gemmaduds's review against another edition
5.0
Warrior of Rome: Fire in the East, was the very first book of Roman fiction that I picked up and I definitely was not disappointed. Harry brings you right into the world of Ballista and his entourage, and you experience the twists and turns and betrayals first hand.
Ballista is a very strong character, and this most certainly is the main driving force behind my adoration of the books.
Ballista is a very strong character, and this most certainly is the main driving force behind my adoration of the books.
jgolomb's review against another edition
3.0
Fire in the East is a strong newcomer in the category of Roman Military Historical Fiction. The book is smart, finely detailed, violent and exciting.
Author Harry Sidebottom is a published professor of ancient history and he draws very detailed accounts of all aspects of Roman military life in the mid 3rd Century. This is the true victory of what's intended to be a 3-book series titled "Warriors of Rome". Few historical fictions contain the detailed notes, glossary and bibliography that Sidebottom presents in "Fire". He's clearly done his research, and worked his academics into his richly built story.
The core of the story is quite simple. A barbarian from the north, Ballista, climbs the ranks of the Roman Military (quite common during the second and third centuries in the Roman Empire), and is assigned to lead the defenses of a key city on the far eastern outskirts of the Empire. He's strong, smart, witty, emotionally tortured, loyal, and blonde. The fictional city is called Arete, nestled on two sides by deep ravines, on another side by the might Euphrates river, and on the fourth by a desert. Roman intellegence reports that the Sassinid Empire is planning a springtime attack on the city. It's Ballista's job to prepare for a siege and lead the defense of this important outpost at the crossroads of the Eastern World.
While the details are painted with colorful details and make the story unique, Sidebottom has turned a specific kind of military event into as strong of a character as any of the Roman or Persian good and bad guys alike. The true star of "Fire" is the siege - the machinations of defense and attack. Sidebottom tells of ballistae, hidden pits, spies and city-taking siege towers. etc. The story hums along as Ballista prepares for the siege, many items discussed in great detail, but some held back for a literary surprise.
There's no lack of violence. As detailed as Sidebottom is with his descriptions of military life, he's equally as vivid in his depiction of military death. Huge stones take off a man's head while his body still stands. Arrows hit soldiers and Sassanids alike...killing and maiming in any number of ways. It wasn't too gory and added to the effect and realism of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Sidebottom incorporates a theme of betrayal and espionage throughout the story that's uneven and ultimately disjointed and disappointing. This branch of his story is the strongest reason I rate the book with 3 stars instead of 4. I may revise the relative weight of this negative once I'm able to get my hands on the rest of the series, but as a stand alone, the plot gaps leading up to the flat conclusion were awkward enough to knock it down a notch in my mind.
A strong historical novel should hit on at least two key qualities - an ability to transport the reader to a foreign place and time; and a strong story that legitimizes (at least in the reader's mind) that history. I think Sidebottom does a nice job in both categories...he's at his best, though, with the history.
Author Harry Sidebottom is a published professor of ancient history and he draws very detailed accounts of all aspects of Roman military life in the mid 3rd Century. This is the true victory of what's intended to be a 3-book series titled "Warriors of Rome". Few historical fictions contain the detailed notes, glossary and bibliography that Sidebottom presents in "Fire". He's clearly done his research, and worked his academics into his richly built story.
The core of the story is quite simple. A barbarian from the north, Ballista, climbs the ranks of the Roman Military (quite common during the second and third centuries in the Roman Empire), and is assigned to lead the defenses of a key city on the far eastern outskirts of the Empire. He's strong, smart, witty, emotionally tortured, loyal, and blonde. The fictional city is called Arete, nestled on two sides by deep ravines, on another side by the might Euphrates river, and on the fourth by a desert. Roman intellegence reports that the Sassinid Empire is planning a springtime attack on the city. It's Ballista's job to prepare for a siege and lead the defense of this important outpost at the crossroads of the Eastern World.
While the details are painted with colorful details and make the story unique, Sidebottom has turned a specific kind of military event into as strong of a character as any of the Roman or Persian good and bad guys alike. The true star of "Fire" is the siege - the machinations of defense and attack. Sidebottom tells of ballistae, hidden pits, spies and city-taking siege towers. etc. The story hums along as Ballista prepares for the siege, many items discussed in great detail, but some held back for a literary surprise.
There's no lack of violence. As detailed as Sidebottom is with his descriptions of military life, he's equally as vivid in his depiction of military death. Huge stones take off a man's head while his body still stands. Arrows hit soldiers and Sassanids alike...killing and maiming in any number of ways. It wasn't too gory and added to the effect and realism of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Sidebottom incorporates a theme of betrayal and espionage throughout the story that's uneven and ultimately disjointed and disappointing. This branch of his story is the strongest reason I rate the book with 3 stars instead of 4. I may revise the relative weight of this negative once I'm able to get my hands on the rest of the series, but as a stand alone, the plot gaps leading up to the flat conclusion were awkward enough to knock it down a notch in my mind.
A strong historical novel should hit on at least two key qualities - an ability to transport the reader to a foreign place and time; and a strong story that legitimizes (at least in the reader's mind) that history. I think Sidebottom does a nice job in both categories...he's at his best, though, with the history.
camillap's review
4.0
Il commento, per chi vuole, è sul mio blog di recensioni :)
http://bibliomaniarecensioni.blogspot.com/2009/11/il-guerriero-di-roma-fuoco-oriente.html
alexctelander's review against another edition
3.0
Dr. Harry Sidebottom knows what he’s talking about when he writes about ancient Rome: he teaches classical history at the University of Oxford, and is a well-respected scholar on ancient warfare, classical art, and the cultural history of the Roman Empire. It seems perfectly fitting that he should turns his writing abilities and knowledge to writing historical fiction on the world he is so familiar with.
It is the year AD 255 and the Roman Empire encompasses most of the western world, but it is being stretched thin, with issues occurring on the borders, revealing that this empire is finite. In the east there is Persia and the massing forces of the Sassanid Empire. The lone, isolated citadel of Arete is the important stronghold for the Roman Empire. Ballista is the man chosen to lead the Roman forces; a former barbarian with a Nordic background and beliefs, and has seen what life has to offer. Now it is up to him to unite the Roman forces and stop one of the greatest threats the Roman Empire has ever seen.
Sidebottom writes with a skill that works to combine details and information on the period without overloading the reader with facts and jargon, and at the same time making the story compelling, interesting and action-packed. Writers of nonfiction rarely travel into the realm of fiction writing, and the reverse is also true, because it’s hard to do; Sidebottom is one of those special authors with the knowledge and background in the history, as well as the writing ability to carry this out effortlessly.
Originally written on September 16 2010 ©Alex C. Telander.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
It is the year AD 255 and the Roman Empire encompasses most of the western world, but it is being stretched thin, with issues occurring on the borders, revealing that this empire is finite. In the east there is Persia and the massing forces of the Sassanid Empire. The lone, isolated citadel of Arete is the important stronghold for the Roman Empire. Ballista is the man chosen to lead the Roman forces; a former barbarian with a Nordic background and beliefs, and has seen what life has to offer. Now it is up to him to unite the Roman forces and stop one of the greatest threats the Roman Empire has ever seen.
Sidebottom writes with a skill that works to combine details and information on the period without overloading the reader with facts and jargon, and at the same time making the story compelling, interesting and action-packed. Writers of nonfiction rarely travel into the realm of fiction writing, and the reverse is also true, because it’s hard to do; Sidebottom is one of those special authors with the knowledge and background in the history, as well as the writing ability to carry this out effortlessly.
Originally written on September 16 2010 ©Alex C. Telander.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
rafalreadersinitiative's review against another edition
3.0
Solidna porcja antycznej batalistyki, w której nadmiar heroicznego patosu i sztampy całkiem nieźle równoważą plastyczne, przemawiające do wyobraźni opisy bitew, starć i potyczek. Książka nie dla wszystkich - autor główny akcent położył na możliwie najrzetelniejszym przedstawieniu oblężenia i obrony Arete nad Eufratem, w związku z czym postaci (poza głównym bohaterem i jego najbliższymi towarzyszami) jawią się nieco szablonowymi. Jednak czyta się to wyjątkowo dobrze, a dodany wątek spisku i zdrady, noszący cechy intrygi kryminalnej jest dodatkowym bodźcem potęgującym chęć obcowania z tą powieścią od początku do końca. Mimo pewnych wad, wypada polecić...
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