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Marius' Mules #6.5
Prelude to War
It is the winter of 53/52BC and while Caesar struggles with the chaos of a failing republic and recruits troops in Aquileia, Gaul's freedom fighters emerge, with a desire for Roman blood.
This collection of three tales presents a sequence of events that takes place in the winter between Marius' Mules books six and seven... events that, while peripheral to the saga itself, will shape events to come, shake the republic, and herald the one thing Caesar's army have feared most: a full-scale revolt.
Cenabum: The fire arrow - Caesar's chief quartermaster, Cita, encounters trouble with supply lines.
Bovillae: The fallen eagle - Former prefect Paetus leaves Rome with revenge on his mind.
Gergovia: Rise of kings - Priscus and his companions witness tumultuous events firsthand.
This collection of three tales presents a sequence of events that takes place in the winter between Marius' Mules books six and seven... events that, while peripheral to the saga itself, will shape events to come, shake the republic, and herald the one thing Caesar's army have feared most: a full-scale revolt.
Cenabum: The fire arrow - Caesar's chief quartermaster, Cita, encounters trouble with supply lines.
Bovillae: The fallen eagle - Former prefect Paetus leaves Rome with revenge on his mind.
Gergovia: Rise of kings - Priscus and his companions witness tumultuous events firsthand.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
29 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
S.J.A. Turney
95 books505 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 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 15, 2014
These three gripping tales bridge Books VI and VII in the Marius Mules series. I chose to read each one separately at different times, not to mix them up in my mind. All three stories in one way or another unleash the final cataclysm. Subtitle sums up the overarching theme.
The first: a Roman Alamo, in which Roman army supply-line is cut at a Roman supply depot, with an O. Henry twist.
The second: violent closure to the Paetus vengeance scenario against Clodius: years in the planning, quickly and savagely executed.
The third: Prefect Priscus, hidden away with a small band of soldiers, watches Vercingetorix take over the Arverni oppidum at Gergovia. The enemy talk of the massacre of the supply depot within their hearing.
I enjoyed all three, which gave me a taste for the next book. Legionary Flaccus' masquerade in the third story was a note of black humor.
I thank First Reads for sending me this book.
The first: a Roman Alamo, in which Roman army supply-line is cut at a Roman supply depot, with an O. Henry twist.
The second: violent closure to the Paetus vengeance scenario against Clodius: years in the planning, quickly and savagely executed.
The third: Prefect Priscus, hidden away with a small band of soldiers, watches Vercingetorix take over the Arverni oppidum at Gergovia. The enemy talk of the massacre of the supply depot within their hearing.
I enjoyed all three, which gave me a taste for the next book. Legionary Flaccus' masquerade in the third story was a note of black humor.
I thank First Reads for sending me this book.
October 17, 2018
Excellent & exciting shorts
A tie in between Marius’ Mules XI & XII, so valuable to the series, but also great stories on their own.
A tie in between Marius’ Mules XI & XII, so valuable to the series, but also great stories on their own.
June 10, 2020
Love this series of books. The characters jump off the page and I feel invested in their stories lol. Will probably read every book that this author writes.
April 17, 2025
An Entertaining Bridge
This short and engaging interlude is a welcome snack that sets up the story of the volcanic death throes of “Free Gaul”. Well done Mr. Turney!
This short and engaging interlude is a welcome snack that sets up the story of the volcanic death throes of “Free Gaul”. Well done Mr. Turney!
August 12, 2021
A short book (about 100 pages), but as good as the rest of the series and one that definitely shouldn't be skipped.
March 31, 2014
In this 3 story gap filler, the author is setting the stage for the big confrontation between Caesar and Vercingetorix. It is a very nice appetite whetting segue and includes some (to be expected) twists as well as tying up a loose end in the Milo/Clodius situation. I read this in one sitting and while that points to the author’s ability to grab my attention, it also means I have to wait longer for the next full volume in this most excellent series. Next up – Winner Takes Gaul.
February 13, 2014
Good prelude to the next book
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September 20, 2014I am broke up to my eyeballs.
July 19, 2015
a little teaser before book 7 cant wait to start number 7
November 30, 2015
Magnificent series
Read four previous books in the series...fabulous. Love stories about the Republic's final century. Great Caesar s ghost rules my imagination.
Read four previous books in the series...fabulous. Love stories about the Republic's final century. Great Caesar s ghost rules my imagination.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews