Book Review 163 - Warrior of Rome: Fire in the East
14/20
Warrior of Rome: Fire in the East written by Harry Sidebottom is the first book in the Warrior of Rome series. Set in the Roman citadel of Arete in 255 CE it follows Ballista, the man sent to improve the citadel's defences and to ensure that the looming Sassanid Empire and its army to not take the city and it's people. Ballista must rally his soldiers and the civilians within the citadel's crumbling walls if they are to hold out and survive an assault from one of Rome's greatest enemies.
This was a great, action packed start to a five book series. I liked that this book is set during the decline of the Roman Empire and when reading the book you truly get an idea into how their expansion is now stretching it's force's to breaking point. Ballista is desperate and under resourced and you can see and feel his determination to protect his people in any way that he can. A great first look into the ending of one of the world's greatest empires and how it's decline affects it's citizens.
