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Legionnaire #4
The Battle for Amatista
With the passes to Ópalo forced open again, Prefect Marcus Venandus hoped to gain a respite to build his army for the war he knows is coming in the spring. Unfortunately, his enemies understand all too well the threat he poses to them and are taking steps to kill him before he reaches next year’s battlefields. Assassins, both mundane and magical, step out of the shadows to strike at him, while other conspirators take advantage of the intense divisions within the city to spark riots to bring the government down. Unable to differentiate between friend and foe, will Marcus and his few trusted comrades be able to win the Battle for Amatista? (This edition includes a color map of the Jeweled Cities.)
298 pages, Paperback
Published May 24, 2018
About the author
Gilbert M. Stack
99 books79 followersGilbert M. Stack has been creating stories almost since he began speaking, and publishing fiction and non-fiction since 2006. A professional historian, Gilbert delights in bringing the past to life in his fiction, depicting characters who are both true to their time and empathetic with modern sensibilities. His work has appeared in several issues of Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Michelle, and their son, Michael.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 1, 2020
Another excellent volume in the Legionnaire series
When professional historian Gilbert Stack builds a fictional world in which to tell a story, he builds it. Not just combat but raising and training armies. Not just politics and government but intrigue and volatile competing factions in an Amatista almost at war with itself. Not just business but an economic system complete with some gentle lessons in economics and trade. He then peoples this believable world with believable and interesting characters. If you like historical and military fiction, I recommend this series which follows a Legionnaire from an empire very similar to Rome.
When professional historian Gilbert Stack builds a fictional world in which to tell a story, he builds it. Not just combat but raising and training armies. Not just politics and government but intrigue and volatile competing factions in an Amatista almost at war with itself. Not just business but an economic system complete with some gentle lessons in economics and trade. He then peoples this believable world with believable and interesting characters. If you like historical and military fiction, I recommend this series which follows a Legionnaire from an empire very similar to Rome.
August 19, 2025
good people ,go and read this delightful series
November 23, 2021
The Battle for Amatista may well be the best volume I've read yet in Gilbert M. Stack's Legionnaire series. This novel packs a serious punch in terms of rousing, page-turning drama and action but this story isn't all brawn, and no brains.
And that's where I think the real brilliance of this story lies. When Mr. Stack wields his world-crafting pen, watch out because you're in for a ride. Amatista literally comes alive in this story. Now it's rare for politics to interest me, but the way in which Stack brings his readers along is incredibly fascinating; so much so that the intrigue, the spats, the rivalry, the bigotry, the attempts to gain leverage against political adversaries is every bit as gripping and page-flipping as are the battles that take place, the writing of which is tighter than drum heads and banjo strings.
Legionnaire is a really fun series, and this may well be the funnest volume that I've encountered. Luckily, I don't have to stop here as there's plenty more fun where this one came from.
And that's where I think the real brilliance of this story lies. When Mr. Stack wields his world-crafting pen, watch out because you're in for a ride. Amatista literally comes alive in this story. Now it's rare for politics to interest me, but the way in which Stack brings his readers along is incredibly fascinating; so much so that the intrigue, the spats, the rivalry, the bigotry, the attempts to gain leverage against political adversaries is every bit as gripping and page-flipping as are the battles that take place, the writing of which is tighter than drum heads and banjo strings.
Legionnaire is a really fun series, and this may well be the funnest volume that I've encountered. Luckily, I don't have to stop here as there's plenty more fun where this one came from.
February 3, 2020
Per the usual, the story picks up right where the previous installment left off, with Marcus having successfully reopened important trade routes, and having formed allegiances on behalf of Amatista. But war is brewing, and Amatista is far from a united front.
As always with this author and this series, this installment is a worthy one. The attention to historical detail (with Aquila being a thinly-veiled Rome) is astonishing. The paranormal elements are both interesting and fitting, but don't overpower the main story. The pacing is on-point, with there being a lot of action in spite of the politics involved, and the description being ample, engrossing, and not at all detracting from the pace.
The characters continue to reveal depths. I am particularly impressed with the way Marcus has continued to grow and learn as a character. Furthermore, the wives remain highlights for me. (I can't say I'd necessarily want to befriend them, but I am entertained by them, and I empathise with them).
There were some small errors, mostly of the homonym confusion variety. This isn't in and of itself overly detrimental, but it was frustrating because it was an almost perfect book.
Another area that I felt was a bit anticlimactic was in the way a certain mystery was resolved. The revelation felt a tad rushed to me, and I was a bit disappointed that it got a bit lost in all the drama of this story.
