavena fines one village that knows of her father. Hoping to band together, Lavena remains. During the night the village is attacked by a small contingency of Roman soldiers leaving all village adult males dead and their women vulnerable. Lavena steps into leadership role easily and becomes the she-warrior that Romans come to fear in the months ahead.
“Never has our land had such a warrior.”
Leading a small army of 5, Lavena begins her crusade of picking the Roman army off – one soldier at a time. Cunning and wit allows Lavena and her small band of warriors to make the Romans take notice and build a strong ally among the Iberian villages for the final battle.
Berger builds on lust, greed and desires of an empire that is infamous thus creating a strong story line. Berger has impeccable character development connecting the reader to all characters both main and minor. I found Lavena to be fascinating and very personable. Even with Marcus, a roman soldier, I connected to his pain of having his faith and belief ripped away and his need to find something or someone to believe in.
This book will have you looking at women differently, seeing their strength and resiliency. The writing style is fresh and direct but not overwhelming. This author and book is a B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree.
WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star review.
South of the Burnt Rocks West of the Moon is a story of historical fiction set during the Roman era in Iberia and vividly portrays the Roman’s vile and hostile methods of conquering and ruling. While some authors choose to portray the Roman’s in a romantic manner, G.J. Berger does not.
A young and innocent 11 year-old Lavena, daughter of the village leader, witnesses the horrific death of an elderly farmer by the brutal hands of a Roman soldier. This was just the beginning of Roman brutality in Iberia and for Lavena.
A few years later, the Roman army is seeking out gold, slaves and women for their use and monetary gain destroying and killing. Forced to flee her home by attacking Romans, Lavena becomes the Iberian-Celtic she-warrior that legends are made. Lavena becomes a one woman army making a stand against the cruel and mighty Romans that killed her family and friends and destroyed her home.
“Gracchus looked at the armed men standing at the tent flap. They seemed to nod gently. They too had been spooked by unseen ghosts cutting down soldiers …”
Like locusts, the Roman army is a plague on all villages. Seeking help, Lavena fines one village that knows of her father. Hoping to band together, Lavena remains. During the night the village is attacked by a small contingency of Roman soldiers leaving all village adult males dead and their women vulnerable. Lavena steps into leadership role easily and becomes the she-warrior that Romans come to fear in the months ahead.
“Never has our land had such a warrior.”
Leading a small army of 5, Lavena begins her crusade of picking the Roman army off – one soldier at a time. Cunning and wit allows Lavena and her small band of warriors to make the Romans take notice and build a strong ally among the Iberian villages for the final battle.
Berger builds on lust, greed and desires of an empire that is infamous thus creating a strong story line. Berger has impeccable character development connecting the reader to all characters both main and minor. I found Lavena to be fascinating and very personable. Even with Marcus, a roman soldier, I connected to his pain of having his faith and belief ripped away and his need to find something or someone to believe in.
This book will have you looking at women differently, seeing their strength and resiliency. The writing style is fresh and direct but not overwhelming. This author and book is a B.R.A.G. Medallion honoree.
WordsAPlenty gives this book a 5 star review.
December 23, 2012
I will read any genre set in any time if it's good. Yet a story revolving around seemingly obscure Roman skirmishes of 200 BC would not have occurred to me as a natural choice. I'm so glad I kept an open mind, because this book is a rollercoaster ride from beginning to end and I enjoyed every exhilarating moment.
Lavena, daughter of the mighty Sinorix, is a trained warrior, fighting alongside men in the defense of their way of life over 2,000 years ago in Iberia, as Rome covets their gold and seeks slaves among her people. Her skills are tested early, but when the brutal Roman army overruns her land and slaughters its inhabitants, it is her cunning and maturity far beyond her years that will be called upon to defeat them. This was revealed to be an important time in history and these brave Celtic women were key participants in battles.
Lavena is an eminently relatable character and G.J. Berger painted a vividly detailed picture of battles, food, clothing and all manner of life in that long ago era. Bloody conflicts abounded, but there was also a captivating plot that balanced the fast paced drama. Despite the evidently extensive research, I did not feel as if this intruded at all. It simply added richness to the fiction and I appreciated the authenticity and depth it brought to this exciting story.
Lavena, daughter of the mighty Sinorix, is a trained warrior, fighting alongside men in the defense of their way of life over 2,000 years ago in Iberia, as Rome covets their gold and seeks slaves among her people. Her skills are tested early, but when the brutal Roman army overruns her land and slaughters its inhabitants, it is her cunning and maturity far beyond her years that will be called upon to defeat them. This was revealed to be an important time in history and these brave Celtic women were key participants in battles.
Lavena is an eminently relatable character and G.J. Berger painted a vividly detailed picture of battles, food, clothing and all manner of life in that long ago era. Bloody conflicts abounded, but there was also a captivating plot that balanced the fast paced drama. Despite the evidently extensive research, I did not feel as if this intruded at all. It simply added richness to the fiction and I appreciated the authenticity and depth it brought to this exciting story.
April 2, 2013
Iberia 184 BC (southeast Spain) an uncharted territory in my Roman conquest readings. I was very surprised by this excellent debut novel and hope there will be more tales of the heroine Lavena daughter of Sinorix the tribe leader. She was tough, raised to fight along the men of her tribe but still very much a child. She is one of the few survivors of her tribe, leads the remaining out of danger, and manages to perform some guerrilla tactic fighting that does impede the march of the Romans but never stops them. Steeped in historical research and gives much insight into the early Roman super power and their dominance of the Celtic Spain barbarian tribes. The author kept the pacing tight and succinct, created rich characters and made me want more. The title was catchy too!
April 14, 2023
Always inspiring to read of women warriors
As a retired colonel, my greatest inspiration comes from other women strong of mind and body, and willing to give life for a cause they believe in. This historical fiction brings that dream to life again.
As a retired colonel, my greatest inspiration comes from other women strong of mind and body, and willing to give life for a cause they believe in. This historical fiction brings that dream to life again.
September 29, 2018
Find this period in history facinating.
Lavena ,a true heroine. Fantastic, page turning read. Roller coaster of emotions .
Loved this book .
Lavena ,a true heroine. Fantastic, page turning read. Roller coaster of emotions .
Loved this book .
April 6, 2019
Brilliant book
This is a wonderful book to read and a great story to get lost in . I recommend you read this along with the authors other book four nails both fantastic
This is a wonderful book to read and a great story to get lost in . I recommend you read this along with the authors other book four nails both fantastic
April 4, 2013
G.J. is a friend and it is not 'done' to write reviews for friends. But I do think 'South of Burnt Rocks West of the Moon' is set in a fascinating period of history and his heroine is definitely not a mild mannered modern miss! It's a great read.
November 12, 2021
AIBA Book of the Day: 12 November, 2021: 052/42375
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include SOUTH OF BURNT ROCKS – WEST OF THE MOON by G. J. BERGER in the library of Awesome Indies' Badge of Approval recipients.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews