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Marius' Mules #5
Hades' Gate
"54bc. As tensions build in Gaul and the druids manoeuvre the tribes towards general rebellion, Priscus and the diminishing senior staff of Caesar's army prepare to return to Britannia, this time with a vast army and a will to crush the tribes of that mysterious island.
Meanwhile in Rome and with his ties to the general severed, Fronto contemplates a non-military future as he settles into the life of a married nobleman, socialising with Rome's elite and coming to terms with the decline in his fitness in recent months. In this year of rising troubles, Priscus will miss his former commander's presence more than ever, while Fronto will learn more than he wishes to of the great Pompey.
With rebellious Gauls, defiant Britons, vengeful giants, veteran gladiators and dangerous criminals, Fronto is pushed to the limits, driving him to a decision he dreads and a battle for his very life at the steaming, hellish land of Hades' Gate."
Meanwhile in Rome and with his ties to the general severed, Fronto contemplates a non-military future as he settles into the life of a married nobleman, socialising with Rome's elite and coming to terms with the decline in his fitness in recent months. In this year of rising troubles, Priscus will miss his former commander's presence more than ever, while Fronto will learn more than he wishes to of the great Pompey.
With rebellious Gauls, defiant Britons, vengeful giants, veteran gladiators and dangerous criminals, Fronto is pushed to the limits, driving him to a decision he dreads and a battle for his very life at the steaming, hellish land of Hades' Gate."
460 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2013
106 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
S.J.A. Turney
92 books494 followersSimon lives with his wife and children and a menagerie of animals in rural North Yorkshire, where he sits in an office, wired on coffee and digestive biscuits, and attempts to spin engrossing tales out of strands of imagination while his children drive toys across his desk and two dogs howl as they try to share a brain cell.
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling around ancient sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Following an arcane and eclectic career path that wound through everything from sheep to Microsoft networks and from paint to car sales, Simon wrote Marius’ Mules and, with help and support, made a success of it. Now, with in excess of 20 novels under his belt, Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Simon writes Roman military novels in the form of the bestselling Marius’ Mules series based on Julius Caesar’s campaigns, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, medieval adventures in the Ottoman Cycle, following a young Greek thief around the 15th century world, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour, called the Tales of the Empire.
Simon can be found on Twitter as @SJATurney and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SJATurney/ as well as on his website http://www.sjaturney.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 3, 2020
An action packed volume
HADES GATE is an action packed volume in the Marius' Mules series. The action stretches from Gaul to Britain and back to Gaul with a major revolt by the tribes. All of this is interspersed with danger in Rome for Fronto.
HADES GATE is an action packed volume in the Marius' Mules series. The action stretches from Gaul to Britain and back to Gaul with a major revolt by the tribes. All of this is interspersed with danger in Rome for Fronto.
July 22, 2013
Once again I found myself enthralled by a book by S.J.A. Turney. That shouldn't be so easy as this series takes place in one of my favorite periods of ancient history and involves some of the more colorful/powerful men in Rome's history and as such I expect a lot from writers who tackle those subject matters. I have yet to be disappointed by Mr. Turney's efforts. At the end of MM IV the main character in the series, Marcus Falerius Fronto had a seemingly irreparable falling out with Caesar which means he will be spending this campaigning season in Rome and Puteoli instead of Britain and Gaul. Trouble and more finds him anyway in many guises, from the maddened Pompey to a revenge seeking German, no place is safe for Fronto or his family and friends.
Meanwhile, Caesar has his own difficulties in Britain and then with the threat of a somewhat united Gaul rising up against him. With his officer corps somewhat depleted, Caesar finds it necessary to bring in experienced men from other legions. Thus the author introduces, who because of the HBO series, Rome, are probably known to most of us already; Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus have important roles to play as senior centurions in the 14th Legion. There are differences between the Rome versions and the two crafted by the author one of them being the fact that they are both centurions and Pullo is the more senior of the two. I think that it is interesting to note that Pullo and Vorenus , I believe, are the only two legionaries mentioned by name in Caesar's War Commentaries so it is only fitting that they play their part in Marius Mules, although I do conjure up the faces of Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson when reading their parts in the book.
The dual plots are handled in such a way that it seems each scene ends in a cliff hanging scenario which only spurs the reader to keep going in spite of the lateness of the hour. With each volume in this series the main characters keep progressing in their development, those that survive anyway as the author has a knack for surprises when it comes to not only the intrigue of the story lines but with who gets rubbed out. Not that that is a bad thing, war and other nefarious characters are always ready to claim a victim or two, though I have found myself shouting at the ceiling, 'oh my God, he killed so and so.'
Like a devious-devising Kronos, S.J.A. Turney weaves a tale of intrigue and action in Marius Mules V – Hades Gate. Like the previous volumes in this series Hades Gate is historical fiction at it’s best. Great time of history, wonderful characters and the raw power of a Roman Legion shield wall have me looking longingly forward to Marius Mules VI...they just keep getting better.
Meanwhile, Caesar has his own difficulties in Britain and then with the threat of a somewhat united Gaul rising up against him. With his officer corps somewhat depleted, Caesar finds it necessary to bring in experienced men from other legions. Thus the author introduces, who because of the HBO series, Rome, are probably known to most of us already; Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus have important roles to play as senior centurions in the 14th Legion. There are differences between the Rome versions and the two crafted by the author one of them being the fact that they are both centurions and Pullo is the more senior of the two. I think that it is interesting to note that Pullo and Vorenus , I believe, are the only two legionaries mentioned by name in Caesar's War Commentaries so it is only fitting that they play their part in Marius Mules, although I do conjure up the faces of Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson when reading their parts in the book.
The dual plots are handled in such a way that it seems each scene ends in a cliff hanging scenario which only spurs the reader to keep going in spite of the lateness of the hour. With each volume in this series the main characters keep progressing in their development, those that survive anyway as the author has a knack for surprises when it comes to not only the intrigue of the story lines but with who gets rubbed out. Not that that is a bad thing, war and other nefarious characters are always ready to claim a victim or two, though I have found myself shouting at the ceiling, 'oh my God, he killed so and so.'
Like a devious-devising Kronos, S.J.A. Turney weaves a tale of intrigue and action in Marius Mules V – Hades Gate. Like the previous volumes in this series Hades Gate is historical fiction at it’s best. Great time of history, wonderful characters and the raw power of a Roman Legion shield wall have me looking longingly forward to Marius Mules VI...they just keep getting better.
May 4, 2014
I like the way Mr. Turney has incorporated the geologic peculiarities of Puteoli into the novel. Mr. Turney is steadily improving his saga with each book in the series. I heartily recommend all of them. I like how the novel is laid out: month by month, subdivided into chapters, with three plots: Fronto, his family, associates and enemies in Rome and Puteoli; Caesar and his legions in Gaul, then his abortive expedition to Britannia, then back to Gaul, first from Roman POV, then from native POV. This divided the book better for me; I read slower and would stop at the end of a few sections. I certainly admire the author's originality in devising battle plans and the actual fighting, each time. Battles in small chunks agree with me more. I liked the wedding and reception, the idea of the "Potemkin" fort near the conclusion in Gaul, and the action involving the Nervi courier. I only caught a few anachronistic expressions or words, e.g., sauna. I had wondered how Fronto would return to military life after his irreparable break with Caesar; That aspect was handled very well. The character-building goes on apace; we find out a bit more about each main character. I liked the new minor characters introduced into this novel, except that the villains were really Beyond the Pale. I'm glad the women were given a bigger role [and Lucilia had the last word]. About Fronto's physical training: of course that's setting up for the next installment, but it was a graphic illustration of the lesson that no one does something if people keep nagging; personal desire to master something has to come from one's own motivation. `
July 8, 2013
I am a little ashamed to say that Marius' Mules: Hades' Gate is the first self-published novel I have read. I now wish I had not waited so long.
SJA Turney writes with the skill, fluency and detail a reader would expect from a successful novelist on their fifth instalment in a series and in MMV he has created a wonderful multi-layered story following the stories of two main characters, Fronto in Rome and Priscus in Gaul. The supporting cast is large and although that can be a little overwhelming they are all well drawn, interesting characters who all add to the richness of the story. His description of battle is riveting and he manages to capture the sheer horror and the gory brutality of war as it must have been for the men of the period. There is an earthy realism to Mr Turney’s writing and although it can be grim, it certainly makes for a gripping read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of the twin storylines but I was occasionally aware that MMV is just one part of a series. Of course that means I will now seek out and buy the four books that preceded MMV so perhaps Mr Turney is one step ahead of me there!
