Customer Reviews

Casca 25: Halls of Montezuma

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One of the hallmarks of Barry Sadler's works is their historical accuracy. Although it almost seems sinful to admit to it, I actually learn the details of historical events from Sadler's fiction. Happily, Tony Roberts is continuing this attribute of Sadler's work in this novel and the next novels he writes (#26 and #27).

In this adventure, as is usually the case, Casca is placed in settings of hardship that give the reader an understanding of the times in which the adventures take place. Too often, authors get bogged down in flowery extended descriptions of settings, but Tony Roberts gives you everything you need to know about the heat and dust and hardships without making them the focus of the story. His descriptions contribute to the overall effectiveness of the events Casca endures as a soldier, the battles, the marches, and the everyday living. I prefer action oriented novels and Roberts gives you this. Casca is a character that necessitates action.

In this novel, Tony Roberts establishes the link between Casca and an immigrant family in the pre-Civil War era which Roberts continues through the next two novels. Because of Casca's immortality, Roberts does a good job of taking Casca through the aging and maturing of the members of this family as the stories progress.

Having read all of Barry Sadler's novels, I can say I am pleased that Tony Roberts has taken up the challenge of continuing Casca's adventures. Sadler would be proud of Tony Roberts' work. You will enjoy it, too.

Tony Roberts continues the saga of Casca the Eternal Mercenary with the 25th installment in the series, "The Halls of Montezuma."

Casca, as Case Lonnergan wends his way through the Mid-Atlantic states, from Piladelphia to Virginia. He performs his usual good deeds (for a family of immigrants this time), in his usual brutal manner and makes enemies along the way that will dog his trail from the eastern seaboard to Texas and even to the vaunted Halls of Montezuma!

How Casca handles himself in the Mexican War and battles those hot on his trail for revenge, makes this book another of the great ones in the Casca series.

As is so often the case, though I'm something of a history buff, I was very educated in many aspects of not only the war but also the problems that many immigrants faced in America once they landed on our shores. In this respect, Tony Roberts continues the tradition of historical accuracy that Barry Sadler was so superb at.

Tony shows respect for earlier novels in the series by referring back to some, and specifically to Casca's last visit to Mexico. There are also hints of where Casca will be in future novels.

And if this wasn't enough for fans of Casca, the Eternal Mercenary has The Brotherhood of the Lamb to contend with as they team up with those so anxious for Casca's head on a platter!

Stephen J. Servello

While not quite as good as the original series by Barry Sadler it was pretty close and I could see Tony Roberts growing into the role of Casca author. At any rate it was significantly better than the Paul Dengelegi versions (I couldn't even finish reading those). But both the Dengelegi and Roberts books suffer from the same ailment, lack of editing. Note to the publisher: Hire a good editor. Using the spell-check tool does not qualify as editing. The book is rife with grammatical errors and other passages that a good editor would be able to eliminate or smooth out. With that said I'm glad to see that someone competent has picked up the torch and the Casca series will continue to live.

I want to see these coming out at a pace of at least 4 a year. I want a movie and a TV series. This is one of my favorite titles of all time. It is an idea worthy of quality pursuit. It is a wonderful mix of action, supernatural intrigue and, above all else...history. You can enjoy a fun, action packed, thought provoking read and walk away smarter for it. This has got to continue. Let's get this ball rolling again!

Mr. Roberts, having already constructed the best Casca website in the world, has successfully reanimated the Legend of the Eternal Mercenary. Highly entertaining book! Well-researched, and weaves all sorts of historical details and real-life people into a prime book dealing with the Mexican War. The owners of the Casca rights will be well-advised to keep Mr. Roberts as the designated author for future stories, for the mutual benefit of both. I agree with a previous reviewer -- pass on the unfortunate #23 and #24 in the Casca series, and make this one a must-have for your library. I'm looking forward to the next one already!

Tony Roberts has written his first Casca book, which closely resembles the style and the action-packed excitement of the first dozen Casca books, which are believed to have actually been written by the original author, Barry Sadler himself. This is a tale of Casca, cursed to be an immortal soldier throughout time, caught up in the US Army during the Mexican War of the 1840s. I personally recommend this book to other Casca fans and to others who enjoy fast-paced action tales set in historical settings. Since I prefer historical adventure stories that occur in sword-based eras, I, and I'm sure many other readers, look forward to reading additional Casca tales by Mr. Roberts, especially ones that occur in strictly sword-based societies.

I enjoyed the book very much, even though it wasn't in a sword-based society. For me the same story told within the background of an exotic 10th century Middle Eastern setting would be even more enjoyable. Hopefully, Mr. Roberts will write a sword-based tale for us in the near future.

Thanks go to Mr. Roberts for continuing the Casca series as well as he did -- Barry Sadler would be proud.