Day of the Caesars (Eagles of the Empire 16)

A much awaited return of the brotherhood of Cato and Macro. The plot of the story is tied together in true Scarrow fashion with clues and hints scattered throughout. It is refreshing to see the alternative development of both protagonists in their character, with Cato’s pent up anger directed at a cause being somewhat of a relief from the previous book. Although many events were somewhat predictable, I’m a sucker for it not going too far left field - I can’t cope! Any fans of Scarrow or even Roman fiction will enjoy this novel but will need some context from the earlier books in the series. Thanks to Headline and Netgalley for a free copy to read and review.

The 16th book in Simon Scarrow's Eagle series sees our hero's Macro & Cato return to the political cesspit of Rome. After a few books away campaigning back in Britain and Spain, the return to the eternal city gives us a book with a much tighter, centralised plot. This one reads as more of a thriller/action story than the usual military campaign book. Its a nice change of pace, and with the added personal threat to Cato's family, we see a continuation of Cato's hardening, while at the same time Macro seems to be easing towards his retirement.

Its a great read, hard to put down just as i've come to expect from Scarrow. It looks like the boys are all set to travel to Parthia next, so bring on next year!

Review

Macro and Cato return again, 16 books in and the boys have grown, matured and changed. The new relationship with Cato as superior is well embedded and Macro is starting to take on the mantle of the soldier coming to end of his career, jaded (well as much as Macro ever could be), and sick of the politics and BS that defines how his life may end. Cato with his rank is more mired in the the politics, yet as a man from the ranks likes it no more than his rough and ready colleague.

In this book Simon Scarrow weaves a tale that’s more intrigue and thriller than the action and battles that have come to define this series, that’s not to say that macro and Cato don’t get the stabby parts of their blades wet and gory, because they most certainly do. But this book is more subtle, its the interplay of republicans and a dynastic squabble over the next emperor, and how despite everything our duo try to avoid it, yet they still get sucked into the storm of change.

Old enemies reappear, new enemies are made, this is another major turning point in the life of Macro and Cato, its a book not to be missed in this epic series that has helped shape the Historical Fiction genre.

Highly Recommended

(Parm)