As an e-book MMV is available for around half the price of a mocha-chocha-frapaccino. If that isn’t seriously good value then I do not know what is. I for one will happily buy all the books Mr Turney feels able to write and I am already looking forward to the next instalment in the Marius’s Mules series.
SJA Turney writes with the skill, fluency and detail a reader would expect from a successful novelist on their fifth instalment in a series and in MMV he has created a wonderful multi-layered story following the stories of two main characters, Fronto in Rome and Priscus in Gaul. The supporting cast is large and although that can be a little overwhelming they are all well drawn, interesting characters who all add to the richness of the story. His description of battle is riveting and he manages to capture the sheer horror and the gory brutality of war as it must have been for the men of the period. There is an earthy realism to Mr Turney’s writing and although it can be grim, it certainly makes for a gripping read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of the twin storylines but I was occasionally aware that MMV is just one part of a series. Of course that means I will now seek out and buy the four books that preceded MMV so perhaps Mr Turney is one step ahead of me there!
As an e-book MMV is available for around half the price of a mocha-chocha-frapaccino. If that isn’t seriously good value then I do not know what is. I for one will happily buy all the books Mr Turney feels able to write and I am already looking forward to the next instalment in the Marius’s Mules series.
October 5, 2013
Simply awesome. I've read all five of the Marius Mules books and I cannot wait for number 6.
August 13, 2022
I actually listened to the audiobook as read by Malc Williams, who did a good job of making the book almost like a play with his melodious voice.
While much of this book covers Fronto`s retirement, descent into slovenly lifestyle and determined recovery therefrom with the aid of an astonishingly creative gladiator, this book also covers a checkered attempt by Caesar`s troops to maintain control of Gaul and their various positions. At time, I found it hard to put this book down to engage in my own life! The missing star is more due to the confusion caused by a book that switches back and forth between battlefields and Fronto`s escapades in Rome, Turney`s writing itself has not disappointed. I appreciate the fresh approach to this turbulent time in Rome`s history.
Since Turney is focused on Roman historical novels, I hope that at some point he writes about the ancient and somewhat mythical origins of the city and culture of Rome itself, the rein and ending of the kings, and the beginning of the republic.
While much of this book covers Fronto`s retirement, descent into slovenly lifestyle and determined recovery therefrom with the aid of an astonishingly creative gladiator, this book also covers a checkered attempt by Caesar`s troops to maintain control of Gaul and their various positions. At time, I found it hard to put this book down to engage in my own life! The missing star is more due to the confusion caused by a book that switches back and forth between battlefields and Fronto`s escapades in Rome, Turney`s writing itself has not disappointed. I appreciate the fresh approach to this turbulent time in Rome`s history.
Since Turney is focused on Roman historical novels, I hope that at some point he writes about the ancient and somewhat mythical origins of the city and culture of Rome itself, the rein and ending of the kings, and the beginning of the republic.
September 9, 2020
High Value Military Historicy Potboilers!
I’m aesthetically (or, at least, pretend to be) opposed to a series of anything, whether movies, books...or bad presidents.
But I’m going to confess...I am addicted to this series of historical novels concerning Caesar’s campaigns, although Caesar playing one of the principals, not acting as the main protagonist.This is the 5th in the series and the 5th that I’ve read (audiobook listened to) in the last couple of months.
So far, it is the best of the lot of addictively entertaining and well-designed novels(I’ve given a 3• rating to each of the previous instalments).
Although, falling back on stereotype characterisation and plot development occasionally, the author is an adept enough wordsmith to pull it all off exceedingly well.
I’m aesthetically (or, at least, pretend to be) opposed to a series of anything, whether movies, books...or bad presidents.
But I’m going to confess...I am addicted to this series of historical novels concerning Caesar’s campaigns, although Caesar playing one of the principals, not acting as the main protagonist.This is the 5th in the series and the 5th that I’ve read (audiobook listened to) in the last couple of months.
So far, it is the best of the lot of addictively entertaining and well-designed novels(I’ve given a 3• rating to each of the previous instalments).
Although, falling back on stereotype characterisation and plot development occasionally, the author is an adept enough wordsmith to pull it all off exceedingly well.
