The Centinela Gambit

Legionnaire, Book 5

By: Gilbert M. Stack

Narrated by: William L. Hahn

Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Surrounded by enemies, Prefect Marcus Venandus launches a bold stroke to eliminate one opponent in the coming war. The key to his plan is the fortified border town of Centinela - the Sentinel of Southern Morganita. Its fortified walls are strong enough to delay conventional forces for weeks, giving the other enemy city-states plenty of time to invade Amatista from the east. Yet, one thing Marcus has learned in the Jeweled Hills is that the locals do not understand the full capabilities of legion-style infantry. Can he take advantage of their ignorance to neutralize Centinela? Or will his risky gambit cost Marcus and his allies the war?

©2018 Gilbert M. Stack (P)2020 Gilbert M. Stack

Honor Incarnate

There is no doubt that Marcus is a very honorable man and as a reader I love him for it! He has been given a lot to bare for a man whose goals were to be a life long soldier, but still he does the right thing even when its the hardest. When fantasy makes you wish reality were more like it you know its a good story and this is a good story. My only complaint would be that this book is very short. The others so far in the series have been 7/9 hours and this was only 5. Other than that this was a great book, its an awesome series and now I just have to wait for the rest to come out.

A hint of Rome with a dash of Sci-fi

As the story progressed, I honestly thought we were going to see a battle of Thermopylae, but I was wrong.

I love how Marcus is also able to understand and draw out the best of cultures that naturally clash!

And as always, Will did an excellent job with the narration!

A daring plan!

The Battle for Amatista progresses. Marcus’s mission is to quell the tension between the three tribes, i.e. Qing, Gente, and Gota in the north and align their Thegns politically with Aquila. To that end, he must prepare his Black Hat Legion for the coming war with Diamonte and its allies. We find Prefect Marcus Venandus in the border town of Centinela. It is here Marcus prepares a holding force in the west to delay Diamonte’s allies while the rest of his local forces attack Amatista from the east. The plan demands speed and obedience to orders, two things Marcus fears the local forces cannot deliver. Contending with the spies and loose tongues in the district does not help. Marcus’s plan is daring. Will he be able to pull it off? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Sometimes gambles pay off

For this Legionnaire volume, I opted for the audio version which adds a whole other element; actually many more elements. William L. Hahn does a fine job imitating the various characters and tosses in just enough sound effects to make the narrative come alive. But it's his exuberance in the reading of this novel that really shines through, adding as it does a ton of energy.

Now, the Centinela Gambit is certainly that--a gambit! Marcas and company take huge risks in this volume, and the reader had best hang on for the ride.

And man has Gilbert Stack found a character trait for his magicians that gets under my skin.... they won't follow orders! I can feel my tension building every time Marcus or one of his officers has to pause in the middle of a critical situation and explain why the magic man needs to do what he's being ordered instead of just doing it! That's good writing!

This chapter features a lot of plot that doesn't involve Marcus as much as it does Calidus who's been given a difficult task (which we won't dive into or it might spoil it). It's a fun story, and amazingly, just as hard-hitting and absorbing as the previous volumes. These just keep getting better. Excellente!