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The Eagle and the Dragon: A Novel of Rome and China
The Eagle and the Dragon takes the reader on an epic journey of thousands of miles by sea and land across three continents.
When Senator Aulus Aemilius Galba is tapped to lead the first Roman mission to China, he anticipates an easy path to fame and fortune. Gaius Lucullus sees a bright military future, but his reluctant centurion Antonius Aristides would rather be somewhere else. Translators Marcia Lucia and her brother Marcus were taken from their village in China to serve the Han court, abused and despised, hiding a horrible secret. A notorious Arab pirate, with a Roman price on his head and crucifixion in his future, shadows the entourage, seeking the wealthy prize of their treasure-laden ships. But Fate has other plans for these unlikely companions, sending them together on a journey that will take them thousands of miles by sea and land across the tapestry of the mysterious worlds at the close of the first century. From the storm-tossed Indian Ocean to the opulent Hanaean court, from the wild grassy steppes north of China to the forbidding peaks of the Pamir Mountains of Bactria, they fight for their lives, hoping to find the road that will lead them back to Rome.
When Senator Aulus Aemilius Galba is tapped to lead the first Roman mission to China, he anticipates an easy path to fame and fortune. Gaius Lucullus sees a bright military future, but his reluctant centurion Antonius Aristides would rather be somewhere else. Translators Marcia Lucia and her brother Marcus were taken from their village in China to serve the Han court, abused and despised, hiding a horrible secret. A notorious Arab pirate, with a Roman price on his head and crucifixion in his future, shadows the entourage, seeking the wealthy prize of their treasure-laden ships. But Fate has other plans for these unlikely companions, sending them together on a journey that will take them thousands of miles by sea and land across the tapestry of the mysterious worlds at the close of the first century. From the storm-tossed Indian Ocean to the opulent Hanaean court, from the wild grassy steppes north of China to the forbidding peaks of the Pamir Mountains of Bactria, they fight for their lives, hoping to find the road that will lead them back to Rome.
554 pages, Paperback
First published February 2, 2017
621 people are currently reading
495 people want to read
About the author
Lewis F. McIntyre
8 books16 followersLew McIntyre is one of Southern Maryland’s newest authors, specializing for now in historical fiction, having published five books. Three are historical fiction: "The Eagle and the Dragon, a Novel of Rome and China" with its sequel, "A Gathering of Eagles, A Novel of Rome and Parthia" and, and "Come, Follow Me, a Story of Pilate and Jesus." The other two are non-fiction: "Take Charge and Move Out, the Founding Fathers of TACAMO" and "Riding on a Light Beam, Visualizing Relativity." He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy Class of 1970, with a BS and MS in aeronautical engineering. He spent his naval career in aviation, flying strategic communications missions in TACAMO and other aircraft. He retired as a Commander in 1970 to begin his second career supporting TACAMO E-6B Mercury aircraft at Patuxent River, MD as a senior communications systems engineer with SAIC. He retired to full time writing in 2020. He lives in La Plata with his wife Karen, who doubles as his editor, literary critic and inspiration. They have two children, Jesse, married to Nicole, parents of their grandson “Bean” Benedict, and Katy, married to Tim Bristow, with granddogs Penny and Bita, living in the UK. Besides writing and working at Patuxent River, Lewis enjoys biking, running, hunting and amateur radio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
May 15, 2017
This novel reminds me of the leather-bound Age of Explorers histories I used to read for term papers -– voyages to the African empire of Prester John, and so on. In “The Eagle and the Dragon,” the author’s conceit is that descendants of Roman soldiers captured by Parthians after the 53 BC battle of Carrhae return to Rome 150 years later, accompanying an ambassador from the Chinese Emperor. A group of adventurous Romans – feisty Senator Aulus Galba, patrician tribune Gaius Lucullus, and his faithful centurion Antonius – embark on a voyage back to China, carrying Trajan’s greetings and gifts for his eastern counterpart and hoping to acquire precious trade goods. The story follows them on their sea voyage to China, a trip beset by pirates, unfriendly locals, and ambassador Ming’s bad behavior toward his concubine Marcia, one of the Roman great-great-great granddaughters. Murder at the Chinese court forces them to make a daring escape from prison and struggle across the breadth of Asia to return to Rome, pursued by the Emperor’s forces and treacherous Parthians.
It’s a humdinger of a story, accompanied by mini-maps in every chapter or so that show the reader where our heroes are. Mr. McIntyre’s awesome amount of research and/or prodigious imagination allow him to pack interesting detail into the escapades, such as a sketch of the imperial palace and a description of dining with friendly Xiongnu nomads. I wish he’d resisted the impulse to make Antonius sound like Alfred Doolittle (“Not enough room ter turn around without hitting yer messmate though… beggin’ yer pardon, sir”), but maybe that won’t bother other readers. A worthy addition to the Age of Fictitious Explorers bookshelf.
It’s a humdinger of a story, accompanied by mini-maps in every chapter or so that show the reader where our heroes are. Mr. McIntyre’s awesome amount of research and/or prodigious imagination allow him to pack interesting detail into the escapades, such as a sketch of the imperial palace and a description of dining with friendly Xiongnu nomads. I wish he’d resisted the impulse to make Antonius sound like Alfred Doolittle (“Not enough room ter turn around without hitting yer messmate though… beggin’ yer pardon, sir”), but maybe that won’t bother other readers. A worthy addition to the Age of Fictitious Explorers bookshelf.
October 26, 2018
It was a total surprise when I won The Eagle and the Dragon by Lewis McIntyre from one of author Stephanie Dray's monthly giveaways for her list members. McIntyre's novel is about an ancient Roman diplomatic mission to China which makes it very unusual. So when I was gifted with a copy by the author via Amazon, I looked forward to reading it. Yet at 682 pages, I wasn't sure where I could fit it into my schedule. I ended up having to start it and put it aside while I dealt with books that I had committed myself to review. I finally finished The Eagle and the Dragon recently, and this is my honest review.
