Blood and Steel: Throne of the Caesars, Book 2
- Narrated by:
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
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- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:21/05/2015
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
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Publisher's Summary
From the best-selling author of Warrior of Rome comes the second book in an epic new series set in third century Rome - a dramatic era of murder, coup, counter-rebellions, and civil war.
In a world of battle and betrayal, men will fight - and kill - to sit on the Throne of the Caesars.
Rome, AD 238. Emperor Maximinus' reign hangs in the balance. At the helm of an empire that is bleeding manpower and money to sustain his wars in the north, rebellions flare in the far reaches of its territories.
In Africa, Gordian the Elder and Younger are proclaimed as the new Augusti. A family descending from the imperial bloodline, they represent a chance for the establishment to take back the empire.
In Rome the first blood of the revolt is shed when an assassin murders Maximinus' prefect and announces to Rome that their ruler is dead and the Gordians have taken the throne. Still bitter at having a soldier from the barracks wearing the imperial purple, the Senate endorses the rebellion: the Gordiani are hailed as emperors.
But as chaos descends on the capital, news reaches Maximinus of the betrayal. A man of war, he acts with decisive brutality and violence. On the dusty plains outside Carthage, bloody battle will determine the fate of the Roman empire.
©2015 Harry Sidebottom (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
What the Critics Say
"An amazing story of bloodlust, ruthless ambition, and revenge." (The Times)
Praise for Harry Sidebottom: "Sidebottom's prose blazes with searing scholarship." (The Times)
"Superior fiction, with depth, authenticity and a sense of place." (TLS)
"A storming triumph...wonderful fight scenes, deft literary touches and salty dialogue." (Daily Telegraph)
What Members Say
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"Book 2 and it gets better"
Where does Blood and Steel rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?Top 3
Who was your favorite character and why?Timesitheus the slimy backstabbing weasel. will do anything to while not be emperor, to be high in the Emperor's inner circle or even the power behind the throne.
Which character – as performed by Colin Mace – was your favourite?see above
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?Death of the Gordians, both the younger and elder
Any additional comments?This is book 2 of a three book series. And all three are equally good, as they chart the rise and fall (well death) of Maximinus from various points of view from the citizens of Rome, to the eastern reaches of the Empire. To the wars on the frontiers. A complex tale is nicely created with both tragic and heroic moments. I would recommend all three to anyone.<br/>Also as they are set a few years before the writers "Warrior of Rome" series they form a prequel of sorts with Ballista playing quite a pivotal role in book 3 of this series.<br/>
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