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Attila Trilogy #3
Attila: The Judgement
AD 449: the future of the world hangs in the balance. The once mighty Roman Empire lies open and vulnerable to attack from a huge Hunnish army that has gathered on the banks of the Danube and is poised and ready to strike - but only one man has seen the danger.
Master-General Aetius knows Attila still thirsts for blood and destruction, but he is helpless to stop the the pending onslaught. For Atilla plans to march on the mighty city of Rome, the very heart of the empire. but is the risk too high, even for the most battle-hardened of warlords? Attila's choices play out on the plains Europe where he must ultimately face his destiny.
Master-General Aetius knows Attila still thirsts for blood and destruction, but he is helpless to stop the the pending onslaught. For Atilla plans to march on the mighty city of Rome, the very heart of the empire. but is the risk too high, even for the most battle-hardened of warlords? Attila's choices play out on the plains Europe where he must ultimately face his destiny.
592 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
31 people are currently reading
504 people want to read
About the author
William Napier
50 books61 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
A pseudonym of Christopher Hart
Christopher Hart (born 1965) is an English novelist and journalist.
He was educated at Cheltenham College (expelled), Leicester University (dropped out), Oxford Polytechnic and Birkbeck College, London, where he completed a PhD on W.B.Yeats.
Under his original name he has written two contemporary novels, The Harvest and Rescue Me. Since 2001, he has written four historical novels under the pseudonym of William Napier, the last three a best-selling trilogy about Attila the Hun and the Fall of the Roman Empire.
As a journalist he has worked as Literary Editor of the Erotic Review (magazine folded) and Agony Aunt for Time Out (sacked.) He currently writes regularly for the Sunday Times, where he is lead theatre critic, and the Daily Mail.
A pseudonym of Christopher Hart
Christopher Hart (born 1965) is an English novelist and journalist.
He was educated at Cheltenham College (expelled), Leicester University (dropped out), Oxford Polytechnic and Birkbeck College, London, where he completed a PhD on W.B.Yeats.
Under his original name he has written two contemporary novels, The Harvest and Rescue Me. Since 2001, he has written four historical novels under the pseudonym of William Napier, the last three a best-selling trilogy about Attila the Hun and the Fall of the Roman Empire.
As a journalist he has worked as Literary Editor of the Erotic Review (magazine folded) and Agony Aunt for Time Out (sacked.) He currently writes regularly for the Sunday Times, where he is lead theatre critic, and the Daily Mail.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
December 13, 2021
Read this book in 2008, and its the 3rd and final volume of the "Attila" trilogy.
This book is set as from the year AD 449 until AD 476, right until the end of Attila's life.
Attila having set his sights on Ravenna and Rome, will meet and encounter on the battlefield his once friend and now enemy, General Aetius of Rome.
From the East right into France, Attila will storm through these territories as they never existed with fire and sword, and bringing death and destruction everywhere.
A massive "judgement" will be the invasion of Italy, and subsequently the sacking of Ravenna and Rome, and this decision is the heaviest that he has to make.
In a superbly told historical adventure this final judgement and decision will be eventually played out within his silken tent, where Attila will finally face his ultimate destiny.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous ending to this amazing trilogy, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Wonderful Attila Conclusion"!
This book is set as from the year AD 449 until AD 476, right until the end of Attila's life.
Attila having set his sights on Ravenna and Rome, will meet and encounter on the battlefield his once friend and now enemy, General Aetius of Rome.
From the East right into France, Attila will storm through these territories as they never existed with fire and sword, and bringing death and destruction everywhere.
A massive "judgement" will be the invasion of Italy, and subsequently the sacking of Ravenna and Rome, and this decision is the heaviest that he has to make.
In a superbly told historical adventure this final judgement and decision will be eventually played out within his silken tent, where Attila will finally face his ultimate destiny.
Highly recommended, for this is a tremendous ending to this amazing trilogy, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Wonderful Attila Conclusion"!
January 12, 2018
Sve u svemu svidjela mi se cijela triologija. Opisi opsade i bitaka su izvrsni i realistični i uživala sam je čitati. Ne mogu tražiti puno više od toga u povijesnoj fikciji. Dobro napravljeno.
