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Empire #12
Vengeance
After saving the Empire's richest province from a foreign army, Marcus and the men who protect him have been in hiding. Their lives will be forfeit if they are seen in Rome.
But times have changed. Marcus's protector, the patrician legion commander Scaurus, has been summoned home by his mentor, a powerful senator who has decided he must act to save the empire from its debauched ruler's reign of terror.
Rome is a hotbed of conspiracy and treachery: and the senator is not the only contender for power. The emperor himself plans to destroy those he mistrusts and no-one is safe.
Marcus is assigned his own, unique role in the conspiracy. He will become a gladiator once more. But this time, his only opponent will be Commodus himself . . .
But times have changed. Marcus's protector, the patrician legion commander Scaurus, has been summoned home by his mentor, a powerful senator who has decided he must act to save the empire from its debauched ruler's reign of terror.
Rome is a hotbed of conspiracy and treachery: and the senator is not the only contender for power. The emperor himself plans to destroy those he mistrusts and no-one is safe.
Marcus is assigned his own, unique role in the conspiracy. He will become a gladiator once more. But this time, his only opponent will be Commodus himself . . .
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2021
46 people are currently reading
182 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Riches
40 books360 followersAnthony Riches began his lifelong interest in war and soldiers when he first heard his father's stories about World War II. This led to a degree in Military Studies at Manchester University. He began writing the story that would become Wounds of Honour after a visit to Housesteads in 1996. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 23, 2022
**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**
This very eventful historical Roman adventure is the 12th volume of the wonderful "Empire" series.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps of Rome in AD192, while at the back you'll notice a well documented Historical Note followed by a Roman Army as from AD182, and these historical details are superbly explained by the author.
Storytelling is of an excellent quality, and this story as a whole is so much better than its predecessor, while all characters, whether real historical or wonderful fictional, come vividly to life within this tale about Roman power, treachery and backstabbing, while also the frightening and deadly actions at the end of Emperor Commodus's reign come very much to the forefront.
Before I come to my review itself I have to say one thing and its this; on page 112 the author reckons that between the start of the reigns of Galba AD69 and that of Nerva AD96 is twenty years when it much nearer thirty years, and in my view such an error should have been avoided if you want your historical adventure to be accurate.
After a five year hiatus our friends consisting of Centurion Marcus Aquila (Corvus), Tribune Scaurus, Centurions Julius, Arminius, Dubnus, Qadir, with also the formidable Lugos, scribe/fighter Ptolemy, Sanga and Saratos, and not to forget the latest recruit at the beginning of the story, Lupus, will come into action in the years AD192/193 in the heart of Rome during and after the final days of Emperor Commodus, and subsequently the beginning the Year of the Five Emperors.
In this historical tale Emperor Commodus will meet his end on the last day of the year AD192, with Rome in turmoil, and Helvius Pertinax as the new Emperor, but right from the start this unlucky Pertinax is thwarted and threatened with his life for not delivering on his promises by the Praetorians while also from within the Senate he's targeted for removal.
What is to follow is an action-packed and intriguing Roman adventure which is set in Rome itself, where treason and backstabbing go hand in hand, and where the all important money is the main power on and behind the Imperial throne, and when it comes to it loyalty and comradeship count for nothing when that same money is truly involved, and all these factors combined will make this story as a whole such an exciting and astonishing book to read.
Very much recommended, for this is another splendid addition to this formidable series, and in my view this author is back towards his very best what his writing is concerned, especially after the last somewhat disappointing predecessor, and that's why I like to call this excellent episode: "An Outstanding Roman Vengeance"!
This very eventful historical Roman adventure is the 12th volume of the wonderful "Empire" series.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps of Rome in AD192, while at the back you'll notice a well documented Historical Note followed by a Roman Army as from AD182, and these historical details are superbly explained by the author.
Storytelling is of an excellent quality, and this story as a whole is so much better than its predecessor, while all characters, whether real historical or wonderful fictional, come vividly to life within this tale about Roman power, treachery and backstabbing, while also the frightening and deadly actions at the end of Emperor Commodus's reign come very much to the forefront.
Before I come to my review itself I have to say one thing and its this; on page 112 the author reckons that between the start of the reigns of Galba AD69 and that of Nerva AD96 is twenty years when it much nearer thirty years, and in my view such an error should have been avoided if you want your historical adventure to be accurate.
After a five year hiatus our friends consisting of Centurion Marcus Aquila (Corvus), Tribune Scaurus, Centurions Julius, Arminius, Dubnus, Qadir, with also the formidable Lugos, scribe/fighter Ptolemy, Sanga and Saratos, and not to forget the latest recruit at the beginning of the story, Lupus, will come into action in the years AD192/193 in the heart of Rome during and after the final days of Emperor Commodus, and subsequently the beginning the Year of the Five Emperors.
In this historical tale Emperor Commodus will meet his end on the last day of the year AD192, with Rome in turmoil, and Helvius Pertinax as the new Emperor, but right from the start this unlucky Pertinax is thwarted and threatened with his life for not delivering on his promises by the Praetorians while also from within the Senate he's targeted for removal.
What is to follow is an action-packed and intriguing Roman adventure which is set in Rome itself, where treason and backstabbing go hand in hand, and where the all important money is the main power on and behind the Imperial throne, and when it comes to it loyalty and comradeship count for nothing when that same money is truly involved, and all these factors combined will make this story as a whole such an exciting and astonishing book to read.
Very much recommended, for this is another splendid addition to this formidable series, and in my view this author is back towards his very best what his writing is concerned, especially after the last somewhat disappointing predecessor, and that's why I like to call this excellent episode: "An Outstanding Roman Vengeance"!
April 24, 2023
This series is normally one of my favourites and mainly its because of the cast of characters we have grown to love and cheer for over 12 books.
I loved the first half of this book. Marcus doing his thing, and I was completely invested. However the second half was more political intrigue inside Rome. Whilst I enjoyed it, I missed the band of merry men and their dialogue amongst each other
Hopefully we are back out on campaign in the next one
I loved the first half of this book. Marcus doing his thing, and I was completely invested. However the second half was more political intrigue inside Rome. Whilst I enjoyed it, I missed the band of merry men and their dialogue amongst each other
Hopefully we are back out on campaign in the next one
November 25, 2021
This was really, really good!
Without repeating the synopsis, or giving away any spoilers, Marcus' scenes taking place in palace were terrific. Commodus was like a ticking time bomb that I was nervous to see explode over anyone and everyone. As he tended to do!
The time period for this book was the Year of Five Emperors. Book #13 is coming out next year, I believe in March (?), and I've already preordered it. But as of right now I've wrapped up this series.
Onward!!
Without repeating the synopsis, or giving away any spoilers, Marcus' scenes taking place in palace were terrific. Commodus was like a ticking time bomb that I was nervous to see explode over anyone and everyone. As he tended to do!
The time period for this book was the Year of Five Emperors. Book #13 is coming out next year, I believe in March (?), and I've already preordered it. But as of right now I've wrapped up this series.
Onward!!
March 2, 2024
‘I am death! Cursed with the double-edged gift of a gods-given ability to kill and an unending succession of men who seem determined to die.’
Riches delivers the goods. As promised, his twelve-volume series on the Roman Empire during the reign of Commodus closes with a bang: a murder kicks off the Year of the Five Emperors. And our hero holds his signature two blades at the throat of Rome.
‘I have a promise to keep. You two should—’ ‘[Redacted] “should”, you idiot. I’ve been pulling your chestnuts out of the fire for more than a decade, so if you think I’m going to let you wander off into the city to die with some bastard’s knife in your back, you can forget it. I’m coming with you.’
Possibly the most history-laden story of the series, Vengeance draws on a turbulent Saturnalia and its aftermath. Riches trims his core crew to the essentials and turns them loose on the Eternal City nudging history in the right direction to provide Marcus closure. Too bad about him having to die to achieve it. Maybe.
‘You fools! May Jove the Avenger smite you from the heavens!’
Series overview: Hardcore historical fiction told with modern English military idioms and profanity. Second-century Roman empire provides rich background of war, intrigue, and unrest to propel too-good-to-be-true protagonist to adventure. (The whole series loses one star for profanity and violence. You’ve been warned.) Compare to Ellis Peters’ Chronicles of Cadfael or Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe's Tiger series. Though episodic, best read in order.
