Another exciting entry into the Cato and Macro series! The Boudica entries are always the best of them. Nothing ground breaking, but a good time.

My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.

OUTSTANDING.

This is the twenty second book of this excellent series, the first came out in 2000, when Cato a raw recruit came under Macro's wing, since then they have been through a lot together, and I have thoroughly enjoyed joining them every step of the way.

OUTSTANDING action characters research and writing make this superb series unputdownable. Atmospheric clever descriptive intelligent storytelling of the highest order, with a real feel for the time and place.

The good news the ending and Authors notes leave little doubt that book twenty three is planned.
The book could be read as a standalone story, but any new reader could become hooked, with the expense that would entail.

OUTSTANDING.

For a long time now, I have been enjoying this author's books, in particular this series. Still the author brings something fresh to this and still the series remains alive and vibrant and not stagnant in the least.
Once again the addictive nature of this book cannot be underestimated and I starting reading this and struggled to put it down.
Selfishly, I hope this saga never ends and there are all genuinely very good books and hugely enjoyable.

The previous book in the series (Death to the Emperor) was, in a way, both unusual and half a story. Unusual in that Cato and Macro spend much of the book apart and the story is not resolved. A part one if you like.
Anyway, we are still in Britain in AD60 and the peasants are revolting. The various tribes have united under Boudica as a result of Roman arrogance and over taxing the population. And Boudica’s forces are too great for the stretched out Romans and Londinium is clearly in their sights.
This is the Romans in clear retreat, trying to find somewhere to defend against overwhelming odds.
There will be a third linked book, but this basically concludes a two part story and that of Boudica’s uprising. It tells the history well while involving our two main characters in the events. Takes them a while to link up but the magic is there when they do.
A perfect blend of history, action and well defined and engaging characters.

AD 60. The Roman province of Britannia is in chaos. Boudica's warrior horde, emboldened by a surprise victory at Camulodunum, is gaining numbers from other tribes looking to overthrow their Roman overlords... and Londinium is their next target.

Governor Suetonius has been caught off guard by the strength of Boudica's force, and must now race to Londinium with a mounted escort led by Prefect Cato, fully aware that they have little hope of standing against a rebellion on this scale, even if the army following in their wake reaches the city in time. As Suetonius, Cato and their small escort fight their way across country, Cato's worries are increased by his concern for his family in Londinium - and his fears that his old friend Macro may have finally fought his last battle in Camulodunum. What lies in store for this troublesome outpost of the Empire?

Following on closely from the events of the previous Eagles of Empire book, Death to the Emperor, this novel drops Cato and Macro into a Britannia not only in open rebellion, but in a time when it seems the days of Roman rule may be coming to an end... and it starts very much as it means to go on, with a fierce battle to get the blood pumping!

There are some parts of this story that I really cannot talk about, due the the fear of spoilers, but the action mostly follows Cato as he accompanies Governor Suetonius in a desperate mission to get to Londinium before the rebels, what happens when they arrive in the city, and the turbulent events that follow. It is full of atmosphere and gritty scenes that have you standing shoulder to shoulder with the characters, with gripping combat sequences, and fascinating detail of the military and political workings of the Roman army. Scarrow does an excellent job of weaving in delicious threads that delve into all the in-fighting, pillaging, and general mayhem that come with war too, as well as the emotional heft of storylines around friends, loved ones, and thoughts of home. It is a compelling combination that keeps you fully immersed in time and place, and totally invested in every aspect of the story - whether it be the difficulties that come with ruling an empire from Roman side of the equation, or the fall-out from the injustices visited on the native people chafing under the yoke of an unwelcome conqueror. It is not an easy balance to pull off, but Scarrow manages this well, and to thought provoking effect.

Although this is the first of the Cato and Macro books I have read, I felt an immediate connection with the characters, and had no trouble following the story through the Roman landscape of Britannia. In fact, I found myself carried along on an entertaining tide from the knockout beginning right to the cracking ending that promises an intriguing next instalment, which really surprised me since it is the twenty-second book in the series. This comes with all the period piece bells and whistles you could want from a Roman adventure that blends fact and fiction together, and I cannot wait to delve into the other books in the Eagles of Empire series!

This is book 22 in the series but it’s the first I have read. It is easily read as a stand alone, but I will absolutely be going back and reading the others as this was OUTSTANDING!! What a talented writer. I couldn’t put this one down.

I didn’t realise just how much I was going to enjoy this one, but I love to read outside my usual genres and this is why I do! I find something different that I enjoy immensely. I had read one of Simon’s books, so I did know the writing was going to be very good.

Full of non stop action and vicious battles, and it all leads to the final nail biting heart pounding battle with Queen Boudica’s rebel army.

The story revolves around two main characters; Cato who is leader of one of the Roman army cohorts, and Macro his not quite ‘retired’ army friend. There is a list of characters at the beginning of the book and although there are a lot of names I didn’t need to refer back once as I got to know them all quite easily.

The Roman army are made aware of Boudica leading a rebellion, where thousands of rebels are joining her to rid the country of the invading Romans.

But can they win against the Roman army. Much smaller in number but trained like a well oiled machine.

I was fascinated to read the way the Roman army worked and pulled together to form ‘wedges’ and almost impenetrable walls of shields. Some of the fighting, well actually all of it, is quite gruesome but that’s war.

Can’t wait for the next one in the series now!

Huge thanks to Sophie and Poppy at Ransom PR for inviting me onto the tour.

Note: you can read this book as a stand-alone but I think it’s a sort of follow-up to Death to the Emperor, the previous novel in this long series.
Boudica’s rebellion is described in a lot of books but I think this one that describe is it could have been. It was gory, violent, sometime very cruel insurrection, a sort of guerrilla that nearly defeated Rome.
The author did a good job in described the sense of confusion, the excitement, the violence.
This age is not known for any type of Geneva treaty or piety, the Roman pietas is the sense of loyalty not any type of kindness
The novel is fast paced, action packed, with some heartbreaking moments. There’s a lot violence and some scenes are a graphic description of what it was described by the historian so you’d better skip them if you are squeamish.
I was happy to catch up with Cato and Marco, felt for them and hope to read soon their new story as the aftermath of the rebellion won’t be easy.
This story kept me reading till late in the night as I wanted to be sure that my favourite characters were going to survive.
The storytelling is excellent and it’s well researched. There’s a lot of attention to the details.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The events in Rebellion carry on directly from the closing chapters of the previous book, Death to the Emperor. As it opens, friends and comrades Macro and Cato find themselves separated. In fact, neither knows if the other is still alive. Cato, in particular, fears Macro may have perished in the deadly attack on Camulodunum by the rebel tribes led by Boudicca. (I don’t think it’s giving too much away to say that Cato and, more particularly, Macro have history with Boudicca.)

Bound together more by their hatred of Rome than anything else, the rebel tribes take brutal and bloody revenge on the Roman settlements they pass through. Whipped up into a religious frenzy by their Druids, their treatment of prisoners is especially cruel and merciless. Those who are squeamish may wish to skip a couple of the scenes.

As you’d expect, the book has many exciting set pieces, including a gladitorial style one-on-one contest, the doughty defence of a building against an attack by looters and a Roman cavalry charge. ‘Then the passage of time, which seemed to have slowed moments before, suddenly came on in a rush as the leading squadron ploughed in amongst the rebels with a thud of horseflesh on shields, flesh on flesh and the clatter of weapons and the sharp whinnying cries of horses as they knocked men down…’

But there are also tender moments, involving both reunions and partings. And you can always rely on Macro to provide some pithy humour, here describing his wife Petronella. ‘The best woman in the Empire. Brave as a lion, tough as a first spear centurion, and she throws a right hook that would knock a professional boxer on his arse. She can hold her drink and she’s a wildcat in the sack.’

Both sides know there will be a final reckoning. And Cato and Macro are under no illusion as to what they face. ‘We’re outnumbered, and the fate of the province hangs by a thread… This won’t be a battle where a smart manoeuvre wins the day. It’s going to be a long, hard fight with victory for whichever side has the stomach to outlast the other.’

If you like your historical fiction fast and furious, populated with vividly drawn characters and full of authentic period detail, then you will love Rebellion.