Still this series is more than a worthwhile read - especially for those who have an interest in Roman military tactics! I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author.
I received a review copy from the author.
As always with this author and this series, this installment is a worthy one. The attention to historical detail (with Aquila being a thinly-veiled Rome) is astonishing. The paranormal elements are both interesting and fitting, but don't overpower the main story. The pacing is on-point, with there being a lot of action in spite of the politics involved, and the description being ample, engrossing, and not at all detracting from the pace.
The characters continue to reveal depths. I am particularly impressed with the way Marcus has continued to grow and learn as a character. Furthermore, the wives remain highlights for me. (I can't say I'd necessarily want to befriend them, but I am entertained by them, and I empathise with them).
There were some small errors, mostly of the homonym confusion variety. This isn't in and of itself overly detrimental, but it was frustrating because it was an almost perfect book.
Another area that I felt was a bit anticlimactic was in the way a certain mystery was resolved. The revelation felt a tad rushed to me, and I was a bit disappointed that it got a bit lost in all the drama of this story.
Still this series is more than a worthwhile read - especially for those who have an interest in Roman military tactics! I am very much looking forward to reading more from this author.
I received a review copy from the author.
August 23, 2018
This whole series has been fantastic and I've already written about that. What this fourth installment brings is a tremendous, gut-punching tension and rapid twists of fate that not only carry you irresistibly to turn the page, but a strong sense of the entire WORLD Gil Stack is seeing here. So. Many. Characters. But each is well defined, and he tags them beautifully so you can keep the plot straight (or close enough!) to enjoy what's happening. Even when I was between reading I couldn't stop thinking about the story, and more than that, the world of Amatista which in many ways is a perfectly built playground for any fan of intrigue and action.
And gee, what better message for our times that all cultures must come together to meet the threats, that even outsiders have vital contributions to make, and we can't always wait for our leaders to do the job! Bravo, Mr. Stack, this is a triumphant climax to a wonderful saga. And the only thing that could make me happier is realizing the tale is not over yet! Book Five, you are going down.
And gee, what better message for our times that all cultures must come together to meet the threats, that even outsiders have vital contributions to make, and we can't always wait for our leaders to do the job! Bravo, Mr. Stack, this is a triumphant climax to a wonderful saga. And the only thing that could make me happier is realizing the tale is not over yet! Book Five, you are going down.
June 13, 2020
After his success in opening the passes to Ópalo, Prefect Marcus Venandus hoped to rebuild his army. The entire city turned out to cheer and celebrate his triumphant entry into Amatisa. But his enemies struck first with assassins and riots that divide the Gota, Qing, Gente - different peoples with different histories, and each with a different perspective. The Gente people riot and the Gota people put them in place. That was their way. An influx of Qing into the city adds more tension.
Who to honor? Who to trust? Marcus must find out the hard way.
Swords out is the appropriate description for Marcus on the battlefield, as well as the bedroom, as he repels the anger of wives Estela and Avina after they learn that second wife, Sujean, is pregnant.
"Remember you're a man and not a god," advises Severus, The Black Vigil of the Agilan Legions.
The Battle for Amatista turns to evil magic when Thegn Geberic of Peridota poisons the meat at a festival and creates a mass catastrophe.
"The sharp end ..." is what Marcus uses to save the day.
Of course, by now, I am addicted to The Legionnaire series, and I look forward to Book 5.
Who to honor? Who to trust? Marcus must find out the hard way.
Swords out is the appropriate description for Marcus on the battlefield, as well as the bedroom, as he repels the anger of wives Estela and Avina after they learn that second wife, Sujean, is pregnant.
"Remember you're a man and not a god," advises Severus, The Black Vigil of the Agilan Legions.
The Battle for Amatista turns to evil magic when Thegn Geberic of Peridota poisons the meat at a festival and creates a mass catastrophe.
"The sharp end ..." is what Marcus uses to save the day.
Of course, by now, I am addicted to The Legionnaire series, and I look forward to Book 5.
April 6, 2020
I have enjoyed several of Gilbert Stack’s Legionnaire volumes and this one is no different. With the successful opening of the mountain passes to Ópalo for trade under his belt, we find Prefect Marcus Venandus in a parade in Amatista celebrating his victory. Marcus is tasked with quelling the tension between the three tribes, i.e. Qing, Gente, and Gota in the north and align their Thegns politically with Aquila. He must also increase and prepare his hastily formed Black Hat Legion for the coming war with Diamonte and its allies. This episode introduces Marcus to the effects of magic and the addition of magic to his Black Hat tactics. Get ready for plenty of action in the Battle for Amatista. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
December 21, 2021
Audiobook Review
To start off, I really enjoy Will’s narration. I think he does an excellent job.
