A review by jgolomb
The Blood of Gods by Conn Iggulden

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.