Clash of Empires

Review

Series five begins for Ben Kane with Clash of Empires, two empires butting up against one another, one a shadow of its once greatness but still with sharp teeth, and the other an Empire on the rise, growing, determined and ravenous for conquest.

Ben Kane’s books are always an annual treat, his ability to tell a tale from each and every side in such a personal fashion has always been the uniqueness that brings me back book after book. Clash of Empires is no different, no matter how low each of the major players can go at some point Ben Kane has you rooting for them, You find sympathy for Flamininus despite his rampant ambition, you find sympathy and root for Philip despite his ruthless streak as king. Ben also lifts the narrative up and down, showing us the heights of power and the machinations of the political climates of both worlds, and then in the next breath takes us down to the dirt where the soldiers abide, to what drives them, what makes them stand in line and die, to the camaraderie and the drive of men with nothing but each other.

Its always easy to say a book is better than the last, because its fresh, its new and both of those things drive that vision of it being better. But in the case of this book its more, its an immersive read, a total absorption into the worlds of both Greece and Rome driving you both one way then the next, splitting your loyalties, despite knowing the history it makes you hope for different outcomes, living with the soldiers of both armies and somehow wanting all to survive and both to walk away winners.

Ben Kane has tapped into a fantastic period of history, one with a rich vein of story, and he writes it so well, this will appeal to fans of both Greek and Roman history and once read they will be hooked for this series…. and his others.

A highly recommended book

(Parm)

I love Ben's books, and have devoured them all since I first discovered The Forgotten Legion many years ago. This, I think, is one of his best.

As always, the story is told from all angles. From Flamininus in Rome, trying to bribe his way to make himself consul of Rome. He is hungry for power, yearns to be the man that finally gets to destroy Phillip of Macedon. Phillip himself is well portrayed, a ruthless leader that will stop at nothing to protect his country.

My favourite characters though, are the soldiers in the blood and dust. Roman legionaries Felix and Antoninus were dismissed from the army after the battle of Zama, but have decided to risk enrolling for the new campaign. It's not Macedon they fear, but Matho, their old centurion. Demetrios is a lowly oarsman on a Macedon trading ship. He longs to fight in the phalanx, and finally gets the chance to fulfil his dream. His story is a real 'coming of age', as you watch the boy grow into a young man. He was by far my favourite.

Overall, I found this book brilliantly written and captivating, from the high politics of the Curia in Rome to Phillip's inner circle in Pella, to the bone crunching, blood drenched battle fields, I was engrossed. Bring on book two!