Hero of Rome (Gaius Valerius Verrens)
Hero of Rome (Gaius Valerius Verrens) book cover

Hero of Rome (Gaius Valerius Verrens)

Paperback – International Edition, October 31, 2011

by
Price
$24.54
Format
Paperback
Pages
432
Publisher
Corgi
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-0552161336
Dimensions
5.01 x 1.2 x 7.76 inches
Weight
11.5 ounces

Description

"If I were Conn Iggulden or Simon Scarrow, I'd be rather worried by the new Scottish kidon the block." — The Scotsman "A master of his discipline rightly hailed as one of the best historical novelists writingtoday." — Daily Express "A splendid piece of storytelling and a vivid recreation of a long-dead-world." —Allan Massie DOUGLAS JACKSON turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first two novels, Caligula and Claudius . He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. Hero of Rome is the first in a major new Roman trilogy, featuring Valerius Verrens.

Features & Highlights

  • The Roman grip on Britain is weakening. Emperor Nero has turned his face away from this far-flung outpost. The Druids are on the rise, spreading seeds of rebellion among the British tribes. Roman cruelty and exploitation has angered their British subjects. The warrior queen Boudicca will lead the tribes to war. Standing against the rising tide of Boudicca's rebellion is Roman Tribune, Gaius Valerius Verrens, Commander of the veteran legions at Colonia. Valerius leads the veterans in a last stand against the unstoppable horde of Boudicca's rebel army. Step by step, the bloodied survivors are forced back into the Temple of Claudius. It is here that Valerius wins lifelong fame and the accolade Hero of Rome.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(647)
★★★★
25%
(539)
★★★
15%
(323)
★★
7%
(151)
★
23%
(496)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Rome v Boudicca

A slightly familiar path here, but I suppose it is hard to find freshness in the well-trod area of a Roman actioner.

This one is set in Britain AD60/61 where the resentful locals have been subdued and Nero is the Emperor. Young Valerius is a Tribune in the legions and is sent with a small force to protect the town of Colonia where the locals are causing some unrest. In reality this is the Boudicca uprising and Valerius, his troops and the local auxiliaries are vastly outnumbered......

It's not bad. I mention a well-trod path, and what can lift a story above the norm is the depth and interest in the characters and sadly Valerius is a little bland. But the story has pace and is set in an interesting period of Roman/British history and is certainly engaging enough if not spectacular. Author Douglas Jackson certainly knows his history and places his story and characters within a pivotal timeframe and, to his credit, avoids "and with one bound they were free" resolutions, there are consequences here and not everyone makes it.

So not bad and I will pick up the next one in the series.
3 people found this helpful
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thank you

I love this series own them all. well written and kept me engrossed all the way to the end. It was a great price and worth it.

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