_pickle_'s review against another edition
3.0
A well told story about limits and strengths and about success and failures. Cicero is always the butt of many an ancient historian's joke and this book does its best to present a sympathetic portrayal.
margaret_j_c's review against another edition
Didn't have the resonance of the first book, for some reason that I can't pinpoint. Much of the dialogue was comprised of words and curses that did not come into existence until recent centuries, and that was slightly disconcerting... But overall, it was a very worthy sequel to Imperium, and I look forward to reading the final chapter of the trilogy.
readerziyya's review against another edition
5.0
what an ending! :'(
akhir cerita buku kedua ini membalikkan semua kekesalan saya akibat panjangnya sekuel Cicero ini.
Welldone, Robert Harris!
See my full review
akhir cerita buku kedua ini membalikkan semua kekesalan saya akibat panjangnya sekuel Cicero ini.
Welldone, Robert Harris!
See my full review
sinbooks's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
thomcat's review against another edition
3.0
The first volume ([b:Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome|243601|Imperium A Novel of Ancient Rome (Cicero, #1)|Robert Harris|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1442657816s/243601.jpg|1237325]) dealt with the rise of a hungry Cicero, whose wit and legal tactics impelled him to the office of Consul. This novel deals with the aftermath - death threats and a conspiracy while in office, the rise of Caesar and the founding of the Triumvirate. This Cicero has his power nibbled away and rests on his laurels for a bit too long while the Roman Republic crumbles around him. The story ends with the flight into exile.
The first two volumes make up Cicero's early career, though I would have liked a few more speeches. While the writing is still good, the story drags a bit in the second half, and I had to fight to stay interested. There is a third volume that arrived last year ([b:Dictator|25488982|Dictator (Cicero, #3)|Robert Harris|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1442418779s/25488982.jpg|43767637]) which probably delves into the mid career. With all the material there, I may wait to see if a fourth book is planned and read them together.
The first two volumes make up Cicero's early career, though I would have liked a few more speeches. While the writing is still good, the story drags a bit in the second half, and I had to fight to stay interested. There is a third volume that arrived last year ([b:Dictator|25488982|Dictator (Cicero, #3)|Robert Harris|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1442418779s/25488982.jpg|43767637]) which probably delves into the mid career. With all the material there, I may wait to see if a fourth book is planned and read them together.
richardhannay's review against another edition
4.0
Very good. The excellent prose of Richard Harris serves to tell the story of a fascinating man at the most fascinating of times: when the Emperors are not there yet but the Republic is no more.
jasschumacher's review against another edition
3.0
I liked it better than the first book (which I also rated 3 stars) but it just didn‘t feel like a 4-stars to me.
conniequayle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dorit's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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
4.0