Centurion Paperback – August 7, 2008

I am a fan of this series so I hope my bias is not coming into my reviews, but perhaps it is. Scarrow I find transports me to the primitive time of the Roman Empire.His use of language, though not riddled with terms of the legions, is also not filled with modern constructs that other writers use and throw me out of the setting.In this instance Macro and Cato are still in the Holy Lands for during this period of time, after JC (And I took umbrage with the last book and bringing our heroes into the realm of the early politics of Christianity) a great deal is happening for Rome in the Eastern borders.Parthia, Palmyra and the ambitions of the Governor of Syria are converging. This story was good and we see that Cato is really coming into his own. I do not know if Scarrow has the entire series plotted, but I hope we see Cato further his career with the Legions and the machinations of Roman Politics, especially when we know Vespasian and Titus have made appearances in the series and should have play since we know Nero is coming, and the wars after him.What is great about this series, and well worth the time to read it, is not only the historical feel, but the military feel as well. We have several books of detectives set in the Roman milieu, but few series of legionaries.Well worth your time and when the series is complete, definitely a reread.

This, the 8th novel in the series, begins with the destruction of a Roman cohort by the Parthians, sworn enemies of Rome and a threat to its eastern province Syria. Centurions Macro and Cato are sent by the scheming "real power behind the throne of Emperor Claudius" Narcissus to spy on one of Rome's more ambitious generals, Cassius Longinus, Governor of Syria.The other reviewers here have written enough about this novel to give anyone curious about it an idea of its plot. I won't add to what has already been said. Suffice it to say, this is another good read about the adventures, battles, and friendship of Roman soldiers Macro and Cato. I admit that I gave this book in the series only 4 stars instead of 5 because I think it wasn't as exciting or as full of the riveting " will they be saved in the nick of time" desperation that was so well-written by Simon Scarrow in the other books...but that's just my opinion. If you are looking for a fast paced book to take along with you to the beach on a summer's day, you can't go wrong with this. I recommend it highly. Newcomers to the "Eagle" series should first read UNDER THE EAGLE...the book that started it all. Enjoy!

First of all I want to preface this review by saying that I'm really enjoying Simon Scarrow's series so far and I plan on reading some of his other novels once I finish the 2 most recent entries in this series.I'm a picky reader, with a preference for fast paced historical fiction and Mr Scarrow fits those requirements well. Many have compared his writing to Bernard Cornwell's, my favorite author, and those comparisons are pretty spot on. Like Cornwell he does his research, creates and developes interesting characters, keeps you hooked with exciting battles and situations and doesn't take two pages to express a simple point.Centurian is another solid entry. This time Cato and Macro move east to the Syrian frontier where they get wrapped up in a multi tier power struggle for control of Palmyra. Without giving anything away Scarrow writes another compelling entry, which kept me hooked throughout. Cato and Macro have to deal with a kingdom that has three princes but no clear heir, a rival nation and enemy of Rome allyed with one of the three, all while having to rely on a shaky alliance and serving under a general who would like nothing better then to send them to their deaths. What's not to like?

"Centurion" is the seventh novel in the "Cato and Macro" series set in the Roman Empire in the time of the Emperor Claudius. (Incidentally, the sixth novel is not available yet on Kindle in the USA.) In this novel Cato and Macro are serving in the Roman province of Syria, which is engaging in conflict with the Parthians. Historically the Roman Army had problems with the Parthians, whose main Army consisted of horse-mounted archers, making it difficult for the Roman Army, which was mainly heavy infantry, to engage them.This is an excellent story that sees the further development of the Cato and Macro characters, particularly Cato, who is now maturing into an outstanding fighting-man who increasingly seems destined for high rank. There is even a serious love interest here, which is well done if perhaps a bit under done. Overall this is an excellent addition to the superb "Cato and Macro" series. RJB.

This Eagles of the Empire series by Simon Scarrow is the best series I've ever read. Every book has been hard to put down. The main characters of Macro and Cato really grow on you and it's exciting to follow them through their adventures. You learn a lot about Rome and the Roman Empire as well as it's military campaigns, strategies and weapons. Mr. Scarrow has done serious research in every region in which his stories are set so there's lots of historical accuracy. He will admit when he has taken literary license to "fill in the blanks" where there's missing information. I love this series!