Emperor: The Gates of Rome

It has been a long time since I have read a historical fiction novel though I really do enjoy them, especially the increased perspective I gain from the historical setting. I have especially enjoyed some of the series that have a more religious bent. This is however the first time that I have read a book set in Ancient Rome. Though what really peaked my interest in this book (and series) were the historical figures that it followed and the fact that I got the book for free from Good Reads.

The story of this series is very intriguing as it deals with the youth of two young men who grow up as brothers. One is the son of a noble with an estate of his own. The other is the orphaned son of a noble and his mistress who has been adopted into his friends family. The book covers their childhood friendship as they face bullies together and begin their training to enter the military at age 14. After this time the politics of Rome spills over into their lives and they are forced to go their separate ways remaining friends and pledging their support one to the other. This back story of young men who grow into their historical roles of Julius Caesar and Brutus is intriguing just in it's potential. I recall reading the Shakespeare play Julius Caesar in high school and know the end of the story, but what brings them to that point? This should be an engaging series of books that will be very enjoyable.

This first book was a good step in the right direction. The presentation of these two childhood friends and the development of their relationship is really well done. And it is a very real relationship as well. They have their difficulties and they overcome them. They fight over the same girl, there are disparities in their social status and they have different personalities. Through it all they remain close friends. The one downfall of this story is that some times the action of the story pushes the relationship portion from the forefront. Now most of this action is necessary however I wish that the author had been better at maintaining the relationship portion of the story in focus even while the action was occurring. In spite of that, this story is an excellent read.

There were a few things that bothered me about this book. Mostly it was the in depth description of the gore and violence that the characters experience. The author also did not hide the decadence and depredations of this society which I truly did appreciate but some of the experiences were described in a little too much detail. Not as awful as some others that I have read but at some points it was a little much.

I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to finding the next three (already published) in the library.