July 22, 2014
-Remate trepidante, fogoso y sangriento a la trilogía.-
Género. Novela Histórica.
Lo que nos cuenta. Sin que nadie se haya dado cuenta, los hunos han atravesado la frontera noreste del Imperio Romano y su asalto sobre Margo no es más que un ejemplo de sus intenciones, que son dejar claro que la petición de Atila de la mitad del imperio no es ninguna broma. Tercer y último volumen de la trilogía Atila.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Novela Histórica.
Lo que nos cuenta. Sin que nadie se haya dado cuenta, los hunos han atravesado la frontera noreste del Imperio Romano y su asalto sobre Margo no es más que un ejemplo de sus intenciones, que son dejar claro que la petición de Atila de la mitad del imperio no es ninguna broma. Tercer y último volumen de la trilogía Atila.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
July 22, 2014
-Remate trepidante, fogoso y sangriento a la trilogía.-
Género. Novela Histórica.
Lo que nos cuenta. Sin que nadie se haya dado cuenta, los hunos han atravesado la frontera noreste del Imperio Romano y su asalto sobre Margo no es más que un ejemplo de sus intenciones, que son dejar claro que la petición de Atila de la mitad del imperio no es ninguna broma. Tercer y último volumen de la trilogía Atila.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Novela Histórica.
Lo que nos cuenta. Sin que nadie se haya dado cuenta, los hunos han atravesado la frontera noreste del Imperio Romano y su asalto sobre Margo no es más que un ejemplo de sus intenciones, que son dejar claro que la petición de Atila de la mitad del imperio no es ninguna broma. Tercer y último volumen de la trilogía Atila.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
February 24, 2013
Spotty trilogy. From me it’s been four stars—five stars—two stars. But I gave one star free to the first for potential, and perhaps I rob a star from the third for dissatisfaction.
Late in this book, very late, we see into Attila’s mind: by that time he’s defeated and mad. Until then we don’t. No inspirational speeches, as in the second; nothing until mad speeches in the lead-up to his death. Until then he directs a war but he doesn’t talk to us. Our first passage of his thoughts is on p. 395. Where has he been? It’s too late by the last fifty pages, and not even quotes from King Lear can console me. What do I care if Attila’s mad and talking in Shakespeare? In this book he has been bad Attila but we didn’t see him go bad. We heard, ‘Attila’s bad now’ from witnesses. It’s not the fact he went bad I object to, but it’s as if self-explanatory: going out to conquer the world changes him to evil, but last book he was inspirational. Can we have a slow decay, or a bit of an inside story?
Gamaliel turns up again, but the author apologises for his fantasy life in the first book: ‘the old liar doesn’t claim to have known Aristotle, these days’. He’s just a physician. Like China: China isn’t mentioned until Attila’s mad, on p. 541. Whatever happened to, ‘First we take Rome... [sing] then we take Beijing...’ It may be unhistorical but it was his vision in the second. Was William Napier told, ‘Look, for God’s sake, write a conventional action/adventure’, because that’s pretty much what he did. Quotes from Yeats are few. Battles go on forever, technical, with only soldierly banter to freshen you. Knuckles and an Armenian aristocrat are cartoon soldiers. I didn’t care about Aetius either in this third, and felt the story opportunity—two noble enemies who didn’t want to have to meet in fight—was squandered. Attila ain’t noble no more, for a start, and has nothing to say to Aetius when they come face to face. Neither figure had the greatness I saw in them in the second. The end of Rome theme I thought more grandly painted in the first, and importantly, I never had fits. He wrote hilarious pages in One and Two.
The best was this, for a sample, near the end, but there wasn’t enough of it:
[Aetius] He pressed his finger and thumb into his eyes. At times he could come close to cursing God. He felt as if he was about to be torn apart. Everything was in ruins, the world was sick, and yet above he could hear the sound of heaven laughing. He felt on the brink of hysterical laughter himself for a moment. The messenger moved uneasily. But when Aetius opened his eyes again, there was that stolid Germanus before him, and Tatallus just behind. They saluted. He could have clung to them like a drowning man. The sense of illimitable horror faded a little.
Late in this book, very late, we see into Attila’s mind: by that time he’s defeated and mad. Until then we don’t. No inspirational speeches, as in the second; nothing until mad speeches in the lead-up to his death. Until then he directs a war but he doesn’t talk to us. Our first passage of his thoughts is on p. 395. Where has he been? It’s too late by the last fifty pages, and not even quotes from King Lear can console me. What do I care if Attila’s mad and talking in Shakespeare? In this book he has been bad Attila but we didn’t see him go bad. We heard, ‘Attila’s bad now’ from witnesses. It’s not the fact he went bad I object to, but it’s as if self-explanatory: going out to conquer the world changes him to evil, but last book he was inspirational. Can we have a slow decay, or a bit of an inside story?
Gamaliel turns up again, but the author apologises for his fantasy life in the first book: ‘the old liar doesn’t claim to have known Aristotle, these days’. He’s just a physician. Like China: China isn’t mentioned until Attila’s mad, on p. 541. Whatever happened to, ‘First we take Rome... [sing] then we take Beijing...’ It may be unhistorical but it was his vision in the second. Was William Napier told, ‘Look, for God’s sake, write a conventional action/adventure’, because that’s pretty much what he did. Quotes from Yeats are few. Battles go on forever, technical, with only soldierly banter to freshen you. Knuckles and an Armenian aristocrat are cartoon soldiers. I didn’t care about Aetius either in this third, and felt the story opportunity—two noble enemies who didn’t want to have to meet in fight—was squandered. Attila ain’t noble no more, for a start, and has nothing to say to Aetius when they come face to face. Neither figure had the greatness I saw in them in the second. The end of Rome theme I thought more grandly painted in the first, and importantly, I never had fits. He wrote hilarious pages in One and Two.
The best was this, for a sample, near the end, but there wasn’t enough of it:
[Aetius] He pressed his finger and thumb into his eyes. At times he could come close to cursing God. He felt as if he was about to be torn apart. Everything was in ruins, the world was sick, and yet above he could hear the sound of heaven laughing. He felt on the brink of hysterical laughter himself for a moment. The messenger moved uneasily. But when Aetius opened his eyes again, there was that stolid Germanus before him, and Tatallus just behind. They saluted. He could have clung to them like a drowning man. The sense of illimitable horror faded a little.
March 17, 2016
Los tres libros son una maravilla. Pese a que al empezar, ya se sabe por cultura general que Atila no fue ningún santo, el autor se las arregla para generar sentimientos positivos hacia el personaje, logrando que en ciertos momentos el lector desee verlo victorioso, para luego en el ultimo libro darle un giro a los puntos de vista y así mostrarnos al personaje tal y como lo recuerda la historia. El autor nos muestra también el lado decadente de Roma y sus múltiples "pecados".
El tercer libro, se hace algo tedioso con la descripción de los detalles en algunas de las batallas, pero en cierta forma creo que tantos detalles son necesarios para poder sumergirse por completo en ese ambiente bélico, lleno de sangre y actos crueles y heroicos por igual.
En resumen, una trilogía que hay que leer.
El tercer libro, se hace algo tedioso con la descripción de los detalles en algunas de las batallas, pero en cierta forma creo que tantos detalles son necesarios para poder sumergirse por completo en ese ambiente bélico, lleno de sangre y actos crueles y heroicos por igual.
En resumen, una trilogía que hay que leer.
August 17, 2014
This is the final installment in 'Napier's trilogy on one of the most famous non-Roman historical figures.
It starts off reasonably well enough with the siege of Viminacium, a legionary fortress though one which is nevertheless incredibly provincial in comparison to what it would have been like at the apogee of Roman might.
Napier's sporadically used abilities for deep characterisation are at their most evidenced for the characters who feature predominantly in this part of the story - though a number of survivors do feature more or less throughout the rest of the book.
Sadly, that level of characterisation isn't sustained through the rest of the book as it feels like the story is going through the motions to close the loop of the story rather than being driven by intrigue or passionate story-telling.
There are times when it actually becomes something of a slog just to keep going with the story and, I'll be honest, if I didn't already know that this was the end of the trilogy and the climax to the tale, I would quite easily have bailed midway through.
As it was, it was ultimately the final reckoning for both Aetius and Attila which kept me slogging through this book, which was at times more pompous and possibly even pretentious, certainly more so than I recall the author's previous works being.
If I have to read one more case of a warrior quoting poetry to himself like some cheesy 50s MGM sword-and-sandals epic, I might just throw the book out the window. Not to mention that there is also a rather glaring error in that the characters refer to Constantinople as Byzantium, even though it had changed names almost a century earlier than the events in the book.
Overall, an initially appealing but gradually underwhelming, increasingly tepid affair which is also a relatively sound summary of the trilogy itself.
I first became aware of 'Napier' after reading his book on the Siege Of Malta in 1565 and, while there was still occasions where the pretense and poetry loving got a bit OTT, it was still a relatively rip roaring read. There's relatively little, if any, of the same compulsion to this story. If I was being harsh, I could sum it up basically as a "by the numbers" story; average, standard fare. Kind of like the jacket potato of the historical fiction world.
If you're genuinely interested in Attila the Hun, Aetius or the fall of the Roman empire, frankly a good non-fiction book would do a far better job of engaging with the reader than what's on display here.
Distinctly average & bland.
It starts off reasonably well enough with the siege of Viminacium, a legionary fortress though one which is nevertheless incredibly provincial in comparison to what it would have been like at the apogee of Roman might.
Napier's sporadically used abilities for deep characterisation are at their most evidenced for the characters who feature predominantly in this part of the story - though a number of survivors do feature more or less throughout the rest of the book.
Sadly, that level of characterisation isn't sustained through the rest of the book as it feels like the story is going through the motions to close the loop of the story rather than being driven by intrigue or passionate story-telling.
There are times when it actually becomes something of a slog just to keep going with the story and, I'll be honest, if I didn't already know that this was the end of the trilogy and the climax to the tale, I would quite easily have bailed midway through.
As it was, it was ultimately the final reckoning for both Aetius and Attila which kept me slogging through this book, which was at times more pompous and possibly even pretentious, certainly more so than I recall the author's previous works being.
If I have to read one more case of a warrior quoting poetry to himself like some cheesy 50s MGM sword-and-sandals epic, I might just throw the book out the window. Not to mention that there is also a rather glaring error in that the characters refer to Constantinople as Byzantium, even though it had changed names almost a century earlier than the events in the book.
Overall, an initially appealing but gradually underwhelming, increasingly tepid affair which is also a relatively sound summary of the trilogy itself.
I first became aware of 'Napier' after reading his book on the Siege Of Malta in 1565 and, while there was still occasions where the pretense and poetry loving got a bit OTT, it was still a relatively rip roaring read. There's relatively little, if any, of the same compulsion to this story. If I was being harsh, I could sum it up basically as a "by the numbers" story; average, standard fare. Kind of like the jacket potato of the historical fiction world.
If you're genuinely interested in Attila the Hun, Aetius or the fall of the Roman empire, frankly a good non-fiction book would do a far better job of engaging with the reader than what's on display here.
Distinctly average & bland.
September 3, 2021
This third volume of the trilogy takes place after Attila’s banishment and comeback, with revenge on the Roman Empire in sight. The entire first part describes in detail the destruction of a Roman fort, previously thought indestructible. Though we witness many acts of cruelty from the Huns, the focus is not on the violence, but on the human element: the valiant heroism of the soldiers, and the dedicated leadership of the fort commander (sadly, only three months from retirement), as he wracks his brain for additional tactics to employ.
Meanwhile, in part two, we again meet Aëtius—master general of the western Roman Army, but still subject to the childish whims of an incompetent Emperor. Aëtius alone recognizes the audacity, the cunning, and the determination of the Hun leader. Yet Aëtius had been a peace-hostage with the Huns in his own youth, and is not without his own cunning. (His trickery to discover the Hun spies was ingenious.) These two leaders--once boyhood friends, now mortal enemies—face each other again. And so the once-mighty Roman Empire continues to decline…
Though the story doesn’t end up quite as expected, it nonetheless does a skillful job describing why Rome eventually fell, and gives a good ‘feel’ for the times. Though I got tired of the fighting toward the end—and just wanted to see how it ended—I still found the series surprisingly interesting.
Meanwhile, in part two, we again meet Aëtius—master general of the western Roman Army, but still subject to the childish whims of an incompetent Emperor. Aëtius alone recognizes the audacity, the cunning, and the determination of the Hun leader. Yet Aëtius had been a peace-hostage with the Huns in his own youth, and is not without his own cunning. (His trickery to discover the Hun spies was ingenious.) These two leaders--once boyhood friends, now mortal enemies—face each other again. And so the once-mighty Roman Empire continues to decline…
Though the story doesn’t end up quite as expected, it nonetheless does a skillful job describing why Rome eventually fell, and gives a good ‘feel’ for the times. Though I got tired of the fighting toward the end—and just wanted to see how it ended—I still found the series surprisingly interesting.
July 2, 2022
This is the third book of a trilogy following the life and career of Attila, ruler of the Huns in the 5th century and grand pillager of the declining Roman Empire who butchered his way across Europe. I have not read the first two - this was an impulse buy in a charity shop.
It tells the story of the final decade of Attila's life reasonably accurately - in so far as it is known. Obviously a lot of the details have to be made up, but the author does so without stretching credulity and with plenty of historically accurate detail. Where historians are baffled by a decision, the characters in this book are as well. Thus Honoria's bizarre proposal of marriage to Attila is described well, as is the confusion over her motives. At least the author has not invented a spurious reason for it.
On the whole, this is a good read. The characters - both historic and invented - are well drawn and credible. If you like historic fiction, this is a book for you.
It tells the story of the final decade of Attila's life reasonably accurately - in so far as it is known. Obviously a lot of the details have to be made up, but the author does so without stretching credulity and with plenty of historically accurate detail. Where historians are baffled by a decision, the characters in this book are as well. Thus Honoria's bizarre proposal of marriage to Attila is described well, as is the confusion over her motives. At least the author has not invented a spurious reason for it.
On the whole, this is a good read. The characters - both historic and invented - are well drawn and credible. If you like historic fiction, this is a book for you.
March 12, 2020
I did enjoy this book particularly the beginning which was fast-moving and dramatic. As a few other people have mentioned Attila's character was less developed later than the three early lead characters and it did read a little too much like a textbook. I was slightly surprised at the ending not least because I'd read plague, rather than the loss of so many men was the main reason they turned away from the Po and accepted Pope Leo's mission to buy him off.
This seems to have been transposed to Constantinople's fall, dramatic license I guess.
This seems to have been transposed to Constantinople's fall, dramatic license I guess.
October 30, 2017
The last book of the Attila's Triology and the longest of the three. I have to say i was really excited for this one cause the other two I really like them but sometimes it just go around in unnecessary details and it gets a little borring. On this book you have the chance to be part of the epic battle between the huns and the romans: William Naiper has this hability to make you part of this conflict and even better he makes you not to choose a side cause he is allways explain both sides.
August 22, 2019
Завршниот дел од трилогијата за Атила. Баш уживав во читањето. Приказот на битките е одличен, всушност еден од подобрите кои ги имам читано. Рамо до рамо со мајсторот Стивен Пресфилд. Многу интересни историски факти од овој период, кои авторот вешто ги вклопува во приказната. И покрај послабиот прв дел, секоја препорака за оваа трилогија, особено за вљубениците на литература со историска тематика.
April 11, 2018
Definitely got engrossed in this, so much so that I have to admit to speed reading some of the descriptions, 'cos I wanted to know what was going to happen next, especially if I was trying to put it down so I could turn the light off & go to sleep! Probably better to read the other 2 first, but Napier does give you a bit of the background that links the main characters as it goes along.
October 3, 2018
It made me cry. :-( I really, really liked it.
August 8, 2022
Excellent trilogy - gripping.
Beautifully written. You can see the characters in your mind's eye. Best read I've had this year. Well worth the time invested.
Beautifully written. You can see the characters in your mind's eye. Best read I've had this year. Well worth the time invested.
October 16, 2022
El final de la trilogía es el mejor de todos, con buenas descripciones de las batallas.
January 23, 2025
Tremenda forma de terminar la trilogía, a quien le guste la novela histórica y los relatos de guerra, una muy buena elección para entretenerse varias semanas seguidas.
June 19, 2025
21% in and its just battle and the narrator screaming in my ear just does it. I cant.
