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Perfect for readers of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane, Conspiracies of Rome is the thrilling first book in the new seven-part DEATH OF ROME SAGA.
Rome, 609 AD.
Empire is a fading memory. Repeatedly fought over and plundered, the City is falling into ruins. Killers prowl by night. Far off, in Constantinople, the Emperor has other concerns as The Church is beginning to flex its own imperial muscle.
Enter Aelric of England: young and beautiful, sexually uninhibited, heroic, if ruthlessly violent – and hungry for the learning of a world that is dying around him.
A deadly brawl outside Rome sucks him straight into the high politics of Empire. Soon, Aelric is involved in a race against time to find answers before he ends up as just another corpse in the gutter.
Rome, 609 AD.
Empire is a fading memory. Repeatedly fought over and plundered, the City is falling into ruins. Killers prowl by night. Far off, in Constantinople, the Emperor has other concerns as The Church is beginning to flex its own imperial muscle.
Enter Aelric of England: young and beautiful, sexually uninhibited, heroic, if ruthlessly violent – and hungry for the learning of a world that is dying around him.
A deadly brawl outside Rome sucks him straight into the high politics of Empire. Soon, Aelric is involved in a race against time to find answers before he ends up as just another corpse in the gutter.
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Reviews
'I can't resist recommending this first volume of a promised trilogy. Set during the last pangs of Imperial Rome, with a vivid account of the machinations of the early Church, it is well-informed, atmospheric and beautifully written.'
'In a rollicking new historical adventure series, the hero Aelric is a sort of randier version of Sharpe with an eye for the girls and a taste for the odd vat of wine . . . this is rip-roaring historical fiction which avoids taking itself too seriously. Great fun.'
'It's simply the best historical novel I've ever read, perhaps short of C.S. Forester. It's a very great deal better than any of the ancient Roman detective novels I've seen.'
'In a rollicking new historical adventure series, the hero Aelric is a sort of randier version of Sharpe with an eye for the girls and a taste for the odd vat of wine . . . this is rip-roaring historical fiction which avoids taking itself too seriously. Great fun.'
'An enjoyable read'
'Like all good historical novels, this book is didactic as well as entertaining . . . [Blake] imparts knowledge through the tale with enthusiasm and ease. But I wouldn't for a second want to suggest that this book is a staid, educational tome. It is in turns foul-mouthed, saucy and violent. Fans of literary sword-play and street fights will not be disappointed . . . With the sad departure of George Macdonald Fraser the time is ripe for a new author able to combine swashbuckling adventure, a cynical view of elites and their self-serving institutions, detailed historical research and - besides all this - an overriding optimism about mankind. It is too early to tell if Blake will be the new Fraser, but Aelric certainly has the potential to be the new Flashman. In many ways Aelric is more interesting than Flashman: better educated, more canny and with a moral sense that more readily overrides his self-interest . This is not to say Aelric is a completely likeable hero: he is a sexual libertine, a ready profiteer and a willing killer. But I for one look forward to reading more tales of his shagging, fighting and looting - albeit as I learn something new about the Dark Ages at the same time.'
'Fascinating to read, very well written, an intriguing plot and I enjoyed it very much.'
'I've just called to tell you how much I enjoyed it. At times it needed a bit of pruning but it was fascinating to read, very well written, an intriguing plot and I enjoyed it very much.'
It is well written, informative and action-packed...This is definitely a book to enjoy and lose yourself in.
'Fascinating to read, very well written, an intriguing plot and I enjoyed it very much'
I can't resist recommending this first volume of a promised trilogy. Set during the last pangs of Imperial Rome, with a vivid account of the machinations of the early Church, it is well-informed, atmospheric and beautifully written.
The best historical novel I have ever read.
An enjoyable read.
Fascinating to read, very well written, an intriguing plot and I enjoyed it very much.