The Blood of Rome

Eagles of the Empire, Book 17

By: Simon Scarrow

Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

The gripping new Cato and Macro adventure in Simon Scarrow's best-selling Eagles of the Empire series, not to be missed by fans of Conn Iggulden and Bernard Cornwell. 

It is AD 55. As trouble brews on the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire, Tribune Cato and Centurion Macro must prepare for war.... 

The wily Parthian Empire has invaded Armenia, a frontier territory claimed by Rome, ousting King Rhadamistus. The king is ambitious and ruthless, but he is vital to Rome's strategic interests. General Corbulo must restore him to power while also readying the troops for war with the powerful Parthian Empire. Corbulo orders new arrivals Cato and Macro, and their elite cohort of Praetorian Guards, to carry out the task.

Marching into unmapped and unfamiliar terrain to restore an unpopular king is a perilous mission. Allies cannot be trusted, and foes lurk on all sides. The bravery and skill of the Roman army will be tested to the limit....

©2018 Simon Scarrow (P)2018 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Blood, gore, political intrigue.... A historical fiction thriller that'll have you reaching for your gladius." (Daily Sport)

The Series is Spent!<br />

I have previously given Scarrow high marks for the Cato/Macro series of books but this last one complete with Cato's tortured pseudoethical machinations regarding punishing his own soldiers for defending themselves but no such machinations for the massacre and torture of a unit of Romans is frustratingly comical though clearly put forth as serious writing. Finally, Scarrow's inept understanding of the "similarities" between the Roman usurpation of Armenia and Vietnam conflict are simply hysterical. By far the worst book of the series.

Another great tale.

Jonathan Keeble reading Simon Scarrow - it doesn’t get any better than this! This is another great tale and an enjoyable addition to the series.

a great story

the best in the series yet. Though a little predictable midway but not the ending

Great Series

Love this series, great plots with a cast that you can relate to! A must listen if you enjoy Roman warfare.

Great!!!

Not a bad volume in the bunch. This series and author will never disappoint. At least in this the 17th from the 1st. As well I may add of all his other works on Rome.

Legionary Soap Opera

I chose this book because of the reviews, wondering at the same time why I had abandoned the series earlier. The beginning of this book was excellent hence three stars instead of two - until the heroes' domestic scenes became a necessary part of the story. Then I remembered why I had given up on this author's work: it is basically a TV series written as novels with the same predictable, labored, trite, lame, cardboard cutout charactered tedium that passes as entertainment on the airwaves.

There really is no story here: the narrative is based loosely around a Roman-Parthian conflict in the reign of Nero. What plot there is has more to do with the author's catering to modern sensibilities than with anything actually related to the period, and all done with the rise and fall tempo of a soap opera.

Really disappointing.

Scarrow's Masterchef Moment!

All I can say here is Bravo Simon Scarrow! This is where I want Macro and Cato, out on campaign, battling the odds, solving problems and Simon taking the time to introduce me to new snippets of his excellent historical knowledge. Call me a child but the frequent descriptions of men putting their rocks into thongs before waving them around and letting go was definitely a new audiobook experience for me! Add to that the delicious moment when Macro demonstrated how lucky Greg Wallace is that our Roman centurion isn't around now to take his place as a judge on Masterchef! Bravura stuff indeed.

More seriously this series maintains its freshness because of the continuing development of the chemistry between Macro and Cato. I've asked before in reviews how much Cato could take and in this one we come close to finding out. This takes the intrepid two into darker places than even they have been before. It also delivers a lot of action and considerable intrigue as the pair try to deal with a particularly difficult companion on their travels.

Of course, it would be remiss to comment on these books without talking about the brilliance of Jonathan Keeble. He is spectacularly good, switching with ease from the gruff Macro to the refinement of royalty and from the gravitas of Roman generals to the whining obsequiousness of a bullied royal chamberlain.

What it all adds up to is a series that even after 17 books leaves me wanting more, and certainly the ending of this one promises just that! I can hear Macro now yelling: Come on Scarrow you dog, get a move on!

The Boys are back!

Another outing for our boys Cato and Macro (Uncle Mac Mac), start in typical fashion sending the boys off to dangerous territory, but twist with a bit of psychological effect of war on people and our heroes, quite apt for the release date (Nov 2018). Very enjoyable romp into the Ancient world, Jonathan Keeble is excellent portraying the voices. One final thing this book will continue...……...

Darker

It seems to me that the stories in this long running series are getting darker and Tribune Cato is decidedly troubled in this latest book. All the usual tropes are included the closeness of Catoand Macro, the hard life of the Roman soldier, the subservience of the soldier to imperial glory. I enjoyed the story but the plot doesn’t quite work and runs out of steam at the end, although it is nicely set up for the next novel. The research as always is excellent, the portrayal of men at war convincing and a great sense of time and place. Scarrow links the story to the present day neatly “it never serves a country to have a stupid braggart as it’s leader”. The narration is very well done, excellent emphasis in the dialogue to push the story on, great pace in the action sequences and full marks for the distinctions between characters. In fact the high quality narration makes this audio book. The authors note is very illuminating drawing parallels between the Roman Empire and present day global politics. I think Simon should consider some essays expanding the points he makes. I for one would welcome what he has to say based on this short but very insightful note. So perhaps not the best in the series but l will certainly listen to the next!

Almost

I have since lockdown 1.0 been listening to this books and Jonathan Keeble is the master of narrative. This time I found glitches in repeated words. Not to worry since the story, Cato's character goes through the mill and some absolute master pieces of battles make the story a gem.

Terrible narration and unsympathetic characters

The narration was terrible, grating to the ear and far too fast. In the end I had to listen at 0.85 speed in order to finish the book.

With regards to the story itself, I have read Cato and Macro books before, but this was one was unconvincing. Cato is unfair and unpleasant on several occasions to Macro, but this is never resolved. Both Cato's 'breakdown' and his speedy recovery are equally unconvincing and far too many liberties are taken with the story of Rademistus for it to be anything but annoying.

I just didn't like any of the main characters and therefore found it hard to maintain my interest. The irritating narration didn't help.

I am not sure if I will bother listening to another in the series.

none

Another cato and makro campaign in which cato shows weaknesses never seen before. In steps makro.

It's over !

Scarrow has sacrificed character and heroism for a need to reflect a rigid straightbacked bland and irritating lead character ( cato) making him quite dislikeable and contradictory . The main characters are unrecognizable from the men of honour and principal they were in previous adventures . Even making macro quite the lickspittle ..I think that this book is the end for the heroes that were !

Good read as I would expect from S.C

Really enjoyed this chapter of Cato and Macro’s journey. A little concerned how long we have until their adventures draw to a close . What will I look forward to reading then

excellent

as per normal I find myself immersed in the world of Cato and Macro .Love it

Great Roman Read

Having read all books in the series in physical form, this was the first as an audiobook for me. The narration is great, a perfect style of voice, and the different accents and characters voices bring the book to life. I tend to go through phases of reading and had not read in months, this book has firmly brought me back into it and I had finished it by the third day. Really enjoyed it. Now just to eagerly await the next adventure. Thank you Simon Scarrow and Jonathan Keeble.