While browsing reviews, I encountered one on Goodreads which claimed that The Eagle and the Dragon becomes a preachy Christian novel at some point. This didn't seem to be in keeping with what I'd seen of the book. The only reason why I thought it was possible that the review might be accurate is because McIntyre did write what seems to be a Christian short story that appeared before this novel called "Come Follow Me". After finishing the book, I have to say that I don't consider this a Christian inspirational novel. There are characters who represent a variety of spiritual traditions in this book. They are all presented sympathetically. I believe that this book reflects the spiritual pluralism in the ancient world by including within its pages characters who were Roman, Mongolian and Bactrian polytheists as well as Jews, Buddhists and Christians.
For me, The Eagle and the Dragon is five star fiction because its narrative trajectory is original. I found it to be a gripping novel of adventure that was also culturally inclusive.
For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...
While browsing reviews, I encountered one on Goodreads which claimed that The Eagle and the Dragon becomes a preachy Christian novel at some point. This didn't seem to be in keeping with what I'd seen of the book. The only reason why I thought it was possible that the review might be accurate is because McIntyre did write what seems to be a Christian short story that appeared before this novel called "Come Follow Me". After finishing the book, I have to say that I don't consider this a Christian inspirational novel. There are characters who represent a variety of spiritual traditions in this book. They are all presented sympathetically. I believe that this book reflects the spiritual pluralism in the ancient world by including within its pages characters who were Roman, Mongolian and Bactrian polytheists as well as Jews, Buddhists and Christians.
For me, The Eagle and the Dragon is five star fiction because its narrative trajectory is original. I found it to be a gripping novel of adventure that was also culturally inclusive.
For my complete review see https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...
December 25, 2020
It starts great but after about a third it becomes a bit too much contemporary adventure with swords, sandals, and togas (sort of) than historical fiction reflecting its times. Enough energy and keeping one turning pages to recommend it, but it could have been awesome and one to remember
December 1, 2020
"When Senator Ailus Aemilius Galba is tapped to lead the first Roman mission to China, he anticipates an easy path to fame and fortune."
At 542 pages The Eagle and the Dragon is an epic story that reads much much faster than you would think when you first see the book. The interesting story line(s), well developed characters and beautifully described scenery all contribute to moving the story along smoothly and never confusing or overloading the reader with unnecessary fluff.
The story revolves around the first Roman envoy sent to China on a trading mission. The journey sends this envoy on a perilous journey over land and sea, on the way to China and back.
The amount of research done to write this story is apparent right from the start. The mixture of research and imagination is skillfully weave together creating a very believable world in it's own time and place. Leaving me with the feeling that I was not just an observer but intimately involved in the lives and their outcome. Part history and fantasy, the author gives us and excellent mix of situations, circumstances and side stories that add greatly to the overall quality of the story.
The characters are diverse and imbued with a quality of realism that in some cases had them going from good guys to villains and vise-a-versa.
I especially enjoyed the journeys and the authors skill at describing them and when needed including maps to add to the feel of knowing where in the journey you are.
The Eagle and the Dragon took hold of me from the start and kept my interest to the last page. An excellent read that I would recommend highly for readers of just about any genre.
At 542 pages The Eagle and the Dragon is an epic story that reads much much faster than you would think when you first see the book. The interesting story line(s), well developed characters and beautifully described scenery all contribute to moving the story along smoothly and never confusing or overloading the reader with unnecessary fluff.
The story revolves around the first Roman envoy sent to China on a trading mission. The journey sends this envoy on a perilous journey over land and sea, on the way to China and back.
The amount of research done to write this story is apparent right from the start. The mixture of research and imagination is skillfully weave together creating a very believable world in it's own time and place. Leaving me with the feeling that I was not just an observer but intimately involved in the lives and their outcome. Part history and fantasy, the author gives us and excellent mix of situations, circumstances and side stories that add greatly to the overall quality of the story.
The characters are diverse and imbued with a quality of realism that in some cases had them going from good guys to villains and vise-a-versa.
I especially enjoyed the journeys and the authors skill at describing them and when needed including maps to add to the feel of knowing where in the journey you are.
The Eagle and the Dragon took hold of me from the start and kept my interest to the last page. An excellent read that I would recommend highly for readers of just about any genre.
May 2, 2018
I was really enjoying this book and going to give it 5 stars , and then 80 % into the book it lost its way .
It suddenly introduced new characters with a silly rushed story that was unnecessary, and finally became a crusading book for Christianity.
Book should have finished earlier , looks like everything in the authors head had to go into this one novel .
Longer does not always mean better. Shame .
It suddenly introduced new characters with a silly rushed story that was unnecessary, and finally became a crusading book for Christianity.
Book should have finished earlier , looks like everything in the authors head had to go into this one novel .
Longer does not always mean better. Shame .
September 2, 2023
So many ancient cultures are included in this novel! I loved reading about all the encounters and explanations. Rounded up to 5 stars for the sheer amount of research that went into writing this novel.
January 12, 2024
A very interesting reading experience. At first I was unimpressed. Then, by the middle, I was enthralled; only to find my interest waning as the plot became increasingly predictable.
By the last third, all that remained was a dull sense of duty to finish a story in which I had lost much interest, but still cared vaguely enough to want to see it through to the end. It didn't help that I had a fair idea of what that end would be - which, sadly, turned out to be largely accurate.
And yet, perhaps most improbably of all: as I close the book and turn to write this review, I still largely like and admire the book, finding it an experience well worth having.
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The strengths of the book are the easiest to talk about: the research that has gone into it is just quite astonishing. To be clear, I'm in no position to judge the accuracy of McIntyre's portrayal of the ancient world, especially Roman life and culture; but the world feels authentic, which is what matters most to someone like me, a casual reader of historical fiction, not a Rome stan who devotes her life to studying the empire.
There are solid details that help to create a concrete image of the people and the environment, seemingly alien, but with just the right amount of familiarity. Etiquette, ways of addressing someone, materials for writing letters, the time it takes to send letters, ways of travelling, taxes along the routes ... all these very realistic concerns are a constant burden on the minds of our characters, and they certainly serve both to humanize the characters and to illustrate the wonderfully different cultures through which our hapless Roman envoy must stumble.
In a way, the book's keen observations of the surroundings (or, to use the lingo of fantasy books, the book's strong "world-building") are a must. The plot is very straightforward, and I won't spoil anything by repeating what's already on the back cover: this is a semi-alternate history scenario in which the Chinese general Gan Ying's mission to Rome was successful, and the Romans sent a diplomatic team in return. At last the two great empires at opposite ends of the Eurasian continent managed to establish formal diplomatic relations.
(Frankly, I doubt that much will come of this relationship - the two empires are simply too far apart to establish any meaningful connection. But one can dream, especially in historical fiction.)
Ultimately, the book is about the perilous journey the Roman envoy must take to sail from the Mediterranean to the land of the Far East. In some ways, the book reads like an old-fashioned adventure story, with all the bizarre but alluring inhabitants, each unique and memorable in their own way, of a world never before seen.
Romans, Parthians, Greeks, Arabs (Bedouins, Nabataeans...), Egyptians, Jews, Hans, Xiong-nus, Kushans, Sri Lankans (Anuradhapurans), Malaysians ... I'm sure I've missed some, but still: this is an adventure that spans much of the known world at the time. Perhaps out of necessity, most of these cultures don't get much screen time, being represented by one or two characters who are as likely to be heroes as scoundrels.
What the book may lack in depth, however, it certainly makes up for in breadth. This is the kind of intoxicating journey that makes me say: I want to build a time machine, go back a few millennia, and travel this world for myself.
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At least, that's how I felt for the first half of the book. By the time the cast start making their way back to Rome, or arguably by the time the cast first arrive in China, things begin to take a turn for the worse.
The book's greatest strength is still there - the powerful evocation of imagery - but the other aspects slowly unravel: the fast but well-planned pacing; the diverse but colorful points of view; the multi-threaded but still tightly-knit plot; and, perhaps most regrettably for me, the admirable attempt to respect other cultures rather than to judge them.
All this is undoubtedly still there, but only as a vague echo. There seems to be a subtle but real disconnect between the two halves, and the further the story progresses towards the end, the more I feel McIntyre's helplessness in trying to keep the story going. To me, the disconnect manifests in three facets:
1. By this time, the primary goal of almost all the main characters - to reach China - has already been achieved. This leaves the characters relatively aimless; there's an abrupt and almost jarring reversal, where before it was our characters who proactively drove the plot, now it's the plot alone that pushes them forward.
2. The plot itself becomes quite one-dimensional and predictable. Originally, we had a large cast of characters, many of whom did not want to be on the same journey together, who might remain suspicious of each other, who had different interests in mind, who had their own agendas and were doing their own thing.
Now, they trust each other completely to have their backs (which they have declared tous each other several times), are united in a single goal (to return "home"), and become such a monolith both in and out of the universe that I sometimes forget how many people there are in this band of brothers.
As a result, the stakes are drastically reduced; there are few meaningful conflicts to look forward to, such as a potentially brutal showdown between two characters we genuinely care about. We all know that everyone will get home safely and have a happy ending.
3. The third point is really just a consequence of the first two. Because all the characters have a simple goal, and because there is little on the one-way road to that goal that can stop them, McIntyre is left without the options he had in the first half to keep the story interesting. To remedy this, he changes almost the entire style of the book.
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Marcia is the single most important character in the second half. In fact, the book seems to have jumped completely from a multi-POV story to a single-POV one, with Marcia firmly established as the sole protagonist rather than one among many.
Gone, too, are the intricate plot and subplots driven by each character's pursuit of their own divergent needs; here, the intrigues and counter-intrigues are replaced entirely by Marcia's character arc. All the other new "subplots" and new characters () become a transparent means of furthering her "growth" - growth from an Oriental shrinking violet to a badass she-warrior and a proud Roman citizen.
The thing is, Marcia just doesn't live up to the two missions that McIntyre clearly intends for her. She's not the "representative of multiculturalism" who symbolizes the potential for harmony between East and West, specifically between Rome and China, given her mixed heritage and dual citizenship status (an identity the reader is reminded of many times). She's also not the "representative of feminism" who smashes men's faces in (literally), rescues other (of course more "feminine") girls with her new-found physical prowess, and then shatters all the glass ceilings of a patriarchal society.
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The issue with the "multiculturalism" part is obvious. Marcia clearly identifies more with her Roman side than the other. Her rejection of her Hanean name "Si Huar" and her insistence that she is now "Marcia Lucia" is a major plot point that comes up several times.
When a character points out to Marcia that she has an interesting combination of "[a] Hanean face, but blue eyes, a Latin name and Roman garb. And a Roman citizen, no less," Marcia responds by smiling "wistfully at Papa's memory" and saying that her father used to tell her, "... semper memento, romana es, always remember, you are a Roman girl" (p. 455).
Later, Marcia continues to explicitly reject the other side of her "identity," such as her repeated denunciation of (Chinese) oppression of women and her refusal to think of the Chinese emperor as the "Son of Heaven" - because she no longer wants to "deify the man" (p. 432). She does not display any inner turmoil whatsoever in this process.
This rather effortless transformation - which is often implied to be a form of "liberation" for her - combined with the shift in which the Haneans increasingly appear as the bad guys - where in the first half there were none - creates a rather bizarre and perhaps unfortunate effect.
Let me be clear: I have no problem with Marcia choosing to become a full "Roman," any more than I would if she chose to become a full "Hanean." People can adhere to the values of whatever culture they identify with, regardless of how much "blood" of that culture/ethnicity they have within themselves.
No, my problem is not that Marcia, someone of mixed Roman-Han heritage, chooses to identify almost exclusively as a Roman. My problem is that even though Marcia has now fully embraced Roman/"Western" values, she is still clearly portrayed as symbolizing the "bridge" between East and West in terms of the story's theme.
Not only is Marcia still repeatedly referred to as "Hanean" (albeit with Roman characteristics), but she even ends up opening a school in a Roman city where she teaches Hanean and other "Eastern" languages. This is despite the fact that, throughout the novel, she has little positive things - no, actually, she has little meaningful insights, positive or negative - to say about those cultures.