December 5, 2018
Another winner
Hades gate is the fifth outing for Simon Turneys fronto and another fine addition to the series it is. This book sees fronto in rome sorting out problems at home while Ceaser campaigns in gaul with his legions, the twin story lines working well to keep the story flowing with the action coming thick and fast both in rome, gaul and a Brittania. This is a cracking series and in my humble opinion far superior to Simon Scarrows Macro and Catto series which i feel is way past its sell buy date. Highly Recommended.
Hades gate is the fifth outing for Simon Turneys fronto and another fine addition to the series it is. This book sees fronto in rome sorting out problems at home while Ceaser campaigns in gaul with his legions, the twin story lines working well to keep the story flowing with the action coming thick and fast both in rome, gaul and a Brittania. This is a cracking series and in my humble opinion far superior to Simon Scarrows Macro and Catto series which i feel is way past its sell buy date. Highly Recommended.
October 4, 2020
The Worst in the Series
I have seldom read a book so fraught with grammatical inconsistencies: I instead of me, he instead of him, she instead of her, omission of commas at the end of direct speech - the list goes on and on. Add to this grammatical disaster the cavalier redistribution or reassignment of officers amongst the various legions, and you have the makings of a most unpleasant and frustrating read. If only the editor's throat were available for throttling!
I have seldom read a book so fraught with grammatical inconsistencies: I instead of me, he instead of him, she instead of her, omission of commas at the end of direct speech - the list goes on and on. Add to this grammatical disaster the cavalier redistribution or reassignment of officers amongst the various legions, and you have the makings of a most unpleasant and frustrating read. If only the editor's throat were available for throttling!
October 14, 2025
Hades
Well what can I say that I have not said in the other books that I have read Turney is an amazing writer and his works and crafting of words shows it. In the stories that he weaves and his knowledge of historical facts. He is able to craft them into an awesome historical fiction.
Well what can I say that I have not said in the other books that I have read Turney is an amazing writer and his works and crafting of words shows it. In the stories that he weaves and his knowledge of historical facts. He is able to craft them into an awesome historical fiction.
July 21, 2020
Why a 5? Because Turney consistently produces a good story that is well researched, follows actual history with a limited number of time-frame inappropriate sayings.
Focused on the story of Caesar in Gaul, the book has a legionary as it's key figure.
I always enjoy Turney's series.
Focused on the story of Caesar in Gaul, the book has a legionary as it's key figure.
I always enjoy Turney's series.
April 14, 2025
A Fantastic Read
Mr. Turney may be the most entertaining writer of historical fiction of his generation. Great action, humor and surprising character depth - his books have them all. Bravo!
Mr. Turney may be the most entertaining writer of historical fiction of his generation. Great action, humor and surprising character depth - his books have them all. Bravo!
January 18, 2020
took the story in a different direction which was very interesting, enjoyed it a lot.
March 8, 2020
I lived in these areas for four(4) yrs. Outstanding ! 🙂
April 11, 2021
Rivetting
Another breathless rollercoaster from a master storyteller. Complete with some new characters - some of whom lasted the course and some who didn't ....
Another breathless rollercoaster from a master storyteller. Complete with some new characters - some of whom lasted the course and some who didn't ....
December 27, 2021
Superb
All the books pale before this one It exceeds all the previous ones by far. I am astounded by it and was so sorry that I got to the end.
All the books pale before this one It exceeds all the previous ones by far. I am astounded by it and was so sorry that I got to the end.
August 21, 2013
I feel like Hades' Gate is a turning point in Simon Turney's series about Fronto, and a clear improvement on Marius' Mules: Conspiracy of Eagles. In fact, my 3 star rating may be a bit harsh and in fact deserve 4 stars, so this should not stop you from reading it!
(I effectively deducted one point for what I felt was a unnecessarily graphic torture scene - while I understand's Simon like of detail and accuracy, I would have preferred a slightly tempered version...)
In general, I think Simon has done well to improve on some of the shortcomings of the last book - as he acknowledges in the afterword, it oscillated too much between different locations and story lines, and true to his word has tightened it up for Hades' Gates, resulting in a much better flow throughout the entire novel.