Secondly I have always enjoyed Roman history and since I also conduct battlefield tours, I can relate a bit to some of the battle scenes.
And I also enjoy a little sci-if.
I don’t like a lot of swearing (even though I know that soldiers are very often course!)
To start off, I really enjoy Will’s narration. I think he does an excellent job.
Secondly I have always enjoyed Roman history and since I also conduct battlefield tours, I can relate a bit to some of the battle scenes.
And I also enjoy a little sci-if.
I don’t like a lot of swearing (even though I know that soldiers are very often course!)
April 6, 2021
Very good
May 16, 2025
I’m taking advantage of Goodreads interesting policy that permits authors to review their own novels to talk about the inspirations that led me to write this book.
In the first three books in this series, I established that Marcus Venandus is a good man to have around in a crisis. He’s an officer in the Aquilan legions with the ability to inspire men and has an excellent grasp of military tactics and strategy. He’s come to the Jeweled Hills to help a now-deceased-half-brother save his city, but despite his successes in the last two books, it’s by no means certain that that is possible. Amatista is surrounded by enemies and their principal foe, the Thegn of Diamonte, is determined to wrest the silk trade back from them. The Battle of Amatista represents Marcus’ last chance to stop the covert war that Diamonte is currently waging from breaking out into the open.
To do this, Marcus is forced to engage in politics—the bane of the legionnaire—even as he continues to build an Aquilan-style infantry as his backup plan. The Gota who rule the Jeweled Hills are all horsemen with a cavalry man’s typical disdain for infantry made stronger by their prejudices against their two subject peoples—the Gente and the Qing.
The politics of the situation are extremely complicated. Diamonte is large and wealthy and has been intimidating Amatista’s neighbors into allying themselves with it. Marcus must convince the Thegn of Amatista and his lords to use their Silk Association to entice those neighbors away from Diamonte and on to their own side—but can they really trust them even if they agree to the change? And what to do about Diamonte as it continues to try and get its way through assassination and treachery?
Finally, I wanted to introduce the last critical element of the fantasy army into Marcus’ proto-legion—magic. The Aquilan legions have a doctrine for incorporating magi into their infantry and Marcus needs to find an Amatistan equivalent, but the maga who can make his vision a reality is far more interested in exploring the magical changes inflicted on Marcus in The Fire Islands and The Sea of Grass than she is in helping him field a capable army.
The Battle for Amatista is the longest of the Legionnaire novels and chronicles the critical period in which Marcus must convince Amatista and its allies that his legion is the only hope they have of winning the war.
In the first three books in this series, I established that Marcus Venandus is a good man to have around in a crisis. He’s an officer in the Aquilan legions with the ability to inspire men and has an excellent grasp of military tactics and strategy. He’s come to the Jeweled Hills to help a now-deceased-half-brother save his city, but despite his successes in the last two books, it’s by no means certain that that is possible. Amatista is surrounded by enemies and their principal foe, the Thegn of Diamonte, is determined to wrest the silk trade back from them. The Battle of Amatista represents Marcus’ last chance to stop the covert war that Diamonte is currently waging from breaking out into the open.
To do this, Marcus is forced to engage in politics—the bane of the legionnaire—even as he continues to build an Aquilan-style infantry as his backup plan. The Gota who rule the Jeweled Hills are all horsemen with a cavalry man’s typical disdain for infantry made stronger by their prejudices against their two subject peoples—the Gente and the Qing.
The politics of the situation are extremely complicated. Diamonte is large and wealthy and has been intimidating Amatista’s neighbors into allying themselves with it. Marcus must convince the Thegn of Amatista and his lords to use their Silk Association to entice those neighbors away from Diamonte and on to their own side—but can they really trust them even if they agree to the change? And what to do about Diamonte as it continues to try and get its way through assassination and treachery?
Finally, I wanted to introduce the last critical element of the fantasy army into Marcus’ proto-legion—magic. The Aquilan legions have a doctrine for incorporating magi into their infantry and Marcus needs to find an Amatistan equivalent, but the maga who can make his vision a reality is far more interested in exploring the magical changes inflicted on Marcus in The Fire Islands and The Sea of Grass than she is in helping him field a capable army.
The Battle for Amatista is the longest of the Legionnaire novels and chronicles the critical period in which Marcus must convince Amatista and its allies that his legion is the only hope they have of winning the war.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews