The Centurions

Well written story, pulls you into its world gently but firmly, and you find yourself caring about a great many of the characters you come across throughout. The "set pieces" if I can call them that are thrilling and exciting, and the book (as a whole) is well paced.As an introduction to the Post Augustan period of the Roman Empire I can't fault it.

Good read

A good holiday read

Having read many many books of this period by the likes of Ruth Downie, Steven Saylor, SJ A Turney, Simon Scarborough and Lindsey Davis to name but a few, I thought I would look around for someone less established. I came across The Centurion series by this author and thought let's give him a try. Having read the reviews which were mainly favourable but conscious of some quite scathing comments, I decided to purchase the book. I would have given the book 4 stars, if possibly not 5, had I not thought less than half way through the book that it was not worth reading any more of it. The reason for this was that I found it difficult to want to pick up the book wanting to read more and more as I have with other authors I've mention. To many pages spent on what I felt were minor events in the story line and too little on more interesting and therefore attractive, to a reader. Despite this I decided to persevere and I'm pleased that I did.The book tells the story of two half-brothers, Correus and Flavius, sons of a famous and highly regarded retired Roman General; identical in looks and of the age however Correus is illegitimate born of a long time slave mistress who has always been part of this Roman familia. The story centres on Correus who is formally adopted by his father when he became old enough to, like his brother, join the Cenuriate but really is concerned with the interaction between the brothers and the underlying resentment each feels for the other despite brotherly love against the backdrop of Rome's expansion across the Rhine. The characters are well drawn and developed by the author.As mentioned by another reviewer I, too, would have preferred the battle sequences to have been longer and more descriptive than they are in this book giving the author a much better medium to display both the characteristics and differences between the two brothers. It was not until the last quarter of the book that it came alive for me and I wished this had happened earlier. Will I read the other 2 books in the series, the answer is yes and don't be too put off by some of the reviews although I think some other reviews have been over generous in their comments.

At times, as I read this novel it occurred to me that some of the information used was a little out-of-date compared to what I've learned from very recent archaeological theories. Some things jumped out at me as not being 'quite right' and interrupted what was an intense reading flow, because I was really enjoying the story of the two half-brothers.What was the in-thinking of the 1960s and 1970s isn't necessarily how it is interpreted today, and it made me wonder where the author was acquiring his research from. It was only when I read the credits page that I realised this version that I've just read is an update - the novel having been first published in 1981.One large aspect that I must find time to research is why they chose to enter the 'training programme for the centuriate'. It puzzled me that Flavius didn't become a junior tribune but hopefully that will be revealed in later books.I really enjoyed reading about Correus and Flavius and intend to read more of their adventures, especially when they are stationed in Britannia which I feel I may know more about than the exploits of the Roman Empire's legions in Germania.

The author writes with enormous empathy and compassion for her characters.This is not just a “Historical novel”, but a true novel in every sense, with characters one cares for and an immersion into a whole other world in all its richness, colour, detail, and solidity.

This first book in the Centurions trilogy is a very refreshing approach to the story that is Rome and it's conquests. Correus, the son of a general and slave, is immediately likeable, drawing you into a fascinating web of love and loyalty. I found it difficult to put this book down and eagerly look forward to book two!

Not much wrong with this first of the series, not as fast paced as some would like I daren't say but then this is a trilogy, the characters were very well scripted and I enjoyed the plot as much as any Iggulden or Scarrow story so far, just purchased the rest of the series on the strength of it and looking forward to them, I would recommend this author without a doubt.

This is a great series about two brothers joining the Roman legions. One of the best Roman series I have read.

First of three books. Only first two are strongly recommended, (the third was "ghost written and just aint the same). Plot is gripping, characters seem real. Well worth the hours spent reading it. For those who haven't read the first book, , DO NOT READ THE TEASER ( SPOILER ) AT THE END. It may ruin the first couple chapters of the second book ( which is another really good book). I personally believe you can skip the third book and be better off. Plot is thin, characters two dimensional and too many events were not brought to a satisfactory conclusion. ( Why Forst? Why Nyall ( in Rome , yet)).UPDATE FOR KINDLE VERSION ONLY: There is an event in Correus' life which was significantly changed in the kindle version. First time readers will not notice a change from the hard copy, nor will it affect their enjoyment of the book. Previous readers will likely notice as I did the events which took place shortly after the knife fight in Rhodope's Social Club are not the same. Kindle version also doesn't have the teaser / spoiler previously warned against.

An insipid, trivial book. Not worth reading

Entertaining

Depends on your tastes..it was average for me.