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Gaius Valerius Verrens #7
Saviour of Rome
AD 72. Titus Flavius Vespasianus, known as Vespasian, is Emperor of Rome, but his grip on power grows increasingly fragile as economic disaster threatens. The enormous riches from his Judaean campaigns are all but spent, legions go unpaid, and the yields from Rome’s vital Spanish goldfields have fallen dramatically since the civil war.
Gaius Valerius Verrens is recently married and building a new home when the summons arrives from the Emperor. Vespasian needs a man with the combined skills of a lawyer and a soldier to investigate what is happening in remote, mountainous Asturica Augusta where the authorities claim a bandit called The Ghost is ravaging the gold convoys.
But when Valerius arrives in Asturica he faces a much more complex situation. Stalked from the shadows he cannot tell ally from enemy, the exploited native tribes are a growing threat, and the tortured landscape itself seems capable of swallowing him up. Gradually he finds himself drawn into a much wider conspiracy, one that could plunge the Empire into a new conflict and that will place him on a deadly collision course with his old friend and most dangerous adversary, the former gladiator Serpentius.
Gaius Valerius Verrens is recently married and building a new home when the summons arrives from the Emperor. Vespasian needs a man with the combined skills of a lawyer and a soldier to investigate what is happening in remote, mountainous Asturica Augusta where the authorities claim a bandit called The Ghost is ravaging the gold convoys.
But when Valerius arrives in Asturica he faces a much more complex situation. Stalked from the shadows he cannot tell ally from enemy, the exploited native tribes are a growing threat, and the tortured landscape itself seems capable of swallowing him up. Gradually he finds himself drawn into a much wider conspiracy, one that could plunge the Empire into a new conflict and that will place him on a deadly collision course with his old friend and most dangerous adversary, the former gladiator Serpentius.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2016
153 people are currently reading
329 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Jackson
39 books261 followersAka James Douglas
Douglas Jackson turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first novel, Caligula. He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. He is an assistant editor at The Scotsman.
Douglas Jackson turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first novel, Caligula. He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. He is an assistant editor at The Scotsman.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 16, 2021
Dammit, why?! Was that really necessary?! That brought tears to my eyes. And you know what I'm referring to, Mr. Jackson. Not that you'll ever read this review.
For the record, this book took place in Spain, still with Emperor Vespasian at the helm in Rome, and had at its heart a mystery to be solved. That's not to say that there was any lack of action, betrayals, or brutality. All of those elements were still a part of the story, which was a well-written piece, as usual. There were so many turncoats and questionable loyalties that it was like an incredibly vicious game of Musical Alliances.
And then there is that ending.
For the record, this book took place in Spain, still with Emperor Vespasian at the helm in Rome, and had at its heart a mystery to be solved. That's not to say that there was any lack of action, betrayals, or brutality. All of those elements were still a part of the story, which was a well-written piece, as usual. There were so many turncoats and questionable loyalties that it was like an incredibly vicious game of Musical Alliances.
And then there is that ending.
September 10, 2016
Another absorbing adventure of Gaius Valerius Verrens. Emperor Vespasian feels he has the unique qualifications to travel to Hispania and to investigate why, since the late civil war, gold production has decreased by 2/3--at least the Roman treasury is not receiving as many shipments. His old friend Pliny the Elder is governor there and will give him all aid. So ensues a dangerous mission wherein he discovers a conspiracy to cheat the government. Valerius teams up with Serpentius, his son, and villagers.
There were many exciting incidents--after Serpentius is accused of murder of a mining engineer, he is consigned to the mines and escapes with several others. He rescues Valerius from danger--that's how they meet again, and they both are gulled into entering the lowest level of the mine to nose around to discover evidence of wrongdoing. They barely escape flooding. A more gentle event is the wedding scene. The last page and a half were poignant; I had a lump in my throat. In this novel, Mr. Jackson has not disappointed and, I feel, left room for more running characters. Lady "Dee" made a cameo appearance; this time she wasn't obnoxious like previously. His writing is of his same high standard.
Very highly recommended.
