Emperor: The Gods of War (Emperor) | Conn Iggulden | Superbly Written Historical Fiction

Emperor: The Gods of War (Emperor) | Conn Iggulden | Sensational!

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Emperor: The Gods ...

	Emperor: The Gods of War (Emperor) Conn Iggulden Bantam, 2007 - 528 pages average customer review:based on 21 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Superbly Written Historical Fiction

I've just finished up all four in the series and am left wanting more. Julius Ceasar was one of the most remarkable men in history and Iggulden has done an amazing job of bringing him to life in these pages. With so much at our fingertips today, it is hard to imagine a human being with that kind of vision, let alone the will and determination it would have taken to accomplish what still seems impossible.

James Hart Isley
Author of The Bear Hunter

Sensational!

I ordered the first two in the Emperor series (one of historical fiction chronicalling the life of Julius Caeser) and swallowed a dose of 'shock & awe' as I devoured these page turners. I wouldn't recommend them if you like to get to bed early, as I found myself continually battling the sandman to remain awake to see how the latest adventures of the protaganists turned out. While reading the first two I knew that I HAD to go back on Amazon to purchase the remaining books. I discovered that GODS OF WAR was not yet in paperback. Like it mattered. I am the proud owner of 3 paperbacks and 1 hardcover. It was well worth it. I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who enjoys a good yarn, swashbuckling adventure, superior character development, fascinating historical fiction and plainly-just a damn good read. My only hope now is the author, Mr. Iggulden, decides to continue the saga with Octavian/Augustus, Mark Antony and that little Greek/Egyptian Minx. After that there's plenty of drama in the Empire. So to Conn, Sir, I beseech you to put 'pen to paper' and continue the journey. I will do my part and spread the word here in the colonies. I already owe you a pint!

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Nice ending to a great series

I've really enjoyed the entire series, going so far as to buy a 10 euro copy of the last installation in an airport in Copenhagen. Iggulden seems to have followed actual historical events fairly closely and providing some educated insight into the personalities of these fascinating people. The only minor complaint is that the story actually seems a little rushed. It probably could have been separated into two separate novels: the final battle with Pompey and the adventures in Egypt. At the end of the historical note, Iggulden hints that he might write another novel that continues where this novel leaves off. I can only hope that he follows through.

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Excellent. This book makes you feel like Caesar's buddy.

I'm a history buff and thought I knew the ins and outs of Caesar. Yeah, I did, but this book...well, it just makes you feel like you were standing in Rome and having first name basis buddy-ship with Caesar.

A very remarkable dude he is. Think aobut it. How many other dudes are so controlled and all rounded? Great in war, lucky with chics, and an excellent politician. No wonder he's so successful.

And what better way than to end life in a memorable way? Getting assassinated by folks who get jealous of you, including your best friends..."Et tu Brute" = "Even you Brutus". Man, that is just Immortal...god-like.

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Veni, vidi, vici

Well, here we are. The fourth and final volume of Conn Iggulden's action-movie version of the life of Julius Caesar. From crossing the Rubicon to Et tu, Brute? in five hundred pages or less. This novel gets by on sheer breathless momentum. And what a ride it is.

As usual with this series, Mr. Iggulden is excellent at describing battle, both large and small scale. I've noticed after reading each of these books that the parts that are most memorable are the 'set pieces'. This novel is chock full of them. You'll be exhilarated reading about the battle of Pharsalus or Caesar's standoff in Alexandria.

The characterization is better here than it has been in the past books. By the end both Caesar and Brutus had done things I found despicable, but I will say they were fairly well drawn. Unfortunately most of the secondary characters that I have grown to love through the series are either dead at this point or given short shrift. I sorely missed Renius, Cabera, Tabbic and Alexandria. Calpurnia is barely introduced before she is swept offstage. However I can't really fault Mr. Iggulden. There was so much to cover in this final book that these side stories probably would have made the book feel cluttered.

I was surprised to reach page three hundred or so and still not have heard anything about Cleopatra. I was worried that the author was somehow going to gloss over her. Luckily Mr. Iggulden proved me wrong. Cleopatra make an impression from her first appearance and really holds your attention whenever she is mentioned through the rest of the story.

Of course unless you've been living in a cave your whole life, you know how the book will end. Nonetheless, the author wrote it in such a way that I was both breathless from the tension and somewhat saddened by the inevitability of what was to come next.

I do think the story ended right where it should, but I wish that in the obligatory Author's Note at the end Mr. Iggulden would have given some sort of American Graffiti-esque biographical notes on what became of Brutus, Octavian, Cleopatra and most especially Caesarion.

Overall, this was a very impressive set of books. I would recommend them without reservation. They have all the action of a Hollywood blockbuster, but are close enough to the facts to give a layman a basic understanding of a very important man in history.

I will most definitely be picking up Genghis: Birth of an Empire and whatever else Conn Iggulden writes in the future.

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reviews: 1, page 2, 3, 4, 5

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