Book Blurb:
AN ANCIENT CODEX HIDES A SECRET THAT THREATENS THE EMPIREHistory meets fantasy in Ancient Rome
In an alternate first century Rome, the clouds of treachery darken…Verendus is an officer in the Praetorian Guard’s elite cohort of spies and assassins. Known as Caesar’s Serpents, its troops are fierce, formidable, and feared. Now they are after him.
When Verendus undertook an unauthorised mission to deliver a box to safekeeping, he hadn’t expected to be accused of treason. Prefect Galenius, commander of the Guard, has set Caesar’s Serpents on his trail and they will stop at nothing to obtain the codex within that box.
Convinced that the codex contains information vital to Galenius’ plot to overthrow the emperor, Verendus enlists the help of fugitive handmaid Corinna to translate the ancient pages. But Corinna has her own agenda, and Verendus is not part of it.
As unrest stirs across the Empire, Verendus strives to unlock the secrets of the codex to clear his name and protect the emperor. But with allies diminishing, and Galenius’ net closing, time is running out for him.
Book 2 of the historical fantasy series: The Serpents of Caesar ~ The adventure will continue in Inferno…
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/yy2cU
Author Bio:
Thea Burgess is the author of The Serpents of Caesar historical fantasy series set in an alternate first century Europe – the Roman Empire, but not as we know it. Signum, the first book in the series, follows Praetorian Guard cartographer and spy Verendus as he embarks on a perilous – and unauthorised – mission.
Thea also writes short stories with a Roman theme and has been long-listed for the Historical Writers’ Association, Dorothy Dunnett Short Story Award three times. In addition to researching and writing about Ancient Rome, Thea enjoys reading art history books. Unlike protagonist Verendus, Thea isn't very good at drawing.
Editorial Review:
The next milestone came into sight, a stout pillar standing taller than a door, the carved place names bold in red paint. Commendator Ericus Vedius Verendus read the distance to Avennio and swore under his breath. They should have reached the marker yesterday.
He adjusted his seat in the saddle and rested a hand on the scuffed leather satchel that hung across his chest, pressing his fingers against the hard edges of the box within. Despite the warmth of the morning, the thought of what was inside that box sent a chill down his spine.
Codex captivates the reader with a sense of urgency and peril from the very first line. We are thrust into Verendus's world in the first chapter, where danger and betrayal are present everywhere. The mood of the rest of the book is set right away by the vivid descriptions and suspenseful action.
Codex: In an Alternate First Century Rome by T.R. Burgess is a brilliant continuation of the exciting story that started with Signum. With its compelling story of political intrigue, treachery, and resiliency, this second volume of The Serpents of Caesar series immerses readers in a vividly reconstructed first-century Roman Empire and will have them eagerly anticipating the next one. Codex is a historical fantasy masterpiece with its engrossing characters, well drawn world-building, and deftly paced plot.
As the novel begins, Verendus, a senior officer in the Praetorian Guard's secret Speculatores unit, is being chased by the elite group known as Caesar's Serpents and has been labeled a traitor. Verendus is at the heart of a plot that jeopardizes the stability of the empire after being charged with treason for going on an unapproved mission to safeguard a secret codex. He and Corinna, a runaway handmaid with her own secrets, must work quickly to crack the ancient codex and discover Prefect Galenius's evil scheme to depose Emperor Flavio.
Undeterred, the acolyte clasped the dove, lifted it from the cage, and held it on the altar. Still murmuring, the priest selected an amphora and sprinkled a few drops of wine onto the altar and then over the bird. Taking the second amphora, he repeated the process. A waft of incense scented the air. Verendus coughed. That was probably a bad omen too.
Burgess masterfully maintains the tension throughout, and the stakes are impossible to ignore. A compelling story is produced by the interaction of imperial politics, personal allegiance, and the mystery of the codex. Every step deepens the reader’s immersion in the murky realm of alternative Rema by introducing new levels of complexity.
Verendus is a masterfully constructed protagonist—skilled but troubled by his previous decisions, devoted but disillusioned. His development over the course of the narrative is convincing and believable. An intriguing contrast to Verendus is Corinna, a temple maiden with her own issues and goals. Their relationship, which is tense and characterized by mutual need, gives the story depth.
Equally well-drawn are the supporting cast members, such as Lucius Mostus, Verendus’s devoted ally, and the cunning Prefect Galenius. Every character adds to the story’s depth and seems like a live, breathing component of the universe Burgess has built.
Even though Codex is the second book in the series, it is a very strong stand-alone novel. Burgess skillfully combines important Signum facts, making it easy for new readers to follow the plot while providing series veterans with more in-depth understanding of the overall narrative. There is never a dull moment thanks to the books’ seamless coherence and speed.
Codex has an excellently designed storyline. The plot progresses satisfactorily from the inciting event that sends Verendus on his desperate search to the pivotal encounters that try his resolve. The pacing is tight, with heart-pounding action punctuated by quieter periods of introspection.
The book is flawlessly edited, with alternating points of view that enhance the narrative and seamless chapter transitions. Burgess offers a balanced perspective on the events that are taking place by utilizing alternating points of view, mostly from Verendus and Corinna. In addition to increasing the tension, this strategy helps readers understand the characters’ complex motivations. With chapter headings and maps that improve the reading experience, the formatting is professional and easy to understand.
Despondency darkened the new morning. The scouts found no trace of Tadius, and word of their failure spread swiftly through the camp. The men had looked a sorry lot yesterday; today, even a second-in-command Perseo was quiet. Drill over, Verendus stood on the mound at the edge of the clearing with him, going through the day’s route. The dark-skinned auxiliary nodded and chewed his lip as he mulled over the information.
Beside him, Bretorus glowered at the view. ‘If I could have one more hour, Commendator.’
‘Your trooper’s gone into hiding’, said Quintus, strolling over and sparing Verendus a reply. ‘Tadius won’t have gone far. Probably holed up in a barn. However, if I don’t deliver those taxes to Viorum and return to Alba by the ides, my father will put this whole turma on report.’
Without giving anything away, Codex's ending is both gratifying and intriguing. Although several narrative points are resolved, there are still enough questions left unexplained to make the wait for the next episode almost intolerable. Expertly, the tension between anticipation and resolution is managed.
Burgess's skill at fusing creative world-building with painstaking historical knowledge is what distinguishes Codex. Rema's alternate past is vivid and highly developed, with overtones of ancient Rome. Every location is vividly described, from the perilous mountains to the power corridors teeming with intrigue. A distinct and alluring layer of mystery is added by the codex itself, with its mysterious mysteries.
Burgess's writing style is sophisticated yet approachable, and its cadence effectively captures the story's urgency. The action sequences are expertly coordinated, and the dialogue seems true to the era. Whether they describe emotional struggle or scenery, the descriptive passages are powerful without being overdone.
This historical fiction is both exciting and intellectually stimulating. It will appeal to those who enjoy political intrigue, alternate history, and well-developed characters. Regardless of your familiarity with The Serpents of Caesar series, Codex offers a memorable reading experience.
5 stars and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company
Award:
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