Monthly Group Reads: JUNE 2012 (Group Read 1): Rome : The Emperor's Spy by Manda Scott

[Bobby]

Both books arrived this week!!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Lucky you! My kingdom for just one! Inquisition should be at the library awaiting pickup. This book, still in transit.

How do they look, Bobby? Have you flicked through and read any bits and bobs? < (no pun intended)

[Bobby]

Well, I was only 1/2 right. I saw my mail had 2 books so I ASSUMED (there's that nasty word again) they were both my June reads but only one was, Inquisition. The other was a giveaway I won long ago and had forgotten about!! Anyway, Inquisition is paperback and about 500 pages. Cover says "a corpse brought to Mondino's lab one stormy night defies natural law; the victim is a Templar knight and his heart has been transformed into a block of iron!" OOOOOkay....thats different!! Looking forward to the read.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I look forward to seeing how this alchemy aspect pans out in Inquisition.
Simona says she feels it may have a little supernatural hook.
Even if it is, we'll all have a good time talking about it. And then talking about whether or not it classifies as historical fiction. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I have put this book up on the main page as currently reading even though we haven't started yet.
I'll post this message in the Inquisition Group Read Thread also.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

The new copy I have coming in the mail is this recent edition (which, becuase i am a good little Goodreads Librarian, I have added to Goodreads so I can show you all the cover..:)..).



It has a different blurb too.

Stop this fire, whatever it takes. I, your Emperor, order it' The Emperor Nero, Emperor of Rome and all her provinces, feared by his subjects for his temper and cruelty, is in possession of an ancient document predicting that Rome will burn. The Spy Sebastos Pantera, assassin and spy for the Roman Legions, is ordered to stop the impending cataclysm. He knows that if he does not, his life - and those of thousands of others - are in terrible danger. The Chariot Boy Math, a young charioteer, is a pawn drawn into the deadly game between the Emperor and the Spy, where death stalks the drivers - on the track and off it. Rich characterisation and spine tingling adventure combine in a vividly realised novel set amid the bloodshed and the chaos, the heroism and murderous betrayal of ancient Rome.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Was a surprise to find both books in the mail today. By both I mean book 1 and 2 of this series. I could have started with Emperor's Spy after all. Oh well, I am just as happy to be starting Inquisition first now.

[Darcy]

I managed to get all my June books at the book shoppe yesterday, including the two for this group. I was expecting them to both be large books, but they're just wee paperbacks. Lucky me, no thumb paralysis next month for me.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Lol. I was expecting big books too. I don't know why I expe ted Inquisition to be large. Maybe it says 500 pages in its book details.
I expected The Emperor's Spy to be large because it had a big page count. But hey, they ain't so scary!

Which are you going to read first, D?

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Lol. I was expecting big books too. I don't know why I expe ted Inquisition to be large. Maybe it says 500 pages in its book details.
I expected The Emperor's Spy to be large because it had a big page count. But hey, they ain't so scary!

Which are you going to read first, D?

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I must say, I like a good spy or assassin character. They are my favourites...and I *clears throat*...kind of noticed the guy on the cover of my edition of The Emperor's spy is pretty hot. :-) That always helps.

[Bobby]

Terri wrote: "Lol. I was expecting big books too. I don't know why I expe ted Inquisition to be large. Maybe it says 500 pages in its book details.
I expected The Emperor's Spy to be large because it had a big p..."

I may have mislead you but my paperback copy is around 500 pages! Also, Rome: The Emperor's Spy arrived today. Good timing.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Which cover of The Emperor's Spy did you get, Bobby? The one in the topic heading, or the one I posted the other day?

[Darcy]

Terri wrote: "Lol. I was expecting big books too. I don't know why I expe ted Inquisition to be large. Maybe it says 500 pages in its book details.
I expected The Emperor's Spy to be large because it had a big p..."

I haven't really decided. I'm torn, but maybe Scott since its chronologically first (by time period). If I have my way, I'll get them both done by the end of the week end.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

That's why I wanted to start with this one too. First Ancient, then Medieval. Oh well. I am set up to do Inquistion first. :-)

[Bobby]

Terri wrote: "Which cover of The Emperor's Spy did you get, Bobby? The one in the topic heading, or the one I posted the other day?"

The one in the topic heading.

[Megan]

My librarian was able to track down this book! I'll be able to pick it up on Monday. I'm excited to read along with everyone.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Oh fantastic, Megan! I was disappointed that we'd lost you. Being your first group read in A&M, it was going to be great to have you along. Yay. :-)

[Dawn]

Well, I attempted to start this today. I picked it up from the library and then ended up going out for lunch with a girlfriend so couldn't read it then, got stuck waiting for a train and read 3 pages on th way home and then get sidetracked by 'Whitechapel' and 'So you think you can Dance'.
So all I can say is the first 3 pages are good but I'll have to wait until I can read a few chapters to find out if the rest of the book is promising......

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Sometimes life just gets in the way of a good reading session. :D

[Dawn]

For those who opted out of this book for religious reasons I have read enough to know that this is most definitely not the book for you. :( It goes far beyond the original concerns and changes most of the new testament story.