I would prefer Marcia to simply declare herself a full Roman now. When other locals inevitably question her very Hanean appearance, she would reply that one's identity should be based on values rather than appearance; therefore a born Roman can choose to become a Parthian and a born Parthian can choose to become a Roman, as long as the choice is voluntary, regardless of one's biological race/ethnicity. Even this ending seems more "multicultural" to me. It is certainly more natural.
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The "feminism" bit is similar: basically, McIntyre is trying to make Marcia a "feminist" without actually making her one.
Marcia attempts to train physically and fight alongside men, but she is no less love-struck than any other teenage girl in her world. Speaking of teenage girls, I think every single relationship in this book involves, or at least begins with, a young (often teenage) girl and a man much older than her.
Not only are all of our badass female characters hopelessly in love with a much older man, but they are also unwaveringly enthusiastic about the prospect of carrying his children and becoming a good, responsible mother. As Marcia herself proudly remarks:
Again, allow me to clarify: I am well aware that this book is set in ancient times, a time that had its own expectations and demands of women. Even in modern days, I do not believe that women should never fall in love with a man older than themselves and should never look forward to having a child. Individuals can make whatever informed, voluntary choices they want. On that same note: I find it just ironic how certain "feminists" can act more entitled than some men when it comes to dictating what other women should or shouldn't do.
As with the "multiculturalism" point above, my problem is not with Marcia's and the other female characters' choices per se, but with the glaring incongruity between what McIntyre tells us these women are and what they really are.
We are asked to believe that these are absolute badasses who can give the middle finger and sneer at the social norms around them, but it turns out that they are just as governed by their social norms as all the other (non-)people, men and women alike, that these badasses like to look down on. The fact that the social norms being looked down upon are often "Oriental" social norms doesn't help. As the conservation between our two badasses Marcia and Ranisa goes:
In short, I do not enjoy the second half because I do not enjoy Marcia's character, the axis on which the entire second half turns. I do not enjoy Marcia because McIntyre fails to convince me that she indeed represents what she is supposed to represent.
It's a pity. Thinking about it, I probably would have enjoyed Marcia's arc a lot more if McIntyre had stopped trying to make her bigger than she really is.
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One final point: this is a self-published work. The novel has not been through the rigorous editing process that traditional publishers subject their authors to, and this shows.
In terms of writing, there are missing words, missing letters, wrong punctuation, etc. - these are all quite noticeable, especially in the second half, but not so egregious as to make me want to rage-quit. Still, readers accustomed to traditionally published work will probably take some getting used to them.
As for the story, the pacing becomes increasingly questionable.
Personally, I don't find these points too bad. But I've always been one to look at the "big picture" when it comes to books. These points, especially the typos, may be less tolerable to others, so they're probably worth pointing out anyway.
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My review probably sounds very critical, perhaps unfairly so. I should emphasize that, all things considered: my enjoyment of the book outweighs my reservations, which are admittedly personal and may well go unnoticed by another reader.
In fact, I probably wouldn't have been so hard on the second half if I hadn't enjoyed the first half so much. Even in the second half, the highs of the book - the powerful recreation of the ancient world - remain high, while the lows are only medium-low.
So, as always: book reviews are fundamentally subjective. I would always recommend that those who are interested in a book should try it for themselves, regardless of the reviews they may have read.
By the last third, all that remained was a dull sense of duty to finish a story in which I had lost much interest, but still cared vaguely enough to want to see it through to the end. It didn't help that I had a fair idea of what that end would be - which, sadly, turned out to be largely accurate.
And yet, perhaps most improbably of all: as I close the book and turn to write this review, I still largely like and admire the book, finding it an experience well worth having.
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The strengths of the book are the easiest to talk about: the research that has gone into it is just quite astonishing. To be clear, I'm in no position to judge the accuracy of McIntyre's portrayal of the ancient world, especially Roman life and culture; but the world feels authentic, which is what matters most to someone like me, a casual reader of historical fiction, not a Rome stan who devotes her life to studying the empire.
There are solid details that help to create a concrete image of the people and the environment, seemingly alien, but with just the right amount of familiarity. Etiquette, ways of addressing someone, materials for writing letters, the time it takes to send letters, ways of travelling, taxes along the routes ... all these very realistic concerns are a constant burden on the minds of our characters, and they certainly serve both to humanize the characters and to illustrate the wonderfully different cultures through which our hapless Roman envoy must stumble.
In a way, the book's keen observations of the surroundings (or, to use the lingo of fantasy books, the book's strong "world-building") are a must. The plot is very straightforward, and I won't spoil anything by repeating what's already on the back cover: this is a semi-alternate history scenario in which the Chinese general Gan Ying's mission to Rome was successful, and the Romans sent a diplomatic team in return. At last the two great empires at opposite ends of the Eurasian continent managed to establish formal diplomatic relations.
(Frankly, I doubt that much will come of this relationship - the two empires are simply too far apart to establish any meaningful connection. But one can dream, especially in historical fiction.)
Ultimately, the book is about the perilous journey the Roman envoy must take to sail from the Mediterranean to the land of the Far East. In some ways, the book reads like an old-fashioned adventure story, with all the bizarre but alluring inhabitants, each unique and memorable in their own way, of a world never before seen.
Romans, Parthians, Greeks, Arabs (Bedouins, Nabataeans...), Egyptians, Jews, Hans, Xiong-nus, Kushans, Sri Lankans (Anuradhapurans), Malaysians ... I'm sure I've missed some, but still: this is an adventure that spans much of the known world at the time. Perhaps out of necessity, most of these cultures don't get much screen time, being represented by one or two characters who are as likely to be heroes as scoundrels.
What the book may lack in depth, however, it certainly makes up for in breadth. This is the kind of intoxicating journey that makes me say: I want to build a time machine, go back a few millennia, and travel this world for myself.
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At least, that's how I felt for the first half of the book. By the time the cast start making their way back to Rome, or arguably by the time the cast first arrive in China, things begin to take a turn for the worse.
The book's greatest strength is still there - the powerful evocation of imagery - but the other aspects slowly unravel: the fast but well-planned pacing; the diverse but colorful points of view; the multi-threaded but still tightly-knit plot; and, perhaps most regrettably for me, the admirable attempt to respect other cultures rather than to judge them.
All this is undoubtedly still there, but only as a vague echo. There seems to be a subtle but real disconnect between the two halves, and the further the story progresses towards the end, the more I feel McIntyre's helplessness in trying to keep the story going. To me, the disconnect manifests in three facets:
1. By this time, the primary goal of almost all the main characters - to reach China - has already been achieved. This leaves the characters relatively aimless; there's an abrupt and almost jarring reversal, where before it was our characters who proactively drove the plot, now it's the plot alone that pushes them forward.
2. The plot itself becomes quite one-dimensional and predictable. Originally, we had a large cast of characters, many of whom did not want to be on the same journey together, who might remain suspicious of each other, who had different interests in mind, who had their own agendas and were doing their own thing.
Now, they trust each other completely to have their backs (which they have declared to
As a result, the stakes are drastically reduced; there are few meaningful conflicts to look forward to, such as a potentially brutal showdown between two characters we genuinely care about. We all know that everyone will get home safely and have a happy ending.
3. The third point is really just a consequence of the first two. Because all the characters have a simple goal, and because there is little on the one-way road to that goal that can stop them, McIntyre is left without the options he had in the first half to keep the story interesting. To remedy this, he changes almost the entire style of the book.
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Marcia is the single most important character in the second half. In fact, the book seems to have jumped completely from a multi-POV story to a single-POV one, with Marcia firmly established as the sole protagonist rather than one among many.
Gone, too, are the intricate plot and subplots driven by each character's pursuit of their own divergent needs; here, the intrigues and counter-intrigues are replaced entirely by Marcia's character arc. All the other new "subplots" and new characters () become a transparent means of furthering her "growth" - growth from an Oriental shrinking violet to a badass she-warrior and a proud Roman citizen.
The thing is, Marcia just doesn't live up to the two missions that McIntyre clearly intends for her. She's not the "representative of multiculturalism" who symbolizes the potential for harmony between East and West, specifically between Rome and China, given her mixed heritage and dual citizenship status (an identity the reader is reminded of many times). She's also not the "representative of feminism" who smashes men's faces in (literally), rescues other (of course more "feminine") girls with her new-found physical prowess, and then shatters all the glass ceilings of a patriarchal society.
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The issue with the "multiculturalism" part is obvious. Marcia clearly identifies more with her Roman side than the other. Her rejection of her Hanean name "Si Huar" and her insistence that she is now "Marcia Lucia" is a major plot point that comes up several times.
When a character points out to Marcia that she has an interesting combination of "[a] Hanean face, but blue eyes, a Latin name and Roman garb. And a Roman citizen, no less," Marcia responds by smiling "wistfully at Papa's memory" and saying that her father used to tell her, "... semper memento, romana es, always remember, you are a Roman girl" (p. 455).
Later, Marcia continues to explicitly reject the other side of her "identity," such as her repeated denunciation of (Chinese) oppression of women and her refusal to think of the Chinese emperor as the "Son of Heaven" - because she no longer wants to "deify the man" (p. 432). She does not display any inner turmoil whatsoever in this process.
This rather effortless transformation - which is often implied to be a form of "liberation" for her - combined with the shift in which the Haneans increasingly appear as the bad guys - where in the first half there were none - creates a rather bizarre and perhaps unfortunate effect.
Let me be clear: I have no problem with Marcia choosing to become a full "Roman," any more than I would if she chose to become a full "Hanean." People can adhere to the values of whatever culture they identify with, regardless of how much "blood" of that culture/ethnicity they have within themselves.
No, my problem is not that Marcia, someone of mixed Roman-Han heritage, chooses to identify almost exclusively as a Roman. My problem is that even though Marcia has now fully embraced Roman/"Western" values, she is still clearly portrayed as symbolizing the "bridge" between East and West in terms of the story's theme.
Not only is Marcia still repeatedly referred to as "Hanean" (albeit with Roman characteristics), but she even ends up opening a school in a Roman city where she teaches Hanean and other "Eastern" languages. This is despite the fact that, throughout the novel, she has little positive things - no, actually, she has little meaningful insights, positive or negative - to say about those cultures.
I would prefer Marcia to simply declare herself a full Roman now. When other locals inevitably question her very Hanean appearance, she would reply that one's identity should be based on values rather than appearance; therefore a born Roman can choose to become a Parthian and a born Parthian can choose to become a Roman, as long as the choice is voluntary, regardless of one's biological race/ethnicity. Even this ending seems more "multicultural" to me. It is certainly more natural.
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The "feminism" bit is similar: basically, McIntyre is trying to make Marcia a "feminist" without actually making her one.
Marcia attempts to train physically and fight alongside men, but she is no less love-struck than any other teenage girl in her world. Speaking of teenage girls, I think every single relationship in this book involves, or at least begins with, a young (often teenage) girl and a man much older than her.
Not only are all of our badass female characters hopelessly in love with a much older man, but they are also unwaveringly enthusiastic about the prospect of carrying his children and becoming a good, responsible mother. As Marcia herself proudly remarks:
Again, allow me to clarify: I am well aware that this book is set in ancient times, a time that had its own expectations and demands of women. Even in modern days, I do not believe that women should never fall in love with a man older than themselves and should never look forward to having a child. Individuals can make whatever informed, voluntary choices they want. On that same note: I find it just ironic how certain "feminists" can act more entitled than some men when it comes to dictating what other women should or shouldn't do.
As with the "multiculturalism" point above, my problem is not with Marcia's and the other female characters' choices per se, but with the glaring incongruity between what McIntyre tells us these women are and what they really are.