May 29, 2021
Attila: The Judgement is the final instalment of Attila’s trilogy and it is in this last book that the long-awaited dream of Attila’s destruction of Rome is laid out. There were no shortages of battles and epic clashes between Romans and their enemies. The author even included siege warfares, naval battles, mountain skirmish, and large-scale open battlefield. The battle scene was entertaining although as a whole, it’s not sufficient enough for me to give this book more stars than three. Mainly because, after reading the first and second book, I would assume that Attila is one of the main characters in this book and it’ll be interesting to see how his charismatic character played out in his long-awaited invasion of Rome. Instead, Attila was relegated into just another barbaric antagonist of Rome, driven to madness by hatred and vengeance. Halfway through the book, I didn’t even see Attila’s interaction with his fellow warriors, and their atrocities were told only from Roman’s perspectives. Alternatively, we were introduced to different main characters and they are all Romans with the exception of one Armenian turned Roman soldier. This is such inconsistency from the first and second books. It’s as if the character development of Attila from boyhood to adulthood was mere nothing.
There was an interesting chapter such as Orestes’ backstory regarding his and his sister’s early childhood before their meeting with Attila but there were also pointless parts such as the bird-catcher ones, the one-eyed storyteller, and even the wild-eyed holy man. Each of these holy fools preached about impending doom and ominous riddles that didn’t serve a purpose in the story at all except adding a hopeless thought to the already gloomy scene.
This book is quite decent as a standalone book but as part of a trilogy and being the last part of it, it was rather dissatisfying. The battles and the dramas were entertaining but Attila’s character being relegated after two books of his character development was disappointing.
There was an interesting chapter such as Orestes’ backstory regarding his and his sister’s early childhood before their meeting with Attila but there were also pointless parts such as the bird-catcher ones, the one-eyed storyteller, and even the wild-eyed holy man. Each of these holy fools preached about impending doom and ominous riddles that didn’t serve a purpose in the story at all except adding a hopeless thought to the already gloomy scene.
This book is quite decent as a standalone book but as part of a trilogy and being the last part of it, it was rather dissatisfying. The battles and the dramas were entertaining but Attila’s character being relegated after two books of his character development was disappointing.
December 14, 2014
‘Was this Attila himself?’
449 CE. The final book in the Attila trilogy starts with Attila’s invasion of the Roman Empire, with his ruthless campaign of slaughter in revenge for Roman atrocities. While Attila and his warriors wreak havoc across central Europe, Valentinian in Ravenna, and Theodosius in Constantinople focus on undermining each other while relying on the able but disgraced Roman general Aëtius to save the empire.
‘To think’, Aëtius murmured, shaking his head again, there were once four boys who played together on a Scythian plain. A Roman and a Hun, and Greek and Celtic slaves.’
Much of this story is the description of violence and byzantine alliances, networks and plots, of revenge and broken promises that characterises the war between the Hunnic hordes and the crumbling Roman empire. Of the real people depicted in this novel, I found Aëtius the most interesting (and likeable). While I enjoyed this novel better than the second novel in the trilogy, Attila himself is more remote and far less likeable.
‘There was nobility in the soul of Attila, that I could see. Aëtius saw it, too. But the darker strains of malice, tyranny and vengefulness were overshadowing it and ultimately it would be extinguished.’
I enjoyed reading this novel, and it’s a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. We know that Aëtius was a hostage with the Huns, and it’s possible that Attila was held as a hostage in Rome. Whatever the truth, William Napier has constructed a trilogy which I found fast moving and entertaining. I’d definitely recommend reading the books in order: the first novel in particular sets out a background for Attila from which the other two novels flow.
‘It was some weeks before the news arrived at Ravenna and Constantinople that Attila, King of the Huns, was dead – at the hands of a girl of twenty.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
449 CE. The final book in the Attila trilogy starts with Attila’s invasion of the Roman Empire, with his ruthless campaign of slaughter in revenge for Roman atrocities. While Attila and his warriors wreak havoc across central Europe, Valentinian in Ravenna, and Theodosius in Constantinople focus on undermining each other while relying on the able but disgraced Roman general Aëtius to save the empire.
‘To think’, Aëtius murmured, shaking his head again, there were once four boys who played together on a Scythian plain. A Roman and a Hun, and Greek and Celtic slaves.’