On the plus side for anyone who is planning on reading it.....I'm finding it very interesting and it hooked me with the characters and the story in the first chapter. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Luckily, not religious so not bothered by the religious stuff. I am excited to see that you are hooked. Can't wait to get to this one!!!

[Dawn]

And you've read the first series too right? 'Cause there are several characters that are continued in this series.

[Megan]

I picked up this book today at the library and, after reading the first couple of pages, I'm more excited about getting into it. I'll probably really get into it this weekend.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Hi Megan! :-)
I'm still a few days off starting this one as I am in the middle of our other group read, Inquisition.

Dawn and I have been working on July's group read suggestions. We are going to put up a couple polls for voting. Two polls, two books in each of those polls. The winner of each group of two goes through.
We've tried to select books for voting on that are easier to find in the US.

[Dawn]

I am 35% in and I really like it so far. Good writing, great characters, and really good story.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Dawn wrote: "I am 35% in and I really like it so far. Good writing, great characters, and really good story."

Very good news. :-)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

If anyone didn't get their invite to vote on the July Group read, go here;
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9...
I had a whoopsie and some people didn't get their invites.

(I'll put this same message on the Inquisition thread too)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I startes this last night and can I say...WOW!! What a terrific start. Instantly addictive and I can see how you guys got hooked straight away.
That part where it 'really' kicked off...the wharf, the kid in his hat, the stranger coming off the boat (trying not to give away spoilers here)....that was a bitchen start.

It has been a while since I read the first few books in Scott's Dreaming the Eagle/Boudica series, but I was reminded while reading The Emperor's spy how excellent and talented a writer she is. I was blown away by it in that Boudica series and I am blown away by it again.

[Tasha]

Good to hear! But I think I'll start with Scott's Boudica series so I can get the proper background. :)

[Dawn]

It's still got me hooked 182 pages in. Nero is a great character, I'm really liking how she's written him.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

This Assassin, Sebastos Pantera currently epitomises what i like in an Assassin. Love this character.
Pantera is also a favourite band of mine. :-)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I got in an hour or so reading this afternoon and burned through to page 85. Loving it. Great characters.

Since I didn't read all the books in the Boudica series, I am finding out how it ended.

Honestly, I think that a person can read this book no worries without having finished the Boudica books. The only problem is that if one ever plans on reading the Boudica series, you are going to already know how a few characters endings turn out if you read this book.
However, if someone doesn't care if they read Boudica, and could give it a miss, you will still thoroughly enjoy this book. You don't need to know what happened in the Boudica series to get into the Emperor's Spy.
As mentioned, I never finished the Boudica series and I am loving this book.
It may be fun for some people who have read the former series to connect some dots, but for those who haven't read it, it will not interfere with your enjoyment factor.

[Tasha]

Good to know, thanks Terri.

[Vanessa Caulkins]

I decided that I will have to read the Boudica series first. I had no idea that there would be characters in this book that were from another series. I'm glad I found out before starting it lol ;)

[Tasha]

I'm waiting to read the Boudica series first too. I'll try for a summer read.

[Tim]

I'm about one fifth in and so far its an interesting read. Great sense of time/place. Anyone finished it yet?

[Dawn]

Not finished yet, I'm trying to make it last two weeks so I won't be finished until about the 14th.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Tim,
Great to have you along, mate. I didn't realise you were also in for a penny in for a pound.

Up to page 110. Still right into it!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

The Boudica books are very, very different to this book. The Boudica books, being Ancient Britain and this new series being set in Rome.
But the major difference is the rather 'fantasy' or 'supernatural' feel that the Boudica series has. There is a lot of future reading. Reading the auguries, their healers and seers seeing future events and heaps of 'dreaming' such as you might find the American Indians doing on payote.
If you don't like witchdoctory and trance like dreaming sequences, then Boudica is not for you..this new series would be for you.

In saying that, I enjoyed the three books from the Boudica series that i read, I just got over the spiritual witchdoctory by the third book and never went on and finished the series up.

[Tasha]

Well, that's interesting. I think that has completely changed my idea. I'm not sure i'd like all that. Thanks. :)

[Dawn]

If that doesn't seem like your cup of tea you may want to skip these ones too, I am getting the feeling that the story is going to head in the same direction eventually. :)

I also think this story is going to be more connected to the Boudica series than it seems at present. But these are just vague impressions to far.

[Tasha]

I just read some of the reviews on here and it sounds like most people loved the Boudica series. My library has the book so still just might try it. Did you read it Dawn? What did you think?

[Dawn]

Haven't read it, this is my first Manda Scott book. Tempted to go back in time and read them.....the writing is so good in this one. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

She sure is an excellent writer. She was as good in the Boudica series.

[Tasha]

That's the other thing, many say how good the writing is.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

You'll see authors here in our group mention that her writing helped inspire them to write or write better. She really is that good.
I think you would like this book so far, but then, I also think you would like too.

[Tasha]

I will give Boudica a summer start. :)

[Tasha]

I thought I'd give my library a book request to buy this one. I just asked them to order 2 books last month (which they did!) so I'm going to see what they say about a request again. they have her Boudica series so I'm thinking I may have a good shot.

[Vanessa Caulkins]

Hmmmmmm yeah I'm not into witchdoctory and supernatural. Glad you said that about the Boudica series. I think I'll skip them now.