Riches delivers the goods. As promised, his twelve-volume series on the Roman Empire during the reign of Commodus closes with a bang: a murder kicks off the Year of the Five Emperors. And our hero holds his signature two blades at the throat of Rome.
‘I have a promise to keep. You two should—’ ‘[Redacted] “should”, you idiot. I’ve been pulling your chestnuts out of the fire for more than a decade, so if you think I’m going to let you wander off into the city to die with some bastard’s knife in your back, you can forget it. I’m coming with you.’
Possibly the most history-laden story of the series, Vengeance draws on a turbulent Saturnalia and its aftermath. Riches trims his core crew to the essentials and turns them loose on the Eternal City nudging history in the right direction to provide Marcus closure. Too bad about him having to die to achieve it. Maybe.
‘You fools! May Jove the Avenger smite you from the heavens!’
Series overview: Hardcore historical fiction told with modern English military idioms and profanity. Second-century Roman empire provides rich background of war, intrigue, and unrest to propel too-good-to-be-true protagonist to adventure. (The whole series loses one star for profanity and violence. You’ve been warned.) Compare to Ellis Peters’ Chronicles of Cadfael or Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe's Tiger series. Though episodic, best read in order.
December 1, 2021
I love this series! This is one of my favourites in it - the demise of the insane gladiator emperor Commodus. review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
January 14, 2023
Good book!!
I enjoyed this 12th book in the series. It got a bit wordy sometimes, but enjoyed the banter between the friends of Marcus. I will look forward to reading the 13th in the series.
I enjoyed this 12th book in the series. It got a bit wordy sometimes, but enjoyed the banter between the friends of Marcus. I will look forward to reading the 13th in the series.
October 20, 2023
To avoid spoilers, this book considers the circumstances surrounding the death of the Emperor Commodus and the beginning of the Year of the Five Emperors. Commodus provides another thread linking the books together and, as one may imagine, the death of the emperor of the world provides the culmination of this arc. This period of but a few months was chaotic, and the chaos necessitates a fast-paced novel in which secondary characters come and go. Rich in historical detail, Riches ensures that the events of the book are described with vivid clarity, This is one of the better books in the series, and represents a satisfying end to the relationship between the protagonist, his comrades, and the people of Commodian Rome.
November 18, 2021
The boys are back in town.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Marcus, Julius, Dubnus, Lugos, Morban and the rest of the boys are back in Rome. Commodus is for the most part, insane. He wants to be a gladiator and an emperor. He's also a merciless tyrant and as is usually the case with said tyrants, he won't be dying of old age. The book pretty much sticks to the real history involved although Marcus may just get the revenge he craves.
The book doesn't have the battle scenes of the previous books, but doesn't need them. It pulls you along at a fast pace and keeps you enthralled from page 1. As usual, i'm now extremely disappointed that i've finished the book, but i'm already looking forward to the next. A brilliant read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Marcus, Julius, Dubnus, Lugos, Morban and the rest of the boys are back in Rome. Commodus is for the most part, insane. He wants to be a gladiator and an emperor. He's also a merciless tyrant and as is usually the case with said tyrants, he won't be dying of old age. The book pretty much sticks to the real history involved although Marcus may just get the revenge he craves.
The book doesn't have the battle scenes of the previous books, but doesn't need them. It pulls you along at a fast pace and keeps you enthralled from page 1. As usual, i'm now extremely disappointed that i've finished the book, but i'm already looking forward to the next. A brilliant read.
December 17, 2022
It had been 5 years since Marcus Aquila and his band of friends and soldiers had saved Egypt from the invasion of a foreign army. Now Legion commander, Scaurus has been called by his uncle,
Pertinax, a Roman senator came back to Rome to kill Emperor Commodus. It is an elaborate plot and Marcus has been recruited to become a gladiator again to get close to Commodus and kill him. Marcus was willing to do the deed, because of what Commodus had done to his wife many years before. After many setbacks, their scheme succeeded, but that only began new conspiracies to replace Emperor Pertinax with a new man. With the Roman treasury, almost all spent by Commodus, the new Emperor has to find a way to get more money or he knows the Praetorian Guard will revolt and sell the throne to the highest bidder. A good read and lots of action, I think you will enjoy reading, "Vengeance."
