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  • Swords Around the Throne

  • Twilight of Empire, Book 2
  • By: Ian Ross
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
  • Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (243 ratings)
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Swords Around the Throne cover art

Swords Around the Throne

By: Ian Ross
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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Summary

Rewarded for saving the emperor's life in battle, centurion Aurelius Castus is promoted to the Corps of Protectores, the elite imperial bodyguard, the swords around the throne.

But he soon discovers the court to be just as hazardous as the battlefield; behind the gilded facade of empire, there are spiralling plots, murderous betrayals and dangerous seductions. And one relentless enemy.

©2015 Ian Ross (P)2015 W F Howes Ltd

Critic reviews

"Hugely enjoyable. The author winds up tension into an explosion of fast paced events." (Conn Iggulden)
"Ian Ross blazes in the world of Empire and legions...This is up there with Harry Sidebottom and Ben Kane." (M.C. Scott)

What listeners say about Swords Around the Throne

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another great story

If you like Simon Scarrow,Ben Kane,Harry Sidebottom or Bernard Cornwell then this is the series for you.Jonathan Keeble does a wonderful job of narration.Fast paced and plenty of action.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

not to miss... superbe narration! very envoyable.

looking foward for the next book .... well Done. more audiobooks on rome would be nice!!!!!!!como

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Superb second book in series

This is the second book in the superb series,well characterised,gripping,heart stopping tension centering around the main character, Castus. The author's extensive research is evident and informative without being unwieldy.
I don't usually read "roman" battle novels but this superb series is outstanding. The narrator sounded as though he too was caught up in it's narrative,excellent.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A great and gripping story

Good story. Well narrated. I warmed well to the main character And his young side kick.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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enjoyable story

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The narration was brilliant. will watch out for more books like this.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

politics

though enjoyable I found this one fragmented and at times confusing. Jonathan keeble brings belief to the characters in his expert narration, and the history of the era is greatly described, .

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it!

Second Installment and the intrigue, treachery, brutality continues but within a different arena. Power and supremacy are everything as is loyalty and allegiance.. but who too? Who can be trusted? Is our hero just a pawn or is he shaping his own destiny?
Keeble is superb again.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An excellent follow-on

The story-line follows on well from the first book to reveal Castus drawn into even more intrigue and plotting in the early years of Constantine’s rule. Yet again Jonathan Keeble provides a superbly textured narration that comes over like a dramatisation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thank the Gods!

I came to this book because of Jonathan Keeble and stayed for the story and characters.
Ian Ross as submerges the listener into an age and locations long forgotten. The characters are well drawn and the plot and subplots intriguing. Locations and situation is filled with colour and I was drawn along enjoying every moment.
Of course the escapes of the Hero were in the nick of time and extraordinary, but that's what hero's do.
Enjoy!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Enjoyed

Enjoyed this story line. Excellent narration as usual highly recommend. Looking forward to seeing what happens next

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