We are asked to believe that these are absolute badasses who can give the middle finger and sneer at the social norms around them, but it turns out that they are just as governed by their social norms as all the other (non-)people, men and women alike, that these badasses like to look down on. The fact that the social norms being looked down upon are often "Oriental" social norms doesn't help. As the conservation between our two badasses Marcia and Ranisa goes:
In short, I do not enjoy the second half because I do not enjoy Marcia's character, the axis on which the entire second half turns. I do not enjoy Marcia because McIntyre fails to convince me that she indeed represents what she is supposed to represent.
It's a pity. Thinking about it, I probably would have enjoyed Marcia's arc a lot more if McIntyre had stopped trying to make her bigger than she really is.
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One final point: this is a self-published work. The novel has not been through the rigorous editing process that traditional publishers subject their authors to, and this shows.
In terms of writing, there are missing words, missing letters, wrong punctuation, etc. - these are all quite noticeable, especially in the second half, but not so egregious as to make me want to rage-quit. Still, readers accustomed to traditionally published work will probably take some getting used to them.
As for the story, the pacing becomes increasingly questionable.
Personally, I don't find these points too bad. But I've always been one to look at the "big picture" when it comes to books. These points, especially the typos, may be less tolerable to others, so they're probably worth pointing out anyway.
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My review probably sounds very critical, perhaps unfairly so. I should emphasize that, all things considered: my enjoyment of the book outweighs my reservations, which are admittedly personal and may well go unnoticed by another reader.
In fact, I probably wouldn't have been so hard on the second half if I hadn't enjoyed the first half so much. Even in the second half, the highs of the book - the powerful recreation of the ancient world - remain high, while the lows are only medium-low.
So, as always: book reviews are fundamentally subjective. I would always recommend that those who are interested in a book should try it for themselves, regardless of the reviews they may have read.
November 27, 2017
Wonderful book
I can’t say enough about this epic story. The characters are so well described that I can see them in my mind and I wanted to read quickly to see what happened next. I forced myself to read slowly so that I could extend the story as long as possible. I highly recommend this book for everyone.
I can’t say enough about this epic story. The characters are so well described that I can see them in my mind and I wanted to read quickly to see what happened next. I forced myself to read slowly so that I could extend the story as long as possible. I highly recommend this book for everyone.
April 10, 2025
Too much detail and dialog. Quest, adventure first half, then escape together over land (did not read)
August 24, 2023
Roman Marco Polo
The overall content of this book is it depicts the travel and events of a romanized Marco Polo adventure which ends better. Note Romans (ancient Italians), similar events wit added characters. Added content along moral and religious lines.
Big hang up for me he portrait Antonio’s a career soldier with the education of a scholar yet Popeye the Sailor’s speech and full character thus contrasting character teaits
The overall content of this book is it depicts the travel and events of a romanized Marco Polo adventure which ends better. Note Romans (ancient Italians), similar events wit added characters. Added content along moral and religious lines.
Big hang up for me he portrait Antonio’s a career soldier with the education of a scholar yet Popeye the Sailor’s speech and full character thus contrasting character teaits
July 30, 2017
Review to be posted in the upcoming newsletter of the Historical Novel Society at www.historicalnovelsociety.org with Goodreads to follow.
October 7, 2024
Baedeker Guide, Trajan Edition.
This book is a brutal slog through the ancient world, and while the author certainly did do research, said research (along with the very intriguing base concept) is buried under a narrative that is simultaneously glacial and rushed.
The characters are one-dimensional at best, and most of them, along with the supporting cast, do not behave according to their supposed status and situation, and come across as rather suspiciously modern.
The cultures encountered along the road often feel conflated with their predecessors or successors - while admittedly there are parallels and similar depictions (see for example the horse nomad cultures), having pseudo-Mongols this early is reaching quite a bit.
The plotlines are messy and forced, especially the romantic plotline between the Chinese translator and the Roman centurion. The intrigues of the Persian and Chinese courts, as well as the Roman "diplomacy" are, at best, at elementary level, which is a damn shame, as properly handling these issues would have made the book worth it for the intrigue alone.
The geography and naming/vocabulary of the novel is also jarring - the author should have either consistently used the ancient names/titles/locations (better authenticity but more research), or should have gone for fully modern names (better accessibility and easier to follow for casual readers as well). The mix-and-match approach that got into the book was the worst of both options, in my opinion.
The heavy-handed religious tones of the last few chapters are extremely irritating due to how rushed they are.
Also, the fact that the aftermath of a Roman ship destroying a port city with rapidfiring ballistae is more evocative of a WWII-era naval bombardment is unintentionally hilarious.
This book is a brutal slog through the ancient world, and while the author certainly did do research, said research (along with the very intriguing base concept) is buried under a narrative that is simultaneously glacial and rushed.
The characters are one-dimensional at best, and most of them, along with the supporting cast, do not behave according to their supposed status and situation, and come across as rather suspiciously modern.
The cultures encountered along the road often feel conflated with their predecessors or successors - while admittedly there are parallels and similar depictions (see for example the horse nomad cultures), having pseudo-Mongols this early is reaching quite a bit.
The plotlines are messy and forced, especially the romantic plotline between the Chinese translator and the Roman centurion. The intrigues of the Persian and Chinese courts, as well as the Roman "diplomacy" are, at best, at elementary level, which is a damn shame, as properly handling these issues would have made the book worth it for the intrigue alone.
The geography and naming/vocabulary of the novel is also jarring - the author should have either consistently used the ancient names/titles/locations (better authenticity but more research), or should have gone for fully modern names (better accessibility and easier to follow for casual readers as well). The mix-and-match approach that got into the book was the worst of both options, in my opinion.
The heavy-handed religious tones of the last few chapters are extremely irritating due to how rushed they are.
Also, the fact that the aftermath of a Roman ship destroying a port city with rapidfiring ballistae is more evocative of a WWII-era naval bombardment is unintentionally hilarious.
October 21, 2022
A gripping “factional” adventure .
In the novel, THE EAGLE AND THE DRAGON, the author has managed to blend FACT, FICTION and ENTERTAINMENT.
Lewis F. McIntyre has created a novel that gripped me from the first page to the last . It contains a plot that twists and turns with sub-plots and spiced up with believable characters .
Indeed, the research and subsequent factual writing is deep and solid . While there has been much speculation of the appearance and genealogy of the people of Liqian as descendants of the P.O.Ws from the Battle of Carrhae, McIntyre gives food for thought .
He has managed to capture the intrude and formality of the Chinese Imperial court and also the communal confinement of life in a yurt !!!
A thoroughly good read.
Certainly gets my recommendation.
Now, when can we expect another one on KINDLE ?
In the novel, THE EAGLE AND THE DRAGON, the author has managed to blend FACT, FICTION and ENTERTAINMENT.
Lewis F. McIntyre has created a novel that gripped me from the first page to the last . It contains a plot that twists and turns with sub-plots and spiced up with believable characters .
Indeed, the research and subsequent factual writing is deep and solid . While there has been much speculation of the appearance and genealogy of the people of Liqian as descendants of the P.O.Ws from the Battle of Carrhae, McIntyre gives food for thought .
He has managed to capture the intrude and formality of the Chinese Imperial court and also the communal confinement of life in a yurt !!!
A thoroughly good read.
Certainly gets my recommendation.
Now, when can we expect another one on KINDLE ?
April 11, 2023
Absolutely 💯 amazing!
Such an epic scope that fits perfectly into this single novel. The characters were very likeable and ones that I will remember for some time. The attachment and bond between them was very moving.
This book does suffer from a bit of poor editing and structural issues, but they are easily overlooked with the quality of the story.
I have read a lot of books, and I have to say, this was probably one of favourites so far. It was one of those books that I didn't want to end.
I wished they spent a little more time in the Indian Ocean and Indonesia, but I guess that was all made up for with the journey through central Asia.
For a debut novel, this is a true masterpiece. Lewis F McIntyre has shown an extensive knowledge of such a vast scope of history.
I really hope to read more from this author in the future
Such an epic scope that fits perfectly into this single novel. The characters were very likeable and ones that I will remember for some time. The attachment and bond between them was very moving.
This book does suffer from a bit of poor editing and structural issues, but they are easily overlooked with the quality of the story.
I have read a lot of books, and I have to say, this was probably one of favourites so far. It was one of those books that I didn't want to end.
I wished they spent a little more time in the Indian Ocean and Indonesia, but I guess that was all made up for with the journey through central Asia.
For a debut novel, this is a true masterpiece. Lewis F McIntyre has shown an extensive knowledge of such a vast scope of history.
I really hope to read more from this author in the future
September 13, 2018
This was a remarkable story which brings together the civilizations of Ancient Rome and China. It is like a modern odyssey where the protagonists find themselves on a series of adventures where they meet several different people. They are all seeking different things, but are drawn together on a journey of survival. Antonius, Marcia, and Ibrahim were my favorite characters. This story shows how the need for survival can show who people are deep down and because of which new friendships can be formed. At times the pace did seem to slow down and it was hard to remember who some charcters were and where they were, but that could just be me due to the story's epic tale. It was wonderful story, and I think it would make a great TV miniseries.
April 13, 2018
A very solid historical fiction novel - highly recommended.
This is the first novel by this author. It is a testament to solid research and planning. This novel is lengthy but never bogs down.
The many characters are well crafted and interesting. You never lose their position in the novel. Whether you want to or not, you will learn much about the history, cultures, and customs of the period. I am very glad that I read this on my Kindle where I could instantly call up the dictionary and wiki to let me know the meanings of words in Latin and even English.
This is the first novel by this author. It is a testament to solid research and planning. This novel is lengthy but never bogs down.
The many characters are well crafted and interesting. You never lose their position in the novel. Whether you want to or not, you will learn much about the history, cultures, and customs of the period. I am very glad that I read this on my Kindle where I could instantly call up the dictionary and wiki to let me know the meanings of words in Latin and even English.
September 11, 2020
A rip roaring adventure with many surprises!
I chose this book because it contained a story of ancient Rome and ancient China. I am an ardent fan of historical fiction based in these two great empires. A tremendous bonus was the description of various ancient peoples and the customs,food,language and religious which I found to be fascinating! The scope of this novel;speaking geographically, was enormous. Add to that adventure,battle descriptions on sea and land and even romance was irristable. A tour de force-a great read.
I chose this book because it contained a story of ancient Rome and ancient China. I am an ardent fan of historical fiction based in these two great empires. A tremendous bonus was the description of various ancient peoples and the customs,food,language and religious which I found to be fascinating! The scope of this novel;speaking geographically, was enormous. Add to that adventure,battle descriptions on sea and land and even romance was irristable. A tour de force-a great read.
March 18, 2021
This book is slow to get started. Chapter 2 is 'The Journey Begins', but you have to wait until Chapter 15 for 'Underway at Last'. Lewis McIntyre has done his research. Almost every country on the sea route between Rome and China gets a mention.
The story is billed as 'A Novel of Rome and China'. This led me to expect a description of court intrigue in China. But the viewpoint characters spend only a few weeks there before starting their journey home.
They take the overland route this time, so Mr. McIntyre can describe another set of nations.
The story is billed as 'A Novel of Rome and China'. This led me to expect a description of court intrigue in China. But the viewpoint characters spend only a few weeks there before starting their journey home.
They take the overland route this time, so Mr. McIntyre can describe another set of nations.
June 12, 2021
This book has everything.. Intrigue, suspense, action, adventure, travel, romance, death, scandal and conspiracy. But it's so well written that you can easily keep track of events and characters.
Of the characters, Antonius and Marcia are definitely my favourites although I really enjoyed all of them, and felt the emotions through the excellent narrative.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys listening to a range of different genres, I doubt anyone would be disappointed!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
Of the characters, Antonius and Marcia are definitely my favourites although I really enjoyed all of them, and felt the emotions through the excellent narrative.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys listening to a range of different genres, I doubt anyone would be disappointed!
