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Carbo of Rome #2
Bandits of Rome
Escaping the traumas of Rome for the quiet Italian countryside with those closest to him seems like the perfect solution to Carbo, but the rolling hills harbour a threat he could not have foreseen. When bandits attack, tragedy strikes and Carbo must overcome an evil conspiracy to save himself, his friends, and get the revenge he craves…
Bandits of Rome, the sequel to the bestselling novel Watchmen of Rome, is an historical adventure ideal for fans of Wallace Breem’s Eagle in the Snow.
Bandits of Rome, the sequel to the bestselling novel Watchmen of Rome, is an historical adventure ideal for fans of Wallace Breem’s Eagle in the Snow.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2015
95 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Alex Gough
36 books111 followers Avid reader of multiple genres, including thriller, sci-fi and fantasy, but particularly interested in historical fiction. Author of Roman historical fiction, and owner of the romanfiction.com blog.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 26, 2015
What better way to recover from an awful ordeal than to spend some time away from Rome with friends at your country villa? Sounds like a lovely time, a time to recoup your energy, your edge, your humanity....indeed that is what the plan is for Carbo and his friends and loved ones. Ahhh...but if only the gods and fate would allow such a peaceful enterprise, unfortunately for Carbo they do not. The author has provided for our entertainment one of the more exciting, tense filled dramas I have read in a while as he chronicles the extreme range of emotion and human tragedy one man can possibly care to endure. In order to avoid giving away too much of the plot let me just summarize briefly....a vicious, masked, bandit duo is on the rampage along the road leading to Carbo's country villa...these bandits aren't interested in the robbery of goods but are interested in capturing certain types of people for, let's say, nefarious purposes. Carbo and gang encounter them on the way to the villa, barely surviving the attack. they run them off but in so doing are now targets for this revenge seeking gang and revenge is dealt out in thrilling detail and result. Carbo must survive the most inhumane of circumstances if he is ever going to find the peace he is striving for. A wonderful tale of gripping action and torn emotions...the best and worst of human thought and deeds. 5 stars and a hearty Hoover Book Reviews recommendation.
About the author:
I'm a veterinary surgeon from the southwest of England, working in referral practice. I have had a decades long interest in Ancient Roman history, and Watchmen of Rome is the culmination of a lot of research into the underclasses of Ancient Rome. I am also the author of two veterinary textbooks, Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats and Differential Diagnosis in Small Animal Medicine, both of which have been translated into multiple languages and are in their second editions. I would love to interact with readers, please email me at romanfiction@hotmail.co.uk. Website: http://www.romanfiction.com/
About Hoover Book Reviews;
On Twitter @hooverbkreview
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clash-...
About the author:
I'm a veterinary surgeon from the southwest of England, working in referral practice. I have had a decades long interest in Ancient Roman history, and Watchmen of Rome is the culmination of a lot of research into the underclasses of Ancient Rome. I am also the author of two veterinary textbooks, Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats and Differential Diagnosis in Small Animal Medicine, both of which have been translated into multiple languages and are in their second editions. I would love to interact with readers, please email me at romanfiction@hotmail.co.uk. Website: http://www.romanfiction.com/
About Hoover Book Reviews;
On Twitter @hooverbkreview
On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clash-...
December 19, 2015
Carbo, familia, and newfound friend Vespillo, the vigile tribune with wife Severa are off to Carbo's farm in Campagnia for Carbo to start anew after their exiting adventure in Vol. 1 of the series. Bandits wearing theatrical masks are terrorizing the population of the area. Carbo suffers a devastating personal tragedy--the murder of his beloved Rufa. The rest of the novel is the search for the bandits and their henchmen. With the intention of making Carbo not only suffer loss, but having him die by inches in a Sicilian lead mine, "Atreus", the chief bandit, has him consigned there. Leadership of Carbo's workgroup falls to him by default and he directs his fellow slaves in the mine and on a daring, heart-stopping escape. There is a final standoff between bandits, henchmen, and Carbo's small group of escapees and friends at his farm, even using legionary tactics.
I was impressed with how strongly the author makes you care about his characters; not only do we see their actions, but the author delves into their often wrenching or conflicting emotions. I thought the psychological ruse to draw out the "kingpin" of the whole illegal operation very clever. I had my heart in my mouth during the whole horrendous mine and frightening escape incidents. I like the way the author developed the growing bond of trust and friendship between Carbo and the Dacian slave, Sica, as they are carried off to Sicily. Pacing was excellent and writing tight, with no wasted words. I did wonder about people of different social classes [from equestrian, plebeian, to slave] interacting so smoothly; would it have really been that way back then? A small thing which should have been caught: on page 10, Carbo gives his praenomen as Marcus, when it was Gaius elsewhere in the novel. The author has avoided the "sophomore slump" with this novel. I am now eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
Highly recommended.