Much of this story is the description of violence and byzantine alliances, networks and plots, of revenge and broken promises that characterises the war between the Hunnic hordes and the crumbling Roman empire. Of the real people depicted in this novel, I found Aëtius the most interesting (and likeable). While I enjoyed this novel better than the second novel in the trilogy, Attila himself is more remote and far less likeable.
‘There was nobility in the soul of Attila, that I could see. Aëtius saw it, too. But the darker strains of malice, tyranny and vengefulness were overshadowing it and ultimately it would be extinguished.’
I enjoyed reading this novel, and it’s a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. We know that Aëtius was a hostage with the Huns, and it’s possible that Attila was held as a hostage in Rome. Whatever the truth, William Napier has constructed a trilogy which I found fast moving and entertaining. I’d definitely recommend reading the books in order: the first novel in particular sets out a background for Attila from which the other two novels flow.
‘It was some weeks before the news arrived at Ravenna and Constantinople that Attila, King of the Huns, was dead – at the hands of a girl of twenty.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
November 16, 2011
I asked for the story to finish strong and it did! The third installment made up for any shortcomings of the second and then some.
What I really liked about this series was the depiction of Atilla; he started out as a sympathetic character with childhood trials that had you rooting for him to suceed in the first book and then the second book was about his "redemption" (for lack of better words) as he comes back from a 30 year exile to unite the tribes to form a vast host to exact his vengeance. The third book, however, tosses your sympathies out the window as Attila's anger turns from righteous to pure destructive evil; revenge at all costs. In short, Napier did a really nice job in this series of showing Attila's journey of becoming a military genius and then descent into one of the most infamous mass-murderers in history.
Throughout, it also chronicles the life of Aetius, the Roman General, who despite his misgivings of the current state of the Roman Empire stays loyal not only to his vision of the Empire but also to those who definitely don't deserve it. His story is as important as Attila's and the two are inextricably connected; you cannot tell the tale of one without the other. If it weren't for Aetius' stalwart stand against ridiculous odds, Europe's history would be vastly different today.
Throw in some colorful supporting characters (both real and fictional) and some outstanding battles and you end up with a great read.
What I really liked about this series was the depiction of Atilla; he started out as a sympathetic character with childhood trials that had you rooting for him to suceed in the first book and then the second book was about his "redemption" (for lack of better words) as he comes back from a 30 year exile to unite the tribes to form a vast host to exact his vengeance. The third book, however, tosses your sympathies out the window as Attila's anger turns from righteous to pure destructive evil; revenge at all costs. In short, Napier did a really nice job in this series of showing Attila's journey of becoming a military genius and then descent into one of the most infamous mass-murderers in history.
Throughout, it also chronicles the life of Aetius, the Roman General, who despite his misgivings of the current state of the Roman Empire stays loyal not only to his vision of the Empire but also to those who definitely don't deserve it. His story is as important as Attila's and the two are inextricably connected; you cannot tell the tale of one without the other. If it weren't for Aetius' stalwart stand against ridiculous odds, Europe's history would be vastly different today.
Throw in some colorful supporting characters (both real and fictional) and some outstanding battles and you end up with a great read.
April 16, 2011
Surprising ending to an excellent trilogy. Napier clearly subscribes to the latest research on the fall of Rome that says it fell not because of decadence, of which there was plenty, but because it was too big and too riddled with Huns, Vandals and other groups that eventually destroyed it. I liked how Napier had the hero, Aetius, and others who sought to save Rome find purpose not in saving an empire they knew was past its prime but in protecting Christianity. Interesting. Less sex this time, but still too much. The blurb from the Daily Mail on the dustjacket reads that the trilogy is "a tale jam-packed with epic set pieces, bloody battles, a fair bit of history, and the requisite lusty interludes." They weren't requisite. Why do they have to be requisite. Yes, I read all three books, so I shouldn't complain, right? Pretty weak on my part, perhaps, but these are excellent historical fiction novels I couldn't put down. Great action, great narrative and excellent insights into the human condition.
