A brilliant ending to an exceptional alternate history trilogy. Eagle and Empire pits the combined might of the Roman army and the Hesperian League (vA brilliant ending to an exceptional alternate history trilogy. Eagle and Empire pits the combined might of the Roman army and the Hesperian League (various North American tribes) against the invading Mongols. Led largely by Gaius Marcellinus and his close Cahokian allies, the lines between Roma and Cahokia blur in the berserker blood fueled haze of battle. The fighting is frenetic and so well articulated you feel like you standing with Gaius as he faces down the menacing horde. Take note, Eagle and Empire follows on from the events of the previous books and will not read well as a standalone, invest the time in this trilogy and you won't be disappointed. I attempted to read this book slowly to savor each scene but found myself constantly turning the pages, eating up the words like an addict - I couldn't get enough. A re-read of the trilogy is definitely on the cards. 5/5 stars. ...more
Eagle in Exile picks up where Clash of Eagles left off with Gaius Marcellinus on the outer of the inner circle of Cahokia despite playing a significanEagle in Exile picks up where Clash of Eagles left off with Gaius Marcellinus on the outer of the inner circle of Cahokia despite playing a significant role in repelling the Cahokians sworn enemy, the Iroqva in the previous book. Beware, Eagle in Exile is not new reader friendly, if you've not read Clash of Eagles, pick that up first before delving into this as the story is a seamless continuation of the events from the previous book.
Eagle in Exile is one of those rare sequels that reads better than the first, which is saying something given how much I enjoyed Clash of Eagles. The alternative history 'what if' trilogy goes from strength to strength as author Alan Smale explores the native tribes and townships along the mighty Mizipian while world-building the Roman footprint on native America thanks the Maecellinus's influence in construction and modern warfare.
There is so much to like about Eagle in Exile, I just didn't want it to end; from characters such as Tahtay, Sintikala, Kimimela, Hadrianus, Aelfric, and Entopy to name a few, to the creative and somewhat plausible flying inventions of the Cahokians, Eagle in Exile is jam-packed entertainment.
The finale book in the trilogy, Eagle and Empire can't come quick enough (due to be published early 2017)!...more
Imagine a Roman empire so mighty that it never fell and crushed all those who stood in their way as they pursued a never ending expansion across contiImagine a Roman empire so mighty that it never fell and crushed all those who stood in their way as they pursued a never ending expansion across continents and into the fertile and dangerous lands of North America.
Clash of Eagles allows history to alter. Bringing the Roman army to the shores of North America and face to face with American natives. Steel swords and sophisticated battle strategy clash with poison arrows, stealth attacks, and the mound-building Cahokiani.
However, for The 33rd Roman Legion, led by Praetor Gaius Marcellinus on their quest for an easy conquest and acquisition of gold ends in a bloody battle at the hands of the fantastical flight warriors of the Cahokiani outside of Cahokia.
With Marcellinus the sole survivor, he switches allegiance and joins the Cahokiani, bringing modernised Roman warfare to Cahokia to give them the advantage in the never ending Morning War against their local enemy of Iroqva.
Clash of Eagles is loaded historical fact and a healthy dose of fantasy; author Alan Smale gets the dosage just right. Clash of Eagles reads as 'real' with a deep core character in Marcellinus and a Cahokiani supporting cast that I just want more of.
Beware, Clash of Eagles, while depicting an interesting side of life in Cahokia also has a fair amount of battle scenes, as you'd expect - they are gory, frenetic and not for the squeamish - but I liked them.
The first book in the Hesperian Trilogy is a great start with a semi-cliff hanger ending (don't worry, Clash of Eagles still feels like a complete read) that has me adding Eagle in Exile (book 2) straight to the top of my 'next to buy' list.
I was provided a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.