awwhh's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
danielshelsel's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mbondlamberty's review against another edition
5.0
Fun and easy reads through which to learn Roman History - and about the populist movements that struggled against and with Patricians
inesbeato's review against another edition
4.0
Mais uma grande aventura de Gordiano, o Descobridor! Steven Saylor transportou-me novamente para a Roma Antiga e apresentou mais caso repleto de mistério e personagens cativantes. Neste até Pompeu e Júlio César são chamados “ao barulho”. Foi igualmente interessante assistir à queda de Cícero e os seus malfadados discursos.
Optei por ler este volume da série na versão original em inglês e devo dizer que todos os que optei por este caminho foram sempre mais interessantes do que aqueles em que escolhi a versão portuguesa. Não sei se foi mera coincidência com as histórias, mas sinto que as traduções portuguesas não parecem captar em pleno a essência da escrita de Saylor, o que é uma pena.
Optei por ler este volume da série na versão original em inglês e devo dizer que todos os que optei por este caminho foram sempre mais interessantes do que aqueles em que escolhi a versão portuguesa. Não sei se foi mera coincidência com as histórias, mas sinto que as traduções portuguesas não parecem captar em pleno a essência da escrita de Saylor, o que é uma pena.
kyokroon's review
4.0
Yaaassh! Really liked this one; loved the politics and the mystery and it was just great :D!
diwatya's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kyle977's review
4.0
This was my first in the series as I got the middle few books at a second hand shop, but not the beginning few books. So I was dropped in head first.
And I really liked it! So much of the ancient Rome books focus on military history, I like that this series focuses more on the politics and city life and the concerns of the ordinary citizens. I really liked Gordianus and his adopted son Eco. I enjoyed how the series takes real events that happened in history (in this book's case, the death of Clodius) and uses that to interweave a compelling story. I enjoyed the depictions of Cicero and Tiro, as well. There are a few historical figures that pop up that you can probably guess, but I won't mention them.
The only downside of the book I felt was the pacing. If it had been 30-50 pages shorter, it would have been much tighter. I imagine Saylor was trying to get across just how hectic the civil unrest of Rome at this period felt like, but parts of the middle dragged a bit.
I'm excited to continue with this series, and see what happens with Gordianus and Eco!
And I really liked it! So much of the ancient Rome books focus on military history, I like that this series focuses more on the politics and city life and the concerns of the ordinary citizens. I really liked Gordianus and his adopted son Eco. I enjoyed how the series takes real events that happened in history (in this book's case, the death of Clodius) and uses that to interweave a compelling story. I enjoyed the depictions of Cicero and Tiro, as well. There are a few historical figures that pop up that you can probably guess, but I won't mention them.
The only downside of the book I felt was the pacing. If it had been 30-50 pages shorter, it would have been much tighter. I imagine Saylor was trying to get across just how hectic the civil unrest of Rome at this period felt like, but parts of the middle dragged a bit.
I'm excited to continue with this series, and see what happens with Gordianus and Eco!
brandur's review
3.0
Amazing subject matter and it was amazing being taken through the Caesarian period and being introduced to some of the most famous Romans in the history of the Republic/Empire. The only thing lacking was a plausible narrative; it details an incident, but then has the protagonist proceed to mostly bumble his way around as the leaders of the time randomly request his presence in various impromptu meetings (and this pattern lasts for the rest of the book). Still well worth reading though.
chuckri's review
3.0
This wasn't bad as history, but there wasn't much of a mystery element to it. Gordianus doesn't do much to unravel what happened in Clodius' murder until late in the book.