September 15, 2014
If you are going to write a trilogy on Attila, maybe you should stick with Attila. I couldn't really understand the big shift in point of view here. I know the tale is being told be that old guy but you can't have us on the side of Attila for two books and then make him the big bad guy for the last one. And thats what happened because I found myself siding with the Romans again. Is it because what Attila was doing was so bad? But then is he really any worst than the Romans or any invading army? I know I sad in a last review that I liked seeing things from the Roman point of view but not at the expense of making Attila seem like a distant character.
The book overall, was alright. The change in view bugged me but the battles were pretty epic, I'm someone who gets bored by battles but these ones kept me reading. The fall of Rome was sad. Strange to think how a mightly civilization can just fall. All the knowledge that must have been lost. Destroyed by a man on a pony.
The book overall, was alright. The change in view bugged me but the battles were pretty epic, I'm someone who gets bored by battles but these ones kept me reading. The fall of Rome was sad. Strange to think how a mightly civilization can just fall. All the knowledge that must have been lost. Destroyed by a man on a pony.
October 4, 2011
When they noticed, people kept asking why I was reading about Attila. It's to balance out all the Glee and Project Runway shows I have to watch. Ah, the things I do for family.
Though the book is titled Attila, it began with Arapovian and Knuckles, two men in the Roman Army and later Aetius, the last of brave and honorable Roman. With Attila committing such atrocities in this book it was difficult to make him the hero.
The book is bloody BLOODY. It's beautiful in its own way and it's written wonderfully. And written for probably a not very mainstream audience.
But I feel lucky to have bumped into this book shedding some light into a monumental time period in the fall of the Roman Empire.
January 1, 2016
Well, raising two kids certainly slowed my reading down but I finally finished. I'm a big fan of James Michener's historical novels, and now I'm a fan of William Napier too. I'm looking forward to reading more Napier after reading this great trilogy of Attila.
The maps shown in the books were very helpful for following the storyline, as was the section of place names. A glossary of terms that are no longer in use is not part of the book, but would have been very helpful. I often stopped reading to look up a word having to do with some ancient Roman weapon or such, and although fun, slows down one's reading.
The maps shown in the books were very helpful for following the storyline, as was the section of place names. A glossary of terms that are no longer in use is not part of the book, but would have been very helpful. I often stopped reading to look up a word having to do with some ancient Roman weapon or such, and although fun, slows down one's reading.
February 2, 2011
I thought this was an excellent conclusion to the Attila series. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was simply that the beginning really drug on and on for me! I felt that it took me a lot longer to get into this one than the other two. I honestly think that I stuck it out simply because I knew it had to get better. I am glad I did though as after the first hundred pages or so the pace did pick up and it became the book I expected it to be.
All in all quite enjoyable and recommended if you liked the first two books in this series.
All in all quite enjoyable and recommended if you liked the first two books in this series.
June 9, 2014
This book stands on its own fairly well, but I read it as the final installation to the trilogy, and I'm glad I did. It was a treat to watch Mr. Napier deftly use different points of view to present the story of a man who ultimately becomes one of history's greatest sociopaths, a significant contributing factor in end of an already decaying Rome. His discussion of battle strategy and the mental costs of war were excellent, as was the character-driven view of the intrigues between the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. This was a great, if predictably gory (given the subject matter), read.
February 7, 2017
Terrific book! The descriptions of sieges and battles are excellent and realistic. Napier even describes the battle formations and strategies of both Romans and Huns making it clear at every stage as to what was going on. The swiftness of Attila's progress once he started his murdering campaign is phenomenal as also is the devastation he wrought as he approached and invaded Italy. However, he had a worthy opponent in the Roman general Aetius, who unfortunately was not appreciated by his debauched emperor who was both an idiot and a coward.
September 30, 2016
The best book of the three in what was overall a bit of a disappointing series. I know there are the constraints imposed by history - which was pretty much a blank in my personal knowledge anyway - but there are lots of gaps: the success of this kind of books is all about those gaps. I could have done without the first two books and gone straight for a more severely edited version of this one and lost little, I think. Or read it up on Wikipedia.
June 5, 2011
Historical fiction at its best, my kind of novel and like many that I have read like Conn Iggulden, this rank high up on my list. A pity I can't get my hands on the earlier two; as such I end up reading the last of the series. Will try and get the arlier two, then the story will complete. As it is , this can stand alone by itself, but if I can read the earlier two, then the story is complete.
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