Release Date: 07/05/15
Publisher: Hodder
SYNOPSIS:
A.D. 448. The Roman Empire is crumbling. The Emperor is weak. Countless Romans live under the rule of barbarian kings. Politicians scheme and ambitious generals vie for power. Then from the depths of Germany arises an even darker threat: Attila, King of the Huns, gathering his hordes and determined to crush Rome once and for all. In a time of danger and deception, where every smile conceals betrayal and every sleeve a dagger, three young people hold onto the dream that Rome can be made great once more. But as their fates collide, they find themselves forced to survive in a world more deadly than any of them could ever have imagined. What can they possibly do to save the Empire, or themselves, from destruction?
REVIEW:
Whilst a lot of historical authors tend to focus on Rome at the height of its power John Henry has created a tale where the ancient state is close to collapse just prior to the rise of the Holy Roman Empire. Here within this book readers are thrust into this turbulent time where living is hard and death is easy as we follows the lives of four principle characters over a period of their lives. Its heart wrenching in places, gives the reader a chance to sit back and see how the world changing events unfurl as each seeks to survive and further their own ideals/policies and by the culmination of each generates repercussions that history will take note of.
Its definitely a book that was a pure pleasure to sit back and read with an author who not only clearly loved his subject matter but presents it in such a way that you can’t help but sit there glued to the events and when you add characters that you care about all round gives you a new series that will stay with readers long after the final pages are turned. A definitely joy to read and a world I’ll definitely be returning to in the future.
Release Date: 04/07/13
Publisher: Hodder
SYNOPSIS:
Condemned to a hovel, beaten by a merciless commander, crushed by the weather and forced to survive on starvation rations: no one looking at Paul would ever guess that he is heir to one of Roman Britain's wealthiest families. But Paul had his reasons for joining the army and fleeing the family he loves. But when rumours of a barbarian uprising from beyond the Wall begin to circulate, Paul realises that his family is in grave danger. With only the former slave-girl Eachna for company, Paul deserts the army, for which the penalty is death, and undertakes a hazardous journey across Britain where danger lurks round every corner. Epic in scope, rich with historical detail, THE LION AND THE LAMB is a novel of Roman Britain on the cusp of the Dark Ages, when all that stands between her citizens and oblivion is one family.
REVIEW:
I love diving into historical fiction, marching with either the roman legions or the English Troops during the 100 Years War or seeing a time from the characters point of view. It gives me time to ponder events and has often caused me to dive into history books to see the time from a sterile point of view wanting to learn more about the living culture at the time. I love antiques that have had a real sense of use about them so to get a book that isn’t about the glorious battle side of things has to rely on bringing so much more to the fore as otherwise pace can lack.
With this title it’s a book that sadly lacks from this issue, it can go rather well at some points but at others seem to lose direction and steam to keep the readers attention and with characters that I didn’t develop attachments for, all round left me feeling flat about the whole thing. Don’t get me wrong its beautifully researched but at the end of the day if you lose the reader they won’t want to spend time with you in future.
