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Sons of Rome (Rise of Emperors Book 1) Kindle Edition
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...
Praise for Gordon Doherty and Simon Turney:
'A page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read' Ben Kane, author of Lionheart
'The Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction. Doherty and Turney each breathe life into their respective characters with insight and humanity' Matthew Harffy, author of Wolf of Wessex
'A nuanced portrait of an intriguing emperor' The Times (on Turney's Commodus)
'A meticulously researched and vivid reimagining of an almost forgotten civilisation' Douglas Jackson, author of Hero of Rome (on Doherty's Empires of Bronze)
'Sons of Rome is an intriguing and highly polished piece of historical fiction' James Tivendale from Grimdark Magazine
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHead of Zeus -- an Aries Book
- Publication dateOctober 15, 2020
- File size8.0 MB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“A page turner from beginning to end... A damn fine read'” ―Ben Kane
“An intriguing and highly polished piece of Historical Fiction that is well worth the asking price” ―James Tivendale from Grimdark Magazine
“The Rise of Emperors series is first-rate Roman fiction” ―Matthew Harffy
“Riveting... A superbly crafted and fully engaging story that showcases the cooperative literary talents of its two co-authors, Gordon Doherty and Simon Turney... Original, entertaining, and leaving the reader looking eagerly toward any further novels set in the antiquity of that ancient empire'” ―MidWest Book Review
About the Author
Simon Turney is from Yorkshire and, having spent much of his childhood visiting historic sites, fell in love with the Roman heritage of the region. His fascination with the ancient world snowballed from there with great interest in Rome, Egypt, Greece and Byzantium. His works include the Marius' Mules and Praetorian series, the Tales of the Empire and The Damned Emperor series, and the Rise of Emperors books with Gordon Doherty. He lives in North Yorkshire with his family.
Follow Simon at www.simonturney.com
Product details
- ASIN : B086XK3P37
- Publisher : Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : October 15, 2020
- Edition : 1st
- Language : English
- File size : 8.0 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 497 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1800242098
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Book 1 of 3 : Rise of Emperors
- Best Sellers Rank: #349,717 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #258 in Ancient Roman History (Kindle Store)
- #406 in Ancient Historical Fiction
- #455 in Ancient History Fiction (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Having spent much of his childhood visiting historic sites with his grandfather, Simon fell in love with the Roman heritage of the region, beginning with the world famous Hadrian’s Wall. His fascination with the ancient world snowballed with interest in Egypt, Greece and Byzantium, though his focus has remained Rome. A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his time visiting historic sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading.
Simon’s career meandered along an eclectic path from the Ministry of Agriculture to network management before settling back into the ancient world, returning to university to complete an honours degree in classical history. With a rekindled love of all things Roman, he set off on a journey to turn Caesar’s Gallic War diaries into a novel accessible to all. Marius’ Mules was completed in 2003 and has garnered considerable, bestseller status and reviews, spawning numerous sequels.
Now, with in excess of 40 novels available in numerous languages, Simon is a prolific writer, spanning genres and eras and releasing novels both independently and through renowned publishers including Canelo, Head of Zeus, and Orion. Simon’s varied series cover numerous periods of ancient Rome, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, Viking Byzantium, and the Templar Knights. Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Gordon is a Scottish writer, addicted to reading and writing historical fiction. His novels have been Amazon smash-hits, and have gone on to be translated and published in Russia, Italy and Greece.
Gordon's love of history was first kindled by visits to the misty Roman ruins of Britain and the sun-baked antiquities of Turkey and Greece. His expeditions since have taken him all over the world and back and forth through time (metaphorically, at least), allowing him to write tales of the later Roman Empire, Byzantium, Classical Greece and even the distant Bronze Age.
For exciting news, extracts and exclusive content from Gordon:
Visit www.gordondoherty.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @GordonDoherty
Follow his author page on www.facebook.com/gordon.doherty
Subscribe to his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/c/GordonDohertyAuthor
Simon lives with his wife, children, rabbits and dog in rural North Yorkshire. Having spent much of his childhood visiting historic sites with his grandfather, a local photographer, Simon fell in love with the Roman heritage of the region, beginning with the world famous Hadrian's Wall. His fascination with the ancient world snowballed from there with great interest in Egypt, Greece and Byzantium, though his focus has always been Rome. A born and bred Yorkshireman with a love of country, history and architecture, Simon spends most of his rare free time travelling the world visiting historic sites, writing, researching the ancient world and reading voraciously.
Simon's early career meandered along an arcane and eclectic path of everything from the Ministry of Agriculture to computer network management before finally settling back into the ancient world. During those varied years, Simon returned to university study to complete an honours degree in classical history through the Open University. With what spare time he had available and a rekindled love of all things Roman, he set off on an epic journey to turn Caesar's Gallic War diaries into a novel accessible to all. The first volume of Marius' Mules was completed in 2003 and has garnered international success, bestseller status and rave reviews, spawning numerous sequels. Marius' Mules is still one of Simon's core series and although Roman fiction features highly he now has Byzantine, Fantasy and Medieval series, too, as well as several collaborations and short stories in other genres.
Now with in excess of 40 novels available and, Simon is a prolific writer, spanning genres and eras and releasing novels both independently and through renowned publishers including Canelo and Orion. Simon writes full time and is represented by MMB Creative literary agents.
Look out for Roman military novels featuring Caesar's Gallic Wars in the form of the bestselling Marius' Mules series, Roman thrillers in the Praetorian series, set during the troubled reign of Commodus, imperial intrigue in the Damned Emperors series and the Rise of Emperors series, epics of the Knights Templar, adventures around the 15th century Mediterranean world in the Ottoman Cycle, and a series of Historical Fantasy novels with a Roman flavour called the Tales of the Empire.
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Customers find the book's storytelling engaging, with one review highlighting its superb narrative of the Roman Tetrarchy. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its readability and writing quality.
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Customers enjoy the storytelling of this historical fiction series, finding it engaging and well-paced, with one customer highlighting its superb narrative of the Roman Tetrarchy.
"Well written and full of intrigue. A very gripping story with lots of side stories. The various personalities just shine." Read more
"...The two POV's alternate as the well paced story moves along and so you get to see how each individuals decisions affect the other and how those..." Read more
"Excellent story telling of the gathering of storm for the end of Tetrarchy...." Read more
"The story is told in an interesting way...." Read more
Customers find the book to be an excellent read, with one customer noting it is full of intrigue and another mentioning the author spent time researching the topic.
"Well written and full of intrigue. A very gripping story with lots of side stories. The various personalities just shine." Read more
"...what would have been a very boring history lesson into an interesting set of books. Look forward to the next volume." Read more
"...It all does make for a very interesting read." Read more
"...Congratulations on such an entertaining collaboration!" Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book.
"Well written and full of intrigue. A very gripping story with lots of side stories. The various personalities just shine." Read more
"...Though nicely told, I do not quite agree with the way the end of Severus has been depicted...." Read more
"...The combination of these two phenomenal authors and the tale told through the two protagonists viewpoints was masterfully executed...." Read more
"well written ! with good detail..." Read more
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Stunning Historical Fiction
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2022Format: KindleVerified PurchaseWell written and full of intrigue. A very gripping story with lots of side stories. The various personalities just shine.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2021Format: KindleVerified Purchase"Well let me be the one to tell you of my deeds, both light and dark. What happened that afternoon on the road to Rome was neither an omen from the divine, nor a shrewd yarn to disguise mortal ambition: it was a moment of great realisation, and the culmination of a journey."
Sons is a fantastic beginning to this historical fiction series!! Set in 277AD, the story follows Maxentius and Constantine, two historical figures that I knew nothing about before beginning this series. The Roman Empire has been falling apart with succession issues, supply issues and Emperor Diocletian decides that the way to solve the succession problems is to create a Tetrarchy-instead of one Emperor, there will be four. Maxentius and Constantine are pulled into this world of Emperors and Caesars through their fathers, and as young men they become fast friends. This world of political backstabbing will not leave these friends untouched however, and this story of how their friendship develops and then strains apart is wonderful. The two POV's alternate as the well paced story moves along and so you get to see how each individuals decisions affect the other and how those decisions are viewed as the political landscape just keeps getting more and more complicated. You really do get a marvelous feel for how the world of the Roman Empire worked, and all of the descriptions of the cities, battles, relationships just make this quite a page turner!! The authors clearly know their subject and have made this time in history so accessible through the story of these two men. The second book Masters of Rome is also excellent and I am so looking forward to the final book of the series, Gods of Rome!!!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseExcellent story telling of the gathering of storm for the end of Tetrarchy. Though nicely told, I do not quite agree with the way the end of Severus has been depicted. Similarly, the flight of Constantine to escape the clutches of Galerius is also a bit fuzzy.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThe book shows that it’s the work of two authors that spent time researching the topic. They managed to take what would have been a very boring history lesson into an interesting set of books. Look forward to the next volume.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2021Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThe story is told in an interesting way. One chapter will be depicted through the mind of Constantine, and the next chapter will be depicted through the mind of Maximius. They are two men who start out as the best of friends but soon each becomes the Emperor of a part of the Roman empire and they then become enemies. From my point of view, most of the antagonism seems to be generated on the part of Maximius. It seems as if they should join forces but that is not the way of history. It all does make for a very interesting read.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2020Format: KindleVerified PurchaseWow!! I almost stopped a third of the way into the book in order to write a glowing review, it is that good! The combination of these two phenomenal authors and the tale told through the two protagonists viewpoints was masterfully executed. Covering a period in the late empire that rarely gets noticed, it is a fascinating exploration of the dynamics involved in imperial power. Anxiously awaiting the next in the series!!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023Format: KindleVerified PurchaseUnlike previous books, this story lacked the excitement, sense of urgency that compels the reader to read the end of the page and onto the next. Really was expecting the story to pick up the pace at one point, never really happened. Not sure if moving into the sequel, looking to see what others have to say
- Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2020Format: KindleVerified PurchaseOnce I became used to the back and forth between the protagonists this was a very difficult book to put down. I felt conflicted rooting for both Constantine and Maximius. I am deliberately not researching what happened to both as I want it to play out in your next book. Congratulations on such an entertaining collaboration!
Top reviews from other countries
- John VReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic novel
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseThis has to be one of my favourite historical fiction novels. I read this for the first time close to its release date in hard back format and decided to re-read the Rise of Emperors series back to back. Gordon’s portrayal of Constantine is interesting as he portrays him as a grey character which makes the character more realistic and identifiable. Whilst Simon’s portrayal of Maxentius isn’t as a purely vilified character, as with other novels Simon makes these historical figures which are condemned by some, into more relatable, realistic and emotionally complex characters. This period of Roman history is fascinating with a power plays from various parties and this novel depicts both Constantine and Maxentius from their early childhood through to adulthood and their taking up the mantels of power. I look forward to re-reading book 2 in the series which I will start today. This is my favourite book in the series however as it introduced me to both authors and I’ve enjoyed all of their series I have read to date.
- AllisonReviewed in Australia on July 1, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseGood book, bought it for the library at my work.
- Peter WarkReviewed in Australia on November 18, 2021
4.0 out of 5 stars Sons of Rome.
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI enjoyed this is a good historical fiction. It accurately portrays the rise to power of Constantine and MaxentiusWith some historical embellishment here and there. Nonetheless it’s an interesting story the characters are believable and the second night historical context. Their motivations are largely fictional but that’s up to the author. Certainly a good description of a period of Roman history it is not so well known.
- James TivendaleReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2022
4.0 out of 5 stars an intriguing and highly polished piece of Historical Fiction
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseI’ve been getting into more historical fiction this year, so when Head of Zeus approached me with their new Aries catalogue – an imprint of theirs that is focused on action and adventure books – I was pretty excited to see what they had on offer. I opted to pick up Doherty and Turney’s Sons of Rome as my first choice, and although it wasn’t the reading experience I was expecting, I had a great time with it.
“Now every journey has a story, but this one is a truly dark and tangled tale – one that would end, the very next day, in battle against my oldest friend…”
Sons of RomeSons of Rome is set in the Roman Empire from the 3rd-4th century AD. It follows two main characters, Constantine and Maxentius, both in the first-person perspective. The two voices of the protagonists were unique and distinctive so there was never a risk of confusion over whose chapter I was reading. The main distinction between the two players is that Constantine’s journey is martial whereas Maxentius’ is more political. We follow both of them concurrently as they age from youth to adulthood. They meet fleetingly throughout their lives when their paths crossover and they consider each other firm friends. They are many well-crafted and memorable moments throughout Sons of Rome, and the violent circumstances with which the young protagonists first meet and then discuss wooden blocks is one of these occasions that has a lasting effect throughout the novel.
“Rome is about honour and respect. You cannot fight corruption by corrupt means. Find another.”
The period depicted in this book is one that I know very little about, so went into it excitable and wide-eyed ready to get enveloped by the whole experience. It comes across that the authors really know this era and therefore could confidently and comfortably tell Constantine and Maxentius’ stories. There are battles and warfare, sometimes brutal, but this doesn’t take up as much page time as I was expecting. A lot of what takes place is political manoeuvring, moving the metaphorical pieces on the great game board. Marriages, family ties, betrayal, operating under a certain emperor, overcoming uprisings, etc… There is also a fair bit of persecution delivered to the Christians as some important figures see them as a risk to the old gods.
“Of course, I was wrong. In the end, it always comes down to blood and steel, doesn’t it?”
Sons of Rome is an impressive, addictive and fast-paced read, without being as action-focused as I’d initially hoped. The book doesn’t really work as a standalone, it’s more of a groundwork piece, building up the tension and intrigue; so I am expecting heaps of action and drama in the upcoming Masters of Rome. Later on in Sons of Rome, I really enjoyed seeing how Constantine and Maxentius would analyse and act on each other’s decisions and actions, and how their relationship as friends slowly changes. The sides and the pieces are well and truly in place on the board for the great game and I will definitely be reading the follow up as soon as I can to see how Maxentius’ and Constantine’s journies play out and what impact their lives have on each other and for the future of the Roman Empire.
Sons of Rome gets a solid four-star rating for the reading experience and, at the time I am writing this, a five-star rating for value for money, with the Kindle version of the novel only costing £0.99. Sons of Rome is an intriguing and highly polished piece of Historical Fiction that is well worth the asking price.
- ChristopherReviewed in Germany on November 13, 2021
1.0 out of 5 stars Only managed the first ten pages
Format: KindleVerified PurchaseSadly the book is written in the "my" perspective. I don't like reading those kind of books but of course that's a matter of taste.