The Emperor's Exile

For the most part I found this rather dull, too much thinking and explanation and not enough doing and action. The essential story is just about OK - ridding Sardinia of some nasty people - and that is half done despite Cato losing yet more soldiers and an eye himself! The other half is owing to COVID-19 or the Roman equivalent. He sails from an epidemic and straight to Rome no quarantine for him. The rest is padding and Cato manages to fall in love again. I thought the last one was substandard and this is just manufactured.

If you are looking for big battles with large armies and Roman Legions fighting hordes of Barbarians, Germanic tribes or Parthians hordes, then this is not the novel for you. But, if like me, you have followed the adventures, battles, missions and campaigns that the two main characters undertake in the previous novels, then this tale is just as enjoyable. Yes, it was sad that Macro is only in the book for a short period but I have a feeling he will return and be involved in the next adventure alongside Cato. However, for this adventure, Marco is replaced by a sort of Roman James Bond. I was a bit dubious about this character at first but he certainly grew on me as the narrative progressed. So, instead of big battles, in this tale we see the other side of running an Empire and the problems that can arise. Cato and Apollonius are charged by the Emperor to sort out a rebellion on the island of Sardinia. Not only do they have to sort out a rebellion, they have to look after the Emperor's exiled mistress and prevent a plague from spreading throughout the island. How they tackle these problems makes for great reading and although I would prefer to read about their role in big battles, it made a very interesting and entertaining read. I would recommend this novel for anyone following Cato and Macro and in fact, for anyone interested in Roman period historical novels.

This eventful Roman adventure is already the 19th instalment of the wonderful "Eagles of the Empire" series, from the formidable author, Simon Scarrow.At the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of Sardinia in the 1st Century AD, as well as a Cast List with real great historical and wonderful fictional characters who are featuring in this historical novel of Roman power and control.Its another action-packed Roman adventure, but I miss the usual banter between Cato and Macro after Macro and Petronella's departure, and although the new one, an individual called Apollonius is doing his best to fill in the void, still in my view its different and not so sparkling and enjoyable as it is (was) between Cato and Macro.Storytelling is for certain of a superb quality, all the characters are lifelike and believable, while the deadly atmosphere in Sardinia, with also the killing pestilence in their midst, comes splendidly off the pages.This book is set in the year, AD 57, during the reign of Emperor Nero, and Prefect Cato and Senior Centurion Macro have returned to Rome from the Eastern campaign with General Corbulo, only to find an Imperial Court uneasy and hostile towards their achievements as well as towards Nero and his mistress, Claudia Acte.Prefect Cato is stripped from his title of Prefect of the Praetorians, due to his actions in the East with General Corbulo, and as a consequence he's sent by Senator Seneca to Sardinia to escort Claudia Acte to her place of exile, but before that happens he and Macro will say their goodbyes, and part ways with Macro and Petronella heading for Britannia, to live and work there, leaving Cato with his important mission to Sardinia, with a select group of Centurions and the spy/assassin, Apollonius, to bring Roman law and order to this place, a place that's also ravaged by a deadly disease.What is to follow is a Roman adventure with plenty of action, no doubt about that, but its also a book with a similar theme as in "Invictus", in what the local tribal revolt is concerned, but now adding to it is a deadly pestilence and with only Cato in the headlines an a supporting role for Apollonius, so that overall this engaging book is somewhat inferior to its predecessors in intensity, interaction, warfare and (real) historical battles against fearsome opponents like the Parthians, or the tribes from Germania, or the Celts from Britannia, and I can only hope that the author will return to that kind of formula again.Really recommended, for this is another very good addition to this fantastic series, but not the very best in my opinion, and to come back to this episode I want to call it: "Heroic Cato In Exciting Sardinian Outing"!

For over 20 year has produced an volume of the adventures of Cato and Macrone every year. Immersed in the intrigues of the imperial court, our heroes face enemies on the battlefield more easily than "friends" in the streets of Rome. The good veteran Macro loaded with glory hangs up his uniform to devote himself to married life as a retiree, but will this exit from the scene last? Cato amidst envy for his brilliant results and palace plots, he was diverted to Sardinia, navigating between Nero's former concubine, the Sardinian brigands (...) the incapable colleagues and, very topical, the epidemic, reinforcing his partnership with the new adventure companion who will be as reliable and faithful as the previous one? Over the years, the plots have changed from waged war in large pitched clashes to espionage warfare between friends and enemies. Fans of the series will not be disappointed, casual readers may have a few more perplexities.

Nb This contains potential spoilers!I love the Eagles novels but I’m afraid Simon has run out of steam with this story. I thought the whole “covid on Sardinia” plot was pretty lazy and the whole enterprise seems rather rushed. Losing Macro early on in the story was a HUGE mistake and frankly Cato isn’t charismatic enough to lead the series himself. With Macro no longer in the Legions I see no future for the series and hope Scarrow finally puts the eagles “to bed” and moves on to something new...