Pertinax, a Roman senator came back to Rome to kill Emperor Commodus. It is an elaborate plot and Marcus has been recruited to become a gladiator again to get close to Commodus and kill him. Marcus was willing to do the deed, because of what Commodus had done to his wife many years before. After many setbacks, their scheme succeeded, but that only began new conspiracies to replace Emperor Pertinax with a new man. With the Roman treasury, almost all spent by Commodus, the new Emperor has to find a way to get more money or he knows the Praetorian Guard will revolt and sell the throne to the highest bidder. A good read and lots of action, I think you will enjoy reading, "Vengeance."
February 23, 2022
It started very slowly, in fact rather boring and I was getting to the stage of putting to the side and reading something else. However, I plodded on and started to enjoy it, it got better and better and I was really excited not wanting to stop reading. A bit confusing at times, you have to remember who is who but in the end I was sorry to finish it. Will Aquila continue, I hope so.
April 8, 2024
Two swords go to War
An excellent account of the fall of Commodus and the chaos that followed afterwards. Felt quite brief and flew through it in a night. Well worth reading but only as part of the series. If you haven't read the others, do before this one. It would still make sense but you'd be missing out on the context of most of the others
An excellent account of the fall of Commodus and the chaos that followed afterwards. Felt quite brief and flew through it in a night. Well worth reading but only as part of the series. If you haven't read the others, do before this one. It would still make sense but you'd be missing out on the context of most of the others
November 17, 2021
Surely not the end
A gripping finally but surely Scaurus does not leave his uncle unavenged. I hope that Anthony has more stories about the group.
A gripping finally but surely Scaurus does not leave his uncle unavenged. I hope that Anthony has more stories about the group.
April 23, 2022
Not up to standard
Found this story very weak and never got going. I really enjoyed the previous titles in series but struggled to finish this one.
Found this story very weak and never got going. I really enjoyed the previous titles in series but struggled to finish this one.
June 22, 2022
fantastic read
Sad the series are coming to a end have loved everyone book of it could not put it down I was riveted
Sad the series are coming to a end have loved everyone book of it could not put it down I was riveted
October 27, 2022
another fantastic instalment of two blades( marcus aquilla) historical fiction at its finest, full of the brutal realities of living in times gone past…
November 10, 2022
A return to form after previous disappointing instalments
December 18, 2022
Roma Invicta
Mr Riches delivers once again . A compelling blend of fact and fiction which hooks the reader from the first paragraph.
I cannot wait for Marcus to March again.
Mr Riches delivers once again . A compelling blend of fact and fiction which hooks the reader from the first paragraph.
I cannot wait for Marcus to March again.
November 3, 2023
So I should start by saying I'm a big fan of the series. They are easily readable, humorous and have a unique style to them. Problem is by book 12 the irreverent/overly honest/amusing style is wearing thin. And whilst it's fine and plausible for an entire Auxiliary cohort to have said style, everyone in Rome is both stretching credibility and wearing.
Generally what covers over this irreverent style being overly employed (for example in the very good Centurions trilogy) is action and suspense. Problem is there isn't that much action or that much suspense in this novel. Marcus is the only one in "danger", and cation is rather limited. Additionally taking away the entire Auxiliary cohort to me is also a shame, as that was one of the main attractions in the series.
The positives are it's an easy read and there's some interest - spoiler alert - to be had in how the Empire copes with a change in Emperor. And if you like the style of the books, then it has it in spades though. Overall though it's one of the weakest in the series, as Riches does best when he gets actions and battles and there's nowhere near enough of this to cover up. 2.4 rating rounded down to 2 out of 5. Hopefully there will be another because an otherwise strong series deserves to end with a bang.
Generally what covers over this irreverent style being overly employed (for example in the very good Centurions trilogy) is action and suspense. Problem is there isn't that much action or that much suspense in this novel. Marcus is the only one in "danger", and cation is rather limited. Additionally taking away the entire Auxiliary cohort to me is also a shame, as that was one of the main attractions in the series.
The positives are it's an easy read and there's some interest - spoiler alert - to be had in how the Empire copes with a change in Emperor. And if you like the style of the books, then it has it in spades though. Overall though it's one of the weakest in the series, as Riches does best when he gets actions and battles and there's nowhere near enough of this to cover up. 2.4 rating rounded down to 2 out of 5. Hopefully there will be another because an otherwise strong series deserves to end with a bang.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews