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its_not_yours's review
3.0
Got this because I saw others recommending it instead of the Falco books, but wasn’t that taken with it. Even in the context of historical novels, didn’t love the ‘greasy orientals’ type remarks.
Odd takeaway thought: comparison between slavery in Ancient Rome and US comes out slightly in favour of Rome.
Odd takeaway thought: comparison between slavery in Ancient Rome and US comes out slightly in favour of Rome.
stacey42's review
4.0
As opening novels go this is a good start. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is the hero of our tale. We meet him as he begins his public life in the Roman Republic. He is well born, young, loves the Republic, and is rather feckless in general & very naive where women in specific are concerned. He is also currently the commander of the vigiles (sort of a fire/police type night watch). There are a couple of murders in his district one night, and a fire in a different one that appear to be connected. Decius is sent to investigate.
He meets Milo, whom he likes immediately and Clodius/Claudius whom he dislikes almost as fast. He also encounters Asklepiodes, a Greek physician to gladiators who knows quite a bit about reading wounds. All of these characters will follow him into later books. We get glimpses into a city run mostly be gangs, populated by slaves, the poor, rich freedmen, equites and patricians. It is very well researched, the mystery is clever and the story well written.
He meets Milo, whom he likes immediately and Clodius/Claudius whom he dislikes almost as fast. He also encounters Asklepiodes, a Greek physician to gladiators who knows quite a bit about reading wounds. All of these characters will follow him into later books. We get glimpses into a city run mostly be gangs, populated by slaves, the poor, rich freedmen, equites and patricians. It is very well researched, the mystery is clever and the story well written.
felyn's review
4.0
In essence, an historical murder mystery. Corruption, murder, arson, sex, and politics abound. Highly worthy listen, and I'll be picking up the next audiobook.
There were times when I was putting things together a lot faster than the main character, but in its own way, that was acceptable. I will confess to shouting at my phone while it was happening, however. :)
There were times when I was putting things together a lot faster than the main character, but in its own way, that was acceptable. I will confess to shouting at my phone while it was happening, however. :)
madcassier's review
4.0
After a long month of essentially zero reading -- NaNoWriMo consumes all time -- this was a wonderful book into which to dive and restart my usual binge-reading habits.
It amazes me that it took me so long to discover this series. I think it's common knowledge by now my love of the classical, and given my years of study on the subject, this historical mystery series set during the tail-end of the Roman Republic is right up my alley.
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger -- note: I'm fairly certain Mr. Roberts was going for 'Decimus' and not 'Decius', but I digress -- is a brilliantly wry narrator with all the whip-smart snark of a noir/neo-noir hardboiled detective. Give me a young Humphrey Bogart, and you get Decius.
THE KING'S GAMBIT is set in the perfect era of Ancient Roman history: the fall of the Republic and the rise of Julius Caesar, signalling the shift to the time of Imperial Rome. It's one of the bloodiest in Ancient Rome's history, with all the political, social, and economic turmoil one needs to turn what is a simple murder mystery into a historical epic.
I can't wait to move on to the next one in the series!
It amazes me that it took me so long to discover this series. I think it's common knowledge by now my love of the classical, and given my years of study on the subject, this historical mystery series set during the tail-end of the Roman Republic is right up my alley.
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger -- note: I'm fairly certain Mr. Roberts was going for 'Decimus' and not 'Decius', but I digress -- is a brilliantly wry narrator with all the whip-smart snark of a noir/neo-noir hardboiled detective. Give me a young Humphrey Bogart, and you get Decius.
THE KING'S GAMBIT is set in the perfect era of Ancient Roman history: the fall of the Republic and the rise of Julius Caesar, signalling the shift to the time of Imperial Rome. It's one of the bloodiest in Ancient Rome's history, with all the political, social, and economic turmoil one needs to turn what is a simple murder mystery into a historical epic.
I can't wait to move on to the next one in the series!
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