There were many exciting incidents--after Serpentius is accused of murder of a mining engineer, he is consigned to the mines and escapes with several others. He rescues Valerius from danger--that's how they meet again, and they both are gulled into entering the lowest level of the mine to nose around to discover evidence of wrongdoing. They barely escape flooding. A more gentle event is the wedding scene. The last page and a half were poignant; I had a lump in my throat. In this novel, Mr. Jackson has not disappointed and, I feel, left room for more running characters. Lady "Dee" made a cameo appearance; this time she wasn't obnoxious like previously. His writing is of his same high standard.
Very highly recommended.
August 28, 2017
Rome in turmoil. Who'd have thought, eh? Bad for the people at the time, but good for the Historical Fiction industry and readers of fine fiction everywhere.
Gaius Valerius Verrens has got himself - without actually trying, or more acurately, by just being Gaius Valerius Verrens - into Vespasian's inner circle, or thereabouts. At least now the Emperor's inner circle seems a rather less risky place to be than where he has often been under previous, more volatile, Roman Emperors (Douglas Jackson's take on Vespasian chimes with the superb Robert Fabbri's series about Vespasian and shows him (Vespasian) in a reasonably positive light. Less inclined to shag his sister in front of an audience, anyway). Valerius' problem with Vespasian, is Vespasian's son, Domitian. He is a decidedly nasty piece of work and doesn't like our Valerius one little bit.
Fortunately for our nerves, Vespasian leaves Rome, reluctantly accepting a mission (though of course, this being the top of the three, Rome-wise, the perils of not accepting are not to be dwelt upon for too long), sending him off to the Iberian peninsula, shall we say. That's Spain, to us in the here and now. He needs to find out why the Empire's gold supply has dried up somewhat. Not a happy situation, if you're the Emperor with mouths to feed, armies to placate and palms to grease. Then, just when you're thinking, "where the hell is the boy Serpentius?!" (actually, if you read it, you'll know, but play along with me)...you remember Serp had gone off last time out and he comes from Spain! So a meet up, of some sort is clearly on the cards. And, as the TV series once so aptly put it "and when they met, it was murder!"
If I'm figuring this right, Saviour of Rome is the first of the series not to have been written intertwined in the actual history. This one goes its own way and in a lot of ways, is about the relationship between Serpentius and Valerius. Serpentius has always been Valerius' right-hand man, in more ways then one, always there and Valerius feels a little lost without him, both to the character and to us the reader. Nothing can last forever, all good things must come to an end, their lives moving on, so they have got to start to deal with separation. 'Freeing' the characters in this way, really can be seen. All the previous books before have been excellent books, this goes somewhere else in glorious style. A character piece maybe. A showcase of the storytelling ability of a writer I thought to already be at the peak of his Historical Fiction profession.
The undercurrent theme, is as always, based upon Valerius' vision of what 'Rome' the concept, is. Think about it, after you've read it of course, for being called the 'Saviour of Rome,' Valerius is only actually in Rome five minutes! I've always thought he was more concerned with the concept of Rome, what that offered him and people after him, than the actual physical place itself. He clearly sees in Vespasian, an Emperor worth risking his neck for, an Emperor who will be good for his idea of Rome.
Effortlessly riveting entertainment, shot through with suspense, heroism, sadness, reflection. And...well, read it and try and believe your eyes. A wonder to behold. And there's another '...of Rome' along shortly. Finest kind!
The ultimate book blog: Speesh Reads
Gaius Valerius Verrens has got himself - without actually trying, or more acurately, by just being Gaius Valerius Verrens - into Vespasian's inner circle, or thereabouts. At least now the Emperor's inner circle seems a rather less risky place to be than where he has often been under previous, more volatile, Roman Emperors (Douglas Jackson's take on Vespasian chimes with the superb Robert Fabbri's series about Vespasian and shows him (Vespasian) in a reasonably positive light. Less inclined to shag his sister in front of an audience, anyway). Valerius' problem with Vespasian, is Vespasian's son, Domitian. He is a decidedly nasty piece of work and doesn't like our Valerius one little bit.
