The Wolves of the North

A Warrior of Rome Novel, Book 5

By: Harry Sidebottom

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

In the fifth novel in Harry Sidebottom’s acclaimed and best selling Warrior of Rome historical fiction series, Ballista returns to undertake yet another epic mission - while the Roman Empire reels in chaos around him.

In AD 263, the Roman Empire is close to turmoil as violent uprisings threaten to shatter the fragile balance of power. In the north, the tribes are increasingly bold in their raids on the Imperium. Ballista must undertake his most treacherous journey yet. He must face the Heruli - the Eaters of Flesh, the Wolves of the North - the most brutal tribe of them all, and try to turn them against one another. As Ballista and his retinue make their journey, someone - or something - is hunting them, picking them off one by one, and leaving a trail of mutilated corpses and terror. Ballista is in a strange land, among strange people, but is it possible that the greatest threat may come from within his own circle?

Renowned for their skilled blending of action and historical accuracy, Sidebottom’s Warrior of Rome novels take the listener from the shouts of the battlefield to the whisperings of the emperor’s inner circle. Rich in detail and punctuated by harrowing action, there’s no better way to transport yourself back to the days of the Roman Empire.

©2013 Dr. Harry Sidebottom (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Sidebottom’s prose blazes with searing scholarship." ( Times (London), praise for the series)

Good but....

Very good but missing something. Maybe the little interest in stopping the the murders by anyone or even in taking personal precautions as the murders dog the travelers. Rest of story very good. Maybe the lack of concern mimics the times

Bad Recording!!!

At least five times the narrator, Stefan Rudnicki, re-reads the same sentence or even the same paragraph twice is a row! How did the editors not catch this? What the h*ll is going on?

great book, some spotty editing

the story and series as a whole is a wonderful historical fiction take on some areas of antiquity that are otherwise overlooked. the voice actor does a great job bringing the characters to life. only downside is the editors missed some sections and you have Deja vu as the same part gets read twice.

Amazing consistency

Engaging storylines. Fascinating characters. Obviously well researched. This is a period of Rome in history (the crisis of the third century) of which I knew very little.

Rudnicki pulls this book from a 3 to 4 star

Stefan Rudnicki is fantastic. Dr. Sidebottom is a good storyteller and an absolutely amazing historian, I have only one complaint. His books seem to jump from one scene to another. If I were to be physically reading the book, I don't think I would pick that up. This is where Mr. Rudnicki pulls through, on audio. His character voices are all notably different, yet consistent throughout the series. Dr Sidebottom's books we're available to me free through audibles plus catalog. The first two were enjoyable enough to continue but as the third book finished I had already prepared myself to purchase whatever came next. To my astonishment the whole series is free.