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review
September 29, 2021
This was a good (not great) history/adventure novel about a very early trip of a small group of Romans to China and back . They have many experiences along the way, most of them potentially deadly. We get to know a few of them pretty well, but several of the characters are only superficially described. There is much description of geography, clothing, and social customs, which I found got in the way of the storytelling. Although the book was interesting it was not compelling and seemed to be hard to finish. I probably won't be in a hurry to read more by this author.
January 20, 2022
an epic tale
I became thoroughly engaged in this historical fiction story of the epic journey of Antonius, Gaius and Aulus as they planned their diplomatic mission to the court of the Emperor of China. Many challenges and adventures came their way both heading east and their escape west. Along the way, they made firm friends and brief enemies. I’m glad to have been along for the ride. I learned a great deal about the times and conditions in which they lived and found it all fascinating.
I became thoroughly engaged in this historical fiction story of the epic journey of Antonius, Gaius and Aulus as they planned their diplomatic mission to the court of the Emperor of China. Many challenges and adventures came their way both heading east and their escape west. Along the way, they made firm friends and brief enemies. I’m glad to have been along for the ride. I learned a great deal about the times and conditions in which they lived and found it all fascinating.
October 20, 2025
The Eagle and the Dragon sounds like an incredible historical adventure! From what I can tell, it’s a sweeping journey full of danger, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. The mix of Roman ambition, the exotic Han court, and treacherous seas and mountains makes it feel epic in scope. Even just reading the synopsis, I can sense the tension, loyalty, and courage that drive this story. It seems like a perfect read for anyone who loves history, adventure, and stories that span continents, truly inspiring and exciting!
May 19, 2018
Fun historical romp!
From beginning to end, this historical romp kept me enthralled. So many fascinating characters, each fleshed out to the 10th degree. What an exhilarating and horrifying time to be alive. We get to see into the inner workings of the Roman soldier 's life, a Senator's schemings, a Chinese concubine..... Followers of the Roman gods, Christians, Buddha, Hindu..... Loved it!!!!
From beginning to end, this historical romp kept me enthralled. So many fascinating characters, each fleshed out to the 10th degree. What an exhilarating and horrifying time to be alive. We get to see into the inner workings of the Roman soldier 's life, a Senator's schemings, a Chinese concubine..... Followers of the Roman gods, Christians, Buddha, Hindu..... Loved it!!!!
January 15, 2023
FunFunFun!
This is an epic. A rip roaring adventure with plenty of action, suspense, and just the right amount of romance. The author paints vibrant pictures of exotic settings peopled with truly memorable characters. As a lover of Roman history and someone who has spent a considerable amount of my adult life in China, I found the situations, and their settings both convincing and compelling. A real page turner. Can’t wait for McIntyre’s next book!
This is an epic. A rip roaring adventure with plenty of action, suspense, and just the right amount of romance. The author paints vibrant pictures of exotic settings peopled with truly memorable characters. As a lover of Roman history and someone who has spent a considerable amount of my adult life in China, I found the situations, and their settings both convincing and compelling. A real page turner. Can’t wait for McIntyre’s next book!
Read
February 10, 2023An epic in every sense
Refreshing to read a Roman novel that travels beyond the known Roman world into the unknown lands and peoples of China. Great story, where the patrician Romans form an unlikely bond with a variety of people of varying nationalities, languages and backgrounds, and together they embark on the difficult journey across Asia from China back to Rome. I loved it, highly recommend.
Refreshing to read a Roman novel that travels beyond the known Roman world into the unknown lands and peoples of China. Great story, where the patrician Romans form an unlikely bond with a variety of people of varying nationalities, languages and backgrounds, and together they embark on the difficult journey across Asia from China back to Rome. I loved it, highly recommend.
January 20, 2018
Travelogue
The start of the travels was very intense, enjoyable. The second period turned into a travelogue, still kept my attention. But no excitement. Each of the following adventures were predictable in nature and outcome. Those that enjoy romance with adventure will love it. In saying that I stayed to the end.
The start of the travels was very intense, enjoyable. The second period turned into a travelogue, still kept my attention. But no excitement. Each of the following adventures were predictable in nature and outcome. Those that enjoy romance with adventure will love it. In saying that I stayed to the end.
July 30, 2020
Great Read
I loved this story. I am elder (77) and never paid much attention to history. This is a great read and I wish it went on and on and I read slower. Wonderful, experiences I got to go thru with the characters in this book. I had just finished a book about Attila the Hun. So this was like the cherry on top of my sundae. Thank you for writing such an interesting story.
I loved this story. I am elder (77) and never paid much attention to history. This is a great read and I wish it went on and on and I read slower. Wonderful, experiences I got to go thru with the characters in this book. I had just finished a book about Attila the Hun. So this was like the cherry on top of my sundae. Thank you for writing such an interesting story.
April 3, 2021
Riveting hard to put book down, a 5 star.
An excellent book, hard to put down. Caution, you may think about this book and the characters when not reading it. Very few books hold my attention as this one did. Good characters development, good adherence to historical facts and customs. A 5 star book.
An excellent book, hard to put down. Caution, you may think about this book and the characters when not reading it. Very few books hold my attention as this one did. Good characters development, good adherence to historical facts and customs. A 5 star book.
May 9, 2021
Una embajada China llega a la Roma de Trajano, y este decide enviar una embajada de vuelta. Y es la historia de cómo llegaron hasta China, que pasó allí, y el viaje de vuelta. Buen libro de aventuras, sólo lastrado por una sensibilidad muy actual sobre cómo deberían comportarse las mujeres. Todo demasiado “moderno”. B+
March 6, 2022
Brilliant!
Very well written. Such a fantastic plot and set of characters Should be a mini series as very little on Times expansion in the East is little pondered. As a historian myself on Rk.e Mr. McIntyre research was very well executed, I most especially liked the translations after all Latin phrases. Cudos. I also know Asheville well being a man with Fox as a surname.
Very well written. Such a fantastic plot and set of characters Should be a mini series as very little on Times expansion in the East is little pondered. As a historian myself on Rk.e Mr. McIntyre research was very well executed, I most especially liked the translations after all Latin phrases. Cudos. I also know Asheville well being a man with Fox as a surname.
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