Friday 2 May 2014

HISTORICAL FICTION REVIEW: Hannibal: Clouds of War - Ben Kane

Release Date: 06/03/14
Publisher:  Preface Publishing

SYNOPSIS:

As Rome's war with Carthage continues, two friends -- now on opposing sides -- confront each other in one of the most brutal sieges of all time. A new Hannibal novel by the "Sunday Times" bestselling author of The Forgotten Legion series. 213 BC. Syracuse. Under the merciless Sicilian sun, a city is under siege. Outside the walls, a vast Roman army waits. Yet the city's incredible defences -- designed by Archimedes -- mean that the city will not be easily taken. A veteran of the bitter war since its beginning, Quintus is ready to give his life in the service of the Republic. But dangers face him from within his own ranks as well as from the enemy -- who include his former friend, the Carthaginian, Hanno. Hanno has been sent by his general Hannibal to aid Syracuse in its fight against Rome. Pledged to bring death to all Romans, he is diverted from his mission by the discovery of Quintus' sister Aurelia, a captive within the city. Two friends on opposing sides. A woman caught between them. They are about to meet in one of the most brutal sieges of all time. Who will survive?


REVIEW:

The latest excerpt from the Second Punic War time period where friends are placed on opposite sides of the battlefield. What Ben does extremely well is bring the past to life in such a way that modern readers can associate with it. It has great characterisation, solid cast members for both sides and of course prose that is sharper than the blades upon which thousands are to be thrown.

Add to this dialogue that really keeps you glued, pace that won’t let go and all round the reader really is in for something unique within this series. You really can’t put it down.

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