Praetorian: The Nemesis Blade

Praetorian, Book 7

By: S. J. A. Turney

Narrated by: Piers Hampton

The empire is settled from its civil wars with a strong new ruler in Septimius Severus, and while the emperor campaigns in the east, a cohort of Praetorians has been left in control of Rome under Rufinus, now a tribune of the Guard.

But adventure calls once more, as Rufinus receives a worrying letter that sends him on a quest in the north, which will take him and his new faithful companion to the edge of empire, where he will uncover a secret that puts the whole world in danger.

©2022 S. J. A. Turney (P)2022 W. F. Howes Ltd

Entertaining until it wasn’t

Well written with good pacing and solid character development. I very much wanted to give this a highly favorable review, but there were so many snatches of victiry from the jaws of defeat that it lost literary credibility and crossed into fantasy land, becoming comic bookish. That to me was a real shame because the protagonist did not have to exercise superhuman abilities over and over and over. Enough already with the incredible extrications from dire straits with almost nary a scratch. Otherwise, the story was well-researched and enjoyable. I am not sure I can endure another massive credulity strain, however, so I may pass on the next book in the series which is likely to contain even more heroic feats and flights of fantasy.

Another great book!

I agree that this book had a slow start but it really picks up and keeps you guessing as the story progresses. I liked the action packed story like always but also thought the slower start brought a new light to Rufinus, on his new life as a tribune in the beginning of the book. I would highly recommend reading it or listening to the audiobook.

Turney and Hampton once again.

Once again this amazing duo give us another amazing story in the ongoing life of Rufinus, and always Inloved every minute. Can't wait for the next installment!!

Slooooow in the middle

I was interested in the beginning got really bored in the middle and the end was great as good as anything else Turney has written for the Praetorian series. I am curious how he will paint the return to Rome. I would think someone so military as Severus, would not be too forgiving of an abandoned post. I’m sure Turney will make it work I mean this is fiction. Though sometimes his farfetched escapes are eye rollers. In the end, it was very entertaining.

Dont bother with this one

Bad story. Author of the series missed the chance to exploit the interesting characters introduced in the first few books,
Although exhausted with Ruffinus endless complaining and making amateur mistakes and decisions, I was hoping for narration the two campaigns against Niger and later Albinus. I cant recommend all the books in this series. Talk about Game of Thrones nonsensical endings.