Hero of Rome (Gaius Valerius Verrens 1): An action-packed and riveting novel of Roman adventure…

This historical novel is based upon the Boudicca rebellion in Roman Britain in 60AD. The focus of the novel is on Valerius, a Roman Tribune who has been given orders right before he is to leave for Rome (after his commitment to serve was supposed to be over) to defend a Roman colony (called Colonia but probably Roman Colchester) from the attack of Boudicca's rebellious horde of Celts.

What happens next is the stuff of legends: the stand of a group of Roman militia (ex legionnaires who are in the late forties and fifties and have businesses and families in town), the stand in a Roman temple (made mostly of marble), etc.

The brutality of warfare of the Roman period is highlighted almost to a fault espcially on the depredations that occurred to the Romans who were captured (won't go through that but want to alert the reader) providing gruesome details.

If you are interested in Roman history, this book is worth the read and the purchase. It provides details based upon the historical writings of Tacitus of this rebellion. It also provides a good reason for why the rebellion occurred (brutal Roman soldiers and administrators overreacting to their responsibilities).

I'm an avid reader of all books Roman, action, mysteries, etc and I have to say this grabbed my attention from the start. The author managed to skillfully build characters and insert them into the beginnings of the Iceni rebellion. His take on this bit of history revolves around Tribune Valerius, whom finds himself wintering with a cohort from the XXth Legion at Camulodunum, known as The Colony due to the large number of retired legionaries who participated in the original invasion 16 years earlier. His involvement with the local populace and the consequences set the tone for the entire story. In some cases I found I could anticipate the direction the plot would take, especially with specific characters; however, this did not detract from the story. Having some background of the history of Roman Britain did have me wondering how the author would end the story and I have to say I was caught off guard. Admittedly the last crushing battle against the Iceni did seem rushed; but, if you consider Valerius's role in this compared to his other direct "in the front line" view, it makes sense it would come across this way. The price Valerius paid in the end for the title Hero of Rome, puts an interesting twist for the rest of the forthcoming trilogy and I'm VERY eager to see how the author pulls it off. A final comment about the characters, although exposure to some of the supporting characters were brief I have to admit I enjoyed the authors depiction of the veterans miltia of The Colony, especially Flavo and Corvinus. The ability to bring out what are ordinarily single dimensional types in an action novel speaks well for any author. Thanks and Have A Great Day!

“Hero of Rome” by Douglas Jackson is a novel which related the rebellion of the ancient Britons led by Boudicca against Roman Rule, as seen by a Roman soldier.
Set in the year 59 AD, the story follows Tribune Valerius whose command of the Ninth legion Is about to end. The first part of the book begins with that legion besieging, assaulting and destroying a Briton town. Though protected by a palisade wall and ditches, the tough, veteran legion achieve a quick, bloody victory that results in the usual Roman retribution- all men are killed and the surviving women raped and killed , except for those women who fought alongside the men and were slain with their husbands. Surviving women and children were taken as slaves.
There is then an interlude of garrison duty in Valerius’ life , which affords him time to be entranced by Maeve, the beautiful daughter of a local Briton who lives in a Roman town / fortress built in honor of Claudius, the Emperor who conquered the country. Valerius and Maeve become secret lovers because her fellow Britons despised the Romans and would force Maeve to leave her lover and flee to the countryside.
The resentful natives’ disgust and hate for the Roman rule that exploits the local people as tax- impoverished serfs on land that was their once their own farmland was growing. Soon, Valerius and his commanders hear of a unknown presence , calling herself Boudicca, Queen of the Britons, who is fomenting rebellion and gathering an army. Valerius , who was on his way to Londonium to sail for home , is recalled to lead the Roman response to the enemy . He must face a vast enemy army seething with fury with only a few thousand legionnaires. When the battle comes , death comes with it.
Except for the first chapters of that siege mentioned above, The majority of the novel concerns itself with the hero’s life in and interaction with the Roman colony where he resides. Valerius is a dedicated officer, fair and firm- handed, respected by his soldiers , and trusted by his superiors. He is a man who does his duty. We see his growing affection for the beautiful Maeve and of her affection toward him. Valerius appealing character is well conceived and written; the reader feels connected . Their love affair is almost idyllic. Could it withstand the hurricane of warfare?
It is when Boudicca leads her army against the Romans that the novel grips the reader in some of the most effectively thrilling battle scenes in any historical novel. These pages are not for readers easily dismayed by blood and gore. The description of close-in combat with sword and spear waged at arms length is horrifying and compelling. So be warned.
Here the. plot summary ends here to avoid spoilers to the story.
Mr .Douglas has obviously done his homework on what life might be like in a Roman colony in a rainy, cold, hostile Britain of the 59AD. He gives the reader plenty of Latin names for people and objects for verisimilitude . I thought it was a bit overdone. The longish mid- novel romantic interlude slowed things, also, IMHO. ( But as a male, I prefer the action on the battle field to the bedroom.) Cover blurbs compared this book to those of Bernard Cornwell’s novels of Saxon -Danish- Viking war Historical saga As far as combat scenes go, a fair comparison. But Cornwell’s novels are more compact , and have greater impact. Yet, I take nothing away from Mr. Douglas’ very readable novel.
I recommend this first in the series of nine novels featuring Valerius the Roman. “ Hero of Rome is complete in the sense of not being a cliff-hanger, but the reader is made aware that the hero’s life will have more adventures.

An ordinary soldier thrust into the forefront of one of the most significant battles in British history. Great story, fiction wrapped around fact, and I certainly learned a lot more about the Roman invasion of Britain than I was ever taught in school. I read this book a long time ago and have worked through to finishing the sixth in the series. Each book kept me totally absorbed. My husband, not a real book lover, has just finished Hero of Rome; he couldn't put it down and is now starting on the second, Defender of Rome. The whole series is highly recommended for those whose interest lies in both history and likeable heroes.

Have been plowing through a lot of Roman historical fiction lately and loved Hero of Rome. While the battles were not as engaging and real for me as Jackson's "Claudius" was, the overall storyline was much more engaging. The way the author balanced the veteran legionnaires duties to their unity and to their families at Colonia felt very sincere to me causing them to be one of my favorite groups of characters. I can't say enough about this book and am looking forward to seeing how the author transforms what felt like a stand-alone novel into a series.

An amazing story. Great characters, rich in depth and breadth. You love the heroes, despise the evil, and feel the conflict for those who are both. Accolades for the entire book could be given for pages - but the last 100 pages were riveting. I raced through each page not because I was in a hurry, but because I did not want to interrupt one minute of the siege and it’s outcome. Bravo! I cannot wait the next in the series.

Loved the book. I was not sure first, but I liked the main character and the story line, very well written as well. Also, Romans were the invaders, there is nothing to like about them, right? At the same time, they are human beings, following the orders, making money, having feelings, families, and pride in who they were. Then the Celts and how they dealth with being taken over the Roman empire, they struggle to fight the oppressor with vengence, blood and brutality. I am glad I did not live in those times. The descriptions of soldiers' camps, their lives, and the battles were great. The pace is fast and it is a very intersting and good read. I believe I am going to read the next one.

Thank god; not another police procedural, or fancy trial lawyer, or pair of PIs, or lady’s “beach” book, or pair of police detectives, or people with supernatural power(s). This book, and series, is fascinating history told by a master story teller. Lively, Engrossing, Compelling, Entertaining, Thrilling Battles, Interesting Historical Figures, All the Grandeur that was Rome. If you enjoy any kind of history, you will feast on this book. Do. Not. Pass. Up.

My first Douglas Jackson novel which I picked for the subject matter. Not bad but it had some flaws from my stand point. First the pluses. The characters are developed well although a little to predictable. Second the descriptions of the town's and the lay of the land was done well although I would love to see more towards the end of the book. The way honor is played up on both sides especially that of the veterans I believe captured a true sense of belief. What did not like in the story was it was to predictable. I know it's history and it's not easy not to be but in the characters movements were to easy to predict. A battle sciences were well thought out but way to fast in there execution within the story. This especially true for the last major battle which was a tremendous victory in reality. Lastly some terms bothered me especially when the word spear was being used in relation of the pilum. The pilum was a javelin not a spear and a Roman would not call it a spear. All in all its worth a read to pass time.

When I mentioned on social networks that I was reading Hero of Rome by Douglas Jackson I was informed that I was going to love this book. Well between the time I started it and finished it I had begun writing my own novel(my first)...the main reason it took me so long to finish Hero. Normally I would have read a book this intriguing in a much shorter time frame but I needed to take time to get my efforts off the ground. The biggest problem I have encountered while having both balls in the air is this; Douglas Jackson is masterful. If I can be one-quarter as descriptive...if I can be one-tenth the character developer that he is, I will be a happy author. He has written a book that draws you right into the hearts and minds of his characters, most especially the main character, Gaius Valerius Verrens.

The place is Britain prior to and then during Boudicca's revolt. Valerius is a Tribune assigned to Colonia, the town where the temple to Claudius was built. He is due to return to Rome to begin his climb up the political ladder but finds himself instead in an impossible situation having to defend the town against a force of really ticked off British tribes that is at least ten times larger than what he has at his disposal. The first part of the book deals with the politics and policies used by Rome to bring Britain into "civilization". Naturally some Roman officials are overly dismissive of these barbarians in their charge and that is the fuel that ignites the tinderbox that Boudicca fans into a full fledged bloody revolt. The last part of the book, the revolt itself, is an edge of the seat, page turning brilliant example of great historical fiction writing. When I finished I knew I would be reading the rest of the books in this series which I am told by my social network friends are even better than the first. Oh my!