Fortunately for our nerves, Vespasian leaves Rome, reluctantly accepting a mission (though of course, this being the top of the three, Rome-wise, the perils of not accepting are not to be dwelt upon for too long), sending him off to the Iberian peninsula, shall we say. That's Spain, to us in the here and now. He needs to find out why the Empire's gold supply has dried up somewhat. Not a happy situation, if you're the Emperor with mouths to feed, armies to placate and palms to grease. Then, just when you're thinking, "where the hell is the boy Serpentius?!" (actually, if you read it, you'll know, but play along with me)...you remember Serp had gone off last time out and he comes from Spain! So a meet up, of some sort is clearly on the cards. And, as the TV series once so aptly put it "and when they met, it was murder!"
If I'm figuring this right, Saviour of Rome is the first of the series not to have been written intertwined in the actual history. This one goes its own way and in a lot of ways, is about the relationship between Serpentius and Valerius. Serpentius has always been Valerius' right-hand man, in more ways then one, always there and Valerius feels a little lost without him, both to the character and to us the reader. Nothing can last forever, all good things must come to an end, their lives moving on, so they have got to start to deal with separation. 'Freeing' the characters in this way, really can be seen. All the previous books before have been excellent books, this goes somewhere else in glorious style. A character piece maybe. A showcase of the storytelling ability of a writer I thought to already be at the peak of his Historical Fiction profession.
The undercurrent theme, is as always, based upon Valerius' vision of what 'Rome' the concept, is. Think about it, after you've read it of course, for being called the 'Saviour of Rome,' Valerius is only actually in Rome five minutes! I've always thought he was more concerned with the concept of Rome, what that offered him and people after him, than the actual physical place itself. He clearly sees in Vespasian, an Emperor worth risking his neck for, an Emperor who will be good for his idea of Rome.
Effortlessly riveting entertainment, shot through with suspense, heroism, sadness, reflection. And...well, read it and try and believe your eyes. A wonder to behold. And there's another '...of Rome' along shortly. Finest kind!
The ultimate book blog: Speesh Reads
January 3, 2018
This is one of the very best historical series about and this latest addition to it is an absolute belter. Superb.
October 12, 2022
ma 4ème aventure de Gaius Valerius Verrens, dans la région d'Asturica Augusta et des mines d'or que Pline l'ancien a décrites si bien (Ruina Montium, destruction des montagnes), Pline étant un personnage secondaire de ce roman. Avec une fin qui m'a touchée. Un roman historique d'aventures bien documenté, j'aime.
December 29, 2018
What can I say really, other than this wonderful book is the 7th volume of the marvellous Gaius Valerius Verrens series, and that book is another triumph by the author Douglas Jackson.
As usual the book has been very well researched historically, and explained in a very clear fashion at the end of the book, where you will also find a well defined glossary, while at the beginning of the book you will find an educational map of 1st Century Hispania (Roman Spain).
Storytelling is once again of a top-notch quality, because the people involved come all vividly to life within this really exciting story, and also the interactions between the characters are all very lifelike, and besides that not to forget the well pictured and gruesome battle scenes, all these ingredients make this book so very much complete.
The time has moved on to the year AD 72 and now we find our main character Gaius Valerius Verrens mainly in Hispania.
The story itself is about Rome being in trouble financially, simply because of nearly empty chests, when Valerius is summoned by the Emperor Vespasian to do him one last favour.
Valerius has to travel to Hispania and to the mountainous region of Asturica Augusta, to investigate claims of bandits raiding the Empire's gold, but what he will find is that the real danger comes from within, and from those people closer to himself.
What will follow is a fantastic Roman story, in which Valerius is drawn into a web of treachery, and it falls to him to put an end to this conspiracy if he wants to succeed in saving the Roman Empire from devastation, and thus so becoming the "Saviour of Rome".
Very much recommended, for this is truly another "Superb Historical Roman Tale"!
As usual the book has been very well researched historically, and explained in a very clear fashion at the end of the book, where you will also find a well defined glossary, while at the beginning of the book you will find an educational map of 1st Century Hispania (Roman Spain).
Storytelling is once again of a top-notch quality, because the people involved come all vividly to life within this really exciting story, and also the interactions between the characters are all very lifelike, and besides that not to forget the well pictured and gruesome battle scenes, all these ingredients make this book so very much complete.
The time has moved on to the year AD 72 and now we find our main character Gaius Valerius Verrens mainly in Hispania.
The story itself is about Rome being in trouble financially, simply because of nearly empty chests, when Valerius is summoned by the Emperor Vespasian to do him one last favour.
Valerius has to travel to Hispania and to the mountainous region of Asturica Augusta, to investigate claims of bandits raiding the Empire's gold, but what he will find is that the real danger comes from within, and from those people closer to himself.
What will follow is a fantastic Roman story, in which Valerius is drawn into a web of treachery, and it falls to him to put an end to this conspiracy if he wants to succeed in saving the Roman Empire from devastation, and thus so becoming the "Saviour of Rome".
Very much recommended, for this is truly another "Superb Historical Roman Tale"!
March 25, 2017
This latest episode for Verrens is just fantastic, the life in ancient Rome and it's territories was obviously very harsh but also rewarding for many. This makes for great story lines, such as this series. Just brilliant
August 10, 2016
Powerful addictive and so well researched. Left me feeling that the true horrors of these times was portrayed so vividly.
No predictable either.
Role on the next Varrens.
No predictable either.
Role on the next Varrens.
April 5, 2017
Excellent
Number nine from Douglas Jackson does not disappoint, as exciting and absorbing as the previous novels. Well researched and well written.
Well done.
Number nine from Douglas Jackson does not disappoint, as exciting and absorbing as the previous novels. Well researched and well written.
Well done.
October 13, 2019
One of the UK’s talented historical authors gives us his seventh book featuring Roman Gaius Valerius Verrens. After many years of adventures, hardship and bloodletting, Verrens is finally married and settling down. But there is a problem in Spain, gold yields are down and the Empire is running short of money. So Emperor Vespasian needs to send an investigator he can trust and once again Verrens answers the call. Spain (yes, I know it was Hispania!) is in a complex position and losing its love for Rome, the Romans there appear to be corrupt and untrustworthy and even one of Verrens closest friends may be the bandit causing the loss of gold.
On his own and with no idea who to trust, this is a different mission for Verrens, no bodyguard, no military back up and a long way from home or support.
A slightly different story here, less all out action more and element of claustrophobia and conspiracy, but what can an honest man do when in a den of thieves?
It has been a great series and it is sad that only two final stories remain.
Much quality from the author, this series should be on the list of any fans of action from the Roman era.
On his own and with no idea who to trust, this is a different mission for Verrens, no bodyguard, no military back up and a long way from home or support.
A slightly different story here, less all out action more and element of claustrophobia and conspiracy, but what can an honest man do when in a den of thieves?
It has been a great series and it is sad that only two final stories remain.
Much quality from the author, this series should be on the list of any fans of action from the Roman era.
November 7, 2020
Verrens travels to Spain
Verrens is called to duty once again by the reigning emperor, this time to find out what is going on with the gold coming out of Spain. While there he meets his old friend Pliny, Serpentius, and several others he must decide if they are friend or foe.
This book was well written and had several twists I didn't see. I would recommend this book to others that have read the previous books and enjoy this era.
Verrens is called to duty once again by the reigning emperor, this time to find out what is going on with the gold coming out of Spain. While there he meets his old friend Pliny, Serpentius, and several others he must decide if they are friend or foe.
This book was well written and had several twists I didn't see. I would recommend this book to others that have read the previous books and enjoy this era.
June 13, 2018
Gone
Another great read serpentious killed wow thought he’d live for ever but I guess he couldn’t last forever but valarious is still alive
Another great read serpentious killed wow thought he’d live for ever but I guess he couldn’t last forever but valarious is still alive
August 8, 2021
A bit slow
I enjoy these books but this was a bit slower than the others. I also didn’t appreciate the ending. There were parts that were merely fillers
I enjoy these books but this was a bit slower than the others. I also didn’t appreciate the ending. There were parts that were merely fillers
October 9, 2021
Fabulous
I have to say I found the first couple of pages slow, but I really got into the story very quickly 👍
I have to say I found the first couple of pages slow, but I really got into the story very quickly 👍
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews