Customer Reviews

Rubicon: A Novel of Ancient Rome

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been reading all of Steven Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" novels (featuring the First Century BC detective Gordianus the Finder) since he began publishing them nearly a decade ago. The historical background for the series is superbly researched, and the reader inevitably learns much about Ancient Rome. Moreover, the plots and characters are intricate and compelling. With "Rubicon" Saylor has reached a new level, delving deeper into Gordianus's soul than he has ever done before. And Saylor has done something which is very difficult for the author of a series to accomplish -- in "Rubicon" he genuinely surprises the reader.

I would urge people, however, to first read the other novels in the "Roma Sub Rosa" cycle before approaching "Rubicon," so that they better understand Gordianus and his family.

In RUBICON, Steven Saylor plunges the reader into the chaos and intrigue of the Roman Republic's last civil war. Less a whodunnit than a vivid, panoramic historical novel with mystery elements, RUBICON nonetheless features all the trademarks of Saylor's "Roma Sub Rosa" series -- vivid characters, polished writing, and brilliantly unexpected plot twists. The siege of the Italian port city of Brundisium is masterfully rendered, as are the terrors of traveling through a countryside ravaged by war and poisoned by suspicion and fear. Fast-paced, well researched, and exciting, RUBICON offers all that any reader of historical fiction could ask for. It's one of Saylor's best.

This is certainly not the best work in the Gordanius serie. Yet it has all the historical precision that is absent in the writings of authors like Lindsey Davis. In those books you feel like you're reading about a 21st century mind which accidently ended up in the body of an ancient hero. Not with Saylor, who always succeeds in convincing you that the novel characters are true Romans (even though that can't be true). So even not at his best, Steven Saylor is superior to every ancient suspense writer

Part of the Roma Sub Rosa series, this has to be Saylors best book so far! It has everything a good book needs: history, political strife, mystery, death, and best of all a shocking ending. Saylor's high caliber writing and eye for detail is not lost on this book. What makes this book entirely worth the price is the unexpected twist at the end that prepares us for the next book (Last Seen in Massalia) I can't wait!!

Saylor's work is based on excellent research, culminating in exciting story-lines which follow accurate events, characters, and times. Being an historical novel writer who has spent numerous hours of research in the libraries of Rome and Athens, I admire Saylor's study. Rubicon stands as another jewel in the necklace of his Sub Rosa Series. Saylor's descriptions of characters and events brings the reader as close a proximity to the times being written about as one could hope, save access to a time-machine! Superb writing, magnificent story-telling, backed by impeccable research!

"Rubicon" is a fun read.

The only other Saylor book I have read so far is "A Murder on the Appian Way" which quite frankly is not half as good as "Rubicon". On the other hand reading "A Murder on the Appian Way" before reading "Rubicon" is a good idea, as the earlier book details the political situation and interrelation of the characters.

I plan to go back to the start of Saylor's series of books and work my way through in order. I'm looking forward to a pleasant season of easy yet informative pleasure reading.

This is the first of Steven Saylor's books that I have read and I found it to be very enjoyable. I am a big fan of ancient history and his novel brings to life many rich details that get overlooked in the history books.

At times the language seems slightly stiff and implausible, but this does not detract from the story and seems to enhance the fact that the characters are thinking and speaking thousands of years ago in a language that has different syntax and structure from English(the book is in English).

A great read for any fan of mystery and history. Can't wait to read some of his earlier works.

I read a lot about ancient Rome, however, none of my reading (mainly nonfiction) has brought that historical time and place to life for me as much as the mystery novels of Steven Saylor. I've taken a bit of time to write a review of RUBICON, because I feel it is one of his best, with one of the more compelling story lines, however, all of them are good. The other reviewers have covered the plot, which I won't review here, however the mystery I must admit had me guessing until the end.

In Rubicon, Steven Saylor reveals the diversity of his tales of Gordianus. From the clever investigations of Roman Blood, through the psychological thriller of Catilina's Riddle, to the political struggle of Murder on the Appian Way, Saylor writes "novels of Ancient Rome (not just detective stories). Rubicon presents a very different puzzle.
Rubicon is a story with many levels: the military struggle between Caesar and Pompey, the strife between Pompey and Gordianus concerning the death of Numerius Pompey, the tension in Gordianus' family over the drafting of Davus and the long absence of Gordianus, and the struggle with Tiro during the long trip through Italy. Although the main plot appears to be the search for the killer of Numerius Pompey, it is the characters and their struggles that enhance this book.

Rubicon has very strong characterization. Pompey is a strong leader who is impatient, proud, and very stubborn. Pompey seems to live off the reputation of earlier campaigns. Caesar appears almost infallible. He is a dynamic leader with the unquestioned loyalty of this troops. His army is so disciplined that every one of his more than thirty eight thousand soldiers knows his job and does it without being told. Caesar is also human. He is generous with his friends and shows mercy to his enemies. Tiro, who in earlier stories was the cautious slave of Cicero, has grown into a confident and driven freedman. He often masquerades as Soscarides, a traveling philosopher.

The details of the military campaigns are impressive. The battle scenes are very realistic. As a former military engineer I marveled at the accomplishments of Vitruvius, Caesar's military engineer, who builds blockades and battle towers in the bay. Although actually floating on the water these devices are stable, unyielding as barricades, and effective fighting platforms.

Rubicon is a masterful novel. It is accurate history and vivid description. If you like history, if you enjoy suspense, if you revel in visualizing humanity in realistic situations, you must read this.

I love Steven Saylor and his books. I was extremely suprised by the ending in this one... I was caught totally off guard. But it is an excellent book. I recommend reading the whole Roma Sub Rosa Series