Customer Reviews

The Legate's Daughter

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book does an outstanding job of putting you in the shoes of an interesting main character, who is given a chance to redeem himself by travelling to Africa and rescuing the daughter of a prominent Roman family. The depiction of life in Rome and Africa is interesting and has a very authentic feel. The events and plot are involving too and kept me gripped from start to finish. It's more of a political thriller than a military study, so don't look for the rich battle scenes so prominent in the author's other book "Eagle in the Snow." Both books are outstanding in their own way, however, and the initial "one-star" review seems way off the mark to me.

The above reviewer is insane. This is an excellent book. Maybe not as good as "Eagle in the Snow" but still exceptional. Please disregard that one star review.

In telling this story of a disgraced ex-centurion's struggle to achieve a diplomatic mission given him by Agrippa, Wallace Breen does a wonderful job of communicating the sights, sounds, and smells of Rome and Mauretania in 24/23 BC. For example, "It was a dry day and the streets were partially filled with strolling couples enjoying the warmth of the late-afternoon sun. The Tiber was crowded with a long line of barges coming up from Ostia to the warehouses below the island; a group of idlers were playing backgammon in the doorway of a closed shop; a cake seller with an empty tray was shuffling home, counting the takings as he did so, while a group of small boys were watching fascinated as a man repaired a roof under the scolding eye of his wife." It's a lot harder, however, to see into the heads of his characters, particularly that of his protagonist, Curtius Rufus. "I do not understand" is a common remark of Rufus's, and one that I often found myself repeating as I tried to figure out what he was thinking and why he was doing what he did. Readers who are more perspicacious than I am (or less in need of cues about a character's thoughts) may wholeheartedly enjoy Breem's tale of Curtius Rufus's attempts to rescue a Senator's daughter kidnapped for unknown reasons.

Strictly OK. I bought it because I was BLOWN AWAY by "Eagle in the Snow". This isn't the same genius.

But seeing as someone has given it one, I'll round up.

Cons: A lot of characters at the beginning make you work to figure out who's who (a glossary is provided, but who's got time for that :) A bit predictable once you see the plot flesh out;

Pros: It starts fast; It's all dialogue;

Overall, a very enjoyable book. There's very little actual "action," but it is stimulating. I wish Mr. Breem had written more.

I struggled to stay with this book. The first portion of the book only barely mentions the subject of the title. We are treated to a recitation of the ills of the client system, the problems of the protagonist in meeting his own minimal living requirements in Rome, and his failed friend. The brightest part of this elaborate introduction (8 chapters long) is the protagonist"s decision to take action to fix a failing aquaduct which gets him fired from his job in the water bureau. We also get a long description of his sexual reputation which blights his future.

I had trouble reading this book in that I found my intrest wandering frequently. The outcome is no suprise and I must say I would not recommend it to anyone. I will hesitate to purchase other books by this author.