The author himself describes this book as an episode of Jack Bauer's 24 but set in ancient Rome and it's easy to see why. It literally does not let up in pace from the very first to the very last page.
Set over a 24 hour period, the barbarian Ballista has to save the emperor Gallienus from a plot to assassinate him. We follow his high octane journey through the city as he evades capture and pulls off stunts that Tom Cruise would be proud of.
You really get to feel, see and smell the underbelly of Rome - from sweaty slaves under the city baths through to the city watchmen who Ballista just keeps giving the slip.
The perpetrators of the intended coup go by code names so we never know who is trustworthy but it's fair to say that most of the city's inhabitants seem like they'd sell their soul to the highest bidder!
Even Ballista, whilst trying to save the emperor, doesn't actual like him - but it's save the emperor or lose his family. There is a pretty gruesome end for one character at the hands of a lion and plenty of sword slashing, stabbing and cudgelling along the way and I almost felt like I'd gone 10 rounds in the boxing ring by the end of it!
Set over a 24 hour period, the barbarian Ballista has to save the emperor Gallienus from a plot to assassinate him. We follow his high octane journey through the city as he evades capture and pulls off stunts that Tom Cruise would be proud of.
You really get to feel, see and smell the underbelly of Rome - from sweaty slaves under the city baths through to the city watchmen who Ballista just keeps giving the slip.
The perpetrators of the intended coup go by code names so we never know who is trustworthy but it's fair to say that most of the city's inhabitants seem like they'd sell their soul to the highest bidder!
Even Ballista, whilst trying to save the emperor, doesn't actual like him - but it's save the emperor or lose his family. There is a pretty gruesome end for one character at the hands of a lion and plenty of sword slashing, stabbing and cudgelling along the way and I almost felt like I'd gone 10 rounds in the boxing ring by the end of it!