Book Blurb:
At the peak of Rome's might a dragon is born among eagles, an heir to a line both blessed and cursed by the Gods for ages.
In A.D. 197, Emperor Septimius Severus led one of the largest invasion forces in Rome’s history against the Parthian Empire.
Among the men of thirty-three legions is Lucius Metellus Anguis, a young man from an ancient Equestrian family. Against the wishes of his conservative father, Lucius is determined to pursue a career in the military and resurrect the glory of his family name on the battlefield rather than the marble of the Senate.
However, as in all conflicts, Lucius’ ideals and his faith are challenged as he witnesses the worst in humanity.
As the imperial legions fight their way through Mesopotamia to the Parthian capital of Ctesiphon, Lucius discovers the inner strength that may well ensure that this young dragon rises from the ranks of Rome’s eagles.
Can a man survive the trials of war unscathed? Do the Gods indeed favour the bold?
March to war with Rome’s legions and find out!
A Dragon among the Eagles is the first novel in Adam Alexander Haviaras’ ground-breaking Eagles and Dragons historical fantasy series. If you like books by Douglas Jackson, Manda Scott, and David Gemmell, or movies like Gladiator and Pompeii, then you will love this historical series that combines adventure, romance, and the supernatural.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/o4wVCOE
Author Bio:
Adam Alexander Haviaras is the author of the #1 best selling Eagles and Dragons historical fantasy series, as well as other works of fiction and non-fiction set in the ancient and medieval worlds.
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Adam has studied ancient and medieval history and archaeology at the University of Toronto, Canada, and St. Andrews University, Scotland. He lives with his wife and children in Stratford, Ontario where he is currently writing another ground-breaking work of historical fiction.
If you like ancient history and fiction set in Greece or the Roman Empire, Greek and Roman mythology, or stories like Gladiator, The Last Kingdom, and The Mists of Avalon, then you’ll love Adam’s books.
Adam is always happy to connect with readers, writers and those who love history in general. You can find him on Twitter (@AdamHaviaras), on the Eagles and Dragons Facebook page, or on Instagram (@adam_haviaras)
Most of all, don’t forget to sign-up for the Eagles and Dragons Newsletter here: https://eaglesanddragonspublishing.com/newsletter-join-the-legions/
Thank you for reading.
Editorial Review:
Editorial Review: “A Dragon Among The Eagles: A Novel of the Roman Empire”
Author: Adam Alexander Haviaras
“A Dragon Among The Eagles: A Novel of the Roman Empire” by Adam Alexander Haviaras is set in Ancient Rome (197 AD onward) with an equally ancient dilemma – pleasing a father or following an individual path. Lucius Metellus Anguis wants a military career, and the turbulent times offer him a chance of battlefield valor. But Lucius’s father wants him to pursue a career in the Roman Senate. This generational conflict is an important aspect of a plot that encompasses Lucius’s coming-of-age in one of the greatest empires in history. He leaves parents and siblings (the youngest are, of course, read Aesop’s Fables as bedtime stories!) to join the Roman Legions with his foster brother, Argus.
“Let me explain, Father -"
"Explain?" Quintus whirled around, his eyes wild. "What are you going to explain? How you've defied me? How you’ve destroyed your only real chances of giving our family the honour it deserves? What about the Cursus Honorem? Our ancestors have followed its path to greatness for generations, and in one fell, miscreant deed, you destroy everything for us!"
"I've done no such thing. The Cursus was always your dream, not mine."
"It is the way of things, you ignorant boy! It is the only honourable way to make a name for yourself in the world.”
The military references are expected in such a narrative, but the use of Latin terms, both in conversation and description, highlight the extensive research the author has undertaken to write such a tale. The pacing is more that of a saga, in that from time to time there is significant description rather than action. Those who adore stories of Ancient Rome will certainly be in their happy place! The story commences with Lucius in his family environment, relating to a dictatorial father, a loving mother and sister, and appealing small siblings. Two further sections of the novel revolve around Lucius’s journey into adulthood and his military exploits as he seeks personal fulfilment and faces an unexpected chance to turn away from the battlefield.
The storyline is written in the third person, and although there is some telling rather than showing, Lucius is a strong and compelling main character, facing several internal and external challenges. He is portrayed with an entirely relatable mix of youthful naivety, uncertainty and brashness, although his encounters with the opposite sex do make him seem older than his years.
As all who immerse themselves in history will know, Ancient Rome was a time of turmoil for many, and there are graphic references to traumatic death and sexual assault.
“They came from all over Italy to join Rome's legions. War was in the air again, and so was opportunity for every young man willing to wear the red cloak of Mars. The hopeful, the bankrupt, the disinherited and destitute - all of them wanted the opportunity to make something of themselves.
When the call went out that Emperor Septimius Severus, fresh from his victories in the recent civil war, was heading east to take on the Parthian Empire, young men began to flow down the roads leading to Rome like spring runoff out of the mountains.”
“A Dragon Among The Eagles” is primarily an historical novel, and also includes supernatural/fantasy elements. The book is one of a series, but can easily be read as a standalone, as this author has done.
“The two riders fell in a heap, and Livius stared at Lucius, his face exhausted, tears of pain running down his sweaty face.
Lucius yelled. "Pila iacite!" to the men coming up behind him.
The pila of the first rank launched and the rest of the horse archers swarming Livius either fell or turned quickly to regroup farther away as was their tactic.
Lucius ran toward Livius. He could hear the other centuries coming up behind them, the beautiful sound of their cornui, and the harsh orders of the other centurions.
"Tribune!" Lucius said, his hand steadying the wounded horse. "You need to get to a medicus at the back of the line right away. You're losing a lot of blood, sir!”
“A Dragon Among The Eagles: A Novel of the Roman Empire” by Adam Alexander Haviaras is an immersive, escapist journey through Ancient Rome, seen through the eyes of Lucius Metellus Anguis, a young man joining the Roman Legion. The novel is entertaining but also a gritty read, with elements of realistic history mixed with supernatural/fantasy references. A fantastic start to a series that shows Ancient Rome in all of its glory, demonstrating that an individual’s yearning to forge their own path is as ancient as Rome itself.
*****
“A Dragon Among The Eagles: A Novel of the Roman Empire” by Adam Alexander Haviaras
receives 4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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