In fact, I think the entire premise for this book is much more interesting than the previous one, and benefits from a better established enemy character in the British warchief Cassivellaunus. Not only is he a more formidable opponent to Caesar, but Turney also develops his character more than he has done previously.
I do however think that more could have been made out of the entire Britain story line; it feels like we only get glances into a much bigger picture. On the other hand, as Simon points out himself, the next book covering the rise of Vercingetorix, should be very interesting - already looking forward to this.
In many ways, this book functions as a bridge between the first 4 books in the series and the next few (?) and establishes some important groundwork (eg Fronto returning to the legion).
(I effectively deducted one point for what I felt was a unnecessarily graphic torture scene - while I understand's Simon like of detail and accuracy, I would have preferred a slightly tempered version...)
In general, I think Simon has done well to improve on some of the shortcomings of the last book - as he acknowledges in the afterword, it oscillated too much between different locations and story lines, and true to his word has tightened it up for Hades' Gates, resulting in a much better flow throughout the entire novel.
In fact, I think the entire premise for this book is much more interesting than the previous one, and benefits from a better established enemy character in the British warchief Cassivellaunus. Not only is he a more formidable opponent to Caesar, but Turney also develops his character more than he has done previously.
I do however think that more could have been made out of the entire Britain story line; it feels like we only get glances into a much bigger picture. On the other hand, as Simon points out himself, the next book covering the rise of Vercingetorix, should be very interesting - already looking forward to this.
In many ways, this book functions as a bridge between the first 4 books in the series and the next few (?) and establishes some important groundwork (eg Fronto returning to the legion).
September 27, 2013
The Marius' Mules series is certainly one of my favourites and so the latest book to be released always has a lot to live up to. This, the 5th book in the series, lives up to (and perhaps exceeds) expectations.
There is much more of the book set in Rome and Puteoli rather than in military settings in Gaul and Britania (although there is plenty of that too) and I liked the way this let a number of the characters to develop more than a battlefield situation would allow. Of course, also removing a few of the key characters from the army allowed those who were left to develop too, sometimes in unexpected ways.
There are some rather violent scenes as this can't be avoided when telling a tale about Roman legions in Gaul
I can't wait for the next book in the series!
There is much more of the book set in Rome and Puteoli rather than in military settings in Gaul and Britania (although there is plenty of that too) and I liked the way this let a number of the characters to develop more than a battlefield situation would allow. Of course, also removing a few of the key characters from the army allowed those who were left to develop too, sometimes in unexpected ways.
There are some rather violent scenes as this can't be avoided when telling a tale about Roman legions in Gaul
I can't wait for the next book in the series!
August 12, 2021
Thrilling story. The fist expedition to Britannia was a bit boring, to tell the truth, due to the lack of real action, but the second one made up for it. What I loved the most in this book is the part set in Rome, where Fronto faces unsuspecting dangers.
August 15, 2013
I don't know what it is about this series of books by Mr turney, but you just put them down,with all the action,humour and twists and turns in the plot.You really believe the characters to be real.
The only thing that's wrong now is the long wait for the next in the series. I bought this in the book version (remember paper thing) and it made me realise which I prefer and the ebook lost. Thanks again Mr turney.
The only thing that's wrong now is the long wait for the next in the series. I bought this in the book version (remember paper thing) and it made me realise which I prefer and the ebook lost. Thanks again Mr turney.
February 17, 2014
This story is getting better and better. Fronto finds himself in Rome again, but this time it is much more interesting. I think it was partly because I could easily identify with him, since I am still trying to get into better shape after Christmas :). Turney's work with details is marvelous as always, and the characters feel as if I really knew them for years. I have to agree with other reviewers, this series is getting better and better.
October 3, 2013
Another cracking read from Turney, the action and suspense keeps you reading well past bedtime, the political machinations of Rome and the ever growing threat of Rebellion in Gaul has you completely enthralled an amazing series and cannot wait until MMVI. Simon has already surpassed the word count for MMVI, great news more excellent pages to read.
July 15, 2013
Continúa la historia de César y la conquista de la Galia mientras Fronto se enfrenta a la conflictiva Roma. Buena historia, demasiadas muertes, pero esperar el choque con Vercingéntorix es sin duda un generador de expectativas.
August 26, 2013
My favorite of the series so far
August 13, 2013
great as always
July 5, 2014
Excellent.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews