A review by annarella
The Fort by Adrian Goldsworthy
5.0
Animula, vagula, blandula
Hospes comesque corporis (Hadrian)
When I ARC this book, I was reading Philip and Alexander by Adrian Goldsworthy, so I knew that the historical parts were going to be well researched and accurate.
It was the first historical fiction I read by this author and won’t surely be the last because I found it gripping and fascinating. I didn’t read Vindolanda and this means I didn’t knew anything about Ferox and other characters that were featured in this previous story.
The story is slow burning. We are introduced to the characters, the places and the political situations of Dacia. Even if there is not war at moment there’s a sense of foreboding and of coming troubles.
After we understand what is going on the story start going it’s gripping, fast paced and gritty. Plenty of actions and twists makes this story gripping and highly entertaining.
Ferox or Titus Flavius Ferox is an interesting character, a strong man who is typical of this era when legionnaire came from all over the Empire. He’s clever, strong willed and brave. I liked him an hope to read soon his further adventures.
The author delivers a cast of well thought characters and the different POVs help us to understand the different cultures and the different way of thinking.
The biggest surprise is Hadrian. I knew him as the philosopher described by Marguerite Yourcenar in Memoirs of Hadrian, the man who built masterpieces like Villa Adriana/Pantheon/Castel Sant’Angelo (Mausoleum of Hadrian) and the lover of Antinoo. I had some doubt he could be a bit ruthless as I couldn’t have made to emperor, as far as I know ancient Romans were not very kind and being an emperor could be a dangerous profession.
I discovered what could have been the man in his younger year when he took part to the Dacian Wars.
I was fascinated by The Fort Hadrian as he’s described as human, cunning and ruthless and I think this is more realistic than the one described by Yourcenar and the history I studied.
The historical part is very detailed and well researched (Ok, the author is a historian). My knowledge of Dacia and Dacian wars was inexistent and know I’m starting to understand something more than the usual “Dacian were rebels”. The details of the military part, how they were dressed and lived on the frontier is astonishing.
Let’s summarize: a gripping, entertaining and well written story that kept me hooked.
I can’t wait to read the next installment; this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Hospes comesque corporis (Hadrian)
When I ARC this book, I was reading Philip and Alexander by Adrian Goldsworthy, so I knew that the historical parts were going to be well researched and accurate.
It was the first historical fiction I read by this author and won’t surely be the last because I found it gripping and fascinating. I didn’t read Vindolanda and this means I didn’t knew anything about Ferox and other characters that were featured in this previous story.
The story is slow burning. We are introduced to the characters, the places and the political situations of Dacia. Even if there is not war at moment there’s a sense of foreboding and of coming troubles.
After we understand what is going on the story start going it’s gripping, fast paced and gritty. Plenty of actions and twists makes this story gripping and highly entertaining.
Ferox or Titus Flavius Ferox is an interesting character, a strong man who is typical of this era when legionnaire came from all over the Empire. He’s clever, strong willed and brave. I liked him an hope to read soon his further adventures.
The author delivers a cast of well thought characters and the different POVs help us to understand the different cultures and the different way of thinking.
The biggest surprise is Hadrian. I knew him as the philosopher described by Marguerite Yourcenar in Memoirs of Hadrian, the man who built masterpieces like Villa Adriana/Pantheon/Castel Sant’Angelo (Mausoleum of Hadrian) and the lover of Antinoo. I had some doubt he could be a bit ruthless as I couldn’t have made to emperor, as far as I know ancient Romans were not very kind and being an emperor could be a dangerous profession.
I discovered what could have been the man in his younger year when he took part to the Dacian Wars.
I was fascinated by The Fort Hadrian as he’s described as human, cunning and ruthless and I think this is more realistic than the one described by Yourcenar and the history I studied.
The historical part is very detailed and well researched (Ok, the author is a historian). My knowledge of Dacia and Dacian wars was inexistent and know I’m starting to understand something more than the usual “Dacian were rebels”. The details of the military part, how they were dressed and lived on the frontier is astonishing.
Let’s summarize: a gripping, entertaining and well written story that kept me hooked.
I can’t wait to read the next installment; this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Head of Zeus and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine