SPQR III: The Sacrilege

Different narrator, same ol' Decius

Any additional comments?

There are two frustrating events I find with literary series that are adapted to audiobook format: the wait for subsequent volumes to be released and the use of multiple narrators. I have experienced both with The SPQR series. I purchased the audiobook SPQR I in 2009, SPQR II in 2010. Two protracted, vacuous years later... the remainder of the series is released, with a different narrator.

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However, the entire series is now available on Audible. And both narrators are top notch and among my favorites.

Io accepta et grata mmutationis!

I truly enjoy Simon Vance's readings of I and II. The stories are written from the perspective of an elder Senator (Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger) reminiscing about the adventures of his youth. Vance's voice absolutely nails this. I have also grown to enjoy John Lee's narrations as well. SPQR III-XIII maintain the context of an aged Decius retelling his notorious exploits. John Lee's voice lends itself to the perception that events are unfolding as they are related, not many years past.

I feared this transition to the point of delaying my purchase of III, letting the book languish on my Wish List for several months. After listening to III with little or no difficulty accepting the new narrator, I now rapidly begin downloading the next in the series as I approach the last few chapters of my current read.

Sucessu!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Why Rome conquered the known world

It might have been because they had a sense of humor! This series is set at the end of the roman republic. Julius Cesar is just starting on his road to becoming a god. The plot is intriguing and some of the parallels to modern politics can't be a mere coincidence! I confess to a crush on Decuis. He is clever, ethical, dry humored, and a soft touch. What more can one ask for? Some of the dialog is laugh out loud funny. All in all an excellent listen and I am already on the next book! Decuis in Alexandria, I can't wait!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Roman Historical Mystery

Would you listen to The Sacrilege again? Why?

I'm enjoying this series very much, John Maddox Roberts is no Robert Graves, but he does a wonderful job at letting the listener know the class distinctions and how the problems of Rome and being a citizen of Rome can be of major interest. There was a distinct difference of being a citizen of "ROME" and being Italian.

Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The first two books in the series were narrated by Simon Vance who is one of my favorite narrators. I am very pleased that they got John Lee who is also one of my favorites to continue the series. He really does know how to be an aristocrat, with his voice. In this case the change of narrators to me was not a problem since they both were on my top ten list of narrators.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I found it very hard to stop listening to any of the first three books there is so much going on the

Any additional comments?

I did enjoy the mystery and the the time line of the story was well studied by the author. (If anyone saw the "Spartacus" series on "Stars" the brutality and total disregard for humanity by those in power) "Ultimate power corrupts ultimately." readers should be prepared for some intense sexuality, brutality, and total disregard for life. However our hero, is a strong personality and tries to over come much of what his station demands of him, and what the higher up in Roman power structure demand. He is a man of conscious, which is very rare in this time.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I like this narrator

What made the experience of listening to The Sacrilege the most enjoyable?

I have read all the books and I like this narrator

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not the edge of my seat, but I enjoyed it. I don't usually like the edge of seat ones

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

They are two different experiences. I like reading better, but I listen to audio books while walking my dogs

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

A riveting and pleasurable listening experience

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It's a seduction into the endlessly curious world of the romans and all their ways. It's both a detective tale and a political/historical thriller.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Sacrilege?

The malediction scene.

Have you listened to any of John Lee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not sure

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

"And you think Washington is a nest of vipers."

Any additional comments?

You must render all of the SPQR series into unabridged audio books. They are worth it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Great series, book three at last

Would you listen to The Sacrilege again? Why?

These books are always worth a replay. I love the way the author brings historical figures to life. Caesar is very cunning and a jerk and Pompey lets other gererals fight the big battles then jumps in at the end to take all the credit. It's fun to see these giants of history in a very human way. I also love the main character and the humor woven through the story. I always seem to find something new when I replay a SPQR novel.

What other book might you compare The Sacrilege to and why?

Almost anything by Bernard Cornwell will have a good historial plot and great action.

Would you listen to another book narrated by John Lee?

Yes. I like John Lee but...I really did miss Simon Vance.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Why does audible always ask this question?

Any additional comments?

Please Audible can we have more of this series. The sooner the better.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Bored with this series.... Darn!

I liked I and II... but found this the same old song. Careful - don't start with this, III... You will need to know details from the first two parts of this epic to fully understand the place and culture. The tale of Senator Decuis Caecilius Metellus has grown sort of meh... To me anyway. Look, I gave it a 3, but the trend line is deeply down for me. Maybe I'll look at IV, but not for a while.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Contrived and disappointing conclusion

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yes. The story was very entertaining and provided plenty of historical atmosphere, but the ending was very disappointing. SPOILER ALERT: The truth behind the mystery was revealed towards the end of the book in a long letter written by one of the murdered characters. This struck me as a plainly lazy way to round out a murder mystery. Also, the letter that named the murderers and revealed a treasonous plot was conveniently handed over to one of the plotters (a real historical character) in a final scene that seemed like the ancient Roman equivalent of a movie car chase. It was quite corny and very hard to believe.

Would you be willing to try another book from John Maddox Roberts? Why or why not?

Yes. Parts 1 and 2 of the series were excellent, so I am prepared to believe that the substandard conclusion of part 3 was anomalous.

What about John Lee’s performance did you like?

Lee was an excellent and most convincing narrator.

Did SPQR III: The Sacrilege inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

I am looking forward to the many subsequent instalments in this series.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

For Fans Only! 😱

I confess that I listened to this in a scattered fashion over several days--and I am not sure if that was because of difficulty getting into the material presented by the author--or simply a rather loosely woven tale running to threadbare.
I begin to feel more certain that this Roman set and setting will not be a sustainable series -- at least in this authors hands. 😱

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

the best so far

I liked the first 2 books in the series, but the change of narrators this book alters the whole feel of the books and really gave me a better feel for Decius and now I LOVE the series, They are quick and addicting listens, allowing me to follow more of the adventures of what feels like a new friend in Decius. They allow us to understand the Rome of Decius and his family, how he, like all of us must deal with family politics and find our place in our family and world, takes the reader back to republican rome as it begins to see the future of imperial rome encroach.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful