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Conspiracies of Rome [Paperback]

Richard Blake (Author)
3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
RRP: £8.99
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Book Description

Publication Date: 8 Jan 2009 | ISBN-10: 0340951133 | ISBN-13: 978-0340951132 | Edition: paperback / softback
THE ROMAN EMPIRE IS DEAD. LONG LIVE THE CHURCH OF ROME!

609 AD. Rome is torn apart by war, plague and internal power struggles between the Emperor, the aristocracy and the Church.

Into this morass stumbles the young and handsome Briton Aelric. His father was murdered, his inheritance stolen. Forcibly separated from the woman he loves, he is determined to win back all that he has lost.

Through his naivety and ambition, he unwittingly becomes involved in a heretical plot that will lead to fraud, high treason and murder.

Introducing the most compelling anti-hero since Flashman, CONSPIRACIES OF ROME takes you back to one of the darkest and least known periods of history.

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Conspiracies of Rome + The Terror of Constantinople (Aelric) + The Blood of Alexandria (Aelric)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Hodder Paperbacks; paperback / softback edition (8 Jan 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0340951133
  • ISBN-13: 978-0340951132
  • Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 2.5 x 19.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 404,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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› Visit Amazon's Richard Blake Page
Richard Blake
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Product Description

Review

'I can't resist recommending this first volume of a promised trilogy. Set during the last pangs of Imperial Rome, with a vivid account of the machinations of the early Church, it is well-informed, atmospheric and beautifully written.'

(Literary Review )

'In a rollicking new historical adventure series, the hero Aelric is a sort of randier version of Sharpe with an eye for the girls and a taste for the odd vat of wine . . . this is rip-roaring historical fiction which avoids taking itself too seriously. Great fun.'

(Western Daily Press )

'The best historical novel I have ever read' (L. Neil Smith )

'An enjoyable read'

(Historical Novel Society )

'Fascinating to read, very well written, an intriguing plot and I enjoyed it very much.'


 

(Derek Jacobi )

From the Publisher

This is a stunning first novel, written by a historian, who brilliantly brings this dark period of the 7th Century AD to life and what a fascinating period it is: Europe's civilisation crumbling and the Church rising like a phoenix out of the ashes of the Roman Empire. It is superbly imagined and I press you to read it. Alex Bonham, Editor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Well written and very enjoyable 18 May 2012
By Opus_Seven
Format:Paperback
An out of place character ( an Anglo-Saxon), in an unusual setting ( the Church of 7th Century Rome ) gives this well-written book a real charm.

I loved it from start to finish and would recommend to anyone. It is not a 'battle-action' novel in the Cornwall or Scarrow style, but it is great historical fiction, bringing the unusual setting to life.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Not quite a Roman Romp... 26 Feb 2012
By Ruby Larkspur
Format:Paperback
This, I think, is one of those not-very-wonderful books that still manages to be rather entertaining. It is in dire need of a thorough edit (there are opaque sentences, repetitious/inelegant phrases and typos to contend with) and, furthermore, the author has a slightly odd command of swearing. It is as if he is unaccustomed to using profanity and employs naughty words in this text with the coy clumsiness of a blushing adolescent. The book is also crucially deficient in sex! Sexual scenes are alluded to, but there is a disappointing lack of detail! This jars when you consider the personality of the main character. And really, in a lightweight historical romp (if I can use the r-word!), occasional steaminess is kind of a requirement!

Those criticisms notwithstanding, there are certainly good points to this book. Whilst some people don't like a modern mode of speech in historical fiction, I think it always works much better than cod historical dialogue. This book doesn't bother with any of that faux-archaic stuff. Plus, I very much took to the main character/narrator and enjoyed his company along the way of the story. The other characters too came to life quite well. I enjoyed the lighthearted tone of the book (ponderous historical fiction = a pompous annoyance). And I felt the uncertain, 'interesting times' of the setting, and the rough justice of the ancient world, came across tangibly - and without the free ancient history lecture that you often get in historical novels.

So, on balance, I enjoyed reading this book. Great literature it ain't, and it has plenty of clumsy moments. But it lacks many of the common annoyances of historical fiction and will pass the time admirably if you approach it with an uncomplaining, uncritical eye!
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11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Not so sure 12 May 2009
By J. Cooper TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
Taking everything into account, this book is an average read.

I do not believe it is one of the best books within this genre as I find the story is quite fragmented and I am not sure whether I can warm to the main character who appears to have a split personality.

The story is well told and relatively fast paced, yet I found there was a `missing element' that would usually have prompted me to give a higher rating.

I disliked the frequent use of modern words and expressions that litter the book and help to destroy an authentic scene.

I am undecided as to whether or not I shall purchase the next book within this series.

This is certainly not one of the best historical novels available.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
The end of the Roman empire is a really interesting period in European history and I really enjoyed the way that Richard Blake has brought that period to life. Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2010 by F. Cotton
2.0 out of 5 stars How to confuse the reader
This is a reprint of a book by a differently named author - is this reasonable!
stating that first published in 2008 is incorrect, why would a respectable publisher like... Read more
Published on 17 July 2010 by D. White
3.0 out of 5 stars Oh Dear !!!!
Just a bit naughty NOT to advise that this novel was previously published a few years ago under the author's name of Sean Gabb . Read more
Published on 3 Mar 2010 by Michael F. Star
1.0 out of 5 stars What a disappointment
Conspiracies of Rome
I am only moved to write reviews when a book is either outstanding or is really, really bad. Sadly this is prompted by the latter. Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2009 by D. Donnelly-Wood
1.0 out of 5 stars Am I reading the same book as everyone else? Is it just me who thinks...
I want to begin by saying that I wanted to like this but I wonder if I'm reading the same book as most of the other reviewers. Read more
Published on 13 April 2009 by Kevin
3.0 out of 5 stars The Column of Phocas
I saw this novel in WH Smith, and being a lover of historical fiction, picked it up. Reading the back cover and flicking through a couple of pages made me pause and not buy it... Read more
Published on 30 Jan 2009 by cemlyn
3.0 out of 5 stars Book for Bin
Interesting period and makes a real change from stories about Caesar and Augustus as well as Rome at the height of her power. Read more
Published on 11 July 2008 by A. Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Agree with the above!!!!
I have not even finished reading the book and I feel safe in rating it 5 stars. Living in Rome, I should be better informed as to its history and this book has given me not only... Read more
Published on 12 May 2008 by MayGoodComeToUs
5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable!
This is quite simply the best historical novel I have ever read. From the quiet opening on page 1 to the shattering revelations that only end on page 356, this grabbed and held my... Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2008 by Sianlover
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      Am I the only reader of this book that thinks it's rubbish? 1 2 Jul 2009
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