The Honour of Rome (Eagles of the Empire 19)

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In the 1st century AD, the Roman army guarded the vast Empire against aggressive and ruthless enemies on all fronts. In Simon Scarrow’s stunning new novel, a feared and familiar enemy threatens the peace – and the lives of untold brave men. Not least Cato and Macro, veterans of countless battlefields. Whatever the cost, no territory must be lost. The Honour of Rome (Eagle #20) by Simon Scarrow – eBook Details In these times of Covid is there a better way to forget all that nonsense than immersing yourself in a good book? In the case of Simon Scarrow's latest, it's a visit from our old friends Macro and Cato - and what can be more fun than that? Sometimes fate is destiny though as, not long after suffering a beating for not paying up, the former soldier gets his wish and Cato comes looking for refuge to this part of the empire. A stunning novel of courage, camaraderie and deadly enemies from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Centurion and The Emperor’s Exile.

So happy Cato and Macro weren’t apart for long. I whizzed through the first half of the book with the anticipation of Cato’s arrival. It was nice to see Macro operate on his own, as he has been overshadowed by Cato for quite a long time. Unfortunately he doesn’t actually achieve much until Cato does arrive which was annoying and hope Scarrow gives Macro the competence and attention he deserves. For readers of Bernard Cornwell and Conn Iggulden – unputdownable fiction from an author who knows the Roman world like no other. I do admire Simon Scarrow's in-depth knowledge of life in the Roman Empire, from the day to day routine of housekeeping and providing meals to the details of Army life for both serving soldiers and veterans. I haven't read all of his stuff (there's so much of it!), but this is the third 'Macro' novel I've read and it was nice to renew his acquaintance, and that of Petronella, and to catch up on their adventures in the far-flung outpost of Britannia. Macro has retired to Britain with his wife, Petronella, to enjoy a peaceful life together farming their patch of veteran's land and assisting his mother in the inn she and he together owned in Londinium. Cato was also heading for Britain, having had to leave Rome swiftly and secretly to protect Claudia, Nero's ex lover. Together again, they face more blood and battling than any retired veteran might reasonably expect.

Like all in this series, there is a fair amount of action and derring-do and although Macro (and Cato) find themselves in unfamiliar circumstances, in most respects this is familiar territory - a dangerous situation, overwhelming odds, lots of action and a high body count. As the streets run red with blood, the army’s heroes face an enemy as merciless and cunning as any barbarian tribe. The honour of Rome is in their hands … A stunning novel of courage, camaraderie and deadly enemies from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Centurion and The Emperor's Exile.

For readers of Bernard Cornwell, Conn Iggulden and Ben Kane – unputdownable fiction from an author who knows the Roman world like no other.

Another excellent book in the Cato and Macro series. In this adventure, Macro is newly retired from the Roman army and has moved to Britain to set up a new life with his wife. Macro, along with his mother, is the co-owner of a bar in London and he also plans for a rural retreat in Colchester. At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps of South-East Britannia and of Londinium in AD 59, as well as a Chain of Command, and not to forget a Cast List, with figures featuring in this great tale. Simon Scarrow’s twentieth book in the series featuring Centurion Macro and his friend Cato sees the focus turn to Britannia, as Macro, now retired, joins his mother in Londinium. This novel mirrors that approach, with the larger bulk of this following Macro and his adventures in Londinium and in the veterans colony of Camulodunum (which I've just found out is Colchester, and the first Roman Capital of the province) before the two principal characters finally reunite circa - again - three quarters of the way into the story.