Monday 2 September 2013

VIDEO GAME HISTORICAL FICTION TIE IN: Total War: Rome: Destroy Carthage - David Gibbins

Release Date: 03/09/13
Publisher:  Macmillan

SYNOPSIS:

Carthage, 146 BC. This is the story of Fabius Petronius Secundus – Roman legionary and centurion – and of his general Scipio Aemilianus, and his rise to power: from his first battle against the Macedonians, that seals the fate of Alexander the Great’s successors, to total war in North Africa and the Siege of Carthage. Scipio’s success brings him admiration and respect, but also attracts greed and jealousy – for the closest allies can become the bitterest of enemies. And then there is the dark horse, Julia, of the Caesar family – in love with Scipio but betrothed to his rival Paullus – who causes a vicious feud. Ultimately for Scipio it will come down to one question: how much is he prepared to sacrifice for his vision of Rome? Inspired by Total War: Rome II, from the bestselling Total War series, Destroy Carthage is the first in an epic series of novels. Not only the tale of one man’s fate, it is also a journey to the core of Roman times, through a world of extraordinary military tactics and political intrigue that Rome’s warriors and citizens used to cheat death.


REVIEW:

OK, I enjoy David Gibbins and I enjoy the Total War game series so when the two were combined I was more than hoping for something not only delightful but something that will bring everything together in one wonderful amalgam.

What actually occurs within is a book that does a number of things, firstly it gives the reader a story that ties into the forthcoming game, secondly it explains the tactics and thirdly brings it all together whether you’re a history fan or gamer. It works on quite a few levels and when you add into the mix the talent of an author who likes to generate a story that will thrill the reader all round gives a great start to a whole set of novels.

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