The Sea of Grass (Legionnaire)

De: Gilbert M. Stack

Narrado por: William L. Hahn

Forbidden from returning to Aquila, Marcus Venandus responds to a plea from a half-brother he has never met to aid him in the far away land called the Jeweled Hills. When pirates shut down the sea routes the legion officer and his two trusted companions are forced to join a caravan to make the slower journey north across the treacherous Sea of Grass. Yet this may not prove to be the safer choice. A mysterious shaman has sworn to drench the plains in the blood of foreigners and his mastery over storms gives him the teeth to fulfill his oath. As chaos envelopes the trail, it will fall to Marcus to organize the defense and try to shepherd the frightened civilians of the caravan to safety again.

©2017 Gilbert M. Stack (P)2019 Gilbert M. Stack

Another thrilling tale!

I often have to conduct Battlefield tours, and I always try to make the tale thrilling and exciting. This story was told is such a way that it kept my attention and I was eager to hear more. Well done to both the author and narrator!

Action!

So much better than the first book. The story is filled with action and easy to put yourself there with the caravan. Narration was clear and personalitys were spot on. I'll be going on to book 3.
This audio was given to me free and I voluntarily gave this review.

Excellent 2nd in the series

"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Well written book . Characters are nicely developed. Engaging plot. Can’t wait to listen to the third one.

Great narration as well.

Seas are treacherous, the Sea of Grass doubly so

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

It was silly of me to listen to book 1 and then go to book 3 without listening to book 2. Interestingly, despite knowing the outcome to book 2 and hearing it referenced in book 3, the "Jewelled Hills" I was looking forward to the "Sea of Grass". Whilst I usually don't scrutinise for the military and tactical defences in books I read, I find the way that the author explains them a lot easier to understand than in many other fantasy books.

In this book, Marcus Vernandos begins his exile from Aquilla by travelling to visit his brother in one of the cities to the north of the continent, Amatista. The usual sea routes seem to be plagued by pirates, more so than usual, and Marcus has no choice, but to take the overland route through the plains, called the Sea of Grass to get to his brother.

This entire book centers on the journey to Amatista, which starts of as a routine and slightly dangerous, thanks to the tribes that call the plains home, wagon trail. What it ends up is a desperate siege with overwhelming odds against an angry powerful shaman with a strangely familiar (at least to Marcus due to his adventure in the Fire islands) medallion amplifying those powers to rain destruction on any foreigner daring to step on the plains.

Marcus evolves as a character, he is slowly coming to realise that there are plenty of Aquillans that do not do justice to his home country and it's often the worse examples of Aquillan forces that are sent to the far places such as the forts stationed through the Sea of Grass. He also comes to appreciate the people from different races that are travelling with him, such as the honor-bound Henthe and the fierce Gotha.

One of the big strengths of this book is the introduction of all the different characters that are not used as a one dimensional cut-out to add to the story. Instead, even more minor characters like the Gotha lord's wives or the black band legionnaire Lysander have a distinctive voice and add, rather than detract from the story.

One of my very few complaints in the book is that the author doesn't tie up the loose ends in the end of the book. It feels like there should be a chapter after the main battle that deals with all the characters introduced during the book. Having listened to the next book in the series, I know the fate of some, but not all and I feel the book is poorer for it.

An excellent continuation to Marcus Venandus

The story of Tribune Marcus Venandus continues in this full-length novel. Marcus journeys to see his half-brother by traveling with a caravan from one fort to another, but the tribes of the Sea of Grass have united under a magic shaman who wants to kill all strangers.

In this primitive land, hordes of savages under the evil shaman's magic attack Marcus and his legionnaires. Each attack becomes greater and more threatening as Marcus strives to save the caravan. With each encounter and setback, Marcus finds resources to cope.

At Fort Defiance, they shouted, "Here they come!"

Marcus ordered, "Swords! Kill the bastards."

Book two of the Legionnaire series builds on the first, and we find that Marcus is as resourceful, brave, and intelligent as ever.

Barritus!

Even after the overwhelming victory at the Fire Islands and his promotion to Tribune, Marcus Venandus is forbidden to return to Aquila due to a hasty, baseless reaction by the Senate. Faced with this unexpected opportunity, Marcus decides to honor his brother’s request to visit him in the Jeweled Hills. Unable to secure a ship for the journey, Marcus, his Red and Black Vigils, must take the more dangerous overland route. With bandits and raiders on the rise and a rebellious shaman making threats along the trail, will Marcus and his friends arrive in the Jeweled Hills? I suspect Tribune Marcus will be called upon once again, as in the Fire Islands, to take command and save the day. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I liked the one better!

So I was given a copy of this book free in exchange for my honest thoughts and I have to say I liked this one better than the 1st, I was interested in what Marcus has going on and to lose his brother at the end like that means I must now read the 3rd one as well. I would say to others, dont let the 1st book in this series dissuade you from continuing because it is worth it.

long live the Legions

Marcus is exiled from his home after his last adventure but a letter from his brother gives him a destination and distraction. I loved the military aspects of this swords and sandals adventure and the way the people in the caravan were able to both cause and solve problems. the narration was good and I liked the sound effects. I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.