Release Date: 07/01/16
Publisher: Corvus
SYNOPSIS:
"AD 58: Rome is in turmoil once more. Emperor Nero has surrounded himself with sycophants and together they rampage by night through the city, visiting death and destruction as they go. Meanwhile, Nero's extravagance has reached new heights. The Emperor's spending is becoming profligate at the same time as the demands of keeping the provinces subdued have become increasingly unaffordable. Could Nero withdraw from Britannia, and at what price for the Empire?
As the bankers of the Empire scramble to call in their loans, Vespasian is sent to Londinium on a secret mission, only to become embroiled in a deadly rebellion led by Boudicca, a female warrior of extraordinary bravery. As the uprising gathers pace, Vespasian must fight to stay ahead of Rome's enemies and complete his task- before all of Britannia burns. "
REVIEW:
Robert Fabbri is an author that I love to spend time with as he brings the past wonderfully to life giving flesh and bones to a bygone era where death and life are sometimes a whisper away from each other and none perhaps more so than the violent times of Vespasian who has survived a number of made emperors and now faces the wrath of Nero alongside his sycophantic minions.
Its well written, the prose is sharp but what Robert always does well is the characterisations which not only make them feel real but by allowing them to grow from the past that has shaped them, makes them feel more alive to the reader. It’s a trick that’s hard to pull off and at times for many authors can lead sadly into a too much information that detracts from the tales pace.
Add to this delightful dialogue as well as a wonderful overall arc that has our hero travelling the length of the empire all round makes this a book that I really couldn’t put down. Cracking.
Release Date: 03/01/13
SYNOPSIS:
Vespasian is serving as a military officer on the outskirts of the Roman Empire, suppressing local troubles and defending the Roman way. But political events in Rome - Tiberius's increasingly insane debauchery, the escalating grain crisis - draw him back to the city. When Caligula becomes Emperor, Vespasian believes that things will improve. Instead, he watches the young emperor deteriorate from Rome's shining star to a blood-crazed, incestuous, all-powerful, profligate madman. Lavish building projects, endless games, public displays of his relationship with his sister, Drusilla, and a terrified senate are nothing to Caligula's most ambitious plan: to bridge the bay of Neapolis and ride over it wearing Alexander's breastplate. And it falls to Vespasian to travel to Alexandria and fetch it from Alexander's mausoleum. Vespasian's mission will lead to violence, mayhem and theft - and in the end, to an act of ultimate betrayal."
REVIEW:
Death, murder, deceit and double dealing with all of them being done before breakfast in ancient Rome as the principle characters story continues to unwind for the modern reader in an imaginative and thought provoking series by Robert Fabbri.
It’s definitely a series that has taken the Historical Fiction world by storm and when you add this to the facts that this remarkable man started out so low and rose to the highest position possible it really is a tale that needs to be told. Throw into the mix the wonderful prose alongside writing style of Robert that makes this engaging as well as the wonderful quips and foresightedness of the principle hero in one of the Empires darkest time which when the reader is introduced to the vileness of Little Boots himself will all round not only make you appreciate our hero but one that will force you to answer questions within your own mind. A wonderful read for the start of the year and to be honest if the quality all round maintains this high, we’re in for one hell of a ride.
Release Date: 01/05/12
SYNOPSIS:
Thracia, AD30: Even after four years military service at the edge of the Roman world, Vespasian can't escape the tumultuous politics of an Empire on the brink of disintegration. His patrons in Rome have charged him with the clandestine extraction of an old enemy from a fortress on the banks of the Danube before it falls to the Roman legion besieging it. Vespasian's mission is the key move in a deadly struggle for the right to rule the Roman Empire. The man he has been ordered to seize could be the witness that will destroy Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard and ruler of the Empire in all but name. Before he completes his mission, Vespasian will face ambush in snowbound mountains, pirates on the high seas, and Sejanus's spies all around him. But by far the greatest danger lies at the rotten heart of the Empire, at the nightmarish court of Tiberius, Emperor of Rome and debauched, paranoid madman.
REVIEW:
Having fallen for Robert’s writing style last year with his debut I was interested to see what would happen with the second title based on the life of one of Rome’s fascinating characters that was one of the earliest recorded self-made men. It’s addictive, it is hard to put down and when you add solid prose, great pace as well as a lead character that is charming, knows how to play the system of politics alongside the battlefield and this book is a real triumph.
Finally add to the whole mix, an addictive series that just goes from good to better, it really announces him as one of the historical fiction authors to not only watch but get in early. Magic.
Release Date: 10/05/11
SYNOPSIS:
ONE MAN: ONE DESTINY 26 AD: Sixteen-year-old Vespasian leaves his family farm for Rome, his sights set on finding a patron and following his brother into the army. But he discovers a city in turmoil and an Empire on the brink. The aging emperor Tiberius is in seclusion on Capri, leaving Rome in the iron grip of Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard. Sejanus is ruler of the Empire in all but name, but many fear that isn't enough for him. Sejanus' spies are everywhere - careless words at a dinner party can be as dangerous as a barbarian arrow. Vespasian is totally out of his depth, making dangerous enemies (and even more dangerous friends - like the young Caligula) and soon finds himself ensnared in a conspiracy against Tiberius. With the situation in Rome deteriorating, Vespasian flees the city to take up his position as tribune in an unfashionable legion on the Balkan frontier. Unblooded and inexperienced, he must lead his men in savage battle with hostile mountain tribes - dangerous enough without renegade Praetorians and Imperial agents trying to kill him too. Somehow, he must survive long enough to uncover the identity of the traitors behind the growing revolt.
REVIEW:
With a whole host of books out there featuring the roman army in action, an author has to do something a little different or special to get their title not only noticed but also read by the literal army of potential fans out there. What Robert Fabbri does in his debut novel is place one of the most intruiging Roman Emperors who rose to this elevated position during the “Year of the Four Emperors” (AD 68-69).
Here Robert takes Vespasian from his young beginnings and weaves a magical tale for the reader that will see him rise due to his natural talents. It’s cleverly written, the principle protagonist comes to life within the pages and the reader really is in for a treat as the book unveils its tale through clever prose and steady pace almost matching the legionaries of ancient Rome itself. All in this book is a decent beginning for a great story and a solid debut for a new author. It’s definitely going to be interesting to see how Robert develops over subsequent titles.
