Book Review: Eagles in the Storm by Ben Kane

Title: Eagles in the Storm

Author: Ben Kane

Publisher: Arrow Books

Date: 2017

Synopsis: Arminius has been defeated, one of the three eagles has been recovered, and thousands of German tribesmen slain. Yet these successes aren’t nearly enough for senior centurion Lucius Tullus. Not until Arminius is dead, his old legion’s eagle liberated and the enemy tribes completely vanquished will he rest. But Arminius is still at large, devious, fearless and burning for revenge of his own. Charismatic as ever, he raises another large tribal army, which will harry the Romans the length and breadth of the land. Into this cauldron of bloodshed, danger and treachery, Tullus must go – alone. His mission – to find and bring back his legion’s eagle – will place him in more danger than he has ever faced before. Can he succeed? Can he even survive?

Book Review: Hunting the Eagles by Ben Kane

Author: Ben Kane

Title: Hunting the Eagles

Publisher: Arrow Books

Date: 2016

Synopsis: AN ARMY DEFEATED

AD 14: Five long years have passed since the annihilation of three legions in the wilds of Germania. Although the bones of 15,000 soldiers now moulder in the Teutoburg Forest, not all the Romans were slain in the bloody ambush.

A CENTURION OUT FOR VENGEANCE

Demoted, battle-scarred and hell-bent on revenge, Centurion Tullus and his legionaries begin their fightback. Ranged against them is the charismatic chieftan Arminius, who is gathering thousands of hostile tribesmen, and determined to crush the Romans for a second time.

AN EAGLE RECOVERED

The eagle belonging to Tullus’ old legion is still in enemy hands, but as the Romans’ reprisals take their army deep into German tribal lands, he remains convinced that it is within reach. But Arminius and his warriors are perilously close. As battle begins, Tullus and his comrades know they must fight as never before – just to stay alive… 

Book Review: Eagles at War by Ben Kane

Author: Ben Kane

Title:  Eagles at War

Publisher: Arrow Books

Date: 2015

Synopsis:  In the summer of 9 CE, Publius Varus, the Roman governor of Germania, and Lucius Tullus, a centurion garrisoned on the Rhine, march east with three legions. As they prepare to return to their winter quarters, they are lured off the road and ambushed by German warriors.

The Germans are led by Arminius, a chieftain who is a trusted ally of Rome—and a man who has been secretly planning to betray the empire since childhood. Trapping Varus’ legionaries between a hillside and a marsh, and thereby preventing them from forming up or using their artillery, Arminius and his warriors wreak a terrible slaughter.

The Roman defeat is overwhelming, but it is not until the third day of the massacre that the scale of Arminius’ victory becomes clear. Three legions, upwards of 14,000 men, have been annihilated, and three treasured Eagle standards have been lost. Just a few hundred legionaries, including Tullus, manage to escape.

Nor is the survivors’ ordeal over. Pursued to the last Roman fort east of the Rhine, they are besieged by thousands of bloodthirsty tribesmen. Only the gods can save them now.

Hannibal – Ben Kane Review

Plot: Hannibal is invading Italy. Among his soldiers is Hanno, the third son of one of Hannibal’s biggest supporters. But Hanno knows not all Romans are the enemy. Sold into slavery, an unlikely friendship complicates battles and a forbidden love threatens everything he is fighting for.

On the other side, Quintus refuses to sit idly by while the war passes him by. He will fight for his home and for Rome, even if he has to take risks that would see him killed ten times over. But his pride isn’t the only thing at stake and Quintus will not surrender.