Promising book 1

First book I've listened to by Ben Kane and thoroughly enjoyed it. Steven Pacey's narration, as always, is flawless and adds real depth to the story.

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Brilliant story, characters of depth and expertly narrated.

I didn’t want it to end! Fantastic story, plots and sub plots and full of real characters. Steven Pacey brought it all to life with his expert narration and characters, one of the best narrators for me. Can’t wait until May 2018 for the second book. Thank you.

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1 person found this helpful

Great story

The excellent narration by Stephen Pacey made this book easy to listen to and become totally enthralled.
It’s an insight into a part of history of which l was previously unaware.
I look forward to the other parts of this series.

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Kane Is More Than Able!

This was my first time with a Ben Kane novel and I guarantee it won't be my last! This looks set to be a series that will be genuinely epic in nature and scope. The multiple viewpoints cover life at both the top and bottom of both sides in this clash of Ancient powers. A steadfast king faces off against a hugely ambitious Roman politician with both desperate to win at all costs. At the other end of the scale a Macedonian rower dreams of becoming a spearman while two Roman brothers spend most of their time merely trying to survive.

Kane imbues each with their own feelings, hopes and dreams. He puts them all to the test and brings us victory and defeat alike. There are great action scenes including pitched battles, skirmishes and even drunken brawls. In reality it is four separate stories being woven into a much broader overall tapestry. There is a fair amount of thoroughly researched detail concerning the military organisation and tactics of the Macedonians as well as the overall period.

The narration is by the excellent Steven Pacey, the material is possibly not as perfectly suited to him as some of the other books I've heard him doing but being the master he is he delivers it superbly.

Just one point to mention, during the foreword it's strongly recommended that the listener consult a pdf that should have been included. It is said to contain maps that help understand the geography of the story with the nations being so different to what we know today. I contacted the author and he said he was unaware of the issue but he would ask the publisher about it. I also asked Audible who also said that the publisher hadn't provided it. It didn't feel like it spoiled the story for me but I do hope they add it to the package. In the meantime I did find what seemed like serviceable maps online to give me at least a broad overview.

That nit aside this is an excellent start to this series. As it's my first from the author I can't compare it to what he has done before but to me this flew by like a Javelin from a Roman legionary. Sometimes I find there is a certain amount of drag in multiple viewpoint stories but Kane has made each of his lead characters very human and compelling, albeit it in very different ways. Bring on Book 2!

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10 people found this helpful

Another winner from Ben Kane

Another great story from Ben Kane.As always twists and turns with every page.As far as I know the first novel to portray life in a Macedonian phalanx.Great narration from Steven Pacey and I particularly like the use of regional accents.Can't wait until the next instalment.

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Gripping stuff!!

Ben Kane brings this subject to life, interweaving several plot lines seamlessly. It’s the mark of a great storyteller when you’re not sure which of the key characters you are really rooting for. Can’t wait for the next instalment!

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Another Winner

This book covers the period around 200BC following on from the defeat of Hannibal covering the conflict between Macedon, Philip V, Republic of Rome and Greece and what a bloody period that was. It is viewed from both sides, both from the ranks of the army up to the politicians.

I love Ben Kane books, and this is no exception. It is also brought vividly to life by the narrator, Steven Pacey, who is a brilliant narrator. This is well worth anyone's credit.

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Fantastic

Loved every minute of it
A real gripping tale from both groups
Romans and Greeks
Would recommend it

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1 person found this helpful

Absolutely gripping historical military fiction

We can never really know what ancient warfare was like, but listening to this book I wondered if I might not be hearing something close to the experience a soldier had in a more barbaric, tragic, but heroic time. Telling his story through both the leaders and common soldiers of the Roman and Macedonian armies, Kane is clearly a fan of ancient military tactics and what the reality might have been, and doesn't shy from describing ancient combat from a personal, detailed point of view. He paints every element of the battles in his book, from the daunting advance into enemy, the devastating artillery fire of the catapults, the choreographed changes in formation, the bitter struggle of discipline vs terror, and indeed every thrust of the Sarissa and crash of the shields. There is plenty of deft characterization, and the greater plot and theme of the Roman republics rise to domination i the Mediterranean, but really I think this is a book about the nitty gritty of ancient warfare. It is detailed but action packed and never feels like lecturing - I loved it.

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1 person found this helpful

Ben Kane does it again

Another excellent book. I am hoping the saga continues as a series.
Accents used by the narrator are amusing. Welsh accented Macedonians but still an good performance. Highly recommended.

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