It’s AD60 and Prasutagus has died leaving Boudica as Queen of the Iceni in Britannia. Rome has long wanted to quell rebellious Britannia and put an end to the different tribes - including the Iceni. Whilst Cato is with the legions at Ynys Mon, Macro is with other retired veterans in Camulodunum and their families are in Londinium. The developing events have a devastating affect on all of them. A really great work of fiction set against historical fact. A fab read. Simon Scarrow is a British author of historical fictional novels. He was born on October 03, 1962. Simon’s novels have been published in the USA and translation all around the world. Simon Scarrow is a Sunday Times No. 1 bestselling author.

I go through genre phases, and historical fiction and Greek/Roman philosophy and history is where my mind was focused for a while. I finished studying stoicism and decided to read this novel by Scarrow that has been in my Kindle library for a couple of years. I am glad I did. The tales follow the life and careers of Centurion Lucius Cornelius Macro and Prefect Quintus Licinius Cato. It’s the year AD60 and both protagonists are once again in Britannia, tasked in maintaining Rome’s tenuous hold of the province.This author is a master of writing combat sequences and making the reader feel the confusion that participants would. There were times that I felt tension and unease along with the characters as situations grew tense and dangerous. The first book starts in 42AD. The books cover the experiences of the two soldiers, initially as an experiencedcenturionand newoption, in battles in Germania and the invasion of Britain byClaudiusas part of theLegio II Augusta. The 6th bookThe Eagle’s Prophecyhas them serving as part of the Imperial Navy east of Italy. The 7th and 8th put them in Rome’s eastern provinces as agents of the emperor’s secretaryTiberius Claudius Narcissus. The plot isn't groundbreaking but allows for some great action such as the siege in the German village which was excellently done and allowed Cato to really shine and show his potential, especially with his bravery. Well what can I say.. I have been a fan of Simon Scarrows Eagle of the Empire series since 2017 when I discovered the books in my local library.

The Governor of Britannia has decided now is the time to try and defeat once and for all the troublesome hill tribes of Wales and also the druids who are based on Mona, or Anglesey. He takes most of the available soldiers on the expedition including Cato, leaving most of the country to be protected by a few ill-trained forces, including Camuldonunum which is left to Macro and the few hundred other veterans who have also retired to the town.

Publication Order of Pirata Books

Macro and Cato are battle hardened, but have not had an active army life for some time. Whilst they are Romans, they have great respect for Boudica and also realise the power that she holds. When they are asked to stand against her and defend Rome against the rebellious Iceni, they realise the dangerous predicament that they have found themselves in.

Their next campaign will be the invasion of Britannia with the Roman army, until in Britannia they will stumble into a conspiracy to overthrow the Emperor. I wouldn't say that I did not enjoy the novel, I did! However, I felt that it was deeply flawed and ultimately, for all the moments of excitement, there was simply not enough here to make me want to read ‘The Eagle’s Conquest’ in which I can only see more of the same. He gains tremendous inspiration for writing his novels while walking with his dogs around the ruins of the Roman town situated on the outskirts of Norwich. Apart from writing novels, Simon also keeps himself busy in developing projects for film and television along with his brother Alex.I appreciated the historical notes and I am glad I was able to read this story, discover this intriguing series, and learn something new. There’s a reason Schenke has been selected – he’s not a member of the Nazi Party and is only tolerated for his glamorous past racing cars, an illustrious career that ended in a crash. If this case should uncover demons, then Schenke will make the perfect scapegoat. Then, as the nights draw even darker, another woman is murdered and the pressure on Schenke mounts. PLAYING WITH DEATH Simon has also co-written with T. J. Andrews three bestselling novels set in the Roman era, ARENA, INVADER, and PIRATA. Writing with Lee Francis, Simon is the author of the contemporary thriller PLAYING WITH DEATH Awards of Simon Scarrow The action scenes are pretty thrilling and seem like you're part of a grand adventure. There was nothing particularly new or original in this book's depiction of a village under siege, but it is drawn out well enough that you actually care about the outcome. I suspect this is enough for most people. The Eagle Series written by Simon Scarrow is based on the life of the two main protagonists, Lucius Cornelius Macro and Quintus Licinius Cato, often referred to as Macro and Cato. The two are depicted as Roman soldiers in the series. Macro is described as a veteran, who has the experience of 15 years of service in the Roman Army at the beginning of the series and later gets appointed as the Centurion.

Claudia Acta the real life whore/mistress of Nero was never in Brittania and was still hanging around Nero’s palace in Rome in 64 and 65AD. Storytelling is absolutely excellent, all figures, whether real historical or fantastic fictional, come vividly to life in this story of war and death, and especially our main protagonists Cato & Macro are very lifelike, believable and humane in their dealings in life and war with their fellow Romans as well as with the native tribes, while the increasing hostile atmosphere and hatred come very much to the forefront. TheEagles of the Empireseries centers upon two main protagonists,Quintus Licinius CatoandLucius Cornelius Macro, who are bothRoman soldiers. Macro, a veteran with nearly 15 years’ service (at the start of the first novel) in the Roman Army, has recently been appointed to the Centurion. Cato is in his teen years, grew up in the Imperial Palace as a slave, and at the start of the series joins the Eagles as Macro’s Optio.I was fascinated to read the way the Roman army worked and pulled together to form ‘wedges’ and almost impenetrable walls of shields. Some of the fighting, well actually all of it, is quite gruesome but that’s war.