I was impressed with how strongly the author makes you care about his characters; not only do we see their actions, but the author delves into their often wrenching or conflicting emotions. I thought the psychological ruse to draw out the "kingpin" of the whole illegal operation very clever. I had my heart in my mouth during the whole horrendous mine and frightening escape incidents. I like the way the author developed the growing bond of trust and friendship between Carbo and the Dacian slave, Sica, as they are carried off to Sicily. Pacing was excellent and writing tight, with no wasted words. I did wonder about people of different social classes [from equestrian, plebeian, to slave] interacting so smoothly; would it have really been that way back then? A small thing which should have been caught: on page 10, Carbo gives his praenomen as Marcus, when it was Gaius elsewhere in the novel. The author has avoided the "sophomore slump" with this novel. I am now eagerly awaiting the next in the series.
Highly recommended.
August 31, 2015
Carbo and his new family, together with his friend the tribune of the Vigiles, Vespillo, head towards the farm he has been given by Gernanicus and runs across two masked bandits terrorizing Nola and its neighborhood. The story, even more noir than "Watchmen of Rome," develops from here, fast paced and terrifying. It leads Carbo to a stint as slave in a Sicilain mine among other adventures. Lots of twists and turns, a satisfying read!
December 5, 2015
This, the second book in the series, is entertaining but not quite as well done as the first and third books. A few anachronisms crept into the text and, at least for me, took away from the story. I also found some of the characters introduced in this story to be hard to believe. That said, I still enjoyed the book and I am looking forward to the author's next book.
July 8, 2022
Ottimo proseguo della saga di Carbone. Questo autore continua a stupirmi per le scene vivide, i personaggi tridimensionali e la facilità con cui racconta le scene. Stavolta le 5 stelle me le ha strappate più per il trasporto emotivo: la costruzione della trama ha ancora qualche limite.
Resta comunque un'ottima scoperta. Ho già acquistato il terzo e ultimo (per ora) volume della serie. Sono curioso di vedere cosa succederà ora
Resta comunque un'ottima scoperta. Ho già acquistato il terzo e ultimo (per ora) volume della serie. Sono curioso di vedere cosa succederà ora
December 21, 2021
Ruthlessness and retribution.
A.action packed, gripping and page turning follow up to Watchmen of Rome. Carbo has to face his most implacable, dangerous enemy so far. Vivid, harrowing and revealing description of slave lives in the lead mines. A struggle for survival leads ultimately to a big and satisfying showdown.
A.action packed, gripping and page turning follow up to Watchmen of Rome. Carbo has to face his most implacable, dangerous enemy so far. Vivid, harrowing and revealing description of slave lives in the lead mines. A struggle for survival leads ultimately to a big and satisfying showdown.
August 7, 2018
Another cracking read
This is the second book of the series and does not disappoint. Fast paced with great characters and interesting historical detail.i would recommend this highly to fans of Simon scarrow
This is the second book of the series and does not disappoint. Fast paced with great characters and interesting historical detail.i would recommend this highly to fans of Simon scarrow
February 4, 2020
Hugely enjoyable
The author has packed this volume with pathos, and I won't say why otherwise it would spoil the tale. There are enough twists in tale to satisfy a tornado, and each one is very surprising, all in all a hugely enjoyable read and much better than volume one
The author has packed this volume with pathos, and I won't say why otherwise it would spoil the tale. There are enough twists in tale to satisfy a tornado, and each one is very surprising, all in all a hugely enjoyable read and much better than volume one
September 3, 2018
Well written
Great story and brilliant follow up to the first book in this series. Action and fast enough paced to hold your attention.
Great story and brilliant follow up to the first book in this series. Action and fast enough paced to hold your attention.
September 22, 2019
Second book in the series
We find the hero of the first book leaving Rome to live quietly in his farm. Or at least he thought. Well done, hard for me to out down.
We find the hero of the first book leaving Rome to live quietly in his farm. Or at least he thought. Well done, hard for me to out down.
February 18, 2020
Carbo the man
Couldn't put it down. Just as good as book 1. I could read more about Carbo. He makes friends where ever he goes an some bad one's. Carbo is a great character to read.
Couldn't put it down. Just as good as book 1. I could read more about Carbo. He makes friends where ever he goes an some bad one's. Carbo is a great character to read.
August 30, 2020
Excellent story of Rome and its people
The author tells a great believable story . Each chapter moves well and the reader is certainly intrigued with upcoming happenings.
The author tells a great believable story . Each chapter moves well and the reader is certainly intrigued with upcoming happenings.
September 3, 2015
There are a few gems out there in the world of independent fiction and despite the increasing (now vast) swathe of Roman fiction hitting virtual shelves, still certain writers and works stand out. Alex Gough came to my attention last year with his debut work Watchmen of Rome, which immediately hit me as a cut above the general quality of releases and was, in fact, a thoroughly absorbing and well-written book.
Given that, when I found out that he’d written a sequel, I virtually drooled with anticipation.
Bandits of Rome maintains the high standards set by the first book and continues to build characters and relationships while forming a completely separate plot, totally independent of the previous volume.
Following the troubles in Rome with the rogue priestess and the conflagrations in Watchmen of Rome, Carbo sets off with his vigiles friend, his woman and a small entourage to lay eyes for the first time on the plot of land that had been granted him on his retirement from the army. But on the journey, a chance encounter with an intriguing and deadly pair of killers leads him into a feud that threatens everything he cares about.
The characters from book one continue to deepen (with one notable exception – you’ll understand that when you read it) and the new characters are well-rounded and credible. In fact, Carbo himself becomes a much more 3dimensional character in this second volume as we are treated to a whole different side of him that makes him more human and sympathetic. The bad guys are at once creepy, vicious, dislikable and yet somehow fascinating. The settings, in small town and countryside estate, are a nice juxtaposition to the tight urbanism of book 1 and are described well enough that they capture the imagination and can easily be seen in the mind’s eye.
The plot was fresh, plausible and exciting, and possibly surpassed that of book 1. The pace never really let up, which made the book an enthralling read, pulling you along in the plot with never a pause. And there are moments in this novel, following a certain point in the story, which I consider to be extremely powerful writing, hitting the reader between the eyes and wrenching at their gut.
In short, Bandits of Rome is a very worthy sequel to an excellent book. I heartily recommend both of these. Carbo is fast becoming one of the seminal heroes of Roman fiction.
Given that, when I found out that he’d written a sequel, I virtually drooled with anticipation.
Bandits of Rome maintains the high standards set by the first book and continues to build characters and relationships while forming a completely separate plot, totally independent of the previous volume.
Following the troubles in Rome with the rogue priestess and the conflagrations in Watchmen of Rome, Carbo sets off with his vigiles friend, his woman and a small entourage to lay eyes for the first time on the plot of land that had been granted him on his retirement from the army. But on the journey, a chance encounter with an intriguing and deadly pair of killers leads him into a feud that threatens everything he cares about.
The characters from book one continue to deepen (with one notable exception – you’ll understand that when you read it) and the new characters are well-rounded and credible. In fact, Carbo himself becomes a much more 3dimensional character in this second volume as we are treated to a whole different side of him that makes him more human and sympathetic. The bad guys are at once creepy, vicious, dislikable and yet somehow fascinating. The settings, in small town and countryside estate, are a nice juxtaposition to the tight urbanism of book 1 and are described well enough that they capture the imagination and can easily be seen in the mind’s eye.
The plot was fresh, plausible and exciting, and possibly surpassed that of book 1. The pace never really let up, which made the book an enthralling read, pulling you along in the plot with never a pause. And there are moments in this novel, following a certain point in the story, which I consider to be extremely powerful writing, hitting the reader between the eyes and wrenching at their gut.
In short, Bandits of Rome is a very worthy sequel to an excellent book. I heartily recommend both of these. Carbo is fast becoming one of the seminal heroes of Roman fiction.
September 2, 2015
I read the first book and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, considering that historical fiction isn't usually my thing. I was very keen to read this second in the series when I saw it recommended but worried that it might suffer from second book syndrome. That really isn't the case, though - this book is broader in scope, even more packed full of edge-of-your-seat action but still as obviously well researched. The characters are believable, well differentiated and easy to feel strongly about, one way or another.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, or thrillers of any genre. You don't have to have read the first book to enjoy this one but it's a good place to start - it's excellent in its own right and gives some background to the characters we meet again in this second outing.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, or thrillers of any genre. You don't have to have read the first book to enjoy this one but it's a good place to start - it's excellent in its own right and gives some background to the characters we meet again in this second outing.
April 3, 2016
Great read
Another good read kept me turning the pages can't wait for the next book in the series keep them coming
Another good read kept me turning the pages can't wait for the next book in the series keep them coming
December 5, 2023
Why has it taken me so long to find these books! The writing is fantastic and the story gives us a great insight into the "other" side of Rome.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews