Book reviews

Emperor: The Gates of Rome
Conn Igguldon Book Review

Read a book review online (click here to search reviews)
Books Movies  
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Mystery/Thriller Literature Romance Biography History
Conn Igguldon Books
New book search
Conn Igguldon Message Board
Get more information about this book
Plot Summary of Emperor: The Gates of Rome
"

Delacorte, Jan 2003, 24.95, 357 pp.
ISBN: 0385336608

The mighty legions of Rome have extended the widening concentric power way beyond the political control of the ruling body, the Senate. Instead, the Generals of the conquering armies rule over the captured lands. The Roman leadership understands the need for a single Caesar with dictatorial authority to establish order so that the center holds.

The current prime competitors for the job are Generals Marius and Sulla, both successful with their annexation campaigns. The Senate vacillates and civil war breaks out between the two legions with Sulla forcing Marius to retreat. However, Sulla returns to Greece to put down a rebellion, which allows Marius to triumphantly enter Rome and order the Senate to do his bidding. Watching his Uncle Marius' stratagem is his nephew Gaius who learns one key lesson to trust nobody, even though he allows his beloved childhood best buddy to remain close to him.

Though anachronisms even noticed by this Shakespearean-based Ancient Roman buff will upset the purists, historical fiction readers will enjoy this deep look at Rome just before the rise of Julius Caesar. The thrilling story line is loaded with a feel for the Marius-Sulla rivalry and contains an intriguing spin (at least for us tyros) that sets the stage for the next volume. The audience obtains a robust look at key real life persons in their environs several of who could have served as role models for Machiavelli. Genre fans will take much delight with EMPEROR THE GATES OF ROME even those who knew before the climax the final turn of the chariot as Conn Igguldon spins a deep enthralling depiction.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of Emperor: The Gates of Rome
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
descript. of violence and chases - 10%
Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 40%
How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%




Tone of story - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story: - ancient rome
Spying/Terrorism Thriller Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets: - power struggle within govt between two factions - preventing/finding assassin
War Thriller Yes
Kid or adult book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Gender - Male
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
Age: - 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use? - just the right amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist - power
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Europe Yes
European country: - Italy

Style
Person - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths? - hundreds or more
Amount of dialog - significantly more dialog than descript
Most similar books to Emperor: The Gates of Rome
The Druid King by Norman Spinrad
Four For A Boy by Mary Reed & Eric Mayer
68 A.D. by D.G. Bellenger
The Gates of Rome by Conn Iggulden
SPQR V111: The River God's Vengeance by John Maddox Roberts


Click here for more information about this book




Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
Three ways to search for Thriller/Action books!

1) One-click plot searches! Simply click on a plot or subplot below!

Big vehicle disaster?

Crime Thriller

Disaster, natural or nuclear

Exploring into the wild

Horror Story?

Legal Thriller

Medical Thriller

Religious overtones?

Spying/Terrorism Thriller

War Thriller

Water adventure

Western



or 2) Simple lookup
(title or author)

or
3) Even more search options available with a Detailed Booksearch (click here)

Use our site!
Feedback
About us




Most recent discussions:

General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
.
Shannon Holmes 8:05:43 PM
R. Garcia Y Robertson 6:56:32 PM
Marlo Morgan 6:30:00 PM
Robert Segarra 5:12:00 PM
Dennis L. McKiernan 4:47:04 PM
Mary Downing Hahn 4:04:51 PM
Margaret Peterson Haddix 3:40:45 PM
Natasha Friend 3:14:44 PM
Deric Longden 3:02:09 PM
Lori Wick 2:04:58 PM
George W. Bush 1:36:15 PM
Suzanne Collins 12:53:56 PM
Lilian Jackson Braun 12:53:34 PM
James H. Cobb 10:05:36 AM
Sallie Bissell 11:40:33 PM
Jean M. Auel 4:37:23 PM
Eva Augustin Rumpf 4:36:38 PM
Ruth Minsky Sender 4:15:14 PM
Alice Blanchard 3:46:47 PM
Suzanne Weyn 12:05:19 PM

More message boards