pemdas97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
8797999's review against another edition
4.0
I raced through this final book of the series, I have erred between a 4 or 5 rating, I would give it a 4.5/5 and rounded down.
Follows the events from The Ides of March to conclusion of the Battle of Philippi. The book introduces some new characters like Agrippa and Maecenas. Also thnakfully not much romance in a book dominated by battles, manouvering and intrigue.
For me this is a decent conclusion but I think a perfect ending would be another book to bring things to a close with the Battle of Actium. Given the series is called Emperor, it ends with Antony greeting Cleopatra, how can you end a series named that at the final stop before the split in the triumvirate and the battles to crown the Emperor?
I just think a fitting end would have been the aftermath of Actium with Octavian ascending to be the first Roman Emperor Augustus. I suppose there is John Williams book Augustus to fill that gap.
I am happy to have read this series and whilst as a whole I did enjoy it, it wasn't until the last two books that I really got into it very much. There is a short story called Fig Tree which I will get around to at some point.
Follows the events from The Ides of March to conclusion of the Battle of Philippi. The book introduces some new characters like Agrippa and Maecenas. Also thnakfully not much romance in a book dominated by battles, manouvering and intrigue.
For me this is a decent conclusion but I think a perfect ending would be another book to bring things to a close with the Battle of Actium. Given the series is called Emperor, it ends with Antony greeting Cleopatra, how can you end a series named that at the final stop before the split in the triumvirate and the battles to crown the Emperor?
I just think a fitting end would have been the aftermath of Actium with Octavian ascending to be the first Roman Emperor Augustus. I suppose there is John Williams book Augustus to fill that gap.
I am happy to have read this series and whilst as a whole I did enjoy it, it wasn't until the last two books that I really got into it very much. There is a short story called Fig Tree which I will get around to at some point.
kevin_coombs's review against another edition
4.0
All of the books in this series were good. A couple of them were very good. Be warned, though, that while they are historical fiction in genre, the history can be pretty poor. Marcus Brutus, for example, is depicted so differently than the historical record as to be a completely fictional character in all but name and a few shared events.
pharmdad2007's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, this book was given to my by the publisher through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. While I haven't read the other books in the series, this book was still quite enjoyable on its own. There was obviously an extreme amount of research done for this book, and the series in general. The characters were made real and engaging. Overall, a very enjoyable book.
lonk's review against another edition
4.0
Iggulden said at the end of the book that he could pull 2-3 more books out of Octavian's/Augustus's time as "The First Emperor of Rome", but that he intended to finish the series with the aftermath of Julius' assassination.
Well... all I can say is I really hope he does decide to write more books on Augustus.
These books are just fantastic. I don't think I quite enjoyed this one as much as some of the previous books, but it was still a thoroughly great read. Even the short story at the end hit me in the feels.
Well... all I can say is I really hope he does decide to write more books on Augustus.
These books are just fantastic. I don't think I quite enjoyed this one as much as some of the previous books, but it was still a thoroughly great read. Even the short story at the end hit me in the feels.
_pickle_'s review against another edition
4.0
Octavian was right to chase the murders of Caesar to their grim ends: what weak men kill someone so great and under such weak justifications. They deserved what they got—and more.
I hope Iggulden writes more about Octavian. I clearly haven't devoted much time to him in my study of the period, and I think I need to remedy this lapse.
I hope Iggulden writes more about Octavian. I clearly haven't devoted much time to him in my study of the period, and I think I need to remedy this lapse.
medea_jade's review against another edition
5.0
I’m not sure why this book is not listed as the 5th in the Caesar series but it should be. It wraps up the story in a much more satisfying way than the fourth book. The author has such a for bringing these historical figures to life, giving them depth and meaning beyond the known facts. I don’t know if he had plans to write about the reign of Augustus Caesar but I truly hope it does.
jgolomb's review against another edition
3.0
"...walk as their heir to a god and the richest man in Rome. Walk as one who can call down the wrath of Mars with a snap of his fingers."
Conn Iggulden's "The Blood of Gods" is everything that makes Iggulden so successful and such a fun read: characters that are solid, if not completely three dimensional; colorfully evocative prose that can't help but get any testosterone-laden blood pumping; and an undeniably compelling mix of history, action and drama.
"The Blood of Gods" is officially the fifth entry in Iggulden's "Emperor" series, which follows the life and career of Julius Caesar. "Blood" picks up the story of Caesar as he's being killed by members of the Roman Senate, led by his long time friend and ally Brutus. After this brief prologue, the story revolves around Octavian, better known through history as Augustus, Caesar's adopted son.
The book requires no prior reading or knowledge of the earlier books in Iggulden's series. Nor does one even need any specific background of this particular time in Roman history. Iggulden is always elegant in placing his stories in historical context and providing an equitable amount of background and backstory. In "Blood", he's no different, and this novel stands completely on it's own.
"All along the lines, the legionairies raised their shields against the storm of wood and iron. The rushing hiss became a thumping clatter, with men yelling in shock and pain on both sides."
Iggulden is as eloquent in simplifying a complex political landscape, as he is detailing battlefield tactics and combat. While emphasizing the testosterone-driven themes and action that make his books so appealing to his fan base, Iggulden tells a terrific story, crafts complex characterizations so his key characters avoid cliche, while maintaining a deep sense of historical drama and tension.
I'm a huge fan of Iggulden's "Conquerer" series which traces the history of Genghis Khan and his Mongol lineage. I didn't love his first two books in the "Emperor Series", but found "The Blood of Gods" a fun and satisfying read. I highly recommend for any fan of historical fiction, focused on action and drama. This will make for a terrific summertime/beach read.
I received "The Blood of Gods" through the Amazon Vine program.