I hope you can give a better synopsis than what I found online (all the same, in 4 places)
" His political career had taken a near-devastating blow when three years before he had found himself before a jury of
Roman knights (?) for allegedly having sexual relations with a Vestal Virgin"
From my post, #21.
"Of the two authors - Steven Saylor (Roman Blood), and Simon Scarrow (Under the Eagle), I would say that Saylor is, so far, the better writer but that Scarrow's book reads much faster.
Saylor brings you into Roman life, word by word. Scarrow pushes you thru an exciting adventure with little time to stop and look around you."
Quote:
Originally Posted by owl123
SameOldStory: My point was that Scarrow's books could be set in any historical times: 15th century England or 17th century France. There's no Roman "feel" to them - for me, that is.
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That’s what Ea and I were talking about re. Simon Scarrow. Saylor has just the right amount of Latin in the story to fill out the story and bring you in touch with the environment of the story. Scarrow needs to do more of that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by owl123
SameOldStory: My point was that Scarrow's books could be set in any historical times: 15th century England or 17th century France. There's no Roman "feel" to them - for me, that is.
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That's my feeling about both books, Under the Eagle and Roman Blood.
Under the Eagle is a very good adventure story. The protagonists grow into characters that you can understand and empathize with.
Roman Blood is a well planed mystery. But the similarity to Sherlock Holmes is very strong.
From page 15, Roman Blood
"You've mistaken your pronouns, sir. It's I who am to explain my coming to you."
"On the contrary. It's true, as you could tell from the look on my face, that I've never heard of your master -- what was his name, Marcus something-or-other Cicero? A total stranger. Nonetheless, I can tell you a few things about him...."
This is a mystery book that any mystery reader would love. But with a few changes, it could take place almost anywhere London, Amsterdam, or New York.
Saylor is a better writer, no question, but at this point in time I would have finished Scarrow's book. Scarrow has a greater immediacy to his prose.