The Emperor’s Exile is the nineteenth book in the series of Roman novels featuring Cato and Marco. The novel mirrors real life for just as the real world was battling the plague of Covid-19, Cato is faced with a plague epidemic in Sardinia, where he has been sent to restore Roman rule. Alex Scarrow Interview". authortrek.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011 . Retrieved 2 January 2017. This was another awesome novel from Scarrow, who has once again produced an exciting and fast-paced historical fiction read that perfectly envisions the landscape of Roman-occupied England. The Honour of Rome is a great read, and I loved the cool combination of historical and crime fiction elements throughout it. I ended up reading this book in only a few short days and loved every second of it. A brilliantly written story with an intense atmosphere throughout, great fight scenes and an unbreakable bond of brotherhood that is intoxicating.

Cato is leading a Legion in Wales reluctantly whilst Macro now no longer a Legionary is in the reserves but defending Colchester. Macro has been close friends with Cato since Cato saved his life in the first book. This bond deepens when Macro confesses that he is illiterate and asks Cato's help in learning to read, and so maintain his position as an officer.Despite Death to the Emperor being the first book I’ve read in the series, I never felt at a loss. The author provides sufficient detail about previous events to help make sense of things but not too much that you feel you’ve learned everything there is to know. Although this is my first introduction to Centurion Macro and Prefect Cato, I loved their partnership borne of mutual respect and a soldierly comradeship forged in the heat of battle. For much of the book, though, they find themselves apart, each wishing they had the other beside them for support and advice, and because of their complementary skills. 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. Scarrow has also stated that whilst initially he only planned to write around ten novels in the series this has since changed to 25. Scarrow also hinted at two potential endings for Eagles of the Empire. One being Cato and Macro facing each other on alternate sides of a battle during the Year of four Emperors, AD 69 resulting in the death of one of them. The other being their retirement in AD 69 in Pompeii. [69] This has significance due to the supporting and reoccurring characters through the series, Vespasian becoming Emperor at the end of that year.

In 2021, Scarrow authored an immersive audiovisual walking tour for the Roman Colosseum entitled Blood and Sand on the BARD EUM mobile app. [3] Books [ edit ] 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. Storytelling is as ever of a superb quality, its a fast-paced Roman adventure in Britannia, and where all characters come vividly to life to capture the reader from start to finish. Centurion Quintus Lucinius Cato - Temporarily promoted to Acting Prefect of the Second Illyrian Cohort, Macro's adjutant It was a fascinating read as Boudica’s rebellion is a fascinating topic as it’s also one that changes according to the personal point of view of the reader: feminist ante litteram, nationalist or simply someone who rebelled against the power of the Romans.When the Eagle Hunts Audiobook | Simon Scarrow | Audible.co.uk". Audible . Retrieved 4 January 2020. 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. Without getting into spoiler territory, this revolves around the British legend Queen Boudica of the Iceni and her revolt against the Romans.......and with good reason. Heads roll (literally) and the bodies pile up as the revolt continues. And, of course Macro is at the centre of the action, protecting Roman interests. Where is Cato, you ask? Well, he's off on an assignment on the other side of Britain helping to eliminate the Druids so he plays no part in the actual revolt.

After Eagle in the Sand, Headline Book Publishing reportedly decided not to use titles with the word Eagle anymore to attract new fans. As of 12 March 2018 Scarrow has sold over 4 million copies of the books within Eagles of the Empire in English alone. [1] Cover illustrations [ edit ] I read a lot of roman story writers Anthony Riches, SJA Turney and they all say you can only work with actual real life people who were in the provinces at the time. The battle scenes are explicit, without gratuitous horror. The main characters Cato and Macro, are well-rounded and believable. However, having lived in Camulodunum, with a wealth of local knowledge I have a lot of sympathy for the Iceni and Boudica! They were horribly exploited and betrayed by the Romans.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. This is the twentieth book in the Eagles of the Empire Series, and as usual an excellent read. Full of great characters and with a real sense of life in the Roman Empire. This is the 21st installment in the author's "Eagles of the Empire" series which seems like it may be coming to an end in a book or two - but then again, maybe not. Out of all the books in the series, this is most definitely the best. And when you get to the end, you know there will be at least one more because there are too many loose ends.