The Oath Breaker: A Novel of Germania and Rome

Hraban Chronicles, Book 1

By: Alaric Longward

Narrated by: Clay Lomakayu

Hraban the Marcomanni has never met his father Maroboodus, exiled in far-away Rome, but this is about to change.

In the age of early Roman Empire, Augustus is creating his legacy with gladius as the legions begin the arduous work of subjecting the troublesome and divided Germani tribes.

Such great, distant issues do not concern Hraban, a young man bent on becoming a spear lord, giver of rings, a warrior praised in the dark halls of his kin. He is the Raven, and son of great lords. Yet his father's return to their burning village does not only upset plans of Rome and the scheming Germani, but those of Hraban, who finds the ancient virtues of his kin are very strained with strange morals of Maroboodus, his father.

Will Hraban find a way to survive the plots of his many enemies, serve his father, and keep his honor while entire nations struggle to unite against Rome and those who would betray the Germani?

The Oath Breaker is the first book in a new series of historical novels set in the dark lands east of Rhenus and fabulous, ancient Rome.

©2014 Alaric Longward (P)2016 Alaric Longward

Epic tale on par with braveheart and other such tales

The author and narrator take you deep into the lands of Germanic during the times of Rome. The first thing that popped into my mind was the movie gladiator when the Romans were battling the last of the Germanic warriors. It was great to see it from the other side. The 4 for overall was for the length. As the series is already multiple books I felt as though the story could have been broken down a bit further as it was a very long listen for the whole story. Be ready to be entertained for the entire time though. Would last you a full drive from Indianapolis to Orlando. Awaiting the rest of the tale to see how it flushes out.I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Columbo meets the shield wall.

So I have mixed feelings about this book. The story line is a constant back and forth of he betrayed his father, but his father wanted him to, so he really didn't betray him, but his father betrayed him because he betrayed his father. in the end the main character lives in to betray someone else so that they can then betray him.

I guess the biggest issue I had with this book was the narrator. The narrator sounds like Columbo. This really took away from being able to focus and really enjoy the book.

I've purchased the entire series and I'm not sure that I'm going to make it through the whole series. I'm going to give book two a chance, but if the narration doesn't improve, I will be returning these.

Big fan of historical fiction--including this one!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Oath Breaker: A Novel of Germania and Rome to be better than the print version?

I enjoy listening to great Audible stories while I am driving to help relax me--this fit the bill.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Oath Breaker: A Novel of Germania and Rome?

The battle at the Roman fort.

Which character – as performed by Clay Lomakayu – was your favorite?

Hraban obviously...

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Oathbreaker.

Poorly narrated

The narration was hard to understand. I don’t know if the narrator was trying to effect a Germanic accent but either way it was always annoying and often unintelligible. I finally gave up and just bought the kindle edition.

Good story but it took me a minute...

The first dozen chapters were slow for me, mostly because the narration was hard for me to fall into. Eventually I settled in and while for minute, I thought I'd not finish the novel, now I'll finish the series.

Hard to Hear

I usually don't write many reviews but the narrator was really difficult to understand and follow. The book was pretty good but it could have been so much better with a clear voice.

Warning: long book ahead!

I've had the privilege to listen to one of Alaric's fantasy novels, so I wanted to sample his historic fiction as well. Which this is. Detailed, descriptive and wonderfully rich old German history, full of savage winters, honorable warriors, various gods and superstition.

Hraban doesn't have it easy, poor lad. I constantly felt like he was being used by all the people around him. Young and fiery, he was very impressionable and they used it. There was almost nobody for Hraban to trust, and if they were, they went away... harsh life. It will toughen him up though, and he'll need that :)

I'd probably choose a younger narrator for this first novel. I had a bit of trouble relating to the 16 year old narrated by an older voice. Clay is good, though perhaps on the monotonous side.

The thing that would make me most happy would be a visual aid for this book - of all the artifacts and weapons I almost had to google :)



I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Good book,but....

It was a good book,w/ a good story but the guy speaking sounds stupid. And it was hard to differentiate the characters due to this one guys same voice for all characters. Other than that it was a good book and now I’m going to download the 2nd book in the series

Looking forward to more volumes

I very much enjoy historical novels set in Roman times and thought I would give this a try. When I first started listening, I had a difficult time understanding the narrator and wonder if I should just put it aside. Fortunately, I did not and really enjoyed the book. I am just hoping the other volumes will be put on Audible.

Excellent Series!

I found this series thru FB I saw a Post from the Author & since ancient historical fiction, is my first love I was very excited! I got the first book the Oathbreaker on audio & I have to say I am delighted!!! Anyone who is a fan of Bernard Cornwell's Uhtred series etc will love this!! The characters are strong, ruthless & the setting is so clear you can hear the battle cries. Seriously I read every good series In this genre I can find & this is top of the list! I hope Ravens Wyrd comes out in audio soon because I don't have time to read my kindle & im dying to see where Hraban goes from here. I hope he destroys his father, he has overcome incredible odds against him & considering the times he was a honorable man from the get. But his father is so corrupt his duplicity is so dishonorable it's appalling