Sons Of Rome (Rise Of Emperors Book One) by Gordon Doherty and Simon Turney

 

Sons Of Rome (Rise Of Emperors Book One) by Gordon Doherty and Simon Turney.

Published 10th December 2020 by Head of Zeus.

From the cover of the book:

Four Emperors. Two Friends. One Destiny.

As twilight descends on the 3rd century AD, the Roman Empire is but a shadow of its former self. Decades of usurping emperors, splinter kingdoms and savage wars have left the people beleaguered, the armies weary and the future uncertain. And into this chaos Emperor Diocletian steps, reforming the succession to allow for not one emperor to rule the world, but four.

Meanwhile, two boys share a chance meeting in the great city of Treverorum as Diocletian's dream is announced to the imperial court. 

Throughout the years that follow, they share heartbreak and glory as that dream sours and the empire endures an era of tyranny and dread. Their lives are inextricably linked, their destinies ever-converging as they rise through Rome's savage stations, to the zenith of empire. 

For Constantine and Maxentius, the purple robes beckon...

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Having a son who is a big fan of anything Ancient Greek and Roman definitely whets the appetite when it comes to reading stories set in these worlds, especially when they are written by two such respected authors who know how to handle an epic series... and epic this first instalment of the new Rise of Emperors series certainly is.

Welcome to the Roman Empire of the end of the third century AD, when political manoeuvring and often quite literal backstabbing has brought the once great empire to its knees. In an attempt to see Rome rise again, Emperor Diocletian ushers in a new era whereby four Emperors will rule instead of one. At the dawn of this new era, we meet two boys who are destined to do great things - Constantine and Maxentius.

In the years that follow, Constantine and Maxentius become close friends, sharing everything that life throws at them, until ambition and political infighting find them at odds with each other - and on wrong sides in a war for power over the whole empire.

I found this book absolutely fascinating. Doherty and Turney, although necessarily taking a little liberty here and there with history to fill in the gaps and keep the story flowing, manage to bring the world of the Roman Empire alive in a way that keeps you absolutely enthralled. This is a world of friends and enemies, loyalties and treachery, and it's not always easy to tell who is who in this game of thrones where you have to watch your back at all times.

This is historical fiction at its very best, and quite how Doherty and Turney have produced such a seamless piece of writing between them is admirable. This is a sizeable tome and yet the story flows beautifully, even with some considerable jumps in time, and the characters are all so well drawn and convincing that you find yourself really caught up in their lives, loves and losses - and divided loyalties. The pacing is just right and leads you all the way to a delicious ending that leaves you on the brink of more legendary events to come.

I am so looking forward to picking up with the story again in the next book, Masters of Rome, which is next on my reading pile... so watch this space for more!

Sons of Rome is available to buy now from your favourite book retailer in hardback, e-book and audio formats and is coming in paperback on 1st April 2021.