Tales of Ancient Rome by S. J. A. Turney – Review

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Tales of Ancient Rome by S J A Turney

Publication date: Nov 2011 (2nd edn, Kindle)

Publisher: Victrix book

Length: 99 pages

The ever-entertaining Turney gives us a collection of short stories set in Ancient Rome, for free. Yes, just from the goodness of his heart. As good short stories should, most have a twist, some of which are more telegraphed than others, some of which I definitely didn’t see coming. Other stories are straight retelling of historical events, like the tale of the end of one of Rome’s less impressive Emperors. We are also treated to an episode from the early life of Fronto, star of the Marius’ Mules series. This is another book I read on the Kindle app of my phone, and the story lengths were perfect for whiling away time while for example waiting in the car. And as it’s for free, what’s not to like? Recommended. And did I mention it’s free?

The Crossroads Brotherhood – Review

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The Crossroads Brotherhood by Robert Fabbri
Publisher: Corvus

Publication Date: December 2011

Length: 54 pages

Review:
This prequel to the Vespasian series is only a novella, so don’t be disappointed that you haven’t purchased a full length novel. I haven’t read the rest of the Vespasian series yet, so this is my first encounter with Robert Fabbri. Being a short tale, I read the whole book in a short period of time on my mobile phone, but this didn’t detract from the experience. The everyday life of the Crossroads Brotherhood, imagined here, probably realistically, as a Mafia style organisation, is described with vivid detail and excitement. It was a surprise to me to find a story set at almost the same time as my own novel, Carbo (first draft finished, yay!) and like my own novel set in the lower echelons of society, but I was reassured that the story was dissimilar enough from mine that I don’t need a rewrite. Magnus, the Patron of the Crossroads Brotherhood, has to help a brothel owner under his protection, while also doing a nefarious favour for a Senator that he owes. The story is wrapped up neatly in the length available, and while this isn’t as satisfying as finishing a full length novel, I would recommend the Crossroads Brotherhood as an entertaining diversion. I will certainly be moving on